Memories of the 1950s and 1960s

The track of the old Dyke Railway, the South Downs north of Hangleton
From the private collection of Peter Groves
Hangleton ca. 1950
From the private collection of Peter Groves
Builder's mark in the loft of my mother's house in Amberley Drive.
From the private collection of Peter Groves
Plan for 1950s/1960s home-made go-cart
From the private collection of Peter Groves

I grew up in West Blatchington during the 1950s, & 60s and know the area well. Of course it’s changed enormously since moving to Amberley Drive in 1957, aged 3 years, with my mother, brother and sister. Strictly speaking, although really in the parish of West Blatchington, everyone refers to the area as Hangleton.

Post War growth of Hangleton
Without doing too much research, I recall that the north of Hangleton was developed by Hove Council due to the urgent requirement of housing during the post-war years. Its rumoured that the council houses were “Jerry Built” by ex-German POWs following the war. I’m not sure how much truth there is in this and certainly the chimney breast in the loft at my mother’s house was plastered by an English “spread” as he left his name and the year ‘1949’ marked into the drying cement.

Early memories
Early memories of the late 50s are vague although I do recall that Chichester Close was just under development. Down the road from Chichester Close, St. Helen’s Church was just a short walk away. On the way to play around the church we passed the Downsman Public House and horses in the adjacent field. Below the Downsman were old broken down farm buildings on the right hand side where the parade of shops now stand. This was once the site of a medieval village. I believe there was also a dairy close by.

Two places to play in this area were the old concrete gun emplacement directly behind the church and the massive old oak tree at the entrance to the church. The oak tree is long gone; I wonder what happened to the gun emplacement? It was a large underground construction, is it now under someone’s back garden? I suspect that it had been built in the 1930s, with the war looming, to protect the Dyke Railway. With the Dyke Railway closure in 1938, I doubt that it was ever used in anger! From St Helen’s open downland stretched across towards Mile Oak, Hangleton Valley, undeveloped.

Hangleton Park was also a favourite place to play; it was twice the size of the current park, stretching further northwards to meet Hardwick Road and Harmsworth Crescent – also undeveloped. Even well into the 1960s there was a “Parkie” to police the park. He had his own black painted wooden park hut just by the Lark Hill entrance.

With no supermarkets at that time, the small parade of shops close by in Burwash Road, sold all that was necessary. First was Charlie Bullen’s newsagent, tobacconist & confectionist. Of course the majority of adults smoked in those days and I remember the cigarette stand was a mass of thousands of packets, hundreds of brands! Next was the chemist shop, then Mr Carder’s grocery shop, a wool shop and then the butchers. Last was a greengrocer, Mr Higgingbottom – the name seemed so funny to young children!  Another vague memory from the late 50s was the regular testing of the air raid siren, perhaps once a quarter. The sound came from the Grenadier area but I never found out exactly where it was?

Summer play
Without doubt, the Downs was the most popular place in the summer. Few people had TVs and, anyway, programmes didn’t start until teatime. With older children, a group would go to Foxes Hollow to pick blackberries. Mum would then make apple and blackberry pie and lots of jam that would last long into the winter.

During hours and hours of play on the Downs, older children would sometimes tease the younger ones with stories of The Green Man, who carried a sack to put children in. A shout of “the green man” would have children running to hide in the tall barley fields. I don’t remember if I really believed it, but I liked the excitement of running to hide.

The old Dyke Railway track was also popular; but, believe it or not, in the late 50s it was used as a landfill site. Enormous holes were dug, filled with rubbish, and covered over. Discarded old prams were a much sought-after find. The wheels were used in the construction of a go-cart, with the chassis made from orange boxes begged from Mr Higgingbottom. Another memory from the Dyke Railway landfill site was finding old wooden roadblocks which were oak blocks, approximately the size of a brick, with tar from the road still stuck to one side. We took them home for the fire, however I don’t think mum was too pleased. They smelt as they burnt, but gave off plenty of heat and lasted for ages.

Very few cars in those days
Cars in Amberley Drive were virtually non-existent and street football was another favourite game, which we would play for hours. Occasionally we would go down to the green at Amberley Close to play football. The old roman villa was directly underneath the Green but we thought little of the Romans who had been there nearly two thousand years before us! Lots of other street games were played: hide and seek, British bulldogs, knock-down-ginger, hop-scotch and marbles – to name but a few. The warm summer evenings seemed to last for ever and ever as we played. Occasionally in the evening a group of us would walk down to the Grenadier Fish & Chip shop, for 6d (2.5p) of chips. The chip shop was where Barclays Bank now stands.

Street vendors and traders
Few people had freezers, so a very popular street vendor for children was the ice cream man, Mr Softie. He announced his arrival with the tune of ‘Greensleeves’. There were other street vendors who ventured into the area, selling from vans. The baker who called once a week at a set time. The fishmonger came on a Thursday when he shouted out loud to let the housewives know he was in the area. I could never understand what he said. And of course the rag-and-bone man who also had a strange sound to announce his arrival. The Corona (fizzy pop) delivery man also called once a week and was very popular with children: fizzy pop was a luxury.

Winter Time
The council houses in the north of Hangleton were bloody cold in the winter. None more so than my Mum’s which faced the Downs. Cavity wall and loft insulation were unheard of, and heating was almost non-existent. We had an open coal fire in the front room and a coke boiler in the dining room, which also heated the hot water. It was meant to heat a radiator on the landing as well, but it rarely worked. Winter mornings were bitter, Mum tried to keep the boiler going all night but it rarely lasted through.

The winter of 1962/63 was the coldest I can remember, I believe it snowed just after Christmas Day 1962. By the time it stopped, the snow was so deep Hangleton was pretty much cut-off from Central Hove. In Downland Drive, which faced north and towards the Downs, the drifts were many feet high. We burrowed tunnels into the drifts and made vast caverns beneath them.

The snow was so deep the buses which normally terminated in the north of Hangleton, stopped a mile away, by the Neville School, unable to make it up the steep hills. We would walk down to the bus, and I clearly remember that for weeks afterwards narrow paths had been cut through the drifts with the snow piled up high above my head on either side.

Night times were bitterly cold with little heating in the house. Extra blankets were used and even pullovers and socks left on in bed. We had a paraffin heater that would be placed in the bathroom prior to bath-time just to take the chill off. In the morning the inside of the windows were frozen, with net curtains stuck to the ice. The paraffin heater would be moved downstairs in the morning before breakfast, and then Mum would get the boiler going.

Although it was a bitterly cold winter, I don’t remember it being particularly unpleasant, for children there were piles of snow to play with! We built igloos, snowmen and rolled giant snowballs 5 or 6 feet in diameter and of course there were lots of fast slippery slides on the steep slopes of Hangleton!

Comments about this page

  • The air raid siren was positioned near some garages at the east end of Hardwick Road. ps nice item. took me back

    By john knight (10/01/2007)
  • What a wonderfull piece. took me back too, I used to play in that gun emplacement but we always called it an air raid shelte. looking back that just isnt logical is it? It would have been in the gardens behind Broad Rig Avenue.In the seventies I went out with a girl from Poynings Drive and her house was exactly as you described it.

    By neil underhill (22/03/2007)
  • I was told that the library in West Way and school in Northease Drive were built on the sites of old cuttings for the Dyke Railway, and the school was single storey due to old beach anti-tank concrete blocks dumped in the cutting after the war which prevented deep foundations being dug.

    By david shelton (17/04/2007)
  • We lived in Hardwick Road in the sixties. I remember the Knowles bread van which used to come, also the ice cream van, where if we were good, we could each have a “Saucy Tanner”. We moved to Poynings Drive in the seventies, and yes, the house was bitterly cold in winter, still with original metal windows and the old coke boiler. I remember as well as the other shops in Burwash Road, there was a pharmacy too. Town’s Corner (bottom of Hangleton Way) and The Grenadier seemed like the other side of the world in those days (and Patcham was the end of the universe!). Sometimes on Sundays we would all go to The Nevill for a drink, sitting in their family room. Memories.

    By Sara Robinson (27/08/2007)
  • I lived at number 30 Amberly Drive for 30 years. My dad was well known [big bill], I now live in brighton, but my mum still lives there.

    By wayne wareham (30/08/2007)
  • Does any body remember my mum and dad; Bill Wareham [big Bill] and Audrey Wareham (nee Shipley) who lived at 30 Amberly drive from 1970 to present day. My dad passed away in 1999 but my mum still lives there with my step-father. Please let me know of your memories.
    waynewareham@yahoo.com

    By Wayne Wareham (31/08/2007)
  • The air raid sirrens were based at the back of the rent office in Burwash Road. which I was told is now an Undertakers.

    By Wayne Wareham (31/08/2007)
  • Does anybody remember the Ladbrooks betting shop and the petrol station on Queens Parade in Hangelton?

    By Wayne Wareham (03/09/2007)
  • I don’t remember the betting shop at all, probably as it was not one of my interests! However I clearly remember the old petrol station adjcent to the public toliets. Unlike any modern petrol station the pumps were housed within the building (if my memory is correct) but the filling hose could be extended across (above) the pavement to the roadside. I didn’t have transport in the very early 70s but my mate Tony (Ginger) Power had a Vesper scooter and I can remember it being filled at that petrol station with 2 stroke. Standard petrol went in then the oil (to turn it into 2 stroke) went in manually by guess work from a can! Do they still do it that way today? I believe the petrol station became an estate agents in the late 80s, I don’t know if it still is?

    By Peter Groves (03/09/2007)
  • The old petrol station is now the Your Move estate agent.

    By Wayne Wareham (04/09/2007)
  • Does anyone know what the big hall at the back of 38 Amberly Drive is used for? It has been there years.

    By Wayne Wareham (06/09/2007)
  • The petrol station sold Shell products and was called the Light Blue Filling Station. In the 1960s/ 70s the owner greeted motorists and asked what they wanted while wiping the windscreen with a cloth and relaying the order to an attendant who filled the tank. There was no need for the driver to get out of the car. The cloth he used to clean the windscreen sometimes left it more smeared than when you drove up though. Still, the service was very polite and attentive.

    By Alan Phillips (07/09/2007)
  • Thanks so much for posting this piece! I grew up in Hangleton (Hardwick Road and Amberley Drive) during the 60s and 70s. I recall there being two ‘rival’ ice cream vans: ‘Mr Whippie’ (a pink paint scheme) and ‘Mr.Softie’ (a blue paint scheme). I used to love the aromas inside the Knowles Bakey van; and oh how we drooled over the Corona lorry! Like you say, fizzy drinks were such a luxury back then! There was also the coal lorry, with the delivery being unloaded right into the coal shed or bunker. Oh, and on the topic of deliveries, I used to love getting the milk in and getting at the cream to put in my porridge!

    By Tim Wareham (16/09/2007)
  • Good to see your comment Tim. Do you remember the ice cream man Johnny, he was one of my dad’s mates. I used to go with him on his rounds and we used to get our sweets down Sally’s store.

    By Wayne Wareham (17/09/2007)
  • Glad to see I wasn’t the only person who used to look forward to the corona lorry. Do you remember the chimney sweep in his little van and the shoe repairer who came around in a motorbike and sidecar? Do you remember the toy shop on the corner by the bus stop at the Grenadier,I used to look in the window while I was waiting for the school bus in the mornings. Sally’s stores was the favourite shop though much better than the bon bon or cherrys are, any of them still there?

    By Neil Underhill (24/09/2007)
  • Has anyone got any pictures of Hangelton in the 1970s that I could down load. I grew up in Hangelton and my mother is still there. I would like to see Queens Parade. Thanks

    By Wayne Wareham (17/12/2007)
  • Thank you Peter Groves for awakening lots of memories of Hangleton for me. I moved to Midhurst Walk in 1948 and lived in several houses in the area until 1967. I used to deliver newspapers for Charlie Bullen – I did a morning and evening route. My Dad and I would ‘markup’ the papers in the morning. For each paper route, there would be a book containing the list of addresses on that route, and which newspaper the customer wanted. There would be a pile of each of the ‘Daily Express’, the ‘Mirror’ etc. and we would collect the papers, write the number of the house on one of them, and stack them for each of the routes. Then, having done that, I would stagger out of the shop with my route’s papers in a big cloth bag and go off and deliver them. That bag was SO heavy sometimes! I’m sure that contributed to my back problems in later life. All this was done very early in the morning, and I remember one morning I was stopped on my route by a policeman on a bicycle demanding to know my age. Apparently there was a law that being under a certain age, you weren’t allowed to be out working before 7 am. I lied to him and he let me go on my way! In those days there were always dogs running loose and often (it seemed) there would be a huge Alsatian dog on my route, which contributed to my enduring fear of dogs. Yes, I remember the store in Northease Drive run from a garage. My Mum would send me there with a list of things to buy which I would hand over to the man in charge. He would read it out loud, only instead of ‘6 lbs of potatoes’, etc., he would make out that my Mum had written ‘Please meet me at my house, my husband is out of town’, or something like that! I also remember how cold the houses were, and how we would have coats piled on our beds at night to keep warm and the ice on the bedroom windows in the morning would be about 1/2 inch thick.
    Amazingly, we all survived!

    By Nick Pattenden (23/12/2007)
  • With reference to the shop in Hangleton, the one with the plastic on the windows, it was the Wall shop, or the Ladybird shop as it was known as.

    By Wayne Wareham (09/01/2008)
  • Trevors in Hangelton is no longer there, as per many of the shops.

    By Wayne Wareham (09/01/2008)
  • Was there once a Home & Colonial in the parade of shops that ran along the east side of Applesham Avenue? I can’t remember what they sold, I expect it was a general store but the name always appealed to me. I used to have to catch the school bus to Cottesmore every morning from the Grenadier and was given a shilling every day,the fare was 4d each way so I would go to Sally’s, where there were two wonderful ladies, and take an age to choose a quarter of sweets for the remaining 4d.

    By Neil Underhill (10/01/2008)
  • I have been following your website for the last few weeks, thoroughly enjoying all the nostalgia of my childhood days spent growing up in Amberley Drive. I too lived there through the 50’s and 60’s and love all the memories of others, which I am so familiar with. I wanted to know if anyone can remember the ‘Home & Colonial’ grocery store at the Grenadier? I seem to recall the very smart ‘capped & aproned’ ladies serving in the centre of the shop and the groceries stacked on shelves all around this circular serving counter. I am not sure what date this would have been because I must have been very young. I do remember Carder’s at Burwash Road very well. My mum used to send her order to them all written in a little red memo notebook and it was all delivered by them. Can’t see that sort of service happening nowadays! Also, the butchers in Burwash Road used to deliver too. Also, did anyone apart from my friends and I, try to collect empty bottles to return to the off-license at the side of the Downsman Pub, just to get a few pence on the ‘returns’? All proceeds spent on sweets and chips, what fun! Thanks for constructing this website, it really is so very good.

    By Stella Twigge-Molecey (10/01/2008)
  • What a coincidence Stella that we should think of the same shop on the same day. I think they were part of a chain as there was a Home and Colonial above the level crossing at Boundary Road. I used to take empty bottles back to the off licenceas well. There was a bell that you had to ring to attract attention and we would press the bell and run sometimes. The landlord was a formidable (or so he seemed to me at the time) Scotsman who always wore a kilt. I used to get a shilling pocket money and was allowed to go to the off licenence and spend 6d on a lolly and save the other 6d. Such a simple life then!

    By Neil Underhill (12/01/2008)
  • Does anybody remember the Old Grenadier pub when they had the off licence in the middle? Also the shop Silks in Burwash Road which was run by the deaf man and his assistant, the women in the wig?

    By Wayne Wareham (14/01/2008)
  • Hi Wayne, I vaguely remember there being an off licence attached to the Grenadier, but I don’t remember ever going in. I did, of course have several sessions in the pub with your older brother Gary, and occasionally, we were joined by your dad!

    By Paul Robinson (17/01/2008)
  • Hi Paul, long time no see. It would be good to catch up sometime. I live in Brighton, Gary is now living in Kent. Call me sometime on 07788136922. Talk soon.

    By Wayne Wareham (18/01/2008)
  • Does anybody know where the man in the baker’s van is now. He always came up Amberley Drive. I used to get the cornets with marshmellow topping.

    By wayne wareham (28/02/2008)
  • I can remember taking the empty bottles back to the off licence at the Grenadier pub and also the off licence in Queens Parade.

    By wayne wareham (28/02/2008)
  • I have just come across this website after looking for something and can say that I do remember Silks newsagents run by ‘Mr Silk’ and his wife with the helping hand of Amelia (the lady with the wig) who I believe is still around and still helping out in the shop in Burwash Road, obviously with different owners. I lived in Amberley Drive from 1980 until leaving home, but my parents remained there up until 4 years ago. I recognise Wayne as we lived in the same street and went to the same school, I think. I do remember your dad as does my dad too. What a great website, lots of nostalgia. I moved away to neighbouring Portslade for 13 years but recently moved back.

    By Lorraine Avey (07/03/2008)
  • I can remember loads of the above shops etc. When I was at West Blatch juniors, we used to take it in turns to sneak out of school at break time to run down to Bullen’s for sweets: cola cubes, pineapple cubes, lemon bonbons etc. The canny girls use to buy aniseed twists as not many people liked them, so less to share with! Re. the earlier comment about Nielsen’s ice cream van and Jock, he used to supply my dad with cigarettes – I don’t know if they were sold officially or under the counter, maybe Paul would remember?

    By Sara Robinson (16/03/2008)
  • To Sara Robinson: Not strictly to do with the thread but are you related to Geraldine Robinson, living in the police houses in Hangleton Way?

    By Neil Underhill (19/03/2008)
  • Hi all, great site. I lived in Shelldale Road in Portslade and would love some old photos or memories. I lived there from 1945 for twenty years. My father lived there for forty years I also knew well the Hales who lived in Amberly Drive, Hove. Does anyone know what happened to them?

    By Eddie McCabe (16/04/2008)
  • I remember Jock (Nielsen’s Ice Cream van), and I don’t remember dad getting cigarettes from him; legally or otherwise! BTW, Neil, to the best of my knowledge, we’re not related to Geraldine Robinson – unless Sara knows different!

    By Paul Robinson (14/05/2008)
  • Neil, Paul. No, we’re not related to Geraldine Robinson unless our dad had a very dark secret!

    By Sara Robinson (26/05/2008)
  • I moved to Beeding Avenue in the early seventies as a seven year old with mum, dad and brothers and I remember the bakery van selling the marshmellow cones. The man’s name was Bob. Don’t know where he is  now though.

    By Tracy Morgan (29/05/2008)
  • Message for Neil Underhill:
    I saw that you said that you went to Cottesmore. Was that the primary in The Drive and not Ragden Manor Road? Can you remember the two dinner ladies who used to get the same bus home from school? One of them I remember, used to get off the bus stop before the Grenadier. You also said that you went out with a girl from Poynings Drive. Can I ask who, or would that be telling? There were three girls I remember that lived in that area.

    By Cathy (11/06/2008)
  • I moved to Hangleton when I got married in1964. There was a wet fish shop where the butchers is now and a shop that sold prams and baby equipment where Foxes the estate agent is now. There were two bus stops. One outside where the chemist is now and the other approxamatly where it is situated now. Also I remember there being two greengrocers: one next to the Home and Collogne the other on the other side of the road. There was also a wool shop in Queen’s Parade where the hair dressers is now. Later I remember another ladies hair dressers opening above the old post-office. This was lovely trip down memory lane. Any more?

    By Joyce (12/06/2008)
  • Does anyone remember the Mr Whippy ice cream van? Johnny the driver used to let me go on the rounds with him, and I would get free ice cream

    By Wayne Wareham (16/07/2008)
  • One of the dinner ladies that I think someone was enquiring about who worked at Cottesmore Junior School was Mrs Solomon and lived in a bungalow between Clarke Avenue and Hangleton Road. She scared everyone into eating their dinner.

    By Marilyn Rendle (18/07/2008)
  • Yes I too remember Mrs Solomon well, and her banging on the dinner tables to get the noise down. Also her insistence on all us children eating our “greens”. To a small child she was quite a scary person, there were also others at Cottesmore who were very scary!

    By Peter Groves (20/07/2008)
  • Does anybody remember the dinner ladies at West Blatch School? I still see Mrs More and Mrs Jennings around. And what about Mrs Batchelor?

    By Wayne Wareham (21/07/2008)
  • I am getting quite obsessed with this website, bringing back memories of life at Amberley Drive and also school at Cottesmore. My family lived at 46 Amberley Drive. My sister Anita and I remember Peter Groves as a lively boy who always seemed to be in trouble!

    By Marilyn Rendle (22/07/2008)
  • I too am getting obsessed with this website!  I lived at 30 Amberley Drive from 1970 to 2001.  It would be good to get in touch with you Marilyn – drop me a line.  And anybody else who lived in Amberley Drive.
    Does anybody remember the mobile fish and chip shop that used to be outside parked by the bus stop near the betting shop which is now Fish Face barbers?

    By Wayne Wareham (23/07/2008)
  • A good description of me then – but I’ve changed, honest!

    By Peter Groves (23/07/2008)
  • Hi Peter. Do you remember me?  I cannot put a face to your name.  Have you any pictures of Amberley Drive in the 1970s?

    By Wayne Wareham (25/07/2008)
  • MY comment about Mr Bullen was a bit raw, I only wrote it because he caught me once trying to nick a Bazooka Joe bubble gum, and he threatened to tell my mum. I didn’t go into his shop for weeks because I thought he’d remember me. I remember Mrs Batchalor and Mrs Dark and also a dinner lady we called Aunty Jean. Mrs Batchalor was also Brown Owl at St. Peters church brownies, her daughter Linda was I think an Arcala. I think I must of been quite naughty at brownies because she asked me to leave. I felt very sad about that as I loved the uniform and being in the pixies. I loved the summers when at school we could go and play on the field, and sometimes we’d be able to go on a nature walk through the fields. Also in the juniors we had an open air swimming pool built, it wasn’t to deep; I still have my 25 yards swimming certificate dated 1970. Did anyone have the misfortune of having to go to the school dentist at Conway Court, at the bottom of Sacville Road? Mr Spatman was the dentist, Oh! my, he used to say “put your hand up if it hurts”, he never took much notice of my arms flapping around! There were no injections then. How about the bottle of milk per day at school, why was it always left in the sunniest spot of the classroom? Mrs Middleton, I thought was a wonderful headmistress and Mrs Philips too. My favourite teachers of all time was Mrs Kay, and Mrs Lelic and there was a very old fashioned teacher who taught needlework and English, Mrs Waterman I think her name was, but I’ll stand corrected if I’m wrong. Who remembers spangle sweets at Christmas, you could choose which flavour you wanted, then after the Christmas school lunch, when we would sing “we wish you a merry Christmas” we’d go back to class and wait patiently for the spangles to be handed out. So many happy memories.

    By Cazzy Kelly (27/07/2008)
  • No, sorry Wayne I don’t remember you, I think I’m probably a tad older than you, and lived at the top end of Amberley Drive. May have one or two photos of Amberley Drive, I’ll try and dig them out! Hi Cazzy, I had forgotten about the old book and skate ride, brilliant at the top end of Downland Drive, as it was so steep! Who remembers the opening of the Hangleton Library? I was trying to find the date it opened. I went down to see if there was a plaque, but couldn’t see one, so I went inside to ask, but they didn’t know. From memory I think it was very early 1960’s, 62 or 63 at a guess. Before then the library was housed (probably temporary) in the hall that was along side HounsomMemorialChurch in Nevill Avenue. At that time the new library was being built in West Way on the spot where the old Dyke Railway embankment met the back of Poplar Avenue. Anyway we all trooped down excitedly as we heard that the Queen was coming to open it. I must have been about 8 which would make it 1962, but I’m not sure. I stood outside the clinic, which is now Hangleton Dental Practice, (also built on the site of the old Dyke Railway) as the Queen’s car came by, really close, and we all cheered. She then went inside and to young kids it didn’t seem so exciting, waiting for something else to happen. It had been a long walk down to the Grenadier from the top of Hangleton, and it was all over very quickly, there was no royal walk-a-bout or speaking to the crowds. Another memory of about that time was the introduction of tea bags, and another walk down to the Grenadier! We had heard that there was a free film show in the building on Hangleton Road, just near to the scouts hut, along from Queens Parade, opposite Stapley Road. Anyway, again all us kids trooped down to the Grenadier, and were let into the small hall building (I wonder if its still there) for the black and white film show. It turned out it was a promotional show for PG Tips tea bags, with the funny monkeys. Us kids all got some goodies, balloons etc, and probably the mums got samples of the new tea bags. It should be remembered that this was a real treat for many kids as in 1962 TV in every house was not the norm, certainly not at the top of Hangleton! Final memory for now of that same period was Jumble Sales, held in the Scout Hut; in fact at that time they were held every where. Again they seemed to sound quite exciting, and a lot of us kids would go, but there was never much of interest, when you got there! Compared to the “throw-a-way” society we live in today, there was really not a lot, but a lot of jumble!!

    By Peter Groves (27/07/2008)
  • What nostalgia. We moved to Hangleton Way in 1962 when I was 1, by Stonecroft Close. I remember Hangleton Valley Drive being built for we used to play on the site at night (don’t tell the old bill!). My parents used the Knowles Van, the parafin van and the Corona Lorry and yes, it was bl—y freezing in winter, but wonderful in summer. You can see the Isle of Wight from our flat’s front room window. My Mum & Dad still live there. I remember Andrew Hale, the Robinson’s, the Stone’s (David, Gary and they had a sister?), the Lewis’s (Neil & Peter), the Thicks (Graham and Roger from Harmsworth Crescent), the Packham’s (Bob, Doreen, Clive & Gary from Hardwick Rd). Charlie Bullen’s shop was great, for people used to drop money which rolled under the counter for us nippers to fish out and buy penny sweets with. Poor old Charlie was arthritic, as I recall, and a bit slow on the uptake regarding shoplifters! ‘Old Pooky’ the caretaker of West Blatchington school used to chase us off the school playing fields on his moped! I remember the Brigdens too, and the Pickards. The old barn was set alight on several occasions too, as I recall.

    By Neil Thacker (29/07/2008)
  • I remember big Bill Wareham. The Mabbots (well, Andy anyway). From Harmsworth Crescent the following: The Claytons (Steve and David; David who sadly died in a road accident in 1985, is buried in St. Helens). The Fox’s (Garry and John), Garry tragically died last September. Olly Ross. The Perrin Boys (Mark & Steve). Jurgen Gainz from Clarke Avenue, and also the Woods family who have moved now. The Pooks from Bramber Avenue. Robert Harris from Hangleton Way. The Martins from Hangleton Way, and of course old John Whit the milkman who tragically died in 1999.
    Enough name dropping! I remember Santa coming round on the slay at Xmas, and the fantastic Xmas parties we had as kids at WestBlatchingtonJuniorSchool: Old English spangles and wonderful feelings of love and togetherness. Mrs Phillips and Mr Rawson, who seemed to loved to slap our bare legs when he got the chance! Miss Whiteman from class 1 (on the ground floor) and her love of all things Roman! Up to Fox’s Wood to torment the golfers by coughing in the bushes, nicking their golf balls and watching and giggling when they couldn’t find them! And generally being irksome! What days!

    By Neil Thacker (30/07/2008)
  • Hi Neil, do you remember me Wayne, Bill’s son? I am now 39.

    By Wayne Wareham (01/08/2008)
  • To be honest Wayne, I think I remember your brother; Gary – is that right? Good to hear from you anyway. I married Jane Pook, Richard Pook’s sister who used to live in Findon Close and then Bramber Avenue; their mum still lives there. Sorry to hear about Bill, he was part of my past and it is sad to know he died.

    By Neil Thacker (02/08/2008)
  • Further to my comments previously; I made a mistake with the number of our house in Amberley Drive, we lived at 94, having moved there from 249 Hangleton Way. We did have a lovely childhood in that area. Everyone seemed to work hard, kept their houses clean, gardens tended and children reasonably under control. We had so many friends and were able to play outside or take picnics over the downs. Winters were very cold and as mentioned previously the winter of 1963 does still stand out in my memory with huge snowdrifts up to our garden shed at Hangleton Way and walking home from school at Cottesmore with the snow right up to the top of my Wellingtons. Huge icicles hanging from the guttering of our flat, and Paraffin heaters and coal fires. I have got a feeling that we kept a paraffin heater alight in the roof space to stop the water pipes from freezing (seems rather dangerous) – I shall have to ask my mother if that is right.

    By Marilyn Rendle (02/08/2008)
  • I lived at 52 Amberley Drive from 1955 till 1969, thereafter at No. 46 (only a few houses down!) till 1983. Like everyone else who has contributed to this excellent site (well done Peter Groves) I have fond and happy memories of my time living there. None of us had much in those days but I think we, as children, and our parents, were far more contented with our lot than people are now! I noticed that recently a ‘Cazzy Kelly’ has posted up some of here memories and she reminded me of my friendship with Colin Chambers (one of her brothers) who I was good friends with whilst I attended the then Nevill Secondary School. I would dearly like to know what became of Colin, all I know is that I believe he joined the Royal Navy at some point? Maybe Cazzy could put me right on this? Also, I noticed that Marlyn Rendall says she lived at No.46 too. The Gobles lived there before we moved in 1969 (they moved to Cobton Drive I think) and before them it was the Arnolds. I have no idea who lived there before them, they could have moved there when the houses were built after the war, I really don’t know. So Marylin, was your maiden name ‘Arnold’ or do you go back further? I read with interest the comments and memories of the opening of Hangleton Library by The Queen. I always thought that this was 1962, I was about seven, so I think Peter is about right. I recall that I didn’t get there early enough to get very close and I think I was as far away as the top of West Way, by Turners and The Bob-Bon. It was a huge turnout, the whole population of Hove must have turned up!

    By Bob Marshall (03/08/2008)
  • Hi Bob good to see your letter. I lived at 30 Amberly Drive, do you remmber me?

    By Wayne Wareham (04/08/2008)
  • Hello Wayne, sorry, but I’m not entirley sure if I remember you or not? I knew the Sewards well, they lved at No. 36 I think, and next door to them were the Freemans. Further down were the Baileys, and further down still were the Butlers. If you’re who I am thinking of, you used to work down at the Co-op Superstore, maybe you still do? I remember your dad too, quite a tall chap, and very quiet; but only in later years, ie late 70s onwards! He used to walk past our house more or less every day and I’d would often say hello if I met him. For some reason I don’t remember you at all from the 1960s, maybe you didnt move to No. 30 till later? Apologies if I’ve got you mixed up with someone else, but I don’t think I have. Looking back, the Sewards weren’t at No.36 for very long and they moved down to Hnagleton Rd before the end of the 60s. The long stayers were the Brocklehursts, also near you I think, and, as I’ve mentioned all ready, the Baileys, who’s daughter Angela was in my year at HJS. Her brother, who’s name escapes me right now, I seem to remember as tall and lanky and a great bloke. The Butler’s children were young Geoffrey and his sister Jacqueline, who was in my sisters (Stella) year at HJS. Hope this triggers a few memories for you, and you are who I think you are!

    By Bob Marshall (05/08/2008)
  • Hi Bob, yes I did work at the Co-op (for 11 years). We moved to 30 Amberly Drive in 1970, I am now in Brighton but my mum is still at number 30, she has been there for 38 years. My dad passed away in 1999.

    By Wayne Wareham (05/08/2008)
  • Hi Wayne, I’m 47 now so you were probably too young (or I was too old) for me to remember you. We moved in different circles due to age, perhaps? Do you have a brother called Gary?

    By Neil Thacker (06/08/2008)
  • Yes Neil, I do have a brother called Gary and a brother called Tim.

    By Wayne Wareham (08/08/2008)
  • I have been re-reading some of the articles on the website and noticed that Wayne Wareham asked if anyone knew what the big hall at the back of No. 38 Amberley Drive is or what it was used for. This building was constructed sometime in the early 60s and was a gymnasium belonging to a man who lived near the top of Applesham Avenue, hence it backed onto No.38 Amberley Drive. My friend and I used to sit on a wall and watch the man going up and down on a trampoline. Mind you, we could only see his head as the windows were very high. Always wished that we could have a go! Hope this settles Wayne’s curiosity.

    By Stella Marshall (09/08/2008)
  • My brother Keith and I lived at 45 Poynings Drive after it was built with mum and dad, Win and Bert Tipler. Brother Philip was born whilst we were living there. I worked for Vi and Jack Higginbottom in the greengrocers in the evening after school and on Saturday delivering order boxes around Hangleton in a van driven by Joy. Lots of building work was still going on when we were there. My brother worked in the Burwash Road chemists.

    By Brian Tipler (27/08/2008)
  • Well this is most fascinating. Yes, Wayne, I remember you and your Dad. I lived at the top of Poynings Drive. I remember the Italian ice cream man (who was drunk), the rag and bone man who shouted ‘udders’ old rags, I think the bread and cake man with the marshmallow cones, Mr Silk, Mr Carder and Greens general store in Burwash Road. I remember the pavements were so hot in 1976 us kids had to hop to Burwash to get our Corona and Spaceship lollies. I remember my dad leaving me outside Goldings bookmakers in Queens Parade. I remember the sheer unspoilt beauty of Toads Hole Valley on a summer’s day and the Downs land all around it.

    By Tim Hodges (05/09/2008)
  • Brian, you don’t say when you lived at Poynings Drive, do you remember the Twiseltons who lived at No. 55? Three generations lived there: nan and grandad, the mother Pam, and the children, Charlie, Sarah (my girlfriend in the mid 70s), Claire and Mathew. If Neil Thacker reads this we were also friends with Jane Pook too, I’m sure she would remember us. We all used to go to the youth club in Hangleton Junior School, was it run by a chap we all knew as Fred, can’t remember very clearly, and a lady who had teeth like Esther Rantzen? There must have been others there to help as well. Good old days!

    By Neil Underhill (05/09/2008)
  • Hi Bob Marshall, Colin did join the navy, he served his 22 years, he’s now retired and living in Plymouth where he’s lived since he joined up. Were you one of of his mates who came round one Christmas and ate all our tin of Quailty Street? We were all very annoyed because, being such a large family, so many sweets were a rarity. I remember Jane and Richard Pook, they used to come and go, I never knew where they went, but they were always such lovely children, I always waited for their return. Pooky the caretaker, he was a legend. I’m pleased to hear some other kids were “naughty” too. Did any one go apple scrumping around Applesham Avenue?
    Hi Neil Thacker, your name rings a bell, did you know my brother Nigel Chambers and his mate Johnny Morris, also Tracey Morgan? Your name seems familar too. Did anyone go to Hangleton Youth Club, I was too young, but my brothers used to go.
    I remember the Twisletons, Charlie used to be a right character, and Sarah, I think she was a year older than me, I’m now 46years. Does anyone remember the Dumbrell family? For some reason our street was afraid of them. My sister has since met one of the sisters and she doesn’t know why people were afraid of them!
    If Chris Newstead comes across this web page, I thought you were gorgeous, you used to make my heart go all fluterry and I’d blush something awful.

    By Cazzy Kelly (Lorraine Chambers) (06/09/2008)
  • Cazzy, did you have a brother called Barry? If so, I went to the grammar school with him. And was Chris Newstead tall with long ish fair hair? If so, I went to school with him too.

    By Neil Underhill (07/09/2008)
  • Hi Everyone. Jane Pook and I are now married and living in Plymouth with four kids. Richard Pook still lives in Hove, they lived at 46 Bramber Avenue as children. Ray Pook, their dad, recently passd away on 24.07.08, aged 78. He was Percy Pook’s (the notorious but ultimately kind caretaker at West Blatch) brother. I have a brother called Mark and I remember Nigel Chambers, Charlie and Sarah Twisleton. I am 47, my brother Mark is now 50 so he would remember people a little older than me. Charlie Twisleton must be about 50 now? I remember Clifford Evans, and wonder what happened to him.  I went to Hangleton Youth Club and particularly loved the trampoline, table tennis and table football (upstairs). I went there when I was 13/14/15 so that would have been in 1974/75/76. I also remember going to the youth club in Marmion Road, by the old Granada picture hall. In fact, I was an ABC Minor! Looking back, the people who opened a joke shop almost opposite the Granada, in Portland Road, were very clever; the amount of stinkbombs we used to buy and let off in the cinema would have paid off my current mortgage! I recall a Barry Hodges, and wonder if Tim is related to him? I remember playing football on the makeshift pitch in the park at Harmsworth Crescent on a Sunday morning with the boys and men. And old Parky, the poor hassled man! The amount of times he had to untie the swings, when we’d wrapped them up and over the frames must have driven him mad! Mind you, that’s what officials were there for in those days, to drive insane! More to come.  Take care.

    By Neil Thacker (07/09/2008)
  • No, Barry, my Dad was called Ben! Are you related to Andrew Thacker?

    By Tim Hodges (07/09/2008)
  • Hi Neil, yes Barry is my brother and your description of Chris Newstead fits my memory of him. Where in Plymouth do you and Jane live? My brother Colin lives in Keyham Plymouth. If Jane is as lovely natured as she was as a child, you’re a lucky man. stink bombs,err!! we use to bunk into the ABC, I can remember the beginning of the opening song, “we are the boys and girl,you know of, we belong to the A B C.” Hi Neil Thacker, Nigel still lives in Hove, I think he’s planning on going to the Nevill,s 50yr anniversary reunion, sadly though since our mother passed away 3yrs ago, Nigel hasn’t taken her passing too well and he’s been quite unwell but he’s always happy when talking about his old mates and what they all got up to.

    By cazzy kelly (08/09/2008)
  • Hi Tim,
    I assume the Barry applies to me, me being Neil Thacker. I don’t know an Andrew Thacker.

    By Neil Thacker (08/09/2008)
  • Hi Tim,
    I don’t know an Andrew Thacker but we could be related. My Dad’s dad (Grandad Len) left my grandmother and set up home with another woman with whom I think he had children. So Andrew could be my uncle who may be younger than me. Mind you, I’m not totally sure about any of this. Would you happen to know if Andrew’s Dad was Len, and how old Andrew is?

    By Neil Thacker (09/09/2008)
  • Hi Cazzy Kelly,
    Whilst trying hard not to turn this marvellous web site into a chat room, I have to add that I was not the (awful?) friend of Colin who came round and ate all your sweets at Christmas! I don’t think you would remember me as you would have been far too young. If and when you see Colin, please could you pass on my best wishes to him. As for your other brothers and sisters, I can remember Barry and Nigel as well as Vanessa. There was another sister wasn’t there, but for the life of me I can’t recall her name. Who can’t fail to remember the ‘Dumbrells’ along Stenning Avenue of course. I was always pretty good friends with Jimmy and I remember both his sisters, Anna and Maureen I think. But there were far too many of them to remember them all.

    By Bob Marshall (11/09/2008)
  • I suppose that we would have moved to 45 Poynings Drive around about 1950.We lived next door to Mr and Mrs Ferrison who had a son Geoffrey who I used to play with. Opposite was Mr and Mrs Oxley and up the road was Mr and Mrs Hoad who my mum was friends with.Their children were Ray and Joyce. We moved to Poynings Drive from Bellingham Cresent and previously Halyburton Road

    By Brian Tipler (11/09/2008)
  • Nick Pattenden(23/12/2007) I assume that you are the person who initiated the web site for Florence Avenue and posted the VE Day Street Party Photograph and who my uncle Ken Phillips bumped into in Canada when he was playing darts there one night.We have posted some comments on that page also.

    By Brian Tipler (11/09/2008)
  • hi again Cazzy
    you got your Neils mixed up, I never moved away. I stayed in Brighton got married four times and have got eight kids now. I nearly married Sarah Twiselton who was Jane Pook’s friend. What happened to baz? Colin Newstead has been unheard of since I left hcgs in 1974. Someone asked about Cliff Evans, last time I saw him he was a down and out in the London Road area in the early 90s, his associates at the time are now dead , alas I fear he probably is too.

    By neil underhill (13/09/2008)
  • Checking in – this is getting interesting now! To the recent contributors speaking of Andrew Thacker – I think you must mean Andrew Thaxter? He was at West Blatchington Junior at the same time as me. I went to youth club at Portland Road Methodist church with his cousin Barry Burtenshaw, who married Sandra Lucas (she lived in one of the closes off Beeding Avenue).
    Cazzy – your (former) name is familiar, but I think you may have been the year above me. I remember all the teachers you speak of – I vividly remember Mrs Lelic reading us The Hobbit. Also, recorder lessons before Assembly with Miss Wightman. We used to catch the bus after school with her.
    Do you remember Mrs Thompson at Infant school? I was at Grammar school with her daughter, Penny.
    Oh, I remember Mrs Batchelor as a dinner lady but also she was Brown Owl for Wednesday Brownies, as I was a Monday Brownie. I only remember our Brown Owl’s name was Frances, as my mum knew her. Do you remember the huge flip-over hymn books we had at junior school? I think it was Mr Rawson’s job to turn the pages.
    I also got my 25 yards swimming cert just after the pool was built. I hated swimming day, as the boys and girls changing rooms were seperated only by a thick sheet of plastic and you can imagine.Is there anyone else on this site who went to the girls grammar? No one from those days seems to be on Facebook, which I find odd.
    Oh, by the way, ABC Minors and stink bombs… I remember it well, I’m appalled….!

    By Sara Robinson (20/09/2008)
  • I remember Miss Wightman for her interest in all things Roman. I recall we went on a school trip to Fishbourne Palace, Chichester, with her and other teachers. I remember spying through the plastic sheeting to see the girls getting changed for swimming, and was caught by a girl spying back at the same time! I recall Andrew Thaxter but my name is Thacker, so we’re not related at all. I’m almost sure there was a Robinson family that lived in Hangleton Way, just down the road from us in 225. The name Dawn Jenner rings a bell for me too and I’m sure she was a good bass recorder player. I remember Mrs Thompson at Infant school for she trod on my little finger with stillettos on…ouch! She wasn’t a small lady either, as I still relive the experience vividly! I recall the bonfires round the old chalkpit and how Grant Wilcox (now deceased) once set light to it prematurely; we would all collect wood and rubbish for weeks in advance. Bingo night on a Thursday at St Helens was a riot, wasn’t it! Happy days. More to come.

    By Neil Thacker (21/09/2008)
  • Yes, I remember Fishbourne too. Dawn Jenner or Karen Jenner was in my brother Paul’s year at school and yes, one of them was an ace recorder player! We lived in Hardwick Road (as I think Paul said earlier), but I don’t remember having family in Hangleton Way. My Nan lived in NortheaseGardens at the top of Poplar Avenue, she was a Robinson… some may remember her, she was tiny, mad about dogs and nutty as a fruitcake! Often to be found on the swings in HangletonPark.

    By Sara Robinson (22/09/2008)
  • Nice memories Pat. Book and skate races were very popular in Amberley Drive too as it was such a lovely long, straight, downhill run, our pals the Kempshalls across the road had a pair of skates with metal wheels that were faster, noisier and altogether more spectacular than the conventional rubber wheeled ones as they left a trail of sparks in their wake – pedestrians had to dive for cover! My father used to make us soap box carts as well and yes, ours also sported the luxury of a brake which comprised of a piece of bicycle tyre nailed to a wooden block mounted on a lever which pivoted on the side of the cart and acted on one of the rear pram wheels – all very sophisticated! I do wish we were able to post photos on here alongside our comments; I have a couple of lovely old black and white shots of my mum, sister and myself sitting in Hangleton Park with West Blatchington school under construction in the background; the start of the concrete fuelled erosion that has reduced the park to its present diminutive state.

    By Geoff Marshall (03/10/2008)
  • Pat Bates? Kevin’s big brother?

    By Neil Underhill (05/10/2008)
  • Yes, Brian Tipler, it was me who posted the photo of VE Day 1945, Florence Avenue. I have also posted a comment on that page.
    To anyone who lived on Beeding Avenue in the 1950s: Does anyone know the whereabouts of Diane Sweetapple? She lived almost at the very top of Beeding Avenue at the curve, and she was good friends with Jean Edwards who lived opposite me in Midhurst Walk, and also with Marion Upton. (All three of these girls I was ‘interested’ in as a teenager, I have to say).

    By Nick Pattenden (14/10/2008)
  • My family lived at 60 Amberley Drive, the Maxwells, I am Sharon and my sister is Jane. We all still live in the area apart from my dad who died a few years back. What wonderful memories all this has brought back, particuarly all the familiar names. I still see a few people that I grew up with as I have stayed local. Brian Tipler and Marilyn Rendle are my cousins and Ken Phillips one of my uncles. My Auntie Sheila (Kennard) is also still in the area although no longer in Midhurst Walk. I remember Bob the Grocer and I believe he unfortunately died whilst on one of his deliveries, which was on a Saturday morning I think. I also remember the baker’s van. If I was lucky I could catch a ride from outside Kathy Coppard’s house up to road to my house – not far, but as we didn’t have a car I thought it was brilliant. I also tell my son now about how cold our house was and that we had ice on the inside of the windows in winter. I remember I used to talk a lot to an Ice Cream Van Man and I think his name was Brian.

    By Sharon Papworth (15/10/2008)
  • To Sharon: I remember your sister Jane well, I used to go out with Sarah Twisleton for a long time and we were all in the same circle of friends. I remember a party in your house once, think your mum and dad must have been away!

    By Neil Underhill (19/10/2008)
  • It’s been really interesting to read all those wonderful memories of Hangleton. I grew up there in the late 50s/early 60s. I have a few memories to add. Does anyone remember sledging down the grassy shrubby area at the bottom of the Burwash Road shops, down to the ‘witch’ who lived in the farm in the hollow? I remember being sent to the Home and Colonial to buy odd grocery items – there was never anyone around during the day and never anyone else in the shop. When I was a little older I was sent to the off licence at The Grenadier but came back as I couldn’t find it, only to be sent back again after being told it was called the Bottle and Jug Later still, after I’d passed my test, my kind Dad let me borrow the car and I’d always put petrol in at the Light Blue filling station – 3 gallons for a £1 – 6s 8d a gallon.
    Happy memories of a different era.

    By Stephanie Foster (nee Pattenden) (21/10/2008)
  • I was born at 17 Burwash Road on the corner of Amberley Drive in 1949. Having read all the memories how much I find I have forgotten and how much comes flooding back,
    the hours spent in Hangleton Park playing football, the parkie and learning to rind a bike by getting on at the top of the hill and by the bottom I could ride it. I also remember playing on the scaffolds while they built the new houses around Hardwick Road, made great ramparts for our castle and the old car that was dumped on the waste ground near West Blatch junior school without any seats but still had it’s steering wheel. We all loved to get inside to play. I sadly moved away to Cornwall when I was 11 but those memories are still strong

    By John Hewitt (22/10/2008)
  • To: Neil Underhill. Spoke to my sister and yes she remembers you – says you were very tall and went out with Sarah for a long time. My sister had a few of her parties, all have been memorable but not for necessarily good reasons! Jane says Brian the Ice Cream man died racing motorcyles and Mum said that Bob the grocer actually died on Christmas Eve, how awful. One of my other memories from Amberley Drive is the fish and Chip van that would come round occassionally. I can remember that it was a real treat if we had already gone up to bed to be called down again and be allowed chips from the van. A travelling fish and chip van probably wouldn’t be allowed today with all the Health and Safety rules.

    By Sharon Papworth (25/10/2008)
  • The more I read, the more the memories flood back. Mention of the Dyke railway being used as a landfill site made me remember, dumped in there were a large amount of brightly coloured plastic waste, bits of moulds I guess. I remember the sheer cliff face of the hole dug for the fill and how one day I tried to climb up the wall and getting about 5 ft from the top found, as I clung on I couldn’t go up or down for what seemed a life time. My heart thumped as I was sure I was going to fall. At last I managed to scramble up and ran all the way home.
    The other adventure I remember was with my friend Bobby Hyman. We must have been about nine, and we walked to Hove Station as we were fascinated by the seam trains. We had bought 3rd class tickets to Worthing and waited on the platform for the train. We asked the porter if the arriving train was the one to Worthing he replied yes so on we jumped and stood by the open door window popping our heads in and out. All went well until we reached Shoreham when the train, instead of carrying on to Worthing branched to the right and headed towards Bramber. We were so frightened that we jumped off at Bramber and jumped on the next train going back. We got to Hove and ran out of the station as we thought we would get told off for getting on the wrong train. The only telling off we got was from my mum when she found out we had been on the train on our own.

    By John Hewitt (05/11/2008)
  • Hi John, I also remember “mountain climbing” the enormous, sheer cliff face of the “land fill holes” on the Dyke Railway, just behind Chichester Close, which wasn’t yet built. It must have been very dangerous, but we didn’t give it a thought, “last one to the top is a **** face” spurred us on and suppressed any fear. Pram wheels were most sought after “rubbish”.

    By Peter Groves (23/11/2008)
  • Hi Peter, yes strange how brave we must have been at that age. But wherever we played, vandalism was never on the agenda – unlike to day it seems. Although, I do remember being stopped by older boys on my way home from school and watching as they produced a pair of scissors and proceeded to cut my tie in half. How mad was my Mum when I got home?

    By John Hewitt (05/12/2008)
  • Hi Stella. Are you the Stella who lived by Appelsham Avenue?

    By Wayne Wareham (18/12/2008)
  • Hi, just found this site, bought back loads of memories. I lived at 83 Amerley Drive from 1950 to 1965 when my Dad re-married (Mum died in 1958) and we moved to Shoreham. I used to play with John Hewitt, we both played for West Blatchington school football team at the same time (with Bobby Hyman) John and Bobby were probably our best players. I still have the team photo. I also used to be a paperboy for Mr Bullen and did the round with a boy called John Hammond who lived opposite me in Amberley Drive. I lived next door to his cousins. Johns family emigrated to Australia. I wonder how they got on. Most of the time I played football over the park (with John) or on the green halfway down the bottom half of Amberley with Robin Hopkins, Philip Podesta and Rob Butcher among others. My friends in Amberley were Roger Wilkins, Peter Dyer, Richard Gumbrell and Stephen (Fred) Edmonds but over time you lose touch. I moved away in 1973 (to Bedfordshire) from the area intending to come back but marriage and kids vetoed that (divorced now). But still follow the Albion and will be at Walsall on Saturday, weather permitting. Does anyone remember a shop in a garage in Poplar Ave area?

    By Neil Gregory (09/01/2009)
  • The shop in the garage you refer to was “Stone’s” in Northease Drive. See the final paragraph of my earlier comment dated 22/12/07.

    By Geoff Marshall (09/01/2009)
  • I don’t remember the garage shop in Northease Drive, however I do recall one in Applesham Ave, near the top on the right as you went up! No one else has mentioned this one, although twice now the one in Northease Drive has been mentioned. I thought maybe I was wrong so I asked my mother (87) she confirmed one as I describe in Applesham Ave. I don’t remember you Neil (Gregory), although it seems you lived not many doors down from me. I lived next door to Susan, Richard and Steven Gumbrell. The Edmonds were just over the road, along with Johnstons, Tommy and David, I think there was an older brother and sister, it’s so long ago I can’t recall exactly. A little bit down lived Keith Russel and further down the Pannets. Neil you must have lived very near to Glynis Huges, Philip Botting etc.

    By Peter Groves (10/01/2009)
  • Just to put us all out of our misery, I have consulted a street map and can confirm that “Stone’s” was in neither Northease Drive or Applesham Avenue; it was in Lark Hill, a continuation of Applesham Ave, beyond it’s junction with Northease Drive. Well done to mother however, at being able to remember it at all at 87!

    By Geoff Marshall (10/01/2009)
  • I do remember a garage shop in Lark Hill, just before Park Close. My brother reminded me about it when we last visited my Aunt who still lives in High Park Avenue. I visited that area a lot back then as my first girlfriend’s family lived in Park Close!

    By Brian Tipler (11/01/2009)
  • Yes, I agree it was in Lark Hill, just between Northease Drive and Park Close. I was very young at the time and I guess in my mind Applesham Avenue and Lark Hill just blended into one! Another mystery solved! Your map sounds very interesting Geoff.

    By Peter Groves (11/01/2009)
  • Hi Neil, Great to hear from you. Like you, I would have been at Walsall last Saturday – got 10 miles up the A23 before we heard it was off. Memories of West Blatch football team indeed, and thanks for saying I was one of our best players. It was Cornwall I went to after that and played for the county and was on Plymouth’s books. So Mr Bishop at West Blatch put me on the way. Like you, I lost touch with all from those days and would be pleased to catch up.

    By John Hewitt (12/01/2009)
  • I stumbled across this site today and have spent a merry evening reading all within…. most interesting. Thanks to all for their contributions. I lived at the top of Applesham Avenue from ’66 to ’80. Yes, the big building at 93 Applesham was a trampoline house. The owners (The Smith Family) were serious tramopline champions. All the lads around the top of Applesham used to go there to play around that time, all until one of us jumped through one of the glass windows (fortunately and miraculously he wasn’t hurt.

    One amazing thing that you might not know is that the then manager of Chelsea FC (Dave Sexton) lived at the bottom of Amberley Drive (two doors up from the junction with Sunninghill Avenue). Can you imagine the CURRENT manager of that team living there 🙂

    By Gareth Denyer (17/02/2009)
  • I went to school with Peter Smith from No 93 and Dave Sexton junior when his father was Chelsea manager although he awas still a Brighton fan then. I remember going to birthday parties in both houses

    By Neil Underhill (25/02/2009)
  • I also recall that Dave Sexton lived at the bottom of Amberley Drive. Interestingly Charlie Bullen paid 10 bob a week for an evening paper round, but the shop on the Old Shoreham Road, opposite the garage paid a pound, double what Charlie paid. Around 1968 I changed from Charlie to the Old Shoreham Road shop. I then found myself delivering to Dave Sexton, who then lived in Bennett Drive, up near Shirley Drive, things were obviously looking up! It was just before this time, probably 1967, that Chelsea played Brighton in the FA Cup.

    By Peter Groves (26/02/2009)
  • Peter, I believe I vaguely remember the Groves’s family. Did you live right on the corner by the bus stop? I was in the same class as Richard Gumbrell. I lived at number 83, opposite Peter Pannett with my sister Elaine.

    By Neil Gregory (02/03/2009)
  • Hi Neil, yes you are correct, a good memory, well done. You must have lived just below Glynis Huges and quite near Charlie Bullen’s son Trevor?

    By Peter Groves (07/03/2009)
  • Any former pupils of West Blatch Middle School who would remember me?

    By Wayne Wareham (19/03/2009)
  • Just looking back over some of the earlier comments and on 28/7/08 Peter makes reference to the old Dyke Railway that in the course of its route cut through the centre of Hangleton before meandering across the Downs en route to Devil’s Dyke.
    I spent many a happy and grubby hour playing with my mates in the landfill site that existed alongside the track bed about 500 yards due north of where the Downsman pub now stands, Peter later recalls scaling the precipitous sides of the site; I was not that adventurous however, but I clearly remember ferreting through the mountain of refuse deposited there looking for hidden treasures, generally though, I returned home with nothing more than a very unpleasant aroma. I am currently involved with several work colleagues in retracing extinct railway lines within the local area, and last year we walked the length of the old Dyke Railway between Devil’s Dyke and Aldrington Halt. Anybody interested in this kind of thing can visit our website at http://www.ghost-trains.com where a record of the Devil’s Dyke trek is featured.

    By Geoff Marshall (22/03/2009)
  • Does anyone remember the wool shop that sold everything even school uniforms? It was near to the light blue filling station – what was it called?

    By Marilyn Jones (24/03/2009)
  • I really enjoyed reading these great stories of growing up in Hangleton. I can relate to so many of the activities. My family moved in to number 56 Clarke Avenue (later 76) in 1949. I will never forget the ‘cement’ smell of our very first house and how excited I was at getting my own bedroom. Our house was on the corner of Clarke Avenue and Amberly Drive. My first friend Dave Johson lived directly across from us at 24 Amberly Drive which incidentally was the first house to be built on the estate. They had a photo of the Mayor of Hove presenting them with the key. His Dad worked for Coe’s in George Street and drove the fish and chip van, so I always got a free bag of chips. Just to elaborate on a few of the memories (as there are so many) I remember my paper round at Preslands and my chemist round at LLoyds Chemist (first one by the flats). I got fired for crashing my bike flying down Poplar Avenue and breaking all the bottles of medicine! The garage mentioned at the top of Nevill Avenue had a 1927 green Bentley on display. It always had the hood open to display the engine. Other Grenadier memories include the Fair that always took place on the ground behind the Grenadier Pub. I always came home with a goldfish for my Mother to take care of not to mention a dreadful plaster of Paris ornament with a ghastly paint job. I had many friends in Amberly Drive and Clarke Avenue. It was almost like Coronation Street with all the ‘goings on’. It was quite a big event if someone got a TV as seeing that ‘H’ on a house was quite a big deal. I saw my first TV in my neighbour’s house; it was the 1954 Cup Final and my cousin was playing for Preston against West Bromwich Albion. About 20 people or more were crammed into a small living room watching a 12 inch black and white set. Wonderful times and
    memories. The Downsman Pub didn’t exist back then so my parents would go to ‘Bobby Farrell’s’ (Neville Pub) and I would stand outside with a bag of crisps and lemonade. My Dad was a lovely man and was always walking our white Bull Terrier around the estate. I was quite well known for other reasons i.e. “you are not allowed to play with that Peter Wilson“.  In 1956 some of us locals started Sunday Football, Joe Wade 49 Amberly Drive and myself named the team ‘Old Hangletonians’ and to use the Evening Argus terminology we were the “Founding Fathers of Sunday fooball”. We had our 50 year reunion in 2006 at the Red Lion Pub. Seven of the original team were there including Joe and myself,  Dave Lynn 35 Amberly Drive, and Brian Kirby from Clarke Avenue. It was great to see them all again, for me it was 40 years. If anyone wishes to contact me my e-mail is brightonsx@hotmail.com

    By Peter C Wilson (25/03/2009)
  • I too grew up in Hardwick Road and Amberley Drive from 1970. I remember you from school Lorraine, was it you I went to evening classes with and we got thrown out for laughing and giggling so much? Still live round here and work at the old Do Boy.

    By Ann Moore (01/04/2009)
  • Ann Moore, do you know me, Wayne Wareham?

    By Wayne (16/04/2009)
  • My name’s Andy Stone. I grew up in Beeding Avenue and Steyning Avenue since the 70’s. I am a relation of the Dumbrells (Anna Dumbrell is my Mum- now Anna Stone). I remember Wayne Wareham if you are the Wayne that is about 8 foot tall. Hi Tracey Morgan. Maureen Dumbrell is now known as Maureen Holden and still lives locally in Hangleton. I now live by the windmill, so haven’t moved far over the years.

    By Andy Stone (19/04/2009)
  • Wayne, I do vaguely remember you from school, did you have a brother called Tim. I think he was in my year.

    By Ann Moore (20/04/2009)
  • Well at least I now know who was responsible for ripping the newspapers pushed through the door of 31 Poynings Drive. We moved into a brand new house when I was 4. I remember getting off the bus in Burwash Road and walking down the muddy road and into a house with no furniture. We had tea using a tea chest as a table.
    I went to West Blatch when it was newly built, Miss Wightman taught me to play the Recorder. The snow in 1957 was deeper than 1963, the tunnels we made in the snow in Downland Drive were immense and us in short trousers. My sister Susan was a contemporary of the aforementioned John Hyman, my mates were Colin Major – Downland drive, Dave Walls – Burwash, Roger Dovey – Beeding and loads more. Happy Days.

    By Richard Hazelgrove (26/04/2009)
  • I’m loving all this! Well done Pete for starting this walk down memory lane! Hope to see you soon. To Marilyn Rendle – was your maiden name Philips? I think we were “best friends” for a while at Cottesmore! (School knew me as Teresa then.) You lent me your Judy comic in 1963! Regarding the old railway line, this used to go along the rear of the houses in Rowan Avenue (where I lived from 1983) but my neighbour, Mrs Boniface, used to tell me stories. When they built Knoll Park, she buried her old piano under what became the path. Her daughter was Mrs White who ran the Post Office for years. During the war she had chickens in the garden. When she bought the house, new, she was given a free crystal radio. All the Rowan Avenue and Elm Drive garden walls had railings but they were taken for the war effort. Could probably go on for hours!

    By Renia Simmonds nee Lambor (02/05/2009)
  • Yes I was Marilyn Phillips and at Cottesmore. I can’t remember lending you the Judy comic in 1963 though.

    By Marilyn Rendle (05/06/2009)
  • What a great website, all the memories have come flooding back about Hangleton, sorry I don’t remember you Wayne Wareham, but I do remember your Dad – big Bill. I lived in 38 Amberley Drive from 1956 to 1966, my Mum and Dad lived there until July 2008. The big hall at the back of our garden was in the garden of 93 Applesham Avenue, the guy who lived there was a professional trampolinist, and built one so he could practice. I remember my best friends were Wendy Ranger and Bernadette Douglas and also Peter Jones, does anybody remember them? I remember being sent round to “Stonies” as it was called, he was a nice old guy and I always remember he had a huge cherry tree growing in his garage driveway. My family were friends of the Pannetts that lived up the top of Amberley and my Auntie and Uncle and my cousins, the Bottings, lived in Hangleton Way. Hangleton, as far as I am aware, was built on an old Roman site, as my friend Bernadette Douglas’s father had found lots of Roman coins whilst digging in his garden over the years. My sister Dianne married a boy who lived in Poynings Drive, his name is John Pollard, I expect some of you who have commented on this website may know him.

    By Carole Greenfield (nee Freeman) (14/07/2009)
  • I remember the trampoline house very well. After I had finished my National Service as a Physical Training Instructor, I went over for a bounce on many occasions. If you lived at 38 Amberly Drive then you lived just up the road from us. Next door to you would have been Mike Williams. Across the street at 23 was the other Mike Willams (his cousin). The Douglas family you mention, I believe were at 31 Next door to my friend Kenny Cole. Did you know my sister Sylvia Wilson? I am in Thailand now.

    By Peter C Wilson (26/07/2009)
  • Does anybody remember Virginia (Blondie) from Martin Road around 1960?

    By Ray (17/08/2009)
  • Yes I do Ray, I think she lived in a house next to the alley to the 5th Hove Scout Hut. I married her friend Wendy Lambert who I think lived at No.9, Martin Rd

    By Keith Tipler (26/08/2009)
  • Thanks for replying Keith. I used to work for Corona soft drinks and took a ‘shine’ to Virginia, I was only 16-17 at the time, and took her to the Odeon cinema and other places. Virginia had blonde hair but unfortunately not more info. Would be indebted to anyone who can give me any more information about this little angel!

    By Ray (28/08/2009)
  • Great to read all of this banter still going on. Although still nobody remembers George Whittington or the Hales family. Would love some feedback on this.

    By Eddie (19/09/2009)
  • Sharon Maxwell, oh! my God, you had the most wonderful hair – well compared to mine. Do you remember Melanie Smith and Gillian Carpenter? Its me Lorraine, I used to hang around now and again with you all. Melanie used to get me to nick sweets from Bon-bons and Gillian introduced me to smoking. My brother Nigel threatened to tell my mum, so thank goodness that was my last fag (5 Park Drive cigarettes). I was Lorraine Chambers, but I changed my Christian name to Cazzy.

    By Cazzy Kelly (21/10/2009)
  • Hi Neil Underhill, Baz lives in Seaford, he’s married with four grown-up sons. Hi Bob Marshall, thank you for remembering my family. The other sister you were thinking of was Alison, I also had an older sister, the eldest of our family, Christine. Hi Andy Stone, I remember your family; if I’m right you have a younger sister Debbie and a middle brother who’s name escapes me. You all had such wonderful blonde hair – am I right? Hi Ann Moore, yes it was I. I haven’t changed, I still get the giggles at the slightest thing, my sense of humour never grows old. My son always says,”oh! she’s off again, got the giggles mum”. Hi Sara Robinson, Mr Rawson… I remember him to have a shiny head. Thank you so much for remembering all the things at school that I did. Did you stay for the dreaded school dinners? I think the water jugs got more mashed potatoes in them than any of us kids – and prunes and custard, uck!! Still we could play tinker, taylor, soldier, sailor with the stones.That awful smell as you entered the hall for lunch – it just lingered all day long. Did you have the treat of watching telly in the hall? The programme was called Watch and it was a sing-a-long. Also Peter and the Wolf. Hi Bob Marshall again, SORRY!! ABOUT THE SWEETS. I think Colin had a friend called Chris, maybe he was the culprit – times were hard, we’d never seen a tin of Quality Street before. Anyone remember the Kimber’s who lived in Clarke Avenue? The Burtonshaw’s moved in next door to us, two large families next to each other. We used to have food fights over the garden fence. We were probably the families from hell, but it was fun. Does anyone remember when the council used to come round and paint your front door – ours was blue. Cazzy Kelly (Lorraine Chambers)

    By Cazzy Kelly (21/10/2009)
  • Hi Pat Bates, epic memory of sticking a lolly stick into the hot tar at the roadside, I was doing that in the 60s and 70s. Did anyone play the game “dare” around the flats, or they might of been masonettes – they were just off of the Hangleton Road past the shops and garage. My friend and I would run (with our hearts beating very fast) up the alleyway to a whole new land, it was like a labyrinth. We would have to get past the flats to the next alleyway without getting caught,you’d think you’d just made it and you would hear a voice shout, “what do you think you’re doing here, clear off!”. We never looked back, but scarpered as fast as we could, laughing and not knowing where we’d come out at. It always seemed another world, I think it was a sort of Mews. It made having to go to the greengrocers to lug all those potatoes back up the hill to Henfield Way a lot lighter.

    By Cazzy Kelly (21/10/2009)
  • Hi Eddie, there was a Dick Whittington in my infant class back in 1968, he had learning difficulties. I don’t know if he’s part of the family you are thinking of. Also there was a Stephen Hale in my class, he was amazing at drawing. He sat on a table with Alan Halley, Jimmy Balland and Darrell Taylor. I think they all lived up by Chichester Close. We went to West Blatch infant and juniors. Did anyone have the misfortune of sitting in the prime position on the assembly hall floor in full view of the headmistress Miss Philip’s bloomers. Oh! I must stop, this is so addictive, but great joy. Cazzy.

    By Cazzy Kelly (21/10/2009)
  • Hi Cazzy, no I’m afraid I think not, he would be 62ish now, and he was George for sure. And the Hales boy would be over 65 by now. Thanks anyway.

    By Eddie Mccabe (24/10/2009)
  • I remember so many of the names on this site. Neil Thacker we used to play football in Hangleton Park with all the kids and their fathers; the Claytons, the Foxes, and the Stanmers etc. I used to live at No 65 Harmsworth then moved to Poynings Drive (63) which was 4 doors up from the Twizletons. My wife Josephine (Jo) used to live at number 42 opposite the Clarkes/Pettets, Pettets/Clarks, four different houses(Crazy). We both went to the Hangleton Youth Club although at slightly differing times. I worked for Carders after school. Clifford Evans Ii believe died after falling into drink etc. Other names I recall are the Langchilds, Pickards, Knights & Nicky Weeks. My wifes sister still lives at Clarke Avenue. I lived in Harmsworth Crescent from 1967-1974. We both attended the Knoll Schools during the early seventies and are now 49 and 51 respectively. Great site -so many memories. Jo said Hello to Neil Underhill, your mum was a darling.

    By Paul & Josephine Mead (nee Stevens) (26/10/2009)
  • Hello All, This has to be the best website in the world. I stumbled upon it yesterday and reading these memories is so sentimental. That very harsh winter of 1962/63 when it started to snow on Boxing Day and stopped in March 1963, the dump on the Devils Dyke railway site, Queens Parade, the flats, the trampoline shed in Northease Drive. I can remember the Marshall family vividly and hello Bob, Geoff and Stella. I used to live next door to them when I was in 48 Amberley Drive and they moved from 52 to 46. I am sorry I cannot remember the other names mentioned on here other than the Groves. The Groves family I knew had the eldest John, Paul and Kevin. Long summer evenings spent playing in the street with the Marshalls, the Kempshalls, The Digweeds, David Hood and anybody else who cared to join in. The roller skating on books. Geoff I think it was Desmond Goble who had the German skates with the metal wheels. We had Jackos and another make. My mum lived there for over 40 years in that cold house. I left in 1973 and used to go back to visit her regularly and how it has changed. I think we believed it was the best council estate and it probably was. Great rivalry around the streets but weren’t the people great.

    By Alan Digweed (01/11/2009)
  • Bonfire Night memories. Amberley Drive on Bonfire Night about 40 years ago. We ‘launched’ rockets up the road between rows of cars. They shot straight up Amberley and across Burwash Road at ground level. ‘Progressed’ a few years later to launching them from the upturned exhausts on my Norton. Silly times but fun. – Took ages to get the scorch marks off the chrome.

    By Pat Bates (04/11/2009)
  • I can’t believe this website, so many memories are coming back. Have been reading all the blogs for the pass year really not knowing what to say. Didn’t know much about the history of the area but it has really got me in. I use to live at 38 Amberley Drive from 1956-71. Going back to Alan Digweed’s message I remember all those names and of course I remember your family. I am still in contact with Linda Kempshell. She married Bob Bridgeman. I also remember the Gobles, sadly Desmond passed away a few years ago but I have been in contact with his wife Hazel. I married John Pollard who lived in Poynings Drive (51). Our house is rented now and owned by my brother Martin and of course my mum. The big building at the back of 36 was used for a trampolining. I was back there with my sister Carole last year sorting out my dad’s house (he passed away a year ago, what a job that was. With everybody writing what they remember its been terrific reading and I don’t know about anybody else but I have actually learnt things about the area I lived in. I’ve lived in Australia37 years now but it always great to hear what’s happening in the Hove area.

    By Dianna Pollard (23/11/2009)
  • To Lorraine Chambers, yes I do remember you but cannot believe you liked my hair!! I met up with Gill Carpenter about ten years ago as she had moved back to her mum’s for a short while. Funnily enough I was chatting to my son the other day about stealing from shops (he’s 10) and I told him about how Melanie Smith used to steel from the sweet shop so I would never go in with her I was far to scared to do anything like that. Do you remember the Reffolds of Bramber Avenue, I went to see Karren today, she is a very good and successful artist and living in Patcham. To Paul Mead, Hi, can you let your mum know I have lost her new address which is why she hasn’t had any cards from me for ages, send her my love and my apologies.

    By Sharon Papworth (Maxwell) (29/11/2009)
  • A message to Diane Pollard. Hi Diane – were you Diane Freeman I wonder? The second love of my life after Gloria Whittaker lost interest. I think I was about 6 years old and already dumped!!! Yes, Desmond suffered a heart attack at a very young age – I think about 40 years old. Give my regards to Hazel and Linda the next time you contact them. I was very friendly with David Kempshall and as far as I recall he suffered from MS so I just wonder how he is. I thought it was so tragic anyway, but he and Larry were very sporty and usually starred in any football game going on in the street. If you are the Diane I think you are, your Dad had a Ford Popular in black or it could have been fawn and parked it in Northease Drive opposite the Dawes who lived at Number 40.

    By Alan Digweed (20/12/2009)
  • A message to Alan Digweed – yes that’s me. We had good times in Amberley Drive, left when I was 21. So many memories since I have been reading the blogs on this website. Yes, David has MS. John Pollard, Poynings Drive, caught up with Larry last year with a whole lot of others including Ossie. You are right about the car too. Please, if want to chat more, my email is dippy6@hotmail.com

    By Dianna Pollard (25/01/2010)
  • My alziemers has gone after reading all of those lovely memories. I feel young again. What a great site. I’m 72 now but spent my youth at 26 Amberley Drive, next door to the Johnsons. Still in contact with them and the Rangers from opposite us. Mick Gore from Clarke Ave was best man at my wedding in 1959 and I had the honour of being best man at his wedding in Canada last year followig the death of his wife. Only time now to introduce myself, but will answer anybody who contacts me. Regards to all, Pete Fullick.

    By Peter Fullick (05/03/2010)
  • Just found this site. I used to live at 239 Hangleton Way between 1956-1979. Great memories of those times. Neil(little Neil) and Mark Thacker, Neil & Pete Lewis(my best man) Anybody remember Graham Nawson, John Steer, Andy Johnson/Davison, Chris Porter. I spent all summer on West Blatch school field playing football/cricket and british bulldog, Pooky chasing us off on the moped and us running for the fences. I also remember the big sunday games with parents at the park. Remember the Corona van. Sure it ruined my teeth drinking from the bottle. Loved the Rotary club van that came round at Christmas playing carols. West Blatc schools and the Christmas parties where you supplied the food. We planted the trees now in front of the junior school I think in 1966. Other school names Lesley Ford, Christine Clark (she lived next door), Chris Edmonds, Derek Griffiths, Michael Leppard, Jeremy Howard, Heather Richardson, Janet Ford. We won the Stearman football cup final in 67 against Hangleton. Still have the medal. I think it was 1st sporting trophy the school won. Mrs Philips was head and Mr Rawlston our teacher. I remember the chip van with really greasy and loads of chips. Also the Downsman pub had an off licence run by a large bald Scot who wore a kilt. As Neil Thacker said the walks to Foxes Wood and running down the hill jumping across two bunkers and hiding golf balls. Winter of 63 we made a tunnel across three gardens with the snow piled up against the chicken wire fence. Setting off a jumping cracker on bonfire night which chased my older sister, Maggie around the shed. I’m still in the area in Newhaven and now 53.

    By John Webster (08/03/2010)
  • Hi John Webster, I certainly remember you and have often wondered what became of you and so many others. I’m Little Neil because Neil Lewis was Big Neil. I remember our mini olympics over the school field with a warm heart. Chris Porter, I believe, joined the navy and moved abroad (far east I think). His dad Ernie is still kicking around, or so he was not so long ago. I live in Plymouth but my folks still live in Hangleton Way. Graham Nawson I recall well, as I do John Steer and the Thicks (Roger and Graham). Our team of ’71 also won the Stearman Cup by beating Benfield 1-0 at Wish Park. Happy Days.

    By Neil Thacker (10/03/2010)
  • Hi Neil, just found your reply cos I forgot where I posted it originally. Old age. Thanks for posting. Good days indeed. Other memories are: going down St Helens church one summer and seeing the development starting of Hangleton Valley. Suddenly bulldozers and site being cleared. Felt strange at time. Going into a derelict Hangleton Manor I seem to remember through a hole in the flint wall by the road. Having fights with the corn stubble after harvesting and going home with little pieces of mud in my hair where we had been hit.How is Mark? Didn’t he join navy? Used to bump into him sometimes down Sherrys. 1st pint in the Stadium on Old Shoreham Road. After leaving Knoll, a dozen or so of us met up for a few years starting here before venturing into the big city of Brighton. Happy to serve us under age. I believe I would now be classed as a binge drinker but it was just being a teenager.

    By John Webster (12/03/2010)
  • Hi John, I remember the valley being built as well, and playing on the scaffolds etc. You reminded me of the cut corn and the suffering the left over stubs used to inflict on legs. I remember the Haffendens. One long, hot day we all rode on the farmer’s hay bailing machine- all the way up to the Dyke. I think that was the happiest day of my childhood. Mark left the merchant navy a long time ago and has been working for British Airways at Gatwick for about 26 years now. He lives in Locks Hill and has been married for about as long. You can email me at neilthacker@blueyonder.co.uk if it’s easier. Chat again soon.

    By Neil Thacker (14/03/2010)
  • Re: Eddie 20/09/09. I’m Stan Brand and I lived at 67 Clarke Ave 55/61. Would the George Whittington you mentioned be the guy who lived at 39 Beeding Ave went to West blatchington, The Knoll and The Neville back then? If it is then here goes, I lost touch with George when I joined The Royal Marines in 61 then found him in 67. I was then posted to Singapore in 68 before I could get an address and because I came to Australia from Singapore it prolonged the time span. I went back to the UK in 96 and tried to track him down and the last anyone had seen of George was that he was living in the flats at the bottom of Amberley Drive but the trail went cold. My e-mail is: stanmill@bigpong.net.au if you ever get any news about George or you want to chat.

    By Stan Brand (30/04/2010)
  • Richard Hazelgrove, that name rings a bell. Did you go to The Knoll (first year seniors) in 1957? I was in class 1T1. Some of us were sent to The Nevill when it opened in 58 so we lost track with the guys who stayed behind at The Knoll. Were you the guy who had to get into the boxing ring and try to fight a guy called Ronnie Davies? Many of the onlookers laughed when he chased you around the ring but I thought you showed guts to get in with the guy. Ronnie’s dad was a champion boxer so Ronnie knew how to box and I felt so sorry for you. You must have gone to West Blatchington so you would remember guys like George Whittington, Bob Pomfrey, John Clarke, Terry Kirby, Steve Santer to name a few?
    Cazzy Kelly. If you lived at 3 Henfield Way you must have known John Clarke who lived at No 1? What about the Bishops? Think they were at No 8. How about Brenda Lewis opposite you in Clarke Avenue and maybe my sister June Brand at 67 Clarke? We didn’t have plenty of money back in those days but we sure knew how to enjoy ourselves eh?

    By Stan Brand (03/05/2010)
  • A brilliant and great idea; it gave a me a smile on this fine Sunday afternoon and I’m going to do the same on my life/friends in southampton in the 50s/60s. Do you think that all you people would support a PlasticBagFree Brighton? You know it makes sense.

    By Tony Langham (23/05/2010)
  • This site brought back many memories. I lived on the corner of Downland Drive with Clarke Avenue from 1950 to 1967. Going first to Hangleton Infants school then to West Blatchington Juniors when it opened. There was Miss Page who we thought was very glamorous and always seemed to be arranging plays – I remember The Pied Piper and Dick Whittington. There were also nature walks on the Downs in the summer and large treacherous ice slides on the pavements in the winters. Boys played marbles in the gutters in the summer and go-karts. Girls tied skipping ropes to the lamp posts. We all had a freedom that children today would envy, as long as we didn’t talk to strangers and came back home before tea-time or before dark. As far as I know nothing bad ever happened to anyone. Apart from the names already mentioned I remember Simon Elias, Michael Plumb, Tony Curran, Ann and Linda Cosstick and Trevor Evans who I think all lived in Amberley Drive. I think there were 13 Dumbrell children who lived in Steyning Avenue – their Dad was a dustman? I know one of their grandchildren. Also Barry Hands & Brenda Denney, Naomi Ross, Eleanor and Leslie Kite. In Findon Close there was Linda Rice, Alan Gardner and Barbara Samuels. In Clayton Way there was Sandra Brewster, Susan Hendry and Kenny Hunt. In or near Burwash Way there was Brenda Tarrant, Jacqueline Anderson and David Waldron? Before Dr Yauner there was a Dr Warlow. She was lovely and always visited and had a room as a surgery in the flat next door to us. In Poynings Drive there was Jean Pettitt, Maureen Whittington, Maureen Sumners, Anne Moore ( who sadly I was told died about 15 years ago) Anne Sears, David Hills. In Downland Drive there was Michael Cherry, Gail Campbell, Rodney Sloper? and Eileen Piper whom I’m still friends with. Richard Hazelgrove – you probably came to my birthday parties as I remember your name. There was also Roger Dovey, Peter & Barry Edmonds, Colin Major. Marion Bunker & Gloria Hill who lived in Beeding Ave. Pauline Lucas and Margaret Robertson lived I think in Clarke Ave. It’s strange how we can remember the names of our schoolfriends from Junior school but not later ones so easily. I’d love to hear some more memories of the above and see any old photos of West Blatchington Juniors.

    By Patricia Haddon Formerly Land (15/06/2010)
  • Hi Stan, yes that was me. Wasn’t boxing compulsory? Anyway I wasn’t running away – I was trying to tire him out. Remember most of the names you mentioned but Ronnie is the only one I’ve spoken to since leaving the Knoll. I left in ’62 and went to work at Walter Gillett’s the Stationers in Brighton. Patricia Hadden - you have a very good memory, most of those names bring back lots of happy memories of growing up in West Blatchington. I think we were very lucky to be living on the estate at that time, most people seem to have only good memories. Everything was basic and no family had a lot of money, but there weren’t the problems that seem to exist for young people and estates today. Or is it time that tints my specs? The depth of snow at the top of Downland Drive has been mentioned a few times, snow caves were also dug out in 1957. I had short trousers and can remember begging my mum for a pair of long trousers, as it was a bit parky playing out in all that snow in short ones. We were certainly a lot harder then and so were the winters. I have shown my 13 year old son the top of Downland Drive and described the height of snow as over the top of his head, which he finds hard to believe, as he has not seen more than an inch of snow in this country in his lifetime.

    By Richard Hazelgrove (06/07/2010)
  • Patricia Haddon: I’m Stan Brand and I lived at 67 Clarke Ave in the late 50’s and went to West Blatchington Juniors. I found an old photo of the first football team the school had and some of the guys you mentioned are in that photo. I hope you can find it easier than I did. It’s under the school name on the My Brighton and Hove web. [Editor: click here for this photo!]  Barbara Samuels was a girl I had the hots for. I remember holding her hand during an outing the school had to a ‘Cinderella’ pantomine once. Brenda Denney was another girl I recall, do you remember a Pat Smith? She was one of Brenda’s best mates. My sister June went out with Naomi Ross’ brother Alex. Brian Bodfish lived next to the Ross Family at the bottom of Bramber Ave. Do you see many of these people or were you only recalling them from the good old days? I live in Australia and because of this web site I’ve been able to find a friend who lived 2 houses down from me and came to Australia in 1957 so I can’t praise these wonderful people enough for this web.

    By Stan Brand (28/07/2010)
  • Stan: Yes it was marvellous to see your photo of the football team and as you said I remember most of the boys, including yourself. At the time I remember being keen on Alan Gardiner and Trevor Evans. I found out recently that in the sixties, Barbara Samuels married Derek Fenn (who is a half-cousin of mine and lives in Swindon), but I’m not sure if they are still married. I used to go ice-skating with Brenda Denney at the stadium that used to be in West Street and yes I do remember Pat Smith. The only person I’m still in touch with is Eileen ( Piper) who used to live near me in Downland Drive. It was great to hear your memories and Richard Hazelgrove’s, of all our old classmates. I’ve got 2 photos of a play at West Blatchington which I hope to put on this website. I hope Oz has worked out well for you, a lot of people seem to have ended up there.

    By Patricia Haddon formerly Land (07/08/2010)
  • Patricia: Thanks for your reply. I recall Eileen Piper, Sandra Brewster,Brenda Tarrant and David Hills. He was Head Boy at the Nevill ( A Grade Student ) He was also the Police Sgt when we did the Pirates of Penzanze at the Nevill (School open night or something). Dr Warlow was nice until the time she sent me to Brighton General for 5 days with rumbling appendix, I missed Bonfire night. They call it “Cracker Night” out here and it’s for the Queen’s Birthday weekend. Wow! Mr Hawksworth was my form teacher at West Blatch. He smoked a pipe and often sent me down to Bullen’s to get his tobacco. I’ve got a Panaramic photo of The Nevill so I’ll try to get that put on the web like the soccer, sorry football photo. I’ve been in Australia too long. Thanks for your wishes about Oz. It really is a great country to live in. The weather is great and the way of life here is great. Very laid back. I’m here because I married an Oz. Met her when I served on HMS Ark Royal and she followed me to England. I Left the Royal Marines at 25 and we came home in 1970. Coming up for 40 years so it speaks for itself I guess. God Bless and Take Care.

    By Stan Brand (09/08/2010)
  • Hi there from ‘Down Under’. There seems to be a sad lackage of blogs since August. Are you all updating your computers? I’m in Australia cos I’m married to a skippy so any news from England is ‘Great’ news. What about the cricket? It’s good to see our boys giving it to the Aussies for a change. It’s a shame England didn’t get the World Cup for 2018. Guess FIFA don’t want us in there. Before I go I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Great time ahead in the New Year.

    By Stan Brand (08/12/2010)
  • Hi Stan, what about the cricket, it’s not in the bag yet, far from it looking at the overnight report! By-the-way, why do they call us the pomm’s? I hear it relates to POHM’s, “prisoners of his majesty” but they were the prisoners not us?

    By Peter Groves (18/12/2010)
  • Does anyone from the Hangleton area know whatever happened to a Bobby Cannell who I think lived near the bottom end of Poynings Avenue?

    By Nick Pattenden (19/12/2010)
  • I have just found this site and I remember all the names from Poynings Drive, as my brother David and lived there (22), next door to Micheal Smithson. We both went to West Blatchington Infants and Neville School. I would like to hear from any one that remembers me or my brother. This has brought back so many memories that I thought were buried for ever. I live in NZ and have been here for 40 odd years, and love it. Thank you all for the memories. Superb.

    By Jennifer (stevens) Rogers (08/01/2011)
  • Hi all, what a wonderful site – I found it by mistake. I was Jennifer stevens, and my brother David also went to the Neville in the 60s. I remember so many of the names mentioned here. If anyone remembers us we would love some contact. I am already in touch with Jackie Ward, Gloria Hughes, Graham Pither and Bernadett Douglas. I also have had contact with Jennifer Dexter who is in Oz. I am in NZ and came here in 1967 with my family and siblings. Bobby Cannell lived next door to Sandra Brewster in Clayton Way, and Micheal Smithson lived on the other side so will ask him if he knows anything, as I have recently had contact with him. The memories are wonderful, so thanks to all who have contributed. Shall check on here to see who else writes in.

    By Jennifer Rogers (08/01/2011)
  • Hi Peter Groves, I guess you are happy now the Ashes tests are finished? It’s about time we beat these Aussies on their own turf eh? The reason these Aussies call us Poms is because P.O.M.E means “Prisoners of Mother England” and because we come from England they call us “Pommies”. They seem to have a nickname for every country in the world. I left the Neville School Dec 1960 and joined the Marines on 1st May 61 so that was my last contact with Hangleton. I had a mate Bob Pomfrey he lived at 72a Poynings Drive across the road from Bullens. Does anyone remember him? He looked a lot like Adam Faith (rock star in the late 50’s). Does anyone recall the Elliotts – they live in the close in the middle of Burwash Road?

    By Stan Brand (10/01/2011)
  • Hi Stan, Yes - nice to win at last, we have been thrashed so many times by them, so I enjoyed the “unique” event! Didn’t play much cricket in Hangleton in the 60’s, there was nowhere flat enough, so it was mainly football, football and more football. I do recall games of Tip and Run on the green at the top end of Amberley Drive, they had the same greens down Poynings as well. Big crowds of kids on warm summer evenings, no cars about, 1 doing the batting and probably 20 fielding, everyone got a go! Best regards.

    By Peter Groves (11/01/2011)
  • Hi Stan. Yes, I remember the name Bob Pomfrey, he must have been in our year group. He is contactable throught the web-site Friends United (Nevill School). He married Vicky Say who lived in Hangleton Road in the early sixties. He still lives locally. Regards Pat.

    By Patricia Haddon (formerly Land) (02/02/2011)
  • Have just spent an hour going through this web page, what wonderful memories. Does anyone recall Margaret and Mick Sadlier from Hangleton, both very good looking with dark hair? Probably born in the late 40s. I stayed for a month in Amberley Drive, during the 50s when mum was working at the Ideal Home Exhibition for Greens of Hove. Cannot recall names of my hosts but opposite Alan Johnson’s home. I also recall Hangleton residents Sgt. Northeast with son Bob and daughter ?? cousins of Roderick McKenzie (Mac) of Old Shoreham Road, opposite Knoll school. My earliest memories of Hanglton was when aged four, my grandparents lived in Hangleton Way? I think, and visiting them. I would play in the enchanted garden my grandfather had created. My cousin’s 9th birthday on November 5th, with fireworks and bonfire outside the back garden on vacant land, sitting on the window sill in the front room of the empty house when grandma and grandad were moving to Sylvan Hall Brighton, mum was helping clean house, the window sill being the safest place to sit me out of their way, plus I could not get down and in trouble. Hangleton friends might want to consider a reunion such as I helped organize for my beloved Mile Oak. So far we have held two very popular reunions, with the help of this web page contacting the “kids” from the thirties, fourties and just nineteen fifty. To focus on the age group I recall. We have also published a book, Mile Oak Birth of a Community and addendum. Way to go, bring on the memories, thank you MB&H web page.

    By Bonny Cother (06/02/2011)
  • Hi Patricia. Thanks for the info on Bob Pomfrey. A woman in New Zealand read my blog about the panoramic photo of Neville school 58/59 and asked if I could send her a copy, so I did. She told me to try Friends United and I have been able to get in contact with Bob Pomfrey. Bob, Vikki, myself and George Whittington all used to hang out so you can imagine my surprise when I found out Bob and Vikki have been together since our school days. The woman from NZ is Jenny Stevens, now Rogers. She said she lived in Poynings Drive. I have sent the photo (in 4 parts) to this web site and am waiting to see how they present it. If you didn’t have one of these photos then you will enjoy recalling the faces and the names that go with them. My email address is: stanmill@bigpond.net.au so if you want Jenny’s I can pass it on, just send me a mail. Its really turning out to be a Happy New Year. Take care.

    By Stan Brand (07/02/2011)
  • This is for Wayne Wareham. Please read the Whitehawk football page where I left a message about Dennis Shipley. Thank you.

    By Jennifer Stevens (Rogers) (01/03/2011)
  • Hello Bonny, where could I purchase your Mile Oak book from?

    By Den King (01/03/2011)
  • Hi Den, email info@mileoakrevisited.co.uk for information re the book, with an addendum now produced, email address kestrel.design@lineone.net or web page http://www.mileoakrevisited.co.uk/. Sorry I am a little late responding to your query. I believe Mary Smith/Elliott may have copies of the adendum. Mary Smith, let me know if you have trouble getting hold of a copy, bonnycother@yahoo.com. The reunions we held were very successful and only with the help of this web page, could we get such a wonderful response.

    By Bonny Cother (31/03/2011)
  • I have just found this site. I lived at 90 Amberley Drive. Next door to me was Barbara Knightsbridge and family. I courted Diane Hales for over two years then. Do you remember the farm in Hangelton I think is now Hangelton Way. It was a chalk track with cow sheds on the right and the farm house on the right going down. We used to have a local fair on the green opposite the church and at the top of the green was a dew pond. I remember some names such as Pat Smyth, Nik Hughes, Shelia Green, Ken Cole, David Lynn, Rosmary Ward, Michael Wade- just a few from the past. I can remember the Downsman being built. iIent to Hangelton Infants and Juniors then on to the Knoll school. I left the Knoll School about one year after Mr Dellar became headmaster.

    By Michael Haiselden (25/05/2011)
  • I lived at 57 Amberley Drive from 1965 till I left to get married in 1970 but it stayed the family home until Mum died in 1996. Mum had remarried so one or two of you may remember the Mabbotts. Edna and Den, Andy, Phil, Chris and Judy. Good family friends were the Frosts at 65 and my Uncle Bill and Auntie Doris still live opposite at 80. Memories include the Burwash Road shops, Dr Yauner and his cigar, cycling over the countryside, the number 19 bus that left from the top of Poynings Drive, the Rolls Royce that used to be parked just below the little green and the park at the bottom of West Way. Oh dear! I seem to have come over all nostalgic. Nurse!

    By Tony Carr (29/05/2011)
  • What an exciting site to find! I lived opposite Neil Gregory with my parents, Harry and Joyce, my brother Paul and sister Sheila Hammond. My cousins Pam and Linda Hammond lived next door to Neil and Elaine. We emigrated to Australia in October, 1967 where we still live. Unfortunately my Father Harry passed away in 2009, and my brother Paul in 2008, he was only 57 years old. I would dearly love to contact anyone from the days spent in Amberley Drive, we lived at 102 from 1954 until 1967.

    By Stephanie East (nee Hammond) (01/08/2011)
  • This site brings back a lot of good memories. I lived at 102 Amberley Drive with my mum and dad (Joyce and Harry) my brother Paul and sister Stephanie. We emigrated to Australia in Oct 1967 and live in Melbourne. I used to play with your sister Neil, Elaine and Susan Gibson. Mum has an old photo of Elaine, Susan and my sister Steph with our dog in a dolls pram outside our house. Andy Stone, I knew your mum Anna, we used to go to school together at the Neville. How is she? I know alot of the names that are mentioned in this site. I also used to go to the Hangleton Youth Club. As Steph has told you we have lost Dad and Paul. Paul married and had twin girls and 5 grandchildren, Steph married and had 1 boy and 3 girls and has got 2 grandchildren and I’m married have got 2 boys and 1 girl and 7 grandchildren. It would be great to here from anyone and keep writing everyone as it is great to be reminded of the good times and it brings back memories you thought you had forgotten.

    By Sheila Ablett Nee Hammond (04/08/2011)
  • Oh wow, memories! I lived in Harmsworth Crescent, no 73 with along with the Stammers, Foxes, Claytons. Then we moved to 98 Amberley Drive in about 1974. Pat Bates fancy seeing you on here! You probably don’t remember me? I went out with Malcolm Pettett from Poynings Drive; I was also friends with your sister Carmel. Such amazing times in Hangleton. Who remembers the Amberley Drive street party for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, I was only about 13 but looked older and got drunk on homemade wine! Need to go now but will def be back to read more closely. Jaki Shaw as was

    By Jaki Morris was Shaw (09/09/2011)
  • Hi Jaki, I was mates with Garry Fox who lived at 72 Harmsworth Crescent and visited him often between 1975 and 1979 but, unfortunately, I don’t remember you. Garry and I spent the Queen’s silver jubilee day down at the Adur pub by Hove Lagoon (don’t know if it’s still called the Adur now?). It was a lovely sunny day, if my memory serves me rightly? We were both 16; with all the hopes, fears, expectations and all the rest that goes with being that age. I remember it as though it were yesterday: we didn’t know it then but they certainly were the best days of our lives. Oh my, I’m getting morbidly nostalgic. Having said that, I honestly believe that we were young at the best time to be young; jobs were plentiful and there were far fewer regulations. Of course, communications weren’t as good but we got by.

    By Neil Thacker (15/09/2011)
  • I’ve been reading all you recollections of your schooldays and am quite envious. I didn’t live in that area and have tried to find schoolfriends who went to school with me but I can only assume that either they don’t use computers or they have all passed on . I went to Varndean Grammar School in 1941 I lived in Hollingbury Road Brighton near the dust destructor with the biggest chimney in Brighton.

    By Mrs Stevie Hobbs (16/09/2011)
  • Hi Neil, we lived next door to the Foxes and my sister went out with Gary’s brother. I remember The Adur, it’s not called that now! I don’t know if you are aware but sadly Gary died a couple of years ago. Sorry to break the news if you weren’t aware. Where did you live?

    By Jaki Morris (Shaw) (29/09/2011)
  • Hi Jaki, Garry’s been gone since September 2007, hardly seems possible: John is his brother. Tragically, Garry’s mum Jackie died very shorly before Garry did; so I lost two dear friends in a month. I lived in Hangleton Way, up the top of the hill next to Stonecroft Close; easy to get to the Downsman Pub but more difficult to stagger home up the hill. I remember that, as a kid, I used to be able to cycle all the way up from Town’s Corner without standing up on the bike pedals! Don’t think I could do that now! I re-read your text and I see that you moved from 73 Harmsworth in 1974, which means that I wouldn’t have seen you there because I started to visit Garry at 72 Harmsworth in 1975. I would lay money on being able to recognise you though. Chat again soon. Bye for now!

    By Neil Thacker (30/09/2011)
  • Just found this site, fantastic. I lived at no 40 Amberley Drive from 1948-1969 when I got married. Now live in Ashtead, Surrey. Have very fond memories of Hangleton.

    By Tim Dawes (02/01/2012)
  • Just given a lead on to this site by my brother (Tim). In answer to an earlier comment about the hall at back of no. 38 Amberley Drive it was a bomb shelter I remember going in there when I was a kid. Very Spooky! When I think back everyone in Amberley Drive knew each other I can still remember most of their names. How different today; I only know a few of my direct neighbours. Quite sad really. I now live in Croydon. Anyway a great site to visit.

    By Mick Dawes (03/01/2012)
  • Just got back to this fantastic webpage and read about the bomb shelter that Mick Dawes was talking about. I lived at 38 Amberley Drive. Hi Mick and Tim, Dianna (Di) here. I have learnt something new. Amberley was a great street when growing up but with the times now nobody would let their kids outside playing like we used to. Live in Aussie now since 1972 with John (Pollard), 3 kids and 6 grandkids. Mum died in 2010 and Dad in 2008. The house is still in the Freeman family. Please contact me on dippy6@hotmail.com if you want to know more.

    By Dianna Pollard (nee Freeman) (12/01/2012)
  • Back on 14/7/2009 Carol Greenfield (nee Freeman) wrote about a large building behind her home at 38 Amberley Drive. The building was in the back garden of 93, Applesham Ave. The owners built it to house their trampoline as they performed professionally. I went there several times to practice with them!

    By Pete Wilson (25/01/2012)
  • Hi all, great stories going on here. Does anybody know of a family called LUMMUS, they lived at 17 Northease Drive, I know they lived there from 1950/76. I have just purchased a BSA motorcycle, that a Mr Herbert Lummus used, he sold it in 1976 to a chap not far from him and I purchased it two weeks ago from down in Hove. Trying to trace some history of the bike, or the family, and any help would be great.

    By alan curtis (26/01/2012)
  • Oh wow, this is all so amazing. I used to live at 6 Applesham Avenue, Hove 4 Sussex? My Dad was Eddie, mum was Hilda. Was a smashing girl who lived down the way on a corner (1958) Angela (excuse the spelling).The shop next to us had a train set in the basement.

    By Tony (Anthony) Hartfield (22/06/2012)
  • OMG have just spent a good couple of hours reading this page and the memories came flooding back. I lived at 41 Amberley Drive from I think maybe 61 till 71/72. My friend sent me the link to this site as we have just got back in touch she lived at 49 Amberley – Sharon Beresford and still in touch with the Butlers who lived at the bottom of Amberley Drive, I forgot the number.

    By Louise Jordan (Prince) (25/08/2012)
  • I lived in Poynings Drive (from 1950 to 1961), but all of us played together in the streets around. Cricket on the green in Clarke Ave, kicking a ball around, hide and seek, and so many more. So many names are familiar, I went to West Blatchington and the Nevill (see the Nevill school page on here). Such wonderful memories of our childhood spent in the fields at the back of Downland Drive where my grandparents lived. We were so lucky to be able to play without our parents worrying about us, it was such a free lifestyle in those days. My grandchildren can’t even go to the park without an adult in charge. We had only our bikes and we would go to the top of King George Drive(snakey hill) and get a drink at the kiosk at the top and then free-wheel all the way back down to the bottom, we thought we were going 100 miles an hour! We would then go to Hove park and play on the swings etc, and be home in time for tea. My brother and I had a lot of friends in Beeding Ave, Clarke Ave and Amberley Drive. Some of the names that come to mind are the Gents, Dyers, Hughes and Dumbrells families. My brother David and have I lived in New Zealand since 1963 and wonder if anyone remember us?  Any contact would be aknowledged – email on Nevill school page

    By Jenny Rogers (stevens) (05/09/2012)
  • Crikey this has made me go back in time. I went to West Blatchington Infants and Juniors schools in the 60s. I can still remember some names. These are, Steven Peak, Robert Harris, first name escapes me last name Bennett, Julie Boniface, Tracey White, David Stone, Marc Coomber, Robin Willard and I will never forget Mr Rawson. Who was the sport’s teacher Geoff? Great bloke let me off classroom duties to play in football competitions. I do remember the dentist guy in Conway Court; he was pretty fat if I remember. Shocking dentist and the gas was horrible. I do drive past the schools every now and then, and they haven’t changed much. Lived in Oz for 22 years, so it was good driving past them again.

    By Steve Bailey (09/10/2012)
  • Hello Stan the man Brand, the West Blatchington first ever football team picture was something else. As a child the school is always there in my mind and truthfully the best of my school years. Did you go to Hangleton School prior to the opening of West Blatch, not that I can remember very much about it, but WB is still vivid. My recollection of you was the poem about Mrs Reilly, which is unrepeatable and the full transcript is imbedded in my mind to this day. So you were never forgotten, even though we have not seen each other for fifty years. The only girls I can remember were Barbara Samuels and Susan Hendry and well, I was besotted with both and was too shy to speak with either. Not that I did a lot of talking from memory. I actually went to Bob Pomfrey’s wedding and remember the reception being held at a Chinese Restaurant in West Street Brighton. Although I knew Bob the invite came because Kenny Norris was good mates with us both and persuaded Bob to invite me because Ken did not want to be on his own. Aah, makes you want to weep. My best mate at WB was Peter Edmonds (Eddy) and I still see his two cousins Steve and Chris. Michael Schaverien (Nutley Close) was in our year at WB, but it was his younger brother Geoff who I befriended through playing cricket along with Steve and Chris Edmonds. Sadly Geoff died from cancer back in February while I was out in Perth Australia visiting my son. Whenever I see Steve it is inevitable that we talk about playing football in Hangleton Park where Beeding Bombers played against Amberley Aces. I’m sure you would have been involved. They were good times, any homework was shelved. George Whittington lived opposite me in Beeding Avenue, so I obviously knew him and his two brothers very well. You know they were days when there weren’t any cars on the street, that back doors were left open, central heating did not exist and the bottom of the lamp post were stumps when one played cricket in the street. Halcyon days indeed! I remember Richard Hazelgrove very well although as he mentioned he has not seen anybody from the time he left school. He dressed up as a sugar cube at the WB fancy dress, which at the time I thought was the best costume, but one of the girls won, which being so young I could not understand. Other names you will remember are Trevor Evans, Keith Wilkins, Dave Walls and Tony Curran, but I lost contact with them when they left senior school in the fourth year. I stayed on to take GCE’s, what the hell for, I don’t know. Trevor had a younger brother called Colin who died in a motorbike accident at a very young age. He was a really nice lad too. Well I am sure there is a lot more to say but I wouldn’t want to bore you to tears. Anyhow all the best and how is Mrs Reilly’s daughter? Cheers. John Strickland.

    By John Strickland (24/10/2012)
  • Lots of nice memories on this thread. I lived at 252 Hangleton way for a couple of years, I must admit it was a bit cut off although I had the Downsman pub just round the corner. I was lucky enough to have a motorbike so spent most of my time in Brighton and Hove.

    By Dennis Fielder (26/10/2012)
  • What a trip down memory lane! I remember a David Stevens at Hangleton juniors, seem to remember he was related to Dicky Valentine a singer from the 1950s. Also remember the Groves family: Peter your mum was good friends with my mum Irene Feaver at no 8, Steyning Avenue. I remember the old Dyke railway, always playing there finding treasures. Happy, happy days. Regards to all of you on this site – I recall a lot of your names

    By eddie feaver (02/12/2012)
  • Hi Eddie, I remember you, and David remembers your name but can’t put a face to you. Are you on the school photo of the Nevill on this site on schools page. We backed on to the Bodfish, Dovey, Budd,and Brewster families, and next door to the Lucraft and Smithsons. My email is on here a few messages back and I can send you the list of the kids so far named on the photo, only a few more to go. Nice to hear from you. Regards

    By Jennifer Stevens (Rogers) (14/01/2013)
  • Hi Jennifer, I’ve looked at the photo of Nevil School. Here are some names I can remember: Denis Mower, Billy Roberts, Keith Hopkins, Barry Bray, Dave Whittington, Peter Blaber, Chris Skinner, Roger Digweed, Eddie Hunt, Mick Dawes, John Groves, Kenny Hunt, Linda Mitchel, Brenda Dumbrell. I was in Mr Hovell’s class with Eric Smith, Melvin Bodfish, James Titmarsh, to name a few. I can’t see myself in the picture. I started at the school in March 1959- maybe I’m in there who knows. Anyway nice to hear from you.

    By Eddie Feaver (15/01/2013)
  • Hi Eddie, and any one else who would like the list of the school names. You can contact me on jenrog@hotmail.com and I will send you the list which I update as new names come in. We now have 241 of the 270 so we are getting there. I sent the list to 15 people who are in the photo but would like to see more of you repyling, come on guys! Regards Jenny Stevens (Rogers).

    By Jennifer Stevens (22/01/2013)
  • What fantastic memories. I moved into Chichester Close when the houses had just been completed. Lived on the corner of Poplar Avenue before and can remember the Dowsman pub being built. Walks up the old Dyke railway playing on the tar bricks, past the old tip up to the dew pond and foxes wood and onward to Devils Dyke itself. The park which was huge and the old park keeper who seemed to call the police every time we annoyed him. St Helen’s Church with air raid shelter behind, down the park to Towns corner where I did the morning paper round. Took a nostalgic visit not long ago and how times have changed. Then again so have I.

    By Bernie Peters (30/01/2013)
  • Hi, my address was 102 Amberley Drive till late Sept 1967. Does anyone remember the Hammond family? We moved to Australia. Also does anyone remember the Peters’ family who lived at 100 Amberley Drive. Percy Peters was the council plumber, Bett was his wife and they had three children Sheila, Richard ( who had a bad motorbike accident) and a daughter Toni who was born in 1962 I think.  My mum and dad Joyce and Harry Hammond used to look after Toni a lot before we moved to Australia. I also remember the Dumbrells, Kearys, Kempshalls, Marwicks and many others who went to the Nevill. Is there a Nevill Secondary site I could visit to bring back more memories? I hope someone will be able to help me.

    By Sheila Hammond Ablett (16/02/2013)
  •  My mum and dad used to look after Toni when she was a baby as her mum Betty had very bad legs. After we left England Toni went to school at West Blatchington and I don’t know if she went on to the Nevill as they moved to 10 Benson Court, Ingram Crescent, East Hove, Sussex. Charlie Bullen’s son Trevor lived most of his life with my cousins Pam and Linda Hammond who lived at 81 Amberley Drive and Trevor still lives in the area. My mum, sister Stephanie and I went back to Amberley Drive in November 2012 for a days visit and not much seems to have changed. We were in England for a short time to visit family. I recall a lot of the names on this site. My email is sablett@bigpond.com I would love to hear from anyone that remembers me or my family. Does anyone know if there is a school site for the Nevill?

    By Sheila Ablett(nee Hammond) (17/02/2013)
  • Hi Sheila, yes I remember Percy Peters, he lived at the end of Steyning Avenue – number 1 I think. I played golf with him at Waterhall olf club in the 70s. My mum and dad lived across the road from him at number 8, also remember him comming to the house doing plumbing work when I was younger. I’m sorry but I can’t remember you but there again the old mind goes a bit when you get older. Nice to hear from you, take care, Ed.

    By Eddie Feaver (20/02/2013)
  • Hi Eddie, thanks for replying. I love this site as it brings back so many childhood memories and it jogs my memory of so many names I recall.

    Dear Sheila,
    Sorry but we have had to edit your post. We are no longer allowing the posting of requests to find third parties, as sharing information like this breaches their privacy. We recommend you try Friends Reunited website if you want to track old friends or neighbours.
    Comments Editor

    By Sheila Hammond Ablett (22/02/2013)
  • Have just revisited this excellent pag, after several years away, and it was so nice to see some familiar names and read their memories of Amberley Drive; it brings it all back! One persistent topic seems to be the large building housing the trampoline between the houses of No.38 Amberley Drive (the Freemans) and the last house (sorry, forgotten the No) on the corner of Applesham Avenue. I think I might be able to shed some light on the subject… I was, for a while, friends with a lad whose surname was Frogget (I think), but I’m blowed if I can recall his first name! Anyway, they lived in the end house in Applesham Avenue, and I can vividly remember the tunnel (bomb shelter?) that ran from the house right up to the end of their garden and possibly into the building housing the trampoline, though I can’t be entirely sure on this point. Does anybody else have any memories of this? Such a long time ago now.

    By Bob Marshall (03/03/2013)
  • Hi Bob, Came across this blog and have seen many a remembered name. For your information, it was John Frogget. The family with the trampoline were the Tremaine’s (or a spelling like that) and I went to Hangleton school with their daughter, Caroline. Her Dad, I believe, was the English Trampoline coach. I was born in 1955 at 56 Amberley Drive (literally the front bedroom!) and lived there with my brothers Colin, Stuart & Paul. I probably moved out about 1976, but my Dad stayed there until about 2004 / 5 – He’s now in sheltered accomodation (still in Hove) at the ripe old age of 94. We lived adjoining the Coleman’s (no. 58) and next to first of all the Bernard’s and then Steve Page and his Brother (sorry can’t remember his name). Along with everyone else’s memories already written here, I can remember working with Chaz on his Greengrocers van on Saturday’s and getting paid in cash and left over veg. I have made this site a favourite and will pop back every now and then.

    By Martyn Rattray (12/03/2013)
  • Hi Martyn, blimey…what a surprise after so many years!! Thanks for the info, re John Frogget (course it was!!), and the Tremaine’s, I vaguely remember the name, but not any faces! However, I can remember Steve Page, and his younger brother, whose name was Trevor I believe. Their parents were Norman and Peggy. Nice to know your dad (Bill?) is alive and kicking, at 94. That really is amazing, do you get to see him that often or do you live far from him? We as a family, have lost both our parents now, Dad in 1991 and Mum in 1996. I recall Chaz the greengrocer, but I don’t remember him coming round on Saturdays, but if you worked with him then I’m sure you must be right! I know that the baker used to come round on Wednesdays and the old Fishmonger on Thursday wasn’t it? Above all, they were happy days, as I remember them, much simpler times back then, or at least they seemed like it. Probably because we were just little ‘uns! Great to see your response Martyn

    By Bob Marshall (16/03/2013)
  • Hi Martyn, Just to let you know Mr Coleman died only last week, I don’t know if your dad would have been told, if not could you please let him know, I will then let my mum know that he has been told.

    By Sharon Papworth (Maxwell) (23/03/2013)
  • Thanks for that information Sharon, though I don’t think you’ll remember me somehow, but I do remember you, though we were never friends as such. Sad news re Mr. Coleman, but he must have had a good innings?! I know this always gets said about people who have passed on, but he always came across to me as a gentle sort, always well mannered and well dressed. God rest his soul.

    By Bob Marshall (23/03/2013)
  • Hi Bob, I mentioned your name to my mum as when I first read it, you were right, sorry I didn’t remember you but when she explained where your house was I remembered it as being ‘The Marshalls’. You were so right in the way you described Mr Coleman he was a very gentle man, the true essence of the word gentleman.

    By Sharon Papworth (Maxwell) (25/03/2013)
  • Hi Sharon. I remember you, do you remember me? I lived over the road at 41. I have a sister Tracy and brother Lee, also have another brother Spencer but that was later after we moved from there. Also there was Terry Sadler up from you and Ray King. Loving this site – so many memories. Maybe we should all meet up – lol, just a thought!

    By Louise Jordan (21/04/2013)
  • Yes I remember your family- I think you lived more or less opposite the Coppards. Was Lee in my year at school? I seem to remember him having a day off of school because your mum was getting married. Funny the things that stick in your memory when I can’t ever remember where I put the TV remote.

    By Sharon Papworth (Maxwell) (08/05/2013)
  • Hi Sharon, yes we did live opposite the Coppards. I have seen Cathy a couple of times. I think Lee was in your year- fancy remembering that about Lee. hHw funny, are you still in the area?

    By Louise Jordan (Prince) (12/05/2013)
  • Hi Louise, yes I am living in Hangleton, had a stint in Cheshire but was so home sick came back. I was talking with Denise (Blaber) the other day about Amberley Drive, I think you know her as well, her cousins were the Godleys but I can only remember Rosemary – they had a fantastic swing combination in their back garden (Rosemary not Denise).

    By Sharon Papworth (Maxwell) (20/05/2013)
  • Just found this page. I lived at 51, Amberley Drive from 1950 to1954. At no 49 lived the Wades. Over the road there were the Barnards, Colemans, and Walters. Paula Bravery (nee Dawes).

    By Paula Bravery (11/06/2013)
  • Hi Sharon, I see Denise on a Wednesday as we do voluntary work in a charity shop down Boundary Road. Rosemary had sisters Caroline, Alison and Jacqueline. I do remember the swing thing in her garden and Denise’s garden backed on to our garden with a hole in the hedge to get through! They have a school reunion at the Neville pub about twice a year. I have been a couple of times – it was good, although some people we didn’t recognise. If you have facebook, you can add me and I will keep you informed.

    By Louise Jordan (Prince) (11/06/2013)
  • We moved to Amberley Drive shortly after the war, into one of the first houses built just south of Northease Drive, and lived there until 1949. I attended Hove County Grammar School and when I left I went to College to train to become a teacher. My mum and dad, Jim and Nelly Coleman, and my bother Mike lived there until the late 1950s, and I would visit there occasionally, especially during school holidays. It’s so interesting to read of all the experiences of others who lived on that road. I noticed a Mr. Coleman mentioned, and wondered if he was one of my relatives; I’ve not kept in touch with all of them. My dad died in the early 80s. The Mr. Coleman mentioned could maybe be one of his brothers’ sons or grandsons. I now live near Vancouver in Canada, since 1961, and have not revisited the area, but have viewed it on Google street view, and it has changed a lot, much lusher gardens, and I guess most of them are now no longer council houses, but privately owned?

    By Diana Osborne (nee Coleman) (14/07/2013)
  • Hi Guys, is there anybody who knows the origins of the big concrete rock that is positioned in the quiet area of Hangleton Park? I live in Lark Hill and am a keen community activists, I belong to the Friends of Hangleton Park group and we have just been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Fields in Trust Award which we are proud of. We are hoping to have the plaque placed on the rock and now this has got me thinking where this rock came from, as everyone I ask has no idea! So it would be great if any of you could help. Thanks, Nick

    By Nick Lewry (23/08/2013)
  • Hi Nick. I used to play in Hangleton Park when I was a kid from 1954 until 1964 and I can’t remember a large rock. There used to be swings, a roundabout and seesaw in the dip and, at the top of the park, the Lark Hill entrance, there used to be a drinking fountain on a concrete plinth. Mind you the park was a lot bigger in those days. Iif you can tell me where exactly the rock is, perhaps it will jog my memory.

    By Ed Feaver (04/09/2013)
  • I also can’t remember the large rock and I played in the park from 1957’ish until 1970. I remember the park exactly as described by Ed, with the Parkie’s hut (dark, probably treated, wood) by the Lark Hill entrance. Yes, the park was a lot bigger and went up to Hardwick Road before they built Harmsworth Crescent, probably about 1965.

    By Peter Groves (05/09/2013)
  • I’m so excited, just reading all about where we used to live back in 1960s till 1965 when we emigrated to Australia. I lived in 49 Beeding Avenue next to the Sweetapples, with my bother Johnnie and sister Jill. My husband Gary and I, and also my brother Johnnie are coming over to visit the area next year. If anyone thinks they remember us, don’t hesitate to email me on brendy@live.com.au and perhaps we could catch up?

    By Brenda Tucker (05/09/2013)
  • Who remembers the painting of the council houses aprox every 5 or so years? I think there were about 5 different colours that were alternated from house to house. The steel window frames were always white, but the front and back doors, plus the guttering and down pipes got one of the colours. I suspect someone will correct me on the colours, but I know one was a dark purple, as our house got that treatment one year. I think the others could be green, red, blue, yellow, but someone please help me? Of course the council had a “works department” at this time with most of the trades represented. If there was ever some problem with your house it had to be reported, and eventually one of the trades would be allocated to fix it. I suspect that the works department was quite small. I remember once my mum asked me to put some boxes up in the loft. No one had ladder, it was a case and balancing a stack of books on a chair and climbing up, then the boxed being passed up. Anyway I was not as careful as I should have been and slipped, crashing through the bathroom ceiling with one leg each side of a joist. Of course there was no household insurance and my mum was really worried that she would be in trouble with the council. Anyway eventually a workman got allocated and a new ceiling was put up! With football played in the streets, broken windows were another common occurrence, however these had to be repaired at ones own cost. Glass and putty could be purchased from the council yard in Burwash Road! I don’t recall how many I had to repair, but I got quite good at it!

    By Peter Groves (09/09/2013)
  • We moved into 239 Hangleton Way in nov 1954. It was freezing and still a building site with unmade roads. the floors were concrete, my mum painted them with floor paint as we couldn’t afford lino. I was 6yrs old. My brother John was born there in 1956. The paint colours for many years were corporation green or red. We were always green. My mum polished the doorstep with red cardinal polish and told me off for sitting on it and getting red on my clothes. She also always polished the brass letterbox and house no.

    By Maggie Roberts nee Webster (10/09/2013)
  • Hi Brenda Tucker. I just read your comment about when you lived at 49 Beeding Avenue. I lived just two houses away from you at 3 Midhurst Walk, but I must admit I do not remember you.

    Dear Nick
    Sorry but we have had to edit your post. We are no longer allowing the posting of requests to find third parties, as sharing information like this breaches their privacy. We recommend you try Friends Reunited website if you want to track old friends or neighbours.
    Comments Editor

    By Nick Pattenden (10/09/2013)
  • Brenda Tucker. Well, well, well you happened to be one of the few girls that I knew and still remember. I guess living a few doors down on the opposite side of the road at no.32 would help. Most of the lads that I went out with, once we left school, formed Hangleton Football Club and we would spend our evenings in Brighton. That is where we used to see “The Who” before they made it big time. Alan Bryan, who lived in Amberley Drive, said they were set for the stardom, we just did not know how huge they would become. From time to time I view this page and was really glad to see a name and person who I knew. Stan Brand, who was a good mate at that time, has not contributed anything since 2010 and I was only introduced to this site around this time last year. Being retired my wife and I visit Perth, Australia for two or three months a year to visit my son and his family, naturally during the months Feb to April. He has a swimming pool which was somewhat inviting, so fifty lengths a day kept me active. Don’t worry the pool wasn’t that big. Well take care and if you want to hear more let me know. Cheers

    By John Strickland (22/09/2013)
  • Hi John, I do remember you, did you go to Nevill County Secondary School? I have a school photo under Nevill Secondary School. I’m the one in the middle. This is a great site. Keep in touch.

    By Brenda Tucker (29/09/2013)
  • Hello John Strickland. I remember, you and your sister Shanette – she was sitting behind me in the school photo. Would love to hear from her and you. Was it your house that had a lightning bolt that went through the roof? I remember everybody running round to have a look, and the firemen being there.

    Do you or anybody else remember the Barber family, I believe they went to Australia? Came back a few years later. My mum was friendly with Mrs Barber and the last we heard they were living in the Dyke Road area. They had two girls, one was Janet.

    Anyone else remember the Sweetapples? And was James in the school photo on the Nevill page? Keep the memories coming. Great for the Altzhiemers.

    By Jennifer Stevens (30/10/2013)
  • Hello to you Jennifer it’s good that you remember me but that was probably because of my sister. Funny thing is she was Christened Pauline Shanette, but somehow has always been known as Shan. My cousins lived in Poynings Drive so you probably knew them. I also had a good mate called Vic Hoare and obviously got to know his two sisters Eileen and Marion. Eileen married another good mate, Nigel Hughes. Now the lightning bolt! Well it wasn’t quite like that, we had a paraffin heater that caused the fire. Once alight it could not be controlled, despite my mum’s efforts to put it out. Still we survived. I guess that would have been around 1957ish. Jimmy Sweetapple was one of many lads living in Beeding Avenue who I knew well at the time, but then everyone knew everyone, but unfortunately through work etc one lost touch with so many good mates from that time. I did not go to the Nevill, unlike my two sisters, but recognise quite a few lads in the photo. Not so many girls though. The Barber family do not ring any bells, will ask my sister and will look for you in the photo. Brenda Tucker I remember very well and the two of us have been reminiscing by email since making contact just over a month ago. I am assuming you are the same Jenny Stevens (Rogers) in earlier contributions. I have added a photo taken of the Hangleton Football Team 1963. Take a look here and see who you remember. Look also at a contribution made by me on 26/10/2012 you may remember a few names there too. Take care Jenny and good to hear from you.

    By John Strickland (01/11/2013)
  • Hi Jennifer, I was puzzled that it appeared that you were from 1959 at Amberley Drive, but I was next door to you in Poynings Drive, and when I was at Hove Grammar School from 1958 to 1965, I used to cycle quite some distance with David your brother. I really do look forward to meeting up with you soon as I e-mailed and will let you know about my mother now moved to Brighton. 

    By Michael John Smithson (21/12/2013)
  • Hi what a brilliant site, I’ve only just found it. It has brought back lots of memories, many concerning the big building at the back of the house in Applesham Ave. I use to go there every Saturday morning for a trampoline lesson, so good to hear so many names. Hi Stella, Alan, Dianna, Bob, Geoff. I lived at number 47 Amberley Drive, brothers are Dave and Larry. Dave does have MS, he is now in a nursing home but he remains a very funny man, never gives in to the MS. Very sad as he wont beat it. Larry and I are both retired, would be great to catch up with some of you. I saw Anna Dumbrell a couple of weeks ago and we are going to meet up. Do you remember Maria Brydon? Sadly she died, must email Dianna now in Oz I have seen her a few times when she’s been back. We meet with Mick Jelley do you remember him from Clarke Ave? The shop round in Northease Drive was called Stoney Broke. I nearly got caught pinching a 1p chew on the way to school one day. And that winter of snow was brilliant but I remember I had just got home when my mum wanted me to go down the Grenadier to get a bag of coal, can you see the kids doing that nowadays, they wouldn’t know whats hit them, well I do hope people will get back to me on this site.

    By Linda Kempshall (14/11/2014)
  • Just been back on this site after a small time away. Yes, Linda (Kempshall), this is a great site going back so many years of which we are all a part who lived in Amberley and surrounding streets. We really didn’t have to worry about wondering around, although I wasn’t allowed to walk the street, but we had a great time growing in the area. My sister Carole and my brother Martin come back whenever they can as I do. I remember the building in Applesham Lin, and I know John Pollard (my hubby) use to go there. It’s always great to catch up with old school friends, maybe next year? John’s mum is 94 next year – great age for a great lady. If anybody wants to catch up, let me know.

    By Dianna Pollard (nee Freeman) (03/12/2014)
  • Hi, some of you may remember me Neil Gregory. My sister Elaine and I lived at no. 83 Amberley Drive from when it was built to 1965 (the year of Bobby Smith at the Albion). We both went to West Blatchington and the Nevill. I live in Bedfordshire now, our neighbours then were the Dyers and the Hammonds. Be nice to see if anyone remembers us.

    By Neil Gregory (14/05/2015)
  • Hello Neil Gregory! We lived oppostite you at 102 Amberley Drive. Paul Hammond, my late brother, used to play football with you, plus help with a paper round I believe. My sister, Sheila used to spend time with your sister Elaine and Susan Gibson.

    We emigrated to Australia in October 1967. My mother, Joyce, Sheila and myself returned to the UK in 2012. We travelled back to 102 Amberley Drive, it was great reminicing about our past. We caught up with our cousins, Pam and Linda, who you lived next door to. What a great time we had.

    Unfortunately we lost our brother Paul in 2008 from a sudden heart attack, it was a terrible shock for us all. Then fifteen months later my Dad, Harry, also from a heart attack. Very sad times for us.

    I often think back about the times we used to walk to the Neville in the snow! I’m not so sure I like the idea these days. We live in Victoria, which they say can have very similar weather pattens to the UK, not as cold though.

    If you look back through previous entries to this page you will see an entry from myself and Sheila.

    Hope to hear from you soon!

    By Stephanie East (Hammond) (28/05/2015)
  • Hi Steph, yes I remember you well and Sheila.So sorry to hear about Paul,yes we used to do the paper round together and get twoextra papers everyday, old man Bullen could never work it out! I heard you all emigrated. How are your cousins the twins? My sister lives in Crawley and I have three grown up children, gave my youngest away last year when she got married. She travelled Aus for 3 months before that. My dad passed away in 1976, I expect you remember our mum died back in 1958 when we all lived in Amberley. I hear Peter Brackley on the TV occassionally, who lived next to Paul. 

    Great to hear from you!

    By Neil Gregory (29/05/2015)
  • Hello again Neil. Was just thinking about our time spent at 103. I remember vividly, spending my pocket money at Mr. Bullen’s sweet shop. I saved each week and bought a set of little books from him, one at a time. Many years later I checked them out on the internet and realised I hadn’t got the whole set, one was missing, so at the ripe old age of 59 I contacted a book seller in the UK, and lo and behold I now have the complete set. I was so pleased to have them all and take great delight in showing my four Grandchildren. I remember the Jesticos and the Redfords who lived either side of us, not Peter Brackeley, not sure who he is. My cousins live in Horsham and Norfolk. Trevor lives pretty close to Amberley Drive. We caught up with him during our UK visit in 2012. Looks so much like his Dad. Trevor is the same age as me 60.  My husband and I have four wonderful children, a boy, Adrian, then Taryn, Laura and Erin and also four lovely grandchildren, Daniel, Ariana, James and little Kyla. As you can imagine it’s pretty hectic when we all get together. I wonder where your daughter spent her time over here. I bet it was Queensland, it seems to be the place to go if you’re a young one, chasing the sun and beaches. Of course their weather is warmer than ours. I still like the change in seasons, I say it is my British blood, don’t mind a bit of cold weather. Well hope all is well with you and your family. Keep in touch

     

    By Stephanie East (10/06/2015)
  • I randomly came upon this site, and what a joy to read the comments. I used to live on the other side of the park in Barnet Way,one of the contributors a Wayne Wareham asked if anybody knew his dad “big Bill”. Yes I did, I worked with him and his neighbour Gordon Marlow. I tried to go into Wayne’s email but it would not acccept! Maybe he changed his service user. If you post up the new one then I can fill in a few gaps  about “big Bill”.

    By Peter Whittington (14/06/2015)
  • Hello, I stumbled across this randomly and saw that Neil mentioned my dear ol’ dad John Whit the milkman. Does anyone have any memories of him they’d like to share? I was 11 when he died but know how popular he was in the community.

    By Joe Whittington (11/07/2015)
  • Energetic, smart in appearance, magic sense of humour, dependable, kind, good listener, honest, tell you straight, punctual, reliable to name but a few good qualities of your Dad. And much missed.

    By Neil (26/07/2015)
  • Joe – I remember your Dad well, went to school with him, although he was in the year above me.  He used to deliver our milk and often stopped at ours for a cuppa on a Saturday when it was payday time.  I remember one time we were having a new sofa delivered and it had got wedged at the bottom of the stairs by the front door – my husband was in the lounge, I was halfway up the stairs, and the delivery man was outside – he crawled under the sofa to the kitchen to put the kettle on and made tea for us all!

    By Sue Mantell (16/11/2015)
  • What a great site. I have just found it today on my 82nd birthday. I lived on the corner of Clark Ave  and Amberley Drive. So pleased to read the item from Diana Colman. Mike was my best mate and I lost complete touch after he came to my wedding . I now live in Ware, Herts, retired after a career as a town planning officer. I married Joan and for our sins have five children and 10 grandchildren all within 30 mins. I went to Hove County Grammar School. I remember so well the descriptions of Hangleton, the  Downs,  Devil’s Dyke and more. We were cycling crackers as kids, training on George VI hill . Mike and I used to go fishing at Twineham. Memories . Will continue again later

    By Don Balcombe (19/02/2016)
  • Hi Diana. I remember your family so well. Your mum and dad, Mike and Jack the dog. Mike and I used to walk your dog at the ‘long hedge’, collecting mushrooms as we went along. I seem to remember the Williams family lived just down from you. My mum used to have a coffee pot brewing all the time, many times Mike and I would have a cup before going out somewhere. Mike and I played for the Old Boys football team, generally coming home covered in mud. Good times and good memories. 

    By Don Balcombe (26/02/2016)
  • I have a document from 1919 about a person living at 17 Amberley Drive. Did this address exist during the time you lived in the area?

    By R. Sill (28/02/2016)
  • Anyone remember families, Williams, Barns, Colmans and Balcombes living lower end Amberly Drive Junction, Clarke ave.?

    By Don Balcombe (02/03/2016)
  • Hello Don Balcombe. I lived in Poynings Drive from 1948 to 1954 during which time I delivered Sunday Newspapers for a shop very close to the Grenadier Hotel. My round started at the corner of Amberley Drive and Clarke Avenue. I went up one side and down the other. As we are around the same age there is a good chance in all sorts of weather I delivered your papers, that is if you had them delivered. My best friends at that time were David Crowhurst and Joe Brown both who lived in Hangleton Way. (I think that’s what it was called). It ran from Clarke Avenue to Bramber Avenue. At one stage I went out with a girl who I think lived in 92 Clarke Avenue. One of the two houses before turning in the lower half of Amberley Drive. Her name was Sylvia and she had a brother called Dennis. I moved to South Australia in 1964 and have 4 Sons and 9 Grandchildren. We have done so well here and it was the best move I ever made in my life. We think we live in the best State in the best Country in the world. Have been back to England several times on business, the last being in 1978. I still have three brothers in England, Terry lives in Billinghurst, Adrian in Worcestershire and Paul who lives in Stapley Road. I still have many lovely memories of my younger years in England which I treasure very much. I used to live my very young years in Conway Street and have written comments to this site which may interest you. hope in your old age you are as fit and well as I am. Really great corresponding with you. Up the Seagulls.

    By Derek Tanner (06/03/2016)
  • I found this site yesterday. Two weeks ago I drove all around that area reliving memories! We first lived at 63, Clarke Avenue, next door but one to the Burtenshaws, daughter Susan and son Johnnie. In 1958/9 we moved to 45, Amberley Drive. My parents lived there until 1981. Before Mr Softie there was a man who drove a small cream van with no writing on, nothing! He sold the most amazing ice cream. We had a little white toy poodle. I used to play with Louise from 41. Her brother Lee had a little pedal car which I loved having go on. The Kempshalls next door at 47 (Linda broadened my education on their front doorstep). The Hoods were at 43, the Noonans were at 39, can’t remember how many, know there was Ian, and Pat who I  will always be grateful to, for my start in my career. I can see their parents in my head clear as anything. The Trotts were at 35, Julie, Jane and Andrew. Didn’t a family called Wades live there At number 49 with two sons? Next door to them were the Bennetts? Son Steven and another boy I’ve forgotten his name. From West Blatchington School  I remember Rosemary Godley (remember going to tea at her house), teacher Mr Davies and his son Jonathan, Miss Wightman, Miss Phillips the Head, Mr Morris. Pauline Bodle, Susan Lewis, Edgar Benton, James Dwyer, Stephen Jannering, Linda Drury (who used to have yummy sandwiches at breaktime and would share them). There was Graham Welsh, Andrew Westgate, Jill Barton, Suan Riche, Patricia Oxley, Penny Rowe, Wendy Emery, Pamela Banyard (sister of Judith and Linda, whose birthday was one day after mine and every year I silently wish her a happy birthday). I have a photo taken at WB junior school of the class on stage, we had all dressed up, probably taken around 1963/4. From Nevill School I remember Miss Corderoy, Mrs Armstrong the school secretary, French teacher who used to throw chalk at you if you weren’t paying attention. Mrs Rawlings R E, Mrs Shepherd PE, having to stand up whenever the Head came in, walking in to assembly with the same classical music playing, Miss Turner housecraft as it was called then, Nicholas Driver who was in my class  top in maths – until the final year and I beat him, my finest achievement at that school! Does anyone remember a boy pretending to faint in a history class? We were dreadful to the poor history teacher. 

    By Tina Smith (14/06/2016)
  • Hi Derek, just saw your post on here. It’s a great site isn’t it?. Didn’t realise you lived in Poynings Drive for a few years? Is this where you met Sonia? I lived in Beeding Avenue. Did you go to Bullens shop on the corner? Used to go to see my Aunty Pat in Poynings a lot. So many memories – very nostalgic! 

    By Brenda Tucker (Steele) (23/08/2016)
  • This is for all the Nevill kids from 1958-1960 or if you were in the school photo taken of the first intake in 1958. There’s a site on here with the photo and we have named nearly all the faces, just 1 girl on the end of row 3 and 7 boys. If you recognise anyone please get in touch with me – we want it finished before we can’t remember! Derek, do you have a sister called Jill? Thank you in anticipation. My email is back up a bit. [Hi Jennifer, your email will not automatically appear on the website. Just post back that you are happy to have it visible to the public and what the email is. Thanks, Editing Team]

    By Jennifer Rogers (Stevens) (03/09/2016)
  • This is great to find history about Hangleton. I live at 73 Amberley Drive and I have lived here since August 1988 and I have no intentions of moving. If anyone could inform me of anymore history please get in touch with me – my phone numbers are 01273 748908, mobile 07932706590 or call round. I was told recently that the Downsman pub used to be a train station for the Dyke railway line but now after reading this it’s always been a pub. But now it’s closed what is going to happen with it – does anyone know?

    By Richard Wall (04/09/2016)
  • Hi Richard, I’m not sure what will happen to the Downsman Pub, I expect it will be knocked down and flats built, it’s a shame – I went in there lots in the 1970’s!
    Regarding the Dyke Railway, you can read all about it here http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/category_id__1816.aspx
    The station is about 1 mile north of the Downsman pub, it’s still there today but hidden by overgrown bushes, you can see it in part XII and part XII video.

    By Peter Groves (05/09/2016)
  • Thanks Peter – very interesting information. I’m also trying to find out when my house was built and who were the first people that lived here and other people that lived here right up to 1988 when I moved into 73 Amberley Drive – does anybody know? If anyone does or can find out for me, I would be very grateful. You can call round to see me or call me on 01273 748908 or 07932706590. Thanks
    Also, the field that the shops on Burwash Road overlook, which is overgrown and not in use, does anyone know if that is going to be built? It’s just that I heard rumours  but I tend to only believe nowadays when I see hard concrete evidence.

    By Richard Wall (06/09/2016)
  • Hi Richard. Your house was built in 1946.  My school mate Bob Webster lived at No. 75 Amberley Drive, probably between late 1950’s to mid 1970’s, he may know who lived there at that time, I will contact him and ask him to review your blog.
    The field at the back of the shops was our “playground” in the 1960’s. There was a farm at the bottom, and cows in the field right up to Downland Drive.  I have heard the same rumours; that they will build housing there, it actually does make sense, as the chunk of land is now cut off from the rest of the Downs by the by-pass!  Take care!

    By Peter Groves (08/09/2016)
  • Hi Peter, thanks for that. I do remember the Websters next door – they must have been Bob’s parents, but they are no longer with us. It would still be fascinating to know who were the first people that moved in and other people that lived here until I moved in in 1988 and if they are still alive. I wonder if there are any photographs of my house or Amberley Drive from years ago?

    By Richard Wall (09/09/2016)
  • Hello Richard, some info for you. Your house was first occupied and built in 1949 and their name was Humphrey, and then in 1951 it was the Ockendons till 1960. 1964 the Humphreys moved back until 1968, and then it was the Taylors to 1973, where the info ends. Hope that helps.

    By Jennifer Rogers (stevens) (12/09/2016)
  • I lived  with my mum and dad and older brother David at 53 Amberley Drive. I moved there when I was 4 which was 1959. We enjoyed our childhood . We used to put books on roller skates and sit on them and go to the bottom of Amberley Drive. We found our own entertainment as they was little money around but we were happy. Next door to us was the Bennets the Burfords the Kinlocks the Smiths. My mum fostered a six week old baby called David who stayed with us forever but died very suddenly 6 weeks ago. Does anyone remember us?

    By Alison Fletcher (15/09/2016)
  • I was born at 17 Burwash Road, on the corner of Amberley Drive, in 1949 and left to move to Cornwall in 1961. So many great memories of early life there: playing football all day long in Hangleton Park, walking up to the Dyke over the Downs, West Blatchington Junior School. Happy days

    By John Hewitt (30/09/2016)
  • I’ve just come across this site and have spent a wonderful hour reading all the comments and recalling some great memories as I lived first at 53 Buckley Close and then 79 Harmsworth Crescent, Hangleton in late 1960s/early 1970s.  I was especially excited when I came across the comment from Tina Smith as I was also in her class at West Blatchington school and remembered most of those names.  I can add Rosemary Miller, Jennifer Matthews and Gillian Wilson to her list.  Wendy Emery, Rosemary, Gillian and I went on to the Knoll Girls school and Jenny passed her ‘eleven plus’ exam and went to Hove Grammar.  Most of the class went to the Neville School (we few were the ‘other side of the border’ and so gradually lost touch with our friends) in 1974 I moved to Jersey Channel Islands after a holiday romance that all my family were horrified about – I’ve been married for 40 years next summer so I guess I knew what I was doing! I have two grown up sons, Nikki is married and living with his wife and son in Angmering (funny how he has ended up so close to where I started – he went to music college in Brighton too!) and my youngest son Tobi lives with his partner in Lee on Solent.  I have unfortunately lost touch with most of the Hangleton girls but Rosemary and I exchange emails on Xmas and birthdays.  It’s been really great reliving some long forgotten memories and I will keep popping back here to see if anyone remembers me.

    By Juliet Smith (was Upton) (11/10/2016)
  • Hi Juliet, did you live on the corner of Harmsworth Crescent with your sister Melanie? If so I remember you.

    By Peter Groves (12/10/2016)
  • Hi Peter – yes we were the house on the corner, no 79, with my sister Melanie and my mum and dad (Ron and Sally Upton).  I moved to Jersey in 1974 To be with who is now my husband Nevil.  My mum and dad split up a few years later, mum remarried (to Ray Darby) they lived in St Aubyns in Hove for many years, sadly they have now both passed away.  I lost contact with my dad but I believe he married his new partner Christine.  My sister Melanie married Malcolm Beaton and they live in Gleton Avenue.  We were all friends with Pam Eade who lived opposite us with her mum (Pearl I think)  Pam is married to a member of the Groves family – is that your brother by any chance?  I loved reading your article as it reminded me of happy days living in Hangleton.  My friends and I spent many hours hanging round the park. I can remember ‘Parkie’ coming out of his hut and yelling at us – can’t remember why but guessing we were up to some mischief!  We would walk through the little alleyway and head to Mr Bullens for sweets or if we felt really adventurous go down to the ‘Grenadier’ although we hated the walk back up the hill! As I got older, every Saturday we wood all get the 10 past 2 number 19 bus into Brighton to spend our wages – simple pleasures but fond memories.  Thank you for the great article I will keep popping back to see who has added comments.

    By Juliet Smith (14/10/2016)
  • Does anyone remember standing in that phone box in Clarke Avenue and getting people to ring you back?! 70848, Ill never forget that number.
    After reading all these comments I am remembering Henry Young and Graham Morgan and their Triumph motor bikes roaring along Clarke Avenue. The Chambers family and the Burtenshaws.
    I drove past our old house in Beeding Avenue last week and was horrified to see the state of my mum’s house now and the area around it. It was hard to have happy memories when it looked so awful.

    By Wendy Carpenter (18/10/2016)
  • Hi Juliet, there was another Groves family in the north of Hangleton, but we are not related.  My brother Tim, 2 years younger, lives and works in Spain, and my sister Theresa, 2 years older, lives in Portslade and is now retired.  My mum passed away in Feb this year at the age of 93, having lived in Amberley Drive for 56 years.  My son Lewis now lives there with his young family, so May next year the house will have been in the family for 60 years, quite an achievement!  I’ve worked in engineering all my life, and still live in Hove, near St. Ann’s Well Park, looking forward to retirement in 2 years time! Take care!

    By Peter Groves (20/10/2016)
  • Wow! ….glued to this web site for 2 hours recalling many memories of childhood living and being brought up here. Many names here bring back wonderful memories. So, I was around these parts between the 1960s and 1970s. I would visit 49 Amberley Drive quite often as a boy, visiting Sharon and Angela Beresford, who were just a little younger than me. Their dad, John, was a character and I loved him as if he were my own father back then! I was quite shocked when I heard of his premature death, and that of his wife’s, Peggy. They had an Alsatian called Rex. We often all went camping or caravaning together, my parents and the Beresford family. I lived in 33 Buckley Close council flats and attended West Blatchington Infants and Junior schools. I moved to Elm Drive before my 11th birthday.
    Teachers I remember are Miss Whiteman, Miss Outen, who I fell in love with, Mr Rawson, who caned me for using a catapult at the girls! Mr.Morris, Mrs Townsend, Miss Philips, head mistress always wearing green tweed, and Miss Green. Friends I remember in school were, Sue Mabbett, Lesley Skilling, Roberta Cook, Andy Blaber, Leslie Strickland, Timothy Allen, Stuart Still, Barry Chambers, Ashley Townsend.
    I live and work in South Wales now. I have 3 grown up kids and 2 grand kids!

    By John Bibby (15/11/2016)
  • I only spent a year at West Blatchington Junior School,but I remember being in Mr McQuades class then being sent to Mr Rawsons. All  that I remember is that when the telephone rang we all took a turn answering it in order to teach us telephone etiquette!

    By Wendy Carpenter (05/12/2016)
  • Hi, I also lived in Hardwick Road at no 31 between 1967- 1981. Kim and Sue Leonard moved to Australia in 1981. I also attended West Blatchington Infants and Juniors, then onto Knoll Girls, great memories.

    By Kim Mclean (Leonard) (05/02/2017)
  • Hi Alison! Of course I remember you! We used to go to girl guides together! Didn’t we go to Camp together? Do you remember the sneaky way we got our Laundry badge? And I remember you and your mum like it was yesterday! What a great site this is! 

    By Tina Smith (23/02/2017)
  • Hi Juliet I remember you!?? I have a school photo of our class, we are on stage, dressed up, Jonathan Davies is the King and I think we are peasants, does anyone else have this photo? Wish I could put it on here! I just love this site, so many memories. Does anybody remember Susan Lewis and Pauline Bodle? I saw Pauline a couple of times when she was working in a toy shop in Hove, I think she married Dave Mitchell, does anyone see them? And is there any others who remember being in Mr Morris’ class in West Blatchington, I’m thinking 1960-62ish? 

    By Tina Smith (23/02/2017)
  • Hi Don Balcombe,

    I haven’t visited this website for a long time so I have only just seen your message, hence this rether tardy reply. I was so pleased to see your message, and I remember 3 people Mike was close to, yourself, Dave Goldsmith, and Mike Divall. I remember Mike spent as much time as possible fishing! Unfortunately Mike passed away at the age of about 76, and his wife Pat a couple of years later, but I am still in touch with with his daughter Gill, who lives in Uckfield, (she has 2 children), and she and her husband have visited us here twice recently. I’m afraid I didn’t see much of Mike since we left for Canada in 1961, but we did write occasionally, and my daughter and I visited him in the 80s. He became a bank manager in Belgravia, but had a heart attack in his late 40s and had to take early retirement a few years later. My dad died in 1984 , but mum died at 95 in 1998. We did have a large family in Hove and thereabouts, having 7 sets of aunts and uncles and numerous cousins, but most are now passed away or moved, although I’m still in contact with my cousin John Coleman, who was also living on the same estate and whom you may know through Mike, and he lives in Shoreham with his family.

    Isn’t the Amberley Drive thread a great source for reconnecting with old friends, although I was a little older and didn’t know many people, but have enjoyed reading all the comments? What happy memories everyone seems to have of their childhoods there; everybody should be so lucky. I hope the area has managed to maintain that happy atmosphere for the new generations of children coming along. Thank you for your reply to my comment, and I hope you and his other friends have had as good a life as Mike had.

    By Diana Osborne (22/04/2017)
  • H Tina. Yes I remember us going to Guides. Remind me how we got our laundry badge. I know I used to do a lot of things for badges round your house. Your mum and dad were so nice. Happy days 

    By Alison Fletcher (28/06/2017)
  • Re: Downsman Pub. There is be a four storey block of flats and approximately ten houses constructed on the site. Plans have been displayed at the Harmsworth Crescent Community Centre.

    By Ken Hill (26/07/2017)
  • I heard that there is a planning problem regarding progress on the Downsman site; apparently unbeknown to the developer there is a covenant on the field adjacent to the north of the pub not allowing any construction.  I remember when the field was used for horses. Prior to construction of the Downsman Pub the land was part of Brighton & Hove Golf Club.

    By Peter Groves (28/07/2017)
  • Hi guys, I was married to Philip Podesta who lived at no 9. Sadly he died in 1993 from his asthma in Northampton where I still live. We have 2 children, a boy and a girl, both now in their thirties and I now have 4 Podesta grandchildren. I was Mary Bernard and lived in Applesham Avenue during the 60s and went to Hangleton Primary and Knoll school for girls. Phil’s sisters Norma and Carolyn live by the windmill. Phil often used to talk about playing games on the green outside no 9 and biking up onto the downs. Norma I believe has all the family photos.

    By Mary Podesta (29/08/2017)
  • This message is for Juliet Smith née upton, I think your mum and dad were my godparents. I was brought up in Spencer Ave,  My mum and dad were John and Dorothy Freeman. I have lived in Australia for the past 46 years. Mum  moved to no 38 Amberley Drive in 2008. It  would great if you contact me if I’m right  Di Pollard née Freeman.

    By Dianna Pollard (28/10/2017)
  • Hi Dianna Pollard, so sorry I haven’t got back to you before but I lost this website address. Luckily my daughter in law came across it and saw your message and guessed it was for me. Yes, my mum & dad, Ron & Sally Upton, had friends called John & Dorothy (Dot, mum used to say) and they had three girls and a boy, I seem to remember that very sadly one of the girls passed away very young. If you are the same family, you lived in Amberley Drive many years ago – maybe 1960s – just up the road from my Auntie Eve, Uncle Terry and my cousins Terry and Sharon Murphy. The family moved away and I guess my mum & dad lost touch.  How amazing that we can make contact half way across the world, we both having moved far from Hangleton! I will keep coming back to this site now that I have found it again and hopefully hear from you again soon.

    By Juliet Smith (07/12/2017)
  • Hi, All that are left.  Moved into a new house, 54 Amberley Drive, May 1948,  Have younger brothers ( David & Graham) & sister ( Rosemary).  Lived at 42 Hallyburton Rd for 5 years prior. Married Susanne Ansell, (11 Amberley Close). 1961 at St Peter’s next to the WindMill. Have not heard from any of my time.  We have lived in Southern California the last almost 50 years.  Like the sunshine.  Joe Wade lived opposite me in # 49 is quite ill but still in Hove.   Mike Azzaro lived next door.  Dave Lynn lived down the road as did pat, Kenny & Pam Cole. Danny Dawes was on the corner & the 2 Mike Williams lived in the lower part.  Interesting to find this History from so long back.   Can relate to much of it. The lads in the street & friends, formed the first Hangletonian Football Club, originally a Sunday team.  Anyone from that time period that can add extra info, would be nice to hear. Many have already departed.

    By Gordon Barnard, (25/01/2018)
  • Hello Gordon. I assume you are talking about Hallyburton Rd. when mentioning some of your neighbours. I remember Joe Wade and your brother David, and also Danny Dawes. I believe Danny was tragically killed in Cyprus soon after starting his National Service. Was Mike Azzaro related to Peter?

    By Geoff Stoner (28/01/2018)
  • Hi Geoff.  Had trouble getting to here. Danny Dawes knocked around with Kenny Phillips (Hallyburton Rd. area.  Terry & Bobby Benham lived at #25, emigrated to Oz, still keep in touch with young sister, Coleen) & he was killed doing National Service overseas, so I heard. Mike Azzaro was the older bother of Peter (went to County School) there was also a younger one & we shared a pathway in 54 & 56 Amberley Drive.  Their Dad was a rear-gunner on bombers & survived to get quite high in rank after the War.  Whereabouts did you live at that time? The Danny Dawes that lived #40 on Amberley Drive was another Danny Dawes!  Confusing.  It would be a lot easier to contact me at:- gordonbarnardesq@aol.com.  Had trouble logging in.                  

     

    By Gordon Barnard (01/02/2018)
  • Hi, I have just found this site. I recently commented on a Brighton past post, and I found a long lost family, hoping to reach out to some old friends. My mother was Sylvia Wilson and my uncle was Peter ,and we lived in Clarke Avenue on the corner with a white bull terrier. My grandfather was Tommy and grannie was Marge. I remember the Warners opposite our house. Next door to me on the corner of Amber let drive was a little girl and older son. I forget their names but I remember she had a party and we lived a song called the wild thing by the Troggs. I moved to Down Land Drive – 100a was right at the end by the junior school, but those years I was going to the infants with names like Colin Ingledew, Philip Doutre, Terry Jacobs. Whilst on the subject one of my best friends in them long lost years in Clarke Avenue was Peter Warner who moved to Harmsworth Crescent number 9 and by then I had a brother and a step father. My brother was Shane Rodrigues. Then I went to the junior school which as I said was opposite the flat. My mother and I lived in and opposite the caretakers pad. People from those days at school were Beverley Langchild, Tina Clark, Barry Robinson, the Hunts, the squibs, Tracy Bryant the minchinton ,the Brands, Steve Lester. I cannot remember many teachers, maybe little Miss White at the bottom of the school. I remember the ladies – Mrs Darke mate’s mum, Gary Weston helping out  and the tiny swimming pool. The people who lived around me in Harmsworth Crescent were the Pennys, sadly Julie died, Andy McGowan, Jackie Hodge, Jill and Julie Scroggins, Jackie Martin Lloyd ,Paula Sutton , Lee Scutchings. Number 1 was Sean Ansell and his brother but they moved on and Bob Field and the family moved in. There was a brother and sister – the Kenneys, the Rodgers, Janet Yardley. Any way that’s the that. The garages at the back of Harmsworth with the bikers. I got my first bike, a Triumph Tiger cub and then went to the Knoll School and the others went to the Neville but that’s another story. Memories I have many. Happy days. Hangleton was what it was ,and maybe more stories will follow this.

    By Stephen Knight (14/03/2018)
  • My family lived at 124 Amberly Drive when it was first built. Mrs Lucas and daughter pauline were at 122, and the Waldrons (children, David and Susan) lived at 126.Behind the house was the park to the left and open land all the way into foreverness, there was the golf course. And West Blatchington School….of which I was a “founding” pupil. Me and kenny Norris had a fight, sort of, over who was the boyfriend of a girl called Barbara.

    The rag and bone man used to give out a goldfish in a plastic bag if you gave him some rags.

    Great article. I’ve bookmarked it and will read it again and again, i’m sure.

    Brother Barry became a doctor and died 10 years ago aged 64.Gillian is in Californian and Christopher is in Eastbourne.Dad, John Robinson died in 1980 and Sylvia (mum) died 2 years ago.

    By Anthony Robinson (22/03/2018)
  • Just to correct an earlier post. My name is Mick Dawes and I lived at 40 Amberley Drive with my two brothers Pete and Tim. Our dad used to work at Hangleton Motors at the Grenadier and I remember the old vintage Bentley owned by Mr Pownall (I think) and this used to be entered in the Concours D’Elegance which was held on Brighton seafront every year. Tim and I went to Hangleton infants and juniors then on to Neville School. Pete who was our older brother went to the Knoll school. Mick Dawes is now living in Beddington in Surrey but an Albion season ticket holder.

    By Michael Dawes (03/04/2018)
  • Are you the same Mick Dawes who went on to work for BSC in and around south London?

    By Nigel Underhill (04/04/2018)
  • Hi Mick Dawes,  I remember you from school.  Didn’t you use to hang out with Clive Vosper? My maiden name is Peters and I was known as Beryl in those days. I used to live in Poplar Avenue.

     

    By Margaret Bridle (07/04/2018)
  • Hi Nigel. Presume you used to work for Saxone in Sevenoaks. I’ve been retired 6 years now. My final 15 years after leaving Saxone was as a flooring estimator. I worked all over the southeast covering all types of flooring in domestic and contract installations

    By Michael Dawes (26/04/2018)
  • Hi Margaret. I didn’t hang about with Clive Visoer although he was in my class. I knocked about with John Groves, Colin Gent and loads of others who used to play football in Amberley Close and Hangleton Park.

    By Michael Dawes (26/04/2018)
  • Hi Margaret Bridle. I remember you and Tony from MB Metals. How is life treating you? We live in the beautiful City of Lichfield now.

    By Rodger Olive (02/05/2018)
  • Hi, message for Tina Smith: OMG I saw you commented on here, message me, must meet up.

    By Louise (02/05/2018)
  • Hi Mike if you want to talk about the past my email is nigel.underhill@talktalk.net

    By Nigel Underhill (02/05/2018)
  • Hi Rodger Olive, good to hear from you. We both remember you from our MB Metals days. We are both retired now of course and live in Seaford. Hope you are well.

    By Margaret Bridle (23/06/2018)
  • Hi, we lived in a Bramber Ave (29) for 58 years. Our surname was Boniface and my sisters are Linda and Julie. I remember a lot of the things people have spoken about on here, from playing on Amberley Close green, cold winters, snow mountains, the games we all played, the parade of shops at Burwash – all such great happy times! We all went through the West Blatchington schools followed the the Nevill. I actually married the boy next door – George Deacon, 35 years ago!  My mother-In-law still lives up there today. I can most probably still name most of the people that lived from no.9 up towards Burwash. Reading through these notices have brought back some lovely memories and sad losses.

    By Sue Deacon (03/07/2018)
  • This is for Juliet Smith, hi thank you for putting a post for me, as I’ve said I have memories of your mum and dad. It’s seems strange after all these years, Mum and Dad have gone down, but I was in Hove the other week visiting my hubby’s Mum who is 97. Went down to St. Peter’s church to visit. Had a trip down memory lane driving around the street, everything seems small. f ever you come to Australia please let us know. Take care.

     

    By Dianna Pollard (08/07/2018)
  • Hi Louise,  Omg I can’t believe this reached you. I have so many happy memories of playing as children together. I hope all is well with you. How is your Mum? And Tracy and Lee? 

    By Tina Smith (19/07/2018)
  • Hi Alison, re laundry badge,  we were supposed to go the tester’s house with dirty washing and wash and iron it there, but one of the guides told us to “ just take a pile of clean and ironed things out of the airing cupboard and say you thought you had to do it at home and just show her” and that’s what we did. Do you remember? And by the way, was your Dad called Taffy? 

    By Tina Smith (19/07/2018)
  • Tina smith,what a great site this is, such good memories,if you fancry catching up about the past my email is loujordan01@yahoo.co.uk X.

     

    By Louise Jordan (20/07/2018)
  • Hi Tina, so happy you saw my message, are you still living local? My email is loujordan01@yahoo.co.uk or Fb if you use it.

     

     

    By Louise Jordan (20/07/2018)
  • Hi everyone, well I just found this and so many memories of Hangleton at its best. I lived in Hardwick Road from 1972 till 1981. I went to Knoll Girls School and remember a couple of you from here and some people who have not been mentioned. Remember Neil Thacker and the Newing girls from Harmsworth Crescent, I would love to know where they are now. Remember John the milkman, he was an absolute star. Stephen Elms lived next door to me and Paul Phillips was at number 56. Linda Birch lived the other side to me she was a great friend. X

    By Susan Wall (Ingham-Law) (01/08/2018)
  • Hi I came across this site unexpectedly but happily. It’s brought back many memories of my childhood. I grew up in 71 Harmsworth Crescent and remember Peter Groves and Timmy! My friends were Liz and Lindsay and we knew Pete, Tim and Eddie Benton as the gang. We used to hang out together. I’ve loved reading these posts, brought back many happy carefree memories!

    By Jackie Giles nee Stammer (08/09/2018)
  • Hi Jackie, so pleased that you have found my page and you are right –  so many happy memories of long ago and “the gang”. What great times, take care.  Peter

    By Peter Groves (09/09/2018)
  • Hi, does anyone remember us, the Drewett family of 3, Beeding Ave?

    By Colin Drewett (12/09/2018)
  • Colin and Valerie lived at 3, Hardwick Road, then 10, Beeding Ave, not no 3.

     

    By Colin Drewett (14/09/2018)
  • What a lovely read. My grandparents were in Beeding Avenue. Stephanie East (was Hammond) my mum is trying to find you. She is Rita James- was Harwood. She’d love to hear from you.

    By Natasha Paling (17/09/2018)
  • Hello Natasha Paling. I am sitting here at my computer, checking out this lovely site and what do I see? My friend Rita’s daughter mentioning my name. If Rita would like to contact me she can via my email address’ cseast@bigpond.com. I can’t wait to make contact. I have so many great memories from living in Amberley Drive all those years ago.

    By Stephanie East (Hammond) (22/09/2018)
  • I haven’t been on here for a long time. I was driving along the bypass few weeks ago and noticed a large crane around the West Blatchington school area so went to have a look. They are rebuilding the schools and I gather a secondary school is going on the school fields. The original schools are still standing but will be demolished at some point soon.

    By John Webster (20/10/2018)
  • Hello John Bibby, this is my first time on here for about four years so there is much to catch up on and seeing my name was quite a surprise. I too remember holidays camping and later on, our caravans going down to Austria, sunbathing at the bottom of the mountain and playing snowballs at the top. You also I saw remember our beautiful dog (Rez) of which there will never be another to compare him with.  I used to see your mum now and again in Lancing village but I sadly  don’t get to go into the village very often these days. I too am married with two grown up children and two beautiful granddaughters. I hope you and your family are all well.

    By Sharon Harris (Beresford) (11/11/2018)
  • I have read this page because I also grew up in the Hangleton area – Poplar Avenue. However, this particular post is due to some rather unusual surnames that appear on this page. These names stand out for me as they also belong to people I have studied / worked with over the years. The people in question are:
    Colin Feaver – At Brighton Technical College, 1965 – 1970. Mervyn Rattray – In Miri, Sarawak, Borneo, 1980, Tom Pattenden – In Newfoundland, Canada, 1999 – 2000. Would any of these be relatives?I’d be interested to hear.

    By Alan Phillips (27/02/2019)
  • My name is David Johnston. I moved to 24, Amberley Drive in 1946. Our house was the first one to be built. I have a photo taken at the time with all the family standing on the front steps with the Mayor, if I can get this to come up I will add to it.

    By David Johnston (27/09/2019)
  • I came across this site by accident and have just spent an hour looking through the comments. I lived at 83 Amberley Drive from about 1963? until I got married in 1976. My neighbours were the Hammonds at no 81, opposite were the Thaxters. I went to West Blatch infants /juniors and then the Nevill 69/74. I remember so many of the names mentioned, it has been great so many memories have come flooding back!

    By Sandra Sampson (Johnson)2/10/19 (01/10/2019)
  • Well I have just come across this site. Lived at 68 Hardwick Rd, I remember quite a few of the names and places. Moved to Hardwick Rd in around 1970. Remember the Clayton gang had to fight my way into that one being the new kid on the block . Played football with Dave Clayton for knoll boys. Remember going to find golf balls at foxes wood used to walk along the old railway embankment. The downs man pub, I used to take the empty cider bottles back that was my pocket money. The fish and chip shop! Can anyone remember getting scraps which was the left over batter lovely especially with pickled vinegar. Walked to knoll boys every day rain wind and snow mind you the highlight was walking past knoll girls. l had a crush on Jemma and Georgie Mitchington. Spent a lot of time with the Martins, they had some great parties. Some of the other names I remember are The Foxes. The Meads, Paul, Nick and Bobby. The Perrings. The Hodgekins. The Graham’s. Just some of them. Great site many memories.

    By Stephen Elms (08/01/2020)
  • Just discovered this site. Earlier on in this thread there was mention of The Light Blue Filling Station. It was owned by my uncle Ron Taylor and I can remember him wiping the windscreen of each customer. He was married to my father’s younger sister, Jean and lived at 11 St Helen’s Crescent. My grandparents, Rupert and Gwen Morris lived in the flat above the garage. We often visited them when I was a child, and later I would visit my grandmother (she was widowed in 1970) while I was at university in Southampton (1971-4). I would get the train to Portslade and walk up to Hangleton from the station. I can remember the parade of shops mentioned in previous messages.

    By Julia Burns (12/04/2020)
  • I was born in 17 Burwash Road, on the corner of Amberley Drive, in 1947 early this year I visited from Cornwall where I now live and took some photos of me standing on steps of 17 so many happy memories of my early years growing up there and going to West BLatch junior school.

    By John Hewitt (29/06/2020)
  • Hi
    I knew Jane from Lewes music school, I was a guitarist trying to get on a course there but they weren’t interested in pop music at that time. I was living in Brighton. Im glad she’s well.

    By Pete Davies (06/08/2020)
  • Sorry, I forgot to say, I found this site by chance while looking for information on Hangleton, my late wife’s brother and sister in-law live there.

    By Pete Davies (06/08/2020)
  • Hi there – I’ve just found this site and have had great fun trawling through all the comments. My name is Graham ( Gil ) Harding and I lived at the top of Poplar Avenue close to the Downsman from 1955 until 1966 when I left home for London.
    Of course I remember the Dyke, the dew pond, the farm with the white cow and many of the others already spoken about.
    I remember a lot of the names too – mostly through playing football with them for Hangleton and Alpine Rovers as well as lots of 5 a side at Hangleton Youth Club with ‘Fred’ and his pipe in charge.
    Bobby Hunan, Mike Wade and many others from the ‘West Blotch’ side and myself, Peter Whittington ( I recall famous for his long distance sliding tackles ), Micky Harwood, Bernie Peters, Steven Edmonds

    and my cousin Alan Harding who lived in Barnet way.
    I was very friendly with Kenny, Eddie and Roy Hunt of Clayton Way – sadly Eddie and Kenny have left us but am still in close contact with Roy in Australia.
    I think Peter Groves ( and his brother ? ) might have lived opposite my house in Poplar Avenue for a short while too
    Richard Gumbrell was at HCGS with me as were a lot of the other names I recall.
    I also think I played a lot of football with Nigel Underhill – I think we were selected to go to Lilleshall with the English schoolboys and also went on a soccer trip to Germany .
    Also played a lot with Peter Pannett and Mick and Phil Botting plus many others from nearby.
    Ronnie Davies was and still is a great pal of mine and we meet up regularly for a beer or two.
    I remember all the ice cream vans, the mobile deliveries and also the ‘knife grinder’ on his bike.
    So many great memories of an upbringing so different from today’s generation and although we might not have had as many gadgets to play with we were fortunate enough to have safe access to the many parks and open countryside around us at that time – but not any longer alas.
    Thanks for keeping this web site going for so long and reviving so many memories for me.
    Gil Harding.

    By Graham Harding (31/10/2020)
  • Hi Graham, sorry but I dont remember you, it sounds like you are a tad older than me, however I do remember much that you mention. We moved to Amberley Drive in 1957 at the age of 3 and in 1966 when you moved to London I was 12. Remember Fred at HYC in the late 1960’s, and he still had his pipe then. Steve Edmonds was a few years older than me, he had a brother Chris a year or so younger than me. My brother was Tim Groves, but as children we never lived in Poplar Ave, although I moved there in 1986 when I was married. Richard Grumbrell lived next door to us at 97 Amberley Drive, although he was a few years older than me, he also had an older sister Susan and brother Steven (who was 1 year older than me) They moved to a house behind St Georges Hall Church and backing onto the grammar school playing field about 1964/5. Peter Pannett and the Bottings lived just down the road from us in Amberley Drive, ……..are you still local, very best wishes to you Gil!

    By Mr Peter Groves (31/10/2020)
  • Hi Graham/Gil I remember a lot of those names you mentioned and all of our footballing exploits especially the all conquering HCGS under 14s that went all season without losing and scoring over a 100 goals in 13/14 games. the names I recall are Rod Waters, Richard Lindfield , Mick Wade, ?Hewitt , John Upfield .
    Then there was our trips to Germany that had quite a few of the Brighton schoolboys under15s in the squad John Dowsett, Richard Pullen Warren Tennant, Frazer? and the unforgettable Barry Scaping, who I met up with for a few years ago for a chat.

    Hope you are keeping well I rarely get back to Hove these days the last time 2017

    By Nigel Underhill (01/11/2020)
  • Graham Harding,
    I believe I lived opposite you, at 202 Poplar Avenue, from when we moved there in 1961 until I also left home for London in early 1972. You are slightly older than me if I recall correctly and your mother continued to live opposite my parents, Kit and Les Phillips, for some years. I moved back to Brighton after I married a Portuguese girl in 1974 and still live there today, just off Surrenden Road, although we have lived and worked around the world over the years. Hoping life has treated you well.

    By Alan Phillips (04/11/2020)
  • A message for Margaret Bridle,
    I feel as though I should know you as I also lived in Poplar Avenue, at number 202, and worked at MB Metals Ltd. I joined the company straight from school in April 1964 as a trainee before becoming an apprentice in January 1965 until January 1970. I left the company in March 1970 as a Junior Draughtsman to further my career in heavy engineering but, before leaving, I worked for some time with Rodger’s brother Keith, in the Drawing Office. I enjoyed my time at MBM but since then have worked around the world as Design Engineer so I also have them to thank for providing me with a good spring board. It all seems so long ago now though!

    By Alan Phillips (04/11/2020)
  • A message for Alan Phillips.
    Hi Alan it’s good to see your name appearing on this site again. Sadly Keith passed away good Friday 2019. He was not just my little brother but a good friend as well.

    Just like you MBM set me on a great career with some of the finest technology companies.
    All the best.

    By Rodger Olive (07/11/2020)
  • Rodger,
    I am very sorry to hear of Keith’s passing, please accept my sincere condolences. I shall always remember him at the wheel of his bright orange Mk1 (frog eye) Austin-Healey Sprite. He tried his hardest to get me to buy one too, but I couldn’t afford the insurance on an apprentice’s wages. Nowadays I might squeeze in (just!) but I would most certainly need the firebrigade to get me out again.
    If ever you are down Brighton way again Rodger, it would be nice to meet up for a beer and a reminisce, lockdown permitting. You can contact me directly at alme.phillips@gmail.com.

    By Alan Phillips (09/11/2020)
  • Hi again Alan Phillips,
    Yes it wasn’t strictly orange it was Marigold. I sprayed it in George Stonier’s garage. It was great watching people react to the car at a time when all cars were rather dull! We still have a toy car. (MX5)which we bought new 15 years ago and has 18,500 on the clock. I can get in and out without calling the AA. All the best.

    By Rodger Olive (09/11/2020)
  • Hi Peter,
    Thanks for your message. Yes having moved about a bit I now live on Ditchling Common but seldom go back to Hangleton apart from meeting up for a drink with old pals Paul Simmons and Ronnie Davies.
    Hope you are keeping well.
    Graham Harding.

    By Graham Harding (11/11/2020)
  • To Alan Phillips
    Hi Alan yes I do remember you and your parents from Poplar Avenue. Your parents were very friendly with my mum who passed away in 2015 aged 95. I remember you leaving home for London too, just as I did in 1966.
    I hope you are keeping well.
    Graham Harding.

    By Graham Harding (11/11/2020)
  • Nigel Underhill.
    Hi there Nigel – good to hear from you and to recall that HCGS team and the trips to Germany. I think it was John Hewitt, and Gerry Fraser ( who I bumped into at a garden centre in Hassocks last year ). Only other name from HCGS team I can remember was Tim Dawes who played left back I think.
    When I had a property in Portugal I spent a lot of time with Warren and his wife Pip on the golf courses there. I think they spend most or all of their time there now.
    Do you remember out ‘training’ sessions at Carden School / youth club before our trips to Germany ? I think Dennis Goldsmith ex HCGS took the training. Also the large ‘World Cup Willie’ cut out we took on the coach to Germany …. not sure it went down too well with the people of Datteln ( still got the coal medal we all received ?).
    Winning the World Cup – maybe we will again…have to stay positive 😀
    Hope you are keeping well.
    Gil Harding.

    By Graham Harding (11/11/2020)
  • HI Neil,
    I lived next door to you in Amberley Drive in the late 40’s and 50’s at No 85.
    I expect you remember our family. Mum & Dad and Peter. We used to play together in the street.Not many cars then.
    I remember your Sister Elaine and the Hammond twins next door to you.
    Had a good childhood up there.
    I live in Upper Beeding now. I lost my husband 2 years ago after 50 years of marriage. Taking a while to come to terms with it,
    Peter lives in Wales with his family and we keep in touch.
    Have you stayed in Sussex? Would love to hear from you.

    By janetsnelling (Dyer) (23/11/2020)
  • Graham Harding
    Hi yes I still have my coal medal still in its box although cracked somewhere in the loft. Do you remember flying from Southend to Germany hated every minute of it and have never flown since have a terrible fear of heights.
    Tim Dawes went to Hangleton primary and then to the Neville yes he did play left back ,his brother Mick worked for the same company as I did.
    Those trips to Germany were great and as you say Dennis Goldsmith did take us for training sessions , but do you remember thursday nights down the Albion with Steve Burtenshaw?
    Hope you are keeping safe in these troubled times.
    Nigel.

    By nigel underhill (27/11/2020)
  • I was living at 22 Amberley Drive from 1972 to 1982 before moving to Milton Close, Lancing My children
    went to the local school and my family attended the local Baptist church where the pastor was Charlie Pocock. Anyone interested contact reevesreg84@gmail,com.
    Love reading all the info!

    By Reg Reeves (04/12/2020)
  • My dad Ken Burtenshaw who’s 85, was telling me over Christmas about his boyhood friend Mick Lever from Bellingham Crescent. Dad accidentally hit Mick in the head with a cricket ball. Does anybody know if Mick is still around?

    By Sandra Allen (29/12/2020)
  • This site is fantastic, I found it by mistake trying to remember the name of the greengrocers at the bottom of Burwash Road, anyway that was 2 days ago. I was born in Nutley close in 1962 and my family lived there for 40 years, I remember so many people mentioned in the last 100 messages or so, it’s been a real trip down memory lane, keep sending them. Steve Squibb.

    By Steve Squibb (23/01/2021)
  • Thank you Peter groves for doing this, my Mrs liz Nathan sends her love. I don’t know if you remember my father in law Gerry Nathan who used to run the football in the park, unfortunately he passed away last week aged 93,and my mum Stella Squibb passed away last September aged 94. God willing we see those sort of ages. Be lovely to hear from anyone who knows my family or lizzies.

    By Steve Squibb (23/01/2021)
  • For Steve Squibb,
    I used to go around with your brother Vic around the time you were born. We had previously lived just up the road from your parents, in Boundary Road. Then your parents and siblings moved to Nutley Close before my parents and I moved to Poplar Avenue around 1961. Although I continued to go to school in Portslade after we moved, I used to mix with your brother and a few others from around the Burwash Road area outside of school. A couple of names I recall from that era are John (Jack) Brown and Melvyn Davies, who I have met a couple of times quite recently. I believe Vic married a girl called Janet who’s parents lived on the corner of Burwash Road and Amberley Drive. Please give Vic my best wishes when you see him.

    By Alan Phillips (23/01/2021)
  • Hi Steve I think you must be a tad younger than me, I remember your family in Nutley Close, and your brother was Chris I recall, he might have been closer to my age? I think you lived in the corner of Nutley Close near to the Tidy’s, with Johnny Grease a few doors away, and my best mate Anthony Power a further few doors away! Of course I remember Liz Nathan, and her three friends, Lindsay, Jackie and Melanie, we were all very close friends around the period 1968 to the early 1970’s, where we met up in the park and hung out. Also up at the youth club; ask her if she remembers some of the great/funny escapades we got up to? I’m pleased you and so many found the page and enjoyed my recollections, and all of those who have contributed with their memories, it was a great time to be young! Send my very best regards to Liz, I will never forget the great friendship between us……mainly me, Eddie, Tim and Liz and her three friends, although there were others who drifted in and out of “the gang”! Take care Peter.

    By Mr Peter Groves (23/01/2021)
  • Sorry Steve, to add to my earlier comment, yes I remember Liz’s dad, he and your mum lived to a good age, my mum (Liz will remember her) also lived to 93, she passed away 5 years ago, she was still living at Amberley Drive until she was 91. The house is still in the family, my son Lewis and his young family live there; having moved there in 1957 the house has been in the family for 73 years! And again very best to Liz xxx

    By Mr Peter Groves (23/01/2021)
  • Lived at 22 Clarke Ave from 1947…..New house…now 42
    Alan Horne and Mike Horne.

    By ALAN HORNE (30/01/2021)
  • Is it still active ???

    By Alan horne (06/03/2021)
  • Hello all you old Hangletonites. By chance I met Bob Wheatleys son the other day and shared history from way back when. Prompted by that I came across all these wonderful memories above. I lived at 11 Clarke and have to agree re the freezing houses and some tough times but I wouldn’t change my childhood for the world. Some old pals :- Victor Hoare, Brian Bennett, Mike Budd, John Halford, The Gardners (next door) Jerry & Julie Lyne, Carol Curtiss, Linda Page, Pat & Kenny Norris, Pete Sturmey, Mike Keary, Billy Lambe, Roy Coats, Margaret Hoy, Jane Westgate, Eric Smith, Keith Butler, Julie Sears, Max Brown and so many more. Didn’t we just have the best years.

    By TERRY RITCHIE (15/04/2021)
  • Best site ever. So many memories being rekindled.
    124 Amberley Drive 1950.
    Family name Robinson.
    Pauline Lucas at 122, the Waldrons at 126.
    Mr. Hovell at the Neville school who used to throw chalk at talkers!
    Peter Hollingsworth was my best mate, sadly he died aged 21 from “speed”. His poor mum found him in bed.
    Many names mentioned on the site recall fond memories, viz Trevor Evans, the Bottings (Keith)
    Etc, etc. Hope this site never closes
    Anthony Robinson (Now: Tony Wild)

    By Anthony Wild (08/05/2021)
  • I just re-found this page today. I was looking for info on the Roman site in Amberley Drive and my search led me here! Amazing to see the comments still being added 14 years on from Peter Groves’ original post!
    I grew up in Hangleton 1962-1981. Lived at both 44 and 84 Hardwick Road, 53 Harmsworth Crescent, and 30 Amberley Drive.
    It’s been fantastic catching up and reading all the comments!

    By Tim Wareham (14/05/2021)
  • I’m pleased Tim…….did you find anything about the Roman site?

    By Mr Peter Groves (15/05/2021)
  • Wow, what a walk down memory lane.

    I grew up in Poplar Avenue so the Grenadier and the shops at the Parade are etched in my memory.

    My brother Neil and I spent hours on our bikes, on the downs and at Greenleas park. We both remember many of the shops that were on the parade.

    Someone asked a question about the ‘wool shop’, isn’t that funny, that’s what we called it. It had thick yellow plastic that rolled down from the top of the window and hung in the windows to stop the sun bleaching the yarns. Do you remember the smell, it was lovely! And I think it was called Ladybird.

    In that row there was a fish and chip shop on the end, which I think became a betting shop and then the Bank. A sweet shop (can’t remember the name) It seemed huge in there and they had 3 or 4 machines outside in the entrance, one of which was a PK chewing gum machine. The twitten came out there, and on the other side was the light blue filling station. They used to run the petrol hoses across the pavement to fill the cars. Next to the filling station I think was the Ladybird wool shop, then a ladies hair dresser, then the toy shop on the corner which became an estate agent (much to our horror) and then came Lloyds the chemist and the other bus stop with a shelter was right outside, then Trevors the ironmongers, a bakery shop, The Home and Colonial which I think became a car-parts shop, and a green grocer right next to the other end of the Twitten. I remember the Home and Colonial as a butchers primarily and it had sawdust on the floor to mop up the blood (ugh) I distinctly remember the smell in there.

    On the other side of the road I remember the end shop sold fresh fish, with the Belgravia next door to that, and then I think the green grocers. I don’t remember what the shop was that became the Co-op, and then there was Sally’s stores and then The Bon Bon and at the far end by Poplar Avenue there was another hardware shop called Turners.

    I also remember when the Grenadier had a garden and there was a long wooden fence that ran down to what is now a grocery store, and Peck’s the chemist, then the Post office, and the VG grocery store.

    Does anyone remember the vending machines that appeared on the road in front of the Post office, in the early 70’s I think. They dispensed milk in square cardboard cartons and orange juice. I often went round to the ‘milk machine’ to supplement milk supplies at the weekend!!

    I remember the old phone in the phone box just in front of the Turners hardware store (by the Bon Bon) it had the A and B buttons.

    The 5 and 5B Buses used to stop in front of the Bon Bon as there was a grassy ‘island’ in front of the coop and the vegetable shop….the name of which just came to me….Straffords. I would go in there to get vegetables and fruit and they would pick the items for you and put them in a paper bag which would hold at the edges and swung around so that the bag sealed itself. You would always find one bruised or not so good item in the bag when you got home and I remember being thrilled when supermarkets came along and you could pick your own fruit and vegetables, I thought that was the height of luxury!! Obviously I needed to get out more!

    Well, my brain is smoking trying to remember shop names and I am feeling very nostalgic.

    If anyone can fill in any more shop names or memories of the people in the shops at the Parade that would be lovely.

    Hope this jogged a few memories!

    Thanks for this page.

    By Gillian Martlew (07/06/2021)
  • Brilliant Gillian, you have a great memory, how is your dad, I must pop in and see him now the rules are relaxed a tad!

    By Mr Peter Groves (07/06/2021)
  • Hello Peter
    He would love and really welcome a visit. Thank you for this wonderful site and your drive to preserve the history of Hangleton and area. Hope to see you when Neil and I are able to visit again.

    By Gillian Martlew (08/06/2021)
  • Hello Stephen Knight, it was great to read your comments. We used to all play together in Harmsworth Crescent didn’t we? Do you remember all us kids playing in the street? Games like postman’s knock, red rover, hide and seek, hop scotch etc. Also climbing and crossing trees in the park and walks to Devils Dyke and blackberry picking? Do you remember one of the kids mums who we referred to as ‘Broom Handle’ because she was always sweeping up outside her house? She was always telling us off. My sister Jill, sadly passed away in 2011, the same year my dad, Jack, passed away. I live in Derbyshire now and my mum lives 10 mins from me. I always look back at those times with a smile on my face. Me and my sister were very fond of you and often used to say, ” I wonder what Stephen Knight is doing now”. You used to really make us laugh (in a good way) especially when we were being told off by the grown-ups and your way of getting away with it. Do you remember?

    We lived at 15 Harmsworth Crescent. Does anyone remember Mr and Mrs Harrison who lived in the prefab opposite the garages? Also the van which used to sell toffee apples and colourful children’s hand held windmills. I went to West Blatchington Infant and Junior School and then Knoll Girls School and Hove Park Upper School (which was previously The Grammer School).

    By Julie Scroggins (09/01/2022)
  • Hello, I came across this amazing site this evening and have spent several hours just browsing through and and enjoying the memories of my childhood. I lived at 44 Poynings Drive from 1950 until I married in 1967. I lived there with my Mum and Dad – Audrey and Bill Wade and younger brothers Michael and Howard and much later on Anne Bullen came to live with us (daughter of Charlie Bullen the newsagent)
    My best friend was Janice Taylor who lived at number 50 Poynings Drive and we remained good friends until her untimely death at the age of 50…
    For many years we had a wonderful MIlk lady called Mrs Mitchell, who delivered our milk, and each day of the year she would stop for a cup of Mum’s tea and a chat. In fact Mum would give anyone a cuppa, as in those days you knew the names of the dustman, the postman and many more ~ oh how different from today. Our door was always open and all were welcome in. On the Queens Coronation we had a houseful, as we were the only ones with a black and white radio rentals TV, so lots of neighbours came to watch.
    I also remember Mum packing us off with a picnic, as we spent the day exploring the downs, returning safely in time for tea. Such freedom in those days, as we spent our time in the fresh air and sunshine, using our imagination, as we built camps and had fun – oh such lovely memories of my childhood.
    I went to West Blatchington and then the Nevill school when it first opened and my first teacher Miss Goodayle , then Mr Hovel and latterly Mr Baker.
    My good friends at the Nevill were Jennifer Wood and Margaret Carter and of course Janice Taylor.
    After I married Frank and became Ann Gilmour we lived in a bungalow at 25 High Park Avenue, where my son Neil was born. Until 1982 when we moved to Kent.
    Sadly both my Mum and Dad have now passed on, as have my dear husband and my dearest son and I now reside in sunny Eastbourne by the sea.
    It has been good to reminisce and I thank you Peter for writing your original memories all those years ago ~ Ann Gilmour nee Wade.

    By Ann Gilmour nee Wade (16/02/2022)
  • Many thanks Ann, you have reminded me of the name of the milk lady, Mrs Mitchell. Very unusual at that time to have a lady doing the milk round. I think she may have had a family, a daughter I recall, but I may be mistaken, who helped her sometimes. Must have been hard. I can remember even in that terribly cold snowy winter of 63 her still delivering milk, I don’t think you could buy it in shops back then. I also recall her delivering the Christmas and Boxing Day milk in one go, late on Christmas Eve……whatever the weather, wow! Thanks again Ann!

    By Peter Groves (18/02/2022)
  • Hello Ann, it was great reading your comments about your younger days living in Poynings Drive. We moved into number 28 around 1948 until about 1951 during which time my mother had twin boys named Adrian and Paul increasing our family to six boys ,Gerald, me Derek , Roger and Terry. I am sure we lived there the same time as you did. I’m sure you would also have remembered the Carter family who lived in number thirty eight just three doors from you. You may also remember me marrying Sonia Carter in 1958. Sonia and our two sons Ricky and Gary migrated to Australia in 1964 and we added two more boys to our family in 1963 and 1967. Moving to Australia was the best move we ever made. We have a wonderful close family, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. unfortunately Sonia the love of my life passed away early in 2021 after 62 years of married life. I am now 86 and still going strong, so much so I am seriously considering making a final trip back to England to catch up with three brothers I still have there and see my mum and dad’s grave and also catch up with some of my old friends who I have corresponded with every year since 1964.

    By derek tanner (23/02/2022)
  • Hello again Peter,
    I have just been looking at some posts again from 2008 on your Amberley Drive page. you show a picture of the downs at the start of your page. I have a postcard which belonged to an aunt of mine which shows the cable-car which went from one side of the Devils-Dyke to the other. The date shown is 1914.. Somebody also wrote about a Mr. Stone’s garage shop in Lark Hill. We used to buy our vegetables there, to save walking down to the shops at the bottom of Applesham Ave. In my days, the number 5 bus had its last stop, where these two roads met. Walking up from the bus stop, Mr. Stones shop was on the right-hand side just before the Park Close we have written about before.
    The only child of my age around that area, which I can remember with name, was Joan Bridges, who lived up at Park Rise. She was very clever and jumped a whole year at Knoll Infant school so that we lost contact at an early age. I did hear however that she was later a teacher. You might like to know, that when Amberley Drive was first made, old black steamrollers pressed the chalky ground flat, then a thick layer of cinders was spread on top before the real road surface was put down. We sometimes had a look through the cinders in the hope of finding old coins. Occasionally the odd burnt bent penny was found, which was then flattened with a hammer. I do not know, if it was during or just after the war, that an old tramp used to roam around the district and slept rough either in a sort of bunker or shelter near where Sunninghill close is, or in a Nissan-hut on the golf links in the near from a dew-pond .
    Sorry I can’t send you any pictures of those days, but using a computer is still a bit complicated for me and my daughter has so much to do herself that she is unable to help.
    Cheers for now,
    Ken.

    By Kenneth Ingle (09/04/2022)
  • Thanks Ken, you have some great memories of that time soon after WWII, ta.

    By Peter Groves (10/04/2022)
  • Hi Peter, Hope I do not get on anybody’s nerves too much, and not all my memories are great, but perhaps this might interest you: It was not just the post-war council houses at Hangleton which were “bloody” cold. The semi-detached bungalows (original price £3000 to 4000 in High Park Ave.), built before, were little better. The small room at the front had no heating, the sitting room had a fire place, just as the large room at the back. To obtain enough warm water for a bath, there was a boiler fuelled by coke in the kitchen. This was, because of fuel shortages and high costs, usually used just one day per week. Any other warm water needed, was provided by kettles or other containers boiled on top of the gas stove. At night times, hot-water bottles were needed to make the beds warm. In the roof, were two water tanks, one for hot and one for cold water. Due to the failing insulation, when it was very frosty, oil lamps were used to stop the pipes freezing. This did not always work and burst pipes in winter were quite common in our road. On the other hand, the road used to look better than it does now. Each bungalow had its front Garden with a little red brick wall, which was usually full of flowers. Before the pavement was built, a grass strip on both sides of the road provided a lovely countryside atmosphere.
    Cheers, Ken.

    By Kenneth Ingle (11/04/2022)
  • Hi Peter. You have done a lot of work for these pages, which are not only of local historical value, but may be later a proof of what you have experienced as a child. You will not have the frustration of somebody trying to tell you, that something you have seen or heard, never happened. It is a pity that your time in Hangleton started four years after I left. In the gap between, there must have been many changes.
    As far as I remember the old Co-op shop (West Way),used to be where Tesco-express now is. During the war, you had to register to shop there. ( My mothers number was 60349) On both sides were tiled counters with marble stone tops. This was a bit dodgy for very small children, because marble which extended forwards, was just about the same level as their heads. The office was on the right-hand side going in. It was above the sales level so the manager could see what was going on below. The coupons for rationed goods were taken at the counter, placed in a small metal container and sent along a wire, up to the office. The jam jars were marked underneath with a Ministry of Food sign and on retuning the empty jars to the shop, a refund was given. In the same row of shops, coming down from Applesham Ave., on the right-hand side, was a butcher first and a newsagent on the corner. Across the road where the parking space behind Uncle Sams now is, was a white building, which we knew as the clock tower. This was the place in which people who had to do night-watching met. Most had no uniform, but were provided with a black steel helmet and an armband while on duty.
    Perhaps the parents of some of your friends are old enough to provide more information.
    Cheerio for now, Ken.

    By Kenneth Ingle (13/04/2022)
  • Thanks Ken, my memories of the Grenadier are of walking down there from the top of Hangleton with my mum shopping. You are correct about the Co-op, exactly where the Tesco’s Express is now, but by the late 50’s it must have been modernised. Walking back with heavy shopping must have been hard for mum, with 3 young children in tow! In the winter we purchased paraffin for a little heater that went on the landing or in the bathroom at bath time (once a week!) There were two hardware stores, I think it was Trevor’s where Uncle Sam’s is, but the paraffin was normally purchased from the one towards the bottom of Poplar Av, must have been heavy carrying that home up the hill as well, well done mum!!!

    By Peter Groves (13/04/2022)

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