HISTORY OF DECOYS. | |||
DECOYS IN THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX. | Decoys in use. | ||
| Firle. | |||
Decoys not in use. |
Tangmere. Angmering. Tortington. |
Glynde. Ratton. Peasmarsh. | |
| Firle 4 miles SE. of Lewes.-This is the only Decoy in use in Sussex. It is placed in Firle Park, the residence of Viscount Gage. It consists of a piece of water of four acres, with only one Decoy pipe attached to it. The takes are small, and the pipe is used merely to supply the owner's table. Some years ago, before the drainage of Pevensey Marsh, as well as the low lands round Lewes, the Firle Decoy was far more successful than is now the case. This neighbourhood previous to its final drainage was much frequented by Snipe, and within even the last half-dozen years as many, as 500 Snipe have been seen collected at a time on one field near Firle. Tangmere, 3 miles NE. of Chichester-A Decoy existed in this parish, and near the borders of the parish of Aldingbourn. On an Ordnance Map of 1813 its exact position is shown on Aldingbourn Rise, near Castle Hill. The Decoy has been disused many years, and the South Coast Railway (Brighton to Portsmouth) goes right through the site of the pool The old " Decoy House " has been lately renovated by the Duke of Richmond, but all traces of the Decoy itself have long since vanished. The land is part of the ancient domains of Halnaker House, the ruins of which are 1½ miles north of Tangmere village, and which was last inhabited by the Countess of Derby before the estate was added to the Goodwood property. Besides the Decoy, there are various old Fish Stews in the vicinity of Halnaker House, and which were, with the Decoy, appurtenances thereof. | |||
Index List of Illustrations