Double celebration at Hassocks station

Southern recently invited members of the community to join them at Hassocks railway station to see the return of the old signal box clock and to celebrate its recent success at two national railway awards.

Station Manager, Rebecca Atherton was joined by Hassocks Amenity Association (HAA) Rail Group, members of the local parish and district councils, Sussex Community Rail Partnership, and the Community Cycle Hub based at the station to celebrate the success the station had gained at two national railway awards and to welcome the return of the clock.

The station had won second place in the Most Improved Station Building category of the Association of Community Rail Partnership awards, and was a finalist in the Station Excellence category of the national Rail Business awards. The certificates for both will now be displayed prominently at the station for all to enjoy.

The Hassocks signal box clock, purchased for 25 shillings by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway in 1899 was presented to the station by HAA. It had been donated by a Cuckfield resident who found it when clearing her late father’s home. She recalled that it had been given to her father in the 1980’s to repair, but as it needed new parts which he could not obtain, it had been stored in his attic. She now wished it to be returned to the station where it could be seen. HAA had it restored by an expert watch maker, to pristine working order, and discussions are now underway about where and how to hang the timepiece within the new building.

Over the last few years Hassocks station has been completely rebuilt, been made step free through the addition of lifts, and had a locally run community cycle hire facility installed.

Group Station Manager, Paul Wyborn, said: "A lot has happened at Hassock station since I worked here in the nineties. Today it is a fantastic building fit for use by all passengers. A large part of the experience enjoyed by our customers today is due to the hard work and input of the local community for which we are very grateful. It was wonderful to see people join us and celebrate the station and community’s success, and to see the beautiful clock."

The old signal box clock sits in its box awaiting a suitable place to display it