Worthing Road
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Southwater Over The Last 40 Years
Farming practices Although the village contained 16 farms just after the War in 1945, there are now only two farms still currently in operation, with Great House farm the largest being under threat from development. As stated previously the soil was Wealdon Clay and hard to manage but farmers used a four course system of cropping, with the ploughing of fields in autumn or early spring. During the late 40's up until the 60's milk was still transported via carts onto trains, and cows in the main milked by hand but with the onset of mechanisation and modern farming techniques there was a down turn. Mechanisation meant that there were not so many farm hands required which led to lay off's and those farmers who could not afford neither mechanisation or change went into bankruptcy or sold there land to developers as in the case in Southwater for new housing which was now in much demand during the early 1950's to house people from the inner cities.
Railway Southwater's rail links date back to 12th July 1858 with completion of the rail line in 1879. However on the 17th March 1966, Dr.Beeching's axe fell on the railway line this line not considered viable. There is still a link to London via Christ Hospital Railway Station, which lies some two miles or Horsham which is four/five miles from the centre of the village of Southwater. These links run from the South Coast to London every 40 minutes, with passengers making use of either private cars or public transport although, a limited public transport system to Christ Hospital is operated at the present time. Passengers may however, walk the two miles to this station using the Downs Link cycleway/footpath, unfortunately this requires upgrading in places, this link being part of the old disused railway line closed in 1966. Again it is hoped to reclassify an area of what is considered the Downs Link behind Woodfield, this would then lead into and through the new village centre redevelopment. The Downs Link is part of the South East cycle network and brings much tourism to the village and surrounding area. The new village centre redevelopment will see the retention of a small portion of the old railway platforms, these being made a special feature.
Brickworks and Other Local Industries Various quarries both in Southwater, Stammerham (Two Mile Ash) ensured that the village prospored during the 1800 and early 1900's thanks mainly to the brickworks. These works in turn brought in migrant workers into the village who then settled with their families. The farming community had great need for blacksmiths with one of these remaining in the village up until the early 1950's. With so many farms in the area there were two mills within the area, one at Shipley and the Cripplegate Mill. A local coal merchant also existed within village at Swabey's Yard until the late 1970's when the land was disposed on following the death of the owner. Public Houses At the end of the 1960's there were five public houses and a beer house one being at Picts Hill and the others within the village. There now exist four public houses and also a Sports Club, which serves a large population of the village. Modern transport has had the greatest impact on today's population with many having access to their own motor vehicles enabling them to eat, drink and enjoy the leisure further afield. With the relaxation of border controls, easy access to the continent via the Channel Tunnel, drink driving laws and current British taxation on drink/tabacco and affordable satellite television in homes has had a great affect on the way the public wish to spend their leisure time. During the 50's and 60's public transport was expensive and unrealiable from rural areas with very few families owning motor vehicles.
Current Public Houses and Sports Clubs within the Parish:-
The Bax Castle, Two Mile Ash Road, Southwater. The Boars Head, Picts Hill, Horsham. The Old Well, Worthing Road, Southwater. The Hen & Chicken, Worthing Road, Southwater. Southwater Sports Club, Church Lane, Southwater.
Creation of the industrial estate during the 60's
The creation of the existing (soon to be demolished) industrial estate during the 1960's was to bring prosperity to the village, however badly built with poor drainage and flat roofs, this has become an eye sore, despite the District Councils attempts to regenerate this area. Although the shopping area is well used, due to the expansion of the village during the last 50 years, there are insufficient facilities to cope with the every growing population. During the 1990's the Units employed some 262 full time staff as well as part time staff, with nearly 47% living within a five mile radius of the estate. At that time there was limited car parking facilities with over 2000 cars and 40 large container lorries using this area and a population of approximately 7,465. Currently there are over 9,000 residents with the same car parking facilities as described in the 1990's with approximately 4,000 cars and 60 large containers lorries using this area. In order to retain many businesses, the District Council have now completed a new modern industrial estate, to the north of the village, with the redevelopment of the existing site nearing completion. The existing shopping area currently being redeveloped will include a supermarket (Co-Operative), family restaurant/pub, retail units and offices, residential units and new community building. The community building will house a library, parish council office and chamber, business resource centre, youth club, police office, and others. There is also some discussion currently about whether or not a new fire station will be required by the community, with a prospective site identified again to the north of the village close to the junction of New Road.
Education There are currently three excellent schools in Southwater all of which having achieved high standards in education these are:- * Castlewood County Primary School, Castlewood Road, Southwater
* Southwater County Infants School, Worthing Road, Southwater
* Southwater County Junior School, Worthing Road, Southwater
Physical nature The major feature of the village is the open countryside, which is visible from many parts of the village, particularly the Worthing Road, with clear breaks between countryside and the built up areas. The country park situated on the site of the old brick works and Pond Farm Ghyll create a sense of countryside within the new housing developments, which have taken place over the last 50 years. With the onset of new development came the impact on the river courses and ditches running through the village with many developers having had need to put in large balancing ponds throughout the village to ensure that should severe rainfall take place the village would not flood as in 1966. With milder winters and higher rainfall being predicted it is therefore essential that the natural landscape and environmental character of the village be protected in such a manner in order to entwine with nature. It was evident in May 2000 when a freak storm hit the village that many of the current drainage systems and services were inadequate, since that time the County Council Highways have installed new drainage in various area including the area which regularly flooded at the junction of Church Lane and Worthing Road.
Built Environment
The major housing in the village dates back before 1940 and predominately 2, 3 and 4 bed semi-detached homes with many close to the brick works and railway line. Many of the older farms and cottages, such as Great House Farm, Wheelwright and Jasmine's date back further and are of Sussex style, whitewashed weather-boards with heavy stone slab roofs and stone floors. With no distinct architectural style, in the main the modern developments have stuck to a hung tile style and to a degree weather boarding all with gardens and off road parking.There are two areas, which are considered modern in design these being the Sun Alliance Computer Centre which overlooks the country park which has large smoked glass panels giving a futuristic look yet not visible from the Worthing Road and well landscaped. The second is controversial this being the construction by the RSPCA of their new headquarters, this again is futuristic but built to exacting environmental specifications with a solar heating/ventilation system. This building is situated by the new industrial area to the north of the village, with demand for the new industrial units having exceeded all expectations.
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