Publications
Clayton Windmills (Jack and Jill). II - Restoration, by J. S. F. Blackwell, published 1980 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 10, article, pp.18-23) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:The following is a personal view of the formation and first year's activities of the Jack and Jill Preservation Society of which the author is the Vice Chairman.
In 1958 Mr. Henry Longhurst, owner of Jack and Jill windmills, entered into an agreement with the then Cuckfield Rural District Council, whereby he conveyed the ownership of Jill Mill and a circle of ground, 36 ft in diameter, upon which it stood. In 1966 a similar agreement was reached concerning Jack Mill. The council then became responsible for the maintenance of both Mills.
In the winter of 1977/8 a thorough inspection and report on the fabric of the mills was made by Mr. A. D. Chamberlain, C. Eng., M.I.C.E., the District Engineer of the Mid-Sussex District Council, successor to the old Cuckfield R. D. C. He realised that major repairs were urgently required and that neither the District Council nor the County Council, from whom a small annual maintenance grant was received, would have the necessary finance to undertake such a project. During the course of the next few months he evolved the idea of a Preservation Society which would raise Money to enable the work to be undertaken professionally and conceived the plan that the best way of preservation was by complete restoration to working order of Jill Mill. A meeting was called in May 1978 between officers of the Mid-Sussex D. C., County Coucillors, Parish councillors from Hassocks and Keymer and representatives of the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society. Representatives of the latter were Frank Gregory, a man of very extensive windmill knowledge and a collaborator in many restoration projects, Phillip Spells, an architectural Assistant, and writer, and subsequently another member, Martin Brunnarius, Sussex windmill historian and engineer. At this meeting it was agreed to produce a survey report to see if it was possible to restore Jill, using a mixture of volunteer and professional labour, so that she would grind again.
In 1958 Mr. Henry Longhurst, owner of Jack and Jill windmills, entered into an agreement with the then Cuckfield Rural District Council, whereby he conveyed the ownership of Jill Mill and a circle of ground, 36 ft in diameter, upon which it stood. In 1966 a similar agreement was reached concerning Jack Mill. The council then became responsible for the maintenance of both Mills.
In the winter of 1977/8 a thorough inspection and report on the fabric of the mills was made by Mr. A. D. Chamberlain, C. Eng., M.I.C.E., the District Engineer of the Mid-Sussex District Council, successor to the old Cuckfield R. D. C. He realised that major repairs were urgently required and that neither the District Council nor the County Council, from whom a small annual maintenance grant was received, would have the necessary finance to undertake such a project. During the course of the next few months he evolved the idea of a Preservation Society which would raise Money to enable the work to be undertaken professionally and conceived the plan that the best way of preservation was by complete restoration to working order of Jill Mill. A meeting was called in May 1978 between officers of the Mid-Sussex D. C., County Coucillors, Parish councillors from Hassocks and Keymer and representatives of the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society. Representatives of the latter were Frank Gregory, a man of very extensive windmill knowledge and a collaborator in many restoration projects, Phillip Spells, an architectural Assistant, and writer, and subsequently another member, Martin Brunnarius, Sussex windmill historian and engineer. At this meeting it was agreed to produce a survey report to see if it was possible to restore Jill, using a mixture of volunteer and professional labour, so that she would grind again.
Cobb's Mill, by J. S. F. Blackwell, W. R. Beswick, M. Brunnarius, F. W. Gregory, R. M. Palmer and P. F. Spells, published 1981 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 11, article, pp.2-9) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:Cobb's Mill at Sayers Green near Hurstpierpoint (TQ 295190) is an excellent example of Victorian millwrighting, the four pairs of stones being driven initially by either water or steam power. The steam plant was later replaced by a gas engine with its own gas producer plant. As the mill only stopped working 15 years ago the plant was in fairly good condition and in July 1979 a working weekend was held by Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society members in order to arrest further deterioration and to survey and record the structure and plant.
The working weekend was most successful; the cog pit was cleaned and greased, the gas engine cleaned and wire brushed and the bright parts coated with a film of protective oil, the gas producer derusted and painted, the mill race cleared and brickwork and weather boarding repainted and replaced. It is hoped in the future with the continuing cooperation of the enthusiastic owners of the mill, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. F. Jackson, that it can be restored to working order.
The working weekend was most successful; the cog pit was cleaned and greased, the gas engine cleaned and wire brushed and the bright parts coated with a film of protective oil, the gas producer derusted and painted, the mill race cleared and brickwork and weather boarding repainted and replaced. It is hoped in the future with the continuing cooperation of the enthusiastic owners of the mill, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. F. Jackson, that it can be restored to working order.
Lamp Posts of Ditchling, by John Blackwell, published 2006 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 36, article, pp.38-43, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506534] Download PDF
Abstract:A year after the opening of the Keymer & Ditchling Gas Works in 1867 (situated in the goods yard of Hassocks station) a public meeting of Ditchling ratepayers was called at the "Bull Inn". At this meeting it was agreed to light the village under provision made in The Lighting and Watching Act of 1833, whereby a parish could chose to elect gas lighting inspectors to oversee and administer the installation and operation. It was laid down in the Act that the inspectors (of whom there were to be no more than twelve and no less than three) must be resident ratepayers assessed on a rateable property valuation of not less than £15 per annum and they must by law meet on the first Monday of the month at noon.
At this first meeting, held on the 19 October 1868, seven inspectors were elected - to be known as the Inspectors of the Ditchling District for Lighting, and it was also agreed that they should have the power to call for and raise an annual rate in the sum of £45. It was subsequently discovered that four were ineligible, being shareholders in the Gas Company, and a further meeting was held on the 14 December 1868 where the remaining three were re-elected, namely Wm Kensett, John Attree (who was appointed treasurer) and Stephen Andrews. Mr Thomas Sinnock Jnr was appointed to collect the rate (set at 6d (2.5p) in the pound) at a salary of 5% of the rate collected. Sinnock was also the Secretary to the Gas Company.
At this first meeting, held on the 19 October 1868, seven inspectors were elected - to be known as the Inspectors of the Ditchling District for Lighting, and it was also agreed that they should have the power to call for and raise an annual rate in the sum of £45. It was subsequently discovered that four were ineligible, being shareholders in the Gas Company, and a further meeting was held on the 14 December 1868 where the remaining three were re-elected, namely Wm Kensett, John Attree (who was appointed treasurer) and Stephen Andrews. Mr Thomas Sinnock Jnr was appointed to collect the rate (set at 6d (2.5p) in the pound) at a salary of 5% of the rate collected. Sinnock was also the Secretary to the Gas Company.
Heathfield Natural Gas, by John Blackwell, published 2013 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 43, article, pp.11-19, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/43] & The Keep [LIB/507840] Download PDF
Barcombe Mills Toll Rad, by Brian Austen & John Blackwell, published 2014 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 44, article, pp.20-22, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/44] & The Keep [LIB/507922] Download PDF
A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Sussex, edited by John Blackwell, Peter Holtham and Martin Snow, published 2015 (76 pp., Telford: Association for Industrial Archaeology, ISBN-13: 9780956025142) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/508995] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:A colour illustrated guide and gazetteer to sites of industrial arachaeological interest in East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove. Includes windmills and watermills, railways, ironworks, kilns, breweries & malthouses, canals & waterways, bridges and toll houses, cinemas, piers, leisure facilities and museums.