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Brief Notes on the History of the Ridley Family around the Ashdown Forest Area (continued)
Joseph (b 1842) was quite involved with the Forest, and at one time became a conservator. He appears to have been a "well read" person as I have found several letters written by him to the local papers about a number of varying subjects. He lived first at Old Forge Lane and then to part of Whitehouse Farm having married Abigail Tyler whose father owned it- on to Misbourne Farm and finishing up at Old Forge Farmhouse which he built with the help of his brothers. He was a great gardener and used to collect many prizes at the local Horticultural shows. His main income was as a local carrier, and he used to go to Lewes Market three times a week, picking up goods from farmers on the route down. If a farmer had something to go to Market he hung a white sheet on his gatepost so that Joseph knew where to collect. He would then return the cash for any goods sold on the way back. There were also the odd occasions when he had to use the cart as a hearse, this meant dressing it up with a few discrete black cloths. At one time he owned "Burnside" and "Old Forge" and let one out to Jack Tester, and the other to Joby Sutton, each one for two shillings and six pence a week. He was also a very good self-taught carpenter, making carts, wheels etc and also cylindrical mole traps which he sold for ten pence a dozen. When the Ashdown Forest Temperance Band was formed, he built them a practice hut in one of his fields at a rent of one shilling a week. Joseph was married at twenty-one, had six sons and two daughters, and died quite a substantial person in 1922.
One of his sons Henry Jesse (usually known as Jesse) (b1873) was also involved with the Forest. He was a founder Member and Clerk of the Ashdown Forest Protection Society, and I am sure he was as convincing as his Father was with his arguments as to forest matters. As far as those went I think things were probably evened out during debates at meetings as at one time Joseph and Sylvanus sat on the Board of Conservators and Jesse and about another 15 or so of the Ridley's belonged to the A.F.Protection Society! He was involved also in canvassing for Cobbett at a General Election.
Grandfather Frank Tyler Ridley started off with cycle repairs at Horney Common, moved up to the High Street renting what was Grovers Yard and living at the Old Bakehouse. He then had a large shed built (where Jim Browns's bungalow was built) and went on to sell and repair motor cycles as well as push bikes. The front room of Butts Cottage was turned into a radio shop. In the 1920's he took over the Garage premises from the Stuarts - who had a cart and car body business there. (They had taken over the building which previously had been May's the Blacksmiths). He later went into the car business and installed the first petrol pumps in the village. The Filling Station opposite was built in the early 60's and stayed in the family until 1991. He was also a founder member (with his brother Spencer) and secretary of the Ashdown Forest Temperance Band in 1904 and later, after the split with the Fairwarp members of that Band he was secretary of the Nutley Band. My father also played in the band as a young lad, as did several other members of the Ridley family at those times. Grandfather was also very much involved with the Bonfire Society which before the second war was one of the biggest and best in the district; he also finished up in a very high official capacity of the Royal Antedeluvian Order of Buffallos (The Buffs).
Spencer Ridley (b1871) was also into bicycles. He had a shop at Crowborough where he lived after moving from Nutley. He was also playing in local Brass Bands until he was
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Another brother Albert Joseph (b1865) lived at Brookside at Old Forge Lane for many years. He was a renowned Beekeeper and an innovator of many things to do with being an Apiarist. He also made his first flight at the age of 65 - said he loved it and tried to build himself an aeroplane! I don't think it got off the ground. He was also into watch and clock repairing, and like his father, a very good carpenter.
At the moment I believe that Margaret Bishop now living at Forest Row is the oldest
Ridley. She will be one hundred years old on the 21st November this year!. I'm sure that everyone will wish her good health for the future and congratulations for her centenary.
She was born at Croydon - her father was Frederick and her grandfather was Timothy John Ridley who lived at Cripps Corner,Twyford where she spent many days of her childhood.Doing family history is very interesting and is really being your own historical detective. One of the problems is that the more you discover the more you want to find out and the further the 'boughs' spread. I must admit though that I enjoy every minute of it and hope that maybe - in conjunction with other branch relatives - to put all notes such as these together as a family book one day. If any person coming to this exhibition has any interesting facts on the Ridley Family or any Photographs I would be grateful if they would get in touch with me. David Ridley, Laburnham Cottage, Dodds Bottom, Nutley. TN22 3LX.
September 2000.
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