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The neighbouring villages of Hammerwood, Ashurst Wood (part) and
Sharpthorne (part) are also in the parish.
Hammerwood lies two miles north of Forest Row and has a population
of about one hundred. The hamlet was once an important centre of
the iron industry, but lapsed into insignificance until a banker,
Oswald A. Smith became the owner of what had been the iron master’s
home. Having built the mansion, now known as Hammerwood Lodge, he
developed an extensive estate, building houses for the workers and
one building to serve as a school and a Chapel of Ease in the parish
of East Grinstead. He then arranged for the formation of a parish
of Hammerwood from parts of the parishes of East Grinstead, Forest
Row and Hartfield. The Vicarage was built in 1875 and St. Stephens
Church in 1879. The development ceased after his death in 1892 and
the estate has gradually been broken up. The school is now three
houses. A strong community spirit continues today and is centred
around the church and the village hall.
Ashurst Wood has a
population of approx. 2000 with its own Parish Council and falls
mainly within West Sussex but a small portion is within East Sussex
and Forest Row civil parish. The village has its own church (St.
Dunstans, part of the ecclesiastical parish of Forest Row), a Village
Centre, some fine timber-framed houses, two recreation grounds with
pavilions, tennis courts, primary school, two playgroups and a selection
of shops. In addition there is a wide range of church, school, social
and sporting organisations.
Sharpthorne The centre
of the village of Sharpthorne lies within the County of West Sussex
and West Hoathly Parish but the outlying parts form part of Forest
Row Parish together with the hamlet of Wych Cross.
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