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Lindfield
Lindfield maps
Historic maps of Lindfield and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Lindfield maps
Lindfield area books
Displaying 1 of 19 books about Lindfield and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Lindfield
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Lindfield.
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My Grandfather
My grandfather owned the corner shop in the High Street, it was a sweet shop. He was known as Pop Brooks. Grandad was loved by the villagers. His only son, Harry, my dad, was killed on 20th December 1942. My dad's name was Harry Brookes, he was 27 when he lost his life. After my dad was killed in Bomber Command, I came to stay with Pop. My dad's name is in the church. This year I have found through the internet a man who knew my dad and flew on some of the same missions. My family and I have been invited to 9 Squadron Reunion. I always remember sitting in the shop window as the pipers marched by on Remembrance Day. There was someone called Pip in the village, but I can't remember who they were. Grandad lost his first wife at the age of 43. Poor Grandad lost his wife and only child and I loved him very much.
Living on The Estate
As a young boy I lived on Paxhill Estate from the end of the Second World War whilst my grandfather was the head gardner to Mr.Sturdy who owned this fine house, which I understand is now a nursing home. The estate was fully independent with a fully operational farm, garden and laundry with a staff of over 30. During the war Canadian Regiments were billeted in the woods near where this picture was taken - the pond leading up to the main house. My grandfather Walter Harris was the head gardener in many Sussex and Surrey estates prior to coming to Paxhill in 1937.
I have very fond memories of Paxhill Estate life, and as you could imagine as a young boy of 9 it was paradise. There was the scary Nunnery Wood where you never ventured becuase of strange goings on, the Quarry Wood full of bluebells and the dark pine wood where nothing grew. Fresh food and vegetables were free and plentiful.
Thanks.
Brian.
West Sussex memories
The Park
The "Park" - known to us as "The Rec". I walked across this daily to and from my prep school 1945-50 and our scout troup did it's wodcraft here!
"The Serg"
I was a fairly regular customer at "The Serg" from about 1955 to 1967. Mr Turner was the first landlord I knew and he was succeeded by Stan and Betty Allen who came from "The Charter" at Epsom.
Shops
I suspect this is a little earlier than 1960 (but after 1956) the first building on the right was the offices of "Waugh Brummell and Barron" later Waugh & Co Solicitors and still going strong. The original Waughs were prominent in the C19 not only as solicitors but clerks to the Local Board, Magistrates and the newly formed Council. Further down on the right, up to the 1960's were "Jacksons Ironmongers", "Hoadley and Wickham" (provision merchants), Clarkes Book Shop and the offices of the Mid Sussex Times, Wrights (tobacconists), Cheals (hairdressers), a green grocers and Lloyds Bank.
More Building Use
As can be seen (also in 252002 & 252006), the 1930's "Psuedo Tudor" block on the corner then contained "Dewhursts" the multiple butchers, 2 (later 3) frontages for "Edward Hodges" an independent tailor and outfitter, then "Sussex Stationers" (manager Bruce Gillett?), The "Copper Kettle Cafe" (owned and run by Mr and Mrs Hyslop) and "Scilla" (hairdresser). The offices of "Vincent Penfold" estate agent, fronted Perrymount Circna and the tile hung building beyond was Commercial House offices of "Bradley and Vaughan", estate agents (see also H252586). I still work in the successor to "Comercial House", the sons of the original Mr Vaughan being my Landlords and the grandson still being an estate agent on the other side of Perrymount Road. By 1960 the former Beeny's Emporium had ceased to be Forrest Stores (grocers) and was divided into several uses.
Spectators
It is possible that amongst the spectators of cricket on the lower tier maybe boys from "Sharrow School" in Heath Road, which I attended from 1945-50 because we played cricket there (see also H252587). If so, it is also possible that the lady standing in the foreground could be Miss Irwin (later Mrs Singer) a mistress at the school.
