Hassocks

Hassocks is a large village in West Sussex, England. 

It can be found about  north of Brighton, and nearly 7000 people live there. Hassocks has grown since the 19th century, when work started on the London to Brighton railway. 

The village became better known after 2 April 1839 when the first railway line was laid between London and Brighton. Over 6,000 workmen were hired for up to two years building, blasting and clearing rubble beneath the South Downs to create Clayton Tunnel. It is the second longest tunnel on the London to Brighton Line, some 1¼ miles long and  below ground. The opening of Hassocks Gate as the railway station in 1841 saw the beginning of the village that is known today.  In 1861 there was a collision between two trains, which killed 23 people and injured 176 others.

 Recent history 
Today Hassocks has lots of shops and a well-used community centre called Adastra Hall.  It is quite expensive to buy a house in Hassocks, though it is not quite as expensive as neighbouring Ditchling and Hurstpierpoint.  These villages have many nice, older buildings whereas Hassocks village centre was mainly built after World War Two.

 Railway station 
Hassocks railway station serves the village. There are regular train services to London and Brighton. 

 Education 
Hassocks Infant School is a maintained infant school for pupils aged 4 to 7. It currently caters for around 180 pupils. The school is centrally located in the village. 
2003 Ofsted report 
2007 Ofsted report

After leaving the Infant School children in the main go onto Windmills School in Dale Avenue which caters for years 3–6. 
Ofsted reports 

Secondary education for the village and surrounding areas is looked after by Downlands Community School. 

 Downlands Community School Sports Hall 
A sports hall and AstroTurf football pitch were constructed at Downlands Community School once. 

 Oldland Mill 
There is a windmill being worked on by lots of local volunteers to try and get it back to working condition again as it was completely ruined. The windmill made flour for the first time in 100 years in October 2008.

 Twin towns 
Hassocks's twin towns are:
  Montmirail - France.
  Wald-Michelbach - Germany.

 References 

 Other websites 
 Hassocks Village information website 
 Hassocks Football Club
 Hassocks Parish Council
 Overview of Hassocks, Keymer and Ditchling 
 Hassocks Infant School
 Windmills School
 Downlands School
 Hassocks Ladies Football Club
 Clayton Tunnel Accident 

Category:Towns in West Sussex