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Battle memories

Here are memories of Battle and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Battle or a Battle photo.

Bonfire Night

One of the many memories I have of Battle is of Bonfire Night, November 5th. Every November 5th,Battle had one of the best November 5th bonfire celibrations in Sussex, it was lots of fun. I remember Battle Rousers( home made fire works), they were awesome, aranged in circles and let fly, they would run and then explode with a huge bang, very scarey. There was also a huge parade down the High Street, Guy Fawkes would be placed on top of the big fire in front of Battle Abbey and the fire would be lit. A rousing cheer would erupt. Thanks to the Battle Bonfire Boys. What a memory. The Abbey Hotel across the street did a huge trade that night!

Memories of East Sussex

Long Walks

Thatched Cottage And School c1955
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When I was a little girl in the early 60's I often used to take long walks along here, and I used to visit the farm to watch Peter Jenner milking the cows. I also had a crush on Peter but I was only 6 and he was 14.  I wonder what happened to Peter.  My late mother went to the school in the picture and was born in Hermon Cottage in Catsfield and that is where my auntie Violet lived for most of her life until it was turned into a doctor's surgery then my auntie moved across the road into one of the cottages.  I have wonderful memories of holidays here as I lived in London.  Catsfield will always be close to my heart.  My mother's maiden name was Saxby and there have always been Saxbys in Catsfield for centuries.   When my mother died my sister and I had her ashes interred in the old church yard in Catsfield up on the hill together with my father's.
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Mummy's School

Thatched Cottage And School c1955
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My mother Doris Saxby attended this school.

My Place of Birth

Thatched Cottage And School c1955
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I was born in the cottage behind the school (Woodlands Cottage).  I attended the school in 1958 untill going to secondary school at Battle in 1964.

Cousins

I have an original of this photo as a postcard and I am sure that the two boys seen at the end of the lane on their bikes are my cousins, who lived in a big guest house along that lane, I have many happy memories of those years, including my own christening

Sunny Days in Crowhurst

I was having a trip down memory lane the other day and thinking of those summer days making camps up in 'the bunny fields' and fishing down at the marshes, in 1963-65. It seemed most of the village boys went, with the older lads taking charge e.g Malcom Bishop, Philip 'Shorty' Goodhand, Pete Saunders, the younger lads included myself, Johnny Saunders, David 'Snowy' Goodsell, Denis Anley plus a good few others. I am sorry if I have not mentioned anybody, if anybody remembers me you can contact me via e-mail: goatbasher@ymail.com

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