You are here:

Ditchling memories

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

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.

A memory of Ditchling, shared by Bridget Turner.

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

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?

A memory of Ditchling

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

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.

A memory of Ditchling

Add your own Memory Add/View 2 Comments Add to your Album

Memories of West Sussex

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.

A memory of Keymer, shared by Lin Penny.

Add your own Memory Add/View 3 Comments Add to your Album

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

A memory of Keymer, shared by John England.

Add your own Memory Add/View 2 Comments Add to your Album

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

A memory of Keymer, shared by Robert Bishopp.

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

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

A memory of Keymer, shared by Martin Cooper.

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Hassocks Primary School in The 1950s

The School c1960
| More about this photo

I was at the school from 1948 until 1955, at which point the 11+ sent me to Hove County Grammar. Starting in 1948 in Miss Wood's class I ended with two years in the top class with Miss Nichols. In between I was taught by Miss Lamper, Mr Kilby, Mr Bennett and Miss Bolter. Mrs Lake was headmistress. There was playground segregation in those days, the front playground in the picture being the junior boys playground. Girls and infants had the two back playgrounds. The picture shows the school after some work has been done to the central frontage. Up to the fifties the two side arches to the main front arch had concrete 'ballastrades' which have been replaced by bricks, which above the main entrance the school name 'Clayton and Keymer CP School' was etched in stone, but in the picture has been replaced by a brick topping to the entrance. Inside, in keeping with the design of victorian schools, those... Read more

A memory of Hassocks, shared by William Lovell.

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Memorybank total

We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.

You've shared 28,865 memories of 5,949 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!

Find Memories

Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.

Start by searching for your favourite places

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:

How does it feature in your personal history?

What are your best memories of this place?

How has it changed over the years?

How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?

Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?

Start now!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.

Places this week

Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:

Your memories

To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here

I Remember When...

This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.

A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.