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Rottingdean

Rottingdean: A potted history
By Geoff Mead

Until 1928 Rottingdean was a separate entity on Brighton's eastern border. A large downland parish in the shape of a figure-eight, it had a populous coastal area and a compact village. This village housed the three separate strands of Rottingdean life: fishermen, farm-hands and wealthy 'arts' folk fleeing the smoke of London and the clamour of Brighton.

Famous residents of the village
High on the downland to the north of the village, beyond Woodendean (sic) Farm and Wick farm lay the depressing Warren Farm Industrial School for orphaned and homeless children.  During the late nineteenth century, Rottingdean was 'discovered' by the intelligentsia. A swathe of them, including Kipling, Burne Jones and Angela Thirkell, moved into the large houses that surrounded the picture book village green and duck pond. The future prime minister Stanley Baldwin (Kipling's cousin) was married in St Margaret's.

Bob Copper
The early twentieth century, when all this was about to change dramatically, is best seen through the eyes of Bob Copper (the world famous folk singer). He is a local, whose books on the area cannot be bettered for local colour and acute observation.

Suburban developments
On its western side, Rottingdean escaped being engulfed by Brighton and there is a fine cliff-top approach with a big black mill outlined on the ridge. However, suburban developments on the east carry the housing into the adjacent valley of Saltdean.

The village today
Rottingdean today is still well preserved and almost rural, with farmland on two sides and the English Channel on the other. It is a favourite for afternoon visits to 'tea-shoppes', the museum, and local antique shops or simply to feed the ducks on the pond. It also has a good beach and ample supply of pubs!

Needless to say housing is expensive and Rottingdean is a great retirement area with many vigorous village organisations. Do not miss the Xmas shopping evening when the village street is free of cars, bands play, and the shops and cafes stay open late.

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments:

I was brought up in the Rottingdean area before and during the war and went to the old flint-walled school. Many a day was spent down in the shelter that was built uder the playground. My father was superintendent of the water pumping station at Balsdean where we stayed in the company house. Many a tale I could tell of those days. I sometimes wonder what happened to all my school friends, my first girl being one whose name was Jenny Tester. One of my parents' friends was Margaret Ward who stayed at 13, Newbarn Road, Woodingdean and wrote a book about the area called 'One Camp Chair in the Living Room'. She passed away some time ago however. Best regards.
By Hamish Baxter (05/12/2004)
My daughter, a Kiwi (New Zealander), has just taken up a six month house lease in the village and says the locals are very friendly. Thanks.
By Bob Cuming (29/09/2005)
I found the comments by Hamish Baxter about Rottingdean very interesting. I vaguely remember the name and I certainly remember Jenny Tester. Margaret (Margo) Ward's husband, Jack, also worked at the Balsdean pumping station. He sometimes worked in my father's electrical shop at weekends.
By Haydn Williams (06/01/2006)
I too went to the old flint-walled school from 1937 to 1943. Mr Dutton was the headmaster. If Hamish Baxter reads this, my email is: MD@eeldu.force9.co.uk. Could have been there when I was. I now live at Hailsham.
By Don Williams (15/08/2006)

I remember Jennifer Tester and I met her in October 2006 at the village school reunion. Because I was younger than her, I admired her and my party piece at home was to dress up and announce to everyone that "I was Jennifer Tester". If anyone remembers my mother Nancy Copper she is still alive and well at 93.

By Pauline Attridge [nee Copper] (05/02/2007)

Angela Thirkell never lived in Rottingdean - until she was dead! You are giving incorrect information.

By Helena Wojtczak, Author of Notable Sussex Women (14/02/2007)

Further to the above comments, I remember some names and certainly Hayden sticks out and Don I think was in the class before me. The Penwarden twins and 'Fish', the fishmonger's son, were all pals of mine. If Jenny is still around could someone give her my regards. If any of you would like to get in touch my email is as follows: hamishbaxter@btinternet.com

By Hamish Baxter (18/11/2007)

Hamish - I also grew up in Warren Farm School during the war years. If you have any information or stories you like to share with me, I would love to hear from you, and we can swop tales. Wish you and yours a very merry Christams and New Year.

By George Bowley (25/12/2007)

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