Irish nationalists .
Baxter was once again in the public eye when he led Joseph Merrick ’ s inquest in 1890 . Merrick ’ s death was ruled accidental as a result of asphyxia , caused by the weight of his misshapen head dislocating his neck as he tried to lie down to sleep . Baxter was married to Kate Bliss Parker of Northampton and the couple had six children . Their second son Reginald Truscott followed his father into law as a solicitor and ran Wynne E Baxter and Son at 8 Albion Street , Lewes . Reginald inherited the business when his father died days after a heart attack in 1920 . After years of joining forces with other firms the practice still exists today , now named Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP , following the 2007 merger with Eastbourne-based Mayo & Perkins .
As for the bus , Fleet number 657 on route 49 was named Wynne Baxter by the Brighton and Hove Bus Company in 2005 . The name was unveiled during the Jack the Ripper Conference in Brighton that year .
A brief history of Lewes … 6th Century The Saxons found Lewes
Early 10th Century Lewes is made a fortified settlement . It is also a busy little market town with 2 mints .
1086 Lewes is a little town with a population of 2,000 or less
1148 king Stephen grants Lewes a charter giving the people certain rights . Lewes flourishes as a little river port and market town .
1264 The Battle of Lewes is fought
1512 A grammar school is founded in Lewes
1538 Plague strikes Lewes
1540 Henry VIII gives Anne of Cleves House to his wife
1553-58 17 Protestants are martyred in Lewes
1768-1774 Tom Paine lives in Lewes
1806 A body of men are formed to pave , clean and light the streets of Lewes
1822 Lewes gains gas light
1836 A snow avalanche kills 8 people in Lewes
1846 The railway reaches Lewes 1881 Lewes is made a borough 1893 A new Town Hall is built
1901 Lewes gains an electricity supply . Lewes has a population of 11,000 .
1910 Victoria Hospital is built
1920 Wynne Baxter gives the Pells to the town of Lewes
1986 A new magistrates court is built 2000 The Thebes Gallery opens in Lewes
But what else is Lewes famous for apart from Mr . Wynne Edwin Baxter and what makes it such a great place ? The name Lewes came from the Saxon word “ hluews ” which means slopes and hills – which is appropriate , as there are plenty of them in the town . In fact , you won ’ t be able to get too far without having to walk up a hill .
There ’ s the magnificent castle – one of the oldest Norman fortresses in England standing proud on a hill looking across the town . Visitors to the town will find a wealth of information in Barbican House which homes the fascinating Museum of Sussex Archaeology . Some people get married there now and it makes for a very romantic setting .
Close by is Pipe Passage just off the High Street and The Round House – a secluded former windmill which was once owned by Virginia Woolf although she never actually lived there . You could spend a whole day looking around the flea market or the many second-hand shops . Lewes has its own currency – the Lewes Pound – which can be spent in many shops . It was set up as a creative yet practical way for local people to make money work for Lewes . The Lewes Pound is essentially a voucher or token that can be traded locally as a complementary currency and used alongside Pounds Sterling . The monthly farmers ’ market , with its huge variety of produce , is just one place to spend the local currency .
It ’ s definitely worth a wander through the Cliffe area , you can sit on the bridge and look out across the River Ouse and the famous Harvey & Sons Brewery that runs so many of the traditional pubs . They produce different ales to suit all seasons and run factory tours as well as a well-stocked shop . Southover Grange is another of the town ’ s gems . Such beautifully , well-kept gardens that attract many of the lunchtime crowd in summer that like to relax and eat there . Nearby is Anne of Cleves House in Southover High Street which is a lovely old Tudor building given to Henry VIII ’ s fourth wife as part of her divorce settlement .
It would be impossible not to mention 5th November , the night when thousands of people join together in different bonfire societies to set Lewes alight with torches and fireworks . It is certainly the UK ’ s largest and most famous bonfire night and a fantastic event .
To conclude … Today , Mayo Wynne Baxter is considered to be amongst the leading law firm in the South East of England . Looking through the partnership deeds held by the firm reveals a fascinating history of mergers and take-overs involving something over 15 other firms who over the years have come together to make this famous Sussex firm what it is today . The firm has offices in a number of historic locations , with our roots firmly placed in Lewes . Before moving to our current modern offices in Bell Lane in 2011 , our old Lewes office “ Dial House ” had been the firm ’ s home for over 100 years . It was reputedly once a mill before becoming home to a Quaker school in the early 19th century . It has housed lawyers since the 1830 ’ s and has a beautiful frontage with a sundial and the motto “ Nosce Teipsum ” which translates to “ know thyself ”. Proud of our heritage , we ’ re honoured to be celebrating 150 years in Lewes and we hope for many more to come !
By Amber Ainsworth
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