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Bolney memories

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

Postman at Bolney

Post Office 1957
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In 1957, having just completed my National Service I was living at home in Lindfield. Whilst looking for a permanent job, I had taken up a part time job at Haywards Heath Post Office. Each day for 6 days a week on reporting to H.H Post Office, I was driven out to Bolney Post Office with two others plus the mail. On arriving at Bolney we set about sorting the mail and delivering the same by bike. This was done twice a day with sometimes only up to six letters to deliver in the afternoon post. At the furthest point a Post Box was emptied which usually only contained 2 or 3 letters plus some coins for me to purchase the required stamp.

Memories of West Sussex

Memories

My memories of growing up in Cowfold are of going to school at St Peter's and walking through the churchyard to get there and back! Also the allotments at the back of the school. My mum used to make picnics for us to sit and eat in the playing field as we lived in Fairfield Cottages and I was never allowed to go on the big slide in the playing field as it was too high!

CSCC HQ

Ye Olde White Harte Inne c1965
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The White Harte was Home to the Central Sussex Cycling Club though the 1950s, 60s and into the 70s.  My connection began in 1960 at age 16 whilst still at school (at Hove Grammar) and continued for about 5 years, while I was an active club cyclist.  My interest in cycle sport has remained throughout my life.  In the early 60s the CSCC met on Thursday evenings in the club room behind the pub, although in truth we spent much of our time in the small snug bar (as it was then) to the left of the public bar.  In 1960 the hosts were Mr and Mrs Stuchbury but by the date of the photo in 1965, 'Stuch' had retired and the landlord was Joe Mitchell.  At the end of Sunday club runs to places as far away as Guildford, Chichester, Sevenoaks, and even sometimes to central London, we would return to the White Harte to end the day, often sharing the bar with a lively group of members from... Read more

Doreen Goodchild

The Hospital c1960
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Doreen Goodchild my grandmother worked here as a nurse sometime between 1960-1975, before moving on to work at Chailey Heritage Hospital. I would be interested to hear from anyone who might know more about Cuckfield hospital and its history or if anyone remembers my grandmother Doreen Goodchild working there. Also my half sister Rachel was born at Cuckfield Hospital on 18th April 1973.

Central Sussex Cycling Club

I was a club member for a few years in my teens and early 20s from 1960 to 1965, after which courting took more of my Sundays and playing football for Clayton in the Mid Sussex league became my sporting focus. But I have fond memories of Sunday club runs starting from Frank Leppard's bike shop at Clock House, time trialling and wishing I could do better than a 1.3 for a 25 (cyclists will understand) and some great evenings in The White Harte with sing songs round the piano. The farewell party to 'Stuch' Stuchbury when he retired as landlord was an amazing night. We sang "There aint a landlord living in the land, as we'd swop for our dear old Stuch' and the old man, hard bitten ex-seaman, was in tears. Sad, but memorable.

Growing up in Slaugham 1961

The Village c1960
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I was born in Slaugham at No1 Carpenters Arms in 1961.  It was the very last house on the right hand side before the White Gate.  What a great time all of us kids had and I hope they share fond memories like I do.  The Talmans, The Shoplands and then of course us, The Bottings.  There were 5 girls, 4 older and 1 younger,  and then 5 boys, 2 older and then 3 younger.  

My fondest memories are of playing Down-The-Woods.  We spent hours and hours down there and the parents had to take it in turn to give us all a call for dinner in the evening.  We played cowboys and indians down there and one time we got hold of a piece of thick rope to swing from a tree and boy did we swing!!  I can't remember who put the rope up over the tree limb, probably one of the older boys,  but I reckon it was up 15' and then someone made a... Read more

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