I can remember (from the 1950s) to this day what inscription is printed on the Brighton boundry stones near Patcham. My mum and I used to take a bus to Pyecombe and walk back home to Kemp Town, the boundry stones were our rest place. The poem went as follows:

Hail guest, we ask not who thou art
If friend, we greet the hand and heart
If stranger,thou shalt not long be
If foe our love will conquer thee

All I know is my grandad lived in Withdene cottages when he was a child. My family went to Brighton for holidays but sadly I never went. I heard it was a lovely place and would like to know if I have any living relatives there still.

My grandfather married a Matilda Jane Still of Patcham in December 1891 in London. Matilda was born on 27th April 1860, her parents being William Still and Ann Comber, both of Patcham. William and Ann married on Christmas Day 1850 and had six children, James Edward, Alfred Samuel, Charles Horace, Walter Ambrose (married Frances Standen), Matilda Jame and George Benjamin. I have an address for William and Ann in the 1881 census of Church Hill Cottage, Patcham.
Ann's father was a Malster - was there a brewery in the area?
I should be pleased to hear from anyone who knows the family.

I recently bought a watercolour in rather primitive style, inscribed 'Patcham Priory'. It shows a double-fronted red-brick house with bay windows flanking a porch and small tower, with a black horse and trap in front, the horse's reigns held by a boy. A steam train can be seen in the distant top right. It dates to the late 1800s. It is unsigned but the back bears the name and address Mr Lade / 20 Brooker Street, which I believe is in Hove. If anyone knows the house I would be interested to hear anything about its history.

In response to Max's enquiry re "Patcham Priory": the house concerned would appear to be the one built in 1882 and called "The Priory". There was never in fact any such place as 'Patcham Priory' to the best of my knowledge. The early (possibly the original) owners of this house were David Lade and his wife. David died in the late 1990s. In the 1901 census his widow Emily is said to be, "living on Own Means" and the link with the N. Lade (cowkeeper) who is registered at both 20 and 29 Brooker St in Hove in directories around 1990 would appear to be questionable. The house in the Withdean part of Patcham was damaged by a fire in 1910 but was rebuilt and Emily Lade lived on at the house for several years afterwards. The house is rumoured to have been used by the Home Guard in the 39/45 war but I've been unable to confirm this.
It would be great to hear any more details you have about the watercolour. My name is Peter Booth and my email address is: peter.booth90@ntlworld.com

Re my response to Max's enquiry about 'Patcham Priory' - I realised when I later read it through that I'd let a critical 'typo' get past: the date of Mr Lade's death should have been in the late 1890s - not the 1990s! Apologies. The house, incidentally, was demolished around 1970 and was replaced with flats bearing the same name - 'The Priory'.

I understand that Sinden Bros funeral directors used to have branch in Patcham as well as the centre of town. Does anyone have any information about it or know where it was situated?

Responding to Liz Henty's enquiry: according to a 1960s directory, E.Sinden & Bros had a branch at 39 Craignair Avenue, Patcham.

I was born at 181 Makie Avenue in 1944 and went to Patcham School and the old school in the village. I had a wonderful childhood Playing over the downs and the old tank track, now the bypass. I am youngest of four, two brothers and one sister; Ivan Watson - Ian Watson and Deveana June Watson - I am Diane Jean Watson. My brothers were Cubs and Scouts my sister and I were Brownies and Girl Guides - is there anyone out there who remembers us?

I was thrilled to access your website today whilst I was searching under John Musgrove Wilson and so surprised to see him listed under the Local Folk heading.

As his youngest daughter I would really appreciate any communication from anyone who either knew him or could help me find out any more information about him. I do not have any photographs. Likewise I would be interested in hearing from anyone who knew my mother [deceased] Hetty Emery.

Her mother used to live in The Crescent.

I believe John & Hetty may have run several clubs. John may have been involved with the Conservative Club.

If you could direct me to any other possibly useful Brighton websites, it would be wonderful.

Very many thanks

I just wanted to say thanks to Peter Booth regarding Sinden Bros info. If anyone knows anymore about them, that would be great.

I moved to 23 Craignair Ave. Patcham around 1932. We used to visit the site of our new home every week while it was being built. I remember walking around the footings, our dog getting into a vat of lye used for laying bricks and going crazy. There was an old school on the old London Road where I went for a year or two then we were moved to Patcham Place where Mr. Wills was our teacher - I have a picture of his class in the old house. There were secret rooms and passages in the house and we were not allowed to run for fear the ceilings would fall down. There was a huge beech tree we used to climb on in the Park and trains ran through a tunnel under the woods.
Around 1936 the new school was opened backing on to Winfield Ave with playing fields there. When war broke out we dug, or rather picked, our way through the solid chalk to make an air raid shelter.
By this time I was going to VarndeanSchool for Girls. Miss Warmington was Headmisstress, Miss Everdon taught Music, Miss Nevil Math, Miss Slark Science, Miss Phare French, Miss Nicholson English. When the school was evacuated to Yorkshire those of us who were left had to take some lessons at the Boys school. Around 1940 the SS Brighton Swimming Pool was converted to an Ice Rink and I learned to skate and watched the hockey games. Later I was to do some pair skating with a Canadian dispatch rider who became my husband 62 years ago just after the end of the war. My parents Win and Phil Bannister taught Ballroom dancing in a hall in Patcham after I came to Canada. I think it must have been at the Ladies Mile Pub across from the Clock Tower- I have a picture of the crowded hall with even young children dancing together.

Can you tell me what the boundaries (by road name) are for Patcham, ie is it all roads north/north west of Carden Avenue?

I am wondering if anyone still living in Patcham remembers my grandmother Edith Vincent who lived in Patcham from the 30's until her death in the 80's. She lived at 10 Vale Avenue and remarried when she was 70 to a Mr Cooper. I would love any information about her as I never got to meet her as my parents moved to Australia in 1952.

Born in Patcham (1940) in a bungalow in Braeside Avenue and moving away before the end of the war, I moved back to Patcham in 1947. My parents bought The Rest-a-While tea-gardens at the bottom of Mill Road. We had seven happy years there before moving into Brighton. The petrol station which is on the site now has pumps at the foot of my bed, I am sad to say!

During my youth, our family lived in several homes around the Patcham area. Whilst a pupil at Shoreham Grammar School (now Shoreham College), I was a member of the Chapel Choir and took a keen interest in Organ Music. David Gutsell was a fellow pupil and his father was the Vicar of All Saints Church, Patcham. He kindly gave me access to play the Organ on several occasions. All working on the Extension principle, I always considered the instrument as very powerful when required, and rate it as my favourite church organ. I managed to track down the firm responsible for it's maintenance - WoodBrown of Haywards Heath; and spoke with Mr. Brown who was actually involved with it's construction, and indeed worked on the Console as his Apprentice Piece!
Now living in Abergavenny, I keep meaning to revisit Brighton, via Patcham of course.

My mother and father are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary this year. I am putting together a scrap book of their life in Brighton. My mother was born in 1937 and lived in Wilmington Way, Patcham; her name was Mavis Hook and she had three brothers. She went to Patcham Primary School. Mavis met my dad, named Denis Poplett. If anybody remembers them please contact me: sandwake2000@yahoo.co.uk

I was born in 'Sails', Stoneleigh Ave, Patcham in 1941 and lived there with my sisters Heather and Annette, unfortunately Heather died in 1945. I left home in 1960. Our end of the road was unmade at that time and subsequently the house became number 23. The house was called "Sails" by my father Albert Wheeler as we could see the sails of the windmill up on Mill Hill from the garden. I married Carolyn Harris (49 Ladies Mile Rd) a great grandaughter of Joseph Harris who built the mill. I went to school at the end of the road, Patcham Juniors and Seniors, and then eventually to Varndean Grammar. I spent 1 year at the "old school" in Old Patcham. Miss Horsley was the headmistress of the Junior School, Mr Budleigh the head of the Seniors and Mr Hutchins (Butch) the head of Varndean. I have very fond memories of Patcham - the chalkpit, the "ups and Downs", dewponds on the downs, lambing at Patcham Court Farm, looking for adders at Sweet Hill, roaming the woods at Patcham Place, cross country runs to the Chatri, tobogganing down Sunnydale Ave. I still return for visits. If anyone wishes to swap memories of Patcham they can contact me at michaelarmandwheeler@hotmail.com

I was very interested to see the photograph of the new estate being built in Ladies Mile Road in the thirties. I moved to a new bungalow at the top of Ladies Mile Road in 1947, when I was four. This was on the edge of the downs and provided a play area for the whole of my childhood. We used to build 'dens' in the brambles amongst the trees, run up and down the bomb craters, collect wild flowers which were abundant on the chalk hills and trek to the dew pond on the way to Ditchling Beacon. My father's family were a part of Patcham village life since the 1860s when my grandfather Joseph arrived in the village from Lewes and set up a bakery in the village. He subsequently built Patcham Mill after being denied planning permission to build a new steam mill in the village. Since Joseph set up the first 'telegraph office', Patcham Post Office has been run by a Harris, the present sub post-master being my brother, Nigel. My cousin, David Harris still lives above the Post Office and my mother Vera Harris lived at 1, Church Hill until her recent death. There is a seat in the park opposite, with the inscription "Roy's seat" in memory of my father who was also sub postmaster for many years. He often talked about the way Patcham was in the 1920s, before all the new estates were built.

Great to have found this website and info about my wonderful Patcham. I spent many happy years there in my childhood staying with my grandparents Lilian and James Will. It is good to read all the stories and comments which have brought back so many memories to me. I did visit briefly in 1989 when visiting England again on holiday. I guess it will just be wonderful memories for me as I am not likely to travel that far from New Zealand again. My grandparents lived at No 60 Sunnyhill Avenue.

Hi Patricia! It's Davina (see comment 09/11/2005). I spent 24 years living in N.Z. and I now live in Queensland, Australia. I have three daughters aged 40, 39 and 36 and three grandaughters aged 17, 15 and 13. I remember you quite well considering its 45 years since we saw each other! Some of the names you mentioned I don't recognize but Rosemary Pountney I do. I have a photo of us taken just before I left for N.Z. with other girls whose names I cant remember, taken on the path at Varndean with the Dorothy Stringer School behind us. What interesting memories!

Does anybody know of the Sinden family who owned the funeral home?

My grandparents lived at Carden Avenue from the 1930s until my grandfather died in 1964 followed by my grandmother in 1981. Their names were William and Carrie Hunt. My grandfather was warden for the barn church in the 1950s. After they died my parents lived in the house, my dad was called Glyn Bagnall, he died in 1987, my mum was called Vera, she lived at 98 from about the age of 9, she died in march of this year. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister, Keith, Colin, Tony, and Sue. Tony lives in Stoneleigh Avenue and Sue still lives in Carden Aveue, My name is Carol; does anyone remember us?

I have just found this web page and have enjoyed reading all the emails. I lived in Church Hill, Patcham from my birth in 1941 until I married in 1960. I still have very fond memories.

I would like to add a bit extra to my previous correspondence. My family worked the farm, Patcham Court, at the top of Church Hill, and it was an idyllic life. From some of the other mails on this site, I can remember Michael Wheeler up at the farm watching the animals. Also, him getting married to the pretty Carolyn Harris. Also her lovely parents at the Post Office. Edna (nee Penfold)

Does anyone know Mr Anthony David Ellis who lived in 1961 in Garden Cresent 19 in Patcham Brighton?

Hello Davina. I was delighted to come across this Patcham website and then to see reference to yourself (comment 09/11/05 Patricia Silsby and then yourself on 08/03/09) was amazing. I have two sons aged 27 and 25 who both live and work in London. I live in Tamworth, Staffordshire. I remember you so well.

I am a freelance journalist working for the community page at the Argus and wondered if anyone would be interested in helping me build a then and now page for Patcham? email me if you can help. I would love to hear from all of you. seanyoungjr@aol.co.uk

Can anyone please point out where Varndean Cottages might have been in Patcham?

Varndean Cottages have survived in the playing fields of Varndean School. The cottages are about two hundred yards to the west of the school and are to the immediate south of the lane called Stringer Way which crosses the playing field.

Hi Barbara (09.02.10). Fancy your name popping up! If you wish to correspond my address is: geodav@wideband.net.au. Hope to hear from you soon.

I moved into 13 Patchdean (right next to the twitten) with my family in 1964. I loved living there - many happy times spent at the park by Mackie Avenue. Dad used to grow loads of veg in our huge back garden, he built us our own wendy house. Was a sad day when they pulled them down. I remember standing there as they pulled them down and dad saying that we would soon be back allbeit in a new house and we were just 18 months (roughly) later.

I just loved reading all the messages. I am making a trip soon from Bucks to Patcham to try to find my ancestors' graves and anything I can about them. My great great grandfather was born there and his many children. The name is Dodd and I am really looking forward to finding out more. If anyone knows any Dodds, do please get in contact with me at bbpurpose.tiscali.co.uk or 07890764161.

I love your page it is so interesting.I have just seen Barbara Butcher's comments. I wonder if her g g grandfather was John Charles Dodd who married my grandfather's sister Margaret Ellen Penfold b.1874? I did try to email you Barbara but could not get through. If you see this and you are interested my email is efuge48@googlemail.com. Edna Fuge (Penfold )

Just found this site. I was born in Patcham in 1948 went to Pacham Infants, Junior Old Village and Seniors. What a great place to grow up. I live in Coldean now. Does anyone remember the Muggridges from Carden Avenue?

Can someone please settle an argument. Back in the 1950's the Robin Hood Garage was on the A23 just north of the traffic lights at the junction of Vale Road and Mill Road. I say it was on the east side between the traffic lights and Braypool playing fields. Am I right?

Does anyone remember going to the old barn methodist church at Ladies Mile Rd. My brothers and I went to Sunday school there. My brothers were Keith, Colin and Tony Bagnall. Tony still lives in Stoneleigh Close. My grandfather was the caretaker there in the '50s. His name was William Hunt, my grandmothers name was Carrie. Does anyone remember any of us? My grandparents lived at 98 Carden Avenue.

I lived at 3 Stoneleigh Ave, I remember nothing but happy times..

I spent today on the beach remembering all my happy times growing up in Patcham. Who could ask for anything more? Now that sounds like a song.

We have lived at 57 Wilmington Way for the last couple of years. We love it here but does anybody know who lived here before?

Regarding Ron James's recollection of the position of the Robin Hood Garage; he his correct.

Hi Tracey. We live opposite you! Would suggest trying the record office in Lewes or asking the people up the road who have lived here for over 54 years!

As a child I remember going with Mum to buy produce at Sandfords Stores just down from the Carden Ave post office opposite Patchdean Cottages. For many years "The Boot Mender" had the little shop to the right of the post office. On occasions I would be sent with a list and some money to collect goods from Sanfords or stamps from the post office. Sandfords also delivered a couple of times a week, the delivery man was called Dave, or Davy to the kids, he drove a 1950s Ford E83w 10hp van with a short bonnet, this was painted dark green and nicely sign written in a creamy yellow with the store's name and details. Davy often stopped for a cuppa and a chat, he was a nice chap with wavy blonde hair and he wore fairly heavy glasses with round lenses. Mr and Mrs Bull lived two doors from us and I seem to remember Mrs Bull working in the Post Office, her daughter Carol becoming Miss Brighton and later The Lady Mayoress. Jeanie was the younger daughter, a very sweet girl liked by everyone that met her.

I have just started to research my stepfather's family and I noticed that Amanda wrote about the Pavey family in Patcham in 2006. All the names such as William Pavey, Tom and Ella seem to be the same as mine. I have heard about a scandal in the family but don't know what. If Amanda does still look at this site or if anyone knows of her, please would she get in touch with me at phyllis962@btinternet.com. Many thanks.

My grandfather Charles Frederick Holden built several houses in Patcham, a few in Warmdene Road, including one I lived in during childhood. I can't find any information on him or his work, although I know he built other houses in Brighton too.

Born in Brighton 1939, in Dale Crescent, moved to Warmdene Road and Mackie Avenue until I left for Barbados 16 years ago. A member of the 30th Brighton Boy Scouts in Patcham where I achieved the Queen Scout award. I share so many of the memories of others who grew up in Patcham Patcham School, (juniors) watching Cricket on the playing field The Old Barn (Methodist Church) Bonfire night on waste ground at the bottom of Braybon Avenue (the Catholic Church is there now) seeing Hollingbury being built. Christ the King Youth Club (A lot of us still meet up),The Old village,Church Hill and so much more. I come back to Patcham twice a year and walk round and remember some wonderful times growing up and bringing up my family in the area. I have made contact with Michael Wheeler and hope to meet up with him next year if all goes well.

I lived in Dale Crescent from almost my birth in 1947 until my family moved to Saltdean around 1963. I went to Patcham Infants, Juniors including the second year at the old school in the village. Some of my teachers were Mrs Horsley, Mrs Whennel, Miss Honeysett, Miss Hart, Mr Shephard, Mr Gearts. I remember our neighbours in Dale Crescent being Mr and Mrs Arthur Tester, Mr and Mrs Frank Parris, Mrs Ford, Mrs Wadham and a few others. I remember the area behind Ladies Mile Road which we used to call the 'chalk pits' and we played cowboys and indians there. I almost always drive through Patcham when I'm in the area as it has such fond memories for me. Does anyone remember these names?

I have lived in Patcham all of my life and went to the local schools including the White House Nursery which had an old milk float in the garden to play on. Also the 30th Cub Scouts in Vale Avenue. (I am now 49 yrs old). I remember Mr Gearts at the Junior School, I was in his class one year (about 1973). One of the best teachers when I was there I reckon. When the Junior School expanded south into the Infants School section (when the Infants got their new school) we had a dry ski slope in the school hall (the south hall which was previously the infants hall). How many schools had their own ski slope? (I think the slope had previously been at a premises in North Street which closed down if I remember correctly but I might be wrong.)

Re the Robin Hood Garage messages above: I have lived in Patcham for 49 years and my recollection is from the early 1980s when I started driving. I agree 100% that the old Robin Hood garage was on the east side but directly opposite on the west side was a large modern petrol station (demolished when the bypass was built) and I am pretty sure that on the edge of the canopy it said Robin Hood Service Station, so I believe this would be why there are different recollections.

My friend at school lived in a bungalow behind the Robin Hood garage and there were kennels nearby. Her name was Lisa Yates.

Michael Wheeler beat me to confirming Ron James' claim about the Robin Hood Garage as two of my school friends did their apprenticeships there. Can anyone confirm my memory of a little pull in snack-bar on the A23 back in the 50s north of Braypool on the same side past the house and before the Pylons, some days one can still see the brick wall against the grass bank? Often the RAC man with his motor-cycle would be parked there. Tell me l'm not going ga ga.

Hello Carol nee Muggeridge, I remember you and Pauline nee Heasman, maybe you remember me?