The Southwick (Sussex) Society is a registered charity. The objectives of the Society are:
- To stimulate public interest in Southwick and Fishersgate.
- To promote high standards of planning and architecture in Southwick and Fishersgate.
- To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in Southwick and Fishersgate.
Headquarters
The Society’s Headquarters are in The Manor Cottage, Southwick Street. This is a timber-framed house dating from the 15th Century or earlier. It is listed as being of historical and architectural interest, Grade II.
History
The Society was formed in 1973 and is a registered charity (no. 284197). It was formed to protect the interests of the towns of Southwick & Fishersgate when Southwick Urban District Council was dissolved during the 1973 local government reforms. On 30/8/82 The Society acquired the lease of The Manor Cottage from Adur District Council and began renovating the then semi-derelict building with a view to preserving it and opening it to the public as a heritage centre. Most of this work was done by volunteer labour and took several years to complete. On 23rd April 1994 the cottage was officially opened as a Heritage Centre.