A wonderful new home

My own room

Around 1956/7 we moved out of Boston Street in Brighton to Shortgate Road Moulsecoomb till 1964/5, then moved to Hillside; I moved out in 1974. I remember the move as if it were yesterday. Once the removal van was loaded we drove along Lewes Road towards Moulsecoomb and we arrived mid morning. I unpacked my clock work train set and played in the front room while the removal men unloaded the van. It was a wonderful new home for me. For the first time I had my own room which we now call a box room. It was great to just flick on a switch and have an electric light come on; no more candles. After a short time I started at Moulsecoomb infants; at that time juniors & seniors all were in the same grounds.

We had an indoor toilet, and a bath with hot running water. It all seemed very strange at the beginning.

My first job

My first job was in 1966, the same year as the World Cup. I began work with a greengrocer called Strafford’s in St James’s Street. Across the road was a gents’ hairdresser, and because it was a Saturday and the World Cup was on, they installed a television set. We could just see the football from across the road; no sound of course, but better than nothing. After about 6 months in the trade I made up my mind that one day I would have my own green grocers. I fulfilled my plan in the mid 1980s, going on to start a garden & fencing business until 2006. I then started in the funeral trade till 2013; at present I am semi retired.

Do you remember?

Have you any Moulsecoomb memories to share with us? What about the World Cup – do you remember watching it – where were you? If you can share your memories with us, please leave a comment below.