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Chithurst
Chithurst maps
Historic maps of Chithurst and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Chithurst maps
Chithurst area books
Displaying 1 of 24 books about Chithurst and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Chithurst
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Hampshire memories
Childhood
I was born in Milland in 1942 at Great Trippetts Cottages. My father, Goody Luff, worked at the farm and had married the 'Nanny' from The Coombe. As with many farm cottages we had no running water or electricity. We relied on the well in the back garden and oil lamps. We had a black range in the kitchen and a copper in the shed. Water from the copper would be put in a tin bath in front of the fire and would be used by all (just adding a bit more hot as was needed). Grandad (who lived next door with Granny) would rear his own pigs and they would be killed in the shed and the meat salted down for use in the winter. We did well for meat as there were always plenty of rabbits, pheasants etc. not to mention the occasional deer. Grandad's large garden was always well stocked with vegetables and fruit and Granny was well known for her homemade wine. Not that Grandad drunk... Read more
446 Bepton - The Lovely Old House
I stayed a number of times at this address whith my father's relatives, an Aunty Nance and Uncle Jack (possibly a Howick connection).
Down North Street
This old picture shows very few cars and people. It also shows the old Cinema and clock tower on the left. This was sadly demolished to make way for a ghastly supermaket, which is ugly and in disrepair at this time Jan 2007.
Looking Down North Street
This picture is much the same as the previous one. The horse and carriage should be on the left side...but who cares, there's nothing coming up the right side.
The Grammar School's tall oaks can be seen in the distant centre.
My Home
I lived in the Wheatsheaf for 20 years. My parents Len and Desi Murphy were Landlord and Landlady from 1950-1977 The pub had only a beer licence when Dad took over. What a great photo. I remember the Catholic church bell ringing and the nuns processing to the church from the convent on Sundays. Eventually the new church was built and the bell removed. Sometime in the 1960s the top half of the chimneys were removed for safety reason, mainly vibration from heavy traffic on Rumbolds Hill. I don't know the date of original structure but the building was renovated in 1621, a date inscribed on one of the beams facing Wool Lane. We had a magnificent view from our front bar window all the way down North Street, which was much quieter than today.
West Street Shops
Shops on West Street in the 1960s were left to right: Merritts the butcher next door to Blackiston the butcher, famous for the specialty sausages, also had its own slaughterhouse and in the back garden an Anderson shelter used by us kids as a 'camp'. Next door florist and green grocer, Goldrings. Harris's the grocer, Bannisters the jeweller, you know, the old-fashioned type that could actually repair watches, clocks and jewellery. On the corner of West Street/Grange Road was Frisby's shoes and on the other corner was Mr Churchman's which became Rice Bros, saddlers, leather, fishing tackle. Burchnell's newsagent, where I was a paperboy for several years, Pearces grocers. Mr Pearce used to make his own 'Scrumpy Cider' at his 'press' on Easebourne Street where he had another shop and residence. We used to buy it for the Wheatsheaf in 5 gallon refillable earthenware jars. It was so strong that Dad would water it down with several pint bottles of lemonade. Even then 3 pints were more than enough for any... Read more
Bottom of Easebourne Street, Went to Primary School Further up
The Village Post Office was in the white building on the left, and is still there today 18th Jan 2007.
On the right behind the wall is the Estate Office where my Father, Jack Owen, worked for many years as Chief accountant.
