Part 5: Billy on holiday - Sussex outings
Saturday 6th November 1897
This afternoon, thanks to the Half-Holiday, went to Lewes with the
Horsham Football Team where they licked Phoenix Iron Works 4 goals
to 1. My first visit to Lewes. Find it quite a Sussex town in every
detail. There’s the staid and solid style in shops, streets and
people that seems to me characteristic of “silly Sussex”. Lewes, I
see, can boast of a ruined castle, a county hall, a modern Town or
rather Borough Hall, two prisons, some very steep and narrow
streets and at least one very bad football pitch called the
“Paddock”. Last but not least a rather nice railway station. On the
whole I should fancy it’s a fairly lively spot when one knows it.
We found to our cost that pigs are very scarce there and that ham
is retailed at “Klondike” prices.
Monday 15th August 1898
Today being the date fixed for the Museum Society Annual Excursion,
made up my mind suddenly this morning to make one of the party.
Walter[1] being agreeable to the
idea, worked till lunchtime, then had a very hurried clean up and
off to the station. Found a pretty fair muster there (22). Got away
just before twelve [and] had a very enjoyable ride to Midhurst. The
weather being fine and warm, the country looked beautiful. Our
first find on arrival was the old stocks, whipping posts and cells
under the Police Court. Then looked over the Church. Nothing very
interesting there so, after arranging for tea, made tracks for
Cowdray.
Ruins of Cowdray Castle, 1898,
courtesy of West Sussex Past Pictures; Ref: PP/WSL/P001274; Rep:
West Sussex County Council Library Service;
Photo credit.
Had a look at the ruins and sat down among them and had lunch,
after which a very interesting paper was read by J.L. Andre Esq.
F.S.A. on Cowdray and the Montague Family. If I recollect right,
the house was built about the Elizabethan period, passed into the
hands of Anthony Browne whose son was created First Lord Montague.
They, the Lords Montague, kept a great establishment there and were
able to entertain royalty, in fact it’s recorded did so on two
occasions, Elizabeth and Edward VI. The estate passed in unbroken
succession to the 8th Lord M who died without issue, drowning on
the Rhine in 1793. About same time, owing to carelessness of
workmen, the place was completely destroyed by fire leaving only
the bare ruins as seen today. But enough is left to show it was a
very fine Tudor building. One can still see the Great Dining Hall
with a fine Oriel window. Reminds one of the Great Hall at Hampton
Court and the Chapel which is panelled with beautiful Italian
plaster work.
Had a final walk round and off through the park to Easebourne. Mr
D. Price read a paper on the “Oak” on the way. Were shown round the
church by Mr André. It contains a fine monument to Anthony Browne,
first Lord Montague. Then walked back to Midhurst, had tea [and]
another walk to West Lavington Church to see the tomb of Richard
Cobden. I think that was the prettiest spot we were at all day.
From there we had a very pleasant walk to the station. While
waiting there, we were all invited for tea next Friday by Mr Busch.
Of course had to change at Pulborough. Had a job to find room in
the train from there. All got away bar Mr Heath from Crawley and
myself. We caught last train and arrive home about 10. Thoroughly
enjoyed the day’s outing and made one or two fresh acquaintances,
some very interesting ones.
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