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 the Cuckfield Cricket Club.  It was Joe Mitchell, who extended the drinking area by opening up the Stuchbury's old living room as a saloon bar, with an open fire.  Each side of the fire, in the alcoves, Joe installed bird cages with small exotic birds.

Still largely unspoilt in the 21st century, the White Harte must hold fond memories for hundreds, maybe thousands, of people, and not just cyclists.