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Ditchling
Ditchling maps
Historic maps of Ditchling and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Ditchling maps
Ditchling area books
Displaying 1 of 19 books about Ditchling and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Ditchling
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Ditchling.
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Westmeston Maternity Home, Green Hedge
I was born at Westmeston Maternity Home in 1943. My name was Jennifer Mary Pierce and my mother was Edna Mary Peirce, a nurse there. She gave me up for adoption in 1943. Does anyone know of her, or anything about Green Hedge? My name now is Bridget Turner.
The Turner Families of Ditchling
It's been a long struggle but we have achieved much regarding searching the family history of the Turners of Ditchling, through their exploits at winning in cricket, horse shows, vegetable competitions etc. They were based at Standean farm initially but the family spread out out into the village over a period of time, last known survivor working at the private school when it was running. Through these pages could we ask - does anybody know anything about what happened to them all? We currently cannot find the Lewes connection at all, surely they couldn't have all disappeared?
Green Hedges Ditchling
I wonder if anybody remembers Green Hedges. I believe it was a maternity home in 1941 as I was born there. I recently went to back to Ditchling and it is now an old people's home. My mother went to Ditchling during 1940/41 to escape the war in London. My grandmother was a leading light in the Red Cross Movement and her name was Mrs. Winder, she was a doctor's widow. My aunt also lived there and her name was Dorothy Trent. I would love to hear from anybody who remembers these people or in fact Green Hedges. Thanks.
West Sussex memories
1861 - 1891 Hilgay, Keymer Road
Clearly not my memories! My ancestors, Frederick and Charlotte CHAMPION and their nine children lived at Hilgay, Keymer Road, Keymer which I read is now a Nursing Home. Frederick Shepherd CHAMPION was a Solicitor. He is my first cousin four times removed.
Are there any decendants of Frederick CHAMPION still in Keymer? Any Champions at all? Please, are there any photos of Hilgay? Does anyone have any knowledge of this family or the Solicitor's Practice he worked for?
Many thanks.
Keymer
I lived in Keymer from birth (1950) to 1954 then from 1966-1974. I lived in my early years at the "Old Thatch", Lodge Lane. My aunt and uncle, plus cousins, lived at the cottages to the north of us, formerly the local workhouse, then moved further down Lodge Lane to the large Victorian houses near the fire station, my uncle was in the fire service at that time. The shop pictured on the left in the photograph of Keymer Road belonged to the local greengrocer, Mr Hodges, his son Micheal was a friend of my two cousins. The Greyhound pub at that time had on its internal beams coins nailed to them by troops from all over the empire who were stationed in this area during the Second World War, I was saddened to find they had all been removed in a recent refurbishment. We spent many jolly evenings there, my dad was a founder member of the Hassocks and district angling club and meetings were held at the Greyhound... Read more
Keymer in The 1960's & 70's
I lived in Keymer from birth (1958) to 1975 and remember the Collins Electrical shop mentioned by Pauline. I have very fond memories of a happy carefree childhood living in the village. We lived in Church Mead and I remember attending a pre-school playgroup in the church hall run by a Miss Andrews. Like Pauline, I too got married in Keymer Church (in 1983 and to the girl next door, Melanie Dossett).
I may be mistaken but I seem to recall that the grocers next to The Greyhound was called Grinsteads and they had a delivery "boy" aged around 60 who brought shopping to the house if my mother couldn't carry it. I think the post office was run by Mrs Grinstead.
I have two boys in primary school and I so wish that they could enjoy the freedom that I and my best friend Paul Webb enjoyed as we rode our bikes across the fields to Ditchling Pond and built hides out of hay bales.... Read more
Longhurst And Symes Family From Keymer
Hi All, I am researching my great-grandfather and family, any assistance or info would be greatly appreciated. Balwins - shoe/bootmakers Hilda Longhurst, then Hilda Symes, and Charles Symes of 1 Keymer Terrace. York Cottage Charles Symes was a Parish Counciller. Regards, Martin
