Page 11 - ‘A Blaker Family History’ The family history of Joseph Blaker (1916-2007; ‘Joe’)

© The Blaker Society
© The Blaker Society

parish was forest, with many of the inhabitants employed in tree cutting.
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Additionally, there were several stone quaries. The railway boom in the mid 19
century accelerated the expansion of Balcombe and the surrounding area, which
has seen a decline in population since then.

The parish church of St. Mary stands on a site that has accommodated a church
since 1090. The present church, which sits on a hill above the London Road
(B2036), is largely of Victorian origin, following a major rebuilding project that
commenced in 1847, with further extension work undertaken in 1872. The old
church is now largely the south aisle of the current building. A painting of the
church in 1805 gives an impression of its former glory.

St. Mary’s Church, Balcombe, Sussex: 1805 Painting

The belfry has a ring of eight bells, 3 of them dating back to 1614, with the
balance hung in 1878 and in 1936. The bell tower is 15 century in origin. The
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font – in which several Beal and Botting children were baptized - dates from
1847, being part of the refurbishment work.

The village of Balcombe is well known to thousands of rail commuters for its
association with the astounding Balcombe Viaduct. The viaduct, which is as
beautiful as it is impressive, played a key part in the development of West
Sussex. It allowed the London to Brighton railway to span the valley of the River
Ouse, thereby helping to connect the Sussex coast to the capital. Balcombe
Viaduct stretches for nearly 500 metres, and was built in the early 1840s, with
the work being completed in 1842. It is said that the viaduct contains around 11
million bricks.

Balcombe is noted for its beautiful woods and scenic waters of lake, millpond
and reservoir. Balcombe is now home to ‘Wings’ – a WWII Remembrance
Museum. In the future, Balcome’s landscape may be changed dramatically, as a
result of fracking for shale gas, by a company called ‘Caudrilla’ – who are being
opposed by local residents.

Bolney
Reason for Interest
A large number of Blakers lived in Bolney, and were baptised, worshiped,
married or buried at its church. The earliest grave of a Blaker found in the
churchyard of St. Mary Magdelene is that of Richard Blaker (1677-1755),
although the parish registers record earlier burials of Blakers, including that of
John Blaker in 1610. The latest Blaker grave is that of Gladys Blaker (1896-
1980).

Location
Bolney is located 58km south of London and 18km north of Brighton, just off the
A23 road, close to its junction with the A272 road. The village was originally in 2
distinct parts – a cluster close to the church of St. Mary Magdelene, and a second