Upper Beeding memories
Here are memories of Upper Beeding and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Upper Beeding or a Upper Beeding photo.
The Fat Lady Sings
I attended The Convent of the Blessed Sacrament between the years of 1963 to 1965 (inclusive). I was a dreadufully wild child from Colonial Africa and rejoiced in the name of Carol Anne Bult. The Reverend Mother of "The Towers" at the time was Rev Mother Marie Helen (Sister Mary Bruno was the headmistress). "The Fat Lady Sings" is a manuscript in the process of editing and publication, hence the title of this short "memory" I am now placing on the site. I am amazed and also a little distressed that this is the first memory about "The Towers" that has been posted.
If anyone remembers me, I would be absolutely delighted to hear from them! The picture has not changed significantly since I attended the school, but the interior classroom shots and the main hallway are obviously prior to 1965.
More on The Kings Head
My maternal grandparents, Ernest and Dorothy Bond had the Kings Head in 1955 and through to 1958
My mother was married from here at Christ the King in Steyning. I was born in 1958 and my parents then lived at a little cottage in the High Street called 'The Dilly'
Quite a few years have passed! and I have now moved back into Upper Beeding but I find it quite un-nerving that the High Street seems to look almost unchanged!
Publican Frank Langridge
According to research my Great Grandfather, Frank Langridge was Publican at the Kings Head in 1917, together with wife Elizabeth Jane. I have no information on when he took this pub or when he left but his son, Albert Edward Langridge was killed in Mesapotania on 9th March 1917 whilst serving with the 72nd Co Royal Engineers. I am interested in anyone who has links to the Kings Head at about that time.
Bridge Inn
My grandma Edith Emily Alice Patching was born in the Bridge Inn on February 2nd 1885. Her father, Richard Elias Patching was the landlord. He died in 1889 aged 32. Edith and her mother moved to Brighton. They were related to the Elms family of Beeding.
What's Happened
Upper Beeding was the best place in the world to live and grow up, it's not the same now, there's too many townies.
Memories of A Little Boy in Upper Beeding 1952-1954
As I get older I remember some of my early childhood in the UK. I was asked by my Grandson about my early life so am writing it down in a form of a book.
My first memories are of going to the Downs with the farmer from behind where I lived, with him and his cattle and getting into trouble by my mother when I got home covered in mud. Another memory is of climbing on an Air Raid Shelter that was situated in Underhill Road. I know of this because a brick fell off and cut open my head.
Also I sat with the boy from next door and watched the cattle be killed and disposed of during a Foot and Mouth outbreak. Then there was my first year at School before the family moved to Western Australia. The block of houses we lived in were called Brookway and from what I have been able to discover they were in Pound Lane near Smugglers Lane.
I do... Read more
Memories of West Sussex
Family
My memory of Steyning is staying at my aunt Ada's in Priory Field, walking the back lane from her house and going to a big church, and also going to the auction mart and smelling all the animals. I still relish those days.
My Family
My memory is of going to my granny and grandad Fish, it was a big family of them, I know I have an aunt still there called Valerie Newman (I think) and my aunt Rosemary who had 3 daughters. I would love it if anyone knows them or knew my dad, Richard John Fish. Do get in touch with me as whilst I remember going there it is a very hazy memory.
Dudley Pritchard And The Laylands of Jonada Small Dole
My family lived in Tooting, London but my mum's brother Charlie Layland was married to Josie who lived in a house called 'Jonada' with sons John, Tony, Trevor,and Andrew in Small Dole. We used to cycle the 42 miles down to Small Dole and stay there. Josie was fantastic and used to take us to Steyning Market, up to Chanctonbury Ring etc etc all on our bikes. We were all skint then of course, but we had a fantastic time. I can remember going out with Ann Sherwood who later married Ken the shopkeeper's son. All the Laylands, apart from Tony and Andrew who rode a Vincent Comet there, all went to Australia on the 10 assisted package scheme and all did ok for themselves - I see them from time to time.
Magical
Hi, Val and Sid Newman live in Lancing now. My nan and grandad lived in Sands Lane and I loved going there and helping Charlie in the woods cutting bean sticks. It was magical. A lot of the old characters have gone now but in the 1970s and 1980s the Fishes, Grettons and Wellsteads ruled the roost.
The Fish Family
My grandfather was Albert Fish. He lived in Small Dole all of his life. He ran a haulage business with his brother Jim. He had eight children, one of whom (JIM) was killed in Italy in the war. My mother, brother and I walked from Beeding to see my grand father every Sunday. My grandmother died when I was a few months old. In the early fifties Granddad married Violet. In the forties virtually everyone in Small Dole were related. It was said that the local postman knew everyone by their Christian name. All of my grandfathers children are now gone but many of their children still live in Small Dole ar close by. I now live in Canada but always visit small dole when I visit England and Upper Beeding. The house where my grandfather lived is still there and the village high street has not changed much. I have many fond memories of Small Dole
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