My grandparents, Albert and Flo Hubbard, lived, I think, at No. 85 Newick Road. They had a big family (13 I believe) who all lived in what was basically a two up, two down as far as I remember.  I used to visit a lot as a child and had some great times playing in Wild Park. My dad is Lenny Hubbard, he's still alive, a bit of a wizard at bowls and living with my mum Lyn (ex Whitehawk schoolteacher) in Woodingdean. My sisters are Dawn, Wendy and Gayle, they all still live in Brighton, but I now teach sport in Spain.

Hi Paul. We've 'met' elsewhere hereabouts but I thought I'd confirm the house detail just one little bit more: a scullery (nowadays the kitchen), then living room called the kitchen, and a 'front room' filling the downstairs area. Upstairs: two bedrooms at the front and one at the rear with an airing cupboard with heater fed from a coal fire and back boiler in the kitchen. Then adjacent toilet and separate bathroom next to that. 13 children ... !

Yes, Ron, I remember it well. My Nan used to bake cakes and there was a small area just inside the 'scullery' kitchen door where she would leave them to cool. It had a sort of slope on it and was also where she kept the toys for us kids.  We were always trying to nick a cake a bit too soon and I suppose the phrase 'fingers burned' comes to mind.  My grandad had almost an allotment in his back garden. I especially remember the rhubarb he grew. My dad has his medals from WW1 and pictures of him on his horse as he served in the Cavalry. Lying about his age to serve his country aged only 16. I have to agree about 13 children. Utter madness. My two drive me crazy!  I also remember a photo (I'm in it aged about three) of the Hubbard family going on an outing. They had to hire a bus and it made the local rag at the time. Possibly the Argus or the Gazette. Mr and Mrs Yeates lived next door to my grandparents I think.

I've recently chatted to my older sister, Bet, who is nearly 90, and she remembers Gladys Hubbard from her school days. According to Bet, the family were Jehova Witnesses which eventually caused a drifting apart from some of the local friends.

Hi Ron. Yes the Jehovas Witness bit is partly true. My Gran became a Witness in the '60s, but my Grandad never did. Of their 13 children the split was almost down the middle. My dad Len was not 'converted'. Nor were Tony (in Australia), Dennis, Tommy, Peter, Jean or Ronnie. Wally, Albert, Ann, Flo and Gladys certainly were. I've missed one somewhere? This may seem incredible, but even here in Spain we are 'doorstepped' by the Witnesses occasionally, and they all seem to know the Hubbards of Brighton. I gently tell them that I've heard all the arguments and it's not my cup of tea, and they leave me alone. I'm pretty sure that I have many cousins and their families still involved in the movement in Brighton though. Nice to hear from you again Ron.

Ron....I dont know if you are the same one. I was going through my Nan's photo albums last week and she showed me a picture of her at one of her sibling's weddings in Brighton. Her name was Sheila Jean Wheatland and her date for the wedding was Ron Spicer. Is this you and, if so, do you remember her?!

Hi Shelley - I certainly remember Sheila. A very pretty girl. We were 'together' (Fleet Air Arm service intervened) for quite some time but eventually parted. I often wondered what happened to Sheila and would always wish her well. If there is a chance of communicating with her I would welcome it!

Hello Ron. Thankyou for getting back to me. My Nan has been waiting to hear something back from you. Have you got an e-mail address? Mine is shellbell0703@hotmail.com. So if you want to e-mail me, I can give you Sheila's postal address or something, and you two could perhaps write to each other to share what's been happening since then.

I've responded via email to you Shelley (was hoping Sheila would also have an email address ... ). Anyway, thanks for the initiative. I'm sure matters will happily evolve. Very good of you. Ron.

Hello Ron Spicer and Dave Goble. Two names that ring a bell with my memories of Moulsecoomb in the thirties and forties. I lived at no 71 Newick from 1928 to 48 with my brother Charlie and sister Blanche. And then my youngest sister Winnie arrived in 1941. Well I remember the Hubbards at No 85 particularly Ron, Wally and Gladys all about my age (I'm now in my eighties). Ron played football for England schoolboys. Oh for the days of tab a go, marbles and the four wheeler, the days when you made your own amusement / entertainment and the roads were clear enough to do so. Also recall Moppett's sweet barrow at the end of Newick Road and Bill Pryor's vegetable stall, he lost a leg in the first world war. Sadly on a visit there recently most of the original 'front gardens' are now used for car parking. I note your comment re Ted Hyams the local bobby who was respected, firm but fair. The other two bobbies to cover Moulsecoomb then were Bill Sole and 'Cheesman'- I forget his christian name. That was before East Moulsecoomb was built. I have a copy of 'Moulsecoomb Memories' by Sheila Winter (nee Watkins) and found it very nostalgic and remember a lot of the items you recall, Sheila. Thanks

Hi Fred. Ron Hubbard was my uncle, Sadly no longer with us. He was all set to sign for West Ham in 1939 at the start of the war.  Six years later it was too late. I'd love to know what happened to his three England caps. Do you remember Mr and Mrs Yeats who lived next door to my grandparents?

Hi Paul. I should correct my original satement bearing in mind your grandparents lived at No 86 (not 85) and yes I remember well Roy Yeats who lived next door at No 88. Sorry to hear Ron has passed on.

Hi Fred. Thanks for that little bit more. Bill Sole had a son who later became a local bobby for the area. He met my sister, Bet at The Avenue where she lives and swapped stories from the past.

Hello Paul hope you see this. Just found your entries about your family, so nice to read. I knew several of them, Wally, Gladys and Ron in particular-they were a smashing lot. My Mum converted early 50s and I went too. Like you though I no longer participate and hold the callers at bay. I got to know Gladys very well, she and several other ladies were great friends of my mother, I think it was from Hove congregation from the 1960s until my Mum died in 1997. Over those many years when I visited Mum in Brighton (I live in London) I met and chatted and laughed a great deal with Gladys, she was a wonderful lady and never tried to convert me which I so appreciated. Normal happy conversation, I enjoyed her company.

Entry above by Fred Woolven: " . . . The other two bobbies to cover Moulsecoomb then were Bill Sole and 'Cheesman'- I forget his christian name. That was before East Moulsecoomb was built. I have a copy of 'Moulsecoomb Memories' by Sheila Winter (nee Watkins) and found it very nostalgic and remember a lot of the items you recall, Sheila. Thanks. Hi Fred. Nice to know of you again after so many years. Sadly, Sheila Winter recently died. I've been informed by my sister-in-law, Rosa Spicer, who was a great long time friend of Sheila and who attended her funeral.

Oops - mistake. I should have said that Rosa Spicer is my daughter-in-law!

Hello again Fred. Sadly Sheila Winter having passed away very recently, I'm sure she would have been pleased to know what you thought of her little book. Hold onto it. It won't be repeated.

Hi Joan. It seems that almost annually now one of the family passes on. My dad(Len) was here in Spain to visit us last month and he is looking frail, although he is still quite active for 78 and plays bowls for Woodingdean Bowls club. I always liked my auntie Glad, she was a nice lady. No frills and very honest. Did you know my grandfather, Albert? I only remember him as a big fierce bloke who scared me half to death. I was told that he joined up to fight in the first World War at 14 years old, lying about his age. Nobody talks about it much, but my dad has his medals.

Hello again Paul, nice to get your reply. I'm not sure if I ever met Albert but I certainly knew his name. The other name I remember was Wally. From your comment it seems that Gladys is no longer with us - is that right or am I reading it wrong, I hope so.

It's a pleasure to read all the anecdotes about Newick Road. I was born at 144 in 1930 and was there until 1955 when I got married. My parents Mary and Fred lived there from 1926 until well into the 80's. I had 2 brothers, Alf who now lives in Coldean, and Peter who sadly passed away a few years ago. The mention of Mr. Hyams the local Bobby reminded me of the time when a friend of mine and myself (we were about 7 or 8) were caught by our neighbour throwing mud pats at his front door (don't ask me why) and he told my parents who sent me to bed early without my tea, and also that the neighbour had told Mr Hyams, and he was going to come round that evening. I well remember the door knocker going and my Mum shouted up to me, telling me it was Mr Hyams and she said she would tell him I was asleep. I sat shivering in my bed and they said he would take further action if I ever did it again. I still to this day do not know if it was true, and never will now, but I learned my lesson that day. But I thought every time I saw him on his walkabout that he gave me a funny look, as if to say "I've got my eye on you".

Hello again Joan. Sadly my Auntie Glad died some years back. Tommy was the most recent to pass on. My aunties Jean and Ann (the youngest of the 13) and Uncles Dennis, Tony, Peter and my dad Len are still alive. I am a teacher here in Spain and when I tell my unruly year ten students what my grandfather was in the trenches during the Great War at their age, they are incredulous. He lied about his age and joined up aged 15.

Hello again Paul, haven't looked at this site for ages so was glad I hadn't missed your recent entry. I am so sorry to hear of Gladys' death, my sister too sends you her sympathies. Somehow it does not surprise me to hear of your grandfather's bravery. The Hubbard men were all fine and upstanding and although when I knew them they had all converted, they were dignified conscientious objectors and unafraid of being recognised as such.

Hello Joan. Thanks for replying. My dad is Len who was born in 1933 and much too young to fight in WW2. Peter, Dennis and Tony also were too young. I don't think any of them were Witnesses, but I couldn't be sure and you would probably know better. Finding out details of my Gran (Florence Hubbard) has not been easy and I'd appreciate any memories or information you might have on her. I just remember her being very small and baking wonderful cakes. I hope you are well.

I have found it very enjoyable reading about Moulsecoomb in the old days. My father Michael Taggart was brought up in number 44, Newick Road by Violet and Jim Marchant. If anyone has memories then let me know and I will pass it on to my dad.

Does anyone remember the Whelans they lived at the bottom of the cinder path in Newick Road?

Hi Paul. I can remember a Michael. Coloured lad. Very good looking. Yes, he would have lived along Newick Road from my house (number 34) just past the corner leading out to the main road so it would have been about number 44; and yes, the Marchant family were the occupants. A very likeable boy and very active. Sorry about the delay in replying. Hadn't noticed your input.

I was fascinated to read your memories of Moulsecoombe. Hi, Fred Wolven. I didn't know you lived at No.71 Newick Road. So did I - from approx 1971 till I married in 1976. My family continued to live there until the house was converted into flats. I also know of Ron Hubbard and Alf Dibley from Coldean. My main connection is the Thompson family of Chailey Road. My mum is Daisy. Ken and Jack still live at No.32. Sadly only four of the family are left out of eight boys and three girls. A friend of mine from Hassocks lives opposite a Colin Sayers, also from possibly Chailey Road but we are not sure which Sayers family he is from. We only know of Hilda from No.26, but believe there were others.

My grandad, Stan Goble, lived at 112 Newick road and my nan, Elizabeth Goble. They had 3 kids, Reggie, Vic and Betty during WW2. My Auntie Betty met a Canadian soldier who was based over Stanmer park just before the Dday landings. After the war Betty got married to the canadian soldier known as Pete then she moved to Canada. Unfortunately, she died a few years ago. I had good times at my nan and grandad's, I was always down there in the summer holidays - it was a great place. If anyone has any info on my nan and grandad, I would be so grateful.

I remember your dad well. Have not seen him for many years but was told by many that he used to run from Newick Road to Brighton station every morning. So good to know he is still with us.

Hello Dave Goble. I think I'm remembering your granddad, Stan, from 112 Newick Road. Didn't he have a sister named Betty? A real corker! He would have been aged about 85 now. Went to Moulescoomb School in the 1930s. Didn't have far to go to get to the sweet barrow that the Moppets always positioned at the end of Newick Road by Ringmer Road at beginning and ending of school times - or so he once told me! I also think he was in Miss Horton's class in the Junior Mixed School the same time as me. A quiet, firm minded lad at that time.

Just want to correct something said by Paul Hubbard. I'm friendly with quite a few members of the Hubbard family and would like to reassure their friends that Ron, Gladys and Florence are still very much alive!