This fascinating collection of over 200 old photographs, explores Pulborough and its surrounding villages, including Hardham and Coldwaltham to the south, Storrington to the east, and Stopham, Fittleworth and Petworth to the west.
Stradding the banks of the River Arun, Pulborough's daily life and industries have long centres on the waterway, with its docks, mills and bridges. For centuries the river served as one of the main transportation routes for Sussex, but has also caused many problems for the people living near it over the years - for example, during the Great Flood of 1968.
The reader is taken on a visual tour of the area, from the shops and businesses, greengrocers, fishmongers, saddlers and blacksmiths, to schools, houses and churches, and on to the water, where we meet the barge masters who navigated the waters transporting goods up and down between London, Arundel and Chichester.
The author is a leading authority on the waterways of south-eastern England. This volume focuses on the villages on the river, using evocative images which will reawaken memories for long-time residents, and for newcomers will offer a chance to look at how things used to be.
Contents:
Introduction
1. Swan Bridge
2. The River Arun
3. Church Hill
4. Rectory Lane
5. The London Road
6. Old Place and New Place
7. Lower Street
8. Station Road
9. Festivities
10. Floods and Storms
11. Southwards to Hardham and Coldwaltham
12. Eastwards to West Chiltington and Storrington
13. Westwards to Stopham, Fittleworth and Petworth
Bibliography
Acknowledgements