Local businesses

Watchmaking and Clockmaking in Midhurst

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

Cocking Limeworks

In Magazine 38 Karen Richardson wrote about the history of the Cocking limeworks which produced lime from 1715 until 1999.

Cocking School

In 1870, 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. The late Harvey Tordoff and local historian 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 (which has since reopened under new ownership).

Goldrings

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