Shopping With my Mum in Heathfield...
I remember in the 1960s going to Heathfield with Mum on the bus (we lived at Corner Farm, Swife Lane). We would go shopping and often would go into the Bluebird. Seeing that name in this picture brought all those memories back. I remember once saving up for a blue linen dress from a shop at one end of Heathfield High Street, but I'm unable to remember the name of the shop. I saved for weeks and weeks. It cost me 5 pounds back then! We would buy cream cakes from the bakery to take home to Dad and my brother and sisters. I remember Caffyns at the end of the road. I remember going to the Youth Club on Friday nights. Although it wasn't in Heathfield, I also remember going to the Young Farmers Club in Burwash. I was not that keen on going if I remember. I do however remember one of the members called Richard Lambert-Gorwyn. I think he lived on the same lane as our family. Those were the days! Over 40 years ago. Hard to believe now. I remember going to the toy shop in Heathfield. Picking out farm animals to take home for our toy farm in the playroom. I attended Heathfield County Secondary School. We worked hard there. I wish I knew where some of my old school friends are now. I live in Maine, USA. I work as a Cardiac Nurse at Maine Medical Center now. I have 2 daughters, grown up. One in Australia and one in England, lives in Gosport, Hampshire. But I am always looking for any old pictures of Swife Lane or of Heathfield. I would love to see some if anyone has any. Thank you so much for allowing me to share some of my memories of my childhood with this website. This is the kind of photo to treasure. I remember those buses I would catch the bus from the top of Swife Lane to Broad Oak to go to school. It cost me 3 pence ha'penny!!
Thank you again,
Sincerely,
Sally Semple
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RE: RE: Shopping With my Mum in Heathfield...
So nice to hear a happy memory, I have lived in the area for 27 years since birth. Richard lives at the top of my road (Flitterbrook Lane). Not being funny but have you tried Facebook to find your friends? I bet most are on there.
Comment from Steve Hutton on Wednesday, 22nd December 2010.
RE: RE: Shopping With my Mum in Heathfield...
Hi Sally, I remember your Mum and Dad and Corner Farm very well. I came and rode the horses with Carolyn and Gillian a lot from when I was about 7 onwards. We lived at Woodside Farm next door to Joy and Basil Parsons. I think you were at school with my sister Jane Massey. Unfortunately Jane passed away last March (2010) from cancer. Jane was very good friends with Roberta Stirton-Smith (Bobby).
I can remember those bus trips into Heathfield very well although we caught the bus from Alice's Cafe, at the other end of the lane. The shop you bought your dress was probably the Ladybird shop which I think was called "Noreens" but not 100\% sure about that. The toy shop was Appleby's which was an Aladdin's cave for us kids. I remember the Bluebird too, what a sweetie shop!!! There was also Murphy's the newsagent near to Caffyns, The Elizabethan Cafe, opposite the post office where mum took us for coffee and ham and tomato rolls. And my favourite was Puck's Parlour down Station Road. A lovely tea shop with the waitresses in black and white uniforms.
I do remember you too but I didn't know you as well as Carolyn and Gillian. It was lovely to see your post on here and hope that all is well with you.
Best wishes, Angie Rogers (Massey)
Comment from Angie Rogers on Wednesday, 8th June 2011.
RE: RE: Shopping With my Mum in Heathfield...
Ooooooh Pucks Parlour, named I think after Kipling's Puck of Pooks hill, we used to go there after the annual Brownie Christmas outing to the Theatre then to the parlour for a party. I remember the waitresses dressed in old fashioned uniform, (rather like the Lyons corner houses I suppose). This was in the 1960s and tea room uniforms were scarce even then, so it always stood out in my mind. Applebys was my favourite and all my farm animals came from there, but another toy shop was halfway up Mutton Hall Hill on the right and run by two old sisters. It was really dark and you went down steps to get to the shop floor and I always felt like I was going into a witches lair, ha ha. Cornfords electrical shop was further up the hill on the left opposite what was Paynes garage, which had one pump if I remember, which had an arm which swung out over the footpath and my dad used to park on the road to fill up.
Comment from Sharon Walton Nee Kennett on Wednesday, 23rd November 2011.
RE: RE: Shopping With my Mum in Heathfield...
it was so, so good to hear from you Angie and from Steve who knows Richard LG. I am terribly sorry to hear about Jane. I knew her well. Made me cry. The comments and learning about your own memories of our childhood years brings so many good times back to me and takes me to the simpler times. To the wooden floors of that sweet shop, Alice's cafe at the end of Swife Lane. We would often go up there and the walk seemed nothing from Corner Farm. Nowadays I'd probably get in the car and drive up!! I remember now the dress shop and Mum used to take us to Pucks for tea and cakes or sandwiches. I wonder what happened to that place? I would love to share more memories...I have sent an email to you. Do you remember the Fieldwicks? And Paul and Jackie Parsons too? Remember that really snowy winter when everything shut down and Carolyn and I delivered milk to the neighbors on the sled! Dad took grocery orders, put chains on the tractor and drove to Godley's up at Broad Oak to get food as well for people. Oh those were the days for sure!! Take care of yourselves, so good to hear back, fond memories, Sally
Comment from Sally Semple on Monday, 27th February 2012.