Publications
The skeleton army and the Bonfire Boys, Worthing, 1884, by Chris Hare, published June 1988 in The Folklore Society (vol. 99, issue 2, article, pp.221-231, Taylor & Francis) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries View Online
Historic Worthing: The Untold Story, by Chris Hare, published 11 July 1991 (240 pp., Cassell Reference, ISBN-10: 0900075910 & ISBN-13: 9780900075919) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
A History of the Sussex People: the search for a County identity, by Chris Hare, published 1995 (Southern Heritage Books, ISBN-10: 0952709708 & ISBN-13: 9780952709701) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
The Archive Photographs of Worthing, by Chris Hare, published 1997 (NPI Media Group, ISBN-10: 0752410431 & ISBN-13: 9780752410432) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Historic Sussex: A Guide Book, by Chris Hare, published 1998 (156 pp., Southern Heritage Books, ISBN-10: 0952709724 & ISBN-13: 9780952709725) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
The Washington Story. The forgotten history of a downland village, by Chris Hare, published 20 April 2000 (118 pp., Washington Parish Council, ISBN-10: 0953821706 & ISBN-13: 9780953821709) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Good Old, Bad Old Days: The Sussex of Lawrence Graburn, edited by Chris Hare, published 14 December 2001 (110 pp., Southern Heritage Books, ISBN-10: 0952709732 & ISBN-13: 9780952709732) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Pocket Images: Worthing, by Chris Hare, published 1 December 2006 (128 pp., Nonsuch Publishing, ISBN-10: 1845883403 & ISBN-13: 9781845883409)
Abstract:A pictorial history of Worthing, presented through a series of photographs and images. It also includes historical captions.
Worthing: A History, by Chris Hare, published 1 October 2008 (212 pp., Chichester: Phillimore & Co. Ltd., ISBN-10: 1860775047 & ISBN-13: 9781860775048) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Abstract:Worthing officially became a town with the passing of the Worthing Town Improvement Act in 1803, though the population then was no more than 1,000. The town developed very quickly, and fashionable society moved in after the visit in 1798 of George III's youngest daughter, Princess Amelia. Conflict emerged very early on between the new residents and the local population, and attempts to reform the character of the town were often strongly resisted, with annual confrontations between angry mobs and the local police. The town's reputation for scandals and demonstrations continued into the Victorian times, as the riots against the Salvation Army, which led to the reading of the Riot Act in 1884, ensured the town gained national attention for all the wrong reasons. The same is also true of the typhoid epidemic of 1893 and the visit of Oscar Wilde in 1895 - just prior to his disgrace and downfall. In the 20th century, the trauma of the First World War allowed a new Worthing to emerge, this time with conflicts between generations rather than classes, as the retired folk coming into Worthing had very different priorities to those seeking to modernise the town. The book concludes by considering how a council that sought to ban rock'n'roll in the 1950s and was still censoring films in the 1980s was able to embrace change and a new direction for Worthing.
Review by Sally White in Sussex Past and Present no. 117, April 2009:I approached this book eagerly, aware that Chris Hare has a gift for searching out information that other writers have overlooked and presenting it appealingly. The subtitle: 'Riot and Respectability in a Seaside Town' should appear on the cover, as this is Chris Hare's real theme. He has pulled together (with great relish) detailed information about various elements of unrest, such as that caused by the Bonfire Boys and smugglers. This is fascinating. Sadly he misses some important elements of the story, such as the scandal over the use of informers, which led to a group of smugglers presenting one of the Hentys with a marble urn.
At times it seems as though even the author is not clear about what he is trying to achieve, and the structure of the book is confused. For example, there is a section on hospitals in Chapter 3, while Chapter 4 is about the health of the town. The book is well illustrated and includes a number of pictures which have not been widely published in the past. Perhaps they come from the recently acquired Terry Childs Collection at Worthing Library.
One of the real problems is the lack of an alphabetical bibliography. The references are presented in very small typeface and are riddled with errors, which can create a sense of frustration in the reader. Some of the references are out of order. In Chapter 2 there are 97 references but the Notes and References at the end of the book has only 90. Chapter 3 has a different title in the text than in the Notes and References section. Such carelessness in an experienced author leaves a lingering anxiety about how accurate some of the information in the text may be.
Undoubtedly this book provides a valuable contribution to making the history of Worthing better known, and belongs in the library of anyone interested in the town. The author is a gifted researcher but the book has serious problems in structure and proofreading. If there is a second edition these need to be corrected.
At times it seems as though even the author is not clear about what he is trying to achieve, and the structure of the book is confused. For example, there is a section on hospitals in Chapter 3, while Chapter 4 is about the health of the town. The book is well illustrated and includes a number of pictures which have not been widely published in the past. Perhaps they come from the recently acquired Terry Childs Collection at Worthing Library.
One of the real problems is the lack of an alphabetical bibliography. The references are presented in very small typeface and are riddled with errors, which can create a sense of frustration in the reader. Some of the references are out of order. In Chapter 2 there are 97 references but the Notes and References at the end of the book has only 90. Chapter 3 has a different title in the text than in the Notes and References section. Such carelessness in an experienced author leaves a lingering anxiety about how accurate some of the information in the text may be.
Undoubtedly this book provides a valuable contribution to making the history of Worthing better known, and belongs in the library of anyone interested in the town. The author is a gifted researcher but the book has serious problems in structure and proofreading. If there is a second edition these need to be corrected.
Through the Hard Times and the Good: An Oral and Social History of Worthing , by Chris Hare, published 6 October 2009 (160 pp., Guild Care, ISBN-10: 0956317103 & ISBN-13: 9780956317100) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Review by Sarah Hitchings in Sussex Past & Present no. 121, August 2010:This beautifully produced book is the culmination of a two year project, 'Time For History' which set out to research and record the history of the Guild Care organisation and situate it within the broader context of Worthing's social history . A team of volunteers conducted research in the Guild Care archive, and over eighty oral history interviews with sixty three residents. The author and manager of the project ably brings the two together in this impressive book which is well illustrated with photographs.
Guild Care is a pioneering organisation founded in 1933 as the Worthing Council of Social Service. It was a local welfare state providing numerous services for the town, and has continued to evolve to meet the needs of Worthing's residents.
The book is arranged in broad themes, and covers The Great Depression, Wartime, Older People, Youth, and Health, Homes and Community. I was repeatedly struck by how relevant several of these themes are in today's Britain, and the author provides many illuminating insights into the social history of the period. During the Great Depression, for example, refugees came to Worthing from Wales, Gateshead and even the Basque region of Spain fleeing the civil war and the oral histories are used to show the complexity of the attitudes towards them.
Throughout the book there is a focus on individuals, both within the organisation and the oral histories. This brings the history to life very effectively and also honours people like Effie Methold, who never courted any publicity for her tireless efforts to help the people of Worthing. The interviews will also be a wonderful resource for future researchers.
The book is enhanced by a DVD which provides a short introduction to Guild Care and allows us to meet some of the engaging individuals who were interviewed.
Guild Care is a pioneering organisation founded in 1933 as the Worthing Council of Social Service. It was a local welfare state providing numerous services for the town, and has continued to evolve to meet the needs of Worthing's residents.
The book is arranged in broad themes, and covers The Great Depression, Wartime, Older People, Youth, and Health, Homes and Community. I was repeatedly struck by how relevant several of these themes are in today's Britain, and the author provides many illuminating insights into the social history of the period. During the Great Depression, for example, refugees came to Worthing from Wales, Gateshead and even the Basque region of Spain fleeing the civil war and the oral histories are used to show the complexity of the attitudes towards them.
Throughout the book there is a focus on individuals, both within the organisation and the oral histories. This brings the history to life very effectively and also honours people like Effie Methold, who never courted any publicity for her tireless efforts to help the people of Worthing. The interviews will also be a wonderful resource for future researchers.
The book is enhanced by a DVD which provides a short introduction to Guild Care and allows us to meet some of the engaging individuals who were interviewed.
Worthing Under Attack: Eye Witness History of Worthing during the 1930s and 40s, by Chris Hare, published 24 May 2011 (112 pp., West Sussex Heritage Booklets, ISBN-10: 0956317111 & ISBN-13: 9780956317117) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Review by Esme Evans in Sussex Past & Present no. 127, August 2012:This book comes from the culmination of two projects funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund - the Time for History Project sponsored by Guild Care, and the on-going research project All Our Yesterdays based at West Sussex Record Office. The first project led to the publication of Through the Hard Times and the Good in 2009, and this book includes further extracts from oral history interviews and benefits from the second project involving the indexing by volunteers of periodicals and newspapers held at Worthing Library, in particular the Worthing Journal (1932-1940), which contained "hard-hitting and satirical columns" which bring the 1930s to life.
The cover immediately suggests the physical wartime attacks, being a painting of the December 1940 bombing of the area around the Town Hall. However, the first part of the book deals with the 1930s, when the town was under attack from the twin threats of the Great Depression and political extremism. As much oral history relating to the Depression appeared in the previous volume, Chris concentrates on the writings of the columnists of the Worthing Journal. This had a largely middle-class readership, who would appreciate, for example, that a group of "itinerant cacophonists" (i.e. musicians) might be better engaged making up new roads.
Worthing had a branch of the National Unemployed Workers Movement, which came into conflict with Worthing Council of Social Service (now Guild Care) over proposals for a social centre, and was then accused of being a communist influence. Those archaeologists from the Worthing area and beyond will be interested to read the comments by a member of the NUWM and chairman of the Worthing Trades Council - named Con Ainsworth!
In the 1930s Worthing had one of the most active branches of the British Union of Fascists in the country. Visits by Oswald Mosley often led to rowdy disorder; there was a fascist councillor (nominally independent), Captain Charles Henry Bentinck Budd, on both Worthing Council and West Sussex County Council. The BUF's national advisor on agriculture, Jorian Jenks, was a farmer at Angmering, and in 1937 he was the movement's prospective parliamentary candidate for the then Worthing and Horsham constituency. Jenks is particularly interesting as a proponent of organic and sustainable farming, and he was drawn to fascism by its policy of self-sufficiency. Interestingly, Jenks owned the land where Angmering Roman Villa was found, and gave permission to archaeologists to search for it.
As we move into the war years there is information on evacuees (who were taken away again after May 1940 because of the risk of invasion), the Home Guard & Land Army, and the Canadians in Worthing - who as elsewhere were a mixed blessing, and many myths grew up about relations with local girls and fights in pubs. Worthing was of course bombed, though not to the same extent as, say, Eastbourne - mostly the targets were the railway line, the tanks in Victoria Park and the gasworks. One of the reports in the local press of a German bomber crash in which at least 8 people were killed never appeared in any official log.
I feel the book tails off a little once the Worthing Journal closed in 1940, though it remains interesting. It is well illustrated, but unfortunately there is an error in the citation of the photographs from West Sussex County Library Service - the correct url is www.westsussexpastpictures.org.uk.
The cover immediately suggests the physical wartime attacks, being a painting of the December 1940 bombing of the area around the Town Hall. However, the first part of the book deals with the 1930s, when the town was under attack from the twin threats of the Great Depression and political extremism. As much oral history relating to the Depression appeared in the previous volume, Chris concentrates on the writings of the columnists of the Worthing Journal. This had a largely middle-class readership, who would appreciate, for example, that a group of "itinerant cacophonists" (i.e. musicians) might be better engaged making up new roads.
Worthing had a branch of the National Unemployed Workers Movement, which came into conflict with Worthing Council of Social Service (now Guild Care) over proposals for a social centre, and was then accused of being a communist influence. Those archaeologists from the Worthing area and beyond will be interested to read the comments by a member of the NUWM and chairman of the Worthing Trades Council - named Con Ainsworth!
In the 1930s Worthing had one of the most active branches of the British Union of Fascists in the country. Visits by Oswald Mosley often led to rowdy disorder; there was a fascist councillor (nominally independent), Captain Charles Henry Bentinck Budd, on both Worthing Council and West Sussex County Council. The BUF's national advisor on agriculture, Jorian Jenks, was a farmer at Angmering, and in 1937 he was the movement's prospective parliamentary candidate for the then Worthing and Horsham constituency. Jenks is particularly interesting as a proponent of organic and sustainable farming, and he was drawn to fascism by its policy of self-sufficiency. Interestingly, Jenks owned the land where Angmering Roman Villa was found, and gave permission to archaeologists to search for it.
As we move into the war years there is information on evacuees (who were taken away again after May 1940 because of the risk of invasion), the Home Guard & Land Army, and the Canadians in Worthing - who as elsewhere were a mixed blessing, and many myths grew up about relations with local girls and fights in pubs. Worthing was of course bombed, though not to the same extent as, say, Eastbourne - mostly the targets were the railway line, the tanks in Victoria Park and the gasworks. One of the reports in the local press of a German bomber crash in which at least 8 people were killed never appeared in any official log.
I feel the book tails off a little once the Worthing Journal closed in 1940, though it remains interesting. It is well illustrated, but unfortunately there is an error in the citation of the photographs from West Sussex County Library Service - the correct url is www.westsussexpastpictures.org.uk.
Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce: A History, by Chris Hare, published 2015 (Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
With DVD, which can also be viewed alongside the book at www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk/hlf
Secret Shore: Smuggling and Folklore in Sussex and Hampshire, by Chris Hare, published 23 November 2016 (South Downs Society, ISBN-13: 9780995612419) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Abstract:Two hundred years ago the coast of Sussex and Hampshire were alive with the illegal activities of local smuggling gangs. In this book, Chris recounts the real events of those days including the bloody confrontations that frequently took place between the smugglers and the authorities.
This book also delves into the folklore of the south coast and contrasts a survey of local superstitions carried out by pioneering folklorist, Charlotte Latham in Sussex in 1868, with the findings of the Secret Shore folklore survey carried out in 2015.
The results may surprise you, as a good deal of the old beliefs in ghosts, omens and witchcraft, continue to linger in the 21st century.
This book also delves into the folklore of the south coast and contrasts a survey of local superstitions carried out by pioneering folklorist, Charlotte Latham in Sussex in 1868, with the findings of the Secret Shore folklore survey carried out in 2015.
The results may surprise you, as a good deal of the old beliefs in ghosts, omens and witchcraft, continue to linger in the 21st century.