Shoreham-By-Sea, West Sussex

Mile Oak Portslade 1938 to 1950

Hello, I was one of the few children who lived in Mile Oak Road and and also played on Broomfields Farm, we lived at no 222 which was the second to last house before the road dropped down the hill to Mile Oak. The old wagon mentioned used to be the shepherd's hut that he moved around the fields with his... [more]

Mile Oak Revisited

My mother was a land girl, she worked daily on Farmer Broomfield's farm Some of my earliest memories are of playing with other kids around an old black caravan, more a hut on wheels, provided as a shelter from the weather. Piles of wet weather coats made a comfy sleeping bed for me, while mum worked and the older kids played.... [more]

Kingston Beach

This picture with the distinctive lighthouse is of Kingston Beach, behind it and a little to the left was a church hall where the 5th Shoreham Scouts met. I believe it is demolished now......the church hall that is.

Many years ago

My grandfather Kennedy Larbey and his family came and lived in Southwick in 1896 where he was a blacksmith. My grandmother sold fresh fish at her kitchen door. My father Victor was born there in 1897 and done most of his schooling there untill they came back to Fernhurst in 1910.

Vickers Valiant Crash

As a pupil at Manor Hall Secondary School I also remember the Valiant crashing and the plume of smoke with the explosion as it hit the railway line by Southwick Recreation Ground. As it was lunch time no members of the public were hurt.
A locally run Website 'This is Findon' by Valerie Martin has more information on that day from... [more]

Valiant bomber crashing

I also remember the Valiant bomber crashing. We were in the playground and the plane went overhead. It was on fire and looked like something out of war movie.
I remember the loud bang and flames as it hit the REC. I think also some of the parts landed on the railway line. I believe there was one survivor who... [more]

The REC

Living in Old Barn Way (#14) I attended Southwick Primary School in Manor Hall Road. A memorable day was in 1956 when a Valiant bomber crashed into the "rec" spewing its body parts (and sadly three of its crew) into the surrounding area including the school grounds.
How I used to love the privilege of assisting the scorers at the... [more]

Memories of a childhood in Southwick

I went to Southwick Primary School. I remember being picked as a 'flag flyer' and welcoming the Duke of Edinburgh when he opened the new lock. I think it was in about 1955. We were unable to use the locks whilst the new one was being built and we were ferried across the canal in little rowing boats when we wanted... [more]