In 1825 William Allen opened his Schools of Industry in the village. He received the backing of the Earl of Chichester, the M.P. John Smith and a number of subscribers.  In addition to the 3Rs (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic)  girls were instructed in spinning, weaving, knitting and domestic work  whilst the boys learnt a variety of trades such as printing.  The boys could also do agricultural work.

In 1827 Allen published a pamphlet entitled ‘Colonies at Home or the Means of Rendering the Industrious Labourer Independent of Parish Relief.’  Allotments were provided in Lindfield for poor rural labourers.  Each allotment had a cottage provided.  The last of the allotment cottages was not demolished until the 1950s

GRAVELYE LANE COTTAGE 1061

GRAVELYE LANE

LITTLE PELHAM

WILLIAM ALLEN COTTAGE