Following a lot of requests from paranormal
societies, we are now offering accredited
groups the opportunity to carry out
overnight investigations at Yesterday's
World for a limited period.
| Ghost Watch |
Details |
| Max group size |
15 |
| Deposit payable
in advance (non
refundable) |
£50 |
| Balance payable
on night |
£300 |
| Times |
8pm - 3am |
Reported
paranormal activity |
Known history
| Past
occupants |
Building
structure
How to book
|
Payment methods |
The deposit should be paid in advance to
secure your booking, with the balance of
£300 to be paid by cheque on the night. Tea
/ coffee and refreshments are available at
an extra cost. Please contact us to discuss
your requirements 01424 777226 or
Email us
Currently available during October,
November and February.
LIMITED DATES, FILLING UP FAST, SO BOOK
EARLY!
 |
|
|
Reported
Paranormal Activity
Over the years there have been
several reported sightings and
evidence of paranormal activity in
the building:
|
- Nov 2006: a visitor
sent us a picture she had taken
of the grocers display of what
appears to be two ghostly
figures of a man in a cap and a
maid in the glass.
- Oct 2006: the morning
after a paranormal
investigation, a previously
unopened jar of malt extract
kept on the top shelf of the
grocers was found smashed to
pieces on the floor, having
exploded everywhere. The
investigators recorded a
crashing noise from that area
but were unable to locate where
it came from.
- Several staff claim to have
heard footsteps on the
floorboards overhead when the
museum has been empty.
- A lady in a long dress has
been sited by a visitor on the
stairs.
- A cowled monk was sited
upstairs in what used to be the
main bedroom of number 89 (now
the Chemist Shop). Apparently
the old lady who lived there
used to keep it locked up after
being awoken one night by a
presence in the room and seeing
the figure of a monk trying to
pull her husband out of bed by
his legs.
- The builders working on the
Chemist Shop reported feeling
uneasy as if they were being
watched.
- The sound of a baby crying
(part of the push button
commentary in the Nanny’s Room
on the attic floor) has been
heard going off when there’s
been no-one upstairs.
|
Known history of the
building
Yesterday’s World occupies numbers
89 and 90 High Street, Battle. The
original building is over 600 years old. It
was built in 1410 for the accountant of
Battle Abbey. Over time it was converted
into 2 separate dwellings (numbers 89 and
90), which have been home to a long list of
occupants over the years, including a
boarding school and dentist’s surgery, as
well as private dwellings.
In 1986, 90 High Street was bought by Mr and
Mrs Buckley and converted into a museum and
gift shop. In 1992 they acquired number 89
and knocked it through to expand the museum
that we see today.
Past occupants
Here is a list of occupants as obtained from
Battle and District Historical
Society Museum Trust in 1992. The
information below is derived from street
directories of Battle.
It is a record of who was there at a
particular time, not a record of when they
arrived or when they left. There are no
street directories of Battle after
1974, when they were replaced by Yellow
Pages.
89 High Street:
1862-1870: William Lamborn Grammar and
Commercial Academy
1886-1887: Mrs Eldridge and Rev EFB Monck
1910-1911: William Phillips
1911: Herbert Newbery
1913-1915: Frank Percival Chinery
1919-1920: EJB Higerty
1922-1926: Mrs Higerty
1927-1934: Miss FR Slater
1931: RHC Baker (Dentist)
1932-1933: Dr L Shillito (Surgery)
1933: WH Horne M.R.C.V.S
1933-1935: Simon P Hendry M.R.C.V.S
1940: Miss Riley
1948-1974: Harry Judd
1992: Buckleys Museum of Shops
2004: Yesterday’s World
90 High Street:
1886-1911: John George Steel
1886-194: H Judd (Judds of Battle – Complete
House Furnisher) *photo attached
1940-1948: Also British Legion Headquarters
1958-1986: Gray and Sons Ltd House
Furnishers
1986: Buckleys Museum of Shops
2004: Yesterday’s World
Structure of the
building (89-90 High Street, Battle, East
Sussex)
The main structure of the building dates
back to 1406. The house that was constructed
was a “wealden” hall house with an open hall
and a two storeyed bay at either end, which
housed the parlour and the services for the
chambers above.
The date of the stone walled cellar is not
certain although such cellars would usually
be located beneath the parlour. Each of the
two rear ranges housed a single room on each
storey. Both doorways giving access between
the front and rear first floor chambers
survive though are now blocked. The chambers
throughout were originally open to the roof.
First floor doorways survive in the north
wall of the main range between the front and
rear chambers, that within the eastern bay
being located so as to suit the position of
the former stairs. Both openings are now
blocked but retain their plain
elliptically-arched heads. A heavy mortice
in the side of one of the exposed joists
marks the former position of the stairs
within the eastern bay. No details are know
regarding the position of the stairs within
the western bay.
The hall was floored over and a chimney
inserted in the late 18th century. It is
though that at this time the house was
converted into two dwellings though it
remained in single ownership. New dog-leg
staircases were now inserted into the end
bays.
Both stairs rise to attic level and the
eastern one still retains its shaped slat
banisters at first floor level. Partitions
were inserted into the eastern chamber in
order to form a landing area, as well as
dividing the original chamber into two.
Internally the structure is now much
sub-divided, whilst externally a projecting
shop was added to the front in the early
19th century.
How to book?
All visits should be pre-booked in
advance. Please phone 01424 777226 or
Email us with details of your group and
your preferred date. You will be required to
pay a (non-refundable) £50 deposit to secure
your booking. We will send you confirmation
to bring with you on the night.
Payment methods
Please make cheques payable to 'Yesterday's World LTD.'
A non-refundable deposit of £50 is due at
least 2 weeks prior to your visit. Upon
receipt we will issue you confirmation of
your booking. The balance may be paid by
cheque on the night.
|
