Pioneers Of Worthing

Our next meeting is on Friday 1st August 2025, 7:30pm at Ferring Village Hall.  The talk is titled “Pioneers of Worthing”, a talk about the people who shaped the built environment of our town. It showcases 13 individuals who contributed significantly to the buildings of the past and those still standing and whose influence ensures today.  The speaker is Susan Belton, from The Worthing Society.

Events for the remainder of 2024

Friday 1st November – Ferring History Group meeting – A History of Shoreham Airport with Peter Fellows.  There will be an opportunity to renew your membership for 2025.  Tickets for the Christmas Social will also be available.

Saturday 2nd November – Almost Nothing But Blue Ground Performance Lecture at Ferring Village Hall (3:30 – 4:40pm) – Matthew Bennington and Tom Pope have been researching the life and work of Anna Atkins – the first ever person to produce a book of photographic images.  There is a connection to Ferring here – Anna Atkins was assisted by Anne Dixon, the wife of the Ferring Vicar Henry Dixon (vicar of Ferring from 1832 to 1870).  This talk is free, but you need to book a ticket online at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/brighton-photo-fringe-and-almost-nothing-but-blue-ground-91924296093

Saturday 16th November – Ferring Village Hall Centenary Day. Ferring Village Hall was officially opened by Georgiana Henty on Friday 14th November 1924.  We intend to celebrate the centenary of this event on Saturday 16th November.  At 10:30, there will be two talks by Simon Cornish.  The first will be a talk on the early history of Ferring Village Hall, and after an interval (coffee, tea and biscuits available) there will be a repeat of the Ferring From The Air presentation, charting the development of Ferring since the 1920’s using aerial photography.  There is no charge for this – simply turn up.

Saturday 7th December – Ferring History Group will have a stall at the Christmas Market held at Ferring Village Hall (2:30 – 6:30pm).  An ideal opportunity to come along and renew your membership.  Any remaining tickets for the Christmas Social will also be for sale.

Friday 13th December – Christmas Social (ticketed event) and Oh We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside with Ian Gledhill.  Tickets available from the November meeting onwards from Simon Cornish.

Pillbox Work – 8th May 2024

Pete Coe, and his army pal Graham Cosham led a team of volunteers to prepare the Pillbox for active service.  The bricked up southern embrasure was opened up, and a steel frame and removable plate fitted.  Holes were drilled in the east and west embrasures for ventilation.  The door was painted in anti-vandal paint, and a new set of steps has been installed internally.

Photos by Mary Coe.

Elaine Hammond from SussexWorld was onhand to report on this event.  To see her report and video, please click the following link  https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/historic-day-at-ferring-pillbox-as-southern-embrasure-is-opened-up-for-the-first-time-in-around-70-years-4621053?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0EcrFOQxBYNusruy3U-DJbnt6FUAHe74_Yadh7YY7BDq7lJwuO2O7OBAk_aem_AcI5i_3eCTVoUxvrRMYuV5Wrgkwm9kU7C-FTfz8OS-ihTYVbx8WyBUn3NyjiMJOiqeE2y44CGDqpetYMsK_eCDZB