Joyce Sleight (1926-2019)
Joyce, with a Diploma in English Local History, was a long-serving History teacher and Librarian at Steyning Grammar School. She published articles for Sussex Archaeological Collections and the Steyning Museum Trust. She was a member of the former Wiston Estate Study Group and spent some years on the committee of the West Sussex Archives Society.
Joyce lived in Steyning for some sixty years, forty of which were spent researching the Wiston Estate and its archives.
Jill Turner
Jill was a member of the former Wiston Estate Study Group and was Personal Assistant to the owner of Wiston Estate for 22 years. She has lived in Wiston for 32 years.
Jane Goring
Jane first opened the wooden box in 2004 and began the process of transcribing the letters found inside. She lives on the Wiston Estate and has provided access to many original family archives. Jane is a direct descendent of the Gorings of Wiston and sister of Estate owner, Harry Goring.
Janet Pennington M.A. PhD
Janet Pennington is an independent historian with a PhD in early-modern Sussex inn and tavern history.
Her MA dissertation was about Sir Thomas Sherley (c.1542-1612) and the history of Wiston House. While working as archivist at Lancing College, she also taught local history and palaeography for the Centre of Continuing Education at the University of Sussex.
Janet is a committee member of the Steyning History Society, and was secretary of the former Wiston Estate Study Group, led by Roy Armstrong. She has been researching the Wiston Archives for 40 years.
Janine Harvey
Janine joined the group in 2012 and with her typing and computer skills turned the idea of creating a book into a reality. She co-ordinated the editing and design process and together with Joyce, Jill, Jane and Janet produced the book which is ‘LIVES, LOVES AND LETTERS’. She has lived in Upper Beeding for 32 years.