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Cuckfield memories

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

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.

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

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.

Memories of West Sussex

The Park

The "Park" - known to us as "The Rec". I walked across this daily to and from my prep school 1945-50 and our scout troup did it's wodcraft here!

"The Serg"

The Sergison Arms c1960
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I was a fairly regular customer at "The Serg" from about 1955 to 1967. Mr Turner was the first landlord I knew and he was succeeded by Stan and Betty Allen who came from "The Charter" at Epsom.

Shops

Boltro Road c1960
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I suspect this is a little earlier than 1960 (but after 1956) the first building on the right was the offices of "Waugh Brummell and Barron" later Waugh & Co Solicitors and still going strong. The original Waughs were prominent in the C19 not only as solicitors but clerks to the Local Board, Magistrates and the newly formed Council. Further down on the right, up to the 1960's were "Jacksons Ironmongers", "Hoadley and Wickham" (provision merchants), Clarkes Book Shop and the offices of the Mid Sussex Times, Wrights (tobacconists), Cheals (hairdressers), a green grocers and Lloyds Bank.

More Building Use

Commercial Square c1960
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As can be seen (also in 252002 & 252006), the 1930's "Psuedo Tudor" block on the corner then contained "Dewhursts" the multiple butchers, 2 (later 3) frontages for "Edward Hodges" an independent tailor and outfitter, then "Sussex Stationers" (manager Bruce Gillett?), The "Copper Kettle Cafe" (owned and run by Mr and Mrs Hyslop) and "Scilla" (hairdresser). The offices of "Vincent Penfold" estate agent, fronted Perrymount Circna and the tile hung building beyond was Commercial House offices of "Bradley and Vaughan", estate agents (see also H252586). I still work in the successor to "Comercial House", the sons of the original Mr Vaughan being my Landlords and the grandson still being an estate agent on the other side of Perrymount Road. By 1960 the former Beeny's Emporium had ceased to be Forrest Stores (grocers) and was divided into several uses.

Spectators

The Recreation Ground c1950
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It is possible that amongst the spectators of cricket on the lower tier maybe boys from "Sharrow School" in Heath Road, which I attended from 1945-50 because we played cricket there (see also H252587). If so, it is also possible that the lady standing in the foreground could be Miss Irwin (later Mrs Singer) a mistress at the school.

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