Local Documentary Uncovers Henfield’s Hidden Past
Saturday 11th October
Premier Showing of Tracing the Rails, Episode 4 at Henfield Hall Residents of Steyning, Bramber, Upper Beeding, Henfield and Partridge Green are being invited to step back in time this October for the Premier Showing of the acclaimed documentary series Tracing the Rails.
Its 4th and as yet un-seen episode at nearly 2 hours long. Episode 4 of the series, titled "Henfield to Partridge Green", will be screened at Henfield Hall on Saturday 11th October 2025. Doors open at 6pm, with the film beginning promptly at 6:25pm. Tickets are priced at £5 in advance online, or £6 on the door subject to availability.
The series, created by Upper Beeding filmmaker Chris Kirk and producer Louise Kirk-Partridge, has attracted wide attention on both Rewind TV and YouTube for its unique blend of local history, archaeology, and storytelling. Presenter Stephen Cranford, alongside transport historian Mike Jaimes and special guest presenter Chris Bedford, guides viewers along the lost line of the Steyning railway, which once connected Shoreham to Horsham before its closure in 1966.
The Mystery of Henfield’s Sand Pits While earlier episodes have revealed hidden bridges and forgotten stations, Episode 4 brings a new enigma to light: Henfield’s lost sand pits. Once an important part of the village’s economy, their traces have faded from memory. Through archival research and on-the-ground exploration, the documentary team investigates how these pits shaped local life and why they disappeared from common knowledge, even discovering some things that have not been seen since the time of the pits.
Wartime Stories and Rural Change The episode also touches on Henfield’s role during the Second World War. Audiences will see pillboxes still scattered across the landscape, and stand at the site of the dramatic bomb crater at Betley Bridge, created during an air raid. The film revisits stories of evacuees, schoolchildren, and farmers whose daily lives were interwoven with the line.
Other highlights include the brick arches near Berrett’s Farm, once built to allow livestock to pass beneath the line, and the memories of families from farms such as Brookside and Pokerlee, which were reshaped-or erased entirely-by the arrival of the railway.
A Community Project Producer Louise Kirk-Partridge explained: “This isn’t just about railways-it’s about the lives, industries, and communities they touched. Every episode has shown us how much history survives in the memories of local people. Episode 4 brings that sense of discovery even closer to home for Henfield.”
Director Chris Kirk added: “The series has always been about community involvement. We’re thrilled to host the premiere in Henfield itself, where so many of these stories in this episode were lived. It’s a chance for people to see their own history on the big screen.”
Event Details Date: Saturday 11th October 2025 Venue: Henfield Hall, Coopers Way, BN5 9EQ (what3words: ///taxed.brilliant.meatballs) Doors: Open 6pm. Film starts 6:25pm sharp (doors close at this time). Tickets: £5 in advance at www.tracingtherails.com . £6 on the door (subject to availability).
The evening will conclude around 9:30pm, including time for questions and discussion. For those unable to book online, the organisers say: “If you don’t have web access, please email [email protected] and we will try to help.”