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Category Archives: Local History
Midhurst Local Issues, 1908
The following quote is taken from the Bognor Regis Observer, 16th September 1908, and features three small pieces of news relating to Midhurst: Workhouse Struck by Lightning. At the last meeting of the Midhurst Guardians it was reported that the … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century, Britain, England, History, Local History, News, Newspapers
Tagged Midhurst, Workhouses
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Midhurst: Rotten Borough?
The Reform Act of 1832 disenfranchised 57 “rotten” boroughs, areas of the country sending members to parliament despite very small populations. The most notorious of these was Old Sarum, a constituency of just seven voters that was responsible for the … Continue reading
Posted in 19th Century, Britain, England, History, Local History, News, Newspapers, People
Tagged Charles James Fox, Midhurst, Politics, Reform Act 1832, Rotten Boroughs
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Early Closing at 7pm? No thanks.
There is much of interest to be found by trawling through the pages of old local newspapers. On 7th October 1908, the Bognor Regis Observer carried a report about the popularity of the Women’s Suffrage movement in Midhurst, West Sussex: … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century, Britain, Crime, England, History, Humor, Humour, Local History, News, Newspapers
Tagged Midhurst, Suffrage
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An Archaeological Excursion
On 17th August 1867, the Sussex Advertiser carried a report of the annual excursion of the Sussex Archaeological Society, a happy summertime event for the members of the society. Each year they chose a different location of historical interest to … Continue reading
Posted in 19th Century, Britain, England, History, Local History, Newspapers, Travel
Tagged Archaeology, Midhurst
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Richard Cobden and Midhurst
Richard Cobden (1804-1865) was a successful businessman, trading in muslin and calico. In 1828 he became co-owner of a calico printing factory in Manchester. His travels in the course of his business life convinced him of the importance of free … Continue reading
Posted in 19th Century, History, Local History, Newspapers
Tagged Corn Law, Midhurst, Richard Cobden
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A Royal Visit to Midhurst
In November 1903 King Edward VII laid the foundation stone for the Midhurst Sanatorium, later the King Edward VII Hospital. It was reported in newspapers all over the country. The following quote is from the Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, from … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century, History, Local History, Newspapers, People, Royalty
Tagged Health, King Edward VII, Midhurst, Sanatorium
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A Railway Celebration
In 1864 Midhurst’s first railway station opened, to service the line to Petersfield. Two years later a second station was opened, to service the line to Pulborough. It took nearly 20 years for a line to open linking Midhurst to … Continue reading
Posted in 19th Century, Britain, History, Local History, Travel
Tagged Midhurst, Railways, West Sussex
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Midhurst in 1915
Ramblings 6. For several years at work I used to receive regular calls from a well known telephone directory. “Next year you won’t be listed if you don’t pay to advertise,” I would be told, to which I would reply, … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century, Books, Britain, England, History, Local History, Ramblings
Tagged Kelly's Directory, Midhurst
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Lookeedezee the Grizzledemundy?
Snippets 70. In the mid 18th Century Mary Palmer wrote Devonshire Dialect, a work of fiction that is highly significant from an historical perspective as it offers such a valuable insight into the language of the county at the time. … Continue reading
Posted in 18th Century, 19th Century, Books, Britain, England, History, Language, Local History, Snippets
Tagged Devon, Dialects, Mary Palmer
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Past Impressions of Midhurst
Ramblings 4. An interesting approach to history is to look at travel journals from the past. This has been my favourite area of research for a few years, as they allow us to appreciate the past through eyewitness accounts. There … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century, Books, Britain, England, History, Local History, Ramblings, Travel
Tagged Midhurst
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Windows into History 