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Ripe
Ripe maps
Historic maps of Ripe and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Ripe maps
Ripe photos
We have no photos of Ripe, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Berwick| Arlington| Firle| Upper Dicker| Michelham Priory| Glynde| Chiddingly| Glyndebourne| Ringmer| Wilmington| East Hoathly| Halland| Alfriston| Lullington| Hailsham| Litlington| Polegate| Wannock| Lewes| Horam| Bishopstone| Jevington| Barcombe| Piddinghoe| Willingdon| Newhaven| Peacehaven
Ripe area books
Displaying 1 of 24 books about Ripe and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Ripe
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East Sussex memories
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.
Scraps of History
Never had any direct connection with Alciston but have known it since my teens in the early 1960s and have visited many times over the years. What caught my interest is that the village has stayed relatively unchanged in the 20th and 21st centuries because it is just off the main road and has no through traffic.
A few things I have learned about Alciston:
In mediaeval times the village was 'owned' by the monks of Battle Abbey who operated as Lords of the Manor. The 'big house' Alciston Court was designed like a church building with pointed arches, some of which were retained when the house was converted to a farmhouse in the 18th/19th century. The Great Barn, once used to store the Lord's produce still exists and is still in use as a farm building. It is said to be the largest Sussex Barn still in existence.
The original road to Alciston ran just south of the village immediately below the downs.... Read more
My Memories of Burnt House Farm Alfriston Circa 1938
I remember being taken down to Alfriston in the 1930s before the Second World War. My great-aunt and great-uncle, Polly and Arthur Newell, had a smallholding on the downs, about half a mile from the village, where they kept chickens and ducks, and a few sheep. My mother told me that Aunty Polly helped a cousin, Jack Butland, to buy the farm, where he lived for many years with his wife, and children - but more details I cannot recall, as I was very young, and not long after, the Second World War started. Aunty Polly and Uncle Arthur had their property 'taken over' by the War Office and I understand Canadian soldiers were billeted there. After the war the property was an absolute ruin, and my uncle and aunt went to live in Eastbourne, in a Victorian house in Ceylon Place.
Many memories stay with me of our visits to Alfriston, where my young brother and I spent many many happy hours.
Life in The Village
I was lucky enough to grow up in Litlington and also worked in the village shop/post office for Jack Keeble. I can trace my mothers family(Reed) back to the early 1800's they were from nearby Alfriston, so I have a very strong connection with Cuckmere valley. I had a very happy childhood, firstly in Lullington 1961 to 1966 and then Litlington 1966 to 1980. Village life, it takes some beating.
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.
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
