⇐ S.I.H. 1978 (No. 8)S.I.H. 1980 (No. 10) ⇒
Sussex Industrial History: Journal of the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society, edited by Professor E. O. Taylor, published 1979 (No. 9, Sussex Industrial History) accessible at: 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.
Ironmaking Origins and their Early Impact on the English Weald, by W. R. Beswick, published 1979 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 9, article, pp.7-14) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Petworth Water Supply, by J. E. Taylor, P. A. Jerrome and A. G. Allnutt, published 1979 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 9, article, pp.15-22) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
From Ox-cart to Steam Engine, by M. Beswick, published 1979 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 9, article, pp.23-27) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:In the summer of 1978 a member of the Society, Mr. H. W. Nightingale of Swanborough, discovered that a number of old tools including a woodworking lathe, were still in existence in the wheelwright's shop above the forge of C. Dean & Son at Rodmell. A visit was arranged, in the course of which we were shown two old ledgers which had been preserved, and Mr. Frank Dean, the present owner, kindly allowed me to borrow these for more detailed study.
They cover a period of five years from 1878 to 1883 and embrace a remarkably wide range of activities, as the wheelwright undertook not only the making of waggons and carts and repairs to these and other agricultural implements, but also the erection of farm buildings, gates and fences, domestic carpentry, house-painting, brick-laying and plumbing. In the winter of 1881 he even sent men to remove snow from the gutters of houses and farm buildings and, on one occasion, arranged for chimneys to be swept. He also repaired the fabric and furniture of the local churches and schools and made coffins and acted as undertaker.
They cover a period of five years from 1878 to 1883 and embrace a remarkably wide range of activities, as the wheelwright undertook not only the making of waggons and carts and repairs to these and other agricultural implements, but also the erection of farm buildings, gates and fences, domestic carpentry, house-painting, brick-laying and plumbing. In the winter of 1881 he even sent men to remove snow from the gutters of houses and farm buildings and, on one occasion, arranged for chimneys to be swept. He also repaired the fabric and furniture of the local churches and schools and made coffins and acted as undertaker.
The Hurst Green Foundry, by A. J. Haselfoot, published 1979 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 9, article, pp.27-30) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:The firm of Albert Oakley Ltd., at Hurst Green in East Sussex, was one of the last jobbing foundries and general engineering works in the County and has a long history spanning more than 250 years. According to C. W. (Bill) Oakley, the son of Albert Oakley and last surviving member of the family in Hurst Green, the foundry was started in 1704 by G. Huntley who was probably a wheelwright as well as a smith. It may have been called the Regent Foundry originally as this name was found on the back of one of the forges. In 1722 it was owned by John Huntley and in 1364 by Thomas Page, although it was rented to and operated by Thomas Pierson and later by George Pierson, who is described in Pike's Directory for 1886 as 'Iron and brass founder and general smith'.
Chalk Pits Museum, Amberley, by A. J. Haselfoot, published 1979 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 9, article, pp.31-33) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:The Chalk Pits Museum, Amberley, the first Open Air Museum of Industrial Archaeology in the South East of England, was opened to the public on Saturday, 26th May, 1979. The Museum, situated in the old chalk pits at Houghton Bridge, has been set up by the Southern Industrial History Centre who have leased the chalk pits from the West Sussex County Council. The purpose of the Museum, as an educational and exhibition centre, is to demonstrate the varied range of industries to be found in South East England which existed to support the predominantly agricultural nature of the area. Industrial Archaeology in its broadest sense is the study of the working life of past generations by the documentary and physical remains they have left behind - how did they live, how did they travel, what kind of machines and power sources did they use, what were their working conditions - all these aspects will in due course be covered by exhibitions and demonstrations at the Museum.