Viva Lewes Issue #132 September 2017

BITS AND BOBS
TOWN PLAQUE #30
The links of Lewes with towns in Europe are announced at the roadside at
each main entry point to the town and also with a bronze plaque set in the
pavement between Boots and Fitzroy House in the pedestrian precinct. It
marks the distance and direction of Blois in France and Waldshut-Tiengen in
Germany. Lewes has been twinned with Blois, in the Loire valley, since 1963,
though links between the two towns were begun by Mr Auld of the boys’
grammar school in 1947. Waldshut-Tiengen lies at the edge of the southern
Black Forest, right on the river Rhine, along which runs the German-Swiss
border. It has been twinned with Lewes since 1974, largely as a result of prior links it had with Blois. Twinning
had great impetus after the Second World War as a sign of commonality and understanding and it still generates
exchange visits and cultural links. Marcus Taylor
LEWES IN NUMBERS: INTERNET USAGE
National figures for 2016 show that 82% of adults use the internet daily or almost daily, compared with 35%
in 2006. And 89% of households have internet access, compared to 57% in 2006. 7 in 10 users access the
internet ‘on the go’ from a mobile phone or smartphone.
Internet access varies by household type and age. 99% of households with children, those with 2 adults aged
16-64, and those with 3 or more adults have internet access. But only 53% of single pensioner households
are on-line, and 87% of younger single adults. Those households without internet access mainly reported
that they didn’t require it, though a small proportion were excluded by cost or lack of skills. Sarah Boughton
GHOST PUB #35: THE SWAN INN, 15 MALLING STREET
There have been at least four pubs in Lewes called the Swan
over the centuries. This particular one was originally the King &
Queen, and was named after William & Mary when they came
to the throne in 1694. However, in the late 1700s it became the
White Swan, and shortly after that, the Swan Inn. With ample
stables, this was an important stopping point for the Lewes and
Brighton Coaches, which were then pulled up the hill to the Star
Inn. William and Harriet Thorpe took over the Swan in 1848, and
were great hosts for many years. They organised an annual pigeon
shoot, providing supper, after which the guests ‘then directed their
attention to the contents of the well stored cellar.’ On William’s death in 1856, at just 38, Harriet placed a
notice in the Sussex Advertiser to thank the town for their support over the years, and to say that she would
continue to run the Swan by herself. In 1907 there were suspicions of gambling at the Swan, and Detective
Sparks was called in from Brighton to investigate. He and PC Ware went undercover and managed to place
multiple bets on horses with the bar staff. A lengthy trial ensued, and the landlady, Martha Keep, was fined
heavily, but successfully appealed. The Swan Inn closed its doors in 1919. This beautiful old building still
stands, and is now home to Pastorale Antiques. Mat Homewood
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