Worthing

Worthing Heritage Festival Event
Early evidence of market gardening in Worthing can be seen on Phillip’s map of 1814, and it was in these gardens that the first greenhouses appeared in the 1830s. From these modest beginnings, a major pioneering industry developed, which employed hundreds of people, and greenhouses appeared all over the town.

The Worthing GIasshouse Industry was very important to the local economy for over 70 years, yet most people in Worthing today have no idea it ever existed. My talk outlines the story of this fascinating industry, how and why it all started, the challenges faced by the growers over the years and how and why it declined. Many people have ancestors who worked in the industry so this should be a subject of interest to both family and local historians.

Over the years, I have been very fortunate to interview some of the descendants of the pioneer growers, and I am indebted to them all for sharing their precious memories and wonderful photos, which form a substantial part of my talk.

John Mills was the former County Archaeologist (now retired), with long-time interests in local and family history. He has lived in West Sussex and worked on the County Council's archaeological team since 1992, and before that was an archaeologist working for the Museum of London in west London.

A Picture Show exploring the hidden gems of Goring-by-Sea.

Smuggling was endemic along the Sussex coast during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Large gangs controlled the trade for much of this time, working closely with suppliers across the Channel and buyers in London. The notorious Hawkhurst Gang were involved in a fatal skirmish with Royal Dragoons at Sea Place in 1745. John Olliver, the Miller of Highdown was reputed to be an important figure in the smuggling trade. In February 1832, a violent affray in Worthing town centre led to the death of smugglers' leader, William Cowerson. In his talk, Chris Hare will give details of these and other incidents in the local history of smuggling. 

This talk considers the impact of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act (the New Poor Law) on the poor in Sussex. The legislation was described by one contemporary commentator as, 'A measure of extreme harshness and cruelty.' Support prior to and following the Act is compared, including placement in the workhouses. The profile of individual relief recipients and officials is discussed.

Dr Mary Rudling began studying poor relief in Sussex ten years ago and completed her PhD in 2022.  She is a member of the Royal Historical Society and a volunteer at the Sussex Archaeological Society library.