Lewes memories
Here are memories of Lewes and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Lewes or a Lewes photo.
Micro Brewery, Lewes, East Sussex, Around 1936
My father recently told me that his grandfather, William Parkes, was the manager of a micro brewery, in Lewes, East Sussex, in about 1936. My father, Gordon, remembers spending many holidays visiting his grandfather there, with his sister, Barbra, and believes the brewery was a 'Watneys'. He also remembers the hams that used to dry in the cellar, which were sold to the local shops in Lewes, and still remembers the delicious smell of the ale and hops, as they arrived, fresh faced, off the train. On arrival at the brewery, the family would eagerly tuck in, to a delicious home-cured ham roll, and a sup of grandad's ale! It would absolutly delight him if anyone else remembers, or better still may have photos, of either the brewery, or the manager, my great- grandfather, William Parkes. Indeed, any leads, or articles would be gratefully received. I have one very precious photo of my great-grandmother, holding my dad as a very young baby in 1927. Unfortunately, my dad does not remember... Read more
Memories of East Sussex
Coombe Place
I was born in this lovely house in1970. My parents worked here for Mr. Cannon from 1960 until 1983. We then moved to Italy, my parents home country. I have many sweet memories but unfortunately I have lost all contacts, maybe because when we went to Italy I was only 13.All I know is that the Cannons died many years ago and the house was sold.I hope to go back for a visit soon, to show my children where I grew up...very happily!
Growing up at Coombe Place
My family and I moved to a bungalow at Coombe Place in 1960. My father, Walter Motley, took up the post of farm manager on this 100 acre dairy farm with a herd of Jersey cattle. Coombe Place is set on the side of the South Downs with views across the Weald of Sussex. It was a truly magical place to grow up with a 50 acre beech wood to explore and make camps in, numerous old farm buildings with lofts and secret hideaways to explore and the 'big house' garden with its treehouse, croquet lawn and tennis court which the owners, Mr and Mrs Richard Cannon, let us use when they were away on their extended holidays abroad. The 'big house' in the picture still has evidence of the old victorian kitchens below stairs and there is an original ice house a short walk from the house. The house is also linked with a tunnel under the lawn to the stable courtyard so that the Victorian ladies could walk... Read more
Coombe Place
My grandmother Edith Lizzie King was first a seamstress and then I believe the housekeeper at 'the big house,' Coombe Place. She later married the chauffeur Ernest Crane, after looking after his children for many years, his wife having been admitted to a psychiatric hospital suffering from post natal psychosis. My grandmother had my mother in secret in 1921 before my grandfather was free to marry. My mother was brought up in Grayshott with foster parents who were former Salvation Army officers, Mr and Mrs T McVie. There she met and later married my dad. As they were both excluded to some extent from their families they went to live and work in Singapore. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers my grandparents.
2 Years in The Village
Sometime around 1956, for about two years, two of us shared a cottage in Iford village (one of the first two as you came off the main road from Lewes). We worked for Mr Robinson milking his Guernsey herd and doing the dairy work for one of the Shorthorn herds, in those days there was a bottling plant at the other end of the village and the milk was taken to Hove each day to be sold. I can remember occasionaly getting a lift and spending time on the beach.
I kept my horse in the village and would ride him on the downs or should I say try and ride him as his greatest aim in life seemed to be to unseat me.
Two village names I can remember working with were Denyer and Honeysett, I think we were regarded with great interest when we arrived, '2 young girls' living in a cottage on their own and outsiders at that.
There used to be a dance at... Read more
Conyboro School, Cooksbridge
I went to school here in 1979-1985. Loved being out in the country. We had fun going to visit the farms. And walking to Lewes. We had taken part in the Lewes bonfire night parade every year. I also went to girl guides in Barcombe. And did amateur dramatics in Lewes.
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- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
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