Uckfield And The Unexplained

A pair of puzzling 20th century mysteries originate from the East Sussex market town

- Clive Agran

Initial impressions can be deceptive. When visiting Uckfield you could be excused for concluding that it was a perfectly normal and pleasant former market town with a pretty river flowing through it. Nothing unusual here, you might mistakenly think.

But look behind the neat hedges, draw back the lace curtains and you may become aware of the curious fact that two of the most extraordinary episodes in this country’s history happened right here. Both not only puzzled our nation but also caused considerable consternation and confusion throughout the entire world.

Before unravelling any mysteries, I first have to find Brian Phillips of the Uckfield and District Preservations Society (UDPS). We meet at Bridge Cottage, a magnificent medieval Wealden hall house that dates from around 1436. When it was built isn’t a mystery thanks to dendrochronology, which uses the pattern of annual growth rings in wood to establish the date of timbers. Apparently the growth rings vary in width depending on the weather each year creating a pattern that can be matched to timber of a known age. Because buildings were constructed of green unseasoned timber they can reliably be dated to the year the timber was felled.

Although one of only a handful of surviving original properties, Bridge Cottage was in danger of being demolished in the early 1980s when the area behind it was redeveloped into a shopping complex. Thankfully, UDPS helped save it, restored it and now oversee its use as a splendid venue for a wide range of events.