East Wittering memories
Here are memories of East Wittering and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of East Wittering or a East Wittering photo.
Church Road Corner, East Wittering
I moved to East Wittering in 1966 and worked in the area for the next 20 years. The two cottages on the left were originally the village post office but have long since been demolished although a local resident acquired the front porch for a garden feature. The large building in the centre is the Royal Oak Public House which in the 1960's had a fish and chip shop beside it and beside that was the Royal Oak Garage run by a Mr Wiggington. This chip shop and garage have now gone. East Wittering is no longer a village, having to my mind been ruined by large areas of modern housing. Still, photographs and fond memories remain.
Memories of West Sussex
Bracklesham Lane, Bracklesham Bay
I lived and worked in the area for 20 years from 1966 and this was a time of slow change starting for Bracklesham. The lane is now called Sea Lane, the flowing tamarisk bushes have gone and both side of the road are lined with housing or shops with a pay car park on the seafront. In the early days there was a Pontins holiday camp in Farm Road (now a large housing estate) and Gibson's holiday camp half a mile back from the sea in Bracklesham Lane. Gibsons had the old fashioned wooden family chalets until it was burned down in a massive fire in the late 60's and was rebuilt as South Downs Holiday Village.
Pontin's Holiday Camp
I had a holiday job for 8 weeks at Pontin's in the summer of 1967 before going up to Oxford University. I worked in the staff canteen with Philipe, a young Frenchman; and then also part-time as a barman. The camp deputy manager (Mr. Brown?) was reputed to have been Prince Charles' protection officer until the cherry brandy incident led to his resignation. Some of the chalet maids came over each summer from Dublin, including the enchanting and high-spirited Helen Maher, whom I have never forgotten.
Pontins
I worked in Pontins as a waitress, the best job I ever had. I remember going to the beach after work with jam n' yorkshire puddings and having a blast with the holidaymakers. Chalet parties....!! I remember the closeness of the staff, like family. Long John (say no more!) June and Linda, Diane from Nottingham, Dave from Bletchley - my first boyfriend! John Hatch and his mates, wot a laff!
The Perfect Holiday
In the late 1950s we had a couple of holidays in Bracklesham bay, which was then a tiny, but growing village. I had never seen shops which were the equivalent of wooden shacks mounted on bricks. There were some modern bits; the post office/newsagent had recently opened, and new shops were being completed across the street. My Uncle George ran one of Henleys(?) shops; the one with the hardware and souvenirs, with racks of li-los displyed outside. I think the other was a grocer's. There was a cafe run by a man called Ruby! I was astounded, but I think his name was Ruben. Uncle lived in Garden Avenue. I came from the coaly north east and this village was the most amazing place I had ever seen. They say you should never go back, and Bracklesham is now just a housing estate for Chichester, but the memories will live with me forever.
The 1950s
I well remember what seemed like an age, the summer holidays of the early 1950s. My brother and I would spend all day on the beach or after the harvest playing stage coaches with the bales of hay in the field in Stocks Lane. In 1953 Queen Elizabeth II had her coronation and all the village turned out to celebrate. My farther was the man from the Pru at that time but his part time job was a special constable and he did his bit controlling the traffic and the like, there was bunting every were. Because not everyone had a TV back then we joined our neighbours to watch the ceremony on there's. Needless to say, like everything, looking back we had a lot more fun in a more innocent time. I still feel privileged to have been brought up in Bracklesham Bay.
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 28,866 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.
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:
- Oldham, Lancashire
- Blaenllechau, Mid Glamorgan
- Oban, Argyll
- Severn Beach, Avon
- Kirkandrews-On-Eden, Cumbria
- Smallthorne, Staffordshire
- Patshull Park, West Midlands
- Oswestry, Shropshire
- Newcastle, County Down
- Maidenhead, Berkshire
- Maesgeirchen, Gwynedd
- Cwmaman, Mid Glamorgan
- Ribbleton, Lancashire
- Collyhurst, Lancashire
- Pant, Shropshire
- Taxal, Derbyshire
- Hawley, Hampshire
- Draycott-In-The-Clay, Derbyshire
- Cefn Fforest, Gwent
- Golders Green, Greater London
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
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.
