A potted history

Please note that this text is an extract from a reference work written in 1990.  As a result, some of the content may not reflect recent research, changes and events.

This area was originally ‘Cold Dean’, a deep valley between Hollingbury and Stanmer which had a few farm buildings and some cottages near the Lewes Road. Only one of these buildings now remains, the late-eighteenth-century flint barn of Coldean Farm (also known as the Menagerie) which was restored and converted into St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Selham Drive, in 1955 {108,311}. In 1990 the largest site of Bronze Age huts in the county was found on the southern-western side of Coldean Lane where the bypass is due to be constructed.
The first housing development in Coldean was the Parkside estate of the late 1930s around Park Road, which was completed in 1948 when it was still part of Falmer parish. The rest of the estate, which was then part of Stanmer parish, was developed by Brighton Corporation from 1950. On 1 April 1952 the whole area of Coldean became part of the county borough. By 1981 the population of Coldean had grown to over 3,500.
Coldean Library was opened on 8 March 1975 in Beatty Avenue. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Park Road (the Mormon Church) was erected in 1963. George Humphrey Park, a children’s playground in Wolseley Road, was opened in April 1989. The Brighton bypass, scheduled for completion in 1995, will skirt the northern edge of the estate, crossing over Coldean Lane and requiring the demolition of Downsview Special School in 1990.

Any numerical cross-references in the text above refer to resources in the Sources and Bibliography section of the Encyclopaedia of Brighton by Tim Carder.

The following resource(s) is quoted as a general source for the information above: {123,228,276,277}

Comments about this page

  • My father, Jack Spicer helped to build those houses at Coldean. I can remember him working on the ones shown. He was a rope scaffolder, an occupation not seen anywhere nowadays. I’ve commented on it elsewhere within these columns, he being out of work many times due to the lapse between scaffolding and the start of another building. Bricklaying appeared to be the most profitable – if a man could “get in” on it! Round about 1936?

    By Ron Spicer (02/07/2008)
  • My parents lived at No.12, the house on the corner with the big garden, from 1967-77, after inheriting it from my paternal grandad. He was there when I was a child, so it was perhaps late 1940s, early 1950s.

    By Anita (10/08/2008)
  • My family moved into Hawkhurst Road when it was built and I was born there. In those days, large families were not uncommon, I have 5 brothers and 2 sisters but there were larger families. I remember how our house was always unlocked, the back door often open for us kids or our dogs to come and go. I remember playing football on the green outside our house or on the road, where there were few cars. As we got older we’d move up to the swing park off Haig Avenue and we’d have some great Sunday afternoons playing out in all weathers. We did have a good bus service, the No.13, and it always seemed that as one bus left the terminus at Haig Avenue, another would appear. I’ve been gone many years but Coldean will always be ‘home’.

    By Ken Valder (04/09/2008)
  • My family, the Mohns’s, moved into Saunders Hill over 50 years ago. The estate was new and our house number 174 had only just been built. My dad Doug bought the house in the 70s and it’s still in our name today. Does anyone remember or know us? Or do you know anyone who may have pictures of the school, shops, old swing park, scout group etc back then?
    Do you remember the yearly pancake race? Mr Oliver the chemist? Pam McCenna in the post office, and what about dear old Tommy Vine? The trade vans that used to run on the estate? What ever your memories, I would love to hear from you. I now live in Hollingbury and work for the Argus.

    By Paul Mohns (09/10/2008)
  • Hi Paul, how strange that when I moved to Bevendean I should end up two doors away from your brother, Chris, and that my son and his were close friends until they moved away. Some of those old names, from the shops, bring back memories and Dr Herzl Sless also took the surgery, a surgery which hardly changed for many years.

    By Ken Valder (20/10/2008)
  • Hi Paul and Ken – just found this site. Yes I remember Coldean too. Lived in Beatty Avenue for some 40 odd years. Yes I remember ‘Doc Olver, Tom Vine and Pam McKenna. Do you two remember the first owner of the sweet shop – a Mr Wilson – and the owner of the grocers – Stan Morris? One of the tradesmen was the coal man – Barlows – who had an office in Rugby Road off of Bear Road.  I also remember a grocer’s van that used to come round on Friday evenings too – but I can’t remember the name. They used to sell parafin too.

    By Geoff Chaplin (11/02/2009)
  • I remember both the Mohns and Valder families through Chris and Robin, respectively. They were both in my class at Coldean and Stanmer. I used to live opposite the shops at the top of Beatty Avenue. I too have some very fond memories of Coldean and I have just come across some old cine film including panning round the house the shops, Stanmer woods. The old people’s home was being built down in the dip and the flats next to Tom Vine’s shop were also under construction.

    By Mike Elmes (26/02/2009)
  • Dr Sless’ Surgery – now that brings back memories. Was his partner a Dr Curtis? I remember a cold bleak waiting room many times as a frightened child. Tommy Vine was the greengrocer next door and I well remember his “van shop”. I lived at 2 Forest Road from when I was born in 1955 until 1976. I remember Tommy Vine’s shop parking up in the service road alongside Coldean Lane at the bottom of Forest Road. I remember the Prices, Deans, Stranges, Greenfields, Dawes, Paynes, Kings, O’Reillys and many others. Anyone remember the Eldridges (I think) grocers shop in the parade by the Hikers Rest? I too have some cine film which I converted to digital video – though sadly, most is just my brother (Frank) and I fooling around in the garden. Few shots of Coldean Lane though probably late 60s. Will convert (parts) for Youtube if anyone is interested.
    Hi Mike Elmes – have you had your cine converted ? Happy to convert it for you if you want (I can do standard or super 8). We used to have massive football matches on the greens alongside Coldean Lane – fond memories of those and mums shouting for us to come it around 9pm. Happy days.

    By Michael Keay (20/03/2009)
  • I too was brought up in Coldean and what a place to live as a kid. All the fields and building sites to play in. The chip shop with those lovely soggy chips and batter scraps which did not do me any good in later life. I lived in Rushlake Road. I remember old Mr Daily the ice cream man and if a kid did not have the 4d or 6d for a lolly, Mr Daily would not see that kid go without. People were different those days without a doubt Great days.

    By John Mercer (10/04/2009)
  • Hi Michael,
    I was born in 1952 and lived in Coldean from 1955 to 1979. The have converted the cine film to digital. There are two clips on You Tube both containing rare footage of Coldean back then. You will have to put up with quite a lot “fooling around in our front garden” at No 1 Beatty Ave, but there are some good scenes of the shops oposite, an old no.13 bus etc. Look on You Tube for the two clips Coldean 1962 and Arundel Trip.

    By Mike Elmes (17/04/2009)
  • Hi Mike. Excellent stuff. I will have to get to work on mine. Who is the boy in the blue jumper? He looks very familiar.

    By Michael Keay (20/04/2009)
  • Added a few clips, plus a bit from Stanmer park and Hollingury. You also have to put up with me and my brother Frank horsing around – We spent ages messing with that cine film, splicing, reversing etc. If the youtube link is removed below – it should come up on a ‘coldean’ search or michaelkeay on youtube.

    Editor’s note: Sorry we don’t allow Youtube links as a matter of policy but have viewed the film, it’s well worth a look.

    By Michael Keay (26/04/2009)
  • Hello Mike, I also live in Coldean. I saw your videos on youtube – they are great. Many of the elderly residents who still live in Coldean remember the shops and views as they were then shown in your films. I run a web site for Coldean as part of the Residents Association, I hope you don’t mind I used your videos on our site, have look at http://www.coldean.org.uk.

    By Robin Berry (29/04/2009)
  • No problem Robin. I took a look but could not find at coldean.org.uk. Is it embedded somewhere?

    By Michael Keay (30/04/2009)
  • Hi Mike. Look on the ‘news’ page and scroll down near the bottom of the page.

    By Robin Berry (07/05/2009)
  • Just found out that my mum used to live at 28 Park Road in the late 40s. Is there any one out there that can let me have any information on the place around 1946/47. She is dead now and it would be nice to know what the place would have been like. So any suggestions on books to read or where I might get some photos of the place. Many thanks to any one that can help.

    By Roberta Thompson (10/06/2009)
  • Excellent YouTube footage – thanks Mike. I went to Coldean Primary School from 1961 to 1967, and my daily walk to school from Middleton Rise, where I lived, took me past your house and the shops. Good to see some familiar names here (hello Ken!). Michael Keay was in the same year as me at Coldean School. I certainly remember Mr Olver the Chemist, Tommy Vine, and Pam McKenna at the Post Office. Wasn’t the Post Office run by someone called Hobday? I recall there was a Stuart Hobday who formed a local pop group called the Mike Stuart Span – though I was too young to ever see them play. The number 13 bus in the film is a Southdown Leyland PD2 from a batch that were purchased in 1948. They had open rear platforms which made getting on and off very easy, and they were replaced during the 1960s by Leyland PD3s with front entrances with doors. Does anyone remember the “Jazz Club” at Coldean School on Wednesday evenings? I went a few times but got chucked out for larking about. The lads I used to hang around with included Kevin Woolley (lived in Park Close and had older brothers Clifford, Brian and David), Joe Redbourne, Alan Tanner (sadly died in a road accident when he was about 17), and Nick Hewardine. I don’t remember Larchwood Old People’s Home being built, but my great aunt Nellie Wilkin lived there in the 1960’s, and by strange coincidence I started my career in local government as assistant manager there in 1978-9. Something else I’ve just remembered was that Waldron Bank was built between Arlington Crescent and Ashburnham Drive in 1962 and in the cold of that really freezing winter all the new paving slabs cracked and had to be replaced. Thanks for the memories!

    By John Wilkin (19/07/2009)
  • Hi there John – Great memories. I do remember the name Hobday and the connection with the “Jazz Club” on Wednesdays. I think he was also possibly associated with “Radio Brighton” in its early days… probably the forerunner to current Southern Counties Radio. I got my pocket money on a Wed and rushed up to the jazz club at the school, (soldiers posted to stop you straying up the corridors and into the classrooms). I always hoped to see Lesley Dargonne and Linda Wyatt (Lesley lived in Park Close and Linda in Saunders Hill). I certainly remember the Wolleys – I used to play football in the ‘park’ / grass opposite the Hikers Rest. I seem to remember Joe Redbourne lived opposite the top of Forest Rd. Good stuff John.

    By Michael Keay (13/08/2009)
  • A friend just told me about this website and the references to the shop at Coldean. I can confirm that my parents owned the Post Office/Newsagents/sweet shop during the 1960s. I worked in the shop for a few years before going off, as John Wilkin remembers, to try to be a pop star. If anyone is interested there is a Mike Stuart Span website  (just Google the group name). Some of our early gigs were at the Hikers Rest. The group folded in the late 60s and I began working (right again John) at the new BBC Radio Brighton. In the mid-70s I moved to be a producer at Radio 2, until I took early retirement in 1999. Does anyone remember Peter Robinson who lived in Hawkhurst Road just round he corner from the shops? Peter had his own pop music page in the Evening Argus (every Thursday I think) whilst he was still a pupil at Stanmer School. He went on to have a number of jobs in and around the record industry and for some time has been running his own record label Dome Records.

    By Stuart Hobday (02/09/2009)
  • Hi there Stuart and thanks for the confirmations. Who owned/managed the Hikers Rest back then – can you remember? My mum (Mary Keay) used to work upstairs cooking pub meals and she used to take me in as a small boy. Also can anyone remember when Coldean school opened? Before my time but I think it was 1950 ish. I have an Argus clipping of my brother (Frank Keay) running out of the school after its first day. And I assume Mr Burrows has left.

    By Michael Keay (02/11/2009)
  • Going back to place history … the 1930s. At the end of the grass valley which used to be, leading into the hills as one travels from the railway arch at North Moulseoomb (and which is now overbuilt with housing) finalising in the dew pond, there used to be a huge rabbit burrow, and about once a year, usually late summer, the West farming family used to put their ferrets and polecats down it then stand back with their shotguns, using spreadshot, shooting the rabbits as they bolted from their holes. I can remember so clearly because my father, who was a very proficient rabbit catcher, never using guns, only a dog and polecats, together with his own handmade nets, would decry their actions as too painful for the rabbits, sometimes only just hitting them with one or two pellets from the spreadshot then they would run off; and in any case, where those farmers still captured them, they had introduced lead into what would later be eaten. He worked with them on one occasion, using his own animals and nets, including a long net across the top area of the burrow, further up the hill. A most fruitful event but which they said they didn’t prefer to the sport of shooting.
    Rivalry between Whitehawk and North Moulsecoomb children was a neighbourhood factor. East Moulsecoomb hadn’t been built up very much then, and kids from Whitehawk would delight in visiting the area when they would be engaged in a brick raid. All bravado stuff in which no-one hardly ever got hurt. On one occasion, above the dew pond position towards the Whitehawk direction, a tree den had been built in one of the gnarled trees with wide spreading branches. It consisted mainly of minor branches spread across major boughs to form a stable platform. Minor wooden branches had then been added followed by an old carpet section then covered in hand cut turves. I was one of those assisting! The lads from Whitehawk paid one of their customary visits and destroyed it before reinforcements could be summoned. A later gang visit from Moulescoomb to the Whitehawk area was abandoned when those present saw, on arriving at the hilltop overlooking Whitehawk, that it would be a mission impossible … ! One of the favoured hobbies amongst the boys would be the making of bows and arrows. It took a time to gather the right wood for the bow, often hazelwood with its superior bending capacity without breaking. The older, stronger boys would go for the strongest possible wood having some difficulty in being bent for stringing which would consist of a ‘V’ cut in each end for tying. The arrows took much longer to form because an efficient aeroform giving trueness of flight would be required. Some of us managed to gain boxwood with its straightness. One result of the hobby was the injury of one lad (would it have been Tommy Johnson?) being taken to hospital with a head wound. Where there was hazelwood, there would be cobnuts in September. The wood above that railway arch to the left, spreading over the hillside was a good supply source; as was the forbidden wood over the wall in Stanmer Park for Chestnuts.
    The once a year activity of Tab-a Go I’ve mentioned elsewhere in the forum, where anything going could be obtained by paying with tabs (cigarette cards) for whatever. Alleys (marbles) could be bought or exchanged. Bikes could be hired for a day or half-day. Tops (spinning tops) could be hired or bought. Whatever could be thought of would be included where possible. One of the most popular ones was the skipping rope across the road. But the best one of all was when Mr. Brown promised to use his gas company large van to give those who had paid a fair tabs price a ride in a group into the countryside for a while. We couldn’t see where we were going, only what it was like when we got there – but it was the very best of all.
    When my ten year old brother Johnny died the only small bike in the family which had been donated by a kindly neighbour to the family some time before, also disappeared. I was the tender age of 8 and when I asked after the bike I was told it had gone with Johnny. Little did we kids realise that it had almost certainly helped to pay for a funeral.
    After WWII none of the previously enjoyed activities reappeared. At the same time, by those 1930s standards, we were progressively better off. Oh well, once again, happy days!

    By Ron Spicer (15/11/2009)
  • I have just found this page, I was searching for some of my old pals from Coldean. I remember a lot of the names mentioned. Does anyone remember me? My name is Roy Dibley, I was born in Ingham Drive in 1956 and went to Coldean primary. I would like to hear from old mates like Kevin Wooley, Paul Granger, Andy Whitehead, Martin Conrad. My Dad still lives in our old house. I have great memories of my childhood and would welcome any contact

    By Roy Dibley (17/11/2009)
  • My grandfather (Bill Brown) was the caretaker of Coldean school from when it opened (early 50’s?) to 1973. At first he lived with his family in 82 Beatty Ave until the local authority built a house at the school grounds entrance in Selham Close. In the early days the Sunday services were held in the school hall, as the Barn had not yet been converted into the church of sSt Mary Magdalen. It was here that my Dad (Ron) met my Mum (Audrey). In 1960 we moved into The Byway, just off Walton Bank (not Waldron ,John). My Mum and Dad ran a youth club that I seem to remember Greg Elmes, Mike’s brother (amongst many others) went to .They were also involved in the church and my Dad was Church Warden for something like 30 years. I worked as a paper boy for the Hobdays and briefly as delivery boy (heavy black push bike with wicker basket on the front) for the butcher that was at the other end of the parade of shops. I remember many of the contributors to this page and enjoyed the memories you’ve brought back . Learnt guitar with John Wilkins. Always hoped I could ride in the old coach that was parked out the back of the Beatty Ave shops (I guess that was the band bus for the Mike Stuart Span). The Wednesday night jazz club, the 20th Brighton Coldean Cub Scout Group,The church choir, Unit 25 youth club. the No 13 bus (particularly the last one home!)…………………

    By Martyn Brown (18/11/2009)
  • We lived in Wolseler Rd, me and my two brothers. Our next door neighbours were Mike and Linda Bassett, also Alan Carter. As young lads we spent our weekends in Stanmer woods, climbing trees and scrumping in the village. As a teenager we went to the youth club run by Mac in the 50s, and on Wednesdays they ran a dance night in the school hall where they played all the latest hit records. There was also a live group - the Hustlers; best night of the week. The Hikers Rest was our local; brought my first beer there in the offy. Happy days

    By Roger Durrant (20/11/2009)
  • I was christened at Coldean school in 1954 when it was a temporary church, before St Mary Magdalene’s was built. I use to live at the top end on Hawhurst Road before it went up to Devil’s Dyke or down to the school.

    By Marguerite Parsons (10/01/2010)
  • This page has reminded me a lot about my youth. I lived at 60 Coldean Lane from 1955 to 1974. I bought one of those prefabs in 1979 and am still here-a brilliant place to live as a child and to have brought up our three kids. Shame it’s all being spoilt by the council planners and landlords turning it into a student rental estate.

    By Gordon Martin (22/04/2010)
  • Stuart Hobday. I was at school with your sister at Stanmer Secondary Modern. I think I saw your band at the Dome in the early seventies. Did you front for the Procal Harum band there? Peter Robinson I remember. Will look him up next time I visit. I emigrated to the USA in 1985 and live in Burlington Ct. Wolseley Rd is still the same and have fond memories of Coldean, the only problem being a long walk home when you missed the last number 13 from the Steine.

    By Ron Baker (17/05/2010)
  • Two acticles here interest me. I went to Coldean School in the early 50’s and a friend of mine at that time was Bob Brown, the caretaker’s son. Just shows how little we take notice of others for I didn’t realise he had a brother Ron. The other piece was placed by Roger Durrant (it must be the one I knew). In our teens, a few of us had motor bikes and I particularly remember Roger and Mike Bassett who worked on the railway. I agree with other contributors that Coldean was a great place to live. It’s still special to me even though I haven’t lived there since 1963.

    By Bob Harman (30/05/2010)
  • Remembering jazz club on Wednesday afternoon’s after school and unit 25 in the chuch hall, I think it was Paul Brigden who ran the disco and Martin Brown too. I moved to Coldean in 1967 with my parents and brother Nick Stedman and attended infant school, then junior school. I remember the headmistress (infants) was a Miss Williams and junior school head was the Lovely musical Mr Burrows. I can remember Friday afternoon assembly when we would all sing and find out which house had acheived most awards, Arundel, Hastings, Bramber or Lewes. I think I was in Arundel (red) house, what fond memories. At present both my parents still live in the same house Rushlake Road.

    By Carol Therin nee Stedman (23/07/2010)
  • Hi Paul Mohns. Interesting reading about your dad, you see Doug was also my dad. Hope you are all well down there in Brighton. I am an artist living in South Wales and have five children and six grandchildren. Keep well and God bless.

    By Wendy Davies-Williams (25/07/2010)
  • In reply to Ron Baker: the concert at the Dome that you remember was on 21st June 1968 and headlined by Scott Walker and the Herd. The event was promoted by the aforementioned Peter Robinson (I still have a concert programme). If you’re interested, there’s actually a Wikipedia page on the group. Just Google Mike Stuart Span.

    By Stuart Hobday (29/07/2010)
  • Hi Bob, yes it’s me, if you have a sister Janet. Yes Mick, worked on the railway,and I was an apprentice at Alan West. The motor bike I had was a B.S.A. bantam – cost me £10. There were a few of us who used to race up and down Rushlake Rd, can’t remember their names now, no crash helmets or L plates – didn’t seem to bother then. Still drive through Coldean and remember the good times.

    By roger Durrant (05/08/2010)
  • Wendy Davies Williams, please contact me!!

    By sophia mohns (06/08/2010)
  • Hi Sophia Mohns yes my father was Douglas and I met the family when they were younger. Kathy told me that he had passed away, and I told my sister, she lives in Shoreham. I am an artist and I live in Porthcawl in South wales. I have a large painting of my fathers of Stanmer Park the only thing I have but I have the best thing, I paint. My son Steven Douglas lives in Amsterdam, Mandy in Cambridge, also a painter. Katie also a painter lives in Porthcawl as does Owen and Rhiannon. Pleased to hear from you. God bless x

    By Wendy Davies-williams (10/08/2010)
  • Stuart Hobday. Thanks for the info. I looked you up on Wikipedia! Those were the days!

    By Ron Baker (17/08/2010)
  • I have only just found this site and have been interested to read about the old days in Coldean. My uncle, Ken Thomspson used to run the jazz club. I am married to Owen Hutchings who also used to help out. I remember the Christmas parties. Ken used to go up to London to buy all those lovely presents we used to get. My father-in-law Alf Hutchings was the Verger of Coldean church for over 40 years. Owen grew up in No.74, Beatty Avenue and moved in when the house was first built in 1951. Years later after we married we ended up in No.82, just a few doors away and have been here nearly 30 years.

    By Sandra Hutchings (16/09/2010)
  • Roger Durrant; yes I have a sister Janet, a couple of years younger than me. In fact I have  three sisters and three brothers; a sister and brother still live in Coldean. The rest like me also still live in Brighton. While you were slogging it in the famous Allen & West I was working at the Gaiety Cinema as a Trainee Projectionist, a job I’ve never bettered. They showed a feature film and a support film Mon-Wed then a different programme Thur-Sat and a complete different programme for Sun. I had left a long time before they turned it into the Vogue. Living in Coldean meant using the Lewes Road a lot and from Falmer to Harrtinton Road is one of the most changed roads in Brighton. Since the early fifties gone or altered is the road itself; splitting Falmer Village, altering the rail bridge at the bottom of Moulsecoombe Way (Roger will remember the shop there; ‘Woolvenes’ I think’), Stanmer Waterworks, the cottages at the bottom of Coldean Lane, the large cottage near them next to the large Orchard (where the New Park is), the Barracks, Sweppes, the viaduct near the ‘Gladstone’ Pub and of course the Gaiety. The Allen Arms has had a name change several times and now sits on an island next to a petrol station. Added alongside the Lewes Road is the University, Teachers Training College, the College at the Avenue, B&Q etc and soon the B&HA Football Stadium. Others will point out the other changes I’m sure and those of my age will remember the cycles rushing down Moulsecoombe Way from Allen & West at lunch time as well as evenings. I wonder how many people now do what many of us did back then; walk down that great road from Coldean to the beach to swim and the walk back. Happy Days

    By Bob Harman (27/10/2010)
  • Hi there Roy Dibley. I remember you well – and Paul Granger (Saunders, Wolsey or Reves Hill?) I used to go round your house after school and drink cream soda (you used to have it delivered and I thought you were sooo rich). I think you can find Paul Granger at Lancing – there is a caravan and motorhome sales room behind Autobahn? garage – just after the Shoreham Airport turn off – I think Paul runs it. I keep meaning to look in myself as we both went to Secondary Technical school after Coldean. A few years later I brought a Suzuki GT750 (kettle) from you – not sure if you were still living at home though. – Cheers and take care.

    By Michael Keay (07/11/2010)
  • Wow!I can’t believe all the letters I have just read, the memories come flooding back of the great times in Coldean. I lived in Middleton Rise with brother John who after leaving school joined the Royal Navy, my elder sister Margaret who left school to work at I think was Cox’s pill factory. Dad worked as many from Coldean did at Allan and West with our mum who also for many years worked at the Hikers Rest. I remember all the shop keepers you have mentioned, but my doctor was Dr Rutherford at Moulscombe. Also remember the rag and bone man who gave a goldfish if you gave him enough old rags and the winkle man on a Sunday selling winkles by the pint, many Sundays I would have to sit with a needle and get the winkles from the shell for tea. I lived at no 19 Middleton Rise which was in a culdesac, my name was Janet Deacon. If you remember me, I would love to hear your stories.

    By Janet Lee (08/01/2011)
  • Hello Janet, I’m sure we lived very near each other although I don’t really remember. I recognise the name. We Harman’s lived in Rushlake Road (West Drive) at the top of Forest Road with the Cul-de-sac of Middleton Rise directly behind us. My Mum lived there until she died in 1997. My Dad died in 1985. My brothers and sisters are still very much alive; Ted, Janet, Susan, David, Barrie, and Sara. Ted lives in Beatty Ave and Sara, who married Christopher Gorringe from the Roundway, now lives in Hawkhurst Road. Like many people I still look towards Coldean for those happy memories of my youth. It always makes me feel good to see the remarks of others.

    By Bob Harman (01/02/2011)
  • Hello Bob, thank you for leaving your comment for me, it’s really nice to hear from someone who remembers you and of course Coldean. First I got confused when you said Middleton Rise was behind your house as I remember there was a family of Harmans on the other side of the road near the bus stop, I think the names were Colin, John and Janice, am I right? Then I remembered your sisters Janet and Susan, think you lived either next door or very near the Woods family. Of course we have all fled the nest and mum and dad have both gone now. My sisters Margaret and Wendy still live in Brighton, my brother in Gosport and I now live in Worthing as do my 2 daughters and 4 grandsons. Thank you again for answering my post Bob, and do you know the more I think of your name I’m begining to get a face. Keep in touch. Janet Lee,

    By Janet Lee (05/02/2011)
  • Well, Janet, Nothing wrong with your memory! The Harmans who lived opposite Middleton Rise were actually related to us. Joe Harman was a second cousin of my Dad’s. His wife (I only ever called her Mrs Harman) used to collect money for the ‘Provident cheques’. You’re quite right we lived next door to the Woods who had exchanged homes with the Russells who lived for a while in East Moulescoombe before they moved to Canada. In the 50s many people emigrated to Commonwealth countries to boost the population and skills of those places. Obviously I could never understand why anyone would want to leave the freedom of a place like Coldean and travel to the other side of the world. After all, we had all we could want. We had vans that were converted into shops selling all manner of things such as a greengrocer and bakery. Salesmen selling odds and ends like hairbrushes and coat hangers were regular callers as well as buyers if you had metal, paper or clothes. Although I know it’s not possible, all the boys seemed to have paper rounds. I also worked in most of the shops once I was twelve and played all manner of games in the streets. If it was today my parents would probably do time. Happy days.

    By Bob Harman (07/02/2011)
  • Thanks again Bob for the comment. Something else I remembered – did your mum and dad go fishing? I seem to remember them getting on the 13 bus with fishing rods and lunch box ready for a day’s fishing on the pier. Also you say you were related to the other Harmans, well I think they were related to the Pumfreys who lived at no 15 Middleton Rise so you must have known them too, Barry and Linda I believe. It really is a small world Bob, keep ’em coming!

    By Janet Lee (08/02/2011)
  • Turn right here and you’re in Rushlake Road. First house on the right was named Pernois, the home of my granparents Isobel and Arthur Best and their daughter Marjorie (my mum). The house was named, I believe, after the place where my grandad was wounded in WW1. Arthur was a long time employee of Allen West as was my father Peter Johnson who married Marjorie.

    By Brian Johnson (15/02/2011)
  • Hello Janet Lee, nee Deacon, I have only recently discovered this site for residents of Coldean (actually it was found by my wife). I do remember you, as we lived opposite at number 5 Middleton Rise. We moved from Brighton to Coldean about 1947, and my parents, Leslie and Irene were there until about 1982/83. We had a wonderful childhood there playing free in the steet, in Stanmer woods, in the Wild Park, and in the orchards which were along the Lewes Road between Coldean Lane and the Wild Park. I can remember all of the families who lived in the cul-de-sac, starting at number 1. Marchant, number 3. Glanville, number 5. Burchell, number 7. Hackett, number 9. Vardy, number 11. Lockyer, number 13. Barry, number 15. Brooker, number 17. Poundsbury, number 19. Deacon, number 21. Bateson, number 23. Bishop. I now live in Lewes, not that far away, and we have one daughter, Louise, who was married last year and lives in Eastbourne. My sister Barbara lives in Reading, and has a daughter, a son, and two grand-children. I do remember all of your family. Best wishes and happy memories. By Ian Burchell.(21.2.2011)

    By Ian Burchell (21/02/2011)
  • I was just browsing the site because my daughter’s in-laws live in Hawkhurst Road. I have recently caught up with an old friend from my days living off Portland Road, when our children were small, who used to live in Hawkhurst as a child, Christina Wood. I worked (in the 70’s) with Hillary Spicer and Chris Feek, both from Coldean (during their childhood years) and Kath Hogbin RIP too at the same firm – I believe she and her family lived in Ingham Drive. The children were Roger and a sister, whose name escapes me at the moment. And blow me down, I definitely know the last person to report on 22/02/2011 – yes, Mr Burchell – small world. I think I may also know Bob Harman, another workmate from the 1970’s and 2000’s, who last commented on 08/02/2011. I have viewed with pleasure the reports – and am posting a link on Facebook, to Hawkhurst Road and other parts of Brighton. Well done, whoever first started this site.

    By Chris (was Pelling) (08/03/2011)
  • My name was Tina Wood and I lived in Coldean from 1960 till 1979. I lived at 127 Hawkhurst Road. I love living in Coldean. I have a photo from Jazz club that no one knows who the lady is. It would have been taken about 1967. I will try to work out how to put it here in case anyone recognizes her. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers my family. Owen Hutchens I remember, I’m sure it was him who wrote me the history of Brighton and Hove Albion which I still have 40 years later! There is a Coldean School facebook page which has some old photos on too.

    By Christina Golds (09/03/2011)
  • Well hello Ian Burchell, what a lovely surprise to hear from someone that lived in the cul-de-sac. Yes what great times they were, playing in the street untill all hours with a rope the length of the road and us all joining in, hop scotch untill we got told off by Mr Bateson for chalking the numbers on his pavement, marbles in the gutter, five stones, hide and seek and many more games all which never cost a penny, my how times have changed. I remember you and Barbara well, also your mum and dad. We thought you were rich as you had a car, not many did in those days. My sister Margaret remembers Barbara having a new bike and it was pale blue. Funny the things you remember isn’t it? I live in Worthing now after living in Brighton for 56 years, never missed Brighton but I certainly missed Coldean. I have two daughters and four grandsons, I am also going to be a great grandmother in August. Where have all those years gone? Please give my regards to Barbara and keep these wonderful memories going. Take care, Jan.

    By Janet Lee nee Deacon (28/03/2011)
  • I remember many of the people and events above. I was born in Rushlake Road. I lived there until I got married. My dad died last year (2010). He was a watchmaker. My parents moved into Coldean in 1951 when the house was newly built. They were there until they died – my father was there nearly sixty years. It was amazing how the neighbours seldom changed. All the people around where I lived only left when they died! I have two sisters and an elder brother. We all attended Coldean school. My elder brother and sister subsequently went to Moulsecoomb school. My parents would not let myself or my younger sister go there. So I went to Patcham Fawcett and my sister to Stanmer. I worked at Allen West, as did a lot of other Coldean people. Later I also worked briefly at K.T.M. and Wade engineering at Hollingbury. The demise of these local firms affected many local people in Coldean and indeed other estates badly. It was a nice estate for children to grow up. There was plenty of woods and green spaces. However there was very little for the teens. It was not the most sociable of estates- it could have done with a social club which some of the other areas had. However it was mostly full of nice people and I have some wonderful memories.

    By Richard J. Szypulski (02/04/2011)
  • I was christened at St Mary Magdalens church in 1957.

    By Nina Jaiherm (nee Bowditch) (03/04/2011)
  • I was born in 16 Arlington Crescent in 1957. My mum worked at Coldean school as a cook my brother Bernard Bowditch and Audrey all went to Coldean. I remember Mr Burrows, the Christmas parties. What a safe and happy area Coldean was. I still dream of the area. Does any one remember us? I remember Paul Brigden and Joe Rebourne who was in my class at school.

    By nina jaiherm nee bowditch (03/04/2011)
  • Hello Nina! Joe Redborne had a very serious accident and, sadly, is now disabled. I came across him at work. (I work at the Royal Sussex County Hospital). His brother Duncan also passed away. Very sad!

    By Richard J. Szypulski (03/04/2011)
  • Hi everyone. Carol Gordon is organizing a school reunion for people who attended Coldean school in the late 60s through to 70s . The cost is £5 and includes a tour of the school. Anyone who fancies finding out more can contact me and I’ll be pleased to help and meet up with friends old and new. Tina Wood (ex Hawkhurst Road ) christina_tinkler@yahoo.com

    By christina wood (12/04/2011)
  • For Bob Harman: Hi Bob, I wonder if I went to school with your brother Dave. Did he go to the Secondary Technical school 66-71? I lived in Barcombe Road in Moulsecoomb, opposite the Wild Park.

    By Kevin Ahronson (16/04/2011)
  • Hello Kevin. I’m sure it must be my brother you’re thinking of. He did ideed go to the Technical School. Dave’s 11 years younger than me so I know very little about his school years. However, I do see a lot of him. He’s a really nice bloke who I’m proud to call my friend.

    By Bob Harman (16/04/2011)
  • Hi Bob. Are you one and the same who lives in Carden Avenue now?

    By Chris Lay (aka Pelling previously) (30/05/2011)
  • Hi, I lived in Beattie Ave from the age of two till I was eight. Then we moved to Rushlake Rd, just down from Forest rd. My dad was the local chimney sweep. Do any of you remember the Burtenshaws?

    By Janice (Burtenshaw) Robinson (14/06/2011)
  • My name was Carol Chick and I had an older brother called Alan and an older sister, Janet. My parents still live in Ingham Drive in the house I was born in. We used the Dr at the end of Ingham Drive, Dr. Waters. I remember Mr. Olver the chemist, the old butchers, greengrocers and hairdressers. The grocer’s van was called Saunders and I remember the Corona van coming round once a week too. We have organised a reunion for past pupils of Coldean School which will take place on Saturday 2 July at the school. The evening starts at 6.45 with a tour of the school and goes on till 9.30. We will be displaying old photos and programmes from the school. Initially we planned it for people who left in the 1970s in case we got indundated but we still have spaces left so have opened it to all. Tickets cost £5 per head to cover cost of hall hire and insurance and requests should be sent to; Jo Smart (reunion), Coldean Primary School, 12 Kenwards, Coldean, Brighton, BN1 9EN. Cheques should be made payable to C. Gordon and an SAE enclosed. Look forward to meeting up with some of you!

    By Carol Gordon (14/06/2011)
  • Hey Bob, did you have a sister Sarah  and live next door to Yvonne Redborn? If you are that Bob, I also remember your mum, she kept a very tidy house. I think you was about my sister Jackie Burtenshaw’s age, and your sister was a year or two younger than me. Also tell all your brothers and sisters about the school reunion on the 2nd of July, for details Carol has left a comment above this one. The reunion even made it to the Argus, it’s going to be a great night. xx

    By Janice [Burtenshaw] Robinson (15/06/2011)
  • Hi everyone, I used to live in Ingham Drive, next door to Carol Chick and to the doctors, Dr Waters. The Mitchell’s lived next door to Carol the other side, Chris, Colin, Shelley and Timmy. I had three sisters, Sue, Teresa, Emma and my brother Garry. I remember jazz club well and the bingo in the church hall and the disco there as well and dancing to the last dance Brown Sugar! Remember getting the pork stuffed roll for xmas dinner from the local butcher and the Corona van and the limeade and cherryade. Loved going to Coldean School and not so keen on Falmer. My best friend lived in the Hiker’s Rest pub called Gill Anderson. My dad used to work for Creeds up the Hollingbury and also Sunblest, he left there when I got married in ’81 and my mum and dad moved out 20 odd years ago and moved to Woodingdean until my Dad passed away in ’97. Nice to see a lot of memories on here I must say x

    By Debs Warnett nee Easen (15/06/2011)
  • I heard today (10th July 2011) that Ken Thompson sadly passed away this week. Ken ran the fabulous annual children’s Christmas party, Friday bingo and Wednesday Jazz Club and other local activities for many, many years. Ken did so much for the Coldean community for both the young and old. I am sure many of us have fond memories of him. I am unable to find a date for his funeral so if anyone can help please can you let me know.

    By Sandra Brown (10/07/2011)
  • Stuart Hobday and anyone else interested in the Mike Stuart Span may be interested to know that I’ve bought the Span’s recent CD compilation Children Of The Future, and that it’s excellent, and that a review of it by me can be found on the international classic albums blogsite The Rising Storm (www.therisingstorm.net) to which I’m a regular contributor. Experience Brighton’s premier 1960s rock band! (This isn’t a plug, folks, it’s a purely amateur enthusuiast undertaking.) On a separate topic, would the Paul Granger referred to above be the younger son of Mr and Mrs Granger who ran the Children’s Home at 70 Wolseley Road, Coldean, where I and my sister were resident for five months in 1962?

    By Len Liechti (02/08/2011)
  • Thanks for the plug Len and thanks for the very kind review on The Rising Storm website. One small point – the CD is called ‘Children of Tomorrow’ (available from all good record shops), not Children of the Future. If anyone is interested in a few more 60s memories, they might like to try the group’s own website http://www.mikestuartspan.moonfruit.co.uk

    By Stuart Hobday (05/08/2011)
  • Sorry, Stuart – ‘Children Of Tomorrow’ it was indeed! ‘Children Of The Future’ was the album by the Steve Miller Band, about the same time but from the States. Fortunately I got the title right on The Rising Storm review!

    By Len Liechti (07/08/2011)
  • My parents bought the grocer’s shop in Park Road – it was formerly known as ‘Deals’ (‘you get a good deal at Deals’). Originally it had wooden egg boxes for shelves! All my family worked in the shop at one time or another. My sister Pearl, me, my brother-in-law John, my brother Colin and my Aunt Iris. In fact, most of my family lived close by, either in Park Road or Rushlake Road (previously West Drive) where I was born. For most of my childhood, the roads were not made up!

    By David Eldridge (15/12/2011)
  • David. I went to school with your brother Colin. How is he doing now? I emigrated to the US in 1984 and now live in Connecticut. Give him my regards.

    By Ronald Baker (15/12/2011)
  • Hi David I read you recent comments re the shop in Park Road, although we lived in Newick Road we often used the Coldean shops including Deal’s and the Chippy. I also clearly remember your sister Pearl, she was in my class at Moulsecoomb School. On the Moulsecoomb School pages you will find a picture of our class in 1949/50 which includes her. Please remember me to her, I hope she is well. Wyn Burgess (nee Woolven)

    By Wyn Burgess (23/12/2011)
  • Hi David Eldridge, I do remember Eldridges – the Grocers. My mum and dad had an ‘account’ and would send me down to get stuff which would be written up in the book and settled at the end of the week. Mrs Eldridge would always reject my attempts to get sweet purchases added to ‘the book’. Hey Bob Harman – I think you maybe knew my older brother Frank. Did you by any chance own a bubble car – maybe a meschersmitt? If it is you, I have a picture of you at the bottom of Middleton Rise working in the car. I think you also may have got my broken pogo stick welded for me – so thanks again 🙂

    By Michael Keay (04/01/2012)
  • So glad I found this page! I’m Claire Pearce – lived at 42 Park Road until I was 18, my Mum having lived at 39 Park all her childhood until marrying and moving a few doors up the road. Very fond memories of Coldean School, especially being the girl chosen in 1977 to plant a tree in The Level for the Silver Jubilee. Miss Williamson(!). Fantastic teachers in both Infants and Juniors. Mr Stone teaching us to play shinty at St Joseph’s when our school roof fell in, Mrs Berriman, Mrs Drake, Mrs Cheeseman – many teachers who helped us become who we are today. My best friend Gill Turner (Walton Bank) who sewed her placemat she was stitching to her skirt and breaking her love bead necklace in assembly and laughing so much we were sent outside to calm down! Victoria Haden (other best friend) but year below, coming to church with me regularly so I could be confirmed. Dancing classes in the church hall, brownies, then guides – the library! Fond memories and a superb place to grow up. I now live in Dubai, but Coldean, Brighton is home.

    By Claire Townsend (12/01/2012)
  • I have just found this page – and it brings back many memories. My family moved to 15 Ingham Drive in about 1955 when I was six years of age and remained there until about 1960. My elder sister was Susan and my younger brother and sister were Melvyn and Carolyne. My father is now in a nursing home and Mum is recovering from cancer. Carol (entry 14/06/2011) I believe we were nextdoor neighbours. Our other immediate neighbours were the Wells family. Like others, I remember Dr Waters and the headmaster Mr Burrows and the fun and freedom of playing in the local woods – and being chased out of the corn fields by farmer West. Michael Whitehead lived just up the road, we were born on the same day – our mothers were in hospital together. I can still remember clearly most of our neighbours, including the Grangers, the three Archer brothers, the Elliott sisters and, with fond memories, the family who lived at the end of the road – their father was a baker and often supplied us kids with cooking chocolate. Later in life I returned to Brighton as Head of CID. I am now retired and living in Horsham.

    By George Smith (19/01/2012)
  • Hi Ian Burchell and Janet Lee. Found this page last year, only just got round to writing a comment. Lovely to hear all your news. Yes, fond memories and happy days. Bang on with all the neighbours Ian, just to add – remember the mutts! Plenty of them, us, Lupo, Pumfr, Judy, Pounsbury, Waggles, you, Janet Glen, not sure about Prince i.e Hacket or Glandville. I remember Lupo just nudging Wendy to one side whilst going up the steps ‘cos she was in the way. Rod now lives in Burgess Hill, two girls and extended family of four grandchildren, and is still climbing mountains! San emigrated to NZ in ’75 one daughter and two grandsons. San has been back a few times and we have been over there –  is still working as I am. Rod enjoying retirement. I am still local and catch up with former Coldean /Moulsecoomb mates regular. I have two daughters, one son, two grandchildren Yes, great days, safe. Spent most of our time Stanmer /Wild park on made up bikes, 4 wheelers playing simple games. Glad to hear all well. Great to read all other comments

    By s m lockyer (24/01/2012)
  • I used to live in Coldean lane when they first built the council houses, I lived on the bend in the picture above where the church is. It used to be West’s farm. I was born in Brighton and we moved to Coldean lane from Ladysmith road

    By john teague (26/01/2012)
  • Well hello Stewart Lockyer. Been looking for you and all others from Middleton Rise. Found Norman Bateson, he lives in France and we keep in touch by email, I had lunch with Ann this week, she bought along old photos (God did I really look like that?) also had lunch with Raymond just before christmas, he now lives in Cornwall. Wonderfull times we had in Coldean as you said it was very safe in those days, we never locked our doors or windows and neighbours were free to come and go. I remember your mum and dad as if it were yesterday and Sandra when she went off to the other side of the world, I thought how very brave of her with such a young baby. Lovely to here from you and keep the letters coming so I can tell Norman. Take Care love Jan xxx

    By Janet Lee nee Deacon (31/01/2012)
  • Just found this website. I lived on Park Road for 49 years. You may remember Stuart and Fiona who both went to Coldean school inthe late 60s and early 70s. Stuart’s contemporaries were Cliff Dargonne and Steve Jeffries. Fiona’s were Michaela Boyle and Julie. ‘Tricia Hebron, Sheila Eldridge, Maureen Hartley, Margaret Pearce and their families were all around then and formed the first Coldean Women’s Institute. Reading your letters – especially Claire Pearce (as was) from Dubai – has brought back many memories.

    By Joyce Owen (02/02/2012)
  • Ah…Auntie Joyce! How are you? Many happy years spent in Park Road, my Grandad living a few doors down was lovely, trotting down with his dinner in the little red bag or Matthew racing it down on his bike! Coldean School then Falmer -fab years!

    By Claire Townsend (nee Pearce) (05/02/2012)
  • I’m Alan Cribb, I was born at 20 Elder in 1945, but when it was demolished our family was given the best house to have. We moved to 10 Selham Close Coldean about 1957, our house can just be seen. I’d like a penny for every time I have walked through the church yard to Stanmer Woods. Next door was Bobby Bell, and Bobby Parks opp. Anyone out there?

    By Alan Cribb (26/04/2012)
  • Hello I have only just found this site and what memories it has of Middleton Rise. My nan and grandad lived there also my uncle Jim and cousins Barry and Linda who sadly is not with us anymore. We used to take Lupo for walks and have some lovely photos of him. I still live in Coldean and have been in the same house 43 years. I have 2 children and 4 grandsons, my daughter and 2 grandsons also live in Coldean in what used to be Chalky Banks, many a good day we had there. Looking foward to reading more from everyone now I have found the site. Love Jan Moye nee Harman.

    By Janice Moye nee Harman (20/06/2012)
  • Hello Janice, I remember you and your family, you had two brothers John and Colin and I lived two doors away from Linda and Barry in Middleton Rise. So sad to hear they are no longer with us-they must have died so young. I lived at no 19 with the Poundsberrys and Batesons either side. Do you remember them? I am in touch with Ann Bateson- we meet often for lunch. I only found her this year after 40 years and it’s great talking about the “Good ole days”. I have two daughters, four grandsons and a great grandson and also a great grandaughter due in October and we all live in Worthing. Looking forward to reading more wonderful stories. 

    By Janet Lee nee Deacon (03/07/2012)
  • Hi. Does any one remember Yvonne Guile and her brother Denis? They lived in Rushlake Road and went to the school when it first opened.

    By Harry Atkins (12/07/2012)
  • What an interesting page. My memories are living first at 129 then 7 Hawkhurst. The jazz club was great, and I particularly remember Bingo with my Mum at Larchwoods old people’s home. My friends Gordon Heritage, Alex Isted and Roger Cogan, we all played cricket and football in Selham Drive on a very slanting piece of grass, and continuously hit and kicked balls into the school grounds. I also remember sledging down an empty slope from the shops towards the library location.

    By Peter Scott (24/07/2012)
  • Just come across this site which has brought back memories of a childhood in Coldean (police houses in Hawkhurst Road) and Coldean School. It would be great to hear from anyone who remembers me.

    By Lynn Smith nee Pettit (25/08/2012)
  • Does anyone remember the Gorringe family? I’m Beverly, I have a sister Velda, brothers Andy, Paul and Christopher. I also had a sister Joanne who sadly died. It’s so interesting reading all the comments about Coldean, I’m still living in Coldean, together with my 3 children. A lot of people that lived in Coldean when I was younger seem to have moved back to Coldean. A lot of us used to get together in the Roundway and all play rounders, and have grass fights, and hit Maybugs with tennis rackets. We used to be in and out of each other’s houses, and our parents used to make cakes for us all. Happy days, we had so much fun.

    By Beverly Rodgers (nee Gorringe) (27/08/2012)
  • Hello Linda Pettit. Do you remember me? I used to live next door to you at No 15 Hawkhurst Road- a row of four police houses. Our dog Paddy used to sit by the gate waiting for me to come home from school. All the children called her the police dog! You had a brother called Roger and you had really long hair. I did meet up with your Mum and Dad about five years ago at my Dad’s funeral. They looked just the same. I have wonderful memories of my childhood spent in Coldean.

    By Jane Smith (nee)Powell (14/01/2013)
  • Hi Ian Burchell- I moved into 3 Middleton Rise in 1977 and lived there until 1983 when I and my family moved to 36 Rushlake Road-I was so fond of your Mum and Dad and missed them when they moved to Bates Estate (I think). When we moved in as a young family (me, husband(ex now)Bob and little boy Martin) they made us so welcome and occupied little Martin a lot for me. I went on to have two more sons (Neil and Peter) before moving to 36 Rushlake Road until the end of my marriage in 2003. I moved away until Sept 2011 and then came back ‘home’ to Coldean-this time to Beatty Ave. I love it here and feel very settled. All my sons went to Coldean School and then Patcham Fawcett ( Martin) which became Patcham High. Maybe somebody remembers them (surname -Newing). Martin now lives in Bolney and is a Executive Producer of computer games, Neil is an Associate lawyer and Arbitration judge in London and Pete is a Computer games Designer-Great schooling!! I have gone back to my maiden name of Banfield and although I grew up in Bevendean I went to school at Stanmer with many friends from Coldean. -Do any of you remember? Oh! and my ex-husband Bob Newing also lived in Wolsley Road and went to Coldean School- date of birth 15.03.1950.

    By Yvonne Banfield (was Newing) then previous Banfield (19/01/2013)
  • Hi Jane Powell. Yes I remember you well, although I believe you were Roger’s age more than mine. He lives in Croydon, whilst I live in Jersey CI. Happy times in Coldean.

    By Lynn Smith nee Pettit (21/01/2013)
  • The library was built on a piece of waste ground that we used as a short cut to the front entrance of Coldean School. The land was at the side of where Coldean Shops and the Doctor’s Surgery was.

    By Linda Buckley (27/01/2013)
  • I lived at the bottom end of Carden Avenue near the London Road, but met Ian Spicer at a dance at the Corn Exchange in Brighton in 1953. I was very friendly with his sister Christine but lost touch with her when she went to America. Ian had a lovely kind mother and another sister called Marilyn and a little brother called Hillary. They lived in either Hawkhurst Road or Coldean Lane. I would love to make contact.

    By Lesley Miles (nee Goddard) (27/01/2013)
  • I was also christened in the school as the church was not ready. Remember Father Best and Father Derek Cordell? Mum used to attend the Young Wives at the church.

    By Lyn Smith (nee Pettit) (29/01/2013)
  • What happy memories this site has brought back to me. I remember so many of the people mentioned. I lived with my brother Mick Bassett and my mum and dad at 46, Wolseley Road. I remember Roger Durrant and his brothers Ginge and David. I remember Bob Harman, his family had a retired greyhound. I remember Gaffer Dawes and his brothers who lived in Coldean Lane. My best friend in Wolseley Road from 1952 was Maria Slaughter who sadly died in 1992. She had gone to London with Audrey Bowditch when they were in their late teens. When we moved to Coldean in 1952 they were still building and the lorry drivers used to let us ride on the back! Can you imagine the uproar that would cause nowadays? I remember the lovely kind Mr Bowyer, my teacher, and Miss Rose who blamed my brother for putting the drawing pin on her chair – years later my mum discovered it was Neil Swayne and my mum went to the school and told Miss Rose who the real culprit was!! My mum and dad sadly died in 1997 and 1998 and when we sold No 46 following their deaths it was really a wrench to close the doors for the last time. They had been so proud to have lived in Coldean. I didn’t understand when I was young but I do now. Any reunions I would love to attend. And if you remember Lindy Bassett I would love to hear from you. I am on Facebook. Linda Buckley, Lowestoft.

    By Linda Buckley nee Bassett (10/02/2013)
  • Oh, Elaine, the memories of people I grew up amongst were brought to mind on reading your message. I so remember in particular Janet Gibbs, her mum was my Brownie leader and I remember making willow baskets in her front room. The willow was kept wet in buckets of water on the floor. Also I remember making raffia place mats. Janet’s parents were very kind and I remember being taken out for the day in their car (owning a car in those days were very rare). When you next meet up with Janet please give her my regards – my name was Linda Bassett and I lived in Wolseley Road.

    By Linda Buckley (nee Bassett) (17/04/2013)
  • Hello Linda, I will certainly let Janet know about your message. I will send her the link for MyB&H as I am sure that she would enjoy going down memory lane. It is very addictive and many an hour can slip by trawling through the various ‘threads’. Yes, her Dad’s car was a black Triumph Renown, I remember it well. As you say, one of the very few in those days. There are certainly more in Beatty Avenue now, especially in the mornings and, around 3-3.15pm when the children come out of school, it is like a giant car park with umpteen cars whizzing around and jostling for parking spaces. Far fewer children seem to walk to/from school nowadays. I remember Janet’s mum being Brown Owl and the basket weaving etc. Sadly, she died about six years ago. She was really talented in both knitting and dress making and, amongst other things, made us both lovely ice skating skirts lined with white taffeta – how we loved twirling around in them at the old (SS) ice rink in West Street. I had several holidays with them, great fun: we stayed in caravans and once at a holiday camp called Gunton Hall in Lowestoft around 1952/3. It was very ‘Hi Di Hi’ in those days. Funny, my sister Linda lives there now and loves it, but Brighton will always be ‘home’. All the best.

    By Elaine (18/04/2013)
  • Hello. Myself and my partner are thinking of buying a lovely house in Coldean. I am British, but my missus is from abroad. Is Coldean a no-go area for foreigners?

    By Bob Singer (25/07/2013)
  • I would hope that there are no areas of Brighton & Hove that are ‘no go’ to foreigners! Coldean is just over the hill from where I live in Hollingbury, so I am not a Coldean ‘native’ but I do lead guided walks around the estate and I think it is one of least troubled areas of the city, rarely in the news for bad things and a great location on the edge of the National Park.

    By Geoffrey Mead (25/07/2013)
  • My father was Polish. We had no problems! There were other families with non English surnames. It is a good estate with plenty of open spaces which make it wonderful for children. But sadly not much of a social scene for the grown ups.

    By Richard J. Szypulski (26/07/2013)
  • I was a child of the 60s/70s and the church here was a very big part of our lives. I remember Father Derek Cordell, not sure if I have a pic of him in my late Dad’s millions of pics? Our day was more Father Peter Chapman, he was so handsome (I had a crush on him) – can’t remember his wife’s name but one of the children, a little girl, I think was Ruth. We attended a group made for us with Mrs Merryfield: ‘crossbearers’. We had lots of bits and pieces to do to keep us off the streets one evening a week I think. We used to have really lovely Easter parades through Coldean, starting at Hawkhurst Road top end, right back down to the church through Hawkhurst Road. It was lovely with a real donkey and we had palm crosses to hold in our hands. We had amazing bazaars where we dressed up in costumes from different countries, with Mrs Shirley Gillham I think who used to do a lot for the church. Also Mrs Brown and her husband, and I remember my sister used to have her ballet classes in the church with Miss Rosemary Carden. My brother Karl was in the church choir – all the lads looked amazing each week in their robes, very smart. I remember I was confirmed by Father Chapman. I used to go to his vicarage to do Bible Studies, I loved it. I still remember lots from the Bible to this day. And I’m glad I was born in 1960 and felt privileged to grow up in Coldean. Keep the stories coming, I will look for the pics over the coming weeks, but don’t hold your breath – got a funny feeling they went when I cleared Dad’s house earlier this year.

    By Liesa Saunders (nee Gohmann) (01/09/2013)
  • I remember hanging out with friends Anne Sutton, Jean McNab and Tracy Collings when this was being built, a young fella called Malcolm I think and an older guy. They were lovely people. Can’t believe it’s gone!

    By Liesa Saunders (nee Gohmann) (01/09/2013)
  • Hi Linda, how are you? I often see Mick in Lancing as that is where we now live. It’s a small world. Alan Carter and Mick Collins still live in Coldean, Alan is still in the same house. Sorry to hear about Maria Slaughter. I met your dad a few years back at a pub in Lancing – I think he and Mick were having a Christmas drink. I am still married to Carol whom I’m sure you remember. I often drive through Coldean and up Wolsely Road, the houses look so small, as does the road, loved growing up there.

    By Roger Durrant (04/09/2013)
  • I knew you all. See Graham Trott David Valder Alan Carter Owen Hutchings who I see most mornings when I get my paper. In fact I discussed the Albion game with him this morning. Yes I love football as I was brought up with it because my two brothers played.(Trevor and Peter). It is so lovely to read all your stories many of which I relate to. Its so comforting as you think you are the only one who remembers.

    By Marian Gregson (08/10/2013)
  • My mum worked as a cleaner at Coldean School when Bill Brown was the caretaker. I have a photo of Bill with my mum and the other cleaning ladies. Happy to download to Martyn Brown or anybody who is interested.

    By Linda Buckley nee Bassett (12/10/2013)
  • Hi Just had a quick look through the comments and fascinated by the memories. I was born in 1950 and the only thing I remember was Dr. Sless. My mother had called another doctor out because I was unwell and he told my mother it was a virus and not to worry. My mother was not happy with this and so asked for a second opinion and out came Dr. Sless. Within an hour I was in an ambulance and rushed to the Foredown Isolation Hospital with bronchial pneumonia. Dr. Sless saved my life. I lived in Hollingbury and the industrial estate; Stanmer woods and Coldean Lane were our hunting grounds.

    By Bryan Eastwood (14/10/2013)
  • This picture stirs memories as my Dad helped tile the roof of the new vestries, church hall and the vicarage when they were built and my Mum was seriously involved in sewing and laundering choir robes when I was in the choir as well as jumble sales, bazaars etc.

    By Steve Mintram (18/10/2013)
  • Does anybody out there remember the brewery dray that came up Hawkhurst Road probably around 1957-ish? Everybody came out from their houses as the men from the brewery were giving away miniature bottles of Guiness. When my mum and dad died and we cleared the house we discovered the bottle which I still have in my own cabinet. Although the bottle is unopened some of the liquid in the bottle remains. I have fond memories of Coldean. Some of my friends from that time were Elaine Norton, Gillian and Janet Robinson, and Christine Elms. I lived at no.15 Hawkhurst Road. 

    By Jane Smith (nee Powell) (03/11/2013)
  • Hi I used to live in Coldean lane; I remember a family called Teague – are you one of them?

    By Linda Thompson Nee Dawes (07/11/2013)
  • My mum, Marjorie Feek, also worked at Coldean school as a cleaner around 1960. Unfortunately she passed away only last week but we all have happy memories of our time growing up in Coldean. Marion Gregson, I remember you and your brothers very well, we spent many hours playing football with Billy Pollard and Barry Ward on the green behind our houses. Linda, I would love to see a copy of the picture you have, hopefully my mum will be in it.

    By John Feek (17/11/2013)
  • John, I am so sorry to hear about your mum, she was really kind to me. Please accept my condolences. I used to be married to Graham. Your Dad was in the army with my Dad too.

    By Laine (17/11/2013)
  • The first house you can see in  Coldean Lane in the picture is no.39. I lived in it in the 50/60s with my brothers  Mack, Dave, and sisters Loraine and Trish. We moved to there  from 123 Hawkhurst Road, then after Coldean Lane we moved to 68 Rushlake Road.

     

    By Graham Pettit (22/11/2013)
  • Hi John ,

    Thanks for telling me about this site. It’s great to be reminded of so many people, places and escapades that we used to get up to. Has anyone any memories of being in Coldean school choir and the carol service in the early 60s?

    graham pettit.

    By Graham Pettit (22/11/2013)
  • Hi Almy, I moved to Coldean with my mum and dad in 1951. Most of Coldean was still being built. We moved to 26 Twyford Road, my dad worked at Underwoods and my mum worked at Ogdins bakery – both in Crowhurst Road. I can remember my mum  helping at the scouts when it first started, the film shows at the school put on by John King of East Street,  and I remember paying a shilling a brick to help build the church. I remember the row of houses at the bottom of the lane with the large chimneys and the row of cottages where the allotments are in Coldean Lane.

     

    By Michael Middleton (23/11/2013)
  • Such priceless memories, many on this page are a bit before my time but still fascinating to read. Bob Singer, my late father was German – he was welcomed by most into Coldean back in the 60s. I only lost him last year – his name if anyone knows of him is Chris Gohmann of Wolseley Road. (His real name was Carl Hein, my brother was called Karl, after dad.

    John, deepest sympathies xx

    By Liesa Saunders (nee Gohmann) (24/11/2013)
  • Just found this site, so many names came up on it, I remember some of them. I’m Karen my family live at 63 Coldean Lane, my mum used to see the children across the road by the shops (schoolcrossing lady). I have four brothers Tom, Frank, Peterand Michael. We left Coldean late 60’s and went to live in Germany, we returned in 78. Both my parents have long gone; my dad died at 58 and my mum died 6 years ago. I have fond memories of Coldean.

    By Karen Chanona, Nee Brown (26/11/2013)
  • I used to live in Coldean Lane with my brothers Joe and Gordon. My mum was called Mimi. I do remember the Teague and the Dawes families.

    By Margherita Martin (27/11/2013)
  • I remember your Mum Karen .We lived right by the school crossing and saw her every day on my way to school ,we would all say good morning Mrs. Brown and some days I would give her one of my sweets .One day Mrs. brown wasn’t there on my way home and sitting in the middle of the road was our dog Paddy seeing us children across the road ,how funny that must have been .We lived at 15 Hawkhurst Road and Paddy often sat by our gate .i loved living in Coldean and have some happy memories .By Jane Smith nee Powell

    By Jane Smith nee Powell (29/11/2013)
  • Karen, I remember your mother as the lollipop lady! I went to school and worked with the late Gary Chanona- are you related?

    By Richard J. Szypulski (30/11/2013)
  • My best friend in the 1950s & early 60s was Laurie Blundell who lived in Rushlake Road at No 104. His father was a steward on the Brighton Belle. (Head Steward maybe?) His stepmother lived there until quite recently. We both had Austin 7 specials and Laurie got nicked for driving round Coldean when under age and without a licence etc. Unfortunately he died in an accident in 1963. I think he had an elder brother John and a sister Patricia.

    By Tim Sargeant (02/12/2013)
  • OMG Jane – I remember your family (Mr Powell your dad). They were police houses by the crossing there weren’t they? I have lots of fond memories from Coldean and have seen some old names pop up. I have Richard and June Tugwell on my FB page – even found some of my family that we lost touch with!
    Yes, Peter Gary was my brother in-law, I’m married to John the eldest one, and then there is Lee who married an American girl and lives in New Jersey. Shame what happened to Gary – my husband didn’t cope with it very well, it took a long time for him to come to terms with it.

    By Karen Chanona (04/12/2013)
  • I remember the Blundell family very well! They used to child-mind me when my parents worked. They were all Catholics attending St. Francis and St. Joseph’s churches. Mrs. Blundell (Laurie’s mum) passed away in 1959. There was another sister, Moira, who was a nurse at Southlands Hospital. Laurie died after falling down the stairs. It was all so sad. They are a nice family.

    By Richard J. Szypulski (07/12/2013)
  • Karen I was so pleased that you remembered my Dad and yes we did live in a police house . I seem to remember that your Mum used to leave her lollypop in our garden until the next day. She was a lovely lady and whenever I drive along Coldean Lane and I see her house I always think that’s where Mrs Brown lived. We left Coldean in about 1961 – it was at the time when people living in council houses were being given the chance to buy their houses. Mum and Dad wanted to buy a house further up Hawkhurst Road but for some reason the Police wouldn’t allow it. That’s when we left and moved to Westdene . Mum didn’t like it at first, she had to leave her friends as did I and she didn’t drive so it was like being at the end of the earth for her. I went to Margaret Hardy School so made new friends there but never forgot my time living in Coldean. I remember Rosemary West , Elaine Norton, Gillian Robinson, Nicky Green, Lee Dod, Ann Moor and Susan Howell to name a few. What happy times we had 

    By Jane Smith nee Powell (16/12/2013)
  • Jane, I know my mum used to leave the lollipop in your garden. I think we left around 68/69 as mum wanted to go back to Germany. I returned here around the beginning of 78. I had a bad accident over there and got really homesick. My dad wanted to come home too. While I was trying to sort everything out my dad fell ill so it ended like  that I was bringing him home to die. It was a hard time and I’m glad I got him back here as he wasn’t happy there. I remember your dad very well. I was naughty once and my mum got him to have a good talk to me. It wasn’t anything bad but you know what it was like in them days (you didn’t mess with your mums they took you down the police box )and we kids had respect for the police in them days. I was 27 when I lost my dad and even now I still miss him – such a shame that my two never got to meet there granddad, but I filled them in on what my childhood was like and what a lovely man he was. I remember Ann Moore but the others I’m not too sure about but I expect you hanged around with different people to what I did – Lynn Vine, Margherita, Martin mainly those that live down my road. Do you remember Ungilika? I can’t remember their last name. It was a German family who lived a few doors up from you. They went back to Germany and we met up with here while we were over there. I used to do sleep overs at her house. Well I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas, you take care xxx

    By Karen Chanona (18/12/2013)
  • My dad used to live in Hawkhurst Road and went to Coldean school. Does anyone remember him, Bill Pentecost or the Pentecost family?

    By Nicky Pentecost (19/12/2013)
  • I remember Bill and Bert was it ? They also had a sister I believe. If I remember correctly, they lived in the ‘dip” on Hawkhurst Road. I went to both Coldean and Stanmer schools with them. We used to raid each others 5th Nov bonfires for the wood as kids. Long time ago now.

    By Ron Baker (20/12/2013)
  • My mother was friendly with Mimi Martin, she was Italian.  My mother was also a great friend of Laurie Blundell’s mother. I remember her dying. They were both Irish. Like the Blundell’s we went to Catholic schools so perhaps didn’t know as many of the local children. We were the first tenants of 20 Hawkhurst Road, moving there in 1951. Our neighbours were; 18 – Cooper, 22 – Stedman, 24 – Morris (though I think they were the second tenants here), 26 – Robinson, 28 – Gorringe.  I think I have matched these names with the correct numbers.   My mother died in 1961 and we moved away in 1962.  

    By Teresa Scrase-Davey (21/12/2013)
  • Hi Ron, yes Bill and Bert had two sisters, Rita and Kath. I would love to hear any more stories you have on my dad. 

    By Nicky Pentecost (22/12/2013)
  • I moved to Coldean in 1953 and lived in a new council house in Rushlake Road. This was prior to most of Coldean being built.I was one of the first children to attend Coldean School when the headmaster was a Mr Burroughs. I remember I was chosen to model the schools first boys uniform. And the badge was old boat corner emblem. Before becoming a church St Mary Magdelens was an old barn, I can still remember playing there before it was made into a church. One of my memories was that of cow skulls lying around in and outside.

    By David Collins (24/12/2013)
  • Hi Leisa, I remember the Palm Sunday procession with the donkey, we even used to stop playing football to watch it go by. Mrs Merryfield lived over the road from us.

    By Ken Valder (25/12/2013)
  • Hello Karen, sorry to hear of your accident but how nice that you came back home and to your Dad. No I don’t remember Ungilica – I’m sure I would remember someone with such a lovely name. As well as your Mum’s lollypop in our garden, I remember the police horse being tied up in our front garden while his rider came in to see my dad and he ate a big hole in the hedge on one occasion.
    Does anyone remember the night watchman? He would be sitting next to a big drum with a blazing hot fire in it. Dad used to take me to say hello to him. He was opposite the shops where they were still building houses. Can’t remember his name.
    The Penticost family lived a bit further up in Hawkhurst Road and I went to school with Albert – he was in my class and he had combed down hair and a very neat parting and he wore thick shorts that came below his knees, funny things you remember!
    I can remember my first day at school when we sat round little tables and in front of us was a tobacco tin with plasticine in it, it makes me laugh, can you imagine them doing that now! There was a wendy house in the class room and I shut someone in who cried the house down and I was sent to sit in the corner! I never did that again. Happy memories. 

    By Jane Smith (nee Powell) (07/01/2014)
  • Nicky:We just did the usual stuff kids did. I lived on Wolseley Road where the fields were and every other summer when the wheat was cut, we used to build ‘forts’ out of the hay bales and raid each others fort. We used the stalks from the ground, dipped them in water and made ‘bombs’ out of them. Used to come home scratched up all over. The other years they had cows in the fields and we used to round them up. Poor farmer West used to get mad at us. Sledging down Wild Park was a winter pastime. 30 seconds to go down and a 5 minute climb back to the top. I remember Rita now. She was in my sister’s class. How are all of them ? Give them my regards. I live in the USA now and don’t get back too often now.

    By Ron Baker (24/01/2014)
  • Joe Redbourn sadly passed away this weekend 22/3/14 in the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

    By Yvonne Redbourn (26/03/2014)
  • To Allan Cribb – I was looking at my old address first, then put my wife’s (Linda Early) address at 8 Selham Close before moving to Selba Drive in the early 60s. My wife remembers the Bells but were Renie and John your parents on the other side?  My wife had a brother Mike.

    By Clifford Marlow (24/05/2014)
  • Hi to Clifford Marlow. Please contact me alancribb@hotmail.co.uk

    By Alan Cribb (06/06/2014)
  • Hi Beverly Rodgers (nee Gorringe). I didn’t live in Coldean but I remember Velda your sister. I went to Westlain and used to often walk along Lucraft Road with Velda and Sue Griffin, a mutual friend of ours. I do remember with sadness when Joanne died- if I remember correctly it was in her dancing class. Say hi to Velda from me although she may not remember me after all these years! 

    By Jeannette Locorriere (07/08/2014)
  • Yes, I remember the old barn, and I also remember when they cleared the barn a big rat came running from the barn and ran across the school fields while we were coming out of school.

    By Margaret Mayhead (Szypulski) (15/08/2014)
  • Learned about this site just last night. Fascinated by the comments which have revived memories of halcyon days. A number of names here I do remember. Big intake of breath…here goes… please forgive my indulgence. We lived for a while at 34 Middleton Rise, then moved to 25 Ingham Drive. I attended Coldean Primary in the late 50s and Westlain up until 1970. I remember the Gorringe family… do you recall Mr Selby, the ice cream man? We used to scrump apples from his garden and I think your mum made toffee apples from them which we sold door to door. After the mower had finished on the Roundway we would pile up great walls of grass cuttings before diving in! I vividly recall swatting maybugs with tennis rackets after playing in the road using the tarmac lines as a court. Ian Weller who lived nearby is now an eminent doctor and world-renowned specialist in AIDA.
    Roy Dibley… I remember when you moved in and your Dad planted the privet hedge.
    Peter Scott… we played football together with Alex Isted (still in contact with him and his wife Sue), the leggy Gordon Heritage and Roger Cogan. We’d walk over ’39 acre’ to the Wild Park and play football for hours.
    Anyone remember Jim and Steve Forest, Gary Croydon, Graham Ross and Keith Brand? We would smuggle out potatoes and had a camp in the Wild Park complete with treehouse where we would bake them in a fire. Yumm! Mike Isted (who later worked for Shell) was a friend of Wayne McKenna (I heard he was a Uni prof of English at an Aussie Uni), son of Pam who worked in Hobdays. I remember the tins of broken biscuits!
    I’m sure Stuart performed with his band on one occasion at the Goldstone ground before a match?
    Dr Walters lived on the corner of Ingham Drive. Tommy Vine and his wife ran the greengrocers after years selling from a van around the streets of Coldean. Mr Oliver once chased and caught me and another boy having spotted us letting down the tyres of a parked vehicle!
    Christmas time was always a joy with the neighbours hosting parties in turn. The Burtenshaws, the Tranmars, Margaret and Bill Isted and of course my parents, Pete and ‘Auntie’ Betty. My Dad now lives in Ladies Mile Road, Patcham. Mum died two years ago.
    Other names mentioned include classmates Lee Dodd (big blonde lad) and Gillian Robinson, whose Dad worked for Hoover and was forever messing with classy Wolseley cars in the garages behind Ingham Drive. And Nicky Green, a clever lad who inexplicably failed the 11+, but everyone knew was a bright cookie.
    Coldean School was a joy and Mr Burrows was an outstanding teacher. Did he get an MBE? It must have been for music for he loved his choir and produced quality performances at concerts. I used to sing descant solo… but had to mime at the final Christmas concert as my voice had broken! Mr Burrows was my form teacher. Don’t think he liked me much and whacked me with a rounders bat once… probably deserved it! By far the greatest influence was Miss Rose. A fantastic and dedicated teacher who drilled into us our ‘times tables’. My earliest memory of school was in Reception class with Miss Collins. A young girl called Marilyn Spicer ran away on the first day and we all stood by the window and cheered as the teacher chased her out of the school gates and up the hill towards the shops! And I remember the jovial ‘lollipop’ lady ushering us across the road each morning. And Roger Petit.
    Too many memories for this posting so I’ll close now. I’ve retired from teaching in Harrow and now live in Ferring. Thanks to Sandra, who grew up in Whitehawk, for giving me this web address.

    By Bob Shaw (15/08/2014)
  • Correction… Mr Elphick was my form teacher for the final two years. And the broken biscuit tins were in the grocers run by Mr Morris.
    I’m sure I’ve got a faded class photo somewhere. I’ll post it if ever found. Racking my brains I can recall a few names… Rodney Fairhall, Philip Younides, John Murray, Mick Price, Trevor Neve… oh and John Ford…we were always in trouble! I think he was ‘sacked’ as House captain for his misdemeanours! We were in Hastings (green). He went to Varndean. I remember being quite despicable to a boy named Paul Gillespie. Apologies! I also remember clearly Yvonne Jeffries. I believe we were born on the same day (21/6/51) in adjacent beds at Brighton General and started school on the same day. A beautiful girl.
    I remember the games we used to play in the evenings around the oval green. The lamp post was the pivot for endless games of ‘buzz-off’. Hordes of us would play football and annoy neighbours when the ball was booted into gardens. We also ran around the track/road that encircled it with our own athletics events. I remember a lovely girl called Elaine. OMG… we were a healthy lot then, when there was no internet and play stations!

    By Bob Shaw (17/08/2014)
  • Tom Tommy Vine was my great uncle.

    By Lisa Ingham (07/09/2014)
  • I am so pleased I have just found this site, so many happy memories, and great friends. Linda Bassett, how great to read all your stories and the 1958 school photo, wish I could remember all the names. I think left bottom row was Mary Scarborough and Rita Hayward. My parents both worked at Allen West (Tom and Glad) and were mates with the Vardys and the Lockyears, Stuart I have some great photos of us on holiday with Brian and Paul. Hi Roger Durrant  and your brothers. We seemed to spend a lot of time outside the Hikers Rest and sitting in the fish and chip shop sitting on the big table in the window. I lived in Arlington Crescent, Bernard Bowditch and Philip Younides were neighbours and Gloria Wells, we still keep in touch and I rang her when I found this site. We used to have great times with all the mums and dads sitting on the wall, joining in the games, a real community.  I now live in rural Dorset, had hotel, then B&B now retired, two children, two grandchildren and happily divorced. Would be great to hear from anybody that remembers me, just love reading all your stories. 

    By Jennifer Lowery (11/11/2014)
  • Hi. Me and my husband are in the process of buying our first home in Coldean area. I found all your comments very interesting and relieving. Sounds like Coldean it’s a really lovely place to live. Can’t wait to move in!

    By Joanna Crake (01/12/2014)
  • I lived in one of these houses, in Rushlake Road, from 1958 until I moved away in 1971. They were basic, but did the job. The house is still occupied, by a relative, today.

    By Derek Evans (07/12/2014)
  • Hello Derek. If I  remember correctly you went to school with my brother, the late Stephen Szypulski. I seem to remember being in the NTC with your brother. It is frightening to think that it was more then half a century ago!

    By Richard J. Szypulski (13/12/2014)
  • This page has brought back so many happy memories of my childhood. Like many I will always cherish Coldean as home. I lived at 3 Middleton Rise, the second house on the left as you drove into the cul de sac. We lived next door to Ian Burchell’s parents and diagonally from Sue Poundsberry. We lived there in the 70s but I’d always gone to Coldean school from 1962/3. I remember Mrs Hogan, Mrs Proctor,  Miss Rose, Miss Williamson, Mrs Drake, Mrs Mitchell, Mr Tompkinson and of course Mr Burrows. I remember in my year were Tony Parsloe, John Phillips, Stu Shepherd, Duncan Redbourn, Graham Halls, Andy South, Paul South, Gary King, Treasa Kemp, Sally Worrall, Carole Baker, Sharon Williams, Denise Sutton, Dawn Wyatt, Alan Verrall, Paul Demario, David Baker, David Barnes, the Mitchell twins Chris and Colin, Ricky Price, Lorraine Marchant, Lynsey Kennerdy, Sally Ratcliffe, Jane Mercier, George Thwaites. I remember others not in my year: Barry Harman, Joe, Peter and Yvonne Redbourn, Nicky Croydon, Linda Wyatt, Paul Brigden, Carol Bernard, Steve King, Michael Keay, Steve Madigan, Debbie Sue Poundsberry, Alan Turner, Chris  Eves. I’m still in contact with John Phillips and Tony Parsloe. Tony and I worked together at BT for some years before he moved to Adalaide. Stu Shepherd, John Phillips and I spent most of our time over in Stanmer woods and park on our bikes, often being chased by the old ‘parkie’ in his Land Rover for skidding and riding our bikes on the grass, my how it’s changed now. I remember the winkle man pushing his barrow, the Corona man…cherryade… Ummm! Also Tom Vines green grocers, Dr Olvers chemist and singing at Christmas at the old peoples home by the school – Larchwood?. Cubs and Scouts 20th Brighton run by Dave Vinell, I think it was and scouts started at Moulscoomb school and then split to a Coldean troop. Playing football either with Gary and Steve King outside their house on the grass on Coldean Lane, or massive games on the Roundway or Arlington Cresent. Days gone past but happy memories, never forgotten!

    By Graeme Fothergill (19/02/2015)
  • Great post, Graeme. How do you remember all those names? There’s a few familiar ones and sadly a few no longer with us but please remember me to Togger Parsloe, a top man and we had many happy hours playing on our home pitch, Haig Avenue!

    By Ken Valder (21/02/2015)
  • Hi Ken, I will send Tony this link, he likes to keep in touch. One person I missed off my list is your brother Pete. He was in my class. Sorry Pete! This is a great site, I hope more people join in. All the best.

    By Graeme Fothergill (25/02/2015)
  • I was searching to see when West Drive became Rushlake Road in Coldean but still don’t know.  It must have been in the very early ’50s because we moved into 71 West Drive roughly 1951/52.  The adjoining house was 1 Ashburton as West Drive went up the hill to the right-ish.  We were lucky because we had the bus stop, a phone booth and a Royal Mail post box on the pavement right outside.  I started infants school in 1953 a couple of days before my 5th birthday so, lucky again, was always the oldest or nearly the oldest in my year. I remember Mr Burrows and Mrs Bassett. In those days our house backed onto steep open ground and we had a lane beside the house which led up to the mysterious Wild Park which was both fascinating and spooky at the same time!  My best friend lived in the house on the left side at the top of the lane, her name was Ann Bateson and I have not heard of her since then, but would love to if anybody knows of her. One more thing, I will never forget the day that a young boy, about 8 years old, got caught in barbed wire behind his  knee. This was on the other side of Coldean Lane, through the wood to the open field where the barbed wire was, on the back way to Stanmer Park.  I wonder if anyone knew the boy. Amazing the things we remember.

    By Christine Cronje (21/04/2015)
  • My family still live in Coldean Lane – the 3rd and 4th generation. Horace and Dorothy known as Doll and Bist Greenfield lived at 43, the first lot of white houses in the photo.

    By Lisa Barnard (10/06/2015)
  • To Clifford Marlow. Hi Clifford, I’m sure that my “secret hearthrob’s” name was Linda, but she lived about four houses to the left facing no 10 and next door to policman Mr Head on one side and Mr Cooper another policeman on the other.The Greens moved in next door to us on the left when the previous moved out. This could be Linda Early, a name I remember but not my Heartthrob.

    By Alan Cribb (24/06/2015)
  • We started at 50 Coldean Lane, then moved to 47 because it was a larger house for an expanding family. We lived between the Dawes and the Teagues. They were great neighbours who looked after each other. Fantastic estate in the 50s and 60s

    By John Payne (29/07/2015)
  • Hi Christine. Sorry,I do not recall your family, but my mum, dad and family moved to Ashburnham Drive around 1952. We first lived at number 4 then moved across the road to 7. The post box is still on the corner, but the telephone box is long gone! Do you remember some of the neigbours around that that time? The Hales, the Shugrues, the Hendersons – sadly most have gone now. No time now but if you want more information I will try for you. We were very close to a family on the corner who moved to Australia, but cannot recall their names. I still live at number 7. I went to Coldean School, then to Stanmer which is now a large car park for the football stadium. Hope this is of interest to you. Ean Ross. 

    By Ean Ross (29/08/2015)
  • Well indeed just found this site and my some of those names come back to me. Roger Durrant, I think I lived next door to you. Bob Shaw, remember those days in the Wild Park playing football and cricket, although I was never any good. Alan Carter’s dad taught me to drive, ISTR he had a Triumph Vitesse convertable, a car I always admired. I spent many a day at Linda Buckley (Bassets) house. They were like 2nd parents to me. Still in regular touch with Derrick George, Sue Stace and Peter Holman, whose brother David sadly passed away two years ago. I remember the old single decker bus that used to come around with groceries, and the Tizer van. The names bring back memories, always thought Coldean School was a very friendly school. Had a Westlain reunion in 2013, and some of us old Coldeaners attended, though I have lost touch with most.

    By Brian Cleverly (07/12/2015)
  • This is way too much information – I have no idea how I came across it!  I spent the first 9 and a half years of my life at 57 Whippingham Road, then we moved to 22 Falmer Close (renamed Falmer Gardens). My dad bought 57 Whip in 1954 for £4,000, sold it in 1964 for £9,000, and purchased 22 for £14,000. Paid it all off in 10 years.
    Last year I got online and found that 57 Whip was on the market for £275,000!  Then last year, after my 91 year old dad went to rest, my 87 year old mum put our £14,000 house up for sale and got £245,000 for it!  God bless Brighton – it may be the gay men’s capital of Europe, but those lads have money!

    By Stephen Claridge (20/12/2015)
  • This site is wonderful, I think that my niece Roisin and husband Nad and sons Ethan and Shay live in Coldean. I am a little bit geographically removed from all of this as I live in Mesquite Nevada about 82 miles north of Las Vegas. But I am not the only Brit in town, there are quite a few of us!  Is there a site like this about Woodingdean? I miss home, I went to St. Joseph’s Catholic Infant School on Milton Road, off Elm Grove. Then St J’s Voluntary Primary on Davey Drive, then Xavier in Queens Park, then De La Salle in Hove, and in my final year there, it became Cardinal Newman. I still carry a bit of a torch for Anita Philips. My mum (89 on this coming Jan 28, God Bless Her) keeps me updated. Some sad stories in there. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me, New Years Eve I will be 62. Which means in America, I get me OAP. $912 per month. Apart from Donald Trump this is a fairly nice country. 

    Editor’s note: There is a section on Woodingdean here Stephen.

    By Stephen Claridge (21/12/2015)
  • Just reading comments on this page. I used to live in Coldean; it was a good place to grow up in.

    By Joan Farrant (nee Lelliott) (12/01/2016)
  • I used to live at 8 Ingham Drive. People I remember from Ingham Drive are the Sturgess family, Kathleen, Janet and Margaret, the three girls. Their dad was a baker. There was also the Woodgates: Pat had a brother but I cannot  remember his name. My mum and dad are still with us both in their nineties and still living in their own home and dad is still driving. Laurence my brother lives in Australia: he has lived out there for 20 plus years. He married June Glynd from Ashburnham Drive. Hers was the family that Ean Ross mentioned in his comments. I have four sisters, Sheila who lives in Steyning, Linda who lives in Vancouver, Sue who lives in Felpham and Wendy who lives in Bordon ,and I live in Haywards Heath.

    By Joan Farrant nee Lelliott (19/01/2016)
  • Hi Bob Harman, I’ve  just discovered this site. I think we used to be mates. I lived in Reeves Hill.

    By David Wells (17/04/2016)
  • My family lived in Middleton Rise from 1953 to 1962 then moved to 112 Rushlake Rd until 1966. I well remember Laurie Blundell, who died tragically at Xmas time and his sister Pat, who went to Varndean Grammar. Gaffer Dawes was in my class at Moulescombe Primary and Junior school, and I think he went to Stanmer Secondary, and on to become a successfull business man. The Teague family lived in Coldean Lane and one of the boys subsequently married and lived in Kipling Avenue, Woodingdean, next door to my brother in law Bill Harrington, (a well known character from the Franklin Rd, Brighton area). We have been resident in South Australia for over 40 years and it is good to see names and recollections from all those years ago,so bless you all.

    By Barry Pumphrey (08/06/2016)
  • My mum and her brother moved into Coldean from Bexhill in 1935,  moving into number 27 Park Road with their parents Ruth and Albert Franklin. I came onto the scene by adoption late 1956 (I was born in May of that year in Windlesham, Surrey). My sister Sheila (who was born in Horsham) was adopted in 1959 (being born in July of that year).  About that time we moved to number 37 Park Road where I continued to reside up to 1981.  My father, Les Norman, a Boys’ Brigade Officer (13th Brighton Company, now closed), passed away in 1983, after which time my Nan Ruth Franklin moved in with Mum at number 37, my Grandfather, Albert Franklin, died in the late 1960s. Number 35 Park Road was where the Ollingtons resided with their son Richard (who was my Sunday School teacher in the 1960s at Lewes Road Congregational Church, now a housing association complex opposite Melbourne Street on the Lewes Road). At number 39 resided the Hutchings family. At 34 Park Road were the Truelegh (I cannot spell their name sorry) family, at 36 was Nancy and Sam White. At number 40 were the Dargonnes. I think at number 42 lived the Hutchings married daughter Margaret Pearce with her husband David.  In the late ’60s my fraternal Grandparents Harry and Bessie Norman moved from The Avenue, Moulsecoomb with their teacher/daughter my Aunt Betty to number 26 Coldean Lane.  This house was sold around 2007 when Betty passed away. My mother moved from 37 Park Road in 1994/96 to Mandalay Court, Withdean, she sadly passed away in August last year. My Grandfather, Harry Norman was well-known in Boys’ Brigade Circles, Captaining the 13th Brighton through the 1940s and 1950s. I myself have served as a BB Officer in the 29th Hove (1992/94) Hounsom Memorial Church Hove. 13th Brighton (1995-2000) Lewes Road URC. 22nd Hove (2000-2003) Portland Road Methodist Church.  Currently (Since 2009) in the 26th Boys’ Brigade/Girls’ Association St Andrews CofE Moulsecoomb. I have renewed a limited attachment to Coldean by attending St Mary Magdalene Church this year.

    By David Norman (08/07/2016)
  • Help Jade, we are sorry that we are unable to publish your request for information on the whereabouts of your friend. This is due to data protection restrictions. We hope you understand and wish you luck in your search. Best wishes, the Editing Team. 

    By Jade (09/07/2016)
  • Hello David Wells, unlike most things, I do remember you and your family well.  Yes we were mates. I even remember you birthday was the 19th of January.  You will remember the bedsit we shared in Everlyn Gdns just off London’s Fulham Rd when we were in our teens.  Before that time our childhood years in Coldean were spent often in each others homes.  I remember you had a sister Janet and an elder brother Michael who married the actress Susanah York: he worked on the Post Office.  Your Dad worked in Lewes where we would hitch-hike to and back, sometimes twice a day. You had a grey Bedington dog whose name if I remember was Sue.  I return to this site from time to time and I look forward to anything you might recall.

    By Bob Harman (19/07/2016)
  • I was recently told about this site by Jennifer Lowery. We met on holiday and discovered we were in same class at Coldean School. We are in the photo class of 1958. I lived at 111 Beatty Avenue from 1953 to 1968.

    By Denise Connelly (nee Rogers) (26/09/2016)
  • I lived at 26, Twyford Road from 1951 and went to Coldean School, then Moulescoomb School. then I worked at Allan West with the rest of Coldean. Great place to grow up in. 

    By Michael Middleton (28/10/2016)
  • I lived at No.68 Rushlake Road after moving from Coldean Lane. Also went to T.S. zealous with my brother Mack. Some great memories and sad ones too.

    By Graham Pettit (18/11/2016)
  • To Alan Cribb:  Bobby Bell was my boyfriend for a while  and I remember his family lived at 12 Selham Close. My family lived in Hove. I hope you track them down.

    By Sue Boxell (03/12/2016)
  • Tom (Tommy Vine) is my great uncle. Both he and his son are buried in the church yard of Stanmer Church.

    By Lisa Ingham (03/12/2016)
  • Amazing site! This has brought back many happy memories. I lived in Hawkhurst Road in 1950s to mid 60s. Lived next door to the Pentecosts, Kirbys and Andrews in the dip. Still in touch with Rita Pentecost – we have been friends for years. I remember all the shops at the top of Beatty Avenue and worked for a while in Morris’s the grocers. Went to Westlain with Linda Bassett, Loretta Payton and Yvonne Kenedy. Love to hear from anyone who remembers me.

    By Eleanor Fox (nee Damara) (14/12/2016)
  • I lived in Wolseley road with my sister Hella and brother Syd, from about 1951- 1975. my friends were Sandra Macdonald, Janet Robinson, Jacqui Worledge, all lived in Hawkhurst Road. We all went to Coldean school and then onto Stanmer. My sister Hella was one of the first pupils to attend Coldean School when it opened, and I remember lots of the people mentioned in some of the posts, such as Linda Bassett, John Connolly, Tim Ludkin, Ron Baker, Maria Slaughter, such memories, good times. 

    I still keep in touch with Jan Robinson she lives in Cheltenham now, but have had very little contact with anyone else in recent years, and Margaret Sturgess is married to my husbands brother Colin so of course still have contact with her. 

    By Monica Hulme Nee Welch (20/02/2017)
  • Oh wow, so many names I remember. My family lived in Beatty Avenue (46) and I watched Coldean School being built at the bottom of our back garden. Was never late for school, as I just walked down the back garden path and I was in the school grounds!
    George & Dragon (my parents) had a lot to do with Coldean Community Association and helped organise the Xmas parties for us kids back then.
    I also remember Stanmer woods and park and Wild Park too. Dragon used to take us kids (my two sisters and I) blackberrying at the top of Coldean Woods or along the edge of Wild Park. Her stewed blackberries, blackberry jam and blackberry pies were something else!

    By Geoff Chaplin (15/04/2017)
  • The Lewes Road Inn was a favourite watering hole near Coldean. I spent seven wonderful years knowing Duncan Redbourn and we used to have a drink there before he tragically died so young. A beautiful young man full of ideals. Probably too good for this world.

    By J. Pulling (09/05/2017)
  • Hi Karen, I live at 63 Coldean Lane and have now been here since 1978. It was a great place to live and bring up a family but we now have more students here than ever as Brighton Uni have expanded. Varley Park in Sept will have 750 students staying there. It was great to hear who lived here before us. Do you know when this house was built – I was told 1956?

    By Carol Lynn (02/06/2017)
  •  Duncan was certainly one-of-a-kind, one of my good friends and is sadly missed by all that knew him. This certainly brought back some fond memories of my time in Coldean. 

    Dear Dave
    Sorry but we have had to delete part of 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 family, old friends or neighbours.
    Comments Editor

     

    By Dave Petttit (31/07/2017)
  • Just checking in. The Valder family, of which I am a member, moved into Hawkhurst Road in 1952 and I was born soon after. Since there were six boys, two girls, Mum, Dad and Gran there should be quite a few on here that will remember us. I went to Coldean CP School, then Brighton Secondary Technical School and worked at Allenwest for eleven years. Many names mentioned above are familiar. I also went to the scouts that met in Coldean Church, run by Mr Elmes and later helped out with the cubs that met in Coldean School, run by Dave Vinal who is still around.
    As a teenager, I probably wasn’t very popular as I had a series of noisy motorcycles and there was quite a lot of us that used to race up and down Hawkhurst Road. I’ve now retired to Wales – search for me on Facebook for up-to-date photos.

    By Bob Valder (23/08/2017)
  • Hi Lisa, its a small world. I lived at 68 Hawkhurst Road opposite Tommy Vine and his wife who is still alive aged 96 . Tommy Vine is my daughter’s boyfriend’s granddad. Have posted here before a while back,  and see that when I visit Coldean it has changed so much.

    By Jozef Kis (14/09/2017)
  • Amazing stuff on this site with so many names from the past. We have all been so lucky to live our young lives on the Coldean Council Estate, going to the Primary School, the Woods, Wild Park, Stanmer Park, and no13 to the Beach. Hi Bob Shaw, I now remember why I love a jacket potato.

    By Gary Croydon (22/09/2017)
  • I lived in Coldean at 22 Ingham Drive, then 43 Hawkhurst Road, then my dad Bill Croydon (a local Plumber) built a Bungalow at 65 Coldean Lane. I went to Coldean County Primary School, did my paper round from I think Hobday’s newsagents, I remember my family names – Hart, Isted, Burton, Pitt, Green, Mackena, Forrest, Sherman, Early, Farmer, Southern, Simmons, Granger, Brand, Dibbly etc. A great place to have grown up with Stanmer Woods, Park, Wild Park, and football matches on the green. Many happy memories.

    By Gary Croydon (22/09/2017)
  • @ Gary Croydon – I lived in Coldean Lane from the age of 5 in 1959 & My Mum is still there. I remember 65 being built, in fact I have been in it as when I went to Coldean school I knew a Nicola Croydon & one of my best friends was Shaun Taylor who’s family were at 64 & I spent a lot of time at that house when I was a kid. I was at school with an Alec Isted and in later years worked with Bill Isted at the post office that became BT in Gloucester Place. Like you my childhood involved at lot of time at play in Stanmer Woods in the days when you could actually cross that road without taking your life in your hands!

    By Rob(Bob) Tasker (25/09/2017)
  • Just found all these wonderful stories when using Google to see if I could find when Coldean School was built and opened since I was one of the first pupils. When we moved into a new house in West Drive, after they were built, we used to walk over the hill and through Wild Park to get to Moulscoomb school until Coldean opened. I don’t know if anyone else remembers using the path in Wild Park at the top of the bank but at the bottom of the hill parallel to the Lewes Road that went around the small war memorial half way to the viaduct. We used to use it every day and so kept it open. The amazing thing about the notes above is the one from Christine Cronje back in 2015. She says that she lived at No 71 West Drive which is the house I lived in. We left in 1951/2 so she must have moved in as we left. I have few memories of that time but I do remember the field at the back of the house with the track up the side.

    By Alan Chapman (14/11/2017)
  • I have recently returned from a holiday in Australia, during which I met up with an old friend from Coldean, Wayne McKenna, who I had not seen for some 50 years.   Wayne and his sister Darryl lived at the bottom of Hawkhurst Road, while my two sisters Janet and Gill and myself lived a little up the hill at no 26 (we moved there in 1952).   Wayne has had a very successful career in academia and is currently Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University in Sydney.   In the Fifties and Sixties we went to Coldean primary together and then Westlain Grammar  and played a lot of cricket around the estate (and later at Westlain) together with Mike Isted and my good friend Dave Thomson.

    Wayne’s mum Pam, who is still alive, and my mum Phyllis both worked at various times in the newsagents/post office.    Darryl lives in Lincolnshire and is married to another ex Coldean and Westlain pupil Ian Weller, now Sir Ian Weller.   My sister Gill lives in Patcham, and Jan in Cheltenham. Both are now retired, while I still work in the music industry and would consider myself semi-retired.

    We all have wonderful memories of Coldean, and every year since my mum passed away my sisters and I do a walk from the bottom of Hawkhurst Road through the woods to Stanmer Park village, just as we did as kids.  Coldean in the Fifties and Sixties was a truly egalitarian place to grow up – so many people who lived there have gone on to have remarkable careers.  I don’t think at the time we realised just how lucky we were to have the countryside on our doorstep. 

    By Peter Robinson (24/01/2018)
  • Dear Peter
    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 family, old friends or neighbours.
    Comments Editor

    By Peter Robinson (17/03/2018)
  • Hi Carol Lynn, sorry I’ve only just seen your post. I think the house was built before 1956. My mum had me there in 1951. Are you still living there? I would love to have a look at the house again as I had so many happy memories there. Just to let others who know my family that Michael my youngest brother died a few months back.

    By Karen Chanona nee Brown (07/04/2018)
  • I lived at number 7 Beatty Avenue which was a police house directly opposite the shops. I can remember my first day at school probably in about 1961 in Miss Ayling’s nursed class. I left the school in 1967 when we moved to Woodingdean and I went to Longhill school. Yes happy days. Cynthia Sadler was a wonderful teacher and the remarkable Miss Rose who I recall taught us all to learn poetry. Hello to Roy Dibley. Anthony Grimason one of my close friends moved to Brisbane in about 1965. Also names I remember in my class are Ian Rumble, Mike Best, Sandra Leany, Steve King, Mike Keay, Lynda Wyatt, Gloria, and Ian Beatty. Long sunny days playing in the woods at Stanmer and in Wild Park. The chocolate machine outside the newsagents. The excitement when the grocers in Beatty Avenue changed from counter service to self service. Swapping batman cards. The school choir. I’m starting to ramble so will finish here. 

    By Graham Sheppard (31/10/2018)
  • I would like to be a member of this Coldean site. I lived in Coldean from 1947 til 1966, my parents lived in the Roundway until the day they died. I recognise so many names on here.

    By Eileen Harland (03/11/2018)
  • Hi fellow ex-Coldeaners: I remember Bob Harm as we spent many long hours together playing in Stanmer Park. I remember the old Mill at the rear of Stanmer house, you climbed up and put your hand in an owl’s nest and got a nasty bite! I remember your mum, she had a rolled back thumb which she used to thump you with for being naughty. She seemed to always be ironing! Happy days. 

    By David Wells (07/11/2018)
  • What a brilliant site! I lived in Rushlake Road from 1957 till 1964, my maiden name was Bogle. Am I right in thinking Coldean School used to be called Moulsecoomb?

    By Jean Middle (09/11/2018)
  • I have loved going through this site. Lots of lovely memories. We lived in Arlington Crescent until 68. My mum died and we moved away. Does anyone remember us, Paul, Dawn, Diane and Stewart Wyatt?

    By Dawn Revell (17/07/2019)
  • It’s gone very quiet on this site lately, however in light of the terrible things happening throughout the world at the moment I thought it might to good to re-visit some memories from the past. If there are any of my old Stanmer mates, approximately 1962 to 1967, on this site or indeed anybody else who lived in Coldean around that time lets try to cheer ourselves up and revive the good old times.

    By John Feek (31/03/2020)
  • Having just read through this site has brought back many childhood memories. My parents moved to 23 Middleton Rise in 1947 at that time it was the last road in Coldean, I used to cross the road into the turnip field now Arlington Crescent. Now I live in Arlington Crescent and have done so for 53 years now. I lived with my parents until 1963 and back here in 1967 so spent most of my life here. Just love Coldean and don’t want to leave. I remember lots of the names mentioned and many other things like street parties etc. Great times playing in the woods when they were out of bounds full of wartime bullets and mortars remember finding a mortar climbing a tree and dropping it to see if it would explode luckily it didn’t. The wood had lovely fir trees which had Red squirrels living there at the time. Got caught by the gamekeeper in Stanmer woods, bird nesting with Maurice Granville who was up a tree at the time, Mole came down with birds eggs in his mouth which the keeper then smacked on both cheeks busting the eggs in his mouth. Remember getting caught scrumping by Mr Woodard in his orchard and getting whacked with his walking stick across the backside . Wonderful days great memories. I noticed that it says the LDS church in Park Close was built in 1963 this is not correct it was built in 1950 I know because I was caught by a policeman playing on the scaffolding and taken home to my dad who was not best pleased. Plenty more memories but enough for now unless anyone’s interested in more.

    By Fred Bishop (13/07/2020)
  • Hi John Feek,
    I believe I used to work with you at Godfrey Holmes way back in the late 60,s early 70.s.
    My first job, I think the manager was Mr EVANS
    Have not been on this site for years
    all best.
    Cliff Marlow.

    By clifford marlow (13/11/2020)
  • Whilst researching my family history I found that in the 1939 register my Grandfather, Arthur Best was living with my Grandmother Isobel (nee Murphy)and their Daughter Marjorie Ellen (my mother) at “2 West Drive (Falmer) Brighton”. In the register that entry follows on from Park Road. I remember going to ‘Pernois’, 2 Rushlake Road to visit my grandparents. So did West Drive become Rushlake Road as the estate developed after the war? Grandad took a bullet to the knee in WW1 and I was told ‘Pernois’ was the place where it happened in Flanders. However I can find no trace of that name anywhere!

    By Brian Johnson (11/06/2021)
  • Yes, It was West Drive when my parents moved into Coldean in March 1951. It was renamed Rushlake Road shortly afterwards. I believe it was originally named West Drive after the local farmer, Mr. West, who lived in Tudor House, Coldean Lane. The house you lived in was part of the pre-war development which ended at what is now Rushlake Close.

    By Richard Szypulski (14/06/2021)
  • I was in Coldean infant school and helped raise money for the middle hood swimming pool 1974 – 75, we did activities at school during the summer holiday. You paid to go weekly it was fun. I went up in 75 to middle school.
    I was in Mr Herman’s class upstairs end by toilets and playground then under that Mr Richards class.
    Loved the climbing frameshame it went. Was a nice school.

    By Alison Jordan (nee Stanley) (01/10/2023)

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