Horam is a village,
electoral ward and
civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a type of administrative parish used for local government. It is a territorial designation which is the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties, or their combined form, the unitary authorit ...
in the
Wealden District of
East Sussex, situated south of
Heathfield.
[OS Explorer map Eastbourne and Beachy Head Scale: 1:25 000. Publisher:Ordnance Survey – Southampton B2 edition. Publishing Date:2009. ] Included in the parish are the settlements of Vines Cross and Burlow.
History
The village of Horam grew up around the railway station and was formerly known as 'Horeham' or 'Horeham Road'. The
railway station
Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a prep ...
(closed in 1965 under the
Beeching Axe) was originally named ‘Horeham Road ''for'' Waldron’. In 1891 it became ‘Horeham Road ''and'' Waldron’. In 1925 the village changed its name to Horam, although the station persevered with ‘Waldron and Horeham Road’ until 1935. The dialling code for Horam is still listed as 'Horam Road'.
Vines Cross is named after John Vyne, who was a local
vintner
A winemaker or vintner is a person engaged in winemaking. They are generally employed by wineries or wine companies, where their work includes:
*Cooperating with viticulturists
*Monitoring the maturity of grapes to ensure their quality and to dete ...
in 1595. Like many other settlements on the Weald, Horam was involved in the
Wealden iron industry
The Wealden iron industry was located in the Weald of south-eastern England. It was formerly an important industry, producing a large proportion of the bar iron made in England in the 16th century and most British cannon until about 1770. Iron ...
.
Governance
Horam Parish Council consists of twelve members.
Geography
Horam village lies on the
A267 Tunbridge Wells–Eastbourne road south of Heathfield. The area is on the slopes of the
Weald
The Weald () is an area of South East England between the parallel chalk escarpments of the North and the South Downs. It crosses the counties of Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. It has three separate parts: the sandstone "High Weald" in the ...
: there are many headwater streams of the
River Cuckmere
The River Cuckmere rises near Heathfield in East Sussex, England on the southern slopes of the Weald. The name of the river probably comes from an Old English word meaning "fast-flowing", since it descends over 100 m (328 ft) in its ...
, carving out valleys, the main one being the Waldron Ghyll (or Gill).
Transport
Horam is served by various routes of the Eastbourne Bus Company.
The former railway line is now the
Cuckoo Trail
The Cuckoo Trail is a footpath and cycleway which runs from Hampden Park to Heathfield in East Sussex. It passes through the towns of Polegate and Hailsham, as well as the villages of Hellingly and Horam.
History
The Trail largely foll ...
footpath through the village.
Religion
The village is served by Christ Church (the local Church of England church) which is found in Horebeech Lane. The present vicar is Peter-John Guy. The small church in Vines Cross was dedicated to St James but is no longer in existence.
Education
Primary education is provided at Maynards Green Primary School.
St Mary's School, Horam
St Mary's School
is a secondary day and residential special school, located at Maynards Green.
Notable locals
The author and naturalist Walter J.C. Murray lived in Horam and his book ''A Sanctuary Planted'' describes the cultivation of his garden on Little London Road in Horam as a private nature sanctuary. His book ''Copsford'' describes a year spent in a derelict cottage on land between Furnace Lane and Dern Lane.
Horam on film
Jack Brookman, a local amateur film maker who lived on Vines Cross Road and then Tollwood Road in Horam made a number of short films documenting Horam which are available free to view on YouTube.
References
External links
{{authority control
Villages in East Sussex
Civil parishes in East Sussex
Wealden District