Bibliography - Worthing: guides and directories
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Brighton new guide or, a description of Brighthelmston, and the adjacent country; with an account of the following places: East Bourn, Lewes, Newhaven, Shoreham, Rottendean, Worthing, Arundel, Seaford, Steyning, Preston, &c. &c. &c, edited by Frederick George Fisher, published 1800 (124 pp., London: T. Burton) accessible at: British Library   View Online

Phillipps's Hand-Book and Directory of Worthing, published 1849 (Worthing) accessible at: British Library

A Hand-book for Worthing and its Vicinity, by a Resident, published 1849 (79 pp., Worthing: A. Carter) accessible at: British Library

French & Son's handbook and directory for Worthing, published 1 July 1859 (x + 76 pp., London: Ward and Lock & Worthing: French and Son) accessible at: British Library

Black's 1861 Tourist's Guide to Sussex: Incorporating 1859 Breads's Guide to Worthing and 1859 Guide to the Millers Tomb Highdown Hill , by Black & Co. Ltd., published 1860 (vi + 246 pp., Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black) accessible at: British Library

Bread's Guide and Handbook to Worthing, by Owen Breads, published 1865 (London: Hamilton, Adams & Co.)

The "Royal" Guide to Worthing. With photographs, published 1884 (108 pp., Worthing: K. W. Knight) accessible at: British Library

The New Album of Worthing Views, published 1891 (95 pp., Germany) accessible at: British Library

Nelson's Guide to Brighton, Hove, and Worthing. With maps, plans, and illustrations, published 1908 (63 pp., London: Thomas Nelson & Sons) accessible at: British Library

Kelly's Directory of Worthing and Neighbourhood, published 1927 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 638]

Worthing Offical Guide, published 1929 (pamphlet, Worthing Borough Council) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12124]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing and Neighbourhood, published 1929 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 639]

Worthing and District Blue Book, 1931-1932, published 1931 accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 646]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing and Neighbourhood, published 1932 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 640]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1934 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.)

Kelly's Directory of Worthing and Neighbourhood, published 1934 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 641]

The Residential Attractions of Worthing. An illustrated Guide, etc., published 1937 (20 pp., Gloucester: British Publishing Co.) accessible at: British Library

Kelly's Directory of Worthing and Neighbourhood, published 1938 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 642]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1946 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.)

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1951 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9117]

Illustrated Guide to Worthing and West Sussex, published 1952 (pamphlet, Crabtree Holiday Guides) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12258]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1953 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9118]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1956 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12793]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1958 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12794]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1960 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12257][Lib 12795]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing and Neighbourhood, published 1960 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 644]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1962 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12796]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1964 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12797]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1966 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12798]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1968 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12799]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1969 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12800]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing with Lancing, Ferring and Sompting, published 1969 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.)

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1970 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12801]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1972 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12803]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing and neighbourhood, published 1972 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.)

Kelly's Directory of Worthing and Neighbourhood, published 1973 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 645]

Kelly's Directory of Worthing with Lancing, Ferring and Sompting, published 1973 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.)

Kelly's Directory of Worthing, published 1974 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12805]

Kelly's Classified Worthing, published 1975 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9600]

Thompson's Local Directory: Worthing, published 1997 (Thompson) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15786]

Not a guide to Worthing, by Wendy Hughes, published 1 January 2013 (128 pp., The Histroy Press, ISBN-10: 0752476513 & ISBN-13: 9780752476513) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries

Worthing: Not a Guide delves into the heart of this coastal town, taking the reader on a tour of its street names and their origins, its building disasters, its connections with the theatre, the biggest, the oldest, the infamous Salvation Riots and the Bonfire Boys, as well its fishing and smuggling connections. This book also examines the more unusual monuments of the town, such as the pigeon memorial, it famous plaques and inscriptions, its famous characters, its royal visits, the freemen of the borough, and its literary connections. If you thought you knew Worthing, think again. This is a book you can dip into time and time again and is guaranteed to interest everyone from the oldest inhabitant to the casual holidaymaker.

As a resident of Worthing since 1971 I found this book of great interest. It contains a wealth of facts and figures about the town with well chosen black & white photos. It includes details of many notable residents and the origins of some street names. Whilst much of the information may not be 'new', what this book does is to provide concise well researched, well presented history of Worthing back to the Neolithic era. It comes bang up to date by mentioning the opening of the new Splash Point swimming pool in May this year. Wendy Hughes is a seasoned local author.