Racton, West Sussex

Great Grandad Strickland - Stickland

Escaping from his mammoth wife, Gran Con, who could eat a whole chicken at one sitting, Great Grandad Stickland fled Street in Somerset and took lodgings in the F&H. He suffered nightmares, and the person who slept in the same lodging room used to turn him over. One night he did not and that night he died. Perhaps he thought his... [more]

Greengrocers 1899-1934 East Street: Mark & Annie CROUCH

My Great Grandfather Mark Crouch ran a greengrocers shop from the front room of his thatched cottage in East Street from 1899-1934 and then after he died his wife Annie continued as a grocer/greengrocer until 1934.  I have a photo (date unknown but would probably be late 1920s - early 1930s) of Annie standing in the doorway of her shop which... [more]

QUEEN'S CORONATION

I WAS BORN AT No 2 THE SQUARE IN 1938 AND REMEMBER DECORATING THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE FOR THE QUEEN'S CORONATION.  I MARRIED IN 1959 AND MY FIRST FLAT WAS AT THE CHANTRY IN FOXBURY LANE.  I SERVED IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE FOR 33 YEARS AND NOW LIVE IN DEVON.  ONE OF MY YOUNGER BROTHERS NOW LIVES IN NEW... [more]

Watercress Beds

I have no memories of West Ashling but somewhen before 1860 my G/G/Grandfather James Hare started the watercress beds there. It was not untill quite recently we found out what we know about this family. My G/Grandfather George was not infact registered as a Hare he had his mothers name which was Mayhew. All his children from his first... [more]

Nutbourne Post Office Stores

My memories of Nutbourne start when we moved to the Post Office in 1966-67, I was aged around 12 years old. I moved to Nutbourne with my father and step-mother, my younger brother boarded at little green school in Compton. My father came to the UK during WW2 from Czechoslovakia and fought with the RAF.
My bedroom was above the shop... [more]

manor farm

I remember hand picking blackcurrants where my mother and father lived and worked for Mrs Rhys-Jones. That was soon taken over by machine and then ended when Mrs Rhys Jones died.  The farm was sold and the blackcurrants torn up. My parents still live there and I visit often.

WATERCRESS BEDS. W.ASHLING

I well remember the watercress beds at West Ashling as I started work there the day after I left school. Mr Pusey and his wife (he married Miss Florry Hair) were my bosses. I remember a Charlie Hotson and Harry Earl who also worked there. I left in 1960 to join the Royal Air Force Fire and Rescue. My father Jack... [more]

Childhood memories

I am wondering if the child bending down and putting his wellies on is me, as I spent every minute I could of my childhood down on the shore, especially as dad's boatyard, Haines was right there. The picture reminds me of myself as I had a bobble hat and jacket exactly the same as the boy in the picure. I... [more]