Framfield

Infobox UK place
official_name=Framfield
country=England
region=South East England
static_

static_image_caption=
area_footnotes=cite web |url=http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/ |title=East Sussex in Figures |accessdate=2008-04-26 |publisher=East Sussex County Council]
area_total_km2 =19.8
population=1855 (2007)
population_density= Pop density mi2 to km2|243|precision=0|abbr=yes
os_grid_reference=TQ494203
latitude=50.96
longitude=0.13
post_town=UCKFIELD
postcode_area=TN
postcode_district=TN22
dial_code=01825
constituency_westminster=Wealden
london_distance=convert|39|mi NNW
shire_district=Wealden
shire_county=East Sussex

Framfield is a village and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. The village is located two miles (3 km) east of Uckfield; the settlements of Blackboys, Palehouse and Halland form part of the parish area of 6,700 acres (2,706 ha).

History

It is likely that Framfield came into existence in the ninth century. Saxon invaders established many settlements along the Weald: the final "-field" in its name means a clearing in the forest to build such a place. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book ("Framelle"); part of the church has Norman stonework.

Geography

Framfield parish lies on the southern part of the Weald. An ancient trackway, probably used by the Saxons during their invasions, passes to the north of the village. Like many other such places, it was involved in the Wealden iron industry: there are many small streams (including Framfield Stream) which are tributaries of the Sussex Ouse river on which the mills stood.

Blackboys

There are two explanations of the origin of the name:
*It came from the colour of the charcoal burners when they emerged from the woods in the past.
*The name means "black wood", from the soot deposited in the woods by the charcoal. This is the more likely explanation.Fact|date=April 2008

The "Blackboys Inn" was founded in the 1300s and was acknowledged as a coaching establishment. It is also possible that the inn was founded as an overnight staying place for the drivers transporting charcoal from the local woods to Lewes and other towns.

Religion

There is a 13th-century church, dedicated to St Thomas à Becket, [ [http://framfieldandblackboys.org.uk/Churchinfo2.htm Framfield church website] ] although it probably superseded a wooden Saxon one. In the ninth century it passed from the crown to the Archbishop of Canterbury, assuming its nomination as a peculiar. In 1509 a fire burned all the wooden parts of the church and the tower collapsed in the 17th century. In 1891 the church, including the tower, was restored and the bells were rehung. [ [http://www.framfieldchurch.org.uk/History%20Modernised%20style.htm History of Framfield Church] ]

There is also a Baptist chapel, and a Methodist church at Blackboys.

Education

Education is provided by two Church of England primary schools: Framfield; [ [http://www.framfieldcep.e-sussex.sch.uk/ Framfield CE Primary School] ] and Blackboys. [ [http://www.blackboys.e-sussex.sch.uk/ Blackboys CE Primary School] ]

Leisure and Sport

There are four inns in the parish: "The Hare and Hounds"; "The Rose and Crown", Easons Green; and "The Blackboys Inn" and "The Gun Inn", both at Blackboys.

Blackboys Cricket Club is based at the Blackboys Recreation Ground.

Framfield and Blackboys Football Club is based at Framfield Recreation Ground.

Economy

The main charcoal business of the parish stopped in the early nineteenth century when the iron industry moved north to the Midlands with their large deposits of coal.

References