Cuckfield
Encyclopedia
Cuckfield is a large village and civil parish in the Mid Sussex
District of West Sussex
, England
, on the southern slopes of the Weald
. It lies 34 miles (55 km) south of London
, 13 miles (21 km) north of Brighton
, and 31 miles (50 km) east northeast of the county town of Chichester
. Nearby towns include Haywards Heath
to the southeast and Burgess Hill
to the south. It is surrounded on some sides by Cuckfield Rural
.
Before the modern local government system came in to operation in the late 19th century it was described as being in the hundred of Buttinghill, in the rape of Lewes
. The civil parish covers an area of 431.58 ha (1066 acres), and had a population of 3,266 persons in the 2001 census.
The origin of the name, Cuckfield (earlier spelled Kukefeld, Cucufeld, and Cucufelda), is debated but it is generally associated with the cuckoo
which is the village emblem. The name is pronounced with a long 'u' sound, and does not rhyme with the nearby town of Uckfield
which is pronounced with a short 'u' sound).
The village grew as a market town
; and an important coaching
stop between London and Brighton
, since it lay on the turnpike
. In 1820, 50 coaches a day were passing through; but when the railway
to Brighton was to be constructed in the 1840s, local landowners objected to its projected route: it was therefore built through neighbouring Haywards Heath
instead. The village lost its importance as a result. Today the A272 road
also bypasses the village centre. It is however home to Warden Park Specialist School
one of the main secondary school
s serving the Haywards Heath area.
It became an urban district
in 1894 under the Local Government Act 1894
, and was greatly enlarged in 1934 under a County Review Order
by adding part of Chailey
Rural District
, Cuckfield Rural District (including the parish of Lindfield
) and Haywards Heath
Urban District.
The Parish Council, Cuckfield Museum and village library reside within the Queen's Hall, built in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's
Diamond Jubilee
. The parish church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity
, has Norman
foundations, although the building itself is 13th century. The lych gates are listed buildings and several of the stained glass
windows as well as the pulpit and the ceiling's painting were designed by Charles Eamer Kempe
(1837–1907).
Gideon Mantell
found the first known iguanodon
fossils close to Cuckfield at Whitemans Green
, where a monument to him now stands. He also features in the town's museum. Other attractions include the Elizabethan stately home, Cuckfield Park, to the west of the village. The Cuckfield Bonfire Night
celebrations are held here. Another Elizabethan house, Ockenden Manor, is a restaurant which has had one star from the Michelin Guide
since 2001.
Cuckfield is also known locally for its idiosyncratic system of mayoral voting; unlimited numbers of votes can be purchased for the price of one penny each, with the winner receiving the most votes.http://www.jdawiseman.com/papers/electsys/unusual-electoral-systems.html The position is purely honorary and the money raised supports local charities.
Mid Sussex
Mid Sussex is a local government district in the English county of West Sussex. It contains the towns of East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill....
District of West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, on the southern slopes of the Weald
Weald
The Weald is the name given to an area in South East England situated between the parallel chalk escarpments of the North and the South Downs. It should be regarded as three separate parts: the sandstone "High Weald" in the centre; the clay "Low Weald" periphery; and the Greensand Ridge which...
. It lies 34 miles (55 km) south of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, 13 miles (21 km) north of Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, and 31 miles (50 km) east northeast of the county town of Chichester
Chichester
Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...
. Nearby towns include Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath
-Climate:Haywards Heath experiences an oceanic climate similar to almost all of the United Kingdom.-Rail:Haywards Heath railway station is a major station on the Brighton Main Line...
to the southeast and Burgess Hill
Burgess Hill
Burgess Hill is a civil parish and a town primarily located in the Mid Sussex district of West Sussex, England, close to the border with East Sussex, on the edge of the South Downs National Park...
to the south. It is surrounded on some sides by Cuckfield Rural
Cuckfield Rural
Ansty and Staplefield, formally Cuckfield Rural, is a civil parish in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, England, covering an area from the north-west side of Burgess Hill, the whole lying to the west of Cuckfield civil parish, from which it was created in 1894 under the Local Government Act...
.
Before the modern local government system came in to operation in the late 19th century it was described as being in the hundred of Buttinghill, in the rape of Lewes
Lewes
Lewes is the county town of East Sussex, England and historically of all of Sussex. It is a civil parish and is the centre of the Lewes local government district. The settlement has a history as a bridging point and as a market town, and today as a communications hub and tourist-oriented town...
. The civil parish covers an area of 431.58 ha (1066 acres), and had a population of 3,266 persons in the 2001 census.
The origin of the name, Cuckfield (earlier spelled Kukefeld, Cucufeld, and Cucufelda), is debated but it is generally associated with the cuckoo
Cuckoo
The cuckoos are a family, Cuculidae, of near passerine birds. The order Cuculiformes, in addition to the cuckoos, also includes the turacos . Some zoologists and taxonomists have also included the unique Hoatzin in the Cuculiformes, but its taxonomy remains in dispute...
which is the village emblem. The name is pronounced with a long 'u' sound, and does not rhyme with the nearby town of Uckfield
Uckfield
-Development:The local Tesco has proposed the redevelopment of the central town area as has the town council. The Hub has recently been completed, having been acquired for an unknown figure, presumed to be about half a million pounds...
which is pronounced with a short 'u' sound).
The village grew as a market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
; and an important coaching
Coaching inn
In Europe, from approximately the mid-17th century for a period of about 200 years, the coaching inn, sometimes called a coaching house or staging inn, was a vital part of the inland transport infrastructure, as an inn serving coach travelers...
stop between London and Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, since it lay on the turnpike
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
. In 1820, 50 coaches a day were passing through; but when the railway
Brighton Main Line
The Brighton Main Line is a British railway line from London Victoria and London Bridge to Brighton. It is about 50 miles long, and is electrified throughout. Trains are operated by Southern, First Capital Connect, and Gatwick Express, now part of Southern.-Original proposals:There were no fewer...
to Brighton was to be constructed in the 1840s, local landowners objected to its projected route: it was therefore built through neighbouring Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath
-Climate:Haywards Heath experiences an oceanic climate similar to almost all of the United Kingdom.-Rail:Haywards Heath railway station is a major station on the Brighton Main Line...
instead. The village lost its importance as a result. Today the A272 road
A272 road
The A272 is a road in South-East England. It follows an approximate East-West route from near Heathfield, East Sussex to the city of Winchester, Hampshire. It has achieved somewhat unlikely fame in recent years by being the subject of a book by the Dutch author, Pieter Boogaart...
also bypasses the village centre. It is however home to Warden Park Specialist School
Warden Park School
Warden Park is a specialist secondary school based in Cuckfield, West Sussex. It specializes in mathematics, ICT and modern foreign languages. There are approximately 1500 students aged 11 to 16 years old...
one of the main secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
s serving the Haywards Heath area.
It became an urban district
Urban district
In the England, Wales and Ireland, an urban district was a type of local government district that covered an urbanised area. Urban districts had an elected Urban District Council , which shared local government responsibilities with a county council....
in 1894 under the Local Government Act 1894
Local Government Act 1894
The Local Government Act 1894 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales outside the County of London. The Act followed the reforms carried out at county level under the Local Government Act 1888...
, and was greatly enlarged in 1934 under a County Review Order
Local Government Act 1929
The Local Government Act 1929 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that made changes to the Poor Law and local government in England and Wales....
by adding part of Chailey
Chailey
Chailey is a village and civil parish in the Lewes District of East Sussex, England. It is located ten miles north of Lewes, on the A272 road from Winchester to Canterbury...
Rural District
Rural district
Rural districts were a type of local government area – now superseded – established at the end of the 19th century in England, Wales, and Ireland for the administration of predominantly rural areas at a level lower than that of the administrative counties.-England and Wales:In England...
, Cuckfield Rural District (including the parish of Lindfield
Lindfield, West Sussex
Lindfield is a village and civil parish in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, England. The parish lies to the north-east of Haywards Heath, of which the village is a part of the built-up area. It stands on the upper reaches of the River Ouse...
) and Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath
-Climate:Haywards Heath experiences an oceanic climate similar to almost all of the United Kingdom.-Rail:Haywards Heath railway station is a major station on the Brighton Main Line...
Urban District.
The Parish Council, Cuckfield Museum and village library reside within the Queen's Hall, built in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
Diamond Jubilee
Diamond Jubilee
A Diamond Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 60th anniversary in the case of a person or a 75th anniversary in the case of an event.- Thailand :...
. The parish church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield
Holy Trinity Church is an Anglican church in the village of Cuckfield in the district of Mid Sussex, one of seven local government districts in the English county of West Sussex. It was founded in the 11th century and was in the possession of Lewes Priory in 1090, but the present structure dates...
, has Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
foundations, although the building itself is 13th century. The lych gates are listed buildings and several of the stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
windows as well as the pulpit and the ceiling's painting were designed by Charles Eamer Kempe
Charles Eamer Kempe
Charles Eamer Kempe was a well-known Victorian stained glass designer. After attending Twyford School, he studied for the priesthood at Pembroke College, Oxford, but it became clear that his severe stammer would be an impediment to preaching...
(1837–1907).
Gideon Mantell
Gideon Mantell
Gideon Algernon Mantell MRCS FRS was an English obstetrician, geologist and palaeontologist...
found the first known iguanodon
Iguanodon
Iguanodon is a genus of ornithopod dinosaur that lived roughly halfway between the first of the swift bipedal hypsilophodontids and the ornithopods' culmination in the duck-billed dinosaurs...
fossils close to Cuckfield at Whitemans Green
Whitemans Green
Whiteman's Green is a place in the north of the large village and civil parish of Cuckfield in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, England. It is located on the southern slopes of the Weald, two miles west of Haywards Heath and surrounded on other sides by Cuckfield Rural civil parish. The...
, where a monument to him now stands. He also features in the town's museum. Other attractions include the Elizabethan stately home, Cuckfield Park, to the west of the village. The Cuckfield Bonfire Night
Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in England. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding...
celebrations are held here. Another Elizabethan house, Ockenden Manor, is a restaurant which has had one star from the Michelin Guide
Michelin Guide
The Michelin Guide is a series of annual guide books published by Michelin for over a dozen countries. The term normally refers to the Michelin Red Guide, the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, which awards the Michelin stars...
since 2001.
Cuckfield is also known locally for its idiosyncratic system of mayoral voting; unlimited numbers of votes can be purchased for the price of one penny each, with the winner receiving the most votes.http://www.jdawiseman.com/papers/electsys/unusual-electoral-systems.html The position is purely honorary and the money raised supports local charities.
Notable people
- Tommy CookTommy CookThomas Edwin Reed Cook was an English cricketer for Sussex County Cricket Club. He was also a professional footballer with Brighton & Hove Albion and Bristol Rovers, who made one appearance for England in 1925. He later became manager at Brighton.A right-handed batsman, he played 460 first class...
(1901–50) - Sussex cricketeer and Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion F.C.Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
and England footballer. - Jeremy Cunningham - Bass player in British band the Levellers.
- Hermione CockburnHermione CockburnHermione Cockburn is a British television and radio presenter specialising in scientific and educational programmes.-Biography:...
- Geologist and broadcaster, was brought up in the village. - The brothers Edward FoxEdward Fox (actor)Edward Charles Morice Fox, OBE is an English stage, film and television actor.He is generally associated with portraying the role of the upper-class Englishman, such as the title character in the film The Day of the Jackal and King Edward VIII in the serial Edward & Mrs...
, James FoxJames FoxJames Fox, OBE is an English actor.-Early life:James Fox was born in London, England to theatrical agent Robin Fox and actress Angela Worthington. He is the brother of actor Edward Fox and film producer Robert Fox. The actress Emilia Fox is his niece and the actor Laurence Fox is his son. His...
(both actors) and Robert FoxRobert Fox (producer)Robert Michael John Fox is an English theatre and film producer, whose work includes the 2002 film, The Hours.-Life and career:...
(a producer) all grew up in the village. Their mother died there in 1999. - Sally GeesonSally GeesonSally Louise Geeson is a British actress with a career mostly on television in the 1970s. Her most famous role was as Sid James' daughter, Sally, in Bless This House. The series was one of the first in colour in the UK; indeed the first seven episodes of Series One were in black and white...
- Actress, best remembered for her role in the British sitcom Bless This House with Sid JamesSid JamesSid James was an English-based South African actor and comedian. He made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour and also starred in the popular Carry On films. He was known for his trademark "dirty laugh" and lascivious persona...
was born in the village. - Thomas VicarsThomas VicarsThomas Vicars was a 17th-century English theologian and religious writer.He was born in Carlisle in Cumberland , the son of William and Eve Vicars. He entered Queen's College, Oxford in 1607 as a poor serving child. He then became a tabarder, chaplain and fellow within nine years. In 1622, he was...
(1589-1638) - 17th-century theologian - James VinceJames VinceJames Michael Vince is an English cricketer who currently plays for Hampshire County Cricket Club...
(1991-) - Hampshire cricketer - Nick Van EedeNick Van EedeNick Van Eede is an English musician, producer and songwriter. He is best remembered for singing and writing the 1987 U.S...
(1958-) - Lead vocalist and co-founder of the British-based band Cutting CrewCutting CrewThe Cutting Crew is a pop rock band formed in England in 1985, best known for their #1 hit, " Died in Your Arms".-Career:Vocalist Nick Van Eede founded the group along with Canadian guitarist Kevin MacMichael in 1985, and the two made demos that led to a recording contract, before bassist Colin...
External links
- Cuckfield Town Website
- Cuckfield Parish Council
- Cuckfield European Association - A non political organisation that promotes twinning links with towns in France and Germany and organises a wide range of social events and trips throughout the year.
- Holy Trinity, Cuckfield (Anglican Parish Church)
- Independent State of Cuckfield - The community charity responsible for the idiosyncratic system of voting for mayor.
- Cuckfield Compendium - a large collection of information on Cuckfield.
- Cuckfield Bonfire Website