Lancing girl's lament

“The ladies of Lancing are apparently divided into two classes, those who wear Wellingtons and those who don’t. Not by any means that Dame Fashion has cast a spell over the town – or part of it – to wage a war between the “Wellingtonians” and the “Silk Hose Annas”.

It seems to be purely a matter of necessity, for the Wellingtonians live in Freshbrook Road and if all that was said about the road at the Lancing Parish Council meeting on Monday is true, its name must be particularly appropriate for there is evidently more splashiness than flashiness in the road.

Moreover, the girls are by no means less beautiful than their rivals in other parts of the town, but yet they are a little jealous of them, for, according to Mr Greet, whose opinion was endorsed by other members of the Parish Council, the Wellingtonians are compelled, after a shower of rain, to wear knee-length boots because of the state of Freshbrook Road. When they get into “civilisation” as it were, they see their rivals displaying shapely ankles – and sometimes a little more – in spotless silken hose.”

This was part of the report on Lancing Parish Council’s debate on who was responsible for the upkeep of Freshbrook Road, the railway company or the Rural District council.

(Worthing Herald November 10^th 1928)

MYSTERY OF HUMAN BONES

“The mystery surrounding some human bones, which were found in a gravel pit at Sompting on Friday, was not cleared up yesterday, when the West Sussex Coroner (Mr. F. W. Butler) held an inquest upon them at Worthing Fire Station.

Evidence was given by Police-constable Abbott, that the bones were found by a man named Dunk about two feet under the ground. The police had made extensive inquiries in the district, but could not form any conclusion as to how the bones came to be there. A German prisoners internment camp was in a meadow adjoining the pit in 1917 and 1918, but Police records showed no prisoners as having escaped from this camp, and two who escaped from a similar camp near by were recaptured. They could not ascertain that any prisoner had died and been buried there, and no person had been missing and unaccounted for in the neighbourhood for the last 40 years, one man who disappeared having been found a week later. There was no information available as to how the remains came to be buried.

Dr. W. O. Pitt, who examined the bones, said they were the remains of two human beings, probably a man and a woman. Their state showed that they could not have been buried for more than ten years, because had they been ancient bones they would have been well preserved or would have crumbled on being handled; actually, they only partly crumbled. One of the jawbones had been fractured, and he believed it to be an old injury, which might have been caused by a blow.

Dr. Pitt added that it would be interesting to have the view of an expert like Sir Arthur Keith.

The Coroner said there was nothing to show the cause of death, or how the bones came to be buried, and made an order for burial. This, it was stated, would probably take place in Sompting Churchyard.”

(Worthing Gazette, 5^th March 1930)

Boys will be Boys

“Whilst sliding on a pond at Sompting on Thursday, a boy named Fred Coleman, twelve years of age, fell through the ice into the water. His cries for help fortunately attracted the attention of Mr H. H. Wadman, who extricated him from his disagreeable and dangerous position.”

(Worthing Gazette, 3^rd February 1909)

Sad Christmas

“On Christmas Day, Mr Tate, farrier, of Sompting, Sussex, was found dead in a ditch near Goring, to which place he had been on the preceding day to doctor a farmer’s horse: he died through the severity of the weather.”

(London Chronicle, 3 January 1799)

News at Last

“For the past five years Mrs Lisher has been without news of her son Reginald, but information has reached her at last that he was killed in September 1914. It comes in the form of a letter from a Captain in the German Army, who, writing from Elberfield, says Lisher was killed in an engagement against the regiment in which the writer was serving. He was buried with military honours in the village of Cerny, about ten miles south of the city of Leon, in France. The German officer adds: “He had about him the enclosed letter. In the meantime it was impossible for me to send it to you. Now the postal communication is practicable again, and I haste to do so, condoling heartily with you in the loss of your son who died a good and valiant soldier”.

(Worthing Gazette, 17^th December 1919)

Sompting's Authoress Meets The President

“Miss Pullen Burry, of Cambridge, England, the authoress of ‘Jamaica As It Is’ and other works of interest, was received on Thursday by the President at the White House. This lady, who has travelled all over the world, is a Fellow of the Anthropological Society of Great Britain, and is visiting the United States on her way to the British West Indies, with the view of studying the problems connected with the race question.”

(Worthing Gazette, 9th November 1904)

Miss Bessie Pullen Burry, 1858-1937, was the sister of Horace J. Pullen Burry and Arthur Pullen Burry of Sompting.

A new noise at Lancing

“To the Editor of the “Worthing Gazette”

Sir, At this delectable and select seaside resort called Lancing we do not aspire to a municipal orchestra, but recently we have been supplied with a most powerful and irritating “musical” instrument by the Southern Railway Works without any expense to the ratepayers. The exhaust from some powerful engine starts at about 7am and continues till late in the evening; the concussions shake our doors, and what effect this new “feature” must have on any invalids need not be mentioned. The dulcet tones are heard at North Lancing, and by the sad sea waves, so we all get our share. Possibly our Parish Council, with its keen instinct to prevent nuisances to the ratepayers and its customary promptness (?) has taken steps to get the noise abated? Also, possibly not!

J W Spiller

The Brown Cottage

West End Way

Lancing”

(Worthing Gazette, 16^th October 1929)

Cookery class for Lancing children

One hundred years ago it was recommended “that a cookery class should be formed in connection with Lancing Elementary School, to be held in a farmhouse kitchen near the school, of which the rent will be £5 a year, payable to Mr F Grover, Blacksmith House, North Lancing. Mrs F.S. Heaton is appointed teacher, whilst Mrs Grover will receive a salary of £3 a year for acting as cleaner, such payment to include the cleaning of the stove and kitchen, the washing of all linen, and lighting. Fuel is to be supplied from the school stock. The cupboard, tables, ranges, and utensils are to be provided from the Chichester Centre. ….”

(Worthing Gazette 18^th Aug. 1909)

South House

“Coast of Sussex - To be let, furnished, a cottage residence, known by the name of South House, most desirably situate at Lancing on the high road between Brighton and Worthing, 2 miles from the latter place, commanding a fine view of the sea and country, contains dining, drawing and breakfast rooms, makes 10 beds, with store room, kitchen, washhouse, etc., has a good garden surrounded by high walls, clothed with 30 choice fruit trees in full bearing, double coach house and 3 stall stable; bathing machines within 3 minutes walk. Apply, if by letter post paid, to Messrs. Bates, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square”

(The Times, 21^st July 1819)

Reaping Machines for Sompting

"We the undersigned have this day witnessed the performance of one of Burgess and Key's Reaping Machines on a piece of Winter Barley, consisting of 6a.3r.20p. which was cut in three hours and forty minutes. The land was hilly and flinty, the crop very heavy, and in many places considerably laid. In spite of these disadvantages, the cutting and delilvery were very superior, and entirely satisfied us of the usefulness of these machines.

JOHN HAMPTON, Applesham

WILLIAM HAMPTON, Applesham

GEORGE HAMPTON, Findon Park Farm

J. HARE, Sompting, Sussex

EDWARD MITCHELL, Lychpole Farm, Sompting

E. H. MITCHELL, Sompting

JAMES DODSWELL, Applesham

I measured the land - WILLIAM HAMPTON."

“Applesham, near Lancing, Sussex,

June 30^th 1858.

Gentlemen,

We received the Reaping Machine last evening, and commenced working it this morning, under the superintendence of your Agent, (Mr Rix), on a piece of Winter Barley, consisting of 6a. 3r. 20p., which was cut in three hours and forty minutes.

We had an excellent opportunity of testing the merits of the Machine, as the crop was very heavy, and laid in several places; but, notwithstanding that circumstance, and the additional drawback of the land being side hilly in some parts, with many large flints, the work was performed in the most perfect manner.

The best proof of our being satisfied with the Machine, is the fact of our having purchased of Mr Rix, the Reaper sent for trial, and requested him to forward us another in a few days. Several of our neighbours who witnessed the trial expressed themselves highly delighted, and two of them ordered Machines for this harvest.

I remain, Gentlemen, yours truly,

William Hampton”

(Sussex Chronicle, 3rd July 1858)

Accidental death

“At an Inquest held a few days since, before G. Gwynne, Esq., Coroner for the eastern division of the county of Sussex, on the body of Mr Steer, landlord of the Marquis of Granby Inn, at Sompting, it appeared in evidence that the deceased had taken a party to Brighton the day before, in one of his own post-chaises; and that on his return home, on that part of the road between New and Old Shoreham, the felloc of one of the fore wheels of the chaise by some means came off, and that the sudden and unexpected shock occasioned thereby dislodged the unfortunate man from the bar of the chaise (where he sat to drive), and precipitated him to the ground, when it was conjectured from the appearance of the wound in his head, that one of the spokes of the wheel must have actually gone through his head. By the traces of blood upon the ground, it appeared also that he had been dragged some distance after his fall, it was supposed, from some of his clothes hanging to the broken wheel. The horses with the chaise reached the toll-gate at Shoreham bridge before the accident was discovered to have taken place. The absence of the driver immediately caused a search to be made, when not far from the said gate, poor Steer was found prostrate on the ground, and his skull fractured, and convulsed with the agonies of death. Coroner’s verdict – “Accidental death”.”

(The Times, September 10^th 1824)

To the Editor of The Times

“Sir, My attention was lately called to the following paragraph in a recent publication of your paper, and I trust you will show as much alacrity in publishing my defence as in giving insertion to the calumnious insinuation of the anonymous author of the paragraph in question, which is as follows:-

‘Portsmouth, Jan 5 – Arrived, the Hawke cutter, Lieutenant Appleby, from the Sussex coast: she chased a smuggling lugger on that coast, which afterwards landed 700 kegs of spirits near Lancing without interruption.’

The above was clearly intended by some malicious individual to insinuate, not only that the men of the Revenue cruiser, but that I, and my whole party, have been guilty of very gross neglect. It intimates, that although the smuggler was known, and attempted to be intercepted by the cruiser, yet, from the violence of the weather, the latter did not effect her object, or even communicate with any of the patrols on any part of the shore. If it were impossible for her to do this, it must have been equally impossible for the smuggler to have landed her cargo without interruption: but, Sir, the nature of the Coast Blockade is such, that 700 kegs of spirits could not possibly be landed at my station during one night, except with the connivance of almost every man of my party; and this is the case at all hours, night and day, and is perfectly independent of any other aid; and no state of wind, or tide, or weather can afford any obstruction or difficulty to myself or to my patrols. I beg, however, to add, that I have made most particular inquiries, as well amongst my own men as from the officers of the Revenue, and from every person most likely to know, if such a thing had been there done; and I pledge myself, as an officer and a gentleman, that there is not the least truth in the allegation contained in your paper. I have also to observe, that your anonymous informant, avoids specifying the exact day or days before the 5^th inst. on which the landing is supposed to have been effected. I therefore conceive you are called upon to bring forward your authority for this charge, and am your most obedient servant.

JOSEPH FRANK TOMPSON, Lieutenant, R.N. of H.M.S. Ramillies, commanding the party of the Coast Blockade at Lancing.”

(The Times, 27^th Jan. 1825)

Climate Change!

“As a striking instance of the mildness of the season, we will mention the fact, that some fine heads of asparagus was cut from an open bed, by Mr. Thomas Gates, at Sompting the day before Christmas day.”

(Brighton Patriot 1^st January 1839)

Farms for sale

Two Lancing farms came up for auction on the 9^th October 1843 and the following description appeared in The Times, 27 September 1843.

“…. an important estate, called Birvills Farm, near the Sussex Pad, comprising capital farm buildings, and about 177 acres of rich arable meadow and pasture land, beautifully undulated, commanding delightful prospects of the sea and surrounding country, and on which are growing some ornamental plantations and stately timber, bounded on the south by the high road from Brighton to Worthing. There are several parts of this estate most eligible for the erection of a marine villa, with park-like grounds, within a short distance of Brighton and Worthing, about two miles from the Shoreham terminus of the Brighton and London Railway. Immediate possession may be had.

Also a superior estate, called the Malt House Farm, contiguous to the mansion and grounds of Sir James Lloyd, Bart., comprising all suitable farm buildings, capital garden, and about 50 acres of exceedingly productive arable land, bounded by the high road from Brighton to Worthing, now in the occupation of Mr Barnet, whose term expires at Michaelmas, 1844. The estates are equally desirable for occupation or investment, situate in the fertile parish of Lancing, surrounded by good roads and the lands of Sir James Lloyd, Bart., and Colonel Wyndham. The neighbourhood is of the highest respectability. They are in the midst of field sports, and within an hour’s drive of Brighton, Worthing, Findon, Steyning and Bramber, and of the best markets in Sussex. Water carriage on the Adur is close to Birvills Farm, from which the Shoreham terminus of the London and Brighton railway is about two miles distant. May be viewed by leave of the tenants. ….”

(The Times, 27 September 1843)

"A Novel Hunt"

"For some eighteen months or two years past there had been wandering abroad in this vicinity a young foxhound, which had escaped from the kennels at Findon, and, except on one occasion, had defeated all the efforts made to capture him. On that occasion, however, through some fortuitous circumstance conducing to the indulgence of his innate roving disposition, he soon got rid of his bonds, and fled again into the open country, once more to roam where he listed and live as he best might, in spite of the interest of farmers to save their sheep, game, and poultry. Away from the shots of gun and pistol he went unscathed; or if not so always, he trusted with success to the healing principle which subsisteth in nature. Bootless were all the attempts (slight once they were) that had as yet been made to stop the career of this marauding hound, though many sincere wishes pointed to the accomplishment of that object. At length a select party of horsemen, composed of farmers residing in the neighbourhood - eager for a chase which was in itself so novel, and withal promised some adventurous sport – conspired to hunt the wild dog down. One day last week, therefore, these gentlemen met; and at Applesham they found. It must be premised that they had no dogs with them to mark out their course and lead them on, and guns and pistols were the instruments of death with which they had armed themselves. From Applesham their prey started, and proceeded through Salts Farm, Lancing, down to the sea beach, and along that to Lower Lancing, where he gave his pursuers the slip a littlewhile. Presently the party got sight of him again; and off they set, across the level land to the foot of the Downs, slick over these to Cissbury, thence right away to the precincts of Clapham woods, and down to the low lnad again near Kingston. He went, by moderate estimation, a distance of 30 miles, but 50 according to more sanguine calculators, and a three hours run. Not along all this extant of country did the hunters keep the object of the chase within view. In fleetness the dog was far superior to the horses, and in endurance also. By means of occasional halloos from farmer’s men, instructed accordingly, they kept on the track of the dog when he was out of sight. Having got to the seaside, and finding himself pressed by the horsemen in the rear, he took to the sea, and swam out some distance. The poor beast then turned, essaying to reach the shore; but being hemmed in by the hunters, who still lingered there to see whether they should have an opportunity of resuming their pursuit, he ”went about” seawards again. Tired of watching the changing courses of the dog in an element they durst not venture into, the horsemen commissioned some ferrymen to put off their boat, take the dog, and kill him. True to their charge, the ferrymen did so. They knocked the devoted animal on the head in the water, and to make quite sure of his death, afterwards cut his throat on land.”

(The Times 26^th April 1844)

The Linnean Society

“Mr Borrer, jun., exhibited specimens of a rare British bird, the continental white wagtail (Motacilla alba), killed in April 1853 at Lancing, in Sussex; this being the first instance of its occurrence in that county.”

(The Morning Chronical, 8^th June 1853)

Cheeky Robin!

“Miss Crofts of Sompting, a lady cyclist, found the other day that a robin had built a nest in the basket she carries in front of her bicycle. She did not remove it, and although she has been for a number of rides, the cheeky bird has not yet manifested any intention of evacuating its nest.”

(Worthing Gazette, 10^th May 1899)

Expensive flowers!

“Guineas from graves” is the heading that the Daily Mail gave to the accompanying paragraph.

“In the church porch of Sompting, Sussex, the following notice appears, signed by the vicar. “Any person wishing to place an artificial wreath on a grave must obtain legal permission to do so. The cost will be three guineas, or one guinea to the Chancellor of the Diocese, one guinea to the Registrar of the Diocese, and one guinea to the Vicar.”

(Worthing Gazette 12^th June 1901)

"Bringing Home the May"

"The ceremony known as “Bringing home the May” was certainly not dying out in Sompting. On the 1^st May 1907 the children of Sompting celebrated “May Day” for the forty-fourth time. They went excitedly to school with most of the girls dressed as Saxon Maidens in long white gowns and white caps, carrying long wands and the boys in Pierrots costumes, one girl dressed as “Britannia” and others as different characters, all decorated with flowers. The previous afternoon they had been given a holiday from school for the purpose of gathering flowers. Miss Johnson, the Head Mistress, organised the procession, which then made its way to The Abbotts where Mrs Crofts added flags and sashes. The May Queen and her attendants were chosen and enthroned in a decorated donkey cart. The Procession then made its way through the village with the children singing and shouting to the home of Mrs Wadman, where they were given milk and buns, which had been provided by Mr Pullen Burry. After dinner the procession was reformed and wound it’s way back to The Abbotts where they danced around the Maypole and played games. Mrs Crofts then kindly provided Tea. During the day the Procession collected a record sum of money amounting to £5 0s.3d."

(Worthing Gazette 8^th May 1907)

Healthy Lancing

“Healthy Lancing –

In his annual report as Medical Officer of Health for West Sussex, Dr. Cameron refers at considerable length to the growth and sanitary condition of the parish. During the past six years, he observes, over sixty new houses and as many as one hundred and thirty new bungalows have been erected, the number of bungalows now on the Beach being two hundred and fifteen. The general death rate of the parish, he adds, is a low one, and has been gradually declining, and, except at Lancing College, where there was a sudden outbreak of scarlet fever in March, 1905, caused by some infected milk supplied to the College, there has been no epidemic in the parish for the last six years. Dr Cameron also expresses the hope that in his next annual report he will be able to record the fact that Lancing possesses an excellent supply of wholesome water from the Brighton Corporation mains.”

(Worthing Gazette August 14^th 1907)

Danger in Lancing Streets

“Dear Sir, - I want to protest against the motor bus traffic through the very narrow street of this village, where in many places there is no path for pedestrians.

The danger to life for children and the aged particularly, as well as to ordinary cars and bicycles, is evident, and the amount of dust swallowed enormous.

The vehicles have been run through the village for visitors, I presume, so we residents are the victims. Already there has been one serious accident, and holes in the street enough to cause an overthrow of passengers.

These leviathan cars monopolise almost the width of the narrow thoroughfare, where the children going to and from school twice daily must incur great risks.

Cannot you suggest a more suitable route, and please criticise the danger?

I am wondering who will pay for the repair of the road here. One must to “up” or “down street” as the villagers say, to do any shopping, and the cottages in “our street” with no front gardens, open straight from living room to road, necessarily suffer most.

My young people, who used to be allowed to go alone, have to be attended by a grown person, but it is not possible for all children to have such care.”

(Worthing Gazette, 21st May 1919)

Robbery from village church

"At Worthing yesterday, John Cutt and Gladys Ivy Penn, late of Surbiton, were charged on remand with the theft of an offertory box and its contents from Sompting Parish Church. It was stated that the vicar, the Rev. A. H. V. Housman, entering the church, saw the woman in the nave and the man in the vestry with his hands on the offertory box. The woman gave the alarm and also attacked the vicar when he tried to seize Cutt, with the result that the man got away. He was arrested at North Lancing about an hour later. Cutt, who told the Magistrates that he was at the end of his tether, was sentenced to two months imprisonment, with hard labour, but the woman was placed on probation.”

(The Times, 17^th October 1924)

Sompting Church Windows

"Sompting church, which has recently been receiving the unwelcome attention of the light-fingered gentry, has simultaneously been enriched by the reopening of one of the original windows in the area of the unique four-gabled Saxon tower. This window is in the north wall and has a double splay, and has never been glazed and shows no signs of ironwork. It was probably blocked up at the time of the building of the Knights Templars Chantry, now in ruins. Through the generosity of the architect, Mr. W. D. Caroe, it will now be glazed, but without cutting of glass-grooves, at Mr. Caroe’s expense. I shall be pleased to show this window to any who are interested. I should add that the original tooling is very clear and unweathered. – Rev. Arthur Housman.”

(The Times 23^rd October 1924)

Lancing v. Sompting

“Lancing Juniors entertained Sompting Juniors on Saturday at the Vicarage Field, and won 2-0. Lancing had to field a substitute at the last moment owing to Longhurst being taken ill. Firth won the toss, and elected to kick into the south goal. Lancing were soon attacking, and before many minutes Cass gave them the lead from a nice centre by Dorey. Except for a few breakaways by Sompting, Lancing were nearly always attacking, and on several occasions had bad luck in not scoring, for just as the ball was entering the goal a defender would manage to charge it down, the goalkeeper beaten. Halftime arrived without any further score. On resumption Lancing again took up the attack, and almost continuously bombarded the visitors goal. Sompting seemed to fall to pieces, and their forwards, except for Kimber, who was always ready to seize on any chances of scoring, and was without doubt their best player, were never in the picture. Dorey added Lancing’s second goal, and they ran out easy winners. Lancing – Wood, Balchin, and Firth, Lisher, Harber and Elliott, Dorey, Patching, Firth, Cass and Wood.”

(Worthing Herald, March 17^th 1928)

Nottingham Goose Fair

There are several theories as to how Nottingham Goose Fair got its name but the vicar of Sompting, Rev. Richard Crookshank, wrote to The Times with the following -

“The traditional story of how the fair came to receive its name is this – A widower, who was a bitter misogynist, kept his two sons in complete ignorance of the female sex until they reached the age of 21. The two sons (who had never seen a woman) were then taken to Nottingham fair. On seeing the number of women about they anxiously asked their father what they were. “Geese, my sons, geese,” replied the father. Later in the day, before retuning home, the father asked his two sons to say what they would like as a “fairing” (the customary present). “A goose, father, a goose!” replied each of the sons.”

(The Times, 28 August 1928)

Traffic survey

“The Surveyor, Mr Tee, reported that the traffic census along the road A27 (The Upper Brighton Rd) from Aug 12 – Aug 18 showed that the average daily number of vehicles had increased from 1084 to 1122, but the aggregate tonnage had decreased from 2341 tons to 1700.”

(Worthing Gazette 5^th September 1928)

SOMPTING AND IT'S LOVEMAKING

“Passing through the village of Sompting on Sunday morning in the course of his weekly constitutional an observant resident of Worthing had his attention attracted by a notice exhibited at a certain public building. It had reference to classes for glove making, but the village wit had been at work and eliminated what he regarded as a superfluous “g” so that the notification had reference to a combined local effort in “love making”.”

(Worthing Gazette. 9^th March 1921)

After the Storm

“The sea has been steadily encroaching on the frontage of the parish of Lancing, Sussex, and has frequently made gaps in the road between Worthing and Lancing. The gap now extends for a distance of about 400ft, and measures from 10ft to 15ft deep, and the frontage of about 1500 yards has no protection against the encroachment. After years of discussion, a committee has been formed, partly of members of the Worthing Town Council and partly of some of the inhabitants of Lancing and others interested; and the committee has instructed a London firm to prepare plans and specifications for the construction of a number of groynes and other works for the protection of the frontage. The groynes are to be laid out on the principle which has been adopted with great success on that coast between Lancing and Shoreham and Middleton parish near Bognor.”

(The Sydney Morning Herald 21^st January 1892)

Hertha Ayrton

“Mrs Hertha Ayrton, widow of the late Professor W. E. Ayrton, F.R.S., has died at New Cottage, North Lancing, Sussex. She was a scientist of great distinction, among her most notable inventions being the “Ayrton Flapper”, a fan for dispersing poison gas, of which 100,000 were used by the British Army in France. She also invented and constructed a line divider; discovered the connection between electric current length and pressure in the arc, and carried out various researches connected with the motion of water, and discovered the causes and process of sand ripples on the seashore. She was nominated for Fellowship of the Royal Society in 1902, but the council decided they had no power to elect a woman.”

(Evening Post, 13^th December 1923)

(Phoebe Sarah Marks was born in 1854 but changed her name while a teenager to Hertha, after a heroine in one of Swinburne’s poems. She was educated at Girton College and Finsbury Technical College where she met Professor William Ayrton, whom she married in 1885. She went on to have considerable success with her scientific research and was a prominent member of the Suffragette movement.

She died 26^th August 1923 in Lancing.)

Obituary of Mr Joseph Parker

“Mr Joseph Parker, C.S.I., formerly Director General of Stores, India Office, died at his residence at Sompting, near Worthing, on Sunday, at the age of 93. There is every reason to believe that he was the last survivor of the servants of “John Company” who worked at the East India House in Leadenhall Street. By a coincidence he passes away in the year of the disappearance of East India Avenue and the issue of Mr William Foster’s story of “East India House”.

Born at Chislehurst on August 12, 1831, to the Rev. Joseph Timothy Parker, vicar of Wyton, Hunts. and Mary, daughter of General F. Campbell (Melfort), R.A. he was educated at Cheltenham College, and in 1851, at the age of 20, entered East India House as a “writer” on the company establishment. He was a contemporary there of John Stuart Mill, and spent some nine years in Leadenhall Street, for the house was for two years after the expropriation of the Company the temporary office of the Secretary of State for India. Serving for a time in the Marine Department, he was already in the stores Department when the transfer was made to Whitehall. He held the post of senior clerk in the Department for the long period of 23 years. He became Assistant to the Director General early in 1890, and 18 months later was appointed to the headship. By that time he was 60, perhaps too ripe an age for direct responsibility. But he was a conscientious public servant as well as a man of charming personality, and had well earned the C.S.I. bestowed on him on his retirement in 1896 when he was succeeded by Sir Edwin Grant Buris.

He is survived by his second wife, whom he married in 1894 – Eva, daughter of Colonel Edmund Campbell (Melfort), Bombay Staff Corps. He leaves two sons and three daughters, and one of the latter, born of the second union, was recently married.”

(The Times, 8^th July 1924)

Regent House

“A notable architectural improvement has been carried out in South Street, Lancing, by the building of a block of shops of which Regent House, the new head office of the Lancing and District Estate Agency, is the prominent feature, on the site of the old Alexandra Homes.

Regent House makes an attractive sweep on the corner of South Street and Brighton Road. Designed in modern style, with a white exterior, and equipped with neon lighting, modern window fronts, and ultra-modern fitting, it is a building of which Lancing can well be proud.

Regent Buildings is the outcome of months of planning and thought, and the erection of this new block of business property has made it possible to widen the road at this important junction. From an architectural point of view it is a very definite asset to what is the principal entrance to Lancing.

Regent House was formally opened on Saturday morning by Mrs Wells, the wife of Mr. B.C. Wells, the proprietor of the Lancing and District Estate Agency. She cut a tape across the entrance, and unlocked the door in the presence of a number of her own and her husband’s personal friends.

To celebrate the opening, 600 old people and children of Lancing were entertained to a free cinema show and children’s cabaret at the Odeon on Saturday afternoon. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and were especially amused by Mr Charles Austin – famous on the music halls as “Parker, P.C.” – who lives in Brighton Road, Lancing, and acted as compere.

Among the artists were Mr and Mrs Wells two little daughters, Pauline and Jeanne.

In the evening a social was held at the Odeon, when Mr and Mrs B. C. Wells entertained about 100 guests. Thomas Bennett and his Band, who were formerly at the Regent Cinema, Brighton, played for dancing.”

(Worthing Gazette, 24^th July 1935)

Beating the Bounds

"The ancient ceremony of “beating the bounds” is being revived today, after an interval of nearly thirty-eight years. A start was proposed to be made from the Three Horseshoes shortly after ten o’clock this morning, the party including the members of the Parish Council and several School children, and the course taken was to be along the beach to the Worthing boundary, then north across the railway and round by Sompting and Cokeham to the Barge dyke, just beyond the Lancing College cricket ground, where luncheon was thoughtfully provided by Mr. J. M. Carr Lloyd, J.P., Chairman of the Parish Council. From here the course was down the centre of the river to the entrance to Shoreham Harbour, and finally there was a tramp back along the beach to South Lancing. The last occasion on which the boundaries of this parish were traversed was on September 25^th 1868."

(Worthing Gazette, 23^rd May 1906)

Lancing Dyke

“Miss Annesley Kenealy, the well-known London journalist and a member of a family who have been associated with Lancing for many years past, has written to the Parish Council complaining of the condition of the dyke fronting the village, and declaring that she will invite a hundred journalists of the leading English newspapers and Press photographers to actually photograph and publish in the papers the “foreshore attractions” in the shape of diphtheria and disease which the Lancing authorities provide for what might be a prosperous, flourishing little village. Miss Kenealy adds that if the men will not do their duty she will call upon the women to come forward and show by their vigorous action that they intend Lancing to be spring-cleaned and made healthy and habitable for their children”

(Worthing Gazette, 12th April 1911)

Important prosecution

“Summoned at the Shoreham Petty Sessions on Monday, under the Merchandise Marks Act, Oliver Wakeham, of Lancing, was charged with applying a false trade description to packets of tea sold by him, and was fined £2 and £1.7s costs. It was alleged that an inferior tea was sold as Lyons Tea, but the defense was a total denial of the allegation.”

(Worthing Gazette, 1^st February 1911)

Lost and Found

A letter appeared in the “Evening Post”, 12 January 1929, from Mrs J. H. Webb, Windrush, North Lancing who states “Some years ago my mother was sitting under a copper beech tree in the garden at home, when her wedding ring slipped off her finger. Search was made everywhere, but not a trace of it could be found. A year later my sister and I were sitting under the same tree when suddenly the missing ring fell into my sister’s lap from above. There was a magpie’s nest in the copper beech.”

Watercress Jack

“In November 1875, an inquest was held in the Railway Hotel on the demise of John Clapper, otherwise known as Watercress Jack. Mr G. Brewer, Landlord of the Three Horse Shoes said that Jack had been in on the Tuesday prior to his death, and that he had slept in a straw rick somewhere in the village. Jack did not have a home and slept anywhere. The landlord said Jack had some ale, bread and cheese before leaving never to be seen alive again. Down Marsh Lane, in Mrs Manting’s meadow, where the watercress ditch was, Jack was found dead by his basket, having drowned in the ditch which was some three feet deep.”

(West Sussex Gazette, November 1875)

High Tolls

“ It is not generally known that two-pence is paid at the new bridge at Shoreham by persons wheeling a barrow over it, and sixpence for passing through the gate known as the Salts Gate for the same kind of carriage. We are inclined to think this is too salt to be relished by those who are thus obliged to pay, as it must generally fall on those who are least able; this is oppression of the poor man. “

(Brighton Patriot, 27^th October 1835)

Justice's Justice

“At the Worthing Police-court on the 12^th inst., before Major the Hon. C.C. Chetwynd and Mr W. F. Tribe, James Brown, labourer, of Chislehurst, was charged with stealing a swede turnip, the property of Miss Clara Penfold, Cokeham. Superintendent Sylvester deposed that about a quarter past three in the afternoon of the previous day he was at Cokeham, and there saw the prisoner, who was in company of two other men. He watched the prisoner, and saw him enter a field, where he pulled up something. When he rejoined the other men witness hurried after him, and asked him where the turnip was he had pulled up. At first prisoner denied that he had pulled one, and then said, “It is no use to tell a lie about it; I pulled up one.” He showed witness where he had placed it. Prisoner was taken before Miss Penfold, who wished the case proceeded with. The value of the turnip was 1d. Prisoner pleaded “Guilty”, and was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labour.”

(Reynolds Newspaper, 24^th October 1880)

Sompting Manor Church Farm, near Worthing

"Mr Lear has the honour to announce his having received instructions from the Executors of the late Robert Holmes, Esq., to submit for sale by public auction, without the least reserve, on the premises, on Friday, the 27^th day of September, 1850, commencing at twelve o’clock at noon precisely. –

The entire and very superior Pure South Down Flock, together with the whole of the truly valuable Live and Dead Farming Stock of the above farm; the flock consists of about 730, comprising 140 prime two-tooth ewes, 130 four-tooth ditto, 120 six-tooth ditto, 140 full-mouthed ditto, 190 prime Ewe Lambs, six choice Rams, two Ram Lambs.

The Live Stock consists of thirteen powerful and active Cart horses, and two excellent and well-bred Riding Mares, six fine Devon working oxen, six fine Welsh working runts, seven very choice milk cows and heifers, six excellent sows, about fifty shuts(?) and pigs, a choice young boar and a quantity of poultry.

The Dead Stock, etc. consists of five useful narrow wheel wagons, six manure carts, a calf cart with metallic springs, a water cask and carriage, a capital four-horse iron roller, two two-horse wood rollers, two one-horse ditto, four one-wheel and two two-wheel tickle ploughs, three turnrice ploughs, one iron horse hoe, three drag and nine small harrows, wippances and couplings, a bean crusher, haying machine, a turnip drill, three sowing machines, seedlips, five winnowing machines, bushels, shauls, barn shovels, ridders, a wagon cloth, thill, trace, and plough harness, ox ditto, two saddles and bridles, bullock, sheep, and hog troughs, a quantity of wattles and hurdles, sheep cages, turnip cutters and bullock slicers, ladders, prongs, rakes, various agricultural implements, a quantity of useful wheelwright’s timber, and numerous other effects, the whole of which will be particularized in catalogues, to be obtained in due time at the Farm House; Agricultural Express Office, Lewes; Star Hotel, Shoreham; Railway Hotel, Worthing; or at the offices of Mr Lear, Arundel and Littlehampton, or at 74 Cannon Street, City, London. "

(Sussex Chronical. 31^st August 1850)

"THE LANCING"

“The Lancing” one of the Southern Railway’s new type of passenger engines that are being named after the big public schools, has been on view at the railway station and among those who inspected it were many boys from Lancing College. The tender is one of the latest 4,000 gallons type, and the total weight of the engine and tender is 109 tons. The driving wheels are 6ft 7ins in diameter.”

(Worthing Gazette July 9^th 1930)

“At the pleasant and rural village of Sompting the large residence situated in a lawn opposite the church and known by the inhabitants as the “great” house, has just undergone a thorough renovation, after having remained untenanted and been in a somewhat dilapidated condition for many years. This house, now let on lease to a Mr. Compton, has lately, by purchase, come into the possession of the Rev. P. Crofts. It was the last temporary abiding place of Queen Caroline, who there awaited the completion of the arrangements for her departure to Germany, which took place near Lancing, a sea-side spot in this vicinity; and the circumstance is said to have drawn thither from the neighbourhood a numerous assemblage of persons attracted by interest and curiosity.”

(Sussex Advertiser, 29^th May 1838)