Brightling

Brightling is a village and civil parish in the Rother district of East Sussex, England. It is located on the Weald eight miles (13 km) north-west of Battle and four miles (6.4 km) west of Robertsbridge. The village lies in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and due to its vantage point commands views in all directions. The village pub used to be The Green Man on the corner opposite the church, dedicated to St. Thomas Becket, but it is said that as part of the arrangements to build 'The Pyramid' Jack Fuller caused the pub to be relocated about three miles (4.8 km) towards Robertsbridge at Oxley's Green. The parish includes outlying hamlets Cackle Street, Hollingrove, Oxley's Green and Twelve Oaks. Brightling, Hollingrove and Cackle Street all had their own shop with a post office in Brightling itself. These have all closed with the passing of time. Also in the parish is Brightling Down (197 m), the local vantage point topped by 'The Needle' and used as a beacon point hence Brightling Beacon. The most obvious 'industry' in the area is agriculture yet well hidden is the Gypsum mine with conveyor to the Mountfield plaster board processing plant. There is an annual horse trials run at Brightling Park (formerly Rose Hill).