Past Publications & History Notes
The following have been published by Society Members in the past and are given here to illustrate along with those in the Publications section, the range of subjects the Society has covered to date. Although the Books listed below are now out of print most are available on loan from Horley Public Library and/or can be used for reference at the same venue.
The History Notes have been compiled on subjects on which Society members have personally studied and/or have collated from information kindly handed to the Society. Taken collectively, these Notes help to form part of Horley's heritage. Again they can all be used for reference at Horley's Public Library
Discussion etc, on their content can also be gained through contact with the Horley History Centre at that library which is usually manned pm each Tuesday and late am on Saturdays.
Books
1960 "Horley, Its Church and People Through Ten Centuries"
By Elisabeth Lane
Mrs Lane was one of the earliest members of the Society (at that time called an Association). She undertook extensive research and this was the first early book published about Horley.
1982 "Great-Grandfather's Horley," A selection of (36) old photographs of the Parish.
By the Society.
This was the first book of this series to be published. The Society had to borrow £100 from the Parish Council in order to finance it.
1983 Charlwood and Horley Cottage Hospitals
By Mrs Jean Shelley, Mrs Joyce Lucas and Dr A G T Brown.
Although this was published by the Charlwood Society, Mrs Shelley was a long standing member of the HLHS and undertook extensive research in the locality. This book is the earliest history of the two hospitals with many statistics.
1992 Great-Grandfather's Horley Book 2, A further selection of (47) old photographs of the Parish.
By and financed entirely by the Society.
1994 RAF Horne's D-Day Spitfires, The story of a small Surrey Airfield near Gatwick.
By Brian Buss.
A detailed account of a local Advanced Landing Ground that was operational for but 7 weeks by 130, 303 and 402 Spitfire Squadrons in 1944 that led to the placement of a plaque to mark its location in 1994.
1994 Horley in Wartime, The Story of a Surrey Parish from 1939 to 1945.
By Brian Buss and Bernard Davis.
A detailed account of what happened in Horley during WW2 based on over 130 face to face interviews and extensive research in local newspapers and libraries, council, county, record and national offices, over a 3 year period with an appendix detailing every official incident recorded.
1996 Horley Your Town, a local history time travel journey for young people.
By Veronica Ballard.
A publication purposely designed for young people with illustrations suitable for
colouring.
1997 The Chequers, a place in Horley's history.
By Os Brown, Brian Buss & Bernard Davis.
The history of a well-known hotel half way between London and Brighton from the time it was a house called "Bolters" in the early 1500s to meeting the needs of today's travellers. It particularly covers the period before the stage coach to the coming of the railway and motorised traffic along this important main road.
1997 Transport Around Horley.
By the Society.
A selection of (59) photographs of different types of transport seen around Horley from around 1850 to 1950 with light hearted comments.
2005 Accidents & Disasters, In Horley over the last 125 years.
By the Society.
In 46 illustrations it records the most serious events in Horley's history over that period. From murder to vehicle, train, and aircraft crashes to fire, flood and hurricane.
History Notes
1998 A Brief History of Haroldslea (also known as Harrowsley) Horley in the County of Surrey
By Peter Cox
Peter lived close by the large house with this name, thought to be part of Haroldslea Manor, and has continued to extend his research of both the house and the local area known by that name. He has updated this Note several times, the present one is the Seventh edition in 2008.
2002 High Trees School, The History of a School near Horley, Surrey from 1922 to 1984.
By Brian Buss & Richard Cooper.
It describes how the private School started at Salfords, had a disastrous fire and lost 5 children, moved twice, was evacuated in WW2, returned to Horley, grew in size but was later forced to close for financial reasons.
2002 No 35 Munitions Store, Horley, Surrey, in World War One.
By Brian Buss.
It describes where, why and how it was set up in WW1. What it did, what local concern arose and what remains there today. Since it was first written, further information has come to light and a second edition was written in 2007 and a third in 2012.
2002 A Brief History of an Industrial Site at Peartree Hill, Horley, locally known as the Empire Works. 1927 to 2000.
By Brian Buss (with the assistance of the late Jack Cole).
As this was the second early and sizeable industrial site close to Horley and it was about to be mainly demolished in 2000, it was thought to be essential to record its history albeit briefly.
2003 A Brief History of Strawson Hall in Albert Road, Horley, Surrey.
By Brian Buss.
The Hall was built by a benefactor named George Frederick Strawson in 1919 and at 2003 it stood on land owned by the Surrey County Council and run by Trustees. As its future was then uncertain, the Society was approached to compile a brief history of it.
2003 A Brief History of Horley's Electricity Supply
By Peter Cox
It describes in some detail how electricity was first planned for Horley in 1903 but was not supplied until 1927. By 1948 it was Nationalised and became Seeboard until 1990 when it became part of the Electricite de France (edf.)
2006 The Search for Yattendon, The Story of a Building Estate.
By David Hall.
David lived in a road of this name and details his research of where the unusual name came from. A large Gothic style Victorian house once stood along the Brighton Road whose owner wished to name it and found that his gardener came from a Berkshire village called Yattendon. When it was sold with much of the surrounding land the area was developed into an estate that is also detailed here.
2009 A Brief History of Cinemas in Horley, 1912 to 1981.
By Brian Buss.
It details how the showing of moving films was first shown in a private hall in Horley. It also describes how and where the first purpose-built cinema came into being and the competition that arose, before a large art-deco cinema was built that could seat 1000 people in 1935 until it was demolished in 1981. It also describes and illustrates the original Christie organ still privately owned and played.
2012 A Brief History of Early Garages for Car Maintenance in Horley from 1904.
By Brian Buss & John Chisholm
Currently in progress |
Publications
Many people who live in Horley must have wondered now and then "How did my road get its name?" Well, this book provides the answer! From Abinger Keep to Yew Tree Close, this book explains the derivation and meaning of each name.
This book has been specifically written for the young people of Horley who want to know more about the town in which they live.
A further selection of photographs of the Parish. 
If you would like to know the history of Smallfield and see some illustrations of the village in times past, this is for you!
This fascinating book traces the history of this famous hotel in Horley, right back to the time of the oldest building on the site and earlier, to see how its development fitted into the history of Horley. 
