James Hurdis

Born in Bishopstone, East Sussex, Hurdis attended The Prebendal School[1] and studied at St Mary Hall, Oxford, and Magdalen College, Oxford, later becoming a Fellow of Magdalen College.

[4] Sussex shepherds at this time used to catch wheatears in small cage traps to sell as songbirds.

Hurdis used to free the trapped birds, but would leave coins in their place.

The Town Council Offices were at Hurdis House named in his honour.

[citation needed] His eldest son James Henry Hurdis was a notable amateur artist.