Ratton
Ratton maps (2 available)
Map of East Sussex
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
See this old map of East Sussex
Personalised maps
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Ratton photos (none available)
We have no photos of Ratton,although these nearby locations do:Ratton books (10 available)
Ratton memories
Read and share memories of Ratton and East Sussex inspired by Frith photos
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You can also read memories of nearby places in East Sussex below.
East 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!
A memory of Haywards Heath contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist
"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.
A memory of Haywards Heath contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist
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.
A memory of Haywards Heath contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist
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 ...read more here
A memory of Haywards Heath contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist
Extracts From Ratton & East Sussex books
A number of English kings stayed at the castle on their frequent visits to Hastings. William Rufus held court here, at
the head of his army, awaiting a chance to slip across to Normandy. In 1201 King John declared the English to be
masters of the sea whilst he was here - though he had to reduce the fortifications in 1216 to prevent the castle’s
capture by the French.
An extract from from"Hastings and Bexhill Photographic Memories".
Little remains of the chapel inside the castle of which Thomas Becket was once Dean in the reign of Henry II. The
later Collegiate Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also just a ruin. The presence of religious buildings within the
castle shows the increasing influence of the church during the reigns of the Angevin and Plantagenet kings.
An extract from from"Hastings and Bexhill Photographic Memories".
Alexandra Park has long
been a popular venue
for entertainment, fetes
and shows. The lake and
reservoir have been
stocked with trout and
coarse fish for the
benefit of local anglers.
An extract from from"Hastings and Bexhill Photographic Memories".
This area was once known
at St Andrews Gardens;
after the Prince and
Princess of Wales, later
Edward VII and Queen
Alexandra, opened
Alexandra Park, the park
was later renamed in
honour of Princess
Alexandra. Its 80 acres
comprise woodland, lakes
and sports grounds.
An extract from from"Hastings and Bexhill Photographic Memories".
Victorians flocked to see the
Lovers’ Seat in the beauty spot
of Fairlight Glen. Tradition
alleges that a naval lieutenant
called Lamb trysted here with
his sweetheart Miss Boys.
Their relationship met with
family disapproval, hence the
secret meeting-place. The pair
eventually married at St
Clement Danes Church in
London in 1786. The original
seat was a long rock that
tumbled away in a landslide.
An extract from from"Hastings and Bexhill Photographic Memories".