Lancing Village Memories: people

Where was "Empire Terrace"?

The reason "Empire Terrace" feels unfamiliar today is that the modern landscape has swallowed it up. In the "Colony" days, the area around Penhill Road and South Street looked very different.

Before the expansion of the Gardner & Scardifield hardware store and the construction of modern flats, that stretch was the true heart of the Carriage Works' social influence. Gardner & Scardifield sits on the "bones" of the old railway economy.

The Lost Landscape of Penhill Road

Empire Terrace: A specific row of Victorian/Edwardian terraced houses built for the "pioneers" who arrived when the site opened in 1912.
The Demolition: These cottages were cleared after the Works closed in the mid-60s. The modern flats on Penhill Road now occupy the spot where houses 1 to 4 once stood.
The Club Remains: While the houses are gone, the Empire Club remains as a stubborn reminder of the lifeblood of this corner.

"If you stand in the car park of the modern flats on Penhill Road today, you might notice an old wall separating the tarmac from the Empire Club. It’s a silent survivor. To those who remember the 'Colony,' it marks the spot where families like the Hills and the Pesketts—railway folk—lived just a stone's throw from the Works gates."

Empire Terrace: Occupants in 1958

Address	Occupant (1958)	Notes
1 Empire Terrace	Ernest J. Hill	Right next to the club.
2 Empire Terrace	Mrs L. M. Marshall	Likely a railway widow or long-term resident.
3 Empire Terrace	William G. Peskett	Peskett is a very old Sussex name.
4 Empire Terrace	Arthur H. J. King	End of the terrace.

End of the Line for the Carriage Works

In September 1962, the Worthing Herald reported that the workforce was “shocked and dumbfounded” by the announcement of the closure. At the time, the Works employed 1,683 people.

The Political "Secret": While Dr. Beeching cited "excess capacity," many workers believed the decision was political. Eastleigh was a marginal constituency the government feared losing, while Lancing was a "safe" seat. Lancing was sacrificed to save votes in Hampshire.

The Saving Grace: Furniture firm Dennis & Robinson (now Manhattan Furniture) moved into the main building in 1965. Part of the deal was that they had to hire the former railway craftsmen, particularly the skilled upholsterers.

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As the families of the 'Colony' moved out of Empire Terrace and the cottages were cleared, the industrial site itself underwent a similar disappearing act. From the outside, the 'Invisible Colony' was being replaced by a new, quieter kind of industry

The Context: The "Design Era" at Typower

John Drewett worked in the Design Department at Typower Ltd, which was housed in the repurposed railway sheds. His photos are particularly special because they capture the transition from the heavy steam and grease of the Carriage Works to the cleaner, "office-led" engineering of the 1960s and 70s.

The Workplace: Typower Ltd

A Tribute to John's View: John Drewett's photos capture a village in transition. Inside the sheds, the grease of the railway was replaced by the precision of power generators. In his interior shots, you can still see the original railway clock keeping time on the wall.

Diesel Generators on a test bed

The Building: John’s office was on the upper level of the sheds (the area with the external staircase). This was originally designed to catch the "north light," which was essential for draughtsmen working on drawing boards before modern electric lighting was standard.
The Work: While the older generation remembered upholstery and paint, John’s world was one of Power Units and Design Specifications.
The Site: His photos showed how the Victorian brickwork of the Southern Railway was simply rebranded with new signs for companies like Whale Pumps and Typower, showing a site that "refused to die."

Diesel Generator being dispatched

The 'Clean' Revolution: John Drewett’s drawing office. It’s a far cry from the soot and steam of the 1920s, but this was the new frontline of Lancing’s industrial survival.

"In the mid-1960s, a new kind of worker arrived at the old gates. While the older generation remembered the steam and the smell of fresh paint in the Carriage Shops, men like John Drewett brought drawing boards and technical blueprints. Working in the upper floors of the repurposed sheds, John’s world was one of 'Power Units' and 'Design Specifications.'

It’s a tragedy we can’t ask John more today, but his photos act as a silent testimony. They show a site that refused to die—where the old Victorian brickwork of the Southern Railway was simply given a new set of signs and a fresh lease on life."

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The Master List: Production Transition

Tracing the Transition: How the skills of the village evolved from traditional crafts to modern engineering.

Trade / Specialism	Key Names	Era	The "Skill" Factor
Blind Maker	Mr Morris (Cyril’s Dad)	1945–1950	Precision tailoring for carriage privacy.
Upholsterer	Wilfred (Basil) Law	1950s–1964	Luxury leather work moved to Dennis & Robinson.
Draughtsman	John Drewett, Ted King	1960s–1970s	The "White Heat" of tech at Typower Ltd.
Foreman	Bob Young	Typower Ltd	Oversaw the generator production loading.

The Living Skeleton: Fast-forwarding to 2006, the 'saw-tooth' roofs remain. They are a reminder that while the 'Colony' is gone, its industrial spirit is still very much under cover.

We are stitching together the story of the 'Steel Ring,' one memory at a time. Every name we find is a tribute to Lancing’s heritage.

🚒 The Guardians of the Works: Mr Warr and the Lancing Railway Fire Brigade

"Historical image of the Lancing Carriage Works Fire Brigade courtesy of Southeast Communities Rail Partnership. We are grateful for their work in preserving these vital snapshots of our village's industrial past."

In the heyday of the Lancing Carriage Works, the site was a labyrinth of timber, paint shops, and flammable materials. To protect this industrial powerhouse, a dedicated Works Fire Brigade was formed—an elite group of men who were as highly trained as any municipal force.

A Footplate Legacy

Among these guardians was Mr W.J. Warr. Living at Bessborough Terrace, he was a fireman in the truest sense—navigating both the steam engines on the tracks and the safety of the works itself. Being part of the Works Fire Brigade was a badge of immense pride; these men were the first line of defence for Lancing’s biggest employer.

Mr Warr Snr eventually moved from the heat of the works to the leadership of the village, serving as a highly respected Chairman of Lancing Parish Council during the pivotal post-war years of the late 1940s and 50s.

"A Special Person to Know"

I had the great privilege of knowing the younger Mr Warr and even tended his garden for a few years. He was a truly special person—highly thought of by everyone in our community.

There is a fascinating irony in the family history: while the father dedicated his life to the steam and safety of the railway, the son went on to work for Dr Beeching. To navigate the high-pressure world of the "Beeching Axe" era while remaining such a kind, grounded, and respected neighbour is a testament to his character.

"Tending Mr Warr's garden gave me a unique perspective on a man who was a pillar of Lancing. Whether he was discussing village life or his time in the professional world, he always maintained that 'common touch' and a deep love for our village."

Why We Remember

The Carriage Works closed in 1965, and the steam has long since cleared from the Lancing horizon. But through families like the Warrs, the spirit of that era lives on. They remind us that Lancing wasn't just built on bricks and mortar, but on the character of the people who worked the shifts, tended the gardens, and chaired the meetings.

💬 Over to You: Do you remember the "Warrs" of Bessborough Terrace? Or perhaps you recall the Fire Brigade drills at the Works? We’d love to hear your memories in the comments below.

A Community Note: While I spend my time digging through the ledgers, groups like the Keep Lancing Lovely team are doing wonderful work. Take a moment to see the heritage displays in the Lancing Station ticket office.

Part 1: The Guardians of the Works: Firemen & Veterans

Part 1b: Images from the Philip Fry Collection

Part 2: The Silent Partners: Women & Youth

Part 2b: The Secret of the "Hush Hush" Shop

Part 3: Mr Warr and the Lancing Railway Fire Brigade (You are here)

Part 4: The Bofors Crew: From Shop Floor to Front Line

Part 4b: The Shingle Skeletons - A Prequel to the Front Line

Part 5: The Lancing Squad – Precision on the Front Line

Part 6: From Railway Sheds to Manhattan Furniture

Part 7: The Saw-Tooth Skyline – 2006 to Today

Part 8: The Final Reveal – The Skeletons in the Garden

Part 9: From the 'Running Man' to the 'Rocket Dance'