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Patcham Clock

Photo:Photograph of The Clock Tower in Patcham

Photograph of The Clock Tower in Patcham

Childhood memories
By Andy Rutherford

"Born during the war, I lived in Ladies Mile Road. From my bedroom I looked straight on to the Clock Tower and its surrounding triangle of grass.

In my childhood we all relied on the clock and were delighted when the floodlights were installed after the war, as I could then see the time when laying in bed.

All of the local buses stopped here.
During my early childhood I would spend time with the drivers and conductors of the number 15b buses which terminated at this point, before their return journey to Mile Oak.

I remember in 1947, the first new B & H District Bristol K bus purchased after the war, being tested on the number 5 route, standing at the Clock Tower with the chain around the platform to prevent passengers boarding.

From this point local organisations departed on their outings. The football team 'Vale Rovers' would hire a Southdown coach to take the team with supporters on a Saturday afternoon to away matches, at such venues as East Brighton Park, a journey of about 5 miles.

The Covenanters Group
I belonged to the 'Covenanters' group. We would assemble and cycle to such places as Hurstpierpoint, and also go to a 'Sausage Sizzle' on a Saturday summer evening on the land above the Patcham Tunnel vent shaft adjacent to Mill Hill."

Andy Rutherford, sent personal view to the site May 2001
This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments:

It looks like a really peaceful place to live, but I know that it is not. I think that you should show more about what Patcham is really like; it's loud and there are many kids around out and about causing trouble. I live a minute's walk away from the clock tower. Please consider what I have said. Many thanks.
By Sam (23/01/2006)
Patcham is a great place. I live seconds from the Clock Tower and have been there for 33 years. Of course kids hang around where they live, try and name one place they do not. Patcham is a friendly and warm place to live and the kids are great too.
By Tina (07/03/2006)
This place is a brilliant place to live in, I love it. I was brought up here and I go to school here so don't listen to any of these comments because my whole family and friends love this area. Just because there's kids around here doesn't mean it's not a peaceful place because it is - and warming and like a cottage, warm and cosy.
By Ali (03/04/2006)

I have lived in the Patcham area since 1988. It is a lovely area with friendly people. One of the best facilities is the local library with a modern computer suite. Youngsters hanging around were an issue but like most young people, they gained a poor reputation from a few bad apples. I think many communities have similar difficulties these days but, in general, I think it is still one of the better areas to live in.

By Mike (09/12/2006)

I lived in Vale Avenue about 50 yards from the clock tower for 20 years until I got married in 1957. I was in the choir at All Saints Church from 1942 to 1952, my spare time was mainly spent with church activities during the week, which were organised by a very go ahead vicar named the Rev.SHP Ensor.

By Maurice Wyatt (30/09/2007)

I was born in Mackie Avenue and went to Patcham Secondary School -and spent many many times standing by the clock tower waiting for my bus (5 & the 5b) with my friends Gillian Holden and Cherry Fryer. Sadly, Cherry died after being thrown from car, I think she was only 18. But mostly we walked home from school. When I was very young my brother told me a man lived in the clock tower as there was a small door in it. I believed this for a short while! The clock tower was a meeting place in the 1950s after school - so there were kids hanging around then. I was born in 1944- and left Patcham in 1964. But I like to pop up Mackie Avenue sometimes and wonder is anyone out there who remembered me. I went through Patcham school from 5 years old to 15 years -but hated it - as I was bullied by some teachers as well as some girls my age - names I won't say---but last year I finally received a degree from Brighton University in Fine Art Painting - but still can't spell. HaHa!
Diane - if you have spelling problems - compose your comment in Word - which has a spell checker - and then copy and paste the text in here.  Thanks for your contribution.
Jennifer (Web Editor)

By Diane Campbell Watson (31/12/2007)

We watched our house at number 23 Craignair Avenue being built around 1931/32. I went to school in the old village on London Road. Then we were moved to Patcham Place - (see picture and comment there). After the completion of the new school I was there for a year until writing exams for Secondary School. Then took the long bike ride along Winfield Avenue to Patchdean, up Braybon Hill to Surrenden, Frairs Avenue to Ditchling, down Balfour to VarndeanGirlsSchool.
At the start of the war we picked through the chalk and made an air raid shelter. My grandson was in Brighton last summer and took some pictures of the house which looks the same except the front hedge is gone. Neighbors I can remember were Burgess, Wellstead, Aldridge, Oram, Stockley, Copestake and Betty Wells at the top of the hill.

By Rita (Bannister) Buckrell (10/02/2008)

Like Maurice Wyatt I was in the choir of PatchamChurch at the same time he was. Although his name rings a bell I can't remember him although we must have shared many of the activities laid on by the Rev Ensor. Does anyone remember Holidays at Home weeks during the war? They were held on the school playing fields. There were swing boats, concert parties and displays by the fire service and others. I especially remember the miniature Southdown coaches that carried two passengers and the driver for trips around the field.

By Graham Clarke (05/04/2008)

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