Danehill, view from the Church c1955
Danehill, view from the Church c1955 Ref: D157019
Memories of Danehill, view from the Church
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Danehill & local memories
Read and share memories of Danehill and West Sussex inspired by Frith photos
My Mother had come from London to visit her brother (Jack Hames) who was working at Danehill Lodge, the name 'Pepper' were the people living there at the time. A lovely wooden gate was the entrance to the garden and house. I remember a large kitchen with a billard room somewhere near. They had a friend who had the nickname of 'Blackie', tall blond man, very happy memories of these visits. Does anyone know of the 'Peppers' Not sure if 'Blackie' lived in Danehill or Fletching. If he worked on the land or was home on leave from the war. Is Danehill still standing? email: Hewitt245@aol.com
Shared on 13 December 2006
during www2 - were you called ''Blackie''
We had many summer holidays in this lovely village. My aunt and Uncle had moved here from Danehill, and lived firstly in the Reading Room. Jimmy Edwards lived in the village and he often opened the gymkanas in the summer. My brothers used to stay with the Auntie and Uncle, while I stayed one year with the Griffiths. Who owned the Farm machinery place at the fork in the road just on the edge of the village. A lovely young couple. I remember they had a little girl younger than me. Also alovely lady who came in and helped with the house, who was very kind. I peeked into the office one day and watched the secretary typing, I was fasinated and when I grew up also became a secretary! For three children who lived in London Fletching to us was Heaven! Now in our 60's we all three have very vivid happy memories of that time. A very tall blond chap who had the nickname 'Blackie' was a friend of the family. Does anyone know/remember him?
email: Hewitt245@aol.com
Shared on 13 December 2006
Spent many happy days as a small boy living at the "Butterbox" a wondeful place to live and explore, went to school in the village and used to spend a sixpence every Friday in the sweet shop
Shared on 14 July 2008
Ardingly, the Village c1950
Ref: A207017
The High Street - Sayer's Store - 'Nim' and Phyl Alen
My name is Barbara Tester and I live in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
My beloved (late) husband, Brian Tester, was born on 26th July, 1930 at No. 1 Station Cottages, 1 Station Road, Ardingly. His parents were Bartley William Charles Tester and Gladys Evelyn Tester. His father was a stonemason who carried out a number of pieces of restoration work in Sussex throughout his long working life.
The family lived for some years in Eastbourne before moving to Hailsham in the mid 1950s. Brian migrated to Australia in 1952, and we were married in 1955. His brothers, Michael and Richard, and two sisters Anne (Pomroy) and Ethne (Ansfield) all still live in Sussex. Both Brian and Mike were members of St Peter's Church Choir.
During the war, while Dad was in the army, the family was evacuated from Eastbourne (where, like many others, their home was bombed) to Ardingly, where they lived with Aunty Phyl and Uncle 'Nim' who were, at that time, living in 'Cobb Cottage'. Cobb Lane, I remember, went down to The Brook, and on up the other side, to where Mrs Stride lived in her great old farmhouse. When Brian and I visited with her, she made us a treat of some of her famous griddle cakes, of which, he had fondly reminded her! Her Scottish brogue was so thick that I had to listen very carefully to catch everything she said!
I recall fond memories, whilst on our visit from Australia, 1958-1960, living in East Sussex, of us driving from Hailsham up to Ardingly, on Saturday mornings, to spend many a delightful weekend visit with Brian's favourite aunt and uncle, 'Nim' and Phyl Alen. At the time, they lived in one of the high-gabled, semi-detached cottages in High Street, almost opposite the entrance to Hapstead House.
Uncle 'Nim' worked for many years, as a grocer, at Sayer's Store, which I believe is the one shown in this photograph - if my memory serves me well - all these years later! He would bring home a carefully wrapped, paper package of succulent smoked ham which he had carved, 'off-the-bone', with a razor-sharp ham knife.
I can almost taste Aunty Phyl's freshly made, delicious smoked ham and home-grown tomato, sandwiches, followed by a slice of her Victoria sponge filled with jam and freshly whipped cream and steaming, bright amber tea served in fine bone china teacups. What lovely memories I have of those visits!
Aunty Phyl would usually greet us, on arrival, with -"Would you like a little drink, dearie?" at the same time reaching down into the stone bottomed cupboard under the sink, to produce a bottle of Fryco's Orange Wine which she then poured into small crystal glasses. What I would give to be able to buy a bottle of that delightful tipple today to relive those magical moments in time! I wonder if it is still being made; or does anyone know of a comparable alternative? Perhaps someone might even be kind enough to spare and share an old, family 'secret' recipe! Anyone who can remember the taste of this particular Orange Wine would have to agree 'it's unforgettable' - I'm sure! Sadly, I have Googled the name, without success! However, I did find a Stone's Orange Wine which said it was 'Made in Britain'.
If anyone remembers any members of the Tester families; Lou, May, Phyl, Mill, Hilda, Bart, Kitty and Stella (all now deceased) and/or the present generations - I would be delighted to be able to add any memories/anecdotes you may have of them to our family history.
How I'd love to visit your lovely village once again! Even just for the primroses and bluebells down Cobb Lane, alone . . . they were so beautiful! I witnessed my first snowfall in Ardingly; and walked through Ashdown Forest in Autumn. Lovely sights!
Thanking you, in anticipation.
Sincerely,
Barbara Tester
Shared on 06 June 2009
Lindfield, Paxhill c1955
Ref: L221059
As a young boy I lived on Paxhill Estate from the end of the Second World War whilst my grandfather was the head gardner to Mr.Sturdy who owned this fine house, which I understand is now a nursing home. The estate was fully independent with a fully operational farm, garden and laundry with a staff of over 30. During the war Canadian Regiments were billeted in the woods near where this picture was taken - the pond leading up to the main house. My grandfather Walter Harris was the head gardener in many Sussex and Surrey estates prior to coming to Paxhill in 1937.
I have very fond memories of Paxhill Estate life, and as you could imagine as a young boy of 9 it was paradise. There was the scary Nunnery Wood where you never ventured becuase of strange goings on, the Quarry Wood full of bluebells and the dark pine wood where nothing grew. Fresh food and vegetables were free and plentiful.
Thanks.
Brian.
Shared on 12 April 2009
