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Ratton memories

Here are memories of Ratton and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Ratton or a Ratton photo.

 

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Memories of East Sussex

Willingdon Childhood

Church Hall c1955
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I was born and raised in Willingdon and lived two doors away from the previous correspondent Ian Friend. I also attended the school referred to as Willingdon Church Hall before a new school was built in Rapsons(?) Road, Lower Willingdon. I have very fond memories of my childhood days there and spent many hours playing and exploring the Downs nearby. The Chalk Pit above Willingdon was a favourite area where I explored for fossils and iron pyrites. One of the unique features of the Downs (I think) was the dew ponds. These were round concave excavations created at appropriate positions at or near the bottom of long slopes. These ponds were created for sheep to drink and accumulated water from dew that condensed when cold air moved down the slopes at night and formed droplets when it drifted over these ponding areas which had retained warmth from the daytime sun. These seemed a very effective idea with no running costs and I used to catch newts and tadpoles in these... Read more

Willingdon Church Hall

Church Hall c1955
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Referring to the photograph ref: W446012 I used to attend Sunday School in the pictured church hall from the mid 1950's to 1960 the teacher being Miss Parris. I also went to Cubs at the Memorial hall opposite the church hall (out of picture to the left) at the same time. I remember the A22 being the main road between Eastbourne and London and pre speed limit days there were many fatal accidents on this road, mostly at Lower Willingdon where I lived at 77 Eastbourne Road. I now live in Brisbane, Australia.

Willingdon

The Village c1955
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My grandparents lived near the British Queen on Eastbourne Road near the tiny grocers store and I have happy memories of spending summer holidays on the downs and Donkeys Hollow picking bluebells. I would love to hear from anyone who can recall the name of the store please. I also used to visit Mr Holter's sweet emporium! What fun.

Mr Holter's Sweet Emporium!

The Village c1955
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Mr Holter was my grandad! I have great memories of the shop at the triangle but no pictures, can anyone help?

Wannock Gardens

Church Hall c1955
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I had no idea Mr Wootton could be so fierce! I worked at Wannock Gardens during my summer holidays fifty-odd years ago, along with a very interesting mix of people, old and young. Roger Tanner

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