Parents moved here in 1951
I was born in Rushlake Road and I lived there until I got married. My parents moved into Coldean in 1951 when the house was newly built; they were there until they died. My father was a watchmaker and lived in that house for 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.
Do you have any Coldean memories? If you can share with us, please leave a comment below.
Woods and green spaces
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 were 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.
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I seem to recall your dad repaired a cuckoo clock for us. As a youngster, that clock always fascinated me.
Shouldn’t car number plates be blurred out for security reasons?
Editor’s note: I have checked this out, and the accepted form is that regarding cars on the road or in a public place, blurring plates is not necessary as they are on view to anyone. If they are off road, on private land or a car park, then plates should be blurred.
Hi Richard. I lived in the last prefab house in the photograph. I went to Coldean school, 1958-1961, and I remember a Stephen Szypulski, was he your brother? I seem to recall that you lived between Ashburnham Drive and Twyford Road, and somewhere near there was a family called Moore?
Thats right Derek, I remember your brothers and you at the N.T.C. at Patcham. We lived at number 79 which is at the bottom of Twyford Road. The Moore family lived two doors along at 75. My sister Margaret and Stephen attended Moulsecoomb school. Sadly, Steve, died suddenly in September 2014. Margaret remembers your elder brothers at school.
I only remember Stephen, not you or your sister. I expect you are both more my brother’s ages, Christopher, who died 18 months ago, would have been 69, Raymond is 67, and I am almost 65. Margaret would remember Raymond, as he, and I, went to Moulescoomb, whereas Chris went to Patcham. I seem to recall having a good time with TS Zealous. Coming home on the bus, a lot of women got on in Crowhurst Road, having finished their shift, and we sometimes wondered if the bus would get over Carden Avenue into Coldean Lane. I live in Staffordshire now, but still get back to Coldean occasionally, as I have contact with the person living in the house. To think that those houses were built just after the Second World War as temporary houses, and are still in use today. Did you ever play in the fields behind our house, where The Byway and Walton Drive now are? There was a big mound, and one day, encouraged by older children, including Chris, I attacked a wasps nest with a metal bar. I think I was about 9 or 10. I soon discovered the wasps weren’t too happy about it, and got stung all over. I don’t know if Stephen was in my class at Coldean. I have submitted an item, “Coldean Primary/Junior school. 1960 photos”, which includes a class photo.
Derek, I was four years younger then Steve. I can remember the old ‘Chalky Bank’ as we called it. I can remember playing there before it was developed. During the building works I can recall us being chased off by irate workmen. I am sorry to hear about Chris- it is frightening when people die comparatively young!
Hey Richard – do you remember the Wrights? They lived a little way up Twyford. Stephen was a mate of mine – I often wondered what became of him. By the way, did you work for BT in Telecom House, Preston Road for a spell?
Yes Michael, I worked at B.T. between 1981 and 1985. I never really liked the organisation and moved elsewhere. Sadly, Steve Wright died in December 1994. He was only 38. I remember your family at the bottom of Forest Road. If there is anything else you would like to ask I will be glad to inform you if I can.
Hey, that’s my old house!!! Number 43, where I lived from 1960!
My dad, Ted Nelson, loved living in the prefab that was allocated to his parents. Not sire of the year. He didn’t stay long but wondering if anyone remembers him or my grandparents , Charles and Edith Nelson ? My dad was an only child but they took in lodgers and adopted a niece during war years.
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