Friday, October 05, 2007
3rd October Pease Pottage. Changes and Developments.
I think that my first look at Pease Pottage showed some more pleasing aspects of the village - The Black Swan and the Old Brighton Road.
Today we find amongst it all much change and development, some of which is not so pleasing.
First we can see 2 google earth aerial views.
This one shows the southern end where, in 2007, a housing estate is being built.
The area that was Hemsley's Nurseries may not have been used by them for some time when the picture was taken but the land has still not been developed.
The Black Swan is in a open area at the top right of the picture.
You can just see on the other side of the main road Billy Bridges Breakers Yard - the biggest car breakers in SouthEast England.
This view is looking down over the woodland of The Old Brighton Road.
Despite what seems to be a lack of spirit in the village, residents contributed to this very attractive village sign.
We are glad that an old name has been used in the new housing estate.
These houses were completed earlier this year. They are attractive and the grassy areas have been well landscaped.
Eventually this part may look as attractive. This is where The Hemsley's shop was situated. Some of the houses seem very close to the road; but it is a road that goes nowhere so there will only be passing traffic from the houses already built.
The second pub in the village is The Grapes. We felt that with the influx of new residents this pub was in need of a face lift - indeed Bill even wondered if it had closed down.
Another picture of the large warehouse.
This was the Village Hall. I have been to jumble sales there in the past.
Red post box and green leaves. I guess the ER refers to our present Queen - but it could date from the early 20th century and Edward VII.
I like sign posts. This one is quite old. There is no mention of Crawley or Horsham the large towns quite close by.
Today we find amongst it all much change and development, some of which is not so pleasing.
First we can see 2 google earth aerial views.
This one shows the southern end where, in 2007, a housing estate is being built.
The area that was Hemsley's Nurseries may not have been used by them for some time when the picture was taken but the land has still not been developed.
The Black Swan is in a open area at the top right of the picture.
You can just see on the other side of the main road Billy Bridges Breakers Yard - the biggest car breakers in SouthEast England.
This view is looking down over the woodland of The Old Brighton Road.
Despite what seems to be a lack of spirit in the village, residents contributed to this very attractive village sign.
We are glad that an old name has been used in the new housing estate.
These houses were completed earlier this year. They are attractive and the grassy areas have been well landscaped.
Eventually this part may look as attractive. This is where The Hemsley's shop was situated. Some of the houses seem very close to the road; but it is a road that goes nowhere so there will only be passing traffic from the houses already built.
The second pub in the village is The Grapes. We felt that with the influx of new residents this pub was in need of a face lift - indeed Bill even wondered if it had closed down.
Beyond the sign are a few more new houses - any space is filled - and then the large warehouse building which has been there some years. I remember being appalled by its ugliness as I waited in the car when it was being filled with petrol at The Jet Station which was opposite.
That site now also has a small housing development.
Another picture of the large warehouse.
This was the Village Hall. I have been to jumble sales there in the past.
Now it it has been taken over by small companies needing office space.
Red post box and green leaves. I guess the ER refers to our present Queen - but it could date from the early 20th century and Edward VII.
Since post boxes were introduced we have only had them marked with VR, ER and GR.
I like sign posts. This one is quite old. There is no mention of Crawley or Horsham the large towns quite close by.
For many years there has been a weather station at Pease Pottage. Forty years ago we used to try and spot the release of weather balloons, released regularly each day, from the window of our Wakehurst Drive flat.
No - the balloons were not released from our flat!
This is a radar dome covering aircraft movements into and out of Gatwick. This was built about 30 years ago. We used to see it well from our bedroom window, but trees have grown bigger since then.
Pease Pottage also has a golf driving range.
And there is also the Motorway service station - which is used by village residents when they need things like bread and milk - there being no village shop.
