⇐ S.I.H. 1973 (No. 6)S.I.H. 1978 (No. 8) ⇒
Sussex Industrial History: Journal of the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society, edited by Professor E. O. Taylor, published 1976 (No. 7, Sussex Industrial History) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/6] & The Keep [LIB/506524] Download PDF
Railway Development in the Midhurst Area, by F. H. Smith, published 1976 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 7, article, pp.2-6) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/7] & The Keep [LIB/506524] Download PDF
Abstract:Until fairly recent times the small country town of Midhurst was served by a remarkable network of branch lines in the shape of the letter 'T', The London and South Western Railway (LSWR) ran westwards to Petersfield and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) ran south to Chichester and eastwards to Pulborough. In addition there was a proposal for a line from Midhurst to Haslemere and, as late as 1902, the redoubtable H. F. Stephens of light-railway fame drew up plans for a light railway between Selham, Cranleigh and Ockley.
One reason for this state of affairs was that each of the three lines constructed was envisaged as part of a through route - not merely as a branch to serve Midhurst. The Chichester-Midhurst line was, for example, first proposed as part of the Guildford, Chichester, Portsmouth and Fareham Railway's main line and was revived many years after the GCPF scheme had been abandoned. Railway politics were also responsible as Midhurst lay on the border between the LSWR and the LBSCR territories and was thus served by both companies.
All that remains of this system today is a two-mile spur from Chichester to a gravel pit near Lavant.
One reason for this state of affairs was that each of the three lines constructed was envisaged as part of a through route - not merely as a branch to serve Midhurst. The Chichester-Midhurst line was, for example, first proposed as part of the Guildford, Chichester, Portsmouth and Fareham Railway's main line and was revived many years after the GCPF scheme had been abandoned. Railway politics were also responsible as Midhurst lay on the border between the LSWR and the LBSCR territories and was thus served by both companies.
All that remains of this system today is a two-mile spur from Chichester to a gravel pit near Lavant.
History of Park Mill, Burwash, by M. Beswick, published 1976 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 7, article, pp.7-13) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/7] & The Keep [LIB/506524] Download PDF
Abstract:An example of a small country watermill.
Park Mill is only one of hundreds of its kind which existed all over England from medieval times until 100 years ago or less, but its history is set down here because it probably typifies in broad outline that of many other water-driven cornmills. The changes in its fortunes fit into a pattern, closely related to variations in local agricultural and economic conditions and the consequent fluctuations both in the amount of corn to be ground and the number of mouths to be fed in the locality.
In this connection, the large number of other cornmills which existed at one time in the district must be noted. Park Mill itself stands on the south bank of the river Dudwell to the south-west of Burwash village (TQ 671 236). Less than half a mile downstream is Dudwell Mill (TQ 677 238) and about a mile upstream is Willingford (TQ 655 226) where in 1610 there were two mills operating at the same time. Cox's Mill (TQ 653 203), on a right bank tributary of the Dudwell, is also in the parish of Burwash and there was at least one windmill on the ridge on which the village stands. In addition, there may have been a mill, or mills, in the valley of the Rather which forms the parish boundary to the north.
Burwash is known to have been a place of some importance during the Middle Ages. It was granted a market in 1252 and so would have had a substantial population of tradesmen and craftsmen as well as yeoman farmers and peasants. The population increased further in the sixteenth century with the growth of the Wealden iron industry, as a number of furnaces and forges were located in the Burwash area. It seems probable, therefore, that if there was ever a time when all the cornmills were operating simultaneously, it would have been in the 1500s. Indeed the immediate predecessor of Park Mill may well have been built at about this time.
Park Mill is only one of hundreds of its kind which existed all over England from medieval times until 100 years ago or less, but its history is set down here because it probably typifies in broad outline that of many other water-driven cornmills. The changes in its fortunes fit into a pattern, closely related to variations in local agricultural and economic conditions and the consequent fluctuations both in the amount of corn to be ground and the number of mouths to be fed in the locality.
In this connection, the large number of other cornmills which existed at one time in the district must be noted. Park Mill itself stands on the south bank of the river Dudwell to the south-west of Burwash village (TQ 671 236). Less than half a mile downstream is Dudwell Mill (TQ 677 238) and about a mile upstream is Willingford (TQ 655 226) where in 1610 there were two mills operating at the same time. Cox's Mill (TQ 653 203), on a right bank tributary of the Dudwell, is also in the parish of Burwash and there was at least one windmill on the ridge on which the village stands. In addition, there may have been a mill, or mills, in the valley of the Rather which forms the parish boundary to the north.
Burwash is known to have been a place of some importance during the Middle Ages. It was granted a market in 1252 and so would have had a substantial population of tradesmen and craftsmen as well as yeoman farmers and peasants. The population increased further in the sixteenth century with the growth of the Wealden iron industry, as a number of furnaces and forges were located in the Burwash area. It seems probable, therefore, that if there was ever a time when all the cornmills were operating simultaneously, it would have been in the 1500s. Indeed the immediate predecessor of Park Mill may well have been built at about this time.
Restoration of the Old Watermill (Park Mill) at Batemans, Burwash, by A. J. Haselfoot, published 1976 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 7, article, pp.13-20) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/7] & The Keep [LIB/506524] Download PDF
Abstract:Park Mill, Burwash, was built about 1750 with two pairs of stones and was operated continuously until 1902. At this date the mill was shut down by Rudyard Kipling who had bought the Batemans Estate, the water wheel was removed and a small water turbine and generator was installed to light the main house. The history of the mill will not be enlarged on here as it is well described in another article in this journal).
The mill as originally built was only one bay wide, about 10' x 20' floor area, and was of two storeys with a pitched roof, with the ridge running East-West, the bin floor being in the roof space. It was driven by a 10' diameter overshot wheel, probably 5' wide, and there was no auxiliary drive or auxiliary machinery, the sack hoist being hand-operated. The building was probably enlarged to its present size in the 1830s when the third pair of stones was installed (the date 1836 is cut in the plaster on the rim of the runner stone). The extension was also of two floors with a pitched roof but the ridge in this case runs North-South and extends over the adjoining mill-cottage which may have been built at the same time or rather earlier. On the cover is a drawing of the East side of the mill, made in 1929, which shows what was presumably the original door to the mill. A wire-machine or dresser (for cleaning and grading the meal) and a smutter (for cleaning the grain) were apparently installed about this time as well as a mechanical drive to the sack hoist, a small crown wheel being fitted below the great spur wheel.
The mill as originally built was only one bay wide, about 10' x 20' floor area, and was of two storeys with a pitched roof, with the ridge running East-West, the bin floor being in the roof space. It was driven by a 10' diameter overshot wheel, probably 5' wide, and there was no auxiliary drive or auxiliary machinery, the sack hoist being hand-operated. The building was probably enlarged to its present size in the 1830s when the third pair of stones was installed (the date 1836 is cut in the plaster on the rim of the runner stone). The extension was also of two floors with a pitched roof but the ridge in this case runs North-South and extends over the adjoining mill-cottage which may have been built at the same time or rather earlier. On the cover is a drawing of the East side of the mill, made in 1929, which shows what was presumably the original door to the mill. A wire-machine or dresser (for cleaning and grading the meal) and a smutter (for cleaning the grain) were apparently installed about this time as well as a mechanical drive to the sack hoist, a small crown wheel being fitted below the great spur wheel.
Old Weights and Measures, by Wilfrid Beswick, published 1976 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 7, article, pp.21-22) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/7] & The Keep [LIB/506524] Download PDF
Abstract:Research into past Sussex industries frequently throws up weights and measures which are troublesome to align with modern units. The records of the Sussex iron industry are particularly confusing in this respect. These notes are intended to provide conversion factors where it has been found possible to check them with reasonable accuracy.
East Sussex Milestones - Further Notes, by Brian Austen and John Upton, published 1976 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 7, article, pp.23-24) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/7] & The Keep [LIB/506524] Download PDF
Abstract:Since the publication in 1973 of our survey of East Sussex milestones further information has come to light which has prompted us to assemble this article. For the convenience of readers who may wish to relate the information contained here to the previous article the same basic layout has been adopted.
Remarkable Cistern at Rye, by Ralph Wood, published 1976 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 7, article, pp.24-28) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/7] & The Keep [LIB/506524] Download PDF
Abstract:One of the most astonishing pieces of architectural craftsmanship in Sussex, if not in England, lies almost buried in a churchyard. A small brick building - half underground - is located in the north east corner of St. Mary's Churchyard in Rye; its exterior is often noticed by the many visitors who pass along Pump Street into Church Square and it is admired no less by the town's residents for its curious oval tower with a tiled roof like an upturned boat.
It is the Cistern or Water Tower which was built in 1735 at a time when the small town was enjoying a period of increasing prosperity. What the visitor does not see and indeed in recent years few people can have seen - is the unique brickwork of the interior. If nothing is known about the builder of the tower at least its obvious quality testifies to a craftsman of skill and ingenuity and who must have been unusual even in the eighteenth century when traditional building techniques were at their most refined.
It is the Cistern or Water Tower which was built in 1735 at a time when the small town was enjoying a period of increasing prosperity. What the visitor does not see and indeed in recent years few people can have seen - is the unique brickwork of the interior. If nothing is known about the builder of the tower at least its obvious quality testifies to a craftsman of skill and ingenuity and who must have been unusual even in the eighteenth century when traditional building techniques were at their most refined.
Tokens of Sussex, by Jim Newmark, published 1976 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 7, article, pp.29-33) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/7] & The Keep [LIB/506524] Download PDF
Abstract:The number of Sussex tokens in comparison with the rest of the country may be small but, nevertheless, they form an illuminating commentary on the life of its people. Tokens were the people's answer to the pressing need for small change - a want neglected by the authorities over prolonged periods.
The earliest known Sussex token of 1650 is from Rye having the sign of the Mermaid. Nearly 200 other tokens of the 17th century are recorded giving names of the issuers, their place of origin and some indication of the trade or profession they followed. This forms an invaluable directory of the calling of the principal inhabitants and of prime interest in the study of local history.
The earliest known Sussex token of 1650 is from Rye having the sign of the Mermaid. Nearly 200 other tokens of the 17th century are recorded giving names of the issuers, their place of origin and some indication of the trade or profession they followed. This forms an invaluable directory of the calling of the principal inhabitants and of prime interest in the study of local history.
Goldstone Pumping Station, Brighton, by Jonathan Minns, published 1976 in Sussex Industrial History (no. 7, article, pp.33-35) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/7] & The Keep [LIB/506524] Download PDF
Abstract:In the early part of the 19th century Brighton, then a small town, suffered considerably from the lack of a constant pure water supply. This meant that the basic needs for drinking water, sewage disposal, fire protection and baths were simply not being catered for. Between 1800 and 1840 vast social changes were brought about by the Industrial Revolution and the population of Brighton, like that of many other towns, more than doubled in a large range of housing.