Michelham Priory memories
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Memories of East Sussex
Some Berwick Memories
I was a Dutch student of English and spent my summer holidays at a farm at Berwick in the years 1959-61. The farm was run by John and Chris Buckland, their phone number was RIPE 393. I can't remember the name of the farm (if it had one) or the name of the road, but I do remember the road led to the railway station. Also, if memory serves me, when one went from the farm to the station one could enter a lane on the right at the end of which was a small, beautiful but dark and cold house which was owned by an elderly lady who slept outside, year round, and still rode side-saddle. We had tea there once or twice but I have forgotten her name. I had wonderful times and loved the countryside.
The Windmill
The windmill shown in the Willingdon photos was always known to me as the Polegate windmill. I remember it when it was in working order and watching the mill stones grinding the grain. This was in the 1950s when the Council houses were starting to be built there. Later the mill closed and went into decline for some years until it was decided to restore it. I knew the gentleman who was given the job of cleaning out the resident pigeon population and so secured quite a few very plump pigeons which were delicious, they having been so well fed on the grain that had been left stored in the mill.
Polegate, like Willingdon, has grown considerably since those early days as when I used to walk to Polegate from Lower Willingdon there were few house between the two villages, whereas now they are practically continuous.
Also, I was very familiar with Wannock Tea Gardens as I used to walk through them on my way to The Glen... Read more
Wannock Tea Gardens in The 1950,S & Early 60,S.
I remember catching the charabanc from Brighton seafront on a Sunday afternoon with my Nanna and invarably choosing the Wannock Tea Gardens coach outing. I used to love going there, it was a real treat for me as a youngster. We came for a good few years in the 50's and early 60's. Being a pensioner myself now, I have the privilege of living in Polegate. but sad that the Wannock Tea Gardens are no more.
St Mark's Church, Magham Down
The church was a mission hall, part of Hailsham Parish. It was constructed of green painted corrugated iron. There was just one large room, with a curtained vestry at the rear. There were two services a month, a communion service at 8am on the 4th Sunday, and on the third Sunday of the month, an afternoon service which was a mixture of Matins and Evening Prayer. On every Sunday except the third, Sunday School was held in the afternoons, 2.30 - 4pm. In the 1950's, there were about 40 children attending. The Lord's Table (NOT altar, according to the Vicar) was plain and enclosed by a wooden rail on a raised dais. Music was initially supplied by a little American organ, but this was later replaced by a piano. On the wall was a text "I can...through Christ", Phil 4.13, a copy of Holman Hunt's The Light of the World and two Margaret Tarrant pictures. The Vicar wanted them removed but the Sunday School Superintendent was adamant... Read more
Magham Down Red Lion And Post Office
My family moved to Magham Down in December 1953, when I was nearly 5.
The Red Lion was run by the Mounsey family. The shop and post office was run by Joyce Russell. In the shop were sweets in large glass jars, many made by Angear's of Herstmonceux. They were weighed out and sold by the quarter, in white paper bags. The shop was in the main part of the house, but the post office was separate, in an added single-storey building. Miss Russell hated opening the post office, and it took some courage for a small child to have to ask for stamps. But when I got older, she used to keep the commemoratives for me. In 1966 she was so cross with "strangers" coming in the buy the World Cup overprinted stamps, she bought her entire stock and kept them for her regulars. She was a keen swimmer, swimming in the sea all year round, and an avid tennis fan. To call in the shop when... Read more
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