Disused Railway Stations of Sussex
I already have plenty of footage for this in the can, which anyone who bought the Abandoned Railways of Sussex 8dvd set will know. Although I will re-use some of this footage from 2006, there will be quite a lot of newer footage that takes in more detail. I have written to nearly all the landowners of these great old buildings and have largely had a positive response. This will almost certainly become my main project of 2008. I anticipate the release date being some time in the summer.
Steyning Royal Observatory Corps Bunker
Apparently in very good condition, this one will be given the same treatment as the Billingshurst one some time before the summer.
Newhaven's Harbour sidings
Numerous sidings and lines appeared all around the harbour in days gone by, including one which ran right down the harbour breakwater. Although there's not much to see on the west side, there are sights to see on the eastern side where there has been no building and links were made to Tide Mills.
Redgate Mill junction to Heathfield
South of Heathfield to Polegate is already available, its just this first piece that I have yet to do in detail. Some good clips of it appear in my Abandoned Railways of Sussex 8 dvd set, but to travel every inch of it I have yet to do.
Maybe late 2008 for this one.
Crowhurst to Bexhill West
I have written to the main landowner involved on this one and as soon as I get a reply I'm there. It's only 4 or 5 miles long so in theory it should be fairly quick to do, let's say mid 2008. A variety of good shots already appear in the Abandoned Railways of Sussex 8 dvd.
Midhurst to Pulborough
Has been filmed, will be released in July/August 2008.
Midhurst to Chichester
Has been filmed, will be released in July/August 2008.
Sullington and Washington sand pits
Large scars in the landscape where sand used to be extracted, now all fenced off with desperately inviting signs inviting you to keep out. A bizarre and lunar landscape that will probably all be used for landfill at some point.
The original course of the A23
The A23 as it runs today is a huge and busy snake with motorists hurling themselves up and down it at rush hour and pretty much every other time of day too. Only back in the late 80s and early 90s did it take quite a different course, running through the middle of a number of villages. Some of the old stretches have been built over with the new road, some remain as they were, creating giant B roads through the Sussex countryside, whereas other stretches are little more than footpaths with catseyes running down the middle !
Wick and Lyminster
Released May 2008, see Film Catalogue.
Midhurst to Petersfield
Maybe before the end of 2008. A variety of good shots already appear in the Abandoned Railways of Sussex 8 dvd.
The Baybridge canal
Taking a jump even further back into time than the railways, this little canal has a few clues remaining. If I ever find the time I'd like to a do a proper job on the canals of Sussex, but it might be some time in coming.
Brighton Chain Pier
Apparently, there are still some stumps left on the seabed showing where this was ! Destroyed in a fierce storm in the early 1900s, there doesn't look to be anything left to see from the shore apart from a plaque. However, reliable sources tell me that at a very low tide, original footings can be seen. It may turn out to be a very short film, but if there is anything left to see I will find it.