Local businesses

Clock-making in Midhurst

There have been watch and clock makers in Midhurst for nearly 300 years.  In an article for magazine 36, Geoff Allnutt told their history

Cocking Limeworks

In magazine 38 Karen Richardson wrote about the history of the Cocking Limeworks which had been producing Lime between 1715 and 1999

Cocking School

It was in 1870 that Board Schools were first established with some funding provided by the State, and the National School in Cocking was one of the first to have plans drawn up. Harvey Tordoff and David Earley explored its development in magazine 40

Conifers School

After 90 years, Conifers School closed its doors to students for the last time in July 2024.  In magazine 38 Dawn Cansfield wrote about the history of the School

Goldrings

May Knight (1901 – 1990) was born May Goldring and her family ran the Goldring’s florist and greengrocers shop in Midhurst.  We were pleased to publish her memoirs in magazine 39

King Edward VII Sanitorium

In the introduction to his book on the King Edward VII Sanitorium, Dr Sandy Large says that “The King Edward VII Hospital in Midhurst was unique… in its origins, its association with Royalty and in its magnificent situation. As ‘The King’s Sanitorium’ it had been conceived as an institution for the care of ‘educated persons of limited means’ who were suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis. It was opened by King Edward VII in 1906 amidst scenes of great public acclamation,” The Midhurst Society was delighted to accept a gift of a photograph album of the Sanitorium dating from 1928

Maides

Thomas Maides was born in Stedham in 1837 and Hilary Hay explored the life of Thomas and his family who established a successful shop in Midhurst and who were instrumental in establishing methodism in the area in magazine 34

Midhurst Sorting Office

Author Claire Nicholas explored the Royal Mail sorting office behind its heavy oak doors in a two-part article in magazine 33 and magazine 34

Midhurst Whites

In magazine 38 Karen Richardson wrote about the history of the Midhurst brickworks and Cocking Limeworks which were important local employers between 1913 and 1985