Half Brick Worthing

THE HALF BRICK - BRIGHTON ROAD - 1835

Shoreline Court: The old Half Brick pub put incorporated into a modern block of flats

	The Half Brick has lead a chequered life so far. The original building from around 1835 stood some 200 yards forward of the present one and its no surprise that it suffered some sea damage - firstly in 1850, it was almost washed away in 1869. It was rebuilt further back in its present position in 1874 using it is claimed 'half brick' or 'bats' as they were known. The story seems to hold water (no pun intended), as the land directly east was known as Brickfields, a name earned as it produced a good quality clay ideal for brick making. In fact, many of Worthing's old buildings were made with these distinctive yellow Worthing Bricks. CLOSED 2009



	Pictured - Mary Ann Barnett (nee Whittington), wife of Alfred Barnett taken around 1868 and very likely on her 21st birthday. Alfred died on the 2nd of December 1907, leaving the princely sum of Ł1,926, 8 shillings and 10d. Mary Ann's niece Emily Kate Griffin worked at the Half Brick as a barman's assistant in 1901. Discovered by Peter Huntly: Alfred Barnett of the 'Half Brick Inn' Brighton Road. Worthing. Innkeeper, died 2nd December 1907. Probate Chichester 30th December to Mary Ann Barnett widow Effects Ł1926 8s 10d


A picture that has just come to light. Date unknown at this time. The pub I think you will admit looks possible the best it ever has.	The Half Brick Quoits team posing on the beach opposite the pub. Date and players unknown.

HISTORY UPDATE

	What's in a name? There have been long debates as to the origin of the Half Brick name. Jacqueline Simpson, author of Green Men & White Swans, the folklore of British Pub Names, puts forward the three usual suspects: 1) It was built of thin half bricks from the nearby brickfields. 2) The bottom half was made of brick. 3) When it was washed away only a half brick remained and that brick was incorporated in to the existing building. The brick opposite that I stole is from the 1874 building.
As the building was set on what was known as Worthing Common, right on the waters edge, it is very unlikely to have been made of brick. More likely, is a wooden beam and planking, in keeping with the other buildings along the coast line. This of course ment it would have originated with a different name - the proof of this came to light in the census of 1841 - it was the Brewers Arms.


Here we can clearly see Mr William Shepard (Publican) and his wife Ann along with Sampson Ashbourne who was the gate keeper at the nearby Toll House.
	It is clear that the Half Brick was its second name, arriving with its second rebuild, which we can probably assume had a more solid foundation and lower walls of brick thus a 'Half Brick' building. The upper section, or possibly upper floor, would still be made of cheaper wooden beams and shingle weather boards. The map on the right shows its final resting place - here it is simply named 'Inn'.

DEMOLITION








	The demise of a pub is always a sad thing, but fortunately the oldest section of the pub is a listed building and has to be kept. To this end the apartments that are taking its place have to incorporate the original frontage.







Known landlord/manager	From: The Worthing Journal
1835 1841 - William Shepherd 1850 - Sea damage 1859 - J Venn 1866 - W Goddard 1869 - Partly washed away 1874 - Rebuilt 1878 - 1882 Walter Beck 1890 - Robert Sinclair 1891 - 1905 Alfred Barnett 1915 - Thomas Green 1927 - Congdon Robert Sibun 2000 - ? James & June ? 2009 Last Landlord: Bob Brookes	1932. Congdon Robert Sibun, landlord of the Half Brick Hotel, Brighton Road, for around five years, died aboard the paddle steamer Waverley en route from the Isle of Wight to Worthing Pier. A doctor from the destroyer HMS Concord went aboard but was unable to save the 58-year-old publican. Worthing Journal 85, 2018. 1874: Worthing local board considered plans to knock down the Half Brick which had been condemned as unfit for human habitation.