A potted history

This suburb of Brighton and Hove has an impressive history. Its name is largely unaltered from the Old English for Muls Valley (Mul was a Saxon nobleman). Moulsecoomb Place is the oldest non-secular building in Brighton.

Until the 1920s, the area was open downland with the valley bottom sheltering a string of nurseries (Bates) and market gardens (Woolards). The land was aquired by the borough in a ‘land grab’ in 1922. Land in the south of Falmer parish was transferred, and the estate of Moulescoomb was developed from 1924.

A garden city
The scheme was in the form of a garden city with winding roads, large grass verges, and big gardens. It was intended to fulfil the then current exhortation to provide “homes fit for heroes”. In South Moulsecoomb, the earliest buildings were effectively an adjunct to the existing housing opposite Preston barracks, but the later extensions of North and then East Moulsecoomb took the estate out into relatively remote countryside.

A social experiment
The development was an attempt by the borough to rehouse families from some of the appalling slums that existed in inner-city Brighton. As a social experiment, it was only partially successful. The families which were moved there worked four miles away in Brighton; buses were infrequent and expensive, and few families had the wherewithal to fully furnish their new and large homes.

Post war problems
Apart from post-war building on the Bates Nursery and on a small private estate near Woolards Field, the estate is a classic of local authority development. Moulsecoomb has experienced problems akin to those in other resort fringes: high unemployment, seasonal labour, run-down facilities and some drug and driving related crimes. Many of these difficulties are being addressed with regeneration budgets aimed at alleviating some of the long standing problems, on what is termed, in the social geography books, a “peripheral estate”.

Comments about this page

  • I am a Moulsecoomb resident myself and after my initial prejudice about the area, before I moved there, I have come to value and love it. However, I would like more information about its Anglo Saxon heritage and how it relates to Whitehawk and Hollingbury. I work in a school so this is of particular interest as I work with young people from the east Brighton area. I think some project work about this would prompt them to investigate further.

    By Lucienne Cook (30/11/2005)
  • I’ve lived in North Moulsecoomb for 27 years and hosted students from STS and EF for the past 13 years and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are students still visiting for holidays that were here up to 9 years ago. There is a good little community here and probably more community spirit than in many other parts of the city. There is good and bad in every city in every country but I love it here. It’s sad that Tulli left for London and now I hear Patrizia is leaving in March – they were great and will be sadly missed although I do think Tara is going to be okay – once she gets over the shock of her first year in the madhouse!

    By Hamish Mackenzie (09/02/2006)
  • Born and lived in Chailey Road from 1953, the house I lived in, No 33, is no longer there. Went to Moulscoombe & Stanmer school. Spent many Sundays playing football in the Wild Park.

    By Russell Webb (25/02/2006)
  • Please has anyone got any old photos of Moulescoomb Way? I used to live in Staplefield Drive and my father used to work at Allen West. I would love to see how it used to look. Thank you.

    By Bridget Dawkins (02/03/2006)
  • I was born in Ringmer Road in August 1952 and lived there for over 18 years before marrying and moving out. I still miss Moulsecoomb, still proud to say I came from there. I now live in Horsham and work in Dorking but I meet many people every week who have heard of Moulsecoomb. It’s my roots and that will never change.

    By Ivor Williams (04/04/2006)
  • To Briget Dawkins: I worked at AW from 1943 til 1957 in the Moulscoomb Air Break Test Dept and lived in Birdham Road.

    By Ken Watkins (16/05/2006)
  • Having attended Elm Grove Infants School at the age of four, we lived at No 4 Whippingham Road next to Saint Wilfreds. In fact the day I first went to school, they were installing the great bell in the belfrey. In 1938 we were awarded a house in Birdham road – No.101. Need space.

    By Ken Watkins (16/05/2006)
  • I was actually born in the front room, as it was known then, of 24 Chailey Road in 1941; youngest of 6 children. Attending Moulsecoomb Infant and Junior schools; then on to Stanmer Secondary Modern as it was known then (Falmer now); I remained there until I married in 1962. I strongly believe that the principles of manners and community spirit, albeit that good hidings came regularly to achieve them, have always been the good basic upbringing one could have.

    By Val Aspinall (25/07/2006)
  • Mary and George Roberts of 101 Moulsecoombe Way lived in Moulsecoombe for 40 years. I remember cutting down the trees in the top woods and dragging them home to keep warm. Home made soup, stone cold hands, wet wet clothes, snowing hard outside. The happy days of the 1960s – thank God for mum and dad!

    By Clive Roberts, age 53. (16/10/2006)
  • Just like to say that I remember a George Roberts and would like to know if he remembers my Dad, Peter Kelly- a little Scotch guy?  We lived at 34 Ringmer Road. Anyway it’d be good to hear if anyone remembers us.

    By Elly Kelly (31/10/2006)
  • I am interested to see two letters from Ken Watkins.  I was Sheila Watkins before I married.  Any relation Ken?

    By Sheila Winter (12/11/2006)
  • I lived in Bevendean and went to Moulsecoomb Secondary School between 1959 and 1964. I’m sure it had the ‘e’ then although looking back it was originally spelt without the ‘e’. Did we add the ‘e’ and drop it again at some point ?

    By Geoff Fitch (02/01/2007)
  • Yes, I can remember having to change Moulsecoomb name at school. It was moulscoombe. Had to take (e) off of end and put it in the middle. I dont remember the date it got changed .I lived in Newick road till i was eight then moved to The Crescent. Left in 1973.My mum still lives there. Name was Dobson.

    By Joan Gumbrell (13/01/2007)
  • I lived in Moulsecoomb from 1962-1980, I lived in Birdham Road (107) and Ashurst Road (16).
    These were the best days of my life, a real community spirit existed, which you sadly don’t see anymore.

    By Jimmy Anderson (04/02/2007)
  • Elly Kelly – I remember your dad Jackie very well because I`m Scottish and knew him and you and your brothers very well. Always used Beatty Avenue Post Office because he didn`t like Tom in Barcombe Road. I think you`re thinking of a different George Roberts though – George and Laine lived in Barcombe with kids George, Sonia and John. Met him last Tuesday for first time in about 15 years. Hope you`re doing well and I`m still in 103 Newick Road if you ever want to visit.

    By Hamish Mackenzie (02/04/2007)
  • My family lived at 117 Moulscoombe Way from 1938 until 1968. I was at school during the war, attending the infants school, as it was known then , followed by the junior school and then the senior boys school. In my final years at school I attended Stanmer Secondary Modern, as it was then, leaving school in 1953. Does anybody remember me or members of my family?

    By John Andrews (04/05/2007)
  • My maiden name was Osman and I lived at No. 27 Ringmer Road and attended Stanmer Secondary School. Although my memory is not great I do remember the happy childhood I spent in Moulsecoombe. The name Sheila Watson rings a bell – any relation to Pat and Diane?

    By Mary Pambos (09/06/2007)
  • We lived at 73 Barcombe Road from 1962 until 1976. I was 6 when we moved there and our name then was Francis. My mum’s name is Pam and she worked at Allen West. My brothers went to school in Moulsecoomb, (Pete and Frank Francis). I have some great childhood memories from our time there especially of Wild Park where we used to make sleds out of old cardboard boxes and slide all the way down from the top…quite exhilarating not to mention highly dangerous! My cousin, Katrina, and her family (the Bonners) lived on Ringmer Road and my boyfriend, Peter Adelaide, also lived on Ringmer. Our next door neighbours were Mr and Mrs Bean on one side and Tim and Pauline Cheong on the other. When times were hard (as they most often were in those days!) my mum and Pauline would make dinners for both families putting together whatever they both had in their larders and fridges….community spirit was very strong back in that day! I was at boarding school most of the time I lived there so many peoples’ names escape me but I do remember Wendy Saunders’ family and Pat Golds and her family…also Betty Walls who lived several houses down on Barcombe Road. I’d love to hear from any of the ‘Allen West girls’ who remember my mum, Pam Francis (now Billings)…also anyone who remembers my brothers, Pete or Frank Francis.

    By Marianne Warbrick (18/06/2007)
  • I lived in Birdham Rd, Moulsecoomb 1961-1979 then moved to Portsmouth. I still visit there regularly having family there (I still can’t get used to Allen West building gone). Just a few years ago I mentioned to a close friend that almost every family in Moulsecoomb had more than ten babies and a door was never locked! We also used each other a lot too: sugar, 10p for the gas meter, a fag etc. My friend was born in Portsmouth in 1958 and said she can never remember anyone here leaving a door unlocked and no more then three or four babies to a family. I really feel she missed out.

    By Ruby Ware (Marchant) (12/07/2007)
  • When my partner and I moved to Moulsecoomb 18 months ago we were a little worried due to the reputation it had gained. Now don’t want to live anywhere else. Before moving to Halland Road we had lived mostly in and around the centre of the city for nearly 10 years. During that time I can truthfully say we barely new any of our neighbours, not even to say good morning to. Within a few weeks of moving on to the estate we knew everyone who lived around us. Everyone says good morning to each other and they always stop for a chat if they have time. The community feeling is just amazing. Moulsecoomb definitely no longer deserves its reputation. It is a good place to live.

    By Mary Turner (15/08/2007)
  • I lived in Moulsecoomb from 1985 to 1989. My family and I then moved to Canada. I lived at 13 Nyetimber (not sure of the spelling) I was back to England in 2000 but didn’t get the chance to visit my old neighbourhood. I do remember a little store down the road called Rays. My brother and I used to spend our pocket money there every Saturday. Can anyone tell me if it is still there?

    By Hayley Brown (23/09/2007)
  • Hi Ken, sorry for the long reply. My dad’s name was Patrick Dowds. He worked at Allenwest. He’s been dead for 13 yrs now though. We lived at 26 Staplefield Drive, my mum is still there.

    By Bridget (26/11/2007)
  • I was so pleased to find your site. I left Moulescoomb in 1957 to live in London. My family (the Orams) moved into 36 Halland Road when it was newly built in 1947. There were no pavements at first and because of the hard winter still thawing we had to cross over everywhere on planks. I remember many families in Halland and Ashurst Roads and often wonder what happened to them. The Trigwells, Fogarty’s, Challens, Johnsons, Sivyers, Ballards, Cooks, Bolingbrookes, Harrises, Swallows and Edwards. I was almost 7 when we moved there and nearly 18 when I left. I went to Moulsecoomb Juniors and what a wonderful school that was. How many of you remember Mrs Horton, Mr Burroughs, Mr Kitchen and Miss Tidy? Someone wrote about sliding down the Wild Park on cardboard. It was really hair-raising if you could have a go on a tin tray. You had to be careful not to go into the back of the tuckshop! Do any of you remember the bluebells in Stanmer Park woods? And the two horses Roman and Gipsy in the field at the bottom of Halland Road?

    By Joan (09/12/2007)
  • I lived in Goodwood Way from 1938-1959 I went to
    Moulscoomb Iinfant, Junior and Secondary Schools until I left in July 1951.

    By George Wilson (08/01/2008)
  • Hi Jimmy Anderson. Do you remember me Tony Dyke and my brothers John and Chris? I remember your Mum and Dad (Mary and Dave). This page has stirred up a lot of memories for me. I am now living in Western Australia and would love to hear from anyone who remembers me.

    By Tony (27/02/2008)
  • I lived in Selba Drive from 1960-1983, went to Moulsecoomb Infants, Juniors and then Falmer High. Parents still live in Selba Drive so I regularly visit but how things have changed. There are not many of the old faces left now. One of the main things I remember was during the school summer holidays when the corn was cut, we would spend hours making haystacks and camps. This is an excellent site to read everyone’s memories.

    By Karen Fulker (27/03/2008)
  • Funny I have just come across this site and the last person to leave a message is my sister. We’re also related to Mary and George Roberts mentioned by Clive Roberts. Mary was my Grandad’s sister, I also work with Mary their daughter. Dad was recently given some photographs of Selba Drive when the bungalows were being built, looked so different. Dad actually worked on the bungalows. Loads of memories of Moulsecoomb/Falmer schools.

    By Lesley Fulker (09/04/2008)
  • Hi Karen and Leslie, I lived at 69 Staplefield Drive, just at the entrance to Selba Drive. I well remember the houses being built. We would play a lot of cricket and rounders in the field at the end, and hide and seek in the gorse bushes close by. I don’t remember either of you though, what number did you live at?

    By Steve Tugwell (08/06/2008)
  • Hi Karen and Leslie, just wondering if you had a sister called Alice. She married a man called John Howe and lived at number 28 Staplefield Drive. She now lives in Bevendean.

    By Bridget (15/06/2008)
  • Reading Joan Oram’s comment about the Junior School, I’m compelled to put my own little piece! It was Miss Horton, the “returned unopened sort” and she had her favourite, a Mr Hardart, who she would summon to give any of us the strap. He was an expert and, depending on the strength of the punishment required, would either cause the strap to land squarely on the palm of the hand or wrap round the hand and punish the back as much as the front. A confidential whisper from the woman in question would ensure what sort. She would sort out a high chair with her own particular cushion on it for him to sit on when he would occasionally address the class – and I’ve never really known what for or why.  I touched the red knob situated on the end of a vertical metal rod attached to the front wing of her car one day. I didn’t know at the time what it was for but now realise it was a kerb proximity indicator. I got the strap. She had her own special garage at the top of the school path adjoining the Junior School and both car and garage were forbidden territory.  I’ll maybe report on some of my experiences at school in the 1930s some time later.

    By Ron Spicer (22/06/2008)
  • Just realised that Sheila Winter was Sheila Watkins. I’m sure you’ll remember the Spicers, Sheila! Nice to know you’ve had the foresight to place your memories on paper. I think I’m right in recalling you being an inhabitant of Chailey Road?

    By Ron Spicer (03/07/2008)
  • Does anybody remember a Nellie and a Herbert Saunders at 101 Moulsecoomb way in th 1940’s /1950’s (must have been before Mary and George Roberts lived there)? Trying to find some information about Herbert.

    By Melanie (04/07/2008)
  • I don’t know about Nellie and Herbert but I can remember what might have been their two sons (but not their names!) and the older one of the two was a strong believer in communism even at an age young enough for him to be still at school. The phrase “unity is strength” was something I heard from him!

    By Ron Spicer (06/07/2008)
  • Ron Spicer may well be right that Mrs Horton was in fact a “Miss”. However I was in her class, 4A, which in my time there she was always known as Mrs this was in the year 1950/1 and my brother the same in 1954/5. He is the one who remembers her wielding of the tawse, I don’t remember the master you mention Ron, seems you might have been there a bit before me but when you reminded me I do remember her garage. Melanie asks about a couple called Saunders, did they have a daughter called Rosemary? Was 101 on the left hand side going up Moulescoomb Way from Halland Road? If so my sister was freindly with her and as she still lives in the Brighton area might know something.

    By Joan Oram (06/07/2008)
  • Hi Joan. Yep, I’m right alright! However, there’s room for the perceived discrepancy to be accounted for. You’re right about my being there before you. I was born in the 1920s. I often looked back at my education from those times and realised when WWII came along and I experienced the Fleet Air Arm that I was suddenly being really educated. An organisation that used all the means possible, whether crude, amusing or even hands on stuff to impart necessary information. Also, any sign of poverty background or other adverse circumstances was totally ignored. Learning was a pleasant procedure! The only possible similarity which had a purposeful meaning behind it, was a quick elocution period which was deemed necessary so that everyone understood  communications. Those Horton years were unpleasant to say the least; and psychologically so bad. Elsewhere in these forums you can note that I had been placed at school over a year before my proper time, even though I was in an ‘A’ stream class. Oh, the wonderful taste of success!

    By Ron Spicer (09/07/2008)
  • Val Aspinall, did you have a relative who became Brighton bobby?

    By Ron Spicer (09/07/2008)
  • I was born at no 5 Hillside and lived there until I was married in 1962. I had 5 brothers Arthur, Bill, Peter, Roy, Les and one Sister Pat. I had a very happy childhood living in Hillside and went to Moulsecoomb School. Anyone remember me?

    By Pamela Halls (16/07/2008)
  • Hi Ron Spicer and Joyce. How well I remember you and, as you will know, Rosa and I are still best friends after many years – over 75 to be exact – friendships don’t seem to last as long these days. You were deemed very lucky to live next door to all those sweets! Happy to be in touch after all these years. Moulsecoomb Memories was a pleasure to write.
    You got it right, Ron, I was once Sheila Watkins of 16 Chailey Road. Happy days. Nice to hear from you. Regards to Joyce who I remember well. Great to read all your
    Moulsecoomb memories,there aren’t too many of us left now.

    By Sheila Winter (15/08/2008)
  • Hi Karen Fulkner,
    I’ve just noticed you lived at Selba Drive. Did you know someone called Sheila Gunn? Her husband Dennis got killed by a car near the main road. Thank you

    By Bridget (20/08/2008)
  • Haha, I lived at 105 Moulsecoomb Way from 1975 to 1981 and certainly remember my old neighbours Mary and George Roberts. They wouldn’t give us our ball back and we used to have to sneak over the fence when we thought the coast was clear. Does anybody remember the adventure playground just up the road? Such happy childhood memories really considering that times were indeed hard especially in the winter. Perhaps it’s because I’m no longer a child but I do miss those times and I wonder if my kids will look back in the same way that I do. I live nearer Peacehaven now but it’s just not the same.

    By Lynette (12/09/2008)
  • I lived at 27 Ringmer Road and went to Moulsecoomb Jnr School and then onto Stanmer Secondary Modern. I remember the names Valerie Aspinall, Sheila Watkins (and is Ron Spicer any relation to my uncle Alf Spicer?). Does Sheila Watkins know my old school chum Pat Rogers and her sister Diane Rogers? I also remember Ivor Williams living few doors up from us.

    By Mary Osman (16/09/2008)
  • Hi Mary, if you have a peek into the Newick Road entries, you’ll see there’s answers to your question. Is Laurence still alive? (Hope I spelled it correctly!). You had two brothers?

    By Ron Spicer (17/09/2008)
  • Hi Ron. Found the Newick Road info very interesting! I believe Lawrence passed away some few years ago. My dad was Ernie (or ‘Tosh’ as he was better known) and Lawrence was his brother. Recently reunited with Lawrence and Tosh’s brother Francis. I can remember as a child visiting Auntie Rosa and Uncle Alf (via the Cinder Path). Oh those glorious happy days.

    By Mary Osman (21/09/2008)
  • You know, Mary, these discovering comments of everyone, whilst not seemingly so interesting to some at the present time, will be looked upon with much more interest in the years to come, long after we’ve departed Local history in its proper perspective. Whilst places and buildings make historical record, it’s the people who are the real history on where and how they lived. I easily remember Ernie. Lawrence was of my age and Ernie, I think was a little older? Sorry to note that Lawrence has departed. Nice to note your comments.

    By Ron Spicer (23/09/2008)
  • I think you are so right in what you say Ron, however I for one have been so interested in reading your Newick Road entries – it took me back to my childhood and got the old grey matter going. I was so pleased to hear that you remembered my Dad, who unfortunately is no longer with us. Incidentally, I have one sister, Gillian, who still lives in the Brighton area, and a brother, Kevin, who lives in nearby Lewes. PS: I think it’s great that us ‘oldies’ are able to surf the net and come up with these wonderful sites to share our memories!

    By Mary Osman (25/09/2008)
  • I don’t know why I didn’t mention Francis because we knew each other and I wish him well. Your remarks have got me thinking that it could possibly be arranged for a meeting of all the contributors to this MyB&H site at some time in the future, especially the oldies.

    By Ron Spicer (05/10/2008)
  • My Dad lived in Newick Road in the 1940s with his brother and sister. During World War 2, the Canadian soldiers used Stanmer Park as a training ground before the D-Day invasion. My Dad’s sister who was older, met a Canadian soldier who’s name was Pete. My Dad and his brother still remember the day when Pete who was dating my Dad’s sister came down Newick Road in a Sherman tank to see his future wife. They got married after the war and she moved to Canada.

    By Dave Goble (06/10/2008)
  • When I was young I was always at my nan and grandad’s house in Newick Road. Thier names were Sam and Elizabeth Goble. Sadly, they are not here any more but I do occasionally drive past their house but the garden is in a sad state. My grandad loved growing roses, but the last time I drove past there was a dumped car in the garden.

    By Dave Goble (06/10/2008)
  • Hi Dave – Your dad or his brother will be roughly my age because I can also remember a young lad with the surname of Goble at Moulsecoomb School. He lived in a house near the southern end of Newick Road. In those days ‘everyone knew everyone’!

    By Ron Spicer (13/10/2008)
  • Hello Tony Dyke. I remember you. I am Martin Phillips. You and I were friends with Robin Holmes. Do you remember Angela Harris, we both fancied her?  She was a bit too hot for me, a young lady too far advanced for a 13 year old like me. How did you manage the swim to Western Australia? martin.phillips97@ntlworld.com

    By Martin Phillips (17/10/2008)
  • I used to live at number 2 Chailey Road. I lived there from when I was born in 1955 until about 1964. My mum was called Rita Akehurst, her brothers Brian and Raymond lived there as well as the youngest sister Pamela. My nan was Rose Akehurst. I remember a lady called Bessie Golds used to look after me when my mum was working at Allen West. My mum’s mate was called Iris and lived a few doors down and I remember the Buttons lived opposite us. Even though I was a child I remember it well. if anyone remembers any of the people I’ve mentioned please email me .mcnaugshr@aol.com

    By Sheryl Mcnaught (23/10/2008)
  • Just a quick message to Russell Webb and Ivor Williams; do you remember the Edmonds at 25 chailey road? It would be great to hear from both of you. My email address is laurieedmonds@hotmail.com

    By Laurie Edmonds (02/11/2008)
  • I was born at 141 Ringmer Road in 1945 and lived there until 1960. My Nan and Granddad were Dorothy and Charles Capon. I went to Moulsecombe Juniors and then onto Stanmer. I remember Miss King and Mrs Horton.
    At Stanmer, I was in Mr. Gough’s class, then Mr. Davy’s then Miss Bellairs-Cox. Does anyone remember Mr. Lucy the Spanish teacher?
    I too, used to slide down the hill on cardboard in the Wild Park, my friends were Linda and Rita Foster. I remember the lovely ld ice lollies we bought from Woolvens. Every Saturday I would go with my Nan to Larters the butcher in Newick Road. I also remember Maureen Funnell, she lived in Chailey Rd.
    They were very happy times!

    By Susan Kent (03/11/2008)
  • Just came across this site, nice for nostalgia. I went to Moulsecomb schools from 1958-69.  I lived at 41 The Highway and my wife, Linda Early, lived in Selba Drive. Her dad was one of the organisers of the self-build there. Some people may remember me by the name of Minnie Marlow. Would like to hear from old classmates.

    By Clifford Marlow (13/11/2008)
  • Susan Kent – did you go out with Geoffrey Knight when you were at Stanmer? I am still in touch with Geoff and will pass your comments onto him.

    By Peter Gregory (17/11/2008)
  • Hello everybody. I am trying to find info on Moulsecoomb from the period when the Rogers-Tillstone family owned a large part of the area in the 18th century. It is a bit difficult for me to get there from Australia so any help would be appreciated.

    By David Rogers (18/11/2008)
  • Hello Peter Gregory, yes I did go out with Geoffrey Knight when I was at Stanmer. We were on the Belgian school trip when Geoff asked me out! He walked me home from school every night! Say hello to him for me.

    By Susan Kent (05/12/2008)
  • I have very fond memories of Moulsecoomb. I lived in Wild Park Close – one of the houses on the Bates Estate overlooking Moulsecoomb School which I attended during the early 1950s. I particularly remember Philip and Tony Bastable who were sons of the school caretaker who lived in the cottage in the right hand corner of the school field facing the main road. We were great friends and often played football or cricket in that field after school.

    By Alan Possee (30/12/2008)
  • I have just got back onto this web site after a long time. I am overwhelmed by the info from Karen and Lesley Fulker. I think it’s still early days after losing my dad, George Roberts. who passed away on the 25 June 2008. Sad to say, my much loved uncle, Bill Fulker also passed away on the 1st  April 2008. So lovely to read your comments about people of Moulsecoomb. Wishing all at Moulsecoomb a very happy New Year for 2009.

    By clive roberts (01/01/2009)
  • My brother George and Laine did live in Barcombe Rd, and he also has a son called George, so Hamish Mackenzie you are right. George Roberts and Mary Roberts lived at 101 Moulsecoombe Way. Joan Oram, my sister Rosemary remebers you too, and sends her kind regards. Lynette, you can have your ball back now, but don’t do it again. It’s nice that you remembered my parents

    By Clive Roberts (05/01/2009)
  • Thank you Clive for passing on Rosemary’s regards. Please tell her I will tell Rita, she will be so pleased to hear, she often speaks of her and your Mum and Dad.

    By Joan (09/01/2009)
  • I grew up in Moulsecoomb with my parents, George and Margaret, and my siblings Teresa, Steve, Graham and Wendy. Unfortunately my mum passed away in 1977. We lived at 42 The Crescent. My dad had some motor-cycle friends that were always at our home. I was wondering if any of these people, or anyone that may have lived in our street, have any photos of our house in the Crescent? Many thanks

    By Debby Johnson (nee Coomber) (20/01/2009)
  • Hi Clive. My name is Victor Fulker and we are cousins. My dad was your mum’s brother, Thomas (Tucker) Fulker.

    By Thomas Vicor Fulker (17/03/2009)
  • Lynette. Yes, I remember the adventure playground very clearly. 1960s. Well I remember mostly the broken bodies from the pully ride:-), bonfires daily where dinner was cooked, burnt baked potatoes. Anyone remember Percy and Kate Knight of 49 Chailey Road? 1920s till 1964. Children Percy, Arthur, James, Gwen and Kathleen.

    By Ruby (11/04/2009)
  • Hi Karen and Leslie Fulkner. I found this page by accident, when I was trying to find pictures of Stanmer School. Do you remember me, I lived at 20 Selba Drive? I am occasionally in contact with Steve Tugwell. I used to enjoy the time playing in the hay every summer. Would love to hear from you.

    By Julia Hyatt (nee Ginn) (21/07/2009)
  • Does anybody remember the Spells? We lived at 32 Barcombe Road, next to George and Elaine. Then we moved to 90 The Highway.

    By Eddie Spells (26/07/2009)
  • I lived at 58, Barcombe Road from 1957 – 69, and have been trying to trace my oldest of friends Michael Pelling (No. 66) on the internet for years. Other good friends included Ronnie Smith (61) and Angela (Angie) Sawyer (60). I have great memories of spending hours playing in the Wild Park, making dens amongst the trees, sliding down the slopes on cardboard and (sadly) raiding bird nest for eggs. Who remembers Mr Cosham?

    By Kevin Ahronson (08/08/2009)
  • Hi everyone. I remember the Watkins of 101 Birdham. We, the Golbys, my Mum, sisters Kit, Pat, Betty and brother Alf, lived at 104. I think next to you was the Henlys whose daughter Mary was married to a Scandinavian guy who owned an Armstrong Siddley motorcar. We lived next to Mr and Mrs Wright and their daughter Beryl and her twin brother “Cocker” who died very young. I also remember “Red Saunders” selling the Daily Worker and the two Andrews boys from Moulsecoomb Way. I can still with a bit of effort remember about 80% of the people in our end of the street. Have contacted a few through internet sites. I think the spelling of the area has always had two ways – ‘Moulsecoomb’ or the older ‘Moulscoombe’ - but I coould be wrong. Good luck to you all.

    By Bob Golby (21/08/2009)
  • Calling Bob Goldy and George Roberts …. Hi Bob, that spelling of Moulsecoomb. When I was in the Junior Mixed School in the 1930s we were taught that the Southdown Motor Omnibus Company (yes that was also properly described!) had spelt the name wrongly. We were to always remember that it should be spelled with a double “o” and no “e” on the end. George – I’m fairly sure that the George Roberts you mention lived at Ringmer Road and had a son named John who played the harmonica beautifully. George loved his mild gamble on the gee-gees and when I worked at ‘Arthur H Cox & Co’ in Lewes Road, I used to make hair oil for him in the WW2 years when it couldn’t normally be obtained. I think George also played the harmonica but the memory plays tricks at times.

    By Ron Spicer (10/09/2009)
  • Hi Ian. I lived across the road from you at 68 Staplefield. My sister was very friendly with your sister Alexis. We had lots of fun in the cornfields and gorse bushes. We used to put 3d bangers in the cow patties.

    By Steve Tugwell (12/10/2009)
  • Nice to hear how the estate was and very well set out it is. I know John at 26 Staplefield Drive and have lived in Staplefield for 32 years and still do. I know quite a few people that currently live on the estate but never knew it was built in 1930s. Be nice to hear from anyone who knows me.

    By Stuart Andrews (16/10/2009)
  • Ian – I remember Miss King well, and I still have a photo of her somewhere with that King Charles cat on her lap when we had a school trip to the Pestalozzi Village. Mr Gallagher was great. He knew my mum, and during the 11 plus exam, he would walk past me with the answers written on a piece of paper – making sure I got them right. What a character. I certainly remember the softball, I loved it, although I remember one kid getting knocked out when a ball hit him in the face. Do you remember the school clinic and the embarrassing examination the boys had to go through (by a lady doctor – horror!). Worst though was the school dentist. He had black teeth, and on one occasion I was in so much pain when he did one of my fillings, I leaped in the chair – the bloke hit me and told me to shut up. We took it because we were men in those days (age 8).

    By Kevin Ahronson (03/11/2009)
  • My name is Gordon Salvage. I lived at 33 Newick Road where I was born in 1943 and left in 1964 when I got married. I think it was a great place to grow up just after the war, I remember that the only family to have a car in Newick Road were called Driver. Opposite us lived the Dyke family and their son Freddy was a mate. My other friends were Colin Mills, Barry Blaker and Tommy Allsop. It would be good to hear from anyone that lived in that area of Newick Road.

    By Gordon Salvage (06/11/2009)
  • My name is Eric James and I lived at 3 Newick Road from about 1930. I had two younger brothers Fred and Les and we went to the local Moulsecoomb schools, attended Sunday School at St George’s Hall, joined the Choir at St Andrew’s Church and two of us worked for a short time at Allen West. My brother Les has passed away. I am 85 and my brother Fred is 79.

    By Eric James (15/11/2009)
  • Hi Eric. I’m fairly surely reckoning that it is you and your brother I’ve mentioned in my Newick Road entries. You’ll have to forgive the wrong names I attributed to you all. Got to be the same family because I remembered the location of the house with certainty, even if I got the actual number wrong! Well, nine year old children aren’t going to remember everything by the time they get to 82. Remember the blue painted ‘four wheeler’ made by your dad? Look it up – you’ll have a smile.

    By Ron Spicer (22/11/2009)
  •  Hi Stuart Andrews, I’m John’s sister Bridget, I lived at 26 Staplefield Drive. My dad died 15 yrs ago and my mum died Christmas eve 2008, maybe you remember them as well. Your name sounds familiar.

    By Bridget (23/11/2009)
  • Hi Steve(Tugwell) I am afraid you were not living opposite me at 90 when you were at 68. I think 68 is around the back on the corner. I do remember a Colin Tugwell who lived around there but I heard he went to the USA. I lived opposite the Colbys and Fairhalls. sorry but I don’t have a sister Alexis either.

    By Ian Smith (26/11/2009)
  • Hi Gordon, just a thought, I went to school in Moulsecoomb from 1957 to 1963 and I remember the name John Salvage from then. Any relation? Also thanks for your comments Kevin although sadly your name is not familiar; best wishes to you and anyone who knew me.

    By Ian Smith (26/11/2009)
  • I lived at 3 Ashurst Road from 1958 to 1970, I had lots of friends in the area and would like to contact them. I remember Sandy Colby, and Nigel Marston, both of Staplefield Drive. Is there anyone from Eggington, Lucraft Road about that time?

    By Sandra Leaney (Sandy) (26/11/2009)
  • Hello, does any one have any photos or literature I could look at of when Selba Drive or Wheatfield Way were being built?  I grew up in the area and would like to know more. Thank you.

    By Kerry Hayes (08/12/2009)
  • I lived at 30 Moulsecoomb Way from 1955 to about 1975 with my mum dad and family. I remember the adventure play ground with the pulley and the rope swing. We used to get a student come up to help with us kids. l think his name was Dave Jones. The Wild Park was fun too. We were like monkeys swinging from tree to tree till you got to the bottom. There were more trees then. My neighbours were the Cuttings and the other side were the Palmers. Does any one remember the Nye family?

    By Martin Nye (02/01/2010)
  • I lived at 1 Lucraft Rd with Mum, Dad, Mark, Russ and Darren. Moved to Western Australia in 1977. I can still remember the woods at the back of us and Falmer Pond in the summer. Never been back to the UK because I think things have changed too much and I like to remember the way things used to be but such happy times I’d never change for the world.

    By Geoff Glover (11/01/2010)
  • Hi, we lived in Barcoombe Road, number 21. I had the best days there. Our name was Robinson, my dad Ronnie and mum Joyce . We had Pam Spain on one side and the Averys on the other. On the Newick Road corner was my aunt and Uncle Ken and Hellen Robinson. I remember the head. I think she was the head from the infants, Mrs Patterson. It will be good to hear from anyone there.

    By Sue Braden (12/01/2010)
  • Anybody who knew the Robinsons in Barcoombe Road please get in touch. I would love to hear from you. Does anyone remember the doctor’s surgery in Barcoombe Road and Dougie the grocers? The doctor was Dr Hacking. Lovely memories. This is a brilliant site.

    By Sue Robinson (12/01/2010)
  • Hi, I went to Stanmer in 1960. I remember the names David Butler, John Shermer, Michel Mckewin, and the name Barnett. I was Brian Robinson known as Robbo. I remember all the teachers, if you were there same time I would love to hear from you .

    By Brian Robinson (13/01/2010)
  • Hi Sue. Did your dad have a twin brother, Ken? It does seem as if the Robinsons that I knew lived in that part of Barcoombe Road which led into Newick Road. I’m writing of way before WWII days. If the connection is right, I can recall a few points for you, Sue. Everyone knew everyone in those days so I cannot think it isn’t the same Robinson provided we are both referring to the same era.

    By Anonymous (20/01/2010)
  • Hello ‘Anonymous’. When were you there? We wernt there before the war but yes my dad had a brother Ken who lived on the corner of Newick Road like you said and we lived on the corner of Barcoombe Road. Do you know anymore? What’s your name if you dont mind me asking? Thanks.

    By Sue (21/01/2010)
  • Martin Nye: Yes, I was friends with your Heather, and the Cutting sisters. And next to them was Angela Wallis. I would like to know how Heather is now. And I know you had another sister but can’t remember her name – was it Sue? You can find me on facebook: thewares103104@googlemail.com

    By Ruby (24/01/2010)
  • The name Geoff Glover rings a bell. I think the one I knew would be about 56 now and was a hairdresser then, but I might be wrong. Does anyone know of Gary Walker from Moulsecoomb Way? We were best mates until around 1976 when I left Brighton. His parents were Ken and Rene and they lived at the top of the hill on the left at the bend. Gary worked on the Southdown buses with me but we lost touch. Someone mentioned Nigel Marsden at Staplefield. I knew him and his older brother Kevin as well as his neighbour Ian Kraft. I often wonder what became of everyone.

    By Ian Smith (24/01/2010)
  • Hi. I knew Lesley Walker but that’s when they moved to Barcombe Road. He had an older brother and sister and I know they lived in Moulsecoombe somewhere before Barcombe Road. Thanks Sue

    By sue (26/01/2010)
  • Hi Martin Nye, I think you have the wrong Robinson. Yes, we lived in the same place but I know no Heather in our family. What a coincidence though.

    By sue (26/01/2010)
  • I love all these memories. Does anybody know the Wakefields from Stonecross road?

    By sue (28/01/2010)
  • Hi Sue, not me but I knew a John Robinson at the begining of Birdham Road.

    By martin (30/01/2010)
  • I thought I might throw a few more names in the pot to see if anyone knows them. I lived in Staplefield from 1955 until 1970 and my parents were there until around 1982. I was at Moulsecoomb infants and juniors from 1957 until 1963. So here goes with some names from that era. The Hargies were a well known family. I knew a Christopher Rea and a Christopher Smith. I also remember Nick Castles. We used to go to the ice rink and Top Rank suite around late sixties. He was about 6′ 5 and had an even bigger brother George. I went to a boxing club in Moulsecoomb Secondary run by a Ronnie Walls. Around 1968 everyone my age seemed to have Lambrettas or Vespas and I used to ride around with Keith and Philip Driver and Chris Coomber from Birdham. I was also friendly with Colin Tugwell, Glen Lowrie and Dave Potter. I also remember a Michael and John Lighton and all the Clarkes from Staplefield, John, Alan, Bobby and Janice. I haven’t seen any of these people mentioned since around 1972. Does any of these names ring a bell with anyone here. Incidentally, does anyone recall the old scout hut next to the 67 centre? I used to go there around 1965 and they had a youth club night on a friday from 7pm to 9pm. You could buy biscuits for a penny and play table tennis. The 67 centre was a real step up with proper snooker tables and pinball machines as well as TV and weights. I remember a Mick Mansell from there and a guy called Duggie who had had a bad motorcycle accident some years earler. Sorry to ramble a bit but as I write I find distant memories come drifting back and if anyone is interested please read – if not disregard. Moulsecoomb always had a bit of a reputation for being a tough area by outsiders but living there I never noticed. There wasn’t really many with money and there was certainly a lot of people who were very poor and by some standards I wasn’t too badly off but at least I was out playing sports with friends and not stuck in front of a playstation or TV as kids all seem to be today. Did anyone remember hiding around the corner outside the off licence at the Bevendean whilst getting an adult to buy us 13 year olds a bottle of cider? Must go now but if required I can return with another stream of consciousness of memories from a bygone age.

    By Ian Smith (06/02/2010)
  • Fond memories? Yeah, in a way fond, but my goodness all we did was fight. I had more fights living there for eight years than the rest of my life. My parents couldn’t stand the place and took us away. Only one year at Falmer, was sad for me going to that *bleep* school Varndean instead – first day there the teacher told everyone I was from Moulsecoomb and within ten minutes I knocked down a boy that wasn’t happy to meet ‘my kind’. We used to throw bricks at each other for goodness sakes. Crime central for me. Still, the Wild Park was great, really good memories there. I’ve been living in Japan the past 12 years.

    By Elliott Brett (Watkins) (10/02/2010)
  • Mousecoombe was the place to live and grow up in.

    By David Patrick (10/02/2010)
  • Hi Sue – you wrote: Hello ‘Anonymous’. When were you there? We weren’t there before the war but yes my dad had a brother Ken who lived on the corner of Newick Road like you said and we lived on the corner of Barcoombe Road. Do you know anymore? What’s your name if you dont mind me asking? Thanks. By Sue (22/01/2010) I wrote that and didn’t realise my identity had been missed out; and of course, the Mod would have entered the input under anonymous rather than leave it out. I can’t surely recall your dad’s brother’s name but it mIght have been Ray? They lived opposite the local greengrocer, Mr Prior, a one legged man, having been severely injured in WWI. He had a pony and cart to deliver all the greengroceries which would halt at all the necessary places along the roads without being told to for residents to come out and buy. A little animal with a friendly nature, accepting titbits of any sort from the kids and grownups alike. With the load that it pulled, it surely was a gallant worker. The Robinson twins were carpenters by trade so far as I can remember and I saw them in various places, building houses. They attended the same school as I did at Moulsecoomb and we were in complete agreement about many of the teachers being snobby, especially the headmaster of the senior school, a Mr. Croucher. Happy days?

    By Ron Spicer (10/02/2010)
  • I was born at 108 Newick Road and part of a family of ten. I remember the Hargies, Stories, Burtenshaws who lived next to us. One family who I remember well and went to school with was the Robinsons in Barcombe Road.Does anyone remember Doug who used to run the grocers in Barcombe Road?

    By David Patrick (12/02/2010)
  • Hi Ron. This is very stange- my parents Ron and Joyce lived on the corner of barcoombe Road, number 21. One side of us we had Burt Avery, the other side Pam Spain, then the Walkers opposite. We had the Skippers, then there was Mrs Priore, then going round the corner was my Uncle Ken and Aunty Hellen Robinson. My dad Ronnie was a painter and decorator and my uncle worked for the council but my dad and uncle wern’t twins. I love talking about Barcoombe Road memories. Thanks

    By Sue (12/02/2010)
  • Hi Ian Smith, Gary Walker spent a while on Brighton’s blue buses and now is on Crawley coaches. Hope this helps. And hello David Patrick, do you remember me from school?

    By Martin (13/02/2010)
  • Hi David, I lived in Barcoombe Road. Which Robinson did you go to school with? I remember Doug the grocer, the Burtinshaws.

    By Sue (14/02/2010)
  • Hi Sue. It would have been Ken and Ray who lived opposite Mr. and Mrs Prior so Ken probably moved just across the way, round the corner in his later life. It does appear to me that you are in a slightly different time scale. I was born in the 1920s, as were Ken and Ray.

    By Ron Spicer (15/02/2010)
  • Thanks Martin. That sounds like I might be able to find Gary. I do rememer him moving to the Crawley area some 30 years ago. I am pleased to get that lead.

    By Ian Smith (16/02/2010)
  • Hi Ron. Yea - we do have a diffrent time scale.  It was nice talking to you though! Thanks.

    By Sue (16/02/2010)
  • I remember moving to Bates Estate when I was 5 years old, 1951 was the year. Wild Park Close was the aim, and the houses were still being built when we arrived in the removal van. What memories. The night watcher in his little tent, baking potatoes on the fire. All the children at 10pm (yes 10pm!) sharing the food will always be remembered. Hello Alan.

    By Christine Possee (17/02/2010)
  • In 1943 I started life as a new born in Halland Road but I do not know the number. In 1946 we moved to 163 Moulsecoomb Way. That was a happy street. I can remember the Coronation street party in 1953. Those were the days when the bus route finished at the top of Moulsecoob Way outside of the Nevell’s house. In 1955 we moved to 61 Staplefield Drive. They were still building there. If I remember right, every house had two lorry loads of top soil dumpped in the road and we had to put it on the gardens ourselves. November 1962 just in time for the bad winter we moved again to 19 Nyetimber Hill and that was the family home until my father’s death in December 2003. He worked for Allan West almost all of his working life. It was a good place to live with a lot of smashing families.
    Clive Roberts: I am so sorry to hear about your dad George. I went to school with him. He was a lovely guy.

    By Peter Dresch (18/02/2010)
  • Hi Martin. Yes I do remember you from school. Can you remember Johnathan Warner? I played truant with him at Stamner School. Also can you remember the laughs we had with John and Peter Pullin in the playground at Moulsecoombe Juniors? Have you seen or heard from them at all? Nice to hear from you.

    By David Patrick (18/02/2010)
  • I lived in Staplefield Drive no. 135, our neighbours were the Whites on one side and the Shrubs on the other. My sisters were Mary and Mandy, we moved down to the highway when I was seven in 1968. Does anyone remember us or Derek and Leslie Shrub? Mary was best friends with Sandy Colby. We all went to Moulsecoombe Infants, Juniors and Seniors school. Be nice to know if anyone knew us.

    By Debbie Phillips (18/02/2010)
  • I have a photo in my album taken at Moulsecoomb Primary School in 1951. Here are some of the people I remember from the photo: Keith Langridge, Peter Nevitt, Bruce Button, John Gravett, Monica Everett, Sylvia Button, Joan Hills, Coralie Wellman, Verena Richardson, Judy Egginton, Roy Lewington. Love to hear from anyone that remembers me!

    By Susan Kent (19/02/2010)
  • Some of the teachers I remember at Stanmer School were: Donald Rawsthorn, (Art), Alec Wills (PE and English later to become assitant Head), Miss Davis, Muddy Boots (Rural Sciance), Mr Lowie (Metalwork), Mr Hobart was the first head master and then Mr Williams, Mr Davis (PE), Ken Box the olympic sprinter (PE), Mr Tully (RI), Mr Needham (Music). Can anyone remember going to St Andrews Youth Club on a Thursday night, the place to be and the names of any of the bands that played there? I played with the Hustlers there and I can remember the Dolphins.
    Ian Smith: The guy you were thinking of who had the bad motorcycle accident was Duggy Jay. He later died at work crushed by a dumper truck. He had a sister Pat, they lived just along the road from me. I think it was 51 Staplefield Drive next door to the Clarkes.

    By Peter Dresch (19/02/2010)
  • Hello Sue. Sad to say your name has not rung any bells but I remember Bruce and Syliva Button. When I first got married I bought the house next door to their mum in Widdicombe Way and used to see them a lot. Keith Langridge and Judy Egginton I also remember. Do you remember Peter Field whose mum had the hairdressers at higher Bevendean? He sang with a local band called The Zodiacs.

    By Peter Dresch (20/02/2010)
  • Hello Peter. I remember all of the teachers you mention! Did you have a brother named Jimmy – I ‘m sure there was a Jimmy Dresch in my class at Moulsecoomb Juniors? I used to go to Judy Egginton’s house during the summer holidays, didn’t she have brothers named Andrew and David? We used to go whizzing round the corner and down the road on her brother’s 4 wheeler!

    By Susan Kent (20/02/2010)
  • Hello Sue. Yep. I have a brother Jim who is 18 months younger then me. He has lived in Sweden since 1964. I am sure I was at school with Andrew Egginton but I can’t remember a David. It could be that you had mates all in the same year at scool. Let’s face it someone two years younger was really young. Do you remember Mr Bastable the caretaker at Moulsecoomb school?

    By Peter Dresch (21/02/2010)
  • Hello Moulsecoomb. How come nobody has mentioned The Danish Bacon Company at the bottom of Moulescoomb Way? I remember Miss King and Mrs Gould both of whom changed my life. And yes I remember the Nye family. They had all of my family over at Christmas when my father left us. And Mrs Nye got in touch with various charities so that we had presents that Christmas. Many years later, thank you so much.

    By Lorraine (21/02/2010)
  • Hi Susan. You are correct – Mr Bastable’s sons were Tony & Phil. I was a friend of theirs and us 3 kids would often play football in the school field, much to the annoyance of Mr Bastable when we disturbed the few chickens he kept in his garden, or more often than not Mrs Bastable when the ball landed near her washing line. I lost contact with Tony & Phil when we moved away from Wild Park Close (opposite the school). I wonder where they are now?

    By Alan Possee (22/02/2010)
  • I do remember Mr Bastable the caretaker, I’m almost sure that his sons were Tony and Phil! Yes, of course The Danish Bacon Co!… and what about Cox’s Pill Factory, just under the arch on the right when you were on the No.13 bus going into Brighton!!…. Does anyone remember Mrs Jardine McClouglin, the Head who took over from Mr.Williams?

    By susan kent (22/02/2010)
  • Can anyone remember Charlie Sumner who had the outfitters shop next to Allen West in the Lewes Road, where we would get our school uniforms from. He was always busy when Allen West paid out their bonus. It was the first time I ever saw a white fiver. Some of my school mates were Mick Nevell, Johnny Cole, Kenny Swallow, Mick Siblock and Tom Foggerty. Carters had the tobacconist and Mogers the grocery shop. Old Mr Carter had his front teeth knocked out one evening while watching, Brighton Tigers. What great days they were.

    By Peter Dresch (24/02/2010)
  • Back to Barcombe Road – I remember having a crush on Kim Standing when I was about 13; anyone remember the Standings, I think they lived at 63? I had a good friend called Paul Robinson during the mid-60s who lived in Newick Road, no idea what happened to him. Pity we can’t upload photos, I have a cracking one of him with some amazing hair! When I think of all the hours we would play over at the Wild Park, it is so removed from how the kids spend their time these days. I remember crazy things like trying to emulate a character from a comic (Hotspur?) called Wilson who was an athlete who ran everywhere in his bare feet. A few of us copied him – taking off our shoes and socks, we would race around the grass banks at the rear of the park and lift rocks to try and become like him (nutters!). And then there was a time all the kids in the street bought bows and arrows (real ones). It wouldn’t be allowed today of course, but we’d fire them all over the place. On one occasion someone got an arrow in his foot. Ouch!. Someone mentioned the Danish Bacon factory earlier. On one occasion, walking home from school, we nicked some eggs that were lying around by the bins. We took delight in throwing them at the viaduct walls. Sadly, mine had a crack in it and opened up as it left my hands. I was covered in foul-smelling egg yoke. I stunk to high heaven. Happy days.

    By Kevin Ahronson (27/02/2010)
  • Just found the site. I lived in Hillside between 1939-1967 with my brothers Keith and Dennis. I think I can supply plenty of nostalgia. Can anyone give me news of the following, all lived in Hillside:  DUKE, CROUCH, ELCOME, BURGESS, BARDEN, DONALDSON, HARPER, MANDER, PRODGER, FORD, WALTON, SHARPE,  KEATING, BRISTOW, DUNKERTON, CARTER, STONE,  NEVITTS, THORPE and ANDREWS. Please let me know if anybody was in the schools athletics team when we were Brighton Champions.

    By Alan Winchester (01/03/2010)
  • Peter, my brother knew Kenny Swallow (Keith) and I think he was in the choir with me at St Andrews also.

    By Alan Winchester (01/03/2010)
  • F.A.O. PETER DRESCH, re. Eggintons, I knew the family well. I was David’s best man, but have no idea where Judy and Andrew are now.

    By Alan Winchester (01/03/2010)
  • Hello Peter and Alan. Was Kenny Swallow one of the family of Swallows who lived at the bottom of Moulsecoomb Way? If so I lived three doors away from them in Halland Road.

    By Joan (01/03/2010)
  • To Alan Winchester: Bob Prodger and his sisters Pat, Shirley, Yvonne, younger brothers David, Ray, Les and Tony are my in-laws except Tony who is my husband. Their mum and dad were Anne and Les. Les died a few years ago now but their mum is still going strong. The family are still in Brighton and living in or near Moulsecoombe still. Their mum is 92 years old now and has lots of grandkids and great grandkids. Sorry, don’t know about the other families. I myself grew up on the highway.

    By Debs (02/03/2010)
  • This is turning out to be a small world. Pat Prodger is my aunt. She was married to my Dad’s brother Brian until he died some years ago. She is still living on the London Road and I visited her last summer. She keeps close ties with the rest of her family. Peter, I was sorry to hear of Duggie Jay’s death. I remember his sister, Pat, she was a year or two older than me. Debbie Philips, of course I remember your family and I remember you moving to the Highway. I knew your older brother Bill. In fact I still have a small tatoo on my arm which I had done when he talked me into going to the tatooist with him in 67. Cost me six shillings and has lasted over 40 years. The Whites were long term friends of ours. I can remember there were about seven kids including Paul, Julie, Heather and I think a Fransesca. Their mother, Eileen remained friends with my mother many years after she moved. I also remember the Shrubs on the other side. Dave Warner, two doors down from you, was a friend of mine and I can recall his brother Johnnie and sister Linda. I also remember the Colby girls Diane, Christine, Linda and Sandy. I had a huge crush on Linda when I was about 14 which I am sure she noticed but never mentioned. It’s strange that I knew everone so well then as I have been living in my present house for over 25 years and couldn’t tell you who lives in houses a few doors away. Moulsecoomb in that era was the kind of place where we all knew our neighbours but I think it was more to do with the times rather than the place and I dare say things are very different today. Anyhow, please keep writing. this is a most enjoyable experience, resurecting all these distant memories.

    By Ian Smith (02/03/2010)
  • Debs, many thanks for your news regarding the Prodger family. Anne will remember my late mother Gladys of 70 Hillside very well.

    By Alan Winchester (02/03/2010)
  • Joan. Yes the Swallows did live at the very bottom of Moulsecoomb way. What a lovely family they were. Ian, I think Duggie had his bike accident in 1963/4 and died in a work accident around 1967/8 when he was crushed against a tree by a dumper truck. He did have a sister Pat and his dad George worked for many years at Alan West I believe in the machine shop.

    By Peter Dresch (03/03/2010)
  • Does anyone recall Vera Mercer? She lived in Colbourne Avenue. Her Dad had the all night Garage in Lewes Road. Her brothers were Charlie and Jim and sisters Jean and Pauline. Vera went to Moulsecoomb Seniors from about 1956.

    By Susan Kent (03/03/2010)
  • Alan. Hi, I went to school with your brother Keith and I also knew your dad, “Stan”. He was the foreman of the machine shop at A-W. He was good friends with my dad who was foreman of the inspection there. What a small world.

    By Peter Dreschp (03/03/2010)
  • Yes Peter they were a lovely family and there were a lot of them. One of the boys caught polio in the 1950s epidemic. From a hazy memory I think he became paralysed, he certainly was in hospital for a long time.

    By Joan (04/03/2010)
  • Hi Sue, when you talk about the Averys in Barcoombe Road, they are my family. My Dad is David Avery and Shelia is my Auntie. There is Uncle Tony and Uncle Jonny Avery. My nan and grandad lived there for a long time. I grew up in Moulsceoombe myself and I have some great memories to.

    By Lesley Baker (04/03/2010)
  • Hi Peter, did your Dad know Tommy Woods, Ron McDonald and Dug Chisnall from A.W.108? I think they were either chargehands or leading hands with Stan.

    By Alan Winchester (05/03/2010)
  • I was born in Goodwood Way in 1962 and went to the local schools until I went to Patcham Fawcett. My uncles worked in AW and my Mum worked in the sheet metal factory at the bottom of Moulsecoomb Way.

    By Paul (07/03/2010)
  • Hello Alan. I knew Doug Chisnall the chargehand so my dad would have known him plus Tommy Woods and Ron McDonald who were leading hands if I remember right. All the foremen and charge hands were a close knit crowd. I spent a couple of winters there when the weather stopped me bricklaying, so I got to know a few of them. Percy Collins in the press shop was a mate of your dads and mine and Stan Clark the foreman of the paint shop. The was a lot of re-sprays on cars that went on there. Mine was one of them.

    By Peter Dresch (07/03/2010)
  • Hi, does anyone remember a family from Newick Road who emigrated to Australia in the 60s? Not sure of surname but they had a son called Anthony. Not sure about any other kids. I know it’s not much to go on but if anyone knows who they may be I just need a surname to look further. Thanks

    By Debs (09/03/2010)
  • Hello again Peter, just re-read your entry 24/2/10. Talking to my brother last night he mentioned Kenny Swallow and I now see you knew Tommy Fogarty who my brother Johnnie Oram tore about with in their quite young days – our roads met at the then end of East Moulsecoomb. Don’t know if you knew them but I knew the whole Fogarty family, Titchie, John, Ray, their sister (think she was Peggy) and the one who died, Lily. Their Dad died quite young, but Mrs Fogarty used to have a stall on Saturdays in Upper Gardner Street.

    By Joan (10/03/2010)
  • Hi Lesley. Yes, I know all the Averys. Your greatnan and grandad lived next door to us - we knew them as Aunty Glad and Uncle Bert and there was your Aunty Shelia. I used to love being off school because every afternoon Aunt Glad used to bring her knitting round to my mum and they would sit and watch Crown Court and House Party. But in the mornings, if I wasn’t at school, they would take it in turns to make tea and Mum would bring crusty rolls back from Dougies the greengrocer and make up lovely cheese rolls – I loved it. I do know your dad and I also remember your Uncle Tony, Shelia’s brother. Take care.

    By Sue Robinson (15/03/2010)
  • Does anyone remember the Lowers who lived on the Highway? There was Michael, Sharon, Steve, Gill and Wayne. There were more but I can’t think of their names. It’d be nice to know where they are now and what they’re doing.

    By Debra (18/03/2010)
  • Ok first of all to Stuart Andrews - John Dowds is my brother and he has moved now as my Mum passed away on Christmas Eve 2008. John is ok. To Lynette - is your maiden name Johnston? If so, was your Mum Nell?  I remember the adventure playground very well - loved it there, having your own camp site. Fun fun fun

    By BridgetDawkins (23/03/2010)
  • Hello Debs. Re your enquiry about an emigrating family. There was a family called Wilson who emigrated to New Zealand in 1961/2. One of the daughters Vivienne had a stiff leg, she’d been in hospital a long time. They lived in the first house on the left of Newick Road as you turned from the part where the 13B terminated.

    By Joan Cumbers nee Oram (02/04/2010)
  • Does anyone remember the Westgate family that lived at 145 Birdham road from 1957 untill 1989?

    By Arthur (30/04/2010)
  • Good old Moulsecoombe. They were the days. Does anyone remember the Trimms or Cullens or Anscoombes, Evens, Tucknotts or Wells? George from Carter’s newsagents? His son Tony took it over. Everyone borrowed sugar or something off each other till pay day.

    By Monica Beck (28/05/2010)
  • I seem to remember a group of wonderful volunteers meets regularly in the Brighton & Hove City Reference Library in the Museum and interviews elderly people of the City in order to compile a history and to maintain this file. I have several new contacts. Would you tell me when this group meets in the Brighton Library so that I can send people along to you?

    By Eric James (01/06/2010)
  • I’m looking for information about my grandfather Arthur George Brown who owned the ‘All Night Garage’ in Lewes Road in the 1930’s. Amazed to see it was still called this in the 1950’s! His son Dennis went to Hertford Road JM Infants in 1936.

    By Anne Henderson (01/06/2010)
  • Hi Monica. I know a Raymond Ancell I went to school with. Does anybody remember Jimmy – he was run over after school one day and taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital? I was at Moulscoombe Juniors at this time. I was also in hospital at the same time and my dad used to bring things in for me and give half to him. It was good fun in the Royal Alexandra.

    By Sue Robinson (04/06/2010)
  • Hello. Wow does this site bring back memories. I came across something similar a while ago, and found my old friend David Groves, who emigrated to NZ in 1969 – I think that was the year. I lived at number 9 Chailey Road. and went to Stanmer Secondary Modern School. I remember Mr.Gough, he was the English teacher. Also Mr. Lucy, the Spanish teacher. Many more too that someone has also mentioned. I lived there with my Mum and Dad, Sid and Sheila Young. The Rowleys lived opposite me. John Linter next to me. My best friend was May Docherty, who lived in the house at the bottom of the cinder path, as it was called. The Wrights, the Groves, the Austins were all my neighbours. Peter and Paul Mansell were my brother Bob’s best friends. Brian Long, the Coombers, the Swallows, Margaret Stevens – all old friends that we used to have great fun with. I remember the Adventure Playground well. We were there most days, swinging on the rope in the tree, and sometimes falling off lol. This site has brought back so many memories. I remember the ’67 club opening. My friends would hide me in a closet as I was too young to be a member, and let me out when the coast was clear. Before then it was The Youth Club in St.Andrews Church, I believe, at The Avenue. My sister Brenda would go with me. She moved to Canada 7 years ago and I miss her a lot. It was she who found the other site as she was feeling homesick and sent the link to me. Wild Park and Stanmer Park were also my playgrounds. We never had any money, like most on the Estate, but we had good friends and a large area to play in. I think we were better off then than the kids are now. It’s ok to have X.Boxes and Playstations, but I don’t remember seeing really fat kids in them days. I would love to hear from anyone that remembers me or my family, or the names that I have mentioned. There are many more that will come to me when I come off this site I’m sure. So thanks for the memory nudge and write please. My Dad died in 1978, sadly my Mum in 1989. If anyone remembers them. Hello Ivor Williams – I remember you, and where you lived, just along the end of Chailey Road across the road. Awwwww, bye for now

    By Patricia Baker nee Young (07/06/2010)
  • To Alan Winchester: I used to live at 101 Widdicombe Way, (top of the school path) 1939-1965, and was in the 12th Brighton Scouts. You mentioned the Bardens of 82 Hillside, which would have included John who was my close friend for many years in the Scouts. I’ve been trying to get in touch with him for some time but with no luck. Should you or anyone else on this list find him I’d love to get an address of some sort. I ran the 12th Brighton Cub Pack from (I think) 1957 through to about 1963, were any of you in the Pack or Troop at the time?

    By Colin Brooker (16/06/2010)
  • To Lesley Baker: I was born at 24 Barcombe Road in 1951 and lived there with my sister Pricilla and brother Robin. I was only seven years old when we moved to Crawley as my dad worked for Lyons Bread and they opened a new bakery in Crawley. Although I was seven when we left I still have great memories of living in Barcombe Road. I can still remember a farm opposite our house and watching a horse and plough going up and down the fields ploughing, going to Stanmer Park, waiting outside The Hikers Rest Pub with a soft drink and a bag of crisps while my dad was having a couple of beers inside. Anyway Lesley you mentioned your uncle Tony, my brother and I used to play togeather and I have a photo of Tony, me and my brother. I think it was taken outside of his house, let me know your email and I will send it to you. I have been living in Sydney, Australia for the past 25 years but remember Barcombe Road like it was yesterday.

    By John Johnson (17/07/2010)
  • Does anyone remember the Whelans at the bottom of the cinder path in Newick Road?

    By Jackie Noakes (29/07/2010)
  • To Bridget, Yes my mum was Nell. Unfortunately she passed away in July 2009. Sorry to hear about your mum. Bad times eh? Hope you are keeping well.

    By Lynette (01/08/2010)
  • I went to school with Glen Lewry and knew David Potter. Sadly I believe they both died some years ago. Janice Potter was in my class at Moulsecomb juniors. Does anyone remember Vivienne Colliver, Lisa Miller and the Hargys? I lived at 8 Hodshrove Road. Left Brighton in 1983 but my heart still there and am proud of my Moulsecoomb roots.

    By Carol Spalding (Giles) (04/08/2010)
  • Hi Sue, have just found this site. I too have a photo taken in the junior school, I’m right in the centre of the front row (Jill Gillam) the teachers name was a Miss or Mrs Atkinson, I think. Some more names that you might remember are: Andrew Funnell, Marilyn Rovery, Angela Tyrell, Monica Curd, Michael Swallow, Julie Warren, Carol Alibaster, Jimmy Dresch, Pat East, Margaret Cordier and Phyllis Roberts who sadly died a couple of years ago. I also remember Mr Lucy, the Spanish teacher, at Stanmer school. I still live in Bevendean and married a local lad (Mousey) Alan Stevenson, who also attended the local school.

    By jill stevenson Nee Gillam (06/08/2010)
  • Hi Jill (nee Gillam) I remember you very well, lovely to hear from you. I have a class photo from Stanmer 1958 in 2a Mr.Davies, you are in the front row between Jean Bennett and Jimmy Dresch. I am in the back row between Norma Jenkins and Margaret Leggat. I moved away from Brighton when I married in1965, but those times at both Moulsecoomb and Stanmer Schools were very happy days.

    By Susan Kent (09/08/2010)
  • Hi Carol (Spalding). I read your post and immediately remembered many of the names including yours -Giles. Lisa Millar sounds familiar as does the name Colliver. I knew Janice Potter and I believe David was killed in a car crash around 1972 on the Falmer Road I think- my mum sent me a message when I was in Ireland in the army. I didn’t know Glenn Lewry was dead. He was about two years younger than me. Of course I remember the Hargies. I recall Robert. They were a tough lot and all short, stocky and dark hair if my memory is correct. We must have known each other as your name certainly sounds familiar but I can’t recall why as it is now about 45 years ago. Maybe you remember my next door neighbours, the Drivers. Denise was about your age possibly or Russell.

    By Ian Smith (15/08/2010)
  • Hi Peter Dresch. Although your name does not ring a bell with me, the teachers’ names that you mentioned from Stanmer school days certainly were from my era: 1953-57. I would be grateful for further info into your school days there. Many thanks in anticipation.

    By Ray (24/08/2010)
  • I lived in Halland Road from 1972 until 1976, then moved to 157 Moulsecoombe Way; I left in 1994. My Grandparents lived down the hill at number 134, Alma and Roy Groves. Jeanette and Brain Groves were their twin children (Jeanette was my Mum who sadly passed away in 2002). Brian worked also at Allen West. I remember the adventure playground and loved it, was sad when it shut down. I went to Moulsecoombe infant and Moulsecoombe Middle school. I remember lots of people from the area: Dot and Bob Woodhouse, Mr and Mrs Turner was one of our neighbours, also there was the Patersons, the Boxalls, the McDonalds, the Moores. Just remember playing on our skateboards endlessly – great place to grow up.

    By Stacey Claytom (16/09/2010)
  • Blimey, what a shock to find this page and to see all these names from the past. I Lived at 74 Hodshove Rd (just below the woods opposite Goodwood Way) from 1955 to 1963 and then lived from 1963 to 2007 at 59 Hillside. I will always cherish my early years as Moulsecoomb was/is a fantastic place to grow up in. The Downs all around you and in my early days the brilliant sense of community. I will never forget the Bonfire Nights (held below the then new children’s playground in the middle of the woods between Birdham Rd and Hodshove Rd). It was almost outside my house and we kids use to(try to) protect it in case it was lit too early.

    By Dave Windsor (21/09/2010)
  • I lived at number 30 Halland Road from 1957 to 1966 and remember the Brackpools, the Nemans and the Lewis’s. Anybody out there?

    By Robin Muzzall (05/10/2010)
  • Well Dave Windsor, I can certainly remembr that name from the time I lived there and we either knew each other well or you maybe had a brother. I lived at 90 Staplefield Drive. Can you shed any light on that?

    By Ian Smith (10/10/2010)
  • Hi All, John Dine here. My family lived at 52 Moulsecoomb way untill about 1951 when we moved to Elmore Road to live with my nan. We lived next door to the Wells family, I think the names were mum Gladys, Marie, Barry, there was another daughter but cannot rember her name. The other side was the Turners, and the Lish family. I went to Moulsecoomb school infants, then on to Stanmer when it first opened, walking up the mud path. My cousins the Edwards lived in the last house in Moulsecoomb Way.

    By John Dine (12/10/2010)
  • There is a concrete circle approx 20 feet in diameter, north of the water reservior at Bevendean and between the cow field back of Moulsecomb. Does anyone know what this once was (looks like a mini cycle track)? I found it whilst out running, looking for a short cut to the new Brighton football stadium at Falmer. Once on top of the hill you can see the new arched roof of the stadium.

    By Bob Baines (17/10/2010)
  • Hello John Dine. I knew the Edwards girls, Margaret, Eileen and Jean, very well and their Mum and dog. I lived two doors down from them in Halland Road. I was in the same class as Jean at Moulsecoomb and we went to Varndean together. I remember Stanmer school opening; wasn’t it 1951, the same year Jean and I and Marion Lewis at the bottom of Halland Road all went to Varndean?

    By Joan Cumbers (19/10/2010)
  • F.A.O. Joan Cumbers: were you in 4a Mrs Horton? If so, what was your surname? I went to Varndean the same year – also I think both Jean and Marion were in the sports team that were Brighton Champions two years running(?)

    By Alan Winchester (22/10/2010)
  • Hello Alan. I was Joan Oram, yes I was in 4a with Marion and Jean. Jean was certainly in the sports team, she was a super hurdler and sprinter and good at the long jump; I remember going to Preston Park to cheer her on. She went on to be a very good hockey player at Varndean. Smashing girl. I have a photo of us all in 1953 at Varndean.

    By joan cumbers (22/10/2010)
  • Hi Joan Cumbers, just spoken to Eileen who said she will get in touch via this site. Margaret lives in Australia but sad to say Jean passed away a few years ago, Eileen lives in Portslade.

    By John Dine (27/10/2010)
  • I remember the Moulsecoomb junior school and Stanmer school. Some of the mates were Alen Basterbal the caretaker’s son, Allen Winchester and his younger brother Keith, Mick Ingram, David Brown, and read a lot of teachers names from Stanmer school from Mr Williams down to a lot of other teachers. One incident I remember well was the time Digger Davies’ marrow got smashed up in to pulp before she entered it in to a show and every garden lesson we had to sit and look at it on a table until some one owned up to doing it. I can’t remember the outcome, can any one else remember what happened in the end?

    By Andrew Egginton (27/10/2010)
  • Hi Susan Kent, my sister Judy remembers you well and is having trouble getting logged on. Everything is easy when you know what you are doing.

    By Andrew Egginton (27/10/2010)
  • I used to live in Widdecombe Way with brothers David and Andrew so I remember you Susan Kent especially that huge black poodle you had and our other close friend Monica Curd. So many names on this page are coming back to me it’s wonderful.

    By Judy Egginton (28/10/2010)
  • When I started the 1st year at Moulsecombe Junior School, in 19478/9 after lunch we had to have a little sleep, the lucky ones got to lay on a little canvas bed, and break time we played tabs in the bricked up bomb shelters at the back of the play ground. I lived in 58 Widdecome Way and remember all the houses had a very narrow path between the back garden and it used to be our means to move around Higher Bevenden and was a great way to go scrumping apples in Autumn. I think it was Peter who asked what the concrete dish was for up on top of the hill, as far as I know it was called a dew pond, to collect rain water for the cows and sheep that used to range up there. We used to go for miles on our bikes over the downs to Falmer pond and further. Some one mentioned the bonfires that were built at the back of Bevendean Crescent for Guy Fawkes night. As far as I remember they were huge and needed looking after the days before the 5th to stop them being set fire early. At Stanmer school they had the police do bike inspections for safety and mine didn’t pass, I think it has affected the rest of my life as I still remember the shame I felt at the time. As far as I know Stanmer School was one of the first secondary moderns, a wonder new school at the time, and the head master Mr Williams would set the curriculum of what we learnt, none of this government setting standards as now. Stanmer had a wonderful engineering shop run by Louie and I built a working steam engine under his guidance, and Danny Rawsthorn the Art teacher he was great- I still love art now, also a religious teacher who stood at the back of the class when we had to write something down, and if we talked he would bash us on the top of the head with a bible- I think I still have several bumps even now, talk about ramming religion in to our brains. We used to spy on the girls PE teacher and the boy’s PE teacher as every dinner time they would spend together in the girls gym, we were sure they were up to something not that we ever caught them. Saturday mornings I got a job delivering groceries for the shop on the corner at Higher Bevendean and got two and six, big money in them days. I remember the Defuzzards from Bevendean Crescent as John was a friend for many years and we used to go miles on my first motor bike- sadly he died a year ago. I went to his funeral. O happy days.

    By Andrew Egginton (28/10/2010)
  • Hi Judy and Andrew Egginton you both may have forgotten that I was Dave’s best man, I would love to contact him? let me know if you can help best wishes to you both

    By Alan Winchester (28/10/2010)
  • Hi Andrew. I think I brought a car in the sixties from your friend and neighbour Brain McCormack. From memory he lived a few houses down from yours, am I correct? regards

    By Alan Winchester (28/10/2010)
  • Hello John Dines. Great to hear about Eileen. If she finds it easier I am showing my email address. Love to hear from her.

    By joan cumbers (29/10/2010)
  • Hello John Dines again? Not sure if my comment to you went through. I wanted to release my email address so that Eileen could connect that way if she wished. I hadn’t logged in, have now.

    By Joan Cumbers (29/10/2010)
  • Hi Alan, David’s e-mail is davidegginton@msn.com and he would love to hear from you.

    By Judy Egginton (30/10/2010)
  • Hi Judy Egginton. How lovely to hear from you. I remember you and your brothers very well, as I often stayed with you during the Summer Holidays. We had some fabulous times. Do you remember the Zodiac Coffee Bar we used to go to?

    By Susan Kent (30/10/2010)
  • John Dines, something seems to have gone wrong, my email address is joancumbers@yahoo.co.uk

    By Joan Cumbers (31/10/2010)
  • Hi Susan. I don’t remember the Zodiac coffee bar - where was it? Do you still live in the area? I am in Shoreham now and all the names are slowly coming back. My email is judy.sims@ntlworld.com just in case you want to get in touch.

    By Judy Egginton (01/11/2010)
  • I lived in 52 Stonecross Road from 1954 to 1960 then the family moved to 26 Moulscoombe Way till 1965. Does anyone remember the Pearcey’s, the Gunn’s, Spicer’s, the Brown’s and the Gilbert’s that lived in Stoncross Road? I remember Martin and his sister Sandra Standing. Mark and his sister Sarah Saunders. My name was Carol Brown and l went to Moulscoombe Way Infants School, 1959 to 1965. Miss King was headmistress, and Miss Patterson was head of the Infants. I would like to hear from anyone who can remember these people.

    By Carol Caddick (05/11/2010)
  • Hello Joan Cumbers – have just given Eileen your email address said she will contact you soon, good luck.

    By John Dine (05/11/2010)
  • Does anyone remember the Weastgate family who lived on Moulscombe Way?  Ken and Arthur were two of the sons.

    By Stewart Kenyon (25/11/2010)
  • Hi David Patric. Which Robinson in Barcombe Road did you know? I’m Sue and I had brothers and sisters Maureen, Barry, Gail, Tony and Angela.

    By Sue Robinson (29/11/2010)
  • Hello Scoombers, I used to live at 191 Moulscoomb Way junction with Stone Cross Road. My mates were Matt Parmer- he had brothers Arron , Marshal, also Ian King, Dave Barnard, Chris Gill, Ian Chapman, Mick Walker, Steve Goodbody and his sister,Jjohn Walsh, sister Sharon Walsh. Caroline Barnard was my first girlfriend. Also I do remember a Martin Nye. I think we were in a bus crash near St Peters Well I could go on and on but memory is a bit vague but what a great site. The best days of my life living there, thanks everyone.

    By John Saxby (10/12/2010)
  • Do any of you remember my husband John Howe? He lived in Birdham Road went to Moulsecoombe School.

    By Alice Howe (12/12/2010)
  • Caroline Barnard was a friend of mine.

    By Sue Robinson now Braden (18/12/2010)
  • I lived in Hillside (16) went Moulsecoomb junior school in the late ’60s; then onto Patcham Fawcett. If anyone remembers my family please get in touch i am on Facebook and I now live in Goring or contact me on…. ron.jarratt@talktalk.net…..

    By Ron Jarratt (20/12/2010)
  • Does anyone have any stories or photos about the Bevendean Pub in Hillside? If you do, be great if you could email me at info@seedybusiness.org. Thanks Warren Carter, Hodshrove Road

    By Warren Carter (24/12/2010)
  • I saw my name mentioned and  had forgotten about this page so I need to catch up. Yes it was my brother Ted who joined the military police then went on to the Brighton Police (white helmets in the summer) then of course the Sussex Police. He then retired and now lives in Wales. I remember Tosh, June and little Doeee as he was known who sadly passed away at an early age. Doee spent a lot of time at our house- my dad adored him. Pat and Diane Watkins lived on the corner of the cinder path. Unfortunetly Sheila Winter nee Watkins died last year, she wrote books on Moulsecomb. My best mate was Josie Hooker but I lost contact when I married and moved away in 1962. I still think that growng up in North Moulsecomb was one of the best educations one could have in various ways and yes the Danish bacon factory- I used to go and get cracked eggs for my mum. And don’t let’s forget the Hikers Rest A bottle of lemonade and a pint of mild along with the penny arrowroot biscuit bought in the bottle and jug to take back for mum whilst dad enjoyed his pint in the saloon bar. Also Mr Saunders in his lorry doing the rounds with green groceries, Mr Attrill and his horse. Yes and don’t forget the rush to shovel up the horse manure for the garden…I must stop or I will go on forever. Oh my the memories.

    By Val Aspinall (21/01/2011)
  • Who remembers the toffee apples that were made in Chailey Rd? ummm lovely

    By Susan Robinson (21/01/2011)
  • To Stewart Kenyon. Was your mum’s name Ann? If it was I must know you.

    By Arthur Westgate (22/01/2011)
  • Yes, who doesn’t remember toffee apples resting on the greaseproof paper. Are you the Susan Robinson who went to Moulsecombe junior and had a sister and lived on the right hand side going up? You wore pretty dresses.

    By Val Aspinall (23/01/2011)
  • Hi Val, I do have sisters and I went to Moulsecoombe Juniors, but I lived at Barcombe Road when I was there.

    By sue robinson (26/01/2011)
  • Val it was so good to read your comments remembering my Dad Tosh and Mum June and little Doee. My sister (Gillian Osman) and I have recently obtained a photo of Doee and we both treasure this as this is all we have to remember him by. To hear that your Dad adored him and that he spent a lot of time at your house makes us happy. Pat Watkins (although I remember her as Pat Rogers) was in my year and one of my school friends – do you know what happened to her – did she marry/remain in Brighton. Sorry to hear about Sheila Watkins – I believe she contributed quite a bit to this page. Good memories………….. Mary Osman

    By Mary Osman (27/01/2011)
  • Who remembers Sunday afternoons when the Winkle man came round?

    By suerobinson (30/01/2011)
  • Yes, I remember the winkle man. The good old days.

    By Gillian Osman (31/01/2011)
  • I remember more the toffee apples. They were delicious and you could smell the toffee being cooked as you approached the house where they were made. I seem to remember they were sold from a house past the cinder path, on the opposite side of the road from the telephone box, is that correct?

    By Mary Osman (01/02/2011)
  • They certainly were the days.

    By Sue Robinson (02/02/2011)
  • I lived in Moulscoomb for 13 years and loved it. Loved the Swallows, Linda Wright, Sue Streeter, Helen Saunders. Anyone remember me? Linda or Alan Jennings, the Clayton Balldocks. Please get in touch.

    By Shirley Grace (nee Jennings) (10/02/2011)
  • Hi Andrew. I hope you can still remember me. I was Pamela Gooch in the days we used to go to the little chef coffee bar. I was your girlfriend in the late 50s early 60s. I remember spending a lot of time on the back of your bike and staying at your house. I would love to hear from you and catch up on the last years since then. My e-mail adress is pamdove@talktalk.net

    By Pamela Nee Gooch (13/02/2011)
  • Hi Andrew Egginton or your sister Judy. Please get in touch if you have remembered me from the Little Chef. I remember you having a boxer dog called Jomo ( i think). I left Brighton in 1964 and moved to the Manchester area, so lost touch with everthing down there, and would love to catch up on any news. My e-mail is pamdove@talktalk.net

    By Pamela Nee Gooch (14/02/2011)
  • Hi, when  I lived in Stonecross many years ago i grew up with Sue Pilgrim. Does any one remember her mum being run down after getting off the bus, Sue do you remember we always loved our mums’ shoes, her mum had loads, I loved Stonecross Road. Memories

    By Sue Robinson (20/02/2011)
  • Hi Bob Golby! It is two years since you sent your comment to this page and I have just found it. Are you the Bob Golby that I worked with at Whitehawk Bus dept?

    By John Dine (05/03/2011)
  • This thread certainly brings back memories of my childhood. I lived at 47 Staplefield Drive from 1958-70 and there are so many names and places that I recall. Bob Baines mentioned the concrete circle at the top of the hill. Well, this was a dew pond where water would condense and the cows could drink from from it. Ian Smith, you apologised for rambling on but thanks for all your memories as they are similar to mine. I can’t place your name but I bet I knew your face. So many people knew each other back then and it had a reputation that it did not deserve as so many people were so friendly. I look forward to reading more from the place of my childhood.

    By Dave Edwards (16/03/2011)
  • Hi Arthur Westgate. Do you have a brother Leslie? If so, he was my brother’s friend (Billy Fulker).

    By Alice Howe (nee Fulker) (31/03/2011)
  • Hi Alice Howe. Sorry but I do not have a brother by the name of Leslie but he could be one of my cousins.

    By Arthur Westgate (04/04/2011)
  • Would anyone be interested in a dedicated Moulsecoomb Facebook group where we could catch up with old firends and post photographs? I’d be interested in your feedback, email me on: moulsecoomb@hotmail.co.uk

    Editor’s note: A Face Book group sounds good Kevin. But – please remember everyone that it is VERY easy to post photos here. Website visitor numbers are an average of 1,500 per day – so just think of the potential coverage. It would be a real shame if photos and comments were not shown here as well. There are other Brighton areas on the site that have many more photos – Moulsecoomb is behind on the photo memories stakes. So come on you Moulsecoombers – let’s see those photos. If you are not very computer savvy – then just email them to me and I will publish them for you. Now how about that for an offer you can’t refuse? Mail me: jennifer@mybrightonandhove.org.uk

    By Kevin Ahronson (17/04/2011)
  • I have never found where I send photos or where to see photos can you please advise me the URL’s?

    Editors note: Please click here for a tutorial on how to contribute to the site.

    By John Johnson (17/05/2011)
  • Hi again all, does anyone remember the police box that used to be by the park, just under the tunnel and the bridge going over the road, before the subway?

    By Sue Robinson now Sue Braden (19/05/2011)
  • Just wondered if anybody on this page remembers Frank, Jack and Robert (Bob) Edwards? They lived at 107 The Avenue and I know that Frank and Jack were very much into the local Scouts, cubs, and time racing bike time trials back in the 50s and 60s. My nan and granddad were Ernie and Lillian Edwards (nee Deacon).

    By Paul Edwards (20/05/2011)
  • Anyone remember us, my brothers are Russell & Greg Webb. I Went to Moulsecoomb Infant/Juniors and Stanmer Senior school. Janet and Shelia H, Wendy & Marion Jackson and Maria Kathleen and Christine Corr are a few of the kids I grew up with in Chailey Road

    By Jayne Webb now Jayne Leigh (29/05/2011)
  • Does anybody remember Pauline Courtier or her sister or brother or even her mum and dad who used to live up The Avenue?

    By Ron Edmonds (30/05/2011)
  • I lived in Moulscoomb from 1960 till 1970 and loved it. I lived in Ringmer Road and went to Moulscoomb First, Second and Senior and had lots of friends. I would love to catch up with old friends. I used to go on the horse and cart with Joe selling fruit and veg to people’s houses – I loved it.

    By Shirley Grace Jennings (05/07/2011)
  • Hi I’m Lisa Clarke I’m the youngest of six. I lived in Moulscoomb Way does anyone remember or trying to forget the Clarke family? My fond memories are of the adventure playground playing there with my best mate Tracey Shippam and my brother Ricky our neighbours were Walkers, Shippams Teegs and Priors.

    By Lisa Clarke (21/07/2011)
  • Egginton Road and Egginton Way are named after my father, Frank Egginton in recognition for the vast amount of work he did as Councillor for the area (Falmer Ward) on Brighton Council.

    By David Egginton (26/07/2011)
  • Hi David Egginton, I remember your father very well, as I used to stay at your house in the summer hols as I was a friend of your sister Judy. I also remember Andrew your brother. They were very happy times!

    By Susan Kent (17/08/2011)
  • To Lisa Clarke, do you have a sister called Terry?

    By Ken Valder (03/09/2011)
  • Les Walker was our nieghbour too in Barcoombe Rd. I also went to school with him. The other side was Burt and Glad Avery. My aunty and uncle and my cousins lived on the corner of Newick Road next to the Priors, the Robinsons, Linda Kenny, Flobby who sadly died, Kevin and Dale. Also friends of mine wer Dennise Skipper and Caroline Barnard. So many lovely memories .

    By SUE BRADEN (26/11/2011)
  • Monica, I remember the Trimms. I am the same age as Tim and last year by shear accident I managed to get in contact with him.

    By Barry Robinson (29/11/2011)
  • To Lisa Clark, I don’t remember you but my wife does. She was your neighbour Joan Shippam. We went back to England about 10 years ago and met up with your mother and father- hope they are still well.

    By Barry Robinson (29/11/2011)
  • Hi Barry – where did you live in Moulscoombe?

    By Sue Braden (14/12/2011)
  • I love this site, where has everybody gone?

    By Sue Braden (01/02/2012)
  • I have just been reading all the previous comments on this page and it has bought back some fabulous memories. My parents lived at 139 Moulsecoomb Way when I was born and then moved to 48 Colbourne Avenue in 1960 until 1967. We had fabulous neighbours and friends who lived there. I went to all the Moulsecoomb schools and well remember my first day in Miss Pattersons class in 1961. The winter of ’63 is still quite vivid as the snow came halfway up our front door! I remember going along to Woolvens when it was on the north side of the Lewes Road viaduct before it was demolished to make way for the dual carriageway (it would be fabulous if someone posted a picture if they have one). Jamboree bags for 2d and sherbert dabs were my faves. Does anyone recall our neighbours Mr and Mrs Neighbour at no 50 and Maud and Horace Worledge at no 46. I remember when I was about five eating gooseberries from the bush between the back gardens and Horace next door telling me I would get ‘belly-ache’! They were great times and whenever I hear the music from that era it takes me straight back.

    By Paul Clarkson (03/02/2012)
  • I remember George and Laine Roberts and their sons John and George and their daughter Sonia. They had a little dog too but I can’t remember his name. Sonia was in to hairdressing and their two sons in the building industry. Would very much like to get in contact with either of them and would appreciate any help. Thank you.

    By Giuseppe Romanello (11/02/2012)
  • Geoff Glover, if you look at this site again, this is Derek Evans from Brighton. Leave a message, I am in New Zealand. Ossa rules

    By derek evans (21/02/2012)
  • Dear J Latham,
    Sorry but we have had to delete 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 j latham (24/04/2012)
  • To Joan Cumber (nee Oram): Hi Joan, I am Vivienne who you mentioned, of the Wilson family who lived at 40 Newick Road, on the corner. I remember your Mum but don’t have many memories of that time as was in and out of hospital due to Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, mostly in than out! There were 7 of us kids: Mick, the eldest, Jean, then David, who emigrated to New Zealand, then me, my sister Carol, who also later went to New Zealand, my brother Fred Dyke and little sister Janice Dyke. My Mum’s name was Freda Wilson. I have fond memories of living in Moulscoomb and remember playing at the Moulscoomb park and Stanmer woods. I also attended Moulscoomb junior school and Stanmer school when I was at home. The only tacher who comes to mind is Miss Bellairs-Cox. Was she a music or singing teacher? I remember I was in the choir at Stanmer and was put in the boys section as I had a deep voice! This is a great site and I shall endeavour to look through my photos and see if I have any of that era, though photography then was more expensive so not sure if I have any. If so I shall post them. It has been really interesting reading all the entries and reminiscing about those halcyon days! Keep posting please.

    By Vivienne Maynard (nee Wilson) (29/04/2012)
  • Hello Vivienne, how nice to hear from you, are you still in NZ? I remember you being in hospital, I was in the same ward as you in the Sanitorium, that’s how our mothers met. You might remember me better if you look at my photograph on this site under the heading Moulsecoomb Housing Estates, sub heading Halland Road in the 1940s [click here]. I remember your Mum very well, she was a very adventurous lady. She told me how she was a motor mechanic during the war, later I think she worked in the catering trade. Certainly in the early 1960s she ran a B&B in Dorset Gardens. I remember you lived nearby, married by then and had a little girl, was she called Stephanie? I visited you in your flat when my Mum stayed at your Mum’s place. I hope you have had a happy and healthier life in NZ. Better not bung up the site, if you would like to correspond, I can be contacted on joan.cumbers0@gmail.com

    By Joan Cumbers (02/05/2012)
  • This is for Debs, I was born in Brighton and lived in Hillside from 1949-1961 then we moved to Portsmouth. We lived opposite the Prodgers- we were the Sutton family and knew the Bonwicks, Goddfreys, Crouch and the Shirleys who lived next door to the Prodgers. This is a great site-I found it by accident, and love reading all the stories which bring back some wonderful memories. I would love to hear from anyone who knew us. I had some great times growing up in that street. We all came from big families then. I was one of seven- Celia, Pat David, Sandra, Robert and John.

    By Janice Illingworth (09/05/2012)
  • Hi does anyone remember me, Elaine Baker, and my brothers Ron and Reg? We lived in Moulsecoomb Way. I moved away when I got married in 1964 but my father lived at the same address until his death 2 years ago. I see Steve Tugwell has posted – I used to know Linda Tugwell – don’t know if this is a sister. Love to hear from anyone who remembers me.

    By Elaine Baker (02/06/2012)
  • This is a comment for Martin Nye: I remember your family. I think you either lived next to the Harman family or a couple of doors along from there. Don’t know if you remember me?

    By Elaine Baker (02/06/2012)
  • I didn’t live in Moulsecoomb, but my great grandfather owned/farmed quite a lot of it. My grandparents lived at 74c The Highway and I was baptised at St Andrews. Bates Estate was my great grandfather’s orchards, he farmed Hodshrove Farm (see section about this), his market garden/nurseries were where Alan West was built and he was landlord of the then alehouse, the Ship, now the Lectern. My father is now 91 and I am trying to get as much info as possible from him whilst he is still alive, so if you have any questions please ask, and I will try and get some answers.

    By June Churchill nee Bates (04/06/2012)
  • When I used to go the Court School of Dancing, Brighton, back in the late 50’s / early 60s, I met Ken Swallow from Moulsecoomb.The first time he came, he was dressed in his Navy uniform and looked very handsome. We became friends and I would love to know how he is.

    By Pam Barnes (30/06/2012)
  • F.A.O Janice Illingworth do you remember my family at 70 HILLSIDE?

    By Alan Winchester (16/07/2012)
  • To my amazement I found this wonderful site tonight. I was born in Brighton and lived in Hollingbury until my family emigrated to New Zealand in 1974. I have been doing my family tree the past two years and have just discovered my Grandad’s sister lived in Moulsecoomb around 1950’s, till her death in 1955. Her name was Rosie Gunn (Nee Brown) Her husband was John Gunn. My Grandad, her brother, was Edward Louis Brown. Carol Caddick made mention of the Gunns way back in 2010. I also know Carol Dean my best friend in England, who lives in Birdham Road, but sadly I have misplaced her number. If anyone has any stories to tell of my Grandad’s sister and her family I would love to hear. I can be contacted at brightonk@hotmail.com

    By Kaye Halford (Brown) (16/07/2012)
  • I lived in Moulsecoomb from 1947 to 1959. We lived in Appledore Road. Went to Moulsecommb Junior School for a while, then to Varndean. As kids we had great times there. I remember Mogers the grocers and the fish and chip shop. We played on the piece of waste ground we named ‘the dump’. Remember some names: Bill and Eve Lyons, Alan James. We played games in the road, but had to keep stopping to let the buses go through. Have looked at the house No. 21 on Google Earth, so different.

    By Barbara Barlow (22/07/2012)
  • Hello Alan. I do remember the Winchester family. My brother Dave Sutton was one of your mates if I remember correctly, he still lives in Brighton. Do you have any sisters? We used to love living in Hillside when we were kids. Came to Brighton a couple of weeks ago for a few days and walked down Hillside – my, it has changed! And the pub is going to be flats now. My sister Pat lives in Staplefield Drive. Look forward to hearing more news from you.

    By Janice Illingworth (nee Sutton) (29/07/2012)
  • Came across this site by pure accident and brought back wonderful memories of 99 Ringmer road where I was bought up. My mum was Phillis Bonner my father Terry Bonner, my family Andre, Katrina, Carl (me) and Lorrain, Semone, Sonia, Marcel. Well I would have to write a book for all the great memories I had as a young lad. I remember the old blue police box by the subway and remember big tall trees along the main road until the hurricane blew them down and two old cottages opposite the hikers rest pub. Every body knew everybody. I remember the Hargies and would knock on their door to see if you could cross their garden in chaily road to the Storys house in Newick road and ask the Storys if you could cross through their garden. The Coopers were a big family, as was the Swallows. Paddy Lyons, the list goes on and on, but we had the sixty seven centre for entertainment and we would all meet up in them cold winter evenings split up into two groups and have the best apple fights ever scrumping the apples of any tree that had them on. I remember the local bobby Mr Laurence the best copper ever, he would never nick us for anything but would give sound advice, did we take it no. I remember when having a apple fight over the new park he would see us and come over to talk to us we would be throwing apples at him while he was chasing us around the tree on his moter bike – lovely copper. Just to finish off for now, they were the best days of my life in ringmer road and I always have a chuckle about when I was growing up there. See you soon and if anyone doese remember me or my family it would be nice to here from you.

    By Carly Bonner (21/09/2012)
  • If you lived in Moulsecoomb in the 1960s to 1980s, it would be nice to hear from you or email holland.k4490@yahoo.com this is my email, Carly Bonner.

    By Carly Bonner (21/09/2012)
  • Hi guys, I used to live on the Highway, Moulsecoomb, my brother and I went to Moulsecoomb school and then went to Elm Grove, late 50s early 60s.  Any body remember Phil and Ken Fowler?

    By Phil Fowler (10/10/2012)
  • To Janice, it’s nice to meet you and Ben – amazing that my wife Kerry is your niece! Look forward to seeing you in 2013. Stuart Andrews

    By Stuart Andrews (08/01/2013)
  • Hi Stuart, I’ve just had another look on this site. I haven’t been on here for a while and to my surprise I saw your message. Nice to meet you and Kerry at last. I look forward to seeing you both again sometime this year.

    By Janice Illingworth (19/01/2013)
  • Hi is there anyone still there who remembers the Hussey family who lived at no 22 Stonecross Road untill 1974? There was Mick, Sue, Chris, Joanna and Andrew. We moved to Portsmouth but now live in Southern Ireland. Get in touch on mickhussey41@hotmail.com

    By Mick Hussey (23/01/2013)
  • I lived in Ringmer Rd till 1983, I live in Portslade now. I went to Moulsecoomb Stanmer schools, I know a lot of the names especially Sue Robinson (your dad Ron was a friend of my Dad Jack Thompson). I know the whole family cousins as well.

    By Dave Thompson (10/02/2013)
  • Hi Dave, I think I remember the name – where in Ringmer Road did you live?.

    By sue (04/04/2013)
  • Hello Sue, I lived at 53, Ringmer Road. My dad always drove a lorry, and one of my sisters’ name is Linda

    By Dave Thompson (05/04/2013)
  • I have jus been reading stories of moulscomb and I am the daughter of David Potter who was sadly taken from us in a car accident in the early 70’s. I would love to hear some stories about my dad if anyone knew him.

    By Angela Martin (08/04/2013)
  • Hi Dave. I do remember you and I’m trying to place where your house was.

    By Sue (13/04/2013)
  • Hello Sue, my old house is not there now. It was pulled down when they changed it. What number did you live at in Ringmer Road?

    By Dave Thompson (14/04/2013)
  • Hi Dave. We lived at 21 Barcoombe Road by the subway. Do you remember a boy called Glyn – Nicholson I think his surname was?

    By Sue (15/04/2013)
  • Hi Dave – are you on facebook?

    By Sue (15/04/2013)
  • Hello again Sue. Glen was a good friend of mine, I don’t see him now I’ve moved on. Do you still live in Brighton? I think I know who you are now and I know you very well, if you could tell me your name before you were married, if that’s OK.

    By Dave Thompson (15/04/2013)
  • Hello Sue. I’m not on facebook but my wife is – her name is Angie Thompson.

    By Dave Thompson (16/04/2013)
  • Hi Dave. Sue Robinson is my name, as I said I know and remember you, and Glyn used to come down to our house with you and we would hang around the subway. He also had another friend called Dave who lived in Whitehawk. I now live in Southampton. I married Trev Braden who used to live in Chailey Road. My facebook name is Sue Braden.

    By Sue Braden (nee Robinson) (17/04/2013)
  • Hello Sue. My Mrs tried to get you on facebook but couldn’t find you. Could you find her if that’s OK? It’s Angela Thompson and she has a picture of a baby in a batman suit.

    By Dave Thompson (18/04/2013)
  • OK.

    By Sue Braden (24/04/2013)
  • I was very friendly with Jackie Tucknott and we went to Stanmer together. She came from a large family and they lived in Appledore Road. Anyone remember them? 

    By Janice Sutherland (03/05/2013)
  • My Grandad, Dave Barnard, used to live on Goodwood way. He lived there for about 40 odd years and petitioned for the Community Centre to be built and put on Christmas parties every year for the kids.

    By K (04/05/2013)
  • We’ve just moved to Egginton Close, next to Baca school and I just wondered if anyone has any information on the history of the area around Lucraft Road? We love it here, our neighbours are really nice. The only snag is that when the footy is on at the Amex it’s a nightmare to get a parking space near your house! Thank you.

    By Laura (14/05/2013)
  • I remember the Tucknotts, Roy was a good friend of mine for many years. We went to Stanmer School together and spent a lot of our leisure time in Stanmer park. They were the good old days – no TVs.

    By Rodney Lawrence (30/05/2013)
  • To Bob Baines. I think the circle you are talking about was a dew pond. I used to play there in the 50s.

    By Chris Starnes (13/06/2013)
  • To Sue Robinson. I used to play with Carol Barnard (she never used her full name as Caroline). Happy days.

    By Chris Starnes (13/06/2013)
  • I used to live at 56 Moulsecoomb Way with my brothers Reg and Ron. I remember the Nyes who lived at no 30. I also remember the Harmans, Easons, Longs. I moved away in 1963 but my family lived at the same address until my father died in 2010. I remember really happy times as a child growing up in Moulsecoomb. Playing in the woods and fields you could do that in those days. Does anyone remember us?

    By Elaine Anscomb (Formerly Baker) (14/07/2013)
  • Jackie Tucknott is my aunt, and sister to my father Vic. There were ten children in the family and they lived at 23 Appledore Road. Vic married Eileen Toogood, also from Brighton. The Toogoods lived on Kimberley Road, and Bear Road, among others.

    By Paul Tucknott (21/07/2013)
  • To all the people on this site: it was nice reading all of these letters. I used to live at 101 Newick Road from 1956 till 1970. My name is Ernie Watson and the names I’ve seen on this site I remember a lot of them. But, yes, what a great community it was back in the day. But I would like to know if anyone knows the whereabouts of old school friend Terry Allen as I am now living in Florida?

    By Ernie Watson (14/08/2013)
  • Does anyone remember Sylvia Watts? We lived at 48 Southall Ave. I do recognize a few names. I lived at Southall for 18 Years before emigrating to Canada.  I would love to hear from anyone that does remember me. I went to Coombe Road and Moulsecoomb Girls’ School.

    By Sylvia Stickel, nee Watts (30/08/2013)
  • My name is Lynn and I am a cousin of David, Andrew and Judy Egginton of 58 Widdicombe Way, Bevendene. I believe they all still live in the Brighton area – Andrew in Hove and Judy was in Portslade.
    [Editor: Sorry Lynn, but we cannot publish your whole message due to the need to maintain peoples’ privacy.]

    By Linda Ware (08/09/2013)
  • Hi Angela Martin. I have just started back reading this after a 2 year break and saw your post. David, your dad, was a friend of mine back in the late ’60s. We lost touch after 1970 when I joined the army and went to Northern Ireland, where I still live today. He was about a year younger than me, I think, and we didn’t go to the same secondary school, but all ran about together in the evenings and weekends. I can remember some times around 1967 to 1970. He was taller than me, dark hair and quite wiry. He did a bit of boxing and was a real mod, as were we all around Staplefield Drive at that time. He did briefly join the army as a boy soldier when he was 16 or 17 and went to somewhere in Kent, but was back a few weeks later saying he didn’t like it. There are still people around the area that knew him well and they would probably have a clearer memory than me having lived there all their lives. I can remember some of the girls we all hung out with and I may remember your mother, but don’t recall the name right now. You can contact me on ians2417@gmail.com if you wish and I might be able to revive some old memories.

    By Ian Smith (15/09/2013)
  • It has been great and a bit nostalgic reading these pages. I wonder if anyone remembers me or the lads that I used to knock around with. I lived in Ashurst Road, the bit at the top that was a self-build scheme, from about 1957 to 1963. I went to Westlain when it had just opened and my mates all came from the roads mentioned by so many of you. The names of my mates included Roy Brackpool, Micky Dawes and Brian Coleman. My aunt and uncle ran the Hikers Rest for a few years, they were John and Lorrette Owens and the came from Ringmer Road. If any of this jogs a memory I shall be very pleased to hear what is remembered. It was a good place to grow up with interesting people and a warm community feel about it.

    By Mike Vening (12/11/2013)
  • I remember you, Elaine Baker.  We ran for Moulsecoomb Junior school and I still have my photos. I lived at 74 Moulsecoomb Way until 1962 when we moved tro my Dad’s home town of Bodmin, Cornwall. I also remember the Dreches, Lynda Hall (who I am still in touch with), Sally Preston, Dave Kenward, who I went out with before moving to Cornwall, he now lives in Lewes; Marilyn Gray, Bobby Gray, John Peake, Michelle Sidblock, Vivienne Norcliffe, Dougie Pritchett, the Dollimores, to name but a few. I was at school with June Johnson (who sadly died aged 46), Marion West, Marion Ayling, Johnny Johnson, Carol Slarkes, Maureen Constable (who was married to David Golds), Anne Helas, Ann McDavitt. I have many happy memories of living in Moulsecoomb Way until moving in 1962.  My sister Sue was born then when I was 15 and a half, followed by another sister Charmaine in 1963.  I married in 1973, sadly I was unable to have children and I was widowed in May this year. 

    By Yvonne Davies (nee Orchard) (27/11/2013)
  • Hi Elaine Baker, this is Steve Tugwell. No, Linda was not my sister, in fact I didn’t know there were other Tugwells in Moulsecoomb until after I left. Allan Winchester, are you related to Dennis Winchester? Ken Valder, did you have a sister Dorothy? Steve Tugwell

    By Steve Tugwell (09/12/2013)
  • Yes Steve, my sister Doth is still alive and well, and living in Brighton.

    By Ken Valder (12/12/2013)
  • Hi Ken, give her my regards; we were in the same class at Stanmer. Steve Tugwell

    By Steve Tugwell (13/12/2013)
  • F.A.O. Steve Tugwell I am Dennis’s elder brother he now lives in Australia.

    By Alan Winchester (24/12/2013)
  • I’m not sure what FAO stands for, I hope it’s something nice:-) Give him my regards, we were in the same junior class for 4 years. [Editor’s note: FAO short for For Attention Of – hope that clears the mystery Steve: Jennifer]

    By Steve Tugwell (26/12/2013)
  • Thanks Jennifer, it wasn’t in the ‘Texting Dictionary of Acronyms’ that I got for Christmas! [Editor’s note: Anytime Steve – Jennifer]

    By Steve Tugwell (26/12/2013)
  • Hi ! I used to live at 4 Staplefield Drive with sister Angela and brother Mark. I remember Mark having to look after his little sister while playing football with his mates, British bulldog in the road, hide and seek in the dark, corn fields, adventure playground, the list is endless ~ Loved living in Staplefield Drive !

    By Lisa Slaughter (06/05/2014)
  • Hi Lisa, I went to Moulsecoomb school with Mark. He was a really nice lad and very popular. We were in the same class  all the way though Moulsecoomb senior school. He would remember John Woodsford, Steven Kesteven  , Paul Harbour, Keith Marlowe, Tim Bates and many more. Good times. Please can you send him my regards and I hope things are good with him. Regards

    By Fraser Edmonds (16/06/2014)
  • Hello, anyone remember the Welsh/Clark family who lived at 149 Ringmer Road? I was born in 1980 and lived at Ringmer Road until 2000. I was known as Sophie Welsh then. My parents were Patricia and Ian Welsh. My mother moved to the area around the late 60s/early 70s I believe. I have many fond memories living in Moulsecoomb.

    By Sophia Reeks (was Welsh) aka Sophie (06/07/2014)
  • Hi Fraser, Mark was the best brother a little sister could have but sadly he died 5 years ago but I know he used to have great memories of us all living at home! Moulsecoomb really was a great place to live!

    By Lisa (01/08/2014)
  • Hi Lisa, so sorry to here that Mark is not with us any more, I’m gutted. That’s really sad news, as I said before he was such a nice lad at school and well liked by all the lads there. You most properly know that anyway dear. If you do Facebook Lisa I’m on there under Fraser Edmonds. It would be nice to share some stories of Mark for old times sake. I’m almost certain Mark went to a Boys Brigade with me as well back in the earlie 70s at Moulsecoomb Junior School. Yep it would be great if you had an old picture of Mark from back in the day if I could have a copy of it in the future. He was quite a tall lad and slim as well. Loved a game of footy, didn’t we all? Great days Lisa. Hopefully you will keep in touch. All the best

    By Fraser Edmonds (13/12/2014)
  • I dated Geoff Glover in the early seventies. Never having ventured to his neck of the woods, I did visit him in Lucraft Road, Moulsecoomb one snowy Christmas.  The number 49 bus was stoned on the way home! Geoff, I saw another side of life meeting you and I hope you are happy wherever you ended up! Was great fun whizzing around on the back of your scooter! Would love to hear your news! Hope my email address is passed on. Hldurrant3@gmail.com

    By Helen Durrant (nee Sansford) (16/01/2015)
  • Hi Geoff Glover. I remember your brother Mark. We all used to hang about Hillside. I was gutted when Mark said he was moving. I heard he had a bike accident – was this true? I thought the world of him.

    By Lesley Shortman (nee Hope) (05/04/2015)
  • I haven’t been on here for a while but it’s still nice to see the old names popping up. Love our Moulsecoombe . Does anybody remember Jimmy Marchent? – he got run over after school when he must have been about 10 or 11.

    By Susan Braden (07/06/2015)
  • Does anyone remember John Clarke, he lived at 121 Ringmer Road, sadly he died last year. I was with him for 15 years, we had two lovely daughters. I lived at 141 Ringmer Road, we were childhood sweethearts – he was a great guy.

    By Sue Kent (13/06/2015)
  • Does anyone rememeber David Swallow from Hodshrove Road?

    By Glynis Swallow (14/06/2015)
  • Yes I know the Swallows. My husband was mates with David Swallow, his name is Trev Braden. He was also friends with Pete Norris.                          

    By Sue Braden (24/06/2015)
  • Hi Elaine Baker. Was recently told of this site and that you were on it. You remember we were the fastest runners in the Juniors where I had only half a term moving from Woodingdean, the teacher who I can’t remember, always putting us up against each other. We moved to Moulsecoomb and lived in Appledore Rd. Used to see you all the time on the estate, you went to Stanmer? I stayed in Moulsecoomb School in the seniors. Regards John C,

    By John Cullen (04/07/2015)
  • I s’pose I’m one of the originals from Moulsecoomb. Born in one of the first houses on the estate in 1927. I’ve contributed in the past with entries about Newick Road and when reading what I put some years ago I learn one or two things all over again! Now, who here remembers me, Ron Spicer?

    By Ron Spicer (09/08/2015)
  • Hello. Does anybody remember the Shore family who lived at 20 Barcombe Rd?

    By Sylvia Adams (24/08/2015)
  • Hi, we lived at 21 Barcombe Road whilst Robinson the Averies lived next door when were you there.

    By Sue Braden (08/09/2015)
  • Hi Sue. My parents, Fred and Mabel Shore, were the first people to live in 20 Barcombe Road in 1932. I was born there in 1934. The families that lived at no 21 over the years were the Batchelors, the Hearnes, the Slades and finally your family, the Robinsons. At no 19 was the local PC, Ted Hyams. At no 22 was my good friend Sheila Avery. We left Barcombe Road in 1966 when the Spain family moved in.

    By Sylvia Adams (14/09/2015)
  • Ah, Hi Sylvia,  haven’t been on again for ages. How lovely to hear your comment at number 20 when you moved out. Yes, Pam and Mike Spain. We called Sheila’s mum Aunty Glad and I think it was Uncle Bob – ahh, can’t remember. Then Sheila and Mike lived there, then I moved, but my mum was very close with them. Hope this never closes down, I love all the memories.

    By Sue Braden (22/02/2016)
  • Hello Sue, thanks for the message such happy days. I was always with Shelia and her brother David. Gladys a lovely lady her husband was Bert he worked at the bus garage in Lewes Rd. Shelia and I stayed friends for over seventy years until she passed away in 2015. Other families I knew when we were kids, were the Westons, Brenda Robertson, Taylors, and Priors in Barcombe Road, in Newick Road, there was the Salvages ( I sat next to Doreen Salvage in 2nd year seniors) the Browns, Spicer, Moppit, Stevens and Webb.

    By Sylvia Adams (29/02/2016)
  • Dear Graham,
    Sorry but we have had to delete 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 social media websites if you want to track old friends or neighbours.
    Comments Editor

    By Graham Trump (01/03/2016)
  • Hi Sylvia. Yes, I know all those names. We lived next door to Gladys, Burt, Sheila and Mike. Grahams Weston I knew well – we used to go round there, myself and friend Denise Skipper.

    By Sue Braden (09/03/2016)
  • Hello Ron Spicer, are you any relation to my late father Robert Spicer, or my nan and granddad Rosa and Alf Spicer?

    By Michelle Spicer (01/04/2016)
  • I have just come across this page and it bought back so many memories. I lived in Stone Cross Road until 1982 with my mum Sheila dad Alf and brother Bill. I went to Moulsecoomb infants and juniors, then Westlain (joined up with Stanmer when I was in the 3rd year). I would love to hear from anyone who remembers us. 

    By Sharon Golby (27/07/2016)
  • Hi all, I am a local youth worker in Moulsecoomb now and a few of us are aiming to celebrate the fact that the 67 Centre will be 50 next year by hosting some history meetings with wine and nibbles where we can share stories, pictures etc.  If anyone is interested in joining in I’d be really up for hearing from you!  I’m on adammuirhead@trustdevcom.org.uk – Thanks!

    By Adam Muirhead (19/08/2016)
  • My name is Lorraine Snow MBE(nee Puddick). I went to Coomber Road school then in 1967 went to Stanmer. We lived in Southall Avenue; I can remember a lot of the people mentioned in these posts. I still live in Brighton and have many happy memories and was there the night the 67 centre opened. 

    By Lorraine Snow MBE (nee Puddick) (14/09/2016)
  • Hi fellow Moulsecoomb folk.  My grandparents Fred & Mabel Shore lived at 20 Barcombe Road, my auntie being Sylvia Adams. I lived at 74 Moulsecoomb Way with my parents Eileen & Ted Orchard from 1948, aged 2, to l962 when we moved to Cornwall to be near my dad’s parents in Bodmin.  My best friend Lynda Hall lived at no. 76. I remember Elaine Baker & family, Dresch family (watched the Coronation on their TV!), the Pritchetts, John Peake, the Prestons, Dave Kenward.the Sidblocks, the Wells family, Bobby Gray, Marilyn Gray, to name a few!

    By Yvonne (nee Orchard) formerly Davies, Cunnick (18/09/2016)
  • Just found this site:)  I grew up in Selba Drive along with my 4 sisters, Carol, Jacqueline, Lisa and Toni and my brother Bradley. Many a happy memory playing in the field, football in the street, the railings at the top of Selba Drive.  I went to Moulsecoomb School which I loved. Mum was the dinner lady that everyone loved – Miss Gibbs – think all my family would agree. Amazing times. I loved my childhood and all the memories that go with it. Happy days!

    By Kerry Gibbs (17/10/2016)
  • Hi, I lived at 10 Ringmer Road. I was born in 1965 and I lived at Ringmer Road until the mid 1970s then we moved to 32, Moulsecoomb Way until I was 9 years old. I have a lot of good and bad memories at Ringmer. There was eight kids in my family; my Dad’s name was Fredrick Wright and my Mum’s name was Pamela Wright. I remember the long hot summers you could walk for miles through the woods and fields – we used to pick all the raspberries and gooseberries and my Mum would make pies with them. I went to Moulsecoomb School, the only teacher I can remember was Mrs Zolic  – she was my form teacher. 10 Ringmer Road was a lovely house but it had a dark side to it; things happened there that you could not explain. My Mum’s best friend was Mrs Robinson, I think she lived in Newick Road, her husband’s name was Ken. Mrs Robinson was a lovely lady and I will always remember her. If anybody remembers us please get in touch: awright31@virginmedia.com

    By Andrew Wright (26/10/2016)
  • Hello Kerry Gibbs. I remember playing skipping in your street right across the road. My mum Eileen Dowds was good friend with your mum, do you remember us all going to Bristol? Good times back then. 

    By Bridget (26/10/2016)
  • I used to live up Juggs Road in an old caravan – Does anyone remember David and Ruth Owens and their two kids Lynne and Sarah?

    By Mrs S-L Owens-Peters (30/10/2016)
  • I lived at 70 Chailey Road from 1931 to 1953, when I got married. Enjoyed access to Wild Park and Stanmer Park and Falmer Pond as a kid.  Moved out when I got married. In the 40s my brother Ron, known as Wazzer, flew model aircraft at Wild Park, as I did later. He joined the RAF in the war, I was too young but did National Service in RAF later.  Moved to Portslade after I got married, now in Lancing. 85 now.

    By Kenneth Wells (10/12/2016)
  • Hello Moulscoombers! I lived in 24 Chailey Road from 1939 when I was evacuated to Yorkshire. When I returned back to 24 I lived there until 1957 when I married and moved to Blackpool. I wish the children had some of our freedom to play in the street and to wander over the Wild Park – Stanmer Park – go getting apples from Woollards orchard etc. Reading over the memoryies of so long ago I wish I could visit them.

    By Daphne Aspinall (29/01/2017)
  • Just came across this page, while reading it bought back some memories. Does anyone remember Karen Stephonson?

    By Jamie S (25/02/2017)
  • Hi Andrew. Helen Robinson was my Auntie. Ken was my uncle. My cousins were Kenny, Linda, Pete, Kevin and Dale.

    By Sue Braden (08/03/2017)
  • I lived at 7 Hillside and I certainly remember you Pam Hall, you was my first girlfriend, happy times living/growing up in Moulsecombe.

    By Patrick Murphy (14/06/2017)
  • I was Sue Prince and used to live in Ringmer road next to the Jennings (Alf, Shirley, Ginger and Alan). In my road were the following:  Bonners, Dawes, Baldocks, Long, Lych, Swallows and the Puddicks. Anyone remember the toffee apple house? I loved the games where we would put a huge skipping rope across the road and all play. “44 Save All” was another one.

    By sue Garrett (04/12/2017)
  • Reading through all these messages brings back happy memories. I live at 101 The Highway, and remember many of the names mentioned. David and Mick Dawes  lived in the cottages at the bottom of Coldean Lane, sadly both departed. Pam Halls posted 2010 but has now passed away as has her family. I went to Moulsecoomb school and the only certificate I had was my birth certificate, but it has done me no harm. We played footie at Wild Park on Sundays, slid down the hill on my sledge and often ended up in the Lewes Rd, but cars were so slow in the 50s, who cared. We often walk in the woods at Stammer which brings back many happy memories. All we had for entertainment was our imagination and listening to the radio, Dick Barton, Journey into Space, then later, ‘Around the Horn’. Such happy memories. I lived in Brighton until 2005 and now live in Peacehaven.

    By Dave Elphick (20/01/2018)
  • Hope this page keeps going.

    By Sue (31/01/2018)
  • Who remembers Brian Robinson  of Stonecross Road and then Barcoombe Road?

    By Sue Braden (03/07/2018)
  • Re: Mrs S-L Owens-Peters.
    I remember a David & Ruth Owens, Dave was my landlord at I think it was 39 Dyke Road Drive Brighton in about 1973-4, & they had two daughters, I remember they moved up north to Stamford I think it was, could this have been them ?

    By Ron Porter (21/03/2019)
  • Hi anyone remember my grandad William (biffo) Haywood and my nan Pam? Lived at Staplefield drive, had four daughters, Yvonne, Denise, Geraldine and Janice.

    By Lorraine (15/03/2020)
  • I was lucky enough to grow up in Moulsecoomb. I’m very proud to have been raised there. It was a pretty tough place to grow up, but everyone looked out for each other. I went to Moulsecoomb infants, juniors and then Falmer High School. So many happy memories. I think our first family home was 49 Goodwood Way and then we moved to 16 Nyetimber Hill (I saw a comment above about Nyetimber Hill and Ray’s toy shop down the road on Widdicombe Way – unfortunately it’s no longer there, must have gone about 25 years ago now. Strange that the person in the comments moved to Canada too, as some of my family moved out to Toronto. Lovely city!) My parents have since moved to Woodingdean, whilst I’m now raising my own family out in Shoreham. I’ll always have a lot of love and affection for Moulsecoomb.

    By Shaun Simmonds (10/03/2021)
  • Does anyone remember my granny, Margaret (Maggie) Merrifield? Along with my dad Ralph, she lived at 73 Southall Avenue – they were the first residents in the house. She taught at Moulsecoomb infants’ school – I’ve realised she would have retired in 1942! She lived in Southall Avenue until 1970, when she moved to a flat in Selsfield Drive.
    Happy memories of picking primroses in her steeply-stepped garden.

    By Jenny Peterson (09/01/2022)

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