Fascinating New Book by Local Author

New from Bramber Press, Portrait of Village Life was launched at St Mary’s House, Bramber, on Wednesday 16th November.


Local historian and former parish councillor, Keith Nethercoate-Bryant, wrote a monthly article on local history for his parish magazine over a period of twenty years. These have now been collected together for the first time and published in book form. The book provides an enthralling insight into the life and times of the three Sussex villages – Beeding, Bramber and Botolphs – over a thousand years, from pre-Saxon times to the present century. 


Peter Thorogood, author and social historian, has edited the articles and added a brief biography of the author, together with a comprehensive index. His restoration of the 600-year-old St. Mary’s House, Bramber, led him to explore more widely the history of his adopted village of Bramber. Keith Nethercoate-Bryant’s articles were the perfect beginning to a fascinating historical journey. Peter describes the book as a classic of its kind: “it will always be a standard work for future generations to learn from and enjoy.” 


Portrait of Village Life is a vivid picture of a vibrant community and the people who made it. It is by no means a dry-as-dust history book; Keith Nethercoate-Bryant’s references to ‘our village’, ‘our church’, ‘our river’, make it a deeply personal account of personal impressions and treasured memories. For example, he recalls the day when, as a young sailor, he came home from the war and, stepping out from the little train at Bramber station, heard the sound of church bells ringing out across the fields, reflecting that they would have been heard only in the event of invasion by the enemy. He remembers how, as an eager child, he went up on the Downs to watch men hedging and ditching, with the added bonus of a good swig of ginger beer. 


Keith brings to life the names and pursuits of villagers, which would otherwise be lost for ever. There are stories of death in great storms, smugglers coming by night, an amusing tale of a picture owned by a canny old lady, and the charming accounts of a lovable old vicar distributing presents to the children at Christmas and warm clothing to the poor of the parish.


For the young, the book serves as a window on how we lived our lives over many centuries. To quote Keith, “History is a treasure hunt, a detective story with exciting clues.” 


The book has been highly praised by those who have seen it for its wealth of content – 360 pages – and over 130 illuminating illustrations drawn from many sources.


Portrait of Village Life is available from the Steyning Bookshop at price £15 or direct from Bramber Press (telephone 01903 816205 or see the website www.bramberpress.co.uk where it may be ordered on-line).



Anyone who would like to attend the book launch at St Mary’s House, Bramber, on Wednesday 16 November at 7pm, is invited to telephone 01903 816205 or email info@stmarysbramber.co.uk for a ticket. Entry is free, with a complementary glass of wine, and an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the book.



St Mary's House & Gardens, Bramber, West Sussex BN44 3WE


Private Group Visits with a Guided Tour are available daily between April and end of September 2012. Please visit the website below for booking details.                  


Tel: 01903 816205. www.stmarysbramber.co.uk