Archives
Past Chairmen
1898 - 1901 Mr. Josiah Hollins
1902 - 1923 Mr. John J. Lister
1923 - 1931Charles G.A. Nix
1932 Lt.Colonel J.R. Warren
1933 "
1934 - 1945 Lt. Colonel J. R. Warren
1946 Dr. G. B. Tait
1947 - 1957 Dr. G. B. Tait
1958 - 1971Ralph D. Tulley
1972 - 1988 E. R. Ray
1989 Mr. M.E.Thompson
1990 - 1991 Mrs. J. Evans
1992 - Mr. S. Beard
1993 - Mrs. D. Simpson
1994 - Mr. N. Matthews
1995 - 2001 Mr. N. Matthews
2002 - Mr. P. Howlett
2003- 2005 Mr. I. Metcalfe
2006- 2007 Mr. K. Boyle
Update 10.09.09
Noteable Dates
1918 Food Production considered 1919 - 1932More data will be added as time permits 1933
'My Ladies Well' Slaugham was cut into the stream to provide fresh water for local workers. It was formerly part of the Sergison Estate but was sold around 1913 to a Capt.Eric Smith.
A stoolball club has been in existence in Handcross since at least 1933 and there was a Barclays Bank in the High Street..
The Parish Precept then was 25.00d (old pounds)
Broadfield (now in Crawley) was part of the Slaugham Parish
Complaints were being received about large motor coaches using the road from Warninglid to Handcross - this was before the A23 was built.
The precept increased to 55.00d because the Parish had to take on a County Library scheme.
Traffic then was going too fast in Warninglid and a request was made for a slow sign at the cross roads. This was turned down by the Highways Authority.
The Parish obtained two cygnets to replace a swan which had been shot at Furnace Pond.
Slaugham Churchyard was extended eastwards.
1934
Complaint about poor lighting in the mortuary in Handcross (Does anyone know where this was?)
Fire Brigade only attended fires at nil cost if the Parish Council continued paying 25.00d per annum.
Fire appliances owned by the Parish Council at the "Sewerage Field" and Chequers Inn were disposed of, the "DAM" to the Fire Brigade. (Who knows what the "DAM" was?)
Brewery owners of Chequers Inn Slaugham asked to remove the grass bank at the front. This was agreed but the brewers were to mark boundary with stones.
Police duty to remove bodies to the mortuary.
1935
Government gave approval for raising funds for Kings Silver Jubilee Festival.
Approval was given for the purchase of a trailer to convey bodies to the mortuary.
30mph speed limit proposed for Handcross
Registrar of Births & Deaths attended the Parish monthly.
Agreement given for erection of electricity poles in Slaugham Village.
9 Jubilee seats distributed throughout the Parish (some still standing as at 2006 at Warninglid
Problems with swans at Furnace Pond causing nuisance in Slaugham Village. Agreed that Clerk feed them in the winter to try to keep them on the pond.
1936 Warninglid Jubilee Trust Fund
1937 Air Raid Precaution Officer appointed (what did we know then?)
Agreement for Coronation Committee to install water fountain at Handcross Recreation ground. (When this was installed it was subsequently shown on O/S maps as 'Memorial Stone'. Attempts to move the stone when the new playground was installed resulted in its collapse. It had not been used as a water fountain for many years.
1938 Proposal for a public meeting to discuss street lighting in the Parish
Council joined the Sussex Association of Local Councils.
Proposed telephone kiosk at Slaugham Village to be placed as close as possible to the
Post Office (now long gone) and painted green or cream.(It is painted white)
Air Raid Precaution arrangements heard, first aid post to be the Handcross Parish Hall, sand bags, timber etc for shelters to be obtain by the Cuckfield Urban District Council. Three air raid sirens required, one at garages in Pease Pottage and Warninglid
1939 Recreation ground at Warninglid obtained by Cuckfield Urban District Council
Question of evacuations discussed. 12 had gone back home and a further 52 children received
1940 Volunteers wanted to man the fire pumps. War time allotments at Pease Pottage and one at Warninglid for the Girl Guides. Proposal to collect scrap metal for the war effort.
24.7. 1941 Fire watching discussed to deal with air raids in the war.
14.8.1941 Col. Warren appointed acting Clerk should the current Clerk be called up for the army
29.1.1942 Petrol Rationing - basic ration discontinued and members discussed where meetings should be held because of this. The rationing also affected the upkeep of the playing field at Handcross.
23.4.1942 Meetings to be held at Handcross because of the petrol rationing. Railings at Tilgate were listed and could not be used for the war effort.
8.10.1942 Assistant Librarians appointed for Handcross and Pease Pottage. ( Parish Council was responsible for libraries at this time)
15.4.1943 Requisitioning of railings at St. Mary's Church, Slaugham for the war effort - Rector and Archdeacon agreed to this with the exception of 4 or 5 graves.
27.7.1944 Recommendation for 40 houses to be built in the Parish for post war housing.
21.12.1944 Agreement to closure of post office at Slaugham from the 27th December, 1944.
15.3.1945 Warninglid Post Office mentioned. (where was this?)
23.4.1945 New Street Lighting Contract to re light the Parish at the end of the war.
14.3.1946 Vote of thanks to Colonel Warren for being Chairman for past 18 years and serving as Acting Clerk whilst the Clerk was on active service in the war.
8.6.1946 Victory Celebrations for end of war to be left to individual groups.
26.9.1946 Draft Crawley New Town Designation Order, 1946 discussed, this would affect Broadfield. (Broadfield was part of the Slaugham Parish at the time)
12.12.1946 Roger Ray appointed Clerk on resignation of existing Clerk w.e.f. 1.1.1947. (Roger Ray later became Chairman (and Clerk for a time). He was the author of books on the history of the Parish and an authority on many subjects relating to the Parish). All notice boards in the Parish to be repainted and the new Clerk's name to be painted, also NO CYCLING to be painted on the board in the Handcross Recreation Ground.
13.3.1947 Suggestion for a building in the corner of the Warninglid Sports Field for use by clubs. (The wooden building is still there and used by the Residents' Association and sports clubs).
21.8.1947 Handcross Mortuary sink needed repair and the windows to be made fly proof. Police asked to find an alternative place to leave the key when the local constable was off duty.
4.12.1947 Tenancies for 30 houses and 4 flats in Horsham Road, Handcross were discussed.
22.4.1948 Noted that the Sergison family had sold Furnace Pond and Common to J.L.Eric Smith. Lease of 1/- per annum to be paid to him. (The Parish Council have a lease for 999 years on the land)
14.10.1948 Under s.19 of the Public Libraries Act, 1919 the Parish Council relinquished its powers and duties as a library authority.
(more data will be added as time permits)
1952 Negotiations for Warninglid Recreation Ground
Existing Handcross Recreation Ground and adjoining Combers Meadow offered to Parish Council.
Approach to County Council for 30mph speed limit at Pease Pottage. ( Still not achieved in 2005)
Proposal for borrowing money to finance a proportion of cost of execution of safety Measures to Slaugham Furnace Pond.
1953 Exchange of common land at entrance to Lower Ashfold for a portion of Combers Meadow
Coronation Celebrations - Warninglid holding their own and a Committee formed to deal with the celebrations for Slaugham, Pease Pottage and Handcross.
1954 Borrowing approval for Furnace Pond agreed.
1955
1956
1957 Public Convenience in Handcross Recreation ground opened.
1958 Parish Boundary change to include part of Cuckfield Rural on East side of Handcross High Street reaching about halfway to Staplefield.
1959 No. of Parish Councillors increased from 11 to 13
1960 Proposal that existing building used for County Library was inadequate and County Librarian be approached to provide a brick built library.
1961 Slaugham Village won the Tidy Village Competition.
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970 Meeting approved registration of Common land - Slaugham Common and Furnace Pond 10 acres - Lady's Bowl and The Pound 1/4 acre, Slaugham Green 1/2 acre Pease Pottage Green 1/4 acre. Objection to registration of land incorporating 'My Ladies Bowl'
1971
1972 Proposal for memorial to Ralph Tulley - appeal launched.
1973
1974
1975
1976 Proposal for Recreation Ground for Pease Pottage
1977
1978 Home defence speaker from West Sussex County Council
Plans of sites for playgrounds in Pease Pottage put on view.
Objection to plans for supermarket at Pease Pottage
1979
1980 Request for 30 mph speed limit on Horsham Road Pease Pottage. Still not achieved.
1981 Question of financing proposed sports pavilion at Pease Pottage was raised.
1982
1983 Restoration of Old Pavilion in Handcross finished
Threat of compulsory purchase of land for children's playground at Pease Pottage
1984 Application for conservation area status for Handcross
Parking restrictions in Handcross abolished
1985 Improved playground equipment at Handcross
1986
1987 Negotiation between Mobil oil and Parish for "swapping " of a piece of land in Handcross recreation Ground. The Hyde Trustees having agreed to a break in the agreement re use of land for this purpose.
1988 Telephone Box at Slaugham application to register as a listed building. (This was unsuccessful at the time but achieved listed Grade II status in 2005)
Report regarding the 1987 hurricane damage
1989 Request for 30 mph speed limit in Handcross to a point below Nymans Cottages
1990 Exhibition on next stage of work on A23 Pease Pottage to Handcross
Emergency Plan being compiled
Drainage and seeding done at Finches field to provide recreation ground for Pease Pottage
Functions of Mid Sussex District Council Works Dept been privatised and Parish Council now act as sub contractors to Prime Contractors for sweeping pavements in Handcross, Slaugham and Warninglid
1991
1992 Bridge at Tilgate Forest Row over A23 completed
Mini roundabout installed at North end of High Street and pedestrian peninsulas along High Street installed at Handcross
Pease Pottage Finches field Recreation Ground now in full use
Housing Needs Survey carried out
Retirement of Roger Ray past Chairman and former Clerk
1993
1994
1995
2002
2005 - White Telephone Box at Slaugham now Grade II Listed building. Playground at Slaugham taken on by Parish Council and ground levelled and equipment refurbished.
Parish Action Plan started
2006 Replacement Bus shelter at Pease Pottage. Parish Web Site started. Parish Action Plan Survey forms to every household in October 2006
Update 19.9.06 The details here will be added to as time permits