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History
The 1884 Grand Opening of Mill Road By Mark Phillips From the West Sussex Gazette, 8th August 1894: Personal ‘The opening of the fine new road presented to Arundel by the Duke of Norfolk is to be signalised tonight by a grand display of fireworks.”
New Road, later to be named Mill Road
A very brief mention of a the ‘New Road’, a rather grand feat of Victorian engineering proposed, planned and funded by Duke Henry Fitzalan-Howard, the 15th Duke of Norfolk. This took a new raised, more direct route through the marshy fields towards Swanbourne Lake and the hamlet of Offham, replacing the ancient route of Mill Lane that for centuries ran past the front of Arundel castle, emerging by Swanbourne Lake. An article on this grand opening was published in the Bognor Regis observer the following week. There was ‘… great rejoicing in the ancient borough, his Grace’s generosity in the matter being universally acknowledged'. The official reason given for creating this new road was because of, ‘conversations, including offensive language, could be heard from it within the castle’. Conveniently, no mention was made of the large area of land that would be incorporated within the castle grounds following the completion of the project. The day commenced with a procession of children from St Philip’s Catholic School who carried a fabric banner bearing an image of Duke Henry, proclaiming, ‘God Bless Our Duke’, followed by ‘St Philip’s catholic school, August 8th 1894'. The children were arranged in ranks on either side of the road across which a scarlet cross and a cord had been The old Mill Lane that was replaced by stretched. Duke Mill Road in 1894 Henry made his appearance, accompanied by Lady Margaret Howard, the Mayor, Councillors, Aldermen and other dignitaries of the day.
‘The Duke and the Mayor simultaneously placed their hands on a cord extended across the road. Each gave a vigorous tug and a slip knot in the centre gave way. The Duke then said, “I now declare this road open to the public.” Hearty cheers followed this announcement and the band of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment played the Royal Sussex March while the bells of the parish church commenced to peal.’ No doubt with the acrimonious history of the project in mind, including a successful appeal against plans by the 14th Duke of Norfolk for this new road by respected local resident and Brewery owner, George Constable, way back in 1851, ‘the Mayor accepted the road on behalf of the town remarking that whatever sentiment any inhabitant had with regards to the old road must have vanished since they had had the opportunity of seeing the splendid road handed over to them that day. The more one saw of it the more one was charmed the road and its handsome new bridge would be an attraction to the borough for all time and it was worthy of their present Duke'. The Duke thanked the mayor, saying, ‘I am sure is it a great satisfaction to me to be able to do anything which adds to the beauties of Arundel which attracts visitors, and still more which adds to the enjoyment of the inhabitants. As a road is always intended to lead from one thing to another, so I hope this road will lead to a happy continuance of the good feeling which has always existed between the town and the castle'. The Duke’s carriage then drew up and was quickly filled with twenty children under the age of six before the Duke and the Mayor somehow managed to squeeze themselves in. ‘The carriage was driven along the road to the furthermost limit and back to the scene of festivities. A tea was afterwards given to all the children, and sports of various kinds were carried out; other amusements in the shape of fireworks and variety performances being also provided'. This ‘New Road’, still known as such by some of the older Arundel-born inhabitants, was later formally named Mill Road. Thousands of visitors and locals continue to enjoy its beauty, walking to Swanbourne Lake and back between the double row of mature lime trees Lime Tree walk along Mill Road on either side. By Historian Mark Phillips
