Polegate

Polegate
Sussex
Polegate windmill
Location
Grid reference:	TQ587058
Location:	50°49’18"N, 0°14’39"E
Data
Population:	8,586  (2011)
Post town:	Polegate
Postcode:	BN26
Dialling code:	01323
Local Government
Council:	Wealden
Parliamentary constituency:	Lewes
Website:	http://www.polegate-tc.co.uk/

Polegate is an inland town in Sussex, five miles north of the seaside resort of Eastbourne, but now becoming joined to Eastbourne's area. Although once a railway settlement, its importance as such has now waned with closures of routes.

The town stands on a ridge in the gap between the Weald to the north and the South Downs. To the east lie the Pevensey Levels, the one time bay now converted into farmland with the buildup of the coastal shingle bank during the early Middle Ages. Both the roads and the railway use the gap.

The town is gradually becoming part of the greater Eastbourne conurbation, connecting with Willingdon to the south. Many of the town’s working population work away: either in Eastbourne or Willingdon.

The parish of Polegate had a population of 8,586 on the 2011 census of which 41.2% were aged 65 and over.

History

Until the coming of the railways in the 1840s, Polegate was a small settlement within the parish of Hailsham. The Roman road from Pevensey to Lewes passed through here, and the turnpike between London and Eastbourne was developed in the 18th century; but it was the opening of the railway between Lewes and Hastings, with later branches to Eastbourne and Hailsham, that meant growth for Polegate. It became a significant junction, with a freight terminal serving both the nearby market town of Hailsham and the local brickmaking industry. The town grew partly to accommodate the railway employees.

In the 13th century, the Premonstratensian order of monks occupied property in the parish, before they relocated to Bayham Abbey near Lamberhurst. Two buildings remain of that time, Otteham Court and its Chapel.

In the 21st century, with the closure of the line to Hailsham and the once direct route to Hastings, its importance as a railway hub has gone. It remains a road junction, with the erstwhile turnpike now being the A22 road; the junction with the A27 lies within the town boundary.

There are four streets in today's Polegate named for the Levett family (Levett Close, Levett Road, Levett Avenue and Levett Way). The Anglo-Norman family were early Sussex landowners, and held manors and lands across the county, including Firle, Bodiam, Hollington and elsewhere. The family's lands were carried into the families of Gildredge (and then to the Davies-Gilbert family of Eastbourne), the Eversfields of St Leonards-on-Sea, the Ashburnhams, the Chaloners and others.

Churches

• Church of England:
  • St John's Church</ref>
• Seventh-day Adventist Church
• United Reformed Church
• Roman Catholic: St George

Economy

Chaucer Industrial Business Park Estate is located on Dittons Road where the major part of Polegate's industrial businesses are located apart from that the usual small-town shops and businesses occupying the High Street, including a supermarket), a total of five hair salons, and convenience store.

Attractions

Old Polegate Station

Polegate crossroads and carnival procession

Ovenden's Mill in Polegate is a tower windmill built in 1817. It is now a working museum.

Recreation

There are two recreation grounds in Polegate; The Brightling Road Recreation Ground to the east of the town and The War Memorial Recreation Ground so the south of the town in Wannock Road.

• The Brightling Road Recreation Ground, also known as the William Daily Recreation Ground has a BMX Track, a Skate Park and a woodland area with open ground for sports.
• The War Memorial Recreation Ground is an open field with a basketball hoop and a playground for children.

Sport

• Cricket: Polegate and Stone Cross Cricket Club
• Football: Polegate Town FC, who play at the War Memorial Recreational Ground

Media

• Newspapers:
  • Eastbourne Herald
  • Eastbourne Gazette
  • Hailsham Gazette
  • Sussex Express