Nostalgic memories of Rustington's local history

Share your own memories of Rustington and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying all 7 Memories

1948 was the year I was born. Apparently I was quite privileged compared to the rest of my siblings as I was the only one born in Zachary Merton. There were nine of us and most were born at home including twins, which my mother, Dorathy Mable delivered one by herself before the midwife could arrive just in time to deliver the second twin!. My father, Geoff Masters, was in the RAF and we all lived in a little ...see more
Following the death of my mother recently, I have been clearing her home and found a kitbag of my father, Douglas Bellchambers, from his wartime Royal Navy days, full of a range of keepsakes. One of these was an unopened parcel addressed to him in Braintree, Essex from Heasmans Ltd, 4, Broadmark Parade, Rustington, Sussex, which must have been sent between 1945 and 1952, the post mark is ...see more
I went to West Preston Manor school in 1959, first as a boarder and then as a day girl. It was a fine old manor house where the dormitories were and on the ground floor, the classrooms. In the basement was the dining room and the kitchen run by Alice. There was a country lane on the right of the main entrance, Pigeonhouse Lane which was very dark and overgrown with large trees. I lived in Park Drive, ...see more
The photo of the main building and swimming pool brings back wonderful memories of the summers spent at Rustington. The TT competitions, childrens activities.. I even remember the Springfields playing island of dreams. Sadly the camp has been demolished and houses built. I'm so grateful to my Mum and Dad for arranging the holidays there.
I stayed at the Lido, Mallon Dene when I was 5 in 1955 with my Mum and Dad. It was run by the WTA - Worker's Travelling Association. We booked the holiday quite late and had to have 2 separate rooms; one with one bed and one with two beds. I was too scared to sleep on my own so I slept with my Mum and Dad slept on his own in the other room. The chalets were in 2 floors and we were upstairs. My Dad worked ...see more
We moved to Rustington in 1949 as my Mother Dr Mary Higgs was the M.O.H. at Zachary Merton and was the doctor there until her retirement. Zachary Merton was a lovely hospital to have a baby, all the staff were so friendly. The Matron I remember was Miss White, with Sisters Mingay, Cole and Mrs Smith and later Matron Cynthia Grose and Sister Gray to name but a few. On Christmas Day in ...see more
My mother has a copy of this photo on her wall. She remembers a photographer asking to take the photo and then sent them a copy that was printed as a postcard (She still has the original card which I enlarged and printed for her many years ago). I am told that the 2 ladies pushing the prams are my grandmother (Peggy Prebble) and her twin sister (Elsie Cheshire). The girl in the middle is my mother, Patricia Margaret and the girl in the pram is her sister Joyce.