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. Thank heavens those fields still remain and long may that continue.

The Greyhound was a lovely pub even if the landlord in my day was a bit on the grumpy side. New Years Eve was always special as we usually wore fancy dress and did the conga around the car park at midnight.

Although I don't live far away I seldom visit Keymer nowadays since my mother died in 2007 however I am always impressed at just how constant and unspoilt the place remains. A lovely village.