Notes from the Past.... April
In April 1861 Mr Thomas Whity, one of the navvy’s that was working on the new railway line, was returning to his lodging at Mr Charman’s home at Great House Farm when he was attacked opposite Wheelwright House under the oak tree by a Mr Brigg. Mr Whity said that Mr Brigg had tried to cut off his windpipe with his neckerchief, as well as biting him, as he was after his wage packet. Mr Brigg was later found by the police and sent to Horsham prison. Later that month, the missionary box in the church was stolen which should have contained 5s (25p), but when the police superintendent found it there was only 3s-4d ( 19p) upon the prisoner.
In the spring of 1901 the Brick Company started building new houses for their staff in Andrews Lane plus one for the works manager.
On the 22nd March 1911 the mercury soared to 62f or 17c but by 5th April the blue skies had gone, to be replaced by blinding snow and bitter polar wind with up to 9 inches or 20cm of snow in places. When spring did arrive, a fire started to rip through the village. Three Boy Scouts; Charles Godward, William Duke and Ernest Balchin, ran to New buildings to help and offer their assistance to the fire brigade in putting out the fire. They helped fight the fire on the inside of the building which helped to stop the fire from spreading. The village thanked them for their bravery in fighting the fire.
By 1931 the Southwater WI glee singers were awarded the singing cup at the Bognor musical competition. The members thanked Mr Dalmaine and Lady King for all their trouble. At the April meeting, members were given a trail scene from the Merchant of Venice act 1 scene 3 by the institute’s dramatic society.
On the 14th April 1981, the village was deluged with rain, with 3.6 inches or 91 mm of rain. Southwater street was flooded with the only access was by boat. Also Timbermill and Quarry Way were flooded along with the Old Post Office, which was one of the main shops in the village. The Cock Inn and the Hen and Chicken along with a lot of houses were also flooded. John Cheal, the chairman of the parish council said “we are so fed up with it ,we want to point out that unless the drains are done before the new development then we are always going to get this problem”. Both the District and County Council have agreed to put back the £80,000 that they removed from there drainage budget, to improve main drainage system which they were hope to start in late 1981.