Publications
Excavations 1971: Broadfields, Crawley, by J. Gibson-Hill, published June 1972 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 6, article, pp.1-2) accessible at: S.A.S. library Download PDF
Excavations 1972: Broadfields, Crawley, by J. Gibson-Hill, published March 1973 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 9, article, p.35) accessible at: S.A.S. library Download PDF
Moot Hall, 103 High Street, Crawley (TQ 268 368), by John Gibson-Hall, published Summer 1973 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 6, note, pp.14-15) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Abstract:The granting of the Commission for the New Towns' application to demolish the "barn" at 103 High Street, Crawley, resulted in a survey to record the building, which was thought to contain the core of a Mediaeval house. However, this examination revealed that the timber frame structure was in fact a Moot Hall. Good examples of this type of building are quite rare south of the Thames and this alone was sufficient grounds for preservation. Since it was not possible to leave the building in situ, it was dismantled and transported to the Open Air Museum, Singleton, Chichester, Sussex, where it awaits reconstruction.
Excavations 1973: Broadfields, Crawley, by J. Gibson-Hill, published June 1974 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 13, article, p.52) accessible at: S.A.S. library Download PDF
Excavations 1973: Moot Hall, 103 High Street, Crawley, by J. Gibson-Hill, published June 1974 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 13, article, p.52) accessible at: S.A.S. library Download PDF
Excavations 1974: Broadfields, Crawley, by J. Gibson-Hill, published September 1974 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 14, article, pp.58-59) accessible at: S.A.S. library Download PDF
Ifield Mill, by J. Gibson-Hill, published September 1974 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 14, article, p.59) accessible at: S.A.S. library Download PDF
Broadfields, Crawley, by Eileen Horne and John Gibson-Hill, published 1975 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 8, article, pp.47-50) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Abstract:Broadfields is the first major Iron Age and Romano-British industrial settlement to be discovered on Weald clay. The site covers about 12 hectares (30 acres), with the main area of occupation spanning a shallow valley between a limestone ridge to the northeast and sandstone hills to the south.
Excavations 1974: Crawley, Broadfields, by John Gibson-Hill, published March 1975 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 15, article, p.65) accessible at: S.A.S. library Download PDF
Excavations 1977: Ifield Water Mill, by J. Gibson-Hill, published August 1977 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 22, article, pp.119-120, ISSN: 0307-2568) accessible at: S.A.S. library Download PDF
Excavations 1977: Gatwick Field Survey, by J. Gibson-Hill, published August 1977 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 22, article, p.120, ISSN: 0307-2568) accessible at: S.A.S. library Download PDF
Reconstruction of Ifield Mill. Part I - Historical Background, by J. Gibson-Hill and E. W. Henbery, published 1978 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 8, article, pp.12-16) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/8] & The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Reconstruction of Ifield Mill. Part II - Restoration, by J. Gibson-Hill and E. W. Henbery, published 1979 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 9, article, pp.2-7) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:Part 1, being the historical account of Ifield Mill and its environment, was detailed in Sussex Industrial History Vol. 8 (1978) and covered the period from the earliest known references to the site until the demise of Ifield as a working mill about 1927. The building stood virtually unused during the succeeding years, but retained much of its machinery until the early 1950's.
In 1973, Crawley Borough Council started to acquire land in the Broadfield vale for housing development and Ifield Mill with the related house and cottage were purchased as part of a large scheme. It was at this time that the Crawley and Mid-Sussex Archaeological Group, as part of their campaign to preserve historic buildings and archaeological sites, made a formal approach to the Council for permission to restore the building. A feasibility study carried out during 1974, estimated the cost of repairing the roof, exterior walls, and rebuilding the wheel at approximately £6000.
In June 1974, permission was given by the Council for the group to undertake the restoration, using volunteer labour and raising its own finances. No public funds were to be available and the Ifield Mill Project, as it was to be known, was to be self-financed. The previous owner, Mr. G. Wood, had wanted to restore the mill but commercial costs were prohibitive. However, now it was apparent that a determined group of volunteers were both willing and capable of undertaking this work, he was able to realise his ambitions for the site by providing the necessary financial backing.
A fund to be administered by Crawley Borough Council was established in 1974 with an initial donation of £10,000; subsequently Mr. Wood contributed a further £;4000. This generous gift now permitted a more comprehensive plan than originally envisaged and involved renewing all floors, providing suitable stairways, reboarding the internal walls and refitting machinery. Consideration had been given from the outset to the future use of the building when restored; eventually it was decided that the mill should become the focal point of a linear recreational space encompassing the pond area. Initially it would serve as a temporary home for the town's first Museum, and illustrate a partially working mill.
In 1973, Crawley Borough Council started to acquire land in the Broadfield vale for housing development and Ifield Mill with the related house and cottage were purchased as part of a large scheme. It was at this time that the Crawley and Mid-Sussex Archaeological Group, as part of their campaign to preserve historic buildings and archaeological sites, made a formal approach to the Council for permission to restore the building. A feasibility study carried out during 1974, estimated the cost of repairing the roof, exterior walls, and rebuilding the wheel at approximately £6000.
In June 1974, permission was given by the Council for the group to undertake the restoration, using volunteer labour and raising its own finances. No public funds were to be available and the Ifield Mill Project, as it was to be known, was to be self-financed. The previous owner, Mr. G. Wood, had wanted to restore the mill but commercial costs were prohibitive. However, now it was apparent that a determined group of volunteers were both willing and capable of undertaking this work, he was able to realise his ambitions for the site by providing the necessary financial backing.
A fund to be administered by Crawley Borough Council was established in 1974 with an initial donation of £10,000; subsequently Mr. Wood contributed a further £;4000. This generous gift now permitted a more comprehensive plan than originally envisaged and involved renewing all floors, providing suitable stairways, reboarding the internal walls and refitting machinery. Consideration had been given from the outset to the future use of the building when restored; eventually it was decided that the mill should become the focal point of a linear recreational space encompassing the pond area. Initially it would serve as a temporary home for the town's first Museum, and illustrate a partially working mill.