⇐ S.I.H. 1995 (Issue 25)S.I.H. 1997 (Issue 27) ⇒
Sussex Industrial History: Journal of the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society, edited by Dr. Brian Austen, published 1996 (issue no. 26, Sussex Industrial History, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506527] Download PDF
Eastbourne's First Motor Omnibuses with a preliminary note on John Kempe Brydges, Borough Electrical Engineer, 1900-1939, and first manager of the motor bus department, 1903-4, by John Norris, published 1996 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 26, article, pp.2-10, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506527] Download PDF
Abstract:Eastbourne was one of the first towns In the country to have a public electricity supply, the Eastbourne Electric Light Co. commencing supply in September 1882, Just months after similar companies at Brighton and Hastings. All three companies were established by the prominent electrical pioneer and entrepreneur Robert Hammond. The first Engineer & Manager at Eastbourne was H.M. Sayers, followed c.1885 by H.W. Kolle.
On 1st January 1900 Eastbourne Corporation took over the private company and appointed as Engineer of the Corporation's Electric Light Undertaking John Kempe Brydges, who was to hold the position for almost 40 years, during which time the number of consumers increased from under 500 to 21,000 and the electricity supplied from approx. 0.4 million Units (kWh) In 1900 to approx. 38 million In 1939.
Among the archives held in the library of Seaboard's Milne Electrical Collection at Amberley Museum Is the leather-bound 'Electrical Engineers Report Book' in which Mr. Brydges reported fortnightly to the Corporation's Electric Light Committee. Unexpectedly, interesting information on Eastbourne's first motor buses Is to be found in this book for It transpires that In addition to his electrical duties Mr. Brydges was In charge of the fledgling Motor Bus Department when It started in 1903.
On 1st January 1900 Eastbourne Corporation took over the private company and appointed as Engineer of the Corporation's Electric Light Undertaking John Kempe Brydges, who was to hold the position for almost 40 years, during which time the number of consumers increased from under 500 to 21,000 and the electricity supplied from approx. 0.4 million Units (kWh) In 1900 to approx. 38 million In 1939.
Among the archives held in the library of Seaboard's Milne Electrical Collection at Amberley Museum Is the leather-bound 'Electrical Engineers Report Book' in which Mr. Brydges reported fortnightly to the Corporation's Electric Light Committee. Unexpectedly, interesting information on Eastbourne's first motor buses Is to be found in this book for It transpires that In addition to his electrical duties Mr. Brydges was In charge of the fledgling Motor Bus Department when It started in 1903.
Lidos and Swimming Pools in Sussex - a brief survey, by Diana Durden, published 1996 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 26, article, pp.11-15, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506527] Download PDF
Abstract:In 1993 I began systematically visiting all known extant pools in Sussex and collating documents on these and extinct ones. It was soon apparent that I was just too late for some and far too late for most.
The Sea House Hotel, Brighton, by Geoff Mead, published 1996 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 26, article, pp.16-19, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506527] Download PDF
Abstract:The Sea House is a pub of some antiquity and of considerable historic interest, its past closely linked with Brighton's history, in particular its seafaring heritage, currently being promoted so assiduously by Brighton Council.
First noted in documentary sources in 1791 when James Leach was proprietor, it must have pre-dated this as a 19th century source describes its appearance in 1800 as "a wretched looking miserable old building" in spite of which the Town Vestry is reported as holding meetings there regularly between 1790 and 1804.
At that date and in the period prior to 1832 its name was the Ship in Distress and was one of a number of town taverns with seafaring signage, such as The Anchor in East Street, the Old Ship in Ship Street, and the Last Sr Fishcart in Black Lion Street. This was a reflection of Brighton's role as one of the principal fishing towns on the south coast, one whose economy was, at an earlier time, bound up in shipping, rope and net making, and boat building.
First noted in documentary sources in 1791 when James Leach was proprietor, it must have pre-dated this as a 19th century source describes its appearance in 1800 as "a wretched looking miserable old building" in spite of which the Town Vestry is reported as holding meetings there regularly between 1790 and 1804.
At that date and in the period prior to 1832 its name was the Ship in Distress and was one of a number of town taverns with seafaring signage, such as The Anchor in East Street, the Old Ship in Ship Street, and the Last Sr Fishcart in Black Lion Street. This was a reflection of Brighton's role as one of the principal fishing towns on the south coast, one whose economy was, at an earlier time, bound up in shipping, rope and net making, and boat building.
Bishopstone Tide Mills, Newhaven and its environs, by Peter Longstaff-Tyrrell, published 1996 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 26, article, pp.20-25, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506527] Download PDF
Abstract:The milling of grain using natural power sources has focused on the windmill and water mills operated by the flow of rivers and streams. A certain romantic nostalgia has developed around buildings that survive and the equipment used. Coastal mills, operated by the ebb and flow of the tide, though fewer in number, played an important role in the milling industry however. The damage from pollution caused by the generation of power from carboniferous energy sources is now realised, and a greater appreciation of the value of natural sources of power has resulted, leading to the construction of wind towers in recent years to generate electricity, and the consideration of various schemes to harness tidal power.
Gypsum excavations at Mountfield, by Don Cox, published 1996 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 26, article, pp.26-31, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506527] Download PDF
Abstract:Whilst there have been several mentions of the overhead cable railway at Mountfield in our newsletters I have noticed the absence of any information on the product that it carried. Thus I was pleased that when I was recently given a book on the History of BPB Industries I found it contained some information on the gypsum works at Mountfield. The following is based on information taken mostly from that book.
Uckfield Union Workhouse, by Ron Martin, published 1996 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 26, article, pp.32-35, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506527] Download PDF
Abstract:The Board of Guardians of the Uckfield Union Workhouse was formed in 1835 and a 6.1 ha (15.1 acres) site was acquired at Ridgewood at the east side of Lewes Road (map reference TQ 477196). Plans were drawn up in 1837 for a Workhouse for 350 paupers to the designs of W.E. Kendall, architect, of Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, London to be built on this site. This comprised a three storied structure in Maltese cross plan form. A full range of facilities was provided including Male and Female accommodation, Dining Hall and Kitchen, Offices and Board Room, Nursery, Washhouse, Disinfectant House and Workshops. In later years this building was known as High View House, a name now encapsulated in the name Highview Lane being the access road to the recently built housing estate.
Bread oven at 15 Western Street, Brighton, by Ron Martin, published 1996 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 26, article, pp.36-37, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506527] Download PDF
Abstract:In the course of renovation work at No.15 Western Street, Brighton a bread oven was uncovered in the basement. This property was built as a semi-detached pair (with No.16) between 1808 and 1821 and is three stories high with a projecting bay to each property and a parapet. From 1822 - 1850, No.15 was occupied by William Hearsey a baker, and from 1852 - 1862 by Henry Ewer, a bread and biscuit maker. It was known as No.2 Norfolk Street until 1833 and No.9 Western Street, until 1939. Presumably Henry Ewer died and his widow Elizabeth took over the business and carried it on until 1875. In the 1876 Directory James Smith is listed as the occupier and from 1877 to 1916 Ben Bishop, as a baker. For the next two years it was used as a registry office and from 1920 to 1940 by a Mrs. Otway, a hairdresser, then by Harold Ruddick & Co, mechanical engineers and for a few years by Mrs. Wagstaff an antique dealer. Since 1964 it has been occupied by various restaurants, the Cafe Mignon, the Safari Room, Au Pied du Cochon and latterly Le Grandgousier.
Medieval Water Mills, by Don Cox, published 1996 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 26, article, pp.38-39, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506527] Download PDF
Abstract:For many years I had thought that there must be information on water mills in the many manorial records in the record offices. I have extracted references to mills from the Sussex section of the Domesday Book translated by John Morris and published by Phillimore in 1976 which shows that there were many mills in Sussex in 1086.