Pulborough

Pulborough
Sussex
St Mary's Church, Pulborough
Location
Grid reference:	TQ047187
Location:	50°57’36"N, -0°30’36"W
Data
Population:	4,685  (2001)
Post town:	Pulborough
Postcode:	RH20
Dialling code:	01798
Local Government
Council:	Horsham
Parliamentary constituency:	Arundel and South Downs
Website:	Parish Council

Pulborough is a large village in Sussex, with some 5,000 inhabitants, at the junction of the north–south A29 and the east–west (A283) roads.

The village is near the confluence of the River Arun and the River Rother, on the Stane Street Roman road from London to Chichester. It looks southwards over the broad flood plain of the tidal Arun to a backdrop of the South Downs.

The parish church St Mary's, is of the twelfth-century.

History

Pulborough

Historically, this was a fording place over the River Arun used by the Romans. There was a Roman mansio across the river at Hardham, one day's march from Chichester on the London road.

It is believed that a Saxon bridge was built over the Arun here, The village became an important watering and overnight halt for cattle drovers providing easy access to water.

A mile to the west in woodland are the earthwork remains of a motte and bailey castle known as Park Mound, dating from the 11th century.

Transport connections afforded by the River Arun, its navigation, and later by the LBSCR Arun Valley Line brought Pulborough into the industrial age. Good road connections permitted, in the 20th century, the development of manufacturing industry, notably heavy engineering in London Road. This has long since closed down and the site now supports, among other things, a supermarket and a health centre. The village is served by Pulborough railway station.

Events

Each year, Pulborough hosts the 12-hour lawn mower race which runs continuously for 12 hours.

On the fourth Saturday of September Pulborough hosts a traditional Harvest Fair complete with old time fair ground, welly wanging and a scarecrow competition, and in June the Pulborough duck race society holds its annual duck race, a charity event.

The South Downs Light Railway at Pulborough has steam and diesel trains running regularly throughout the summer, and a more limited service through the colder months.

Sport

• Cricket: Pulborough Cricket Club, based at the Recreation Ground

Earliest records suggest cricket has been played in Pulborough since 1799.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Pulborough)

• Pulborough Parish Council