Colin, this may be a long comment, but I enjoyed your posting very much. I was born in 1922 and I lived at 7 Firle Road, just at the top of the hill from Whitehawk Road. I remember Manor Farm when it was mostly allotments and pigsties, and I was about 10 years old. My dad was a tram driver and he took me with him to Whitehawk bottoms, as we called it, when the houses were to be built, and started to dig up a small pear tree, when the "owner" came along and asked him to pay for it, which he did, about half a crown, I believe.
I courted a girl from the houses near where you lived, named Rene Fairhall, in about 1938 or 1939. I think the Fairhalls also lived in an end of terrace house. Did you know the Fairhall family, or what happened to them? Rene would be about my age now (84), if she is still around? My friend George Whiting (now dead unfortunately), and I, used to walk over to the Brighton dump and rescue bits of bicycles from which we would construct whole bikes (called bitsas) and ride around Sussex on them.
I went to St. Luke's Senior Boys School, and every week we were taken to play football on the pitches at the top end of Whitehawk Road. I had three sisters and our greatest satisfaction was to climb over the wall at the Black Rock pool (we had no money) to spend the day at the pool, where I learned to swim from a man sent round by the News Chronicle newspaper.
During the war I was a flight engineer in the RAF, flying on Liberators with Coastal Command, and after the war I emigrated to the USA, where I now live in New Jersey. Please add some more memories of Whitehawk and Brighton in the 1950s.

My name is Suzanne, I am the niece of Rene Fairhall, my own mum, Maureen, was Rene's younger sister. Unfortunatly Rene died about 21 years ago, her sister Freda died three years ago and we lost my mum Maureen earlier this year. This only leaves Ray, the baby of the family. You're right Bob, the Fairhalls lived in an end of terrace house opposite Whitehawk Junior School. It was the opposite end of the same terrace that Colin lived on. My brother Steve and I remember Colin and his family well. My dad and brother still live in Whitehawk Road but nowhere near the football pitches. My other grandparents, Fred and Nancy Green, actually lived next door to Colin and my dad was their first foster son.

Hi Colin, Reading your comments has brought back many happy memories. I too remember the summer months spent cleaning coaches. If I remember correctly Jimmy Taylor's dad was an attendant at the coach park. Jimmy lived at the bottom of Manor Hill, Number 10 as I remember. Our family used to live in the prefabs in Wiston Close. I can vaguely remember when the Cooke family emigrated to Australia. We then moved to Whitehawk Crescent, I went to Whitehawk Infants and Juniors and passed the 11-plus exams and went on to Varndean Grammar. You also passed the exams and went to Falmer School as I can remember. My mum, Lily Hale, used to work in the school canteen at Whitehawk School for many years and, regarding the filming of "Oh What a Lovely War", I remember this very well as my dad Richard (Dickie) Hale was employed to dig many of the trenches and bomb craters with his JCB. We lived well for a few weeks courtesy of the film catering crew. Sadly Mum and Dad have both passed away but I have many happy memories of them and the wonderful start to life in a great place - Whitehawk.

Hello Terry.  This is Eric, the youngest son of the Cook family you refer to. We lived at No. 7 Wiston Close. What number did you live in? It's great to see that so many commentators refer to their childhood living in Whitehawk as wonderful and happy times, I know it was for me. Do you remember the Coronation street party they held in Wiston Close? I have a number of photos of that event and in particlar the fancy dress competion for us kids, I was dressed as a sugar cube. What were you dressed as? I'd love to catch up via email and I would be happy to send you some of the photos I have, you are no doubt in some of them. My email is eric.cristina@yahoo.com

Wow, What a wonderful response. It is really strange when you get older, because you forget bits of the picture then someone else fills that part of the jigsaw. Hello Bob, Terry and Suzanne. Sorry for the delay in responding but I have been trying to find this website for some time. Suzanne, I remember you because of your Mum. She was such a lovely lady and used to look after me sometimes. You mentioned Ray. If I am not mistaken, Ray lived next door to me for some years at 129 with Fred and Nancy Green. Ray was a great guy and I remember he used to let me borrow his racing bike and I used to go for miles on it. I can remember chasing a bus full of Roedean school girls on their weekly trip by bus into Brighton on a Saturday and I nearly hit the back of it, so I hit the brakes and skidded on the newly applied double yellow lines outside The Home and Colonial Stores halfway into town. I went up the pavement into the display outside the shop. They had tins of broken biscuits for sale for weeks! Mr and Mrs Green used to keep chickens and Mr Green used to despatch them in time for Sunday lunch with an axe. That was how I learnt the expression "running around like a headless chicken". My Mum said that once the poor headless bird ran straight at Mrs Green and ran between her legs straight in the open back door into their kitchen. She screamed "Oh Fred" and promptly passed out. I was walking my dog Trixie one night on the racehill at the back of the houses and I lost her. I went home and got a torch and was shining it around the race hill to find her. The light must have woke Fred up because the the next minute he was hanging out of his bedroom window, yelling into the darkness "I know you're there, Nancy get my gun, I'm going to shoot a burglar". Terry we were at school together. Do you remember David Sallis Ian Upton, Sandra Breeds Gary Field and Marion White. Did you go to the football at the Goldstone. Do you remember Mr Robinson, Mr White, Miss New, Miss Markwick?Was our childhood so unusual that we never seemed to have a care? It is wonderful to share these fabulous times. Bob, I was also in the Royal Air Force for 22 years. I was just trying to remember who lived where on Whitehawk Road, 130 was Chitty's, 129 was Green, 128 I think was a Mrs Bartlett was 127 Maureen? 134 was Alan Gray and 135 was the Knights family. I remember Ronnie Knights quite well. Have I forgotten how many houses were in each block? Was it 4 or 5? I remember going to Tony Brazil's boxing Club twice a week. Did any one else go? I remember "Oh What A Lovely War" because the transport manager was Joe Driscoll, my Brother in Law, Ted's, Dad. He used to get us on set.

Colin - there are four houses in a block, when Mrs Bartlett moved out of 128, Eileen and Ken Ogle moved in with Susie and Philip. Mrs Shaw lived at 126, the Cliftons at 125 and Mrs Decatchit at 124. Fred Green was never backward in coming forward and Nancy was great as my dad was one of their foster children.  We grew up with them as grandparents and they were real colour characters as was our own Nan who went by the name of Fairy (Mrs Fairhall). The Knights are still in Whitehawk Road, as is Eileen Ogle and my dad and brother. You're right Colin - Maureen and Al, Steve and myself lived at 127.  My brother Steve thinks you might remember the Kents from 130, the Kirby girls (we still see them), David Tharme and the Greenlands.

Hi Suzanne,  Great to hear from you. If I remember when you were little you had very blonde straight hair?  The Kents lived next door to us at 131 and the Kirbys lived at the end of the next block down from you, and David Tharme lived at the end of the next block down from them.  I am still in touch with David who lives in East Anglia and he still goes fishing like we did when we were kids.  I remember Robert Greenland and the Akehursts on the corner by the alley that used to go up over the hill to the shops.   There was also a family called Morrell who lived next door to the Kirbys. Was it Sandra?  If I remember, she was hit by a car when she was playing in the street and she was catapulted up into the air.  She hit the lower branches of the big trees outside the Junior School and landed on the railings.  Her Dad came running out and picked her up and took her indoors to wait for the ambulance. She was very lucky to survive.  I remember Eileen and Ken very well, but I had no idea their surname was Ogle. I remember Suzie and Philip.  I also remember helping Ken, who was a milkman, delivering milk in the snow.  My God, it was really very deep one year and it was gone midday before we got finished.  I remember the sea froze that year and the pebbles all stuck together.  Do you remember a family called the Coombers?  I think they may have lived next door to the Kirbys at one time. There was a Christopher Coomber, his brother Glen and a sister Jean or Jenny, can't remember which. There was a boy called Alan Gray who lived next door to the Knights. They were at 135 and Alan lived at 134.   Anyway, must close, will write again soon. Can we get a list of all of the tenants from Akehursts to the Boxing Club do you think?  Best wishes.

Hi Colin and everyone, I just happened to stumble on this page whilst doing a search for my father's father ,anyway I was shocked to see the name Coomber as my father was a Coomber before his mother got married then the name was Abberley. I don't however recall any of the names you have mentioned, but there are a hell of a lot of Coombers lol. My father's mother (my nan) was Bertha Coomber, known to most as Dolly; other names I know are George, Alfie, Stan, Pat, Gary, Debbie, Peggie, and Stella and oh so many more I could mention. It has been really interesting to read all these posts

Hi Colin, I just read about your family. How interesting you say you have a brother Derek. Is he a lot older than you, and did he have ginger hair? Was he a great roller-skater and did he spend a lot of time at the open air rink near Peter Pan's Playground? If you don't know, perhaps you could ask for me as I remember the name so well. If it was him, he taught me to skate.

Hi Pam,

Yes that was my brother Derek. He was also a brilliant swimmer. When my Dad died Derek changed his surname to Spencer, I think. I lost contact with him 40 years ago and have no idea what happened to him. I know he married and had loads of kids. His wife was Margaret and he had at least six kids, but I can't remember their names. Gary, Janice Nicola, Sandra, I think and two others.

He spent a lot of time on the seafront along with some of my other brothers doing the deck chairs and I think he was a lifeguard too. He taught me to swim by throwing me off the Banjo Groyne and telling me to swim to shore. I had two choices, sink or swim.

Thanks Bruv.

Hope this clears it up for you.

Thank you for letting me know if was Derek my roller skating teacher. It was when I got to 14 I started going to the Ritz Roller rink and went there always at weekends thanks to Derek.
Do you think you could tell me his exact age as I'm now nearly 67 and he was taller than me, and I'm sure a lot older? He used to hold my hand and skate for ages. His hands were big and I'm sure they were covered in freckles
Did you know the Jarvis Family at 54 Hervy Road? They are my cousins. They are Joan, Reg, Ross, Maureen and Carol.
It was great to hear about your story.Thanks again.

Hi Colin, the message above was for you. I didn't put your name on header. I hope you are well.

Hi Pamela, Sorry for the delay in replying. I have been into hospital for major surgery and am not long back on my feet. My brother Derek, must be in his 70s if he is still alive, maybe 74-75. Yes he had big freckle covered hands and was about 6 feet one tall. I don't remember your family, but I tended to stick to Whitehawk Road. Will write again when I can. Best wishes.

Hi Colin. Thank you for your reply. I guessed there was something wrong. I would just like to wish you a very speedy recovery and all the best to you and your family.

Does anyone remember Sheila Wheatland of 8 Findon Road, Whitehawk, an address which has since been demolished I understand. Sheila was a gorgeous, most pretty girl, with very dark auburn hair and matching beautiful figure. She remained my sweetheart for a number of years from 1945 until 1948 when I ended the relationship. I've been happily married to a wonderful 'girl' for 56 years now who would have no objection to my getting in touch, simply to hear of Sheila's life over the years.

Hi Colin, I remember you from Whitehawk School. The names of those living near me from the bus request stop in Whitehawk Road opposite the steps to Wilsons Avenue:
No. 76. Kitchen
No.77 Buckles
No. 78 Lower
No. 79 Macdougall
No.80 Moons
No.81 Woolgars
No. 82 Stapletons
No. 83 ?
No.84 Barbers
No.85 Washingtons
No.86 Dunks
No. 87 Bluey Reynolds?
Not really sure after that. I'm sure the Gorringes, Tharmes and the Lewseys were in there somewhere. I'm sure you could fill in the blanks to the Akehursts!  Whitehawk was a great place to live in the 50s/60s. At that time people weren't afraid of the streets and shared the little they did have, and we didn't have to lock our doors because nobody had anything worth nicking!

Hello all. Dorothy (Dolly) Greenland still lives in Whitehawk Road, she is my mother in law (I am married to Robert).

Hi Keith - your comment about open house and nobody having anything worth nicking possibly contributes to the total lack of security shown in those times but, as a boy born at North Moulsecoomb where the same attitude prevailed, I'm more inclined to the idea that there was much more respect for everyone by everyone combined with a level of honesty which is absent today. Honesty and respect prevailed wherever one was, as opposed to today when even the police are subjected to extreme measures of disrespect and occasionally violence. I often wish we could all return to those days of complete safety on the streets and general happiness, even though it was accompanied by much more poor circumstances. The 'crime' of scrumping, with disapproval and corporal punishment from one's parents as well as maybe a policeman's cape lashing to start off with was easily borne with a mental state that helped tremendously in the maturing process.
I know what circumstances I would prefer out of those prevailing today and those of yesteryear.
Thanks for the reminder of those particular times.

Hi Colin: just a note to hope you are keeping well and on the road to recovery. All the best to your family

Hi Colin,I lived in 84 til 1956 and 85 were the Freemans, 83 was the Normans and 'Bluey' Reynolds was Phil Reynolds. I was Bluey! After my mother just up and left, and lost the house, I lived with the Freemans next door to me until I was 18. They were good to me.

Hi Pamela, I remember Mrs Jarvis. I used to be frightened of her. I used to be a delivery boy for the Co-op and one day when it was raining, I took her groceries down and one of the bags split, and I spilt the contents and she whacked me round the ear! I went out with Rhona Standbridge, who lived a couple of doors up.

keith. you missed out the Pumphreys. Remember ginger?

Hi Colin, my Nan and Grandad lived at 131. The Kents, Queenie and Jim had four kids: John, David, Doris and Violet. My Mum and Charlie my Dad are now both dead. I'm Peter, I left Whitehawk in February 1989. I also remember the battle field. Do you remember Dr Who as well? They filmed there too. I have great memories of growing up there and we still pop down to visit. I can remember the school canteen across the road from Nan's and how nice the smell was. You made me feel old! Hope you're OK.

Hi Harry, I remember Ginger, going down the ways, can you remember the Thwaites, Polards and Easons? Do you know if WhitehawkSchool ever have reunions? I live in Cambridgeshire now but would certainly travel if it happens. Do you remember Bluey Reynolds? we followed each other around in the army for a few years.

Hi Ron, unfortunately we can't turn the clock back to the good old days, but we sure can cherish our memories of a great place to live with people who thought of others not only themselves.

We lived at 77 Wiston Road from1943, near the top of Lintott Avenue. Any news of Bert Pentecost, Bill Romain, Ernie Woolgar, Roy and Colin Ambler? I 'm now living in Redcar, Yorkshire.

Hi everyone, I have been a Whitehawk boy now for what seems a really short time (40 odd years) compared to you all, but my family have lived in Whitehawk for absolutely years. Does anyone remember my Dad Ron Walls, I believe he lived in either Whitehawk Crescent or Manor Crescent back in the 1930s or 40s; he had 4 brothers, Alfie, Fred (caretaker at St Mark's school for years), Roy and Ray and 4 sisters, Daw (Dorothy), Pat, Jean & Shirley. My dad used to box for Whitehawk boys club. I am now living in the Manor and fast approaching 50, we also lived in Rifle Butt Road when I was a lad and I went to Whitehawk School, oh happy days. I have lived in Rifle Butt Road, Wiston Road, Maresfiel Road, and Upper Chalvington Place. I remember getting the number three bus from Arundel Road to Lintott Avenue in the early 1970s when all us boys fancied the big blonde bus conductress, oh very happy days. I remember many names if anyone is interested.

Keith - There is no longer a secondary school in Whitehawk, all the children travel out across the city once they leave primary school. Whitehawk Juniors was knocked down in the late 1980s, the Infants and Junior schools were merged in 2000 and are in the old secondary school and the old Infants school is about to be knocked down to make way for a new children's centre.

My mum was a teacher at Whitehawk Infants in the 1970s. Does anyone remember her?

My name is Vic Lander, some of you may remember me. I lived at 25 Fletching Road from 1943 till 1967, we then moved to a block of flats named Holbrook in Findon Road. I left there in 1970.  My dad was the milkman for Filkins Ovingdean Dairies until the 1950's, his round included the whole of the Whitehawk estate.  I am now Vice Chairman of East Brighton Bygones Local History Society and reading your letters it occurred to me that many of you would be interested to join us. Most of our members are old Whitehawkers or Manor Farmites and we meet on the second Wednesday of every month at the Valley Social Centre, Whitehawk Way. Our meetings commence at 2pm. Our contact telephone number is 01273 608807.

Reading all your interesting letters made me homesick for Whitehawk. It has changed with its new layout and certain roads have disappeared for good. But I believe 158 Wiston Road is still there, would love a pic of it. I was born there in 1950. My mother was Elsa Dawson and father Bob, my two brothers Michael and Robert, and me Barbara. We used to go scrumping, and doing odd jobs like getting Mr Ford's newspaper from the Broadway and newspaper rounds. It's true it was a safe playground. Next door to us was the Hopkinsons, Jennifer and Alan - what became of them?  Rhona and Johnie Chate lived in Twineham on a corner. Her mum's voice still rings in my ears ''I'll tan your hide!" and everyone ran. I have lived in Malta now for 32 years and was lucky to have found a place that gave my children that sort of freedom when they were young. Not so now, shame. Love to hear from anyone.

Hello again everyone. A very merry Christmas and a prosperous 2009 to all ancient and modern Whitehawkers and farmites. Greetings from Bonnie Scotland. Well, thank you for all the messages of goodwill I have received since taken ill with cancer in April/May of this year. I am properly on the mend and back to work, albeit part time. Living next to Peter Bridger's nan and grandad and his recollection of the canteen across the way from us reminded me of the beautiful, (in those days) school meals we used to get. Hot pots and sausages, fish and chips and shepherds pie but mostly I remember the sweets; spotted dick, chocolate sponge and chocolate sauce, treacle sponge, jelly and custard and rice puddings. Not a salad in sight. Plenty of veg, though, either mashed roast or boiled but very little salad. Sometimes you were called up for seconds, if your table was lucky. Those smells were fantastic and for many of the kids that had school meals, that was there only hot meal of the day. In those days nothing was wasted and so once a week usually after the school had closed for the day a truck would turn up from the local pig farms and collect the waste food which was left to recook itself outside the canteen in the sun for days on end. Do you remember that smell, Peter? When I was in the infants school, and the wind was in the wrong direction, I innocently asked my Mum where that awful smell was coming from over at the school?" "Yes", she said, "it is very bad today, but the pig men will be arriving tonight so it won't be so bad by tomorrow". For a six year old boy the thought of what these pigmen might have looked like gave me many a sleepless night. The juniors used the bottom half of the canteen and the seniors came down from the secondary school to the top half. There always seemed to be so many and it was hilarious to watch them jockeying to get to the front of the queue without the accompanying teachers spotting them and verbally ripping their heads off. Elbows and the occasional trip were all called into play as the line sped up to a gentle gallop by the time it was 20 yards from the canteen gate. The pushing and shoving continued until the teachers managed to catch up and slap the backs of a few heads. Once order had been restored, the seniors trooped in for their lunch, with some gently administering to the occassional blackened/elbowed eye or staunching a bloody nose. What a testament to how good the school meals were. How many kids would run to get a school meal today?
Christmas time was always special on the Estate. I firmly believed in Santa and so did all the kids around me. In my house, the ritual was always the same. The coalman called on either Chrismas Eve or the day before. We got our coal from Halls and David Tharme's dad was a driver coalman with them for years. Our coal hole was in the kitchen and basically we shoved the kitchen table out of the way and David's dad would tip four bags of coal and two of coke into this dark unlit cupboard which housed some of the biggest spiders I had ever seen in my life. The kitchen was put back and Mum would start cooking. The night of the 24th was particularly frantic and we were given our tea at four o'clock and we had to have a bath by six. We were then dressed in our best pyjamas, because Santa was coming and sent to bed after a cup of hot milk by seven pm. The reason was that Santa had quite a few kids to get to around so the more time we gave him, (by going to bed early), the more kids around the world got presents. Good ploy Mum. In reality, it gave my Mum about six or seven hours to prepare the food for the next two days. We had lamb, pork or beef for Christmas dinner, because the turkey craze didn't exist. We had one of the joints for dinner, (around one ish) and we had a second type of meat for tea, around six ish. Then you had jelly and blancmange with tinned fruit or home made Christmas Pud which was riddled with sixpences or threepenny joeys, which came straight out of the purse and pocket and were lobbed in the mixture. Can you imagine the food handling and health and safety issues that would arise today. I got two and six out of a pudding once, and there was about ten bob in it. One year my Mum was panicking because she definitely put seven shillings and sixpence in the pud but we only found six bob when we ate it. She was convinced that one of us had swallowed one shilling and sixpence in tanners, but we never saw it again. The real reason we had to have a bath on Christmas Eve was because the bathroom was going to be the fridge for the few days. We were lucky, we had a fridge with a door handle to open it, but all the jellies, blancmanges, trifles and custard went into the bath. Our bathroom was downstairs next to the front door, so in winter, by leaving the bathroom window open the north wind would blow down the valley and set a jelly in 20 minutes, flat. We listened to the Queens speech at three, either on the radio, or watched it on the telly after we rented one from Rediffusion in 1960. Mum would fall asleep before HRH had finished talking, with her arms folded as she stretched out in her armchair with the open fire slowly toasting her left leg. We played with the toys that Santa had left, knowing that when Mum woke up she would be back out in the kitchen, preparing for round two. I forgot to mention that we all piled out of bed, usually around four-five am to attack the pillowcases of presents that good ole Santa had left the night before while Mum cooked us all eggs and bacon with fried bread for breakfast. My faith in Santa was cruelly shattered when I was ten because I had opened an upstairs window to see if Santa was coming to see my Mum out in the back garden, taking in the mince pie I had put out especially for Santa and chucking the saucers of milk for all the reindeer up the garden. My immediate fear was that she knew that Santa wasn't coming because I has been a particularly bad boy but after I cried myself quietly to sleep, I awoke to find a pillow case full of presents at the bottom of the bed. I never told my Mum that I had seen her. My youngest child still follows that ritual of mince pies and milk today. I will be devastated if he stops believing in Santa, although I hope he never does because there are some things that deserve to survive. After the third cooked meal of the day, no toys were allowed as we settled down for an evening of cards, bingo or charades. We also had that horse racing game where you turned a handle at the end of a piece of cloth and the horses vibrated along it. First past the post won a Quality Street and Mum changed from cook to bouncer and arbitrator in awarding the sweet of her choice to the winner and slapping those that moaned too much about her decision. We played bingo for the same reward and the fire was kept stoked up the chimney. No-one went to bed. You slept where you fell and if you were still awake at one o'clock in the morning, you could have cold meat and pickles for supper. At around seven am on Boxing Day, it all started again, but married brothers and sisters would also arrive to lend their weight to the proceedings. Best present I ever got as a child, a red Mobo Scooter, which I was caught riding at six in the morning up and down the road in the snow, whilst still in my PJs and a defender train set from Triang, which had an exploding wagon and rockets. What are your memories of a Whitehawk Christmas?

Hi Colin and family, it's lovely to know you are on top form with your great newsletter, and you are back to good health. All the best to you all in Brighton, take care.

Glad you are ok Colin. I enjoyed your letter. They are very happy memories. It is a shame they changed the old Whitehawk.

Hi All Whitehawkers and Manor Farmites

I have recently had discussions with Whitehawk school's staff in relation to the Air-raid shelters that have been preserved as a museum and contain artefacts of life during the war. As Chairman of Brighton Bygones Society I talked about our involvement in acting as guides to the museum. If you would like to be considered for the role of guide, please go here where you can read all the details.

Hi Colin, your name rings a bell did you live in Wiston Road ever, and have a brother called Raymond? I was quite young but I've remembered that family's name, you had alot of brothers if I'm right. And the Jones' family lived next to you. We lived opposite the road to you, my mum was Austrian.

Barbara, I'm sorry to say that I only ever lived in Whitehawk Road. I went to Whitehawk Infants and Junior schools and then to Westlain Grammar at out at Falmer. I did have 5 brothers though, Terry, Dennis, David ,Stan and Derek as well as two sisters June and Janice. All of my brothers went to Whitehawk seniors and so did June. Janice went to Westlain, like me. Perhaps you know me from the school rather than the house where I lived?

I was born in Hervey Road in 1948. Had great time growing up in Whitehawk. Went to Whitehawk infants, junior and senior schools. If anybody remembers me or my family, please answer. Great to hear about Whitehawk.

Hi Colin, you may have seen some of my earlier comments. Having read and enjoyed your new year entry it brought back memories of the Whitehawk School canteen.
I started school at the infants in 1945 when the canteen was located at the back with an entrance from the twitten that lead from Whitehawk Road to Whitehawk Avenue.
During my early school days German prisoners of war were used to build the pre-fab classrooms and other buildings around the schools. One of these buildings was the "new canteen" that you remember with such affection.
This canteen came into use in 1946 and the standard of food was certainly not to the quality that you remember. In fact instead of running towards the canteen most kids ran away from the canteen. Remember that at this time, rationing was still in force so you could not expect a very good selection. It also reminded me that the "dinner ladies" all came to work with empty shopping bags that were not so empty when they went home!
You may have seen my piece about the recent demise of our old infant school, leaving only what to you and I will remember as the senior boys/girls.
You mentioned your mum and her memories of the build up to D-day. I remember my dear old dad getting me out of my bed in our house in Fletching Road. He took me into the garden to look up at the sky which was filled with the dark shadows of aircraft heading in a south westerly direction. The night was filled with the sound of aircraft engines and my dad said I ought to remember this as it was history in the making. The night in question of course was the 5th/6th June 19444 the eve of D-day.
I do not remember you but I do remember your family and some of your siblings.
I no longer live in Brighton having moved to Lancing when I married, but in my guise as Vice Chair of the East Brighton Bygones Local History Society I am in Whitehawk at least twice a week.

Does anyone know the Moore and Ingham-Law family? We used to live at Maresfield Road and with my Nan at Wiston Road.

I knew Freddie Moore - he was at Whitehwk School until 1955. If I remember correctly he lived in the Manor Farm area. There was also a family named Moore that lived in Whitehawk Road opposite the Whitehawk Inn, in fact I believe that Mr Moore still lives there.

In reply to a number of contributors above!
Hi Gerald - I remember you, didn't you live above Janet Hunt, Brian/Peter Eason in Whitehawk Road? You used to cut through the gardens to get home again after we all met up a few times. How's life? Have you heard from Brian? I have only seen him once in about 40 years since I left to join the Forces. Whitehawk certainly has changed since we were kids!

Hi Denise - any relation to Freddie? If so, he went out with my sister Iris for a few years when we lived at 79 Whitehawk Road. I can remember helping him decorate his mum's front room listening to "the greatest hits" on a wind up gramaphone! Great times and great memeories. How's he doing?

Hi Pam - I remember the Jarvis family. Went to school a little ahead of Carol, we used to live directly beneath them in Whithawk Road. Her dad used to keep rabbits and we would torment the life out of them. He used to go mad when we cut through his garden to get to our house. Still .... happy days.

Hi Suzanne - shame all the Whitehawk schools we knew are gone. A friend here in Cambridgeshire told me he had been to the Whitehawk schools' reunion, must have been the very last one. Still our great memories of the old days will always be there.

Keith, Not quite all the schools that you remember have gone. See the piece I wrote elsewhere on this site about the Second World War Whitehawk Museum.  The spirit of the old Whitehawk does still live on. Partly through the East Brighton Bygones Local History group of which I am Vice Chairman. Many of our members are old "Hawkers" or "Manor Farmites" and they remember with great affection the days gone by. Best Regards

Hi Vic, When do you hold the meetings? Maybe I could come to one when I'm next in Brighton.
[Editor: Keith - click here for the EBB page on this site.]

Keith: EBB stands for East Brighton Bygones. You would be welcome to visit us at any of our meetings as would anyone else interested in Whitehawk, Manor Farm, Kemp Town, Moulsecoomb, Bevendean or Bates Estate.

Hi Keith: my dad died 1959 when I was four. My mum used to live at 69 Maresfield Road; she brought up three children up under five. My nan lived at 88 Wiston Road, her name was Edith. My grandad Jack worked at the butchers in the Co-op at the Broadway.

I lived in Whitehawk from 1952 till I got married in 1964 but my family lived there for many years. We lived in Twineham Road and then moved to Whitehawk Road. Our last name was King, my sister Jean and brother Frank and myself Shirley. If any of you remember us, drop us a line, love to here from you.

Who was it who wanted to know more about Brian Eason?

I feel that I am intruding into a Community here, I hope you dont mind, but I could not resist. I was searching the Internet for Ogle's. I am researching my family history. My family live in Northumberland. My great grandfather was Sydney Herbert Ogle and he was born in Hove. I just wondered if the Ogle's you speak of may have been related. We have an Ogle village in Northumberland but we know we hail from Hove. So if anyone can shed any light we would be grateful. Your memories of your childhood, remind me of our mining community here in Northumberland in our collery rows.

I am also from Whitehawk, I lived in Wiston Close in the prefabs. I remember the neighbours being the Downards on one side and the Eves on the other. Across the road opposite lived the Cooke family who emigrated to Australia, I remember the father of this family drove a lorry. Also the Hale family lived on the corner of the Close, Terry and Sandra were the children. Other families near us were the Constables, Charlie and Rodney and the Mascals and the Knights. Our family also has a photograph of the Coronation Street Party.
I went to the Infants School when I was three and remember having Cod Liver Oil and Orange Juice daily, and a nap in the afternoon. I also remember a Teacher called Mrs Duchosky and she always manged to make a screeching noise on the blackboard with her fingers.
We moved to the Bristol Estate and I remember going back when I was five or six and seeing all the prefabs boarded up ready for demolition to make way for the self build scheme.
I remember the corn fields and Sheepcote Valley which had a football pitch at the bottom by the caraven site. There was also an old Army tank there which we used to play on.
Just a few memories!

Hi Paul, are you Dave's brother and weren't you the first family to have a television (as your dad worked for Rediffusion or someone)? I seem to remember all the kids being allowed to watch The Lone Ranger and Wells Fargo in your house. I also remember all the families you mentioned and also have a picture of the fancy dress on the Coronation street party.

Wow, how fantastic to see a post by someone who lived in Wiston Close and path. Hi Paul and Les. This is Eric the son of the Cook family that you mention. We lived at no 7 Wiston Close. As you say we emigrated to Australia; that was in 1958 so unfortunately I don't remember many names. I have photos of my Dad's (George) lorry parked in Wiston Close. He worked for the railways. I think one of your neighbours, the Eves family had a daughter named Christine (I think I had a bit of a prepubescent crush on her) She's pictured wearing a fancy dress costume made from magazines in the photos of the Coronation Street party. I have posted a few of those photos on this site. You can access them via the search function at the top of the page, type in either "coronation", "Whitehawk' or my name. Are you in any of these photos or do you recognise anybody? I'm in the sugar cube costume. Do you have any photos of the prefabs, or anywhere else around the area, if so I'd love to see them? I too remember the corn fields and Sheepcote Valley, especially the dump, it was full of treasures. Yes, I remember the old Army tank there which we used to play on. The turret still turned as I recall.
I also remember building snow forts in the front yard in winter, conkers, and collecting 'pennies for the Guy' so we could buy fireworks. We often had big bonfires in the back yard on Guy Fawkes Night. As well as going to the Blackrock Lido all day long in what seemed like endless summers. They were very happy days.
You can contact me on eric.cristina@yahoo.com I'd love to catch up, have a chat or maybe share some photos if you have any.
Cheers

Hi Gerald, I wanted to know about Brian Eason, how's he doing, also Tony Kelly, Janet Hunt and her pal Ellen.
Would be interested to know how any of the crowd around that time are doing.

Hello dear fellow Whitehawkers. I lived in Hervey Road with Gez Henson, Jim Wickens, Chris Burgess, the Wheatlands Chris, Sylvia and Pauline, Vanessa Baron, Ray, Eileen and Keith Rushman, and many more true, honest, loyal friends. I played football for the boys' club and then onto Whitehawk FC. I am so chuffed that I've been made aware of this brilliant website.

Hi Mick, Jonny Bolingbroke here. Remember you took over my goal keeper's job when we lived at Whitehawk for the boys club. Gez Enderson - I used to go to school with you, don't know if you remember me and my family: Gordon, Terry, Barry & Tony - we lived in Twineham Road.

Hi John Bolingbroke: I remember you we lived next door to you in Twineham Road. Our name was Bennett and we lived at 37; I think you were 39? How are you all?

Hey Bolly. Hubby here. How you doing? Still out in Spain, living la vida loca. Seven years now. I hear Ken Powell died recently. I can't say he was my best mate, but not nice for his wife and kids. I don't think I've ever seen his name on here which surprises me a bit. Must catch up.

Hi John Bolingbroke. My sister used to be your brother Barry's girlfriend. Ask him if he remembers Christine Marshall, we lived at 80 Whitehawk Avenue with our Gran and Grandad Turrell next door to the Bradfords. We were there from 1955 until 1958, then we moved to Somerset where we are now.

Nice to hear from you all. I remember you. I told Barry and he remembers as well, nice to hear from you hubbs. Packed up managing at football-just a boring old fart now.

Sue Bennett, of course I remember you. I told the rest of the family that I got a message from you. My mum and dad are still alive, my dad's in his 90s, mums in her 80s still going strong. Nice to hear from you, best wishes! Jonny bolly.

Hi John, glad you remember us. Do you remember Carol Wilcox? Chris wondered what happened to her. June Chapman was my best friend but I don't know what happened to her. I loved it in Whitehawk. Are you still there? I am in touch with Georgina Didcote, she married Tony James.

I live in Hollingbury - I have lived here for 30 odd years. I do remember you, it's nice to hear from you.

Hi Susie, Remember John and Beryl Brown (Brakes)? How you doing? Hi Johnny Boll, long time no see - about 4 weeks. Great website this, many old friends keep popping up. Do either of you see many of the old gang? I see a few of the football boys from time to time, Lennie Brakes, Johnny Streeter, Peter Eason, Dave Sallis, Micky Baker, just to mention a few.

Hi John Brown, nice to hear from you even though its only been four weeks. Left Whitehawk 45 years ago, shame we don't get together - have a good night out one with a few of the old lads. Perhaps when we get a few more replies from some of the old Whitehawk lads and girls we might have a meet up one night before we all peg out. Ha! Ha!

Ron, yes I do know Sheila Wheatland very well.....she is my Nan! She is still around and well. Your description of her was beautiful, and when I read it to her just now on the phone, it made her so happy!! Please contact me and you can swap life experiences with her!

Hi I lived at 2 Lintott Avenue opposite the football pitches. Done all my schooling at Whitehawk. Went back a few years ago - it's a shame how Whitehawk has altered. I have lots of happy memories of that time. Left Whitehawk when I got married in 1963. Has anyone got any photos of Lintott Avenue showing our house? I only have pictures that show the garden and a couple showing the changing rooms on the pitch. Hope there's some people that go on this site from Lintott Ave. Some of the people that lived there were Barbara Mathews, I believe at no 6, then Linda Pannett (not sure on the spelling), Margery Laughton whom I still chat to. Bobby (?) who would have been at 12 I think and lots of others which unfortunately I can only remember their Christian names. It has been great reading the messages between you all keep it up. Judy

Hi John (Bolly), Nice to hear from you - pleased to here your Mum & Dad are still with us and going strong. Brian (Wiggys) sends his regards. If you want to contact me sujon@tesco.net be pleased to hear from you. Give my regards to Mum & Dad Sue

Hi John, Beryl (Brakes), Sue Beckett here, lovely to see your name on this page - haven't seen you in Sainsbury's lately Beryl! Brian said he met up with Len a few weeks ago; how's your Dad Beryl - still ok? I bought a book about Whitehawk,  there's photo of your Mum & Dad in it in Twineham Rd (happy days). If you wish to contact me it's sujon@tesco.net. Love to hear from you. Best regards to all Sue

Bolly:Micky Baker here - after all this time and you still hold it against me that I took your place in goal for the Boys Club! Great that you've found this website. Keep in touch John!

Mick I could have made it as a professional goalkeeper, but now i'm just a humble plumber who couldn't catch a cold.

Hi Judy, I don't know if you do remember me, I was Pat Marshall. I  lived in 80 Whitehawk Avenue  with my gran and grandad, next door to the Bradfords. Your name seems very familiar, did you have a brother? I seem to remember a Christopher Streeter. I have a sister Christine and I am in touch with Georgina Didcote. I went to Whitehawk Seniors when I was 13 till I was 15, we were there from 1954 until 1958.

Hi all Whitehawkers and Manor Farmites. You all seem to have the same affection for the old estate as do the members of the history society I represent. As you will see from some of my earlier items on this web I am the Vice Chairman of the East Brighton Bygones local history society. We are arranging with other organisations based in Whitehawk to hold two Whitehawk Festivals on the 24th and 31st of this month. On our stand we intend to have contact sheets where you will be able to leave your details so that you can contact old friends. I will put more details in the next few days on the exact venues for these events so that if you are interested you can come along. Best wishes to you all especially those that remember me.

I have only just found this site. As you see my name was Clark and I lived at 19 Twineham Road during the 50s. My best mate was Susan Bennett  - she still is today.

I would like to invite people who went to Whitehawk Secondary School old and new. to a get together at the New Bush, Arundel Road, Brighton, on November 21st 09, 7pm till close. A small donation towards multiple sclerosis, which i myself have, would be lovely. Please pop along so we can all natter about by-gone days. My tutor was Mr hodgson and i remember Mr Hunr, Miss Osman, Miss Christopher etc, and they are coming to the reunion, Mr Hoddell was the head teache. Contact me on mikeandkatie2@msn.com speak soon, take care all

Hi Ria thanks for your comment besie mate. We have been pals since we were five or six years old. That's the commitment you get from true Whitehawkers. What lovely days and a wonderful childhood. We had great times playing in the street until 10pm if mums and dads couldn't find you hiding behind neighbours hedges or lampposts (happy wonderfull days). I hope to see loads of you at the reunion planned for 31st Oct Sue Beckett (Bennett) of Twineham Rd

Could you please let us know where the reunion is planned for the 31st Oct. Thanks

Hi all. In my earlier e-mail I promised to give you details of the forthcoming "Whitehawk Festivals". I can now give you more info. The festival on the 24th October will be held at the Crew Club, this is located on the old football pitches where the white groundsman building used to be. The second festival will be held on the 31st October at the Manor Gym which is located in Manor Road (near St Marks School, the new one). Both events commence at 12 noon and finish at 4.0pm. Looking forward to seeing you all. Both festivals will be the same with sideshows, demonstrations and competitions. We, the East Brighton Bygones Local History Society, will have a stall exhibiting some of our large collection of photographs of Whitehawk, Manor Farm and Kemp town. We will also have a contact centre where you can leave your details so that you can contact long lost friends. Come along and join the fun and support the local community.

I'd love to come Vic, but I'm stuck here working in Spain. Maybe some details might be put on a site somewhere so that we could contact old friends. Especially those of us who have been abroad for a number of years. Gwen,tell the owners of the Bush that Hubby said hi. I must get back to visit at some time. I'ts nearly seven years now. I'm not sure I have the wardrobe though.LOL.

Hi Bolly & all. Sorry if I've confused things re the Reunion but myself & a few other Whitehawkers are going along to Vic's festival on 31st October where we are hoping to meet up with a few other old faces from Whitehawk. So maybe see you there.

I was born in 1950 at 16 Whitehawk Ave (the police house, had a police call box at the front). I had three sisters, two older, Carol and Pat, and one younger, along with two younger brothers. We emigrated to Australia in 1960. I have very fond memories of Whitehawk, particularly the Black Rock pool, catching the No.1 or the No.3 bus into town and going to the Odeon every Saturday morning (greeting everybody with a smile!). I cannot recall the names of the chidlren I attended the primary school with except for a Trevor Fox. The family that shared the semi detached house with us were named Anscome, the boy my age was called Anthony. I did visit Brighton in 2005 for the first time since I left. Caught the No. 1 bus from town and got off at the same stop opposite where our house used to be. A constant feeling of deja vu. Would have liked to meet some old freinds but the memory was too dim.

Hi Pat, sorry I've not replied before but forgot the name of the site and have been searching for it. Added to favourites now so I won't have any excuse. I do have a brother, he was always known as Gordon or Gordy; also had 3 sisters all older than me - Joan, Jean and Joyce. I done all my schooling at Whitehawk - I do remember the surname of Marshall, perhaps if you could recall some school mates we could see if we had them in common and that just might jog the old memory. Look forward to hearing from you again, unfortunately I have not got any school group pictures, only one of a school play with the teacher and 3 other pupils. Looks like a mock-up of a brain teaser programme, but we all have different things on our heads. I was Mrs Mop -does any of this ring a bell with you? Just read your message again - how old is your sister because Christine Marshall sounds familiar. I was born in 1945 if that helps at all. Hope to hear from you again, take care Judy.

Hi Judy, thanks for your reply. I am sure I knew your brother. I went around with June Chapman, Ronnie Coggins, Linda Morrell, Johnny Wickenden and Micheal Hussey. There must have been some more , but it’s getting hard to remember. I knew the Bradfords next door and the Hayes over the road. I am older than you as I was born in 1942, but Chris was born in 1945. She went around with Carol Wilcox, Barry Bolingbroke, one of the Hayes and Shirley Bradford. I haven’t got any photos of school either. I can remember Miss Evans was Headmistress when I was there, and I had the cane for smoking in the air raid shelters. My cousin who lived with us was Linda Macdonald, she is a bit younger than Chris. I can’t remember anymore, memory going. I hope to hear from you again.

To Patricia Richards; I also remember Ronnie Coggins, Mick Coggins and their dad Ron. We all drank in the Clyde, my brothers Harry and Pat, Dave Ron and Den Crossweller. Very good times.

Nearer to the beginning of this interesting column than the end, I mentioned Shaila Wheatland at 8 Findon Road, an address which has been demolished. Wondering if anyone remembered her family, I got no replies. I've since had a grandchild of Sheila get in touch from elsewhere within the site, informing me that Sheila is still alive but living in the Middle England area. It has led to me being in touch with Sheila after all these years; all 60 of them!

I have a lovely school photo of Whitehawk in 1952. Believe it or not Eric Cook sent it to me from Australia where he has lived for 50 years. I think it's the infants. I must have been six yeas old. In it I can remember names of a few: Denis palmer, Daureen Burns, Beryl Hider, Raymond Pullen, Norman Brakes, Eric Cook, Colin Taylor, John Boxell and another Raymond whose name I can"t remember. I treasure it.

Hello Pat, I remember Ronnie Collins. I found the picture I mentioned, the teacher’s name was Mr Burtwhist but could have been Burtwhistle, also in the picture was David Beatty, Frank no surname, also Linda Leaney. Unfortunately Linda's is the only face covered up -she seems to be wearing a sheep’s mask that covers her entire face.  I remembered some other names- the Dean family- one was called Pamela, the Robinson family and also Linda Powell whom I met at a friend’s party but I’m ashamed to say I didn't recognise her but she recognised me. Also Christopher Stone, Bob Boxall used to live next door to us- he had a brother George, also I'm sure there was another brother I hope I've got the surname right. I find I only really remember the christian names because basically that’s all you ever used. Also another name from the past was Rosemary Woolgar. Well the old brain cells have been working overtime. I think it's time for a cuppa. Speak to you soon.

Hello everybody, I am so glad that the web site is pulling in so many people and fabulous memories. I have a large piece I want to send you, but I am recovering from a brain tumour which has laid me low for the last three weeks. Have a couple of secondary cancers that need a good kicking, so will be in touch after Christmas. All the best to every one and will speak soon.

Hello, I was wondering if anybody could help me? I am looking for anyone who may have known my nan in the 1950/1960s. Her name was Pauline Rose Moore and she later became Pauline Castleton. All I know is that she would have had siblings called Bryan and Katherine and she was the daughter of Cyril and Rose? If anyone has any information at all I would love to hear from you.

I was very interested to read this website - not because we lied in Whitehawk Avenue, but because my husband is also called Colin Chitty and was born in Chichester, so may well be from the same branch of the Chitty tree! There are two Fredericks in my husband's tree who were born in Sussex, but at the end of the 19th century. We are so sorry to hear that this Colin is so poorly, and couldn't resist the temptation to wish him well. There are very few Colin Chittys, and no other Chittys at all in the frozen north, where we live! With very best wishes, Rachel and Colin Chitty

Hi Colin. I wondered why we had not had your special letter this year. Sorry to hear you have been so poorly again. I would just like to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas and Happy New Year also a speedy recovery - all the best. And to all you Whitehawkers: the same to you! All from someone who spent happy hours there at my cousin's: the Jarvis family at 54 Hervey Road.

Hi Colin, hope all is well with you and you get well in time for christmas. All the very best to you, hope you have a merry xmas and a happy new year. Speak soon

Hello Colin I have just found this website, I don't know if you remember me, Barbara Woolgar I lived at 85 Hervey Road, and went to Whitehawk School Infants, juniors and seniors. I left Whitehawk in 1972 when I got married. I have a brother David and a much younger sister Sally. My cousins the Burgess's lived next door, Chris, Geoff and Martin. It has been fantastic to read all these comments

Hello Barbara; I remember Chris Burgess very well. I lived at 100 Hervey Road. Nice to see a lot of names. I remember great times.

Hi, First time for me and thanks for those who have 'namechecked' me. I hope to visit the site more often in the future. Can anyone tell me what's happening shortly regarding the 75th Anniversary of Whitehawk schools and associated events?

Hello there, I lived at the manor from approx.1950-58. I lived at number 65 Maresfield Road and the neighbours there were the Holders, Colin and Veronica Britt, the Tanswells, the Woolgars (the daughter was Dorothy), almost opposite was the chimney sweep who rode a bicycle which had a wooden trailer on it and also his chimney brushes. I lived there before the Bristol Estate was built and used to walk across the site to go to the pictures in Paston Place. I too used to go winkle picking at Black Rock and had great fun at the Black Rock swimming pool. Happy Memories!

Just remembered a few other neighbours - they include the Mears family! Mrs Day who owned a dog called Dusty - the dog used to catch mice, and the Parsons.Roger Durrant lived at the top of Maresfield Road. The walk to school down the hill was a favourite place of mine - absolutely full of various species of wild orchids and "tottle grass".

To Dave Sallis, just to remind you that I'm still alive and waiting to go to our next auction together, you know what my phone number is.

Message for David Sallis & any more old Whitehawkers out there re 75th anniversary at Whitehawk school. Its on Friday 5th March 5pm/7pm at Whitehawk school - the only one left which is the old senior school. Hope to see lots of you there from Sue Beckett (nee Sue Bennett of Twineham Rd )

Sue Beckett has referred to the 75th Anniversary of Whitehawk School. The celebrations to mark this momentous event are about to commence. One of the activities is going to be a 'History Trail' produced by the existing school. To achieve this the school desperately needs our help as 'old pupils'. They need access to old photos, class photos or photos of the school, and they need our stories. The get together on the 5th of March, which Sue refers to will take the form of an informal drop in where, between 5pm and 7pm you can meet up with long lost friends and allow us to take copies of your photos and record your memories. Light refreshments will be provided. Regarding the copying of photos we will have scanners on hand to scan these, so you don't have to leave them with us. If you would like to come along please ring 07780 315752 and leave a message with your name, the years you attended the school and a contact address. It is hoped that if enough of you attend we can have a full Whitehawk re-union later in the year. If you know of any other old pupils who may not have access to a computer please tell them the number to ring. Best Regards to you all Vic Lander

Hi Bolly Sorry pal forgot about you (easy to do!) Hope to see you and anyone else at the Whitehawk school on Fri March 5th

My name is Jo Cox nee Sandals often know as Josie, I lived at 138 Wistern Road from around 1944. My brother was Eddie and my mum and Dad, Amy and Mauri. My mum was a sister at Brighton General. We lived next door to the Cardens, Annie and Charlie their children Eileen, Josie, Michael and the twins Peter and Colin. I also remember the Tullets on the other side. Opposite lived Jeanie Streeter and her Mum and Brother. (I was always jealous when they used to go off hop-picking). Does anyone remember Cracknell who used to come round with his horse and cart selling vegtables? He would walk the street shouting "Cracknell". There was also the man who used to come on a Sunday afternoon selling winkles, once bought you had to search round for a pin so you could eat the damn thing. We also used to buy our veg from the Boxalls back door at the end of Wistern Road. Fishing off the banjo groyne, Saturday morning pictures at the Odeon, bread and dripping on the way home, Peter Pans Playground so many memories have come flooding back. Mrs Warren from Wistern Road made my wedding dress she had two children Yvonne and Brian. Wilf Douthwait did the photographs also Wistern Road I think he lived near Mickie Dawson. Other names I remember are Robin Tidy, Sally Woolmer, Terry Dyer, The Winders Bonnie, Kennie, Frances and Odette, It has been so wonderful reading through all the memories and has made my brother and I laugh no end. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers Ed and I.

Hi Bolly, sorry pal forgot about you (easy to do!). Hope to see you and anyone else at the Whitehawk School on Friday March 5th.

Maria Clark and Sue Bennet will be at the school on the 5th March. Sue has some lovely old school photos.

Hi there all you Whitehawkers that are writing on this site. Where were you all tonight? Once again a reunion time was laid on and hardly any there. 75th anniversary Whitehawk Schools. We were there: Sue Bennett, Maria Clark, Len Brakes, Brian Bennett and David Sallies. Where were the rest of you? Thought you would made it Bolly John Brown. They are trying to arrange a bigger reunion in the summer hopefully we will see more of you then be nice to meet up again with old school pals and neihbours. Try and support it, they all go to lot of trouble laying it on. Show the old Whitehawk spirit.

I lived in Whitehawk Avenue with my grandparents Sid and Ivy Stevens. Grandad worked at the Sunblest Bakery at the top of the hill. He used to grow veg in his garden and Nan always wore a pinafore! The day we moved in she brought out a big tin of chocolates or biscuits for the local kids and I was instanty popular! I can't remember any of the names except for Ian Upton who I went to Saturday morning pictures with! I started Whitehawk Infants around 1957 and I was terrified but after the first hour there I loved it! We never had to lock our doors and everyone was scared in a respectful way of the local policeman! Happy days spent sliding down the hill on an old tin tray and fishing at Banjo Groyn - swimming in the Blackrock pool - lovely memories - wish they were clearer! My name then was Linda Hedley.

Hello to Arthur Dalby of Redcar, Yorkshire. You mentioned Roy and Colin Ambler from Wiston Road, Whitehawk in the 1940s. Colin was my father. He passed away July 2005. Roy still lives in Coldean, Brighton. Feel free to email me if I can help any more .l-ambler@hotmail.co.uk

Like most of you, I came across this web site by chance. Realising that it was Whitehawk 50's history I kept the mouse at work hoping to see a few names from the old - very old - days. No luck! I was born at No 194 Whitehawk Road in 1937, so in 1952 when Colin Chitty was born I was 15 and left the Whitehawk area when I was 18, which explains why I don't recognise many names on this page. We lived in Whitehawk during different time slots. However I remember a David Chitty, a burly lad from Whitehawk Secondary, who tried repeatedly to provoke me into a street brawl as was the custom in those times. We weren't friends! I'm sure he grew up to be a nice person. I recall many of the souvenirs mentioned on this page: bike rides to Barcombe Mills to get soaked boating, fishing all night off the Banjo groyne, sledging on the Downs in winter and rummaging in the Sheepcoat Valley tip for copper and lead which we sold for pocket money. Something not many of you will remember is the winkle man who came round on Sundays with his barrow selling winkles 3d a pint. The bread in those days was delivered along Whitehawk Road by horse and cart. On lucky days my dad would rush out to scoop up horse manure for the vegatable garden. There are some interesting comments on other pages on this site. One mentioned Beryl Brown who had a sister Silvie - they were my neighbours - and another the Robinses. They lived next door to the Actons when Terry Acton was a fellow scamp. I remember Ron Betteridge who turned traitor and became a policeman, and Brian Matthews, my best friend there for many years after I had left to live in Southwick. As I write other memories come back, of the wartime bombing of St Cuthberts Church when Beryl Brown's mum came home covered in blood from other victims, and of the doodle bugs above, droning their way to London. But my comment is getting out of hand so I'll stop. I'll keep my eye on this page for news from old acquaintances.

Hi Susie B, sorry I missed you all at the reunion on the 5th. Bes and me were in Tenerife on our hols -will see you all at the next reunion.

I lived at 25 Whitehawk Ave. Now aged 76, I am living in Adelaide, South Australia. I attended all three of the schools; infants, junior and senior. Anybody else out there from this era?

Hi John Brown & Bes, here's hoping you enjoyed you hols. Hopefully we will see you at the reunion in the summer at Whitehawk school (after all, you started all this off, John, by putting your school photo on the site - the ones with the pinnys on). I saw Len there at the last reunion, I haven't seen him since I left Twineham Rd - it was lovely to see him though. So hopefully we will meet up next time.  Best wishes to you and Beryl Sue Beckett (nee Bennett)

Has no one on here heard of "Friends Reunited"? My profile lists several people I've just seen mentioned on this page. Dennis Grier, you were in my class (4a) in 1952 as was Brian (Dibbles) Mathews. I have met up with Ken Powell (who died suddenly in 2008) and Brian Pearce (now in California). Didn't get to see Gerald Page before he died 2007. Regularly speak to Alan Dart. Only last Friday had a drink with Brian Pate and John Kelly (meeting again 27th May at Grenadier Pub) and also Allan Avery. We're trying to get it all together when Ray Brown comes over from Toronto, together we hope with Brian Pearce. We would like more from 1952 to come along. Seen the name Dave Christy mentioned here, where he related the story of the teacher who kept a plimsol handy for whacking you on the backside for punishment. Well, you must be the Christy who was in my class! I remember you christened Mr Cook (maths) with the nickname "japhead". You even stood up in class and told him! I think it was because of his sallow complexion, not that he resembled a Japanese (in case anyone thinks this is dreadfully racist, please remember it was only seven years after the War). Love to hear from anyone connected from that year

Hi Colin, I remember when the film "Oh what a lovely war" was shot. I was working at the Regent cinema and they bought in the rushes to have a look. I also lived in Whitehawk when we came back from Yorkshire after the war - we were evacuated there (my two brothers John Ingham-Law And Ted Ingham-Law). Sadly Ted died. My name was Sheila Ingham-Law, we lived in Wiston Road. I joined the Air Force, I now live in Newark. I would hope to come to a reunion if I get the date early enough.

Hi Arthur Dalby, well if you lived at no 77 Wiston Road then you must know my family. My parents