Tag: Industrial Heritage

The Lavant River

In Sussex dialect a ‘Lavant´ is a winterbourne, which means it only flows during the winter. In C15th documents in the West Sussex Records Office it is also spelt as ‘Louente’ and ‘Lavent’. Most rivers start from a ‘spring’ and gather water from tributaries as they flow downhill. The Lavant river is different. Its water… Continue reading The Lavant River

History of The Tannery (61-65 Westgate)

Residents The Undershill family, who turned out to be tanners, are first recorded in the parish in 1526 when they acquire the share of a lease of 20 acres of land with a house. John Undershill is the earliest documented reference to tanning in St. Bartholomew’s when, in 1549, he witnesses the will of John Parker… Continue reading History of The Tannery (61-65 Westgate)

History of 39-59 Westgate

Known informally as the Tannery Cottages, nos. 39–59 Westgate form a neat row of 10 workman’s cottages. Originally occupied by tannery workers, these were bought – probably after 1871 – by the Henty family and used for their brewery employees. No information has yet been found of their construction date. This map shows how they… Continue reading History of 39-59 Westgate

The other branch of the Shippam Family

In our article on nos. 27-39 Westgate, much space has been given to the Shippam grocery business which occupied this site in the 19th century. This was not however the famous Shippam family of the Shippam Pastes. That business was founded by a different member of the family but, confusingly with the same name. This… Continue reading The other branch of the Shippam Family

Westgate Timeline

43CE The Roman Second Legion land at Fishbourne and set up camp on the site which will become the palace of Togidubnus, vassal king of the Regni. Later they march inland under the command of Vespasian, probably along the track which was to become Westgate. They set up a winter camp on the flat plain… Continue reading Westgate Timeline

The Brewery Field: Community Open Day 2017

After 105 years absence, it was an emotional moment to see a brewery dray enter the Brewery Field this Sunday as two magnificent shire horses, Pride and Griffin, were driven in by John Medhurst, their driver for the past 28 years. The Fullers Horse and Dray was the star attraction of the annual Community Open… Continue reading The Brewery Field: Community Open Day 2017

Hidden Westgate Histories 2: The Shippam Stables

By an amazing coincidence, the very week that the dray horses came back to the Brewery Field, if only for an afternoon, a resident was clearing the vegetation back in her garden when she discovered several items hanging on the wall. The first one was this strange item: If you look up at the buildings… Continue reading Hidden Westgate Histories 2: The Shippam Stables

Hidden Westgate Histories 4: The Westgate Lavant

An extract from Loader's 1812 town plan showing Westgate.

Most residents are familiar with our winterbourne, the River Lavant. Winterbourne because it is a seasonal stream that comes down from the Downs, filtered out of the chalk after the Winter rains. Most of us are familiar with its current course on the West side: emerging from the City from underneath the Fountain public house… Continue reading Hidden Westgate Histories 4: The Westgate Lavant

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