Plans are afoot for a fantastic year of celebration in 2025 and there are many opportunities to get involved, whether it’s helping establish new trees or researching the history of buildings and all points between.
200 Years of Railways
The big national event is 200 years of the railway. The introduction of the railway radically changed the movement of goods and people which affected everyone.
Many of the buildings around Shoreham-by-Sea station owe their existence to the railways in the form of pubs and hotels. The Burrell Arms (now William de Braose House and Wild Lemon), The Crabtree and the Buckingham Arms are all examples.
The establishment of the Swiss Gardens in 1838 was a huge draw for many day trippers. On the first full day of operation in 1840, the railway carried 1,750 passengers from Brighton to Shoreham. The station will be 185 years old in 2025.
Shoreham-by-Sea Station will hold its Big Birthday Weekend on 10-11 May to tell the history of the railway, run children’s activities and show how the green areas of the station are being refreshed.
Other Big Birthdays in Shoreham
The Marlipins Museum will be celebrating 100 years of the Museum in Shoreham’s oldest secular building. It’s been a landmark of ‘New Shoreham’ since the 12th century. Keep an eye out for their anniversary events.
Friends of Old Shoreham will be marking 50 years of being a conservation area and hope to hold a Midsummer Fair on 21st June – a relaxed and entertaining event to widen awareness of the Old Shoreham area.
Finally, the Shoreham Society reaches its 40th year. We are marking the occasion with a number of events linking with other anniversaries and this year’s Heritage Open Days theme of ‘Architecture’. It will be an opportunity to feature the buildings and people who were connected with the railways. If you have any knowledge of these please share them with us.
Plans are also being made for a Tree Festival during the latter half of June. Walks, talks and story telling are all envisaged, and hopefully by the start of 2026 areas of Shoreham will have benefited from the planting of additional trees and shrubs.
If you are interested in contributing to any of these projects, contact Jenny Towler at info@shorehamsociety.org.uk.
