From sheep farming to 'infills'

Originally an area of sheep farming
Mile Oak, the northern part of the parish of Portslade, was originally an area of sheep down, corn and market gardens, with small groups of farm buildings. During the early 20th century, scattered suburban housing started to creep up the valley, along with a racehorse training ground and a firing range!

Demolition of Copperas Gap
Major changes came in the 1960’s when the local authority started the demolition of the old Copperas Gap dockside community at Portslade by Sea. People were rehoused in the only open area available, high in the South Downs beyond Portslade old village. This area was already seeing considerable development of private housing , much of it in the form of bungalows.

The by-pass
The construction of the Brighton by-pass in the late 1980’s formed a physical barrier which effectively blocked off Mile Oak from access to the Downs. This limit to growth means that later housing has been in the form of denser infill schemes, such as Fox Way and Hamilton Close The area has little in the way of direct employment. It is therefore a commuter suburb of the city, but with a high proportion of self-employed tradespeople.

Comments about this page

  • I bought my first house in the very early 70s, just before the housing boom. It was a small end-of-terrace house in Thornhill Rise close to its junction with Chalky Road (I may have the road names wrong – we were only there 10 months! Note to Ed: a map on the site might help!). The house was leasehold as were most of the properties and they were all owned by one man, sold through one estate agent, and built by one buiding company. I can’t complain as I bought the house for 4,550 pounds and sold it 10 months later for 9,950! I felt very guilty as I bought a much better new house in Shoreham, semi-detached, own drive and garage plus central heating and freehold for 7,700. Could such a deal be struck today?

    By Vic Stevens (29/02/2004)
  • I grew up in Mile Oak. I remember the thatched cottage – was it on the corner of Chrisdory Road? A Mrs Painter used to live in it. I often wondered why they pulled it down. I remember the Canadian soldiers during the War; our little red bus, the baker and milkmen with their horse and cart. The rag and bone man. Broomfiels Farm was the other farm called Crosses? Kids I remember: The Wilkins twins, the Salters, Christmas girls, Daughtrys, Moores, Gebbetts, Burtenshaws, Kane brothers Thomases, Jim Smith, Jean May, Wilmshurst. I’m sure I could remember more but, for a Wrinkley, that’s not bad for a start.

    By Lynne (Abbott) Neidhardt (06/07/2004)
  • I was born in Mile Oak (in Stanley Avenue) and left the area in 1959. I went to the Girls School in Chalky Road and would love to hear from any girls who went there too in the early 50s. The names I remember are the Christmas girls, the Cothers, Anita Wilkins, Pam Harrison, just to mention a few.

    By Pat Peeters (nee Bunting) (15/07/2004)
  • I lived in Mile Oak during the 60s & 70s. I lived in Mile Oak Close – right behind the pub. We used to walk up onto the Downs through a little alleyway by some stables

    By Keith Harris (19/08/2004)
  • I see another Keith Harris lived at Mile Oak – I was there from 1982 – 1984, and also close to the Mile Oak pub. There was also a large waterspout that came ashore from Portslade and twisted through the maisonettes on Mile Oak Road before dissipating up on the Downs. No damage was caused except to a barn on the hills. Anyone remember that …?

    By Keith Harris (27/10/2004)
  • I just saw an answer from Pat Bunting. I knew Pat. Sorry I took so long to get back to the page. I did get back to Mile Oak in 2004 – Mum’s 90th birthday. It hadn’t changed too much except up by the waterworks and all of those new houses. I also remember the Salters, Thomases, Daughtreys, old Mrs Kane and her widow’s weeds, Gebbetts at the post office, Mr Figgins the greengrocer, and what about Mr Hart the butcher that used to deliver. If you gave him a cup of tea he would drink it from the saucer. That I always remember. And let’s not forget the chalk pit.

    By Lynne Abbott Neidhartd (16/01/2005)
  • I would love to know what has happened to Mile Oak School for Boys where I went from 1949 to 1952 and loved it there.

    By Terry Bayse (20/02/2005)
  • Hi Terry Bayse, I was also there from1941-44, I also loved it, the headmaster’s name at that time was Mr Beale. I also remember other teachers’ names if you’re interested.

    By Derek Marks (13/04/2005)
  • Hi Derek Marks. Of course I remember you, I remember typing the script for the panto Snow White on a typewriter at your place. Are you still living in the Portslade area?

    By Pat Peeters (nee Bunting) (24/04/2005)
  • Hello Lynne (Abbott). Talking about the Chalk Pit – do you remember the boys fitting a cable across and we used to slide over the pit? I had to be very careful as my father used to keep his eye on me through his telescope. He caught me at it once and I was grounded for a week. And what about the street parties for VE/VJ Day and the Queen’s coronation in June 1953? I still have photographs of these wonderful memories.

    By Pat Peeters (nee Bunting) (25/04/2005)
  • I left Mile Oak Road in 1971, but I had lived in the Old Village opposite the George Pub, and I would love to know if the pub is still there and what No. 36 High Street looks like now, because that is where I lived with my mum and dad from being a 3 year old child until I married in 1959.

    By Pat Burnham (nee Bentley) (26/04/2005)
  • I have lived in Mile Oak more or less all my life. As I grew up, a lot of the time my mates and me would mess around in the old chalk pits. They were located where the A27 bends towards Southwick tunnel just beside those clumps of trees. I noticed that in the trees are some outlines of a house or cottage. Even though the skeleton of the place remains, I am just curious what used to be there. I went up there for the first time in about six years just to relive some memories of what went on as kids. I noticed that someone took the pleasure of digging half the place up. There were also some rusty items all over the place. Anyone got any idea what used to be there? Does anyone know about the history of the site? I noticed also that the old burnt out barn has been demolished. Does anyone know when that come down?

    By Greg (06/05/2005)
  • Do you know anything about Mile Oak Stables? My greatgrandfather, Rowland Stapley aka Farmer Rowland, worked there in the early 1900’s. He appears in the census of 1901. He died after being kicked by a horse, I don’t know his date of death but it is prior to 1925. Any suggestions of where I might find this information? Thanks.

    By Mike Stapley (07/05/2005)
  • Hello Pat Bunting, I do not remember that but I do remember us all getting into large round-like drums open on both ends and rolling down the hill in the chalk pit. Also my mum (she’s 92) told me the other day when we were talking about Mile Oak that she went looking for me at the chalk pit and she could hear some one calling ‘Mum – Mum’. T’was I caught by my navy knickers on the barbed wire – and I was stuck there. Those were the days, I’m surprised that there were no serious accidents. Cheers from Idaho, USA.

    By Lynne Abbott Neidhardt (22/05/2005)
  • I lived in Portslade for 20 years and a great 20 years it was. I am now 33 and Portslade / Mile Oak history interests me a great deal. Can anyone point me in the right direction on information on the firing range that was used in WWII? I have already found quite a bit of info about the ROC outposts dotted over the Downs and the firing range is my last quest. Thank you for a really excellent site.

    By Andy Burtenshaw (22/08/2005)
  • Hello again Pat Bunting, you are welcome to contact me marks.dj@blueyonder.co.uk

    By Derek Marks (23/08/2005)
  • In response to the query about the boys’ school, I’m not sure but I know that the Sixth Form Centre used to be a boys’ school…

    By Dawn (09/09/2005)
  • Reference the firing range: it used to be our play ground for many years. I left the area in 1958 to join the army and last time I saw the range it was totally overgrown and fenced off. One forgets that trees grow, fences move and scenerey changes but old Mile Oak can still be seen in the centre of all the housing growth.

    By John E D Cother (28/10/2005)
  • I was born and stayed until age 18 at 1 Beechers Road, one of the three Cother kids. My dad was Capt. Pat, he died this year age 92 in Central Florida. I have returned to Mile Oak several times, and hate the growth I know needs to happen. I attended St. Nicholas’ Infant and Junior and then Portslade Girls School, in Chalky Lane, Mile Oak. Was a terror at school. I remember Pat Bunting, she was friends with my sister Pat. I remember the Elliots, Denmans, Fisher, Heinz, Patchings, Abbots, Fishers, Bakers, Mr. and Mrs Coombs, Earls, David Scott was a close friend of my brother John. Attended Sunday school at the old tin hut; Father John, then Father Gill. Sister Holland taught classes also. The jumble sales, the wonderful Ms. Stamford, living on Mile Oak Road, was always a help to all. The street parties, so many memories and more.

    By Veronica Bentley (was Bonny Cother) (08/11/2005)
  • My famly have lived in Mile Oak since 1948 – opposite the pub the Birdcalls. Does any one remember Bert Brundle’s pig farm or Henry Earl the greengrocer or the secret cave at the chalk pit?

    By Gerald Birchall (10/11/2005)
  • The old Canadian log house at the end of Christory Road, and the then Mile Oak terminal for the 15B bus, was the interesting home of Mrs & Mr. Painter. An apple orchard was on the opposite corner, with a huge silver birch tree on the corner of the orchard. The bus stopped by the tree then reversed back up Christory Road to wait for those wishing to ride out of Mile Oak for Portslade, Hove and/or Brighton. Chris and Dorothy were the names apparently of the Painter’s two daughters, so presumably, they owned the road which took a part of their names. I know the Elliots used to live on this road; Mary, Ann and David (I think). Fred Elliot was a family friend of my parents and a community figure. The small estate of Mile Oak, with streets named after the horse connection, of the stables at the bottom end of Beechers Road and Mile Oak Road, at the bus stop called Hole in the Wall. The small row of shops, enough for the neighborhood during the 40s-50s. Then behind Joan and Ray Stamford’s little black wooden house on Mile Oak Road opposite the end of Sefton Road, was a flower nursery. Mum used to send me there on Saturday mornings with 5 shillings to purchase flowers for the church. The Thomas family lived in the two storey houses opposite our home; Paul, Peter, Joy, Marion and baby Gretta. They immigrated to Australia I believe while I was still young. I remember also a family with the surname Lyons, apparently during the last year of the War, our family used to go to their house. I vaguely remember the staircase and playing in the cupboard under the stairs. I know there were many families in Mile Oak; the children were a vibrant part of my childhood summer vacations. Those from around the bottom of our ‘block’ would gather with bikes, scooters, whatever and races around the block were a fun event. The chalk pit behind the houses facing Mile Oak Road, and Chalky Lane, was off limits to me and my age group. Although I heard tales of fun there, it did look a dangerous place to play. During the snow times, it was fun to go up on the Downs opposite the row of shops, with our sledge and join the other families, risking all to glide down the steep slope towards the barbed wire fence. Dad built a large sledge and painted in bright yellow, it had brass runners on it. Once the pub was built life changed in our quiet neighborhood. People used to stay out later in the evening, and I recall a Welsh man who boarded with our neighbour coming home really late at night, it seemed, singing to himself, obviously very drunk. Walking to school during the times the buses could not run because of the snow on the hill out of Portslade and the steep hill down into Mile Oak, was fun. David Scott and my brother John, used to toss me into the deep snow drifts on the sides of the roads. Valley Road was still a dream away. We would trudge to school to find a large chalk board notifying us that the school was closed due to the toilets being frozen..and we then trudged back home. I have a photo of the class of Ms. Thomas at St. Nicholas Jr. around 1954/55. I met up with some of my old class mates a few years back. Julie Christmas life-time friend, from Mile Oak, and I have stayed in contact throughout the years. She told me of our girls’ school reunion. It was fun to look at our junior school photo and realize as one said, the boys are all old men now! Colin, Robin, Alan, Derek, Roger, and so many more. I regret leaving Mile Oak, but life changes and rearranges us as we grow. I love returning, and yet it seems to have grown smaller, the streets once so huge, the homes so big. Now it really is like toy town, the old center. When once coming down the hill into Mile Oak on the bus, my dad said, “look Bonny, the lights look like fairy town”… I always believed my dad. I have lived in Australia, and now in Central Florida, USA…but there really is truth to the old saying: There is no place like home. No matter how it is disguised with new buildings and the heart of the past buried in growth and newness, Mile Oak is still my ‘home roots’. Memories abound, singing carols, joining in the fun of bonfire nights, and dancing round the huge community bonfire. How many remember their mums working the land? My mum was one, we kids used to play around the old black sheds, with sticky sandwiches for lunch and warm fizzy drinks. I could go on for ages, as my mind replays the hazy, lazy, crazy days of youth and innocence in Mile Oak after WWII. I remember at the bottom of our street the first council houses were built on the bombed (I think) site of the stables. The Evans family, Patchings, and others moved in, new to the area but soon becoming a part of the life there. Bobby Patching became owner/operator of a butcher’s shop. I believe his son now owns a hotel in a country town not so far away. Oh, the film slide in my mind of memories, rolls on. I best quit. For anyone who does remember me, the youngest Cother kid, email me at aussigal1@yahoo.com, would love to hear from you.

    By Bonny Cother -Veronica Bentley (10/11/2005)
  • To the person who inquired of Mr. Earle the greengrocer: His daughter Pauline is married to David Scott and lives in a bungalow that belonged to the Rowlands, just two along from the row of shops. We went to school together when the Earles took over the vegetable store. Thanks for bringing a great web page to life, I am going to submit photos this weekend.

    By Bonny Cother -Veronica Bentley (11/11/2005)
  • Is there anyone out there who has any photos at all of the Mile Oak Approved School for Boys, i wonder? I was there on and off between 1971-73.

    By Steve Howat (14/11/2005)
  • How lovely to see the Mile Oak page I have so enjoyed reading it. I’m Julie, the youngest of the Christmas girls. I was born and bred in Stanley Avenue in 1944, as my sisters before me, though Di was born in Southlands Hospital. Mum and Dad (so the story goes) chose the site where number 45 was built because there were donkeys under the pine trees. Two of the trees still remain, one was felled as it was said to be dangerous. Mum was a trained Nanny and was working for the Preston Family who owned the stables (paddocks) of racing horses which was near the farm I believe. I remember the MORA do’s we used to have in the field at the bottom of Stanley, and the wonderful exciting socials held in the hall of the Good Shepherd ‘in hut’ always waiting to be asked to dance but usually ending up dancing with my sister or Veronica (Bonny). Both my sisters remain well: Benny in Mile Oak and Diane in Hove. Our darling Mum lived there till she died in 1990. I look forward to reading more news. Best wishes to all our friends of Mile Oak.

    By Julie Lay (nee Christmas) (16/11/2005)
  • Now all three of us have made contact. What memories flood back. Lynne and I were in Miss Taylor’s class when first attending Portslade Girls School.

    By Patricia Bragg (alias Paddy Cother) (24/11/2005)
  • What happy days they were; social events in the church hall and the beautiful countryside. I could go on all day.

    By Diana Christmas (07/12/2005)
  • Steve Howat: I have a postcard of the entrance to The Approved school.

    By Tony Clevett (20/12/2005)
  • Have got in touch with the mile Oak girls. How wonderful to stir up memories. Any of you remember that American plane coming down in the field across from the girls school???

    By Lynne Abbott Neidhardt (08/01/2006)
  • Just to let you know that the old Boys’ School in Mile Oak is still there and is still part of Portslade Community College (the old Girls’ School). It is currently being used as the Sixth Form Centre. I attended the school and the Sixth form from 1995-2003. The old buildings out in the play ground have subsequently been knocked down and the land has been sold off to housing developers. I lived in Winfield Close from 1991-1998 and my grandparents still live in Portslade. They first lived in no.83 Valley Road, Ruby and James (Jim) Martin. My father is Paul. They now live in one of the bungalows along North Lane behind Valley Road.

    By James Martin (15/01/2006)
  • I lived in Mile Oak during the 50s and 60s and have many happy memories of it and sometimes go back to visit. We only left because my mother was ill and my dad wanted her near him above the garage he ran in Brunswick Street East. I went to all the schools there the last one being Portslade Secondary School. I lived at 279 Mile Oak Road at the top of Chalky Road (it was chalky then!) and my friends were Ian Ferguson, Peter White, Phil Burton to name but a few. I remember our headmaster ‘Buff’ Beale – he scared the hell out of me! And our PE teacher was Mr Slack (with his slipper), Mr Faulkner was our excellent Art teacher and I can still see the faces of some whose name I have forgotten! I remember the chalkpit behanind my house and the cave and cooking fried eggs up there (how did we do it?). And other happy memories are the fail up near the park opposite the Girls’ School on the big flat area (now full of houses and flats) and the big bonfire they had every 5th November. The park looks much smaller to me these days….? I remember playing in the new community hall or health centre as it was just foundations to start with and myself and Ian Ferguson ‘explored’ it, and Phil Burton too. We often went ‘up the trees’ onto the Downs and up to the horses and even rode the ponies up above the chalkpit; Mock Begga, Ajax and Welshy, there was a fast little grey up there too – forgotten her name. The girls who ran it were Lynder and Diane Dumblton. I later joined the Household Cavalry and rode horses on cerimonial duties for a living!

    By Paul Edwards (28/02/2006)
  • I would be really interested in meeting or talking to anyone who knew me. I saw Gerald Birtchel’s name and would love to talk to him if he rememebers. We used to play together back in the 60s.

    By Paul Edwards (279 Mile Oak Road) (02/03/2006)
  • Yes I agree – Mile Oak is not as nice as it was back in 50s and 60s. I know folk have to have somewhere to live but over building has spoiled it, I feel. The mish-mash of different styles up Chalky Road and the bottom of Graham Avenue for instance. It is where we used to play – I can still rememebr the sensation of being pushed down Valley Road shops by my mum in my pushchair – it’s changed little and I’m now 52!

    By Paul Edwards (06/03/2006)
  • Clare Green’s excellent book ‘Portslade’ is well worth a look (and a buy). It has some excellent pictures of the Boys’ Secondary School (now Brighton Community College) which I and my friend went to up till about 1969. There are pictures of it as a manor house with gardens and lawns. I went into the school a few years ago and the pictures of us ‘old boys’ are still hanging on the wall in the top corridor!

    By Paul Edwards (07/03/2006)
  • Both Fred and Cissy Elliot of Chrisdory Road, have now passed on, Mrs Elliot in March. There are pictures existing of the Mile Oak Pub, showing Butcher’s garage in the distance, the row of shops opposite, looking up Oakdene Ave before the pavements were laid. And one of what is now the Community College, standing in isloation from any surrounding housing, when Chalky Road was still just a farm track.

    By Robin Hurst (17/03/2006)
  • This site makes super reading, many names come up that I can relate to! Please keep it going as It brings back so many good memories of my years, from the age of ten, that I spent in Mile Oak.

    By Dave Barcock (20/03/2006)
  • I am sorry to hear of Fred and Cissy Elliot’s death, my parents were good friends with them, not only in Mile Oak, but before their wedding days…way back when. I remember Mary, Ann and David Elliot also.

    By Bonny Cother -Veronica Bentley (06/04/2006)
  • Hi to Paul Edwards, I too joined the Household Cavalry from Mile Oak at 18 (1958), but I was on the armoured side of things. Having lived in Coventry then Southampton since then I still feel the pull to visit Mile Oak, particularly from the hill above to view the original part of the hamlet we called home.

    By John E D Cother (12/04/2006)
  • Beautiful in the Sixties – shame to hear its been built up. I used to work around there. My mate courted a girl called Hazel Ward – does anyone remember her about 1962?

    By Bud (21/04/2006)
  • Since finding this web page and reading comments and adding a few, I have recalled more memories of a wonderful childhood. My mother was one of many who worked the land, for Broomfields farm. I remember the huge field sloping down from Mile Oak Road to the then Chalky Lane…no Valley Road at that time. There was an old black caravan type shed used to store workers’ raincoats, lunch packs etc. We kids would play around the caravan, making up our own games, or sleeping. No electronic games in those days. I have met up via the internet with a friend from those days, 60 years ago now. Seems an age. It is so much fun to recount memories of our childhood and teen years before life moved us on our way and out of Mile Oak and surrounding district.

    By Bonny Cother -Veronica Bentley (30/04/2006)
  • Greg: reference to your note about the burnt out barn (5/05). The remains are of an old milking parlour which were derilict when the barn burnt down. Although several of us went to see the fire, we were not responsable. It must be about 45 years ago.

    By Dave Spicer (30/04/2006)
  • Fantastic site. Would the Dave Spicer (04/06) be from Beechers Road next to my great uncle and aunt, Alf and Pearl Penfold? Further to his info on the farm buildings to the east of the tunnel: As I remember it they consisted of a two or three terraced, single storey dwelling; a well enclosed by a stone hut type building; a pig stye like area; a Dutch Barn and another building which could well have been a milking shed but when we played there I think it was used for storing hay. We certainly got into some scrapes there, looking back some were incredibly stupid. No fear at that age. I am suprised that Mr Bennet and Mr Hunt from Portslade Secondary School haven’t had a mention yet. They were prolific users of the ‘slipper’. My first introduction to this school was, I think, a French lesson in which the teacher had to leave us unattended. His warning was that anybody who talked whilst he was absent would be punished. He returned and asked who had talked while he was away. I think a couple of hands went up and one was selected to go to the Annexe to get the head teacher and his ‘slipper’. They then split the class in two for a mass ‘slippering’ session on the understanding that those who owned up were ‘slippered’ for talking and the rest of us for not owning up.Those were the days and it certainly got our attention for future classes. If my memory serves me correctly they were pretty good teachers as well.

    By Dave Phillips (10/05/2006)
  • I remember very well some of the incredibly stupid things mentioned by Dave Phillips (catapult fights, firing flaming roman candles at each other, etc. etc.) I’m amazed that no one ever seemed to get seriously hurt. I still see Mr Hunt, one of my ex teachers from Portslade Secondary School, from time-to-time. The last time, about four weeks ago, he was with his wife in Station Road and he still looked pretty much the same to me as he did when he taught us. Bearing in mind that I left the school in 1964, it must just be we’ve all grown older at exactly the same rate! I also remember Mr Bennett, the deputy head master and keeper of FIDO (the dreaded size 12, or so it seemed, slipper that was unbelievably flexible and painful). Catching the whole class talking after leaving them alone for a while was one of his favourite tricks. He did it to us once, also during a French lesson, and when no one would either own up to talking nor squeal on the others. He had the whole class out one by one and gave us three strokes each. He tired a bit towards the end and the whole episode became a good laugh all round. But he let us know who was the boss and it didn’t happen again ( i.e. we didn’t get caught again!). I also have to say that I agree with David about the quality of those teachers and all the other teachers at the school. (The only exception being a young Welshman by the name of Mr Jones – an English teacher, and I use the term teacher loosely when it comes to him. I seem to recall that even the other teaching staff wanted little to do with him and left after his first year.) Very often at the time the teachers seemed a real pain in the backside but, looking back on it now, they taught us to the best of our limits and instilled in most of us a degree of pride and a sense of respect for others. They tried their hardest to give us all the best possible start in life that they could. It wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination and for that I can’t thank them enough.

    By Alan Phillips (18/05/2006)
  • Having just found this site and reading Dave Phillps memories of ‘Basher Bennet’s’ famous slippering sessions, I could not help but smile. I well remember the account Dave gives of when we were left alone in class and eventually all got the slipper from Messers Bennet and Hunt. I couldn’t sit down properly for the rest of the day, but hey, we pushed our luck, and it ran out. Just think of that happening today!! Anyone out there remember the fantastic cricket and football matches we had in Easthill Park and the old park keeper, Bill Woyin? What about the 6th Hove Scout Group, had some good times there as well. All I know is, it was great to be a kid in those times.

    By Paul Laskey (21/06/2006)
  • I’m so pleased to come across the Mile Oak site with so many memories of my childhood. I was born, and lived all my life, at 26 Beechers Road from 1948 until leaving to start work away from home in 1966. Mile Oak was still very small at that time bounded by the Mile Oak Road and Stanley Avenue and stretching between Foxhunters Road and Chrisdory Road. It was still isolated and was surrounded by countryside and fields. The only solid link to Portslade in those days was the Mile Oak Road and the houses on the east side for some of the way. The road dropping down the hill into Mile Oak was much narrower then and I remember the twinkling lights of the village as seen from the bus, as mentioned by (Bonny Cother – Veronica Bentley, 10-11-2005). Stanley Avenue South was unmade and had the biggest puddles in the whole village as it was the lowest point. It was often almost impossible to get through them on foot or bike. The Wickhurst Rise area was a large cornfield. Chalky Road was just a track leading out into the fields to a place we called the dump where rats lived. We heard stories of how the rats would jump for your throat if cornered so we always took big sticks with us to fight them off in case we were attacked. Further out was New England Farm with farm buildings and a huge hay barn in which children had dug tunnels so you could go right inside the hay. The Good Shepherd tin church and attached church hall had fields beyond. I remember my Mum would take my brother Adrian and myself up to the Mile Oak Farm where we used to stand at a gate and watch the cows come in the yard for milking. I can still recall the noise of the milking machines humming away in the sheds. When we were older we would sometimes be sent on our bikes to buy wonderful fresh eggs from the farmhouse. The old waterworks just before the farm had a push button tap on the outside wall near the road where you could get a drink. The water works was rebuilt and enlarged around the mid 1950s and the displaced earth was piled high to the side of the new site. We called this place the Chalky Mountains. We used to go there to ride our bikes or catch lizards and slow worms which we caught from under undisturbed corrugated iron sheets on the grass. I was fascinated to hear the story of how Chrisdory Road got it’s name, I remember the old thatched cottage on the corner and how the bus used to reverse back into Chrisdory and park there ready for its return journey to Brighton. I recall one icy winter’s day watching the bus back up into Chrisdory, apply its brakes, then slide on the ice back into the middle of the Mile Oak Road. I remember David and John Spicer at 30 Beechers Road (are you the Dave Spicer of (Dave Spicer, 30-04-2006)?) and I remember Douglas Moody (and his elder brother Edwin) at number 22. Is Dave Phillips of (Dave Phillips, 10-05-2006 ) the David Phillips I used to know on the Mile Oak Road near the ‘hole in the wall’ bus stop? Your description of the slipperings from Messrs Bennet and Hunt were so painfully true. Did they honestly expect us all to keep quiet for so long when they left the class unattended, there would always be one boy who would start the ball rolling and within a few minutes a riot would be in full swing. It almost seemed as if the teachers took delight in leaving us for such a time! Did you go on a day trip to Calais (or was it Bologne) with Mr Bennet? I took a tape recorder with me and still have the tape of Mr Bennet warning us not to buy watches from any street vendors and telling us not to be surprised if we find a lady cleaning in the gents toilets. Do you remember when we fixed up a baked bean tin and string ‘telephone’ across the gardens between our houses? It didn’t work though because the string passed though the branches of a tall tree half way across. I remember a small white ice cream van would come around Mile Oak every Sunday afternoon after lunch time. It would park just down the road from us in Beechers Road and the driver would call out “Choc-aye-dee” to attract attention. I remember a small police box on the corner of Sefton Road and Stanley Avenue. Also in Stanley Avenue was a siren on a tall post, which would be sounded once a week. Presumably this was used during the War. I now live in Reading but occasionally visit Mile Oak. The noise from the bypass has spoilt the peaceful character of the area, the roar of traffic from the road passing through near the farm, which used to be so idyllic, is the unfortunate price Mile Oak has had to pay for the convenience of modern transport. But fortunately my peaceful childhood memories of Mile Oak still remain with me.

    By Christopher Pratt (chris@clpratt.co.uk) (17/08/2006)
  • I lived in Wickhurst Road between 1958 and 1968 – does anyone remember Sally and Jennie? We both live in Germany, myself for 36 years.

    By Sally Murar (nee Bowman) (04/09/2006)
  • Hi Christopher – yes I am the Dave Phillips who lived in Mile Oak Road just along from the ‘Hole in the Wall’. I remember the tin ‘n string telephone saga well. I have been back a few times and actually had a shop in Graham Avenue for a while and, as somebody else remarked, the roads have definitely shrunk. If you go to Places > Schools > Portslade County you will see one of our class photos.

    By Dave Phillips (04/09/2006)
  • Hi,
    I went to Mile Oak School for boys, I loved it but was horrified to find out it was an Approved School for Boys.  Guess nothing was explained in those days or to young to men.   Was Mr Caine the last headmaster?  I remember Mr Yates, Mr Duncan, Mrs Jane, Mr Etoch, Mr Smith, Miss Diane.  Also school mates in Lewis house who were Owen, Wayne, Sam, Mansels, Rainbow, Allen, to many to list. Can’t explain how gutted I was on going back home to find it was demolished.  My heart just sank! I’d be really grateful should anyone have any photos I could have a copy of.  All the best

    By David Reader (23/09/2006)
  • I remember so many of the things mentioned above and a lot of the people. I used to live in 42 Beechers Road, with Mum and Dad and my brother Bob. Dad used to be the butcher in the shop next to the Mile Oak Inn, he died a long time ago.  My brother Bob used to run The Star Inn at Steyning, he was there for many years and has now retired from the pub trade.  I used to go around with Lorraine Finlayson, Susan Oldham, Leslie Hamilton, and Linda Cheal. Does anyone remember Father Christmas on Christmas Day?  He used to come around to the children to give them a present. He had a horse and cart and was accompanied by his many helpers.  Mr Ward used to be Father Christmas and my Dad used to be the big Indian that helped him. Mile Oak has certainly expanded, it was best when there were just the five roads, it was a real community atmosphere then.

    By Marjorie Patching (26/09/2006)
  • I lived in Mile Oak from 1966-1972 and spent a very happy childhood there.  I was only 10 when we moved so my memory is quite selective, and it was mostly sunny!  I remember Chalky Road which was a chalk track and the playing field where I would hang upside down on the climbing frame above the concrete.  I remember the milk farm, in particular the smell.  I  remember the out of bounds ‘adder hump’ where I used to hang out all day hoping to see an adder; but all we saw was the farmer who would tell us off,.  There was the dump where I found an old clock and hid my secret box of different coloured sherbet I bought in Mile Oak Road. I remember the school playing field in summer, and the shops, where I would buy a packet of Golden Wonder crisps on my way to school.  I also remember the snow in 1966. We lived in Thornhill Way, a cul-de sac at the top.  Behind us were just open fields for a while, until even more chalet bungalows were built which then became a great place to play.  I remember climbing up planks on the building sites.  I bet you couldn’t do that nowadays at the age of seven!

    By Debra Miles (29/09/2006)
  • Hello David Reader. You write that you also went to Mile Oak school for boys. I’m afraid it must have been quite some time after I left, because the names you gave of the teachers are all new to me. I was there from 1946 to 1950.  I am sure it was much more strict then, than when you were there. There were no such thing as lady teachers when I was there. trevorwhitworth@hotmail.com

    By trevor whitworth (04/10/2006)
  • Hello Marjorie Patching. I can vividly remember your father as the big Indian with Father Xmas.  I have a black and white photograph taken (about 1953/4) of me with both your father and Mr Ward as Father Xmas.  If you could let me have your e-mail address I will scan it and send it to you. My e-mail address is: ppd@hetnet.nl

    By Pat Peeters nee Bunting (05/10/2006)
  • A little note to Marjorie Patching and her comments about her father and brother.  I knew both your Dad and brother Bob very well, Bob was a friend. For about two years, I worked for your Dad on a Saturday all day, delivering the meat orders using a big old black bicycle with (what seemed) a massive basket on the front.  This held all the wrapped up meat for delivery around, mainly Mile-Oak.   Then I would go back to the shop to help out and – clean up at the end of the day, a job I was not too keen on! This did not make me a ‘rich lad’ but it was most enjoyable. I too remember ‘Father Christmas’ coming round.  These are beautiful times to remember – I wish today could be something of the same (albeit I wouldn’t like to pedal a bike around delivering meat!).  As I have said before, this site is ‘BRILLIANT’ keep it going please -and thanks to all concerned with making it a pleasure to read.

    By Dave Barcock (09/10/2006)
  • Good day everyone!  Have only just found this site. Like to say ‘Hello’ to Bonny, Paddy, John Cother, Brenda, Diane and Julie Christmas, also Lynn Abbot. I used to live in Sefton Road, with Mum, Dad and my sisters Jean and Sandra (deceased) from 1940-1953.

    By Alan Lyon (01/12/2006)
  • Hello. I am new to the area and am fascinated by the buildings in Drove Road (I think that’s the name). It is the road that starts with Le Carbone. On the opposite side of the street to Le Carbones there are various iron plinths juting out from the walls which, at first sight, look like they might have been to support some kind of pully system. Does anyone know what businesses were originally there?

    By Tim Stallwood (03/12/2006)
  • Hello Tim. Ref “LE CARBON”: Before the War this was a French owned factory producing electrial batteries. They may have made other items. My father was employed there for a short time in the 1930s. I believe during the war years a light ack-ack gun was mounted on the roof, probably a Bofors gun. They certainly had a ‘fire watching’ team up there.

    By A. Lyon (08/12/2006)
  • Thank you for your information Alan. Would you also be able to confirm that there was a brewery along that street as well? It would make sense with the two pubs so close by.

    By Tim Stallwood (10/12/2006)
  • Regarding the query by Tim Stallwood in relation to the building in Drove Road. This is an old malthouse and belonged to the Brewery built by John Dudley in 1851. The hoists were steam directed and lifted the malt from the wagons parked underneath. This malthouse is now a Grade II listed building. My grandfather lived in the first house (number 33) in Drove Road, adjacent to the malthouse. When I was a youngster (later 40s early 50s) this malthouse was used as a factory of some kind.

    By Pat Peeters nee Bunting (17/12/2006)
  • Hello Alan Lyon.  I remember your house, and playing there. My brother and sister would remember going to your house for safety during the war. My mother often spoke of your mum who must have been a good friend to her.  I am going to send a copy of your note to my sister Paddy and brother John.  Sorry to hear about your sister.
    By the way, the Christmas girls are all well: Brenda lives locally to Mile Oak, Diane lives in Hove and Julie in Brighton – we have remained good friends through the years.

    By Bonny Cother - Veronica Bentley (18/12/2006)
  • Hello Trevor Whitworth. Just seen your reply. I’m sure it wasn’t the same in your day. Mr Caine was the last headmaster of the school as far I know. Mr Yates was the oldest teacher there at the time, always called us by our surname followed by ‘boy’ – “Reader boy”.  The women were not so much teachers but called house mothers – also had house fathers. I’m refering to Lewis House which was a new part of the school and had a library behind it with class rooms. We did play in the court yard, one door leading to showers off the hallway, the other side led to nit lady/med room, laundry, kitchen and dining hall. All corridors led to stairs and dorms. In the court yard were the loos, next to that it led to an outside alley to Green House in the main school, Pevensey House and Arundle. There was wire mesh all over the windows of the court yard where we used to play headers. In your day I guess the sandstone arch with oak door that led to the hallway below a small belfrey, was open? But during the time I spent there it was locked and a display cabinet was on the other side with all the old school trophies in. Mr Yates would tell of when the boys in ‘his day’ were led everywhere single file and a cuff up the side of the head was standard, even whilst I was there. We used to go to the triangles and watch the mullet swimming about. When I went back the school was gone, swimming and gym were still there as well as Lewis House etc. The bonfire nights were something to remember – used to be a huge guy we made and a huge fire that even the locals would see. Bullying was rife as in most schools. It just seemed that whereever we went, the school was there, you could see it from Forthaven, see it from the airfield, see it for miles on the Downs. If anyone should have a spare photo or copy please let me know. All the best Trevor.

    By D. Reader (20/12/2006)
  • Happy new year to all ex Mile Oakers and staff of the My Brighton & Hove excellent website. Would love to hear from anybody who remembers me from the Mile oak days and Portslade secondary school for boys (left it in 1969 – seems a million years ago now!) I left Mile oak reluctantly back in about 1965 due to my mothers illness – but still go back occasionally.

    By Paul Edwards (31/12/2006)
  • Pat, Thank you for your detailed information. I am now in search of a book that may have some pictures of old Portslade back in the sixties and fifties.

    By Tim Stallwood (06/01/2007)
  • Hi Tim – with reference to the two pubs together, The Stag and The George, I think they were called. I am not sure about the brewery, I feel there might have been. One of the local suppliers was Tamplins of Kemp Town. I believe there was also another pub on the other side of the village next to the shops, just down from the park.

    By Alyon (07/01/2007)
  • Hello once again Tim.
    I have two books in my possession, one by Judy Middleton called Portslade – ISBN 0-7509-1460-2 (1997) and A Pictorial Picture of Portslade by Claire Green (1994) ISBN 0 85033 8883. These books give me much pleasure and show many photographs (especially that of Judy Middleton), not only of the area but also of many prominent Portslade people of years gone by.

    By Pat Peeters nee Bunting (07/01/2007)
  • Hello Bonny. Sorry about the time in replying, had trouble with the computer. Our family moved to mile to Mile Oak in 1940, from Tillson Street, in Kemp Town, Brighton,after the house was straffed by machine gun fire and an adjacent garage was bombed. Our residence at that time was the first bungalow in Sefton Road, opposite Dave Scott’s place.

    By alyon (07/01/2007)
  • Thank you Alan. So when did you move into the two storey house in Sefton?
    David Scott still lives in Mile Oak. Do you remember the Figgins who had the greengrocer shop before Mr. Earle? (who came long after you had left) Well, they lived on Mile Oak Road, just two doors from the alleyway, between shops and bungalows. That is the house, David and his wife Pauline live in. I went to school with Pauline. Last class reunion I met up with David and his mother.
    contact me aussigal1@yahoo.com – I can put you in touch with my sister and brother, who both live in England.

    By Bonny Cother-Veronica Bentley (08/01/2007)
  • I grew up in Mile Oak from 1946 – 1963 and have many fond memories of my childhood. We lived at 35 Beechers Road. Have been back several times to see the changes with Mum and Dad. Dad sadly died in 2005. Mum is now 91 but is very frail. Looking through the various comments I remember many names – Christopher Pratt whose Dad worked with my Dad on the West Pier, Marjorie Patching whos family lived opposite, Julie Christmas, Susan Hamilton and many more. Mile Oak has changed. It is not the sleepy little village it once was, and I like to remember it that way.

    By Jill Mundy nee Washington (09/01/2007)
  • I have so many memories of Mile Oak. I remember the summer of 1976 when I at the age of 11 would go to the bakers shop in Graham Avenue and get a strawberry milkshake from the machine outside – even a packet of oxo crisps by golden wonder. I lived at 45 Stanley Avenue with my nan and mum (Di). It was safe in those days to go onto the downs and wander for hours. I remember the shops in Mile Oak road starting with the Off Lcence owned by Doreen and Bunny, then the Newsagents, Mr and Mrs Scotcher, then Mr earle…even handy stores with Bonny. What about Vivo?! Den and Joan.
    What a lovely site – I will visit often. Helen Michael aged 41 and a half now..

    By Helen Michael (04/02/2007)
  • Mile Oak Approved School closed in 1977. Mr Kane was the head at the time with Mr Fordham and Mr Steer as the other senior members of staff. Mr Yates (Jasper) was still there. Other Teachers in the years prior to closure included, Messrs. Bailey, Shields, Clements, Eatock, Clark, Hughes and Newey. Members of the Care Staff included Messrs. Ambrose, Hammond, Lewis, Wright, Duncan, White and Mr Stingemore who was i/c Care. I recently visited the site and only the new school block (now boarded up) and Lewes House are still evident. The remains of the old swimming pool can be seen. The playing field is still undeveloped, and it is possible to run the old cross country course. What a shame there is not a published pictorial record of such a magnificent building.

    By Steve Redhead (12/02/2007)
  • This is a lovely site. I have been the the Vicar here for the past 17 years and, have also, seen many changes.
    Many of the people you mention I have known or still know. I have sadly had to officiate at many of the ‘old mileoakns’ funerals, notable Fred and Ciss Elliott’s.
    The Church (built after the demise of the ‘Old Tin Hut’ (so fondly remembered) is very active here in Mile Oak. I have officiated at over a thousand baptisms (not all on the same day!) – hence ‘nappy valley’.
    When I sit quietly in the Church, I can see the faces of all those lovely parishioners that have passed on – lovely kind people. I can hear their laughter and see them talking together in the quietness of my mind’s eye.
    Many are still here – the Beards, Brian Rowland (Ann sadly died). Joyce Jenner (her Peter died), Glad Finnlayson (Jock died) – Lorraine (Glad’s daughter) is quite poorly.
    The Christmas’s were so much part of this Church (the family have since moved on, but I still see Bunny who lives in Carden Court, Chalky Road. I remember their mother Phyllis who sadly died – such a lovely lady.
    Sadly, also the Church and it’s grounds, suffers from vandalism and we do not always have a Police Presence to deter those who wish to ruin this lovely community. May God Bless you all. Father Peter Vicar of the Good Shepherd, Mile Oak, Portslade.
    p.s. The Church here was consecrated a Parish Church by the then Bishop of Chichester, The Rt. Revd. Eric Kemp, in 1994. This changed our ‘status’ from that of Conventional District to a fully fledged Parish Church.

    By Father Peter Clegg. (22/02/2007)
  • I read with interest the updated family histories from the vicar of Mile Oak church. Sad to read of the vandalism, I used to love attending the old tin church, every Sunday morning, with Sister Holland ministering to us, Father John, and then Father Gill, with Father Adams at the Old Village church, a big man, with a friendly smile. I was sad to see Ann Rowland has passed, I remember we had many chats, after her marriage to Brian. My mother moved out of Mile Oak many years ago now, but for 17 years I lived at 1 Beechers Road, my father was away on the sea for most of my growing up time. Captain Patrick C. Cother, and for a while the captain of Errol FLynn’s yacht Zaca. I am now narrating a manuscript of his life as the Master/Captain of the Zaca, with never before seen photos of Errol Flynn and family. I loved Mile Oak, in the old days, the community life there, the church hall and many socials that brought all together. I am sorry to read that Lorraine Finlayson is not doing so good. Life does go on, but the memories of extended summer evenings, playing in the streets, rarely a car on the road and parents chatting over the fences, that was life in the slow lane. I have attended one service at the new church, when Phyllis Christmas returned from her trip to stay with me in Perth, West Australia, we had such a fun three months. She was a wonderful woman, and her three girls are truely the best friends one can have.

    By Bonny Cother-Veronica Bentley (19/03/2007)
  • Hello Mr Dreader. Now what does D stand for ? Would it be David. I read your reply about Mile Oak approved school. It was nice to hear from some one who was there. But we did not cross paths owing to us being there different times. As I commented before, I was there from October 10th 1946 to Easter 1950. So house names and teachers had changed exept Mr yates who I remember very well as he was our coach in football, But very strict. I think I was one of his favourite boys. Although I had a couple of clips from him. It would be interresting to hear more from you how the school changed and what years you were there, or anyone else. So I will call you Dave for now. My email address is trevorwhitworth@hotmail.com Regards Trevor whitworth

    By Anonymous (23/03/2007)
  • I have a lot of family history connected to Mile Oak, my paternal great grandmother (Elizabeth Wells) used to own the approved school for boys, and my maternal great grandfather (Henry Broomfield) used to own Broomfields farm. I would love to know if anyone has any recollections of them.

    By Pam Evans (26/03/2007)
  • My grandad Sid Christmas was one of the first men to build their house in Stanley Avenue. I grew up in Mile Oak. I cant forget some of the wonderful memories I have. I went up to Mile Oak recently and it was so quiet still – even with the bypass not far away. if I closed my eyes for just a second i could be back in 1973 again! Bonny – can I get in touch with you? Helen(O’Carroll)

    By Helen Michael (04/04/2007)
  • I am looking for either Allen or Jeannette Parson who lived in Valley Road, Upper Portslade. Their Dad’s name was Len, Mum’s name, May – they were my uncle and auntie. I am their cousin and I live in Australia. Someone might see this message and know where they are living now and pass it on to them.

    By Patricia Finneran (nee Morley (10/04/2007)
  • Would anyone know of a big house that was called Northern Lee in the old Village Mile Oak or were I can find out about the house. My parents used to live in the house around the 1930’s. Any help would be appreciated.

    By Patricia Finneran (17.4.2007.) (17/04/2007)
  • I was born in my grandparent´s house at 43 Abinger Road and lived at number 82 until I was 21. The neighbour at number 80 was Bert Brundle who used to run a smallholding / market garden on land just over the border in Southwick. Much of the land is now occupied by the cemetery on Downs Way. Bert used to speak in a way that I remember so well from my childhood – as if he was calling to you from a long way off. All the old people seemed to talk in that way and until I started thinking about it just now, I had forgotten it.
    This is an excellent site and reading all the messages with family names familiar from my youth has made me very nostalgic.
    I recently got hold of a racing booklet that has a lot of very clear pictures of what is now Mile Oak Road and the stable building which later became Mile Oak Garage. If I can find a way to post them on the site, I will do it.
    Best wishes to anyone who remembers me or my family, Pete Scarratt, Puebla, Mexico

    By Pete Scarratt (18/04/2007)
  • For those of you who remember the Cother family living at 1. Beechers Road, Mile Oak, the following web page links to my father’s Naval career during WWII

    http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/

    Scroll down the page till you get to Lt.Patrick C.Cother, there is his history,and in the gallery, photos taken by my dad during WWII.
    Enjoy, any comments do not hesitate to contact me at aussigal1@yahoo.com

    By Bonny Cother-Veronica Bentley (18/04/2007)
  • With regard to the house called Norther Lea or Northern Lee in Drove Road – Judy Middleton’s book ‘Portslade Village’ has a brief history of it.

    By Tony Clevett (25/05/2007)
  • Thank you Tony for your message on the house I was asking about. I have asked my sister to see if she can find the book asI live in Australia and she lives in brighton.

    By Patricia Finneran (nee Morley) (29/05/2007)
  • Hello Tony Clevett. I’d like to see that picture of the front entrance of Mile Oak Approved School if you still have it. My email address is: steve-how@hotmail.co.uk

    By Steve Howat (06/06/2007)
  • It was good to catch up with all the latest comments this morning. With a name like Christmas we would be hard to forget. I remember Alan Lyon, and the Christmas that my dear Dad painted a bike red for me which was one of your family’s cast-offs. Those were the days, I was absolutely thrilled with it!  Thanks Father Clegg for your kind comments about our dear Mum, she certainly was a very dear lady. I hope you are all well. It is a long time since we all sang together! Our childhood in Mile Oak is something great to remember and my knowledge of wild flowers is passed down to our grandchildren. I often think of one walk we were taking to the Dyke and on the pathway just past the farm we saw an adder, the only one I have ever seen. What has happened to the bravery I had then, collecting slow worms, tadpoles and other creepy crawlies? I’d be terrified now! It goes with getting older, I suppose.

    By Julie Lay (nee Christmas) (13/06/2007)
  • This is a fantastic site. I have lived in Mile Oak all my life. I am interested in the history of the white building (house) which is on the west side of Mile Oak Road and lies between Sefton and Chrisdory Roads. Local surveyors claim the building was built in 1890 but I have Ordnance Survey maps of Mile Oak and surrounding areas in 1881, 1901 and 1921, and I have evidence to prove that the building was not around before 1901. I know the Elms house and the cottages opposite Chalky Road are the oldest buildings along Mile Oak dating back to around 1895-1900. I have a very strong feeling that the white house between Sefton and Chrisdory Road was heavily related to Portslade Paddocks. Could anyone help me with any additional information on this house?

    By Chris Wilkes (23/06/2007)
  • Are you talking of the two storey white house? I know at one time a policeman and his parents lived in this house. It obviously was there before 1944, I was born at 1 Beechers Road, and during my early childhood, remember the house… and have many other early childhood memories of Mile Oak, and the “kids” who were my playmates up on the Downs… when it was safe to be out all day playing.

    By Bonny Cother-Veronica Bentley (27/06/2007)
  • Hi every one, was anyone out there at Mile Oak Approved School, 1954 and 1958?  I remember building under ground huts, crystal sets in the dormitories, the caning in the gym, boxing at the dome at Brighton, the honey you could buy in the village, and trips out on the old green Bedford bus. I also remember a teacher who moved about like a fairy and was sacked along with the headmaster, the showers, the scrubbing of the steps, and other things that I would rather not mention at the moment. I don’t think any one knows out there what this place was like. Please contact me at vnn345@talktalk.net

    By Anthony Roberts (Known then asrRobo) (06/07/2007)
  • I recently moved to Portslade off Mile Oak Road. I saw an unusual place called Crooked Moon somewhere north or north-west of Mile Oak. Does anyone know its history? I searched the Internet but can’t get much info. I am relying on the traditional knowledge. To all those folks who grew up in Mile Oak, do you recollect anything? Would appreciate further pointers.  Thank you all.

    By Ninad Chite (03/08/2007)
  • Hi Tony – with reference to the book ‘Portslade Village’ by Judy Middleton, please could you tell me where I might be able to get this? I have tried all the local bookshops in Brighton but no one has it.  I am Pat Finneran’s sister who lives in Australia and I believe she asked about Northern Lea House.

    By Beryl Thompson (nee Morley) (04/08/2007)
  • An old boy of Mile Oak Approved School was the ‘murder’ victim in Ramsgate today. Wayne Greenidge, a boy with a charismatic smile and a wonderful sense of humour, and a true friend to anybody who knew him (yes, even to his teachers). I noticed he was mentioned by D. Reader in an earlier comment. The ‘Bad Boys School’ also had some good boys, and he was certainly one of them. May he rest in peace.

    By Steve Redhead (14/08/2007)
  • I was at Mile Oak Approved School in 1970 till 1974, met some good people there, staff included. Good days out in summer holidays; loads of memories.

    By Barry Taylor (24/08/2007)
  • Hello Beryl, I would suggest City Books in Western Road, Hove, they may have it. I now live in Worthing and I have seen the book for sale there. If you still have problems contact me again and I will try to get it for you. It is well worth a read.

    By Tony Clevett (29/08/2007)
  • Hi Tony,  thank you for your message. I tried that shop but they did not have it W. H. Smiths now have it on order for me. Thank you for your help.

    By Beryl Thompson(nee morley) (31/08/2007)
  • I vaguely remember Wayne Greenidge, may he rest in peace.

    By Barry Taylor (31/08/2007)
  • Hi Tony, just to let you know I now have the book and have sent it on to Pat in Australia. Thank you.

    By Beryl (05/09/2007)
  • Well done Beryl, I hope Pat enjoys the book.

    By Tony Clevett (06/09/2007)
  • Does anyone remember me ? Lived in Mile Oak Road (514) I think! Old wooden bungalow down from the waterworks. Around 1950 -1958.

    By Graham Wells (17/09/2007)
  • Graham, I only remember one wooden house, at the bottom of Sefton Road, on Mile Oak Road. Clive Barnett used to live there, prior to his mother having a brick house built. How far along Mile Oak Road, from the Waterworks was your house? I remember two brick two storey houses, two “Wise” boys lived in one.
    Then further along another two boys lived with their gran, not sure of the names now.
    I lived at the top of Beechers Road with my brother and sister.

    By Bonny Cother/Veronica Bentley (27/09/2007)
  • Hi Bonny, thanks for replying,
    I remember the Wise brothers Ged and Jim. The wooden bungalow where I used to live with my sister Pam was on the opposite side – approx 200yds down from the waterworks. I remember the Coombes who used to run the local grocers, she also gave violin lessons (which I only attended for the chocolate.)
    I have read with interest all the above posts and have enjoyed going down memory lane. Did Bonnie marry a basketball player? If so I’m sure I remember you too.

    By Graham Wells (04/10/2007)
  • Hi there, I don’t recall a house on the side of the Waterworks, only the “daisy field” and a house built there, in one corner. Next to the daisy field was a rhubarb field. Do you remember my brother John, he may recall the wooden house. No I did not marry a sportsman, I married an Australian.

    By Bonny Cother/Veronica Bentley (15/10/2007)
  • Hi Graham, seems my brother does remember you and your house – this was his answer to my question on your wooden house.
    There was a little wooden house, (single storey) on a plot of land almost opposite the Wise’s, you remember Jimmy & Gerald Wise? The boy opposite was about Gerald’s age and his sister a bit younger. The last time I went that way, just before the army I think, it had been pulled down.

    By Bonny Cother/Veronica Bentley (16/10/2007)
  • Hi Everyone. I’ve had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon reading through all the comments on the page which I came across completely by accident. Its brilliant. My Dad has always had an interest in local history so from an early age I’ve had access to books about Portslade and Southwick. I’m 29 and have lived in Mile Oak all my life and love it here, although reading about the Mile Oak it was certainly appeals to me. So much change has occurred even in my lifetime. The housing development over Fox Way where once were wheat fields. The demolition of the old Mile Oak Garage (directly opposite where I was bought up on the Mile Oak Road) to make way for houses. The introduction of the by-pass at the north end of Mile Oak Road. I lived next door to David and Pauline Scott until 2003 when I moved into my own home in Mile Oak. We are now in Oakdene Crescent and unfortunately the noise of the by pass does break through the lovely peace and quiet of the South Downs. I would love to have known the old Mile Oak you all speak about, it sounds a world away from the one we know now. I will continue to check in on this site on a regular basis to see what else I might learn. Well done!
    x

    By Gayle Foggon (nee Jackson) (25/10/2007)
  • I have just been on the Francisfrith website which deals with old photos of various parts of England. If you use this address: http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/sussex/mile+oak/mile+oak.htm , it comes up with 6 old photos of Mile Oak which should be of interest to you all. Can anyone confirm where photo 5 is taken from and what part of Mile oak it is?

    kind rgds,

    By Chris Wilkes (27/10/2007)
  • I have just looked at the photographs on the Francis Frith website. The fifth photograph was taken at the southern end of Stanley Avenue. But according to me, the bungalows seen at the bottom of the picture were built long after 1950 when the photograph was supposedly taken. In 1950 (when I was a girl of 11 or 12 years old) there was a field at the bottom of Stanley Avenue which I used to cross to go to the Girls School. Thanks for the site.

    By Pat Peeters nee Bunting (29/10/2007)
  • I agree with Pat Peeters nee Bunting, it would be late 50s, as the houses were built while I attended the girl’s school and finished around 1960, although the road was a mess for some time after that. The pine trees were along the fence line behind the houses and up past the church and allotments. The “jumping field” as we knew the field at the bottom of Stanley Avenue, held many events for MORA, Mile Oak Resident’s Association. I will dig out one of the photo memories.
    This web page is fantastic and so many memories flood back.

    By Bonny Cother/Veronica Bentley (29/10/2007)
  • I stayed at Mile Oak Approved School from January 1966 – February 1968. Two very good years; one summer holiday youth hosteling around Devon and Dorset, second year holiday, fishing and camping in Devon. The rest of year we used to sail with Mr Fordham down at Shoreham. In summer, camping from Friday night until Sunday night, fishing (not the whole school, just 3-4 of us in east wing). We would cycle to the river and Mr Woods (Boney) would drop off the tent and food etc. Girls from the teacher training college would arrive every Tuesday night to dance with us. Every Friday afternoon, Mr Yates (Mad Jasper) would drive us all around Sussex visiting Saxon churches. He was also the art teacher. It was in Jasper’s class that we used to make the Guy for bonfire night, measuring 8-10 ft. Everyone in the school had headphones by their beds to listen to pre- recorded programes by Mr Woods (we did have television in the common rooms). Never a dull moment. I have fond memories of most staff (even matron), Mr Clements the music teacher, Mrs Johnson mosaic and pottery and all the rest. We could even go to see Brighton play football on a Saturday. Mrs Johnson also used to take a few of us to the theatre in Brighton as a treat. Every couple of months the school used to organize trips to London to see west end shows and films. The good old days.

    By Tony (03/11/2007)
  • I used to live in the white cottages at the top of Chalky Lane – it really was chalky then!  I lived in No. 279 from about 1954 untill 1965, right next to the chalk-pit. It’s odd to look at the cottages now because they look quite different. My Uncle Charlie’s garage used to be there. Chalky Lane was a rough rutted dirt track right up to the other side of the valley (great to ride your bikes along). Valley Road likewise. The buses used to come right up to Chalky Lane and they stopped near the park (much bigger then it is now). The buses used to turn around there by the girls’ school and go back down in those days. They also used to get stuck sometimes when it was wet. As we all know it has all certainly changed now, once upon a time the Mile Oak Road only went as far as the shops then became a dirt track there near the pub (I only went in there for the first time a few years ago). As someone here has remarked, we children were much freer then and used to go up on the Downs and play with no worries at all and walk for miles. My dream is to move back there some day – dont know if I’ll make it though. 54 now..

    By Paul Edwards (06/11/2007)
  • Yes, I remember myself and Phil Burton walking up beyond Crosses Farm (beyond the horrible new dual carriageway) and going up to what we used to call ‘Dead City’ for want of a better term, that’s what we called it then. Some old buildings and lots of corrugated iron sheets, old and rusty, which appeared to us then (we about 10 or 11) to have bullet holes in them, the old rifle range perhaps? Right out up in the direction of Truly Hill. One evening we found and carried a empty shell – not the casing but the actual projectile! It was hollow inside or I don’t think we would have touched it. We carried it all the way back down to Mile Oak proper, walking along the bottom of the Downs we knew so well – where we all used to toboggan when it snowed. At one point we heard the distinctive call of the cuckoo – then there was a load bang of a shotgun – and total silence. Poor cuckoo! I still laugh about it now 42 or 43 years later. We dropped the shell not even knowing why we brought it – it just seemed a good idea at the time! I seem to remember the trail nortbound towards Truly Hill and Dead City – probably only a couple miles – split after Crosses Farm and there were two routes to take – it was a long time ago now so I can’t be sure. Would love to hear from anybody around in those days 1953 to 1967. Oh, another memory has come to mind. Does anyone remember which doctor they used before the Health Centre was built? We went to see Dr Dixon, there was a surgery at the top of Mile Oak Road about where Stonery Road comes out before you get to the Old Portslade secondary school, now Brighton Community College. I walked up the short cul-de-sac to it a few years ago, it was totally deserted, sad and forlorn but still had a sign saying ‘surgery’ I think. I can still remember Dr Dixon visiting me at 279 Mile Oak Road when I had chickenpox and measels.

    By Paul Edwards (07/11/2007)
  • Hi Paul, Dr Dixon was the doctor for all I believe as he was the only one near Mile Oak. He even made house calls, and seemed to always be on call. His surgery was a pokey place as I recall. But thank goodness he was there. The school health nurse was in Selby House, I think it was called, next to St. Nicholas infant school in Shoreham Road, behind the junior school in Locks Hill. My brother John used to hang out around the old rifle range with his Mile Oak friends, the Wise boys etc. We used to walk to the Devils Dyke from behind Crosse’s farm.

    By Bonny Cother / Veronica Bentley (08/11/2007)
  • That’s amazing! I don’t think we would ever have walked all the way to Devils Dyke – would seem like a million miles away to a little lad like me – although I regularly rode my bike down to Hove Lagoon. I was thinking earlier on about the old Mile Oak Stores…. remember it? I think it may be closed up now but it did spend time in recent years as a hair salon. But when I was a kid it was International Stores (seems so small now!). I went in there lots as a kid, mainly to get those wonderful bags of crisps with the little blue twisted packet of salt in – though sometimes you got three and sometimes you got none! You can actually still see in faded lettering the sign ‘International Stores’ up on the side of the shop today. I also recall that one day they re-tarmaced the Mile Oak Road down past my house (the white cottages beside the chalk-pit) – and who was the only person to fall down our steps and straight into the fresh sticky tar full of gravel? ME! My mum and I were going to the shops and my hands were all cut and bleeding – but she wouldn’t take me back in to clean them up! The funny thing is that in recent times I’ve passed our steps outside 279 and can only see two or three steps – but I’m sure there where at least five there when I lived there, has the road level risen all that much in 40 years?

    By Paul Edwards (11/11/2007)
  • Hi Paul, Re the hike to the Devils Dyke: it was a day trip, usually Easter time. The Cother family and Christmas family used to head out early, so it seemed, in the morning. And we’d have lunch there, as we got older at the Shepherd and Dog pub, but when younger, it was soggy sandwiches, and Tizer. Then I think we bussed back, or maybe we walked. It was a fun walk, and really did not seem so far. Julie Christmas was my best pal and we would run ahead of our parents and older siblings. I remember the row of Mile Oak shops, and the shop on its own near where Bob Patchings had his butcher shop. The “International Shop” seemed to change names frequently. I remember also the resurfacing of our road, Beechers Road. The big old steam roller following along behind the workers, and the strict orders from Mum: “don’t touch yet”. Sorry to hear of your accident, our mums were tough in those days…but we survived.

    By Bonny Cother / Veronica Bentley (12/11/2007)
  • Re: Portslade School. Please could somebody clarify what seems to be a discussion about two separate schools in the above comments. I was a pupil at the High Street School in the two years before it merged with the girls’ school and became part of the Portslade Community college. The ‘approved school’ mentioned was I’m sure the LCC school on the Mile Oak Road, and not related to the secondary boys’ school, formerly Windlesham House.

    By Ray Hamblett (12/11/2007)
  • With reference to the question regarding Mile Oak Approved School; it was an LCC school and not related to the Secondary School.

    By Barry Taylor (20/11/2007)
  • Just stumbled across this site and found it great reading. I lived in Drove Crescent, with my sisters Norma and Denise. Went to Portslade County Infants School, St Nicholas and then on to Portslade County School for boys untill around 1962-63. Just moved back into the area in North Laine and made contact with an old school mate (Barry Martin) who has also just moved back. Reference to the approved school above, it was an LCC school and totally separate from the other schools in Portslade. Anyone remember me, leave a message as I will be checking this site  on a regular basis now that I have found it.

    By Colin Harvey (28/11/2007)
  • I also went to the Mile Oak (Approved) School. I was there for 4 1/2 years, and may I add they were very, very happy years. Mr Caine (Leo) was head master, Boney and Mr Montgomery were the two house masters. Teachers were Mrs Williams, Mr Wilks (football), Mr Wilson (music), Mr Bailey (scouts) and my favourite Mr Fordham (wood/metal work.) I was one of the boys who helped build the two sailing dingies in the late 50s. I also remember a young lady called Cheryl. We used to talk to each other over the fence along the bridal path. I think she lived up by the church in Portslade. We also played in the old quarry which was just past the playing field. And lastly Mr Yates (science/art), he had the habit of pulling the short hairs by the ears. Does any one know if Mr Fordham is still around, it would be nice to say hello again?

    By George Martin (19/01/2008)
  • Hi Tony. I was wandering if you knew of any more books on Portslade? Pat and I have read the one you suggested by Judy Middleton and the one by Claire Green – a pictorial history. If you know of any we would appreciate it. Thank you.

    By Beryl Thompson (nee Morley) (03/02/2008)
  • Colin Harvey, I think I attended one of the St Nicholas schools with your sister Norma, I remember being very young and going to her house for a birthday party. Was your house two storey? Cause I can just recall playing under and or near the stairs.

    By Bonny Cother/Veronica Bentley (12/02/2008)
  • Yes I heard about Wayne, very sad. Hello Dave, do you rember me? Mr Redhead, did you hear about Mr Duncan? My email is macklee@hotmail.com

    By Lee Mack (14/02/2008)
  • I lived at 12 Wickhurst Rd and remember Jenny & Sally Bowman. Their grandparents used to hold their own pantomime at Christmas at their house. I didn’t partake but my friend Bonny used to. I used to go and look after horses down at Panell’s Yard which was at the site of Southwick Square. The stales moved to Church Lane, Shoreham behind the church. Monica Hughes brought Welshy from Panell’s and kept her in the filed between Stonery Rd and Mile Oak Rd where Downland Court now stands. Monica moved to Mile Oak and lived at 305 Mile Oak Rd and Janet Carmichael and I helped run a riding establishment at the top of the chalk pit at the end of Chalky Rd. Wednesday night we would take the horses to the youth club which ran at the girl’s school and people we would take out riding. I was always riding, it was a great life. Janet’s mum still lived on the Mile Oak Rd when I last saw Janet, she was in her 90s. The pathway that went from Oakdene Crescent ran between Mrs Stone’s House and what was her daughter’s horses field and stables. Her husband built the houses in Mile Oak. Today I have walked this area with my husband and son, past my old house. the memories of the 15B bus which I would run for and travel to the Co-op on London Rd everyday where I first worked when I left school. The I worked for the gas board. There are such lovely memories in this area, Mr Gladwin in the big house on the hill and Bonny who ran the shop that stocked everything, the greengrocers and the off licence and the fish and chip shop. The huge tree outside the Mile Oak Pub where an owl would sit up and call. So many of the old houses are still there thankfully. The National Trust is the same and will remain for generations to come. The fields were all around and although it has built up, Mile Oak Rd is very much the same in many places.

    By Linda Packer (Rowley) (14/02/2008)
  • Just a little note with reference to the message from Linda Packer (nee Rowley):  I remember very well all the areas and places that you talk about, Linda, especially the riding stables up on/near the Downs.  Having lived in Mile Oak until I was married back in 1968, I frequented the stables and the Downs along with the rest of the lads in the ‘gang’, mainly I must say to be with the girls!  Lots of the names you mention certainly ring some bells as I knew most of them although there was one girl that was not in your note who regularly went there namely Diana (Jonny) Morgan.  It was nice to read your message, Linda, as so many memories came back to me.

    By Dave Barcock (22/02/2008)
  • I remember the fantastic Bonny Cother! I wish she would contact me via my Auntie Julie (Christmas). I grew up in Mile Oak in the 1970’s. I remember the hot summer days of 1976 when I was allowed out ALL day and didn’t have to worry about what a child should worry about now. I used to wander up to Mile Oak Farm and play in the woods there with my brother Michael and cousins Alison and Chris. My Nan (Phil Christmas) would make us tea in the garden. Does anyone remember my grandad, Sid Christmas, who lived in Stanley Avenue but sadly died in 1969 or 70? My lovely Nan died in 1990. We all still miss her and she WAS Mile Oak. Everytime I am up there now I think of her and my carefree childhood there. Mile Oak was such a lovely place to grow up in, especially in the 1970s when life was so simple for a child growing up then!

    By Helen Michael (nee O'Carroll) (22/02/2008)
  • I was born in 27 Mile Oak Road in 1944 at my Nan’s house, Mrs Coggins. My friends were the Lintotts, Carole and her sister Brenda and brother Jeffery. Also the Jacksons and Mr and Mrs Williams at 25 and the Olivers at 29. Mr Lintott worked across the canal and we would walk down the twitten which ran at the back of the houses in Melrose Avenue right down Fishersgate where we stood on the railway bridge and wait for a steam train then to the canal and go across in the row boat. Yes we roamed the downs and the horse I remember at Panells where I used to ride was Mizpah my favorite. The horses in the field where the flats were built opposite the ‘naughty boys’ school were Major and Monty and Gipsy who use to pull the rag and bone cart. I don’t suppose any one is around from those days.

    By Elizabeth Edwards (nee Carole Newell) (05/03/2008)
  • Reading about the horses above the Chalk pit brought back many happy and bittersweet memories of my time living in Mile Oak. As I have mentioned before I lived at 279 Mile Oak road right next to chalk-pit and there was then a gate at the top of my garden (nearly level with top of chalk-pit I should think). It was then possible to just walk out of the gate and right over to the ponies – Welshy being one of them – I think there was another called Mock Begger and a real little one called Ajax – which I had my first fall from! I really winded myself and thought I was going to die there and then! There was also a little fast grey who’s name escapes me now and I remember Linda was one of the few who could handle her. I was called ‘happy’ by the girls, There was a girl called Diana Dumbleton and I also remember Janet and Linda too. I must have always seemed to be crying in those days – the main reason bing that I had real problems extracting the 2 shillings and 6p from my mum to go out on the ponies – money was real tight in those days and she didn’t want me to have it! Even when I couldn’t afford a ride I used to go out walking beside the ponies on lead- reins just to be part of everything – looking out across the downs and out across Mile Oak valley. Back then it was possible also to walk up to the stables up the road that ran beside the old International Stores. Its now all blocked up by the houses built there and has been for many years of course. The horse bug did bite me because on the 29th of September 1971 I joined the Household Cavalry mounted regiment (The Lifeguards). Originally I joined Prince Harry’s regiment The Blues & Royals. I had five months training at Pirbright Guards Depot then eventually another five months equitation course up at Knightsbridge and Windsor before starting Public duties at Horse Guards. I rode huge black horses and went fox hunting and eventing!

    By Paul Edwards (06/03/2008)
  • I spent yesterday afternoon reading all the comments that have been made. It brought back so many memories. I still live in Mile Oak. I moved out for seven years after I got married but moved back in 1969. I live in the new houses now, in Heathfield Crescent, just behind Stanley Avenue where the allotments were. There are not many of us left now. The ones I can think of are Brian Rowlands, still in Sefton Road. Also in Sefton is Ron Salter living in the same house he lived in since he got married. It is the one next door to where he grew up. I believe Mrs Stanford is still around. She also lives in the new houses in Graham Avenue. Mrs Hamilton lives in Chalky Road and Les also lives in Mile Oak. The only person left that I can think of, who still lives in the bungalow she moved into when the houses were built in 1936, is Mrs Harbour, mother of Victor. She lives at the top of Chrisdory Road. Commenting on some of the things that have been said, my brother David Elliott, was only the other day asking if I remembered the plane crash by the Girls School. Unfortunately I don’t, I was too young at the time, but he does. John Cox lived in the White house between Chrisdory and Sefton. I can’t remember when he moved. The boys who lived with their grandmother, up towards the waterworks, were the Hemmings brothers. One was Ivor, I can’t remember the other one. The grandmother was either Mrs Back or Mrs Beck. Mr Gladwin moved to the west country some time ago and Bonny followed a few years later. She died a few years back of cancer. I remember Sid Christmas as very tall and a very nice person. Of course he may have looked tall to me as I was so short. All the things Bonny wrote about brought back memories. I spent this morning thinking back over those years while I was doing the ironing. I can remember Bonny getting so excited whenever her Dad came home and we used to look forward to it as well as he was good fun. Sledging down the hill behind the pub, before it was there, used to scare me a bit as you went so fast. I can remember some of the boys ending up in the middle of Mile Oak Road before they could stop. I was too young to go to the Chalk Pit but my brother did. When my dad found out he banned him as he said it was much too dangerous. I think he got round that because he used to play with Geoffrey Harrison who lived in the house right next door. I see Brenda Christmas sometimes although I haven’t spoken to her for quite a long time. Although the people up here are still friendly it is not the same as in those far off days. I know things always look rosier when you look back but, even before I read all the comments, I had been feeling a bit nostalgic for those days when we couldn’t go to shool because the toilets were frozen as they were outside. When Mr Chandler the caretaker at St. Nics used to throw water on the ground in the boys playground so that it froze and we could have a slide on the ice. I think health and safety would have a fit these days. We had a great deal of fun back then. Nowadays the children can’t play out like we did. It is more like a small town now with cars everywhere and too dangerous to play on the roads. One more thing . There has been a lot about the LCC school. Nobody would recognise the place now. The old school was pulled down and a new sixth form college built there. That is no longer used by the school and there are several roads of new housing built in the grounds. I think the only things left are the two lodge houses that were either side of the gates at the main entrance.

    By Mary Smith nee Elliott (06/03/2008)
  • I have really enjoyed reading the continuing spirit of communtiy amongst people who have North Portslade in common. I moved to Drove Road 5 yrs ago and love living here. We have Judy Middleton’s book as well as Claire Green’s. It has been fascinating learning about the area. Has anyone has any photographs of the ‘Bestwood Works’ which is the old Malt House and small buildings around a courtyard that used to be part of the brewery. It’s on the corner of North Road and Drove Road – I’d be very interested in seeing some. My neighbours and I are in the middle of fighting a planning application to build nine new family houses on this tiny grade II listed site which would destroy it. If anyone has any memories of Drove Road and the Malt house, it would be lovely to hear them and may help us in defeating the developers.

    By Jane Fordham (06/03/2008)
  • Elizabeth I remember Mizpah well she was a very lovely grey and her mate was Heather a strawberry rone. I have a picture of me on Pimple a fat friendly black horse. Gypsy, Major and Monty belonged to the Stones. Gypsy was a small Shetland and it was Rhythm who was the rag and bone mans horse. He was the kindest horse around and when Monica Hughes moved from Southdown Road to 352 Mile Oak Road we used Rhythm on the cart because we had him as one of our riding ponies. Mr Hughes put so much on the cart he couldn’t pull up the hill and we had to unload it and leave it behind. We used to make hay in the field that was the long thin one in front of the Boys reform School it was great fun as we had to turn the hay and we would cover ourselves in it and hide and we had hay everywhere he had this very old tractor and trailer and we would load up and head back to the top of the chalk pit where we would build a haystack, we had a shed up there also and we would cut the hay into chaff for the horses and we never did it properly and Henry Hughes would tell us off in a nice way. It was such fun. Also I remember the amount of lizards that lived on the course grass up there so many. I remember Ivan and Gary Walker who used to wear leather jackets and frequent up there. I used to go and feed the horses at 10.30 at night when Henry Hughes was working as he was a bus driver and never thought anything about going up there on my own. It’s great to know people remember how it was like . I feel we were lucky to be in such a special place where we had lots and lots of laughs and fun. I also remember David Barcock and I saw Jonny a few years ago Do you remember Diane Dumbleton well I still have contact she lives Par Cornwall and has contact with Jonny.

    By Linda Packer (Rowley) (06/03/2008)
  • I have just read the comment by Mary Smith Elliott. Do you remember playing with me when we were children? I lived in one of the bungalows in Stanley Avenue looking down Chrisdory Road. I was so surprised to read that Mrs Harbour was still alive and still in the bungalow opposite. I was the same age as your brother David. I remember your sister Ann being born. I know I read your complete collection of books. You seemed to have so many. I would love to get in touch with your brother David. I don’t know whether he has a computer and internet but perhaps you could ask him to contact me at ppd@hetnet.nl You have brought back so many memories of our wonderful childhood.

    By Pat Peeters Bunting (07/03/2008)
  • Just as a general comment regarding books about Portslade. In addition to her most recent book “Portslade Village” can I say that Judy Middleton has written many other excellent books about the town. Some are out of print but can be found in some second hand bookshops like Bookworms in Shoreham. I would recommend “Portslade”, part of the Britain in old photographs series and “Portslade and Hove Memories ” both by Judy.

    By Tony Clevett (07/03/2008)
  • This is a message for Pat Peeters (Bunting). Of course I remember you. I have a photo of you somewhere of you standing by the cherry tree in our garden, do you remember how we used to climb it and swing on the big branch. Do you also remember Wendy Greenyer, she lives in Berkshire now. We still exchange Christmas cards. There was also Barbara and Carole Burchell and Diane Tompkins and family and also the Ranns who I think lived next door to you. We still have a lot of the books that you read and my grandson is at the moment going through them. I believe David came to visit you in Holland once, probably not long after you got married. I will give him a ring now and pass on your message and e mail address. He works for himself so he has a computer but I will let him give you his address. It has been lovely to hear from you.

    By Mary Smith (Elliott) (08/03/2008)
  • Linda. I remember Heather I rode her too. Rythym of course Thanks. I am afraid we moved around a lot then went to Australia I came back in my 20s so missed out a lot of the community.Fidget was another horse I remember she also bit me. Must have been the coat I was wearing. I seem to remember a very tall horse, a retired race horse and a little girl about 3 or 4 who slept under its hoofs. I was lucky to have my own brumbie in Oz but have not ridden since. Must start again although I am getting long in the tooth.
    Elizabeth

    By Elizabeth Edwards (nee Carole Newell) (08/03/2008)
  • Paul I remember you well,yes we did call you Happy. How great you remember us and those lovely horses – Welshy who I owned till I lost her. I have some lovely photos taken at the top of the chalk pit especially in the eight weeks of snow in 1963. The horses had such lovely thick coats the water trough at the bottom of the hill was frozen so we had to carry buckets of water up to the horses who were very thirsty as they were living on hay. Mandy would love to gallop full pelt from one side of the National Trust to the gate the chalk pit side. She lived to a good age of about 39 we reckon or near to when Janet had to make the big decision. She had won so many rosettes. Do you remember Mr Hughes gymkhanas he held over on the land by the garage area on Graham Avenue? Every horse rider from the area would come it was a great day for everyone seemed to win a rosette for apple bobbing, sack race or more or less taking part. It was fab fun especially seeing all the horses. Also Conker and Delila who were stacked out on the land at the side chalky road. John who owned them lived by the cattle arch Vale road Portslade.

    By Linda Packer (Rowley) (12/03/2008)
  • I lived in Beechers Road from 1945 when I was born, until about 1953. I remember the Cothers and the Christmases but Julie and Bonny and their brothers and sisters were older than me so we didn’t play together. My parents were Maisie and Leslie Robins at number 6, and next door at number 8 was the Kane family – does anyone remember the terrible house fire at their house about 1950? We were evacuated for safety and stayed overnight at Ron Salter’s parent’s house in Sefton Ave. The other side of us was Peggy Humphries and her husband Jack, they moved to a bungalow in Stanley Ave around 1950, but both passed on some years ago. There were more younger children further down the road and we used to play in the paddock which was the field which went from the bottom of Beechers Road to Chalky Road. I am also familiar with the cottages by the chalk pit – Mrs Rene Jackson had three sons and lived at 281 Mile Oak Road. Her garden was really steep and us children would go up on to the downs all day or round the chalk pit.

    By Val Booker (Robins) (13/03/2008)
  • Mary Smith (Elliot): lovely to see your letter. You did not mention your sister Ann, I hope she is well. So many books I borrowed from your extensive collection. It was fun to walk along the pathway behind your house, past the garages and the small patches of gardens. One particular one, gooseberry bushes, sweet to eat in season. My mum was friends with your father prior to their marriages and I know their connection through the Good Shepherd church continued for many years.  It was great to read your memories. I believe Brian Cox lived in a house opposite the tall white on Mile Oak Road. The Cox family had a brick wall topped by a very tall privet hedge, certainly giving privacy. Do you remember Barbara Fifefield? She had the most amazing dolls’ house; she lived on the corner of Mile Oak Road and Sefton Road. And your school friend Marion Sherwood lived on Stanley Ave. Mrs Stamford lives in Graham Ave, I plan to visit with her when I return to Mile Oak in July. Clive Barnett lives in West Australia with his lovely wife Jane. It would seem appropriate that a “Back to Mile Oak” day could be organized at the church hall – anyone interested? I will be in the area staying with Julia Christmas that was from July 27th to 30th – would love to catch up with as many as possible from the “good old days” when Mile Oak was a safe playground for all the kids with Downland and fields, Tizer and marmite sandwiches for picnics. Violets and Tottle grass to pick…ah those were the days.  I remember the horses also, one nipped my shoulder as I bent in front of it to get a handful of grass.  I remember Val Booker (Robins) family. Your mother loved my long hair (prior to my dad chopping it off, due to me crying over the tangles). Julie and I were only a year older than you and our Mum’s were close friends, so maybe that is why we did not play together, Val? I think you had a male cousin stay with you for a short time, a very good looking one, who caught the eye of my sister and her friend Brenda Christmas, for a brief time. Do you remember the Harvey’s – they moved into No. 4, they had a son Lawrence and had a room built up in the roof space.  I do remember the fire at the Canes – frightening to see the red of the flames reflected in my bedroom. My Dad went over to help put it out. I was scared for years that our house would catch fire.  If you read back through the letters you will find a web page put together by Tony Drury, detailing my father’s life through WWII.  I have since put together a journal of my father’s life as the Captain of Errol Flynn’s yacht Zaca during 1956-57. This has photos, letters to and from EF and extracts from the log book, it is most interesting. Anyone who remembers me and wants to email, please do, I love going down memory lane, it is surprising just how many memories return once one is on that track. BonnyCother@yahoo.com.  What about the huge bonfires on Guy Fawkes night? The M.O.R.A. Mile Oak Residents Association socials and fun times.  Happy Easter to you all.

    By Bonny Cother/Veronica Bentley (21/03/2008)
  • A note to Pat Peeters (Bunting), Veronica Bentley (Bonny Cother) et al – I was informed about this site about two weeks ago and have read it from beginning to end – it brings back many memories. As Bonny is younger than both myself and Pat she may not remember some of the following although Paddy may remember.
    Pat mentions the cable across the chalk pit – I remember with others finding the cable in the bottom of the chalk pit, lugging it to the top and somehow anchoring it at the top end, dragging it down and across to the side, fixing it at the bottom end to a bedstead in order to raise the cable above the side of the chalk pit. Then many of us slid at speed across the cable on bucket handles etc suspended way above the bottom of the chalk pit (no Health & Safety then or Risk Assessments, only children enjoying themselves)
    There was mention of the bomber landing in the field behind the bottom of Stanley Avenue having missed the girls’ school and stopping short of the tall trees. The plane was riddled with holes having returned from a sortie. I like many of us was taken to look at the plane – it was dismantled and loaded onto lorries which had a problem negotiating the tight corner due to their length by the tithe barn (long since demolished) in the old village. Does anyone remember Mile Oak being totally filled with Bren Gun carriers, lorries, tanks etc all awaiting despatch in the few days prior to the D Day landings? I can remember the garages behind Chrisdory Road being used by the soldiers preparing food etc while they waited – I was given a large bun by the soldiers (or it seemed large to me at the time only being approx. 5) Do you remember the prisoners of war marching down Mile Oak Road having finished work on the farm? There was mention of the rifle range, whether this was ever demolished or has just been taken back by nature I don’t know. This was a long concrete trench at the end of the valley, memory suggests this was 50’0″ to 60’0″ long about 4’0″ wide and deep enough for a man to stand in so that they could raise or lower the targets.
    The small red bus that Pat remembers as number 9 used to run from Portslade station to Mile Oak often dropping people off outside their house. It had been known for the driver to collect shopping in Portslade for some of the residents.
    The Baker with his horse would often sit outside our house doing his paper work before setting off home, the horse often left his mark and as soon as they left the lady opposite rushed out with a bucket and spade, collected the droppings and fed the rose bushes.
    The pig farm overlooked Mile Oak Road, the foot path that ran up beside it still exists, and the delightful smell often wafted across Mile Oak when the wind was in the right direction.
    Bonny mentions the bonfires that we used to build in the paddock opposite the shops, they were often a horendous size and gave out tremendous heat and were enjoyed by one and all.
    Does anyone remember the ‘Beetle Drives’ etc that used to be held in the church hall. Pat may well remember the plays that we put on in the hall and where we attemped to sing (mime) to the songs.
    The thatched cottage on the corner of Chrisdory Road, occupied by Mr & Mrs Painter always looked overgrown as was the orchard opposite where we often tried scrumping only to be shouted at by Mrs Painter. I can always remember her leaning on the side gate waiting to catch us.
    There used to be tennis courts between the shops and the ‘Hole in the Wall’ prior to the council houses being built – does anyone remember them?
    Enough for now.

    By David Elliott (24/03/2008)
  • Amazing Linda, that you remember me – I don’t ever even remember us exchanging two words together. But I do recall you in your white mack or jacket, blue jeans and riding boots. I remember having a pair of jodhpurs boots that nearly crippled me. I was down in Mile Oak yesterday and wondered around and went right up to the gate on top of the downs where the stables used to be – it”s so over grown now. I am amazed that Mandy lived to 39. Astonished! The eldest horse I ever knew was in our barracks at Knightsbridge and he was 23 and really grey around his muzzle. I took some pictures of the area with my camphone and as soon as I get them on the net I will post a link. There is also a couple of my house right next to the chalk pit – to the right of it.

    If you are still in touch with Dian D could you remember me to her? I do remember talking to her. I hate the way Mile Oak has changed now but I guess things have to progress.. Thanks Linda. Paul Edwards; Please print my email address: itsmepaul57@gmail.com I now live in Horley Surrey. x

    By Paul Edwards (25/03/2008)
  • To Val Booker: It’s funny you should mention 281 Mile Oak Road, the cottages left of the chalk pit. As I have mentioned in my previous notes on here I lived at 279 and strangely enough I also remember the Jackson family next door – they used to baby sit me quite a lot when I was little. I remember two of the sons, Markus and Terry, also the ‘Old man’ Charlie who had the little garage on the far left end of the cottages which now has an extension on it that looks like it was always there – same architecture as rest of building, but it was not there when I lived there so it fairly recent. There were a couple of really nice old ladies in the first cottage then, never did know their names – and the end cottages nearest the chalk pit there was a Ms or Mrs Penny, a very nice lady who looked after me on one occasion. I remember there were some nice shady trees at the entrance of the chalk pit, gone now.

    I remember in the Jackson household there was a huge (to me) rocking horse and also a miner bird in a cage that seemed fluent in English and amazed us all. I rode the rocking horse many times as a kid. People seemed so much more friendly then then they do now don’t you think? I have a very happy dream like memory of Markus running through the golden cornfield across the road (Houses on it now) me on his back and a big red harvest moon coming up over the eastern horizon one summers evening so long ago now.

    By Paul Edwards (25/03/2008)
  • Hello David Elliott. I most certainly remember most of the incidents that you mentioned in your contribution. I too can still see the Prisoners of War marching up and down Chrisdory Road, coming and going to Broomfields Farm. I also remember receiving sweets from one of the prisoners, which was a treat then as sugar (and sweets) were still on ration. Do you remember Oscar the German prisoner of War that stayed behind when they all returned to Germany? He lived over at New England Farm in a cottage and worked on the land. I also remember the pig farm. I can still see my poor old Dad (in Springtime) lugging a wheelbarrow up and down Chrisdory Road with pig manure for his garden. And also the vivid memory of the times up Mile Oak Farm with Howard Cross and family. I can still see you now behind the wheel of one or other tractor and us girls in the back feeding the cows in the winter with turnips. What times we had. The ‘Beetle Drives’ I can also remember. They were on a Wednesday evening and we all went – mothers and sons and daughters. Also the Social evenings. It was our only entertainment in those far-off days. Also the plays and pantomimes we did for the old folk. I remember us doing ‘Snow White’ and my Dad (being a carpenter) made the glass coffin for Snow White. And do you remember going carol singing on Xmas Eve, the whole Youth Club gathered around the lamp-post singing our hearts out, the proceeds going to some charity or other. What times we had.

    By Pat Peeters Bunting (26/03/2008)
  • Bonny/Veronica Bently, It was lovely to hear back from you. I think a get together would be a good idea. I do remember Brian Cox and the hedge round his bungalow. As he was older than me I didn’t have a lot to do with him. John Cox lived opposite in the white house but I don’t think they were related. I lost touch with Barbara Fifield and Marian Sherwood some years back. I didn’t hear from Barbara much after her mum died. Marian married a road engineer, I believe. (That probably isn’t what you call them). She moved abroad for a few years after she married and then moved around over here quite a bit. Although I hadn’t been in touch with her for some time, her mother and father still lived in Stanley Avenue. Mr Sherwood died a few years back and within the last couple of years Mrs Sherwood moved to be near Marian. She hadn’t been too well for a few years so Marian thought it best if she moved near to them in the West Country. Hope to hear a bit more about a get together soon.

    By Mary Smith (Elliott) (27/03/2008)
  • Just reading about the horses at the top of the Chalk Pit. I remember Welshy, the Welsh Cob, Mockbeggar Goldflake, and little Gypsy, the Shetland. I was told she was about 30 years old in about 1965. There was also a grey (white) hunter, whose name escapes me (Silver?). I used to ride Kim, the grey Arab. I still have some of his hair in the pocket of my ancient jodphurs. He moved up to Truleigh Hill, where I sometimes rode. I also rode at the ‘Stones’, but don’t remember the names of any of the horses and also rode at the Old Village stables. Before we moved to Thornhill Rise in 1965, there was another horse called Irish Lace, but I don’t know what happened to it. Memories, eh?

    By Renia Simmonds nee Lambor (29/03/2008)
  • Renia, Welshy, Mandy, Mocky and Ajax, were the horses we ran at the riding stables up the chalkpit. We also had Lagar and Rythmn before Mocky, They were such kind horses. The Stones owned Silver, Pixie, Gypsy and Roma, Silver’s foal. Leslie Flowers owned Truman, Lady, Kim, and a lovely Russian horse who she brought to Upper Beeding where she moved to after living with her parents at Truleigh Hill. I rode Kim to a gymkhana at Dyke Road and he reigned up, thankfully I fell off for he went right over and broke his saddle. My friend Diane used to ride him also, he was very fast and fat.

    By Linda Packer (nee Rowley) (31/03/2008)
  • Hi David and Mary, Lovely to hear/see from you. The rifle range trench you mention David, is totally overgrown, John and I did a back to Mile Oak nostalgic walk several years back, and we searched that area. Much of the landscape is changed now. We walked along the top of the downs overlooking the old and new Mile Oak…..got chased by cows. They never charge, John assured me they were just curious, I was not convinced. The Beetle drives were great fun, and the “older” generation kept a watchful eye on us kids. I remember your father showing films at the socials, or maybe there were special film evenings. Do you all remember the lady in Sefton Road who took photos of us kids? Eumin Eyels (I think spelling is correct), she was an art teacher also. I wonder if Ms. Painter’s garden ever was tidy, it certainly was large, and do you remember the huge silver birch tree on the corner of the orchard opposite? So many happy memories of our childhood in Mile Oak, I have mailed off a letter to the minister a the church, to find out if we would be able to use the hall as a venue for a get back to Mile Oak celebration on July 27/28… Mary if you want to follow up with him that is fine by me. I am in central Florida at this time, so distance makes it slightly difficult to organize; all help welcome. PS how is your sister Ann?

    By BonnyCother/Veronica Bentley (31/03/2008)
  • Linda, I seem to remember your married name but not your maiden name! Kim was half-broken but Lesley Flowers wanted to train us together so I rode him on the Downs for a while until Lesley decided to get married and I never saw her again. This was about 1966. But I used to visit Kim up at Truleigh Hill. Lesley lived at Melrose Ave. Kim was my first true love! I have a photo of him and of Silver and Mocky but they’re not very good. Do you remember Irish Lace, about 1963? I don’t remember there being riding stables at the chalkpit. The horses were just ther! I visited them most days for years and could also see them out of my bedroom window in Thornhill Rise. I longed for binoculars!

    By Renia Simmonds (nee Lambor) (31/03/2008)
  • Hi Bonny, just a quick note. I will be in touch soon. As far as we can remember Mrs Painter’s garden was always untidy. I remember sneaking in there to get dandelions and chickweed for our guinea pig. Sorry I didn’t mention Anne last time. She is well and living in Hangleton at the moment. She says she will try to come to the reunion.

    By Mary Smith/Elliott (01/04/2008)
  • Renia, I remember Lacey, a Dapple Grey she belonged to Fay didn’t she? She kept her up at the end of Mile Oak road with some others, I can’t remember the other horses names. The field was opposite the old piggery along there, where a large amount of houses have now been built. Fay, I think she lives in my area as I see her in Steyning sometimes.

    By Linda Packer (Rowley) (03/04/2008)
  • Well Mile Oak what fun we used to have. The chalk pit was a nightmare really. I’m surprised that none of us were severely injured. I lived at 378 Mile Oak Road on the corner of Sefton Road there was the Moore family. I remember Michael and there was another brother Douglas maybe? I remember they had white bull terriers. My cousins the Gebbetts lived down Stanley Avenue .Anyone remember Ms Sainty/Dolly Dickens? I do remember the plane coming down by the girls school – what excitement that was. I remember Mr BroomField. I used love walking from the village to Mile Oak through the farm. And of course old Mother Painter, funny old duck she was. I got to go in her house because her neice came to visit and we played together. How about Lizzie Weller with her pigs? She was across the street from us but way back in the field. There was also a John Beck who lived in that same area. There were also the Kercher boys. I remember Tommy Ruff he was prisoner of war held by the Japanese. I also remember the Lyons
    Anyway these may be names that you do not know I am a little ancient now. My mother Mrs Abbott is still hanging on but just, at the age of 95.She could tell us some tales if she were in better health. Brenda Christmas I send greetings and to anyone else I used play with. Cheers Lynne Over the Pond
    PS I forgot about Mr and Mrs Coombs our grocery store.

    By Lynne (Abbott) Neidhardt (07/04/2008)
  • Just a short note do you remember Bunny and Doreen Coombes, the couple who owned the Off License and grocery story on Mile Oak road?
    Well Doreen is still alive and of course now in her 90s; what memories that grand lady would have of our Mile Oak. I remembered my mother telling me that the ‘Woolley’ family from Sefton road bungalows, pulled their piano out into the street and there was a great party to celebrate the end of the war; singing, dancing and no doubt some alcohol. Until the pub was built I guess the Off License supplied the needs for Mile Oak. That certainly was the good old days.

    By BonnyCother/Veronica Bentley (08/04/2008)
  • Hello Paul Edwards, it seems strange reading about Mile Oak Road after all these years. I used to play with Marcus and Terry Jackson (they were a bit younger than me) – we used to clamber down the old chalk pit, it was all bits of rusted metal. And yes, I rode ‘Dobbin’ the rocking horse which took up most of the front room. Mrs Jackson was a good soul. She had very little money but provided shelter to Mrs Kane after the fire in Beechers Road. In the early 1950s my father had to sell up to clear debts as his garage business was not bringing in any money (petrol was still on ration). Again, Mrs Jackson provided home for my mum and my sister (a little baby then). We later got an old house in South Portslade. To Bonny: I think I was a bit in awe of you girls, even just a year older than me, you all seemed very grown up! I was quite small for my age (still am!!) and could never work out why Leonard Harvey next door in Beechers Rd was not at the same level of understanding and speech as me. He was only four, but a tall child, and I was seven and not much bigger. I am afraid I gave him a wallop one day when he poked the eyes in one of my dolls! Those were the days, happy imaginative games, free to play outside. I really think we were better off then without lots of toys – we created our own fun. The reunion sounds a wonderful idea – I will try to come along.

    By Val (Robins) (08/04/2008)
  • I remember a Ms Lyle, (was it?) who started a little private school in her bungalow almost across the street from the Thomas family at the top of Sefton Road. The woman looked like a man. I know I
    I did not stay long, I climbed out the bathroom window and went home; I don’t think I never went back. Hard to believe Mrs Combs is still alive; how many kids climbed over their back fence stole their beer bottles and took them back in the shop for a penny? Seems like we used to call one of those Kane boys Tinker. One of our Home Gaurds was a Mr Bagshaw and we used to call him Mr Bagwash…
    Trying to remember names, Ann and Shiela Brooks, also there were the Testers, Rowlands Terry Denine {Deceased}, and the Wilkins twins… Having a senior moment here, I can’t remember anymore; .Whoops Ann Hall {Butcher} Daughtreys, Salters, and  Thomases. That’s it for now

    By Lynne Abbott (10/04/2008)
  • Hi Lynne, Ms. Eyles was the teacher, she was into teaching art for my age group and she used to take wonderful photos. Weird old biddy, her mother used to sit in their lounge and never seemed to move, until she died. Ms.Eyles was a great artist, and very fussy with us girls, I got the giggles really bad one evening, over my friend, Sylvia Denman’s drawing, and her car looked like it had been run over by a steamroller. My mum was left a note in our letterbox, don’t let Bonny come back to art class, she is too disruptive. She was opposite the Woolley’s house more. The Thomas’s went to New Zealand I believe. Mr. & Mrs. Baker lived opposite their house with a son Michael. Next to Ms. Eyles was a couple no kids, Avis, he rode a noisy motor bike.
    I remember the Jackson family from the house by the chalk pit, when the youngest boy was to start school he took a little model horse with him, encouraged by his mum at the bus stop. I remember her smiling at me and saying it would help him through his first day at school. I guess for some reason the “end of the journey” bus stop kids were at the “hole in the wall” bus stop that morning. The two elderly ladies next door to the Cother home, was Ms. Fox and Ms. Mosey, they had a white shaggy dog, Cobber, supposedly from one of the women’s adventures to Australia. Julia Christmas greeted Ms. Fox one day with, Hallo Ms. Cobber and how is Foxey. I nearly fell over giggling. We were at the bottom of Stanley Road, prior to the new bungalows going in there, the old “jumping field” as it was called. Ms. Mosey was very strict and often I got into trouble because she told tales to my mum. Lynne I hope you can come to the Mile Oak Revisited in July.

    By BonnyCother/Veronica Bentley (10/04/2008)
  • Thanks Bonny – Ms Eyles was a funny old duck. I do remember the Bakers, and you jogged my memeory with the Denmans. You know my uncle and aunt ran the post office after the war, they were Mr and Mrs Gebbett. Cannot remember how long for though. We used to have a man deliver veggies his name was Mr Hall and he lived up Chrisdory Road had big large frame glasses. Also remember the the horse drawn baker from the Co -Op. Was the milk man Soutwick Hill farm diaries? Mr Hart was the butcher and he would deliver what meat there was, mostly bones. I can never forget him, he would have a cup of tea and would always drink it out of his saucer. His shop was down by the Portslade rec. We also used to have the rag and bone man … boy going back a long way here! My brother Paul was born in 2 Sefton Road No 2,he is three years younger than me. He is currently in Spain.  The twins Peter and Phillip were born VE day August the 15 1945, they still live in Sussex. Big celebrations that day. Bonfires in the old paddocks.
    Mrs Carmichael helped my mum deliver the twins, she lived next door to the Salters and had one daughter named Jean who used to ice skate. She must have been the local midwife in those days. Then there was the Thomas’s. Mum always said when she had given birth to her baby, Mrs Thomas would be sitting up in bed peeling the potatoes for dinner. Along Mile Oak Road across from the Hole in the Wall, were the Harrisons ,The Smiths, Wilmshurst Gladwyn. Then the little store was run by a Mr and Mrs Sayers had a daughter Brenda? She was disabled if I remember correctly.

    By Lynne {Abbott} (11/04/2008)
  • My family were evacuated to Mile Oak in 1940. First to a bungalow, then to a house in Sefton Rd. In the family were my Father Jack (John), Mum Emily, sisters Jean and Sandra (the latter dies aged thre). Reading through the pages brings back a lot of memories, the following may stir some more.

    School’s my first, and I believe am right, her first pupil because of my ill health (Asthma bought about by the bombing in Brighton) was Miss Eyels who taught me privately in her bungalow. She taught me reading, writing and basic arithmatic and I remember the little vards: 2 + 4 =. As has been stated, she was a good artist and also a very good photographer. She took most of our family photographs, most of these were in colour which she treated herself, colour photos being a rare event in those days. I have in front of me one such photo of my sister Jean and I aged approx two and four years old. I have a vague memory of other children coming and it was nice to have playmates. I believe Paddy Vother was one of these. We used to play in her garden at playtimes.

    Next school was the old village hall at the bottom of the hill. The teacher was Miss Trussler. From there I went to St Andrew’s at Southern Cross to Benfield School on Shoreham Rd. Last school was Portslade Mod Sec on Mile Oak Rd. How many remember: Headmaster Mr Furner, Mr Greevs, Mess Bakers (one math’s master, ex Para 5ft 8in, throwing Burtinshaw 6ft around the classroom after he threw the blackboard rubber back at him), Davis woodwork master.

    The four schools houses were Lewes, Arundel, Pevensea and Bramber (castles). The last oneI was in. Can anyone  remember the initiaon ceremony? I have memories of the chalk pit, paddocks, horse field bonfire, tobogganing, soapbpax carts, picking blackberries, wlid raspberries and starwberries, Swimming in the dew ponds, the drilling for water. I believe two men were killes when they struck it.

    I also remember collecting jam jars and newspapers and taking them three miles to school on our carts. Brengun carriers running over the Downs. Is it still there? Up past the water works, that big steel plate, a small trapdoor? A dropped stone used to take ages to hit the bottom

    It is nice to see the names Salters, Thomas, Cothers, Auntie Bake and Vic Wilkins, Fish twins and Rodger, Rans – it goes on and on. It certainly brings back memories.

    By Alan Lyon (19/04/2008)
  • Hello Alan Lyon. Just read your comments. The memories of our wonderful childhood up Mile Oak during the 40s and 50s are many. I used to play with your sister Jean. I have a photograph taken at one of my birthday parties with her in it too. We are planning a get-together at the end of July for the old Mile Oakians who were born/brought up in the old Mile Oak of that era. We are still in the planning stages but perhaps you would be interested to attend and meet all your old cronies. For more details get in touch with me at ppd@hetnet.nl

    By Pat Peeters Bunting (20/04/2008)
  • Hi Pat Peeters, so sorry for delay, I have been unable to reply til now. Thank you so much for the info about my friend who was shot on Southwick Hill in 1960, if you can remember his name please let me know. If anyone else can remember the accidental shooting on Southwick Hill in 1960 I would be grateful for any info. Great website!

    By Alan Frost (20/04/2008)
  • Hi Alan. Lovely to read your comments, brought back memories. My mother Ivy and your mum must have been good friends, cause Mum and my two older siblings, John and Paddy, always went over to your house during the air raids. I remember just a little of your family prior to you moving away. The Cain boys were Tinker and Patrick I believe. There was a family of five who lived over the end shop…….a girl, Johnny, Rusty and twins, a boy and girl. Anyone know the whereabouts of that family? I am looking forward to the get together, it will be great to see friends from ‘those old days in Mile Oak’. I remember the circle in Sefton and Stanley Road being grass, and then it was concreted. Sylvia Denman and I used to climb up and sit on the box in the middle of that circle for hours, talking about whatever little girls talk about, before TV of course. Do you remember the allotments behind the houses in Stanley Avenue? What about the tree near the tap outside the Waterworks, we used to climb that tree and sit up there for what seemed hours. There was another climbing tree, I think near the daisy field, but not so easy to climb. I look forward to seeing the maps of old Mile Oak also. See you all July 27th and 28th……….

    By Bonny Cother / Veronica Bentley (22/04/2008)
  • Hi Bonny. That was Sidney, a girl Rusty and John Burns. They were somehow related to my aunt, Olive Gebbett. I remember their grandfather having an American car. His family name was Gosden. Other than that, I know nothing more. When I was little there was no shop. Just like next door was the Testers, a little alley, and the Brooks family lived in there: Sheila and Ann Brooks and I believe a sister may have come later. During the war a Mr Gwelt had something to do with the store space there. The Gwelts? lived across the street in a big red brick house. Went in there many times as he had a radio that we used to have to get an acumalator (battery) for. Do not know what ever happened to them.

    By Lynne Abbott (25/04/2008)
  • Hi Bonny,

    Sidney, Rusty and John Burns used to live with my Uncle Wilf Burton who lived above the shop in Mile Oak Road. Wilf was married to Auntie Tommy and later married to a lady called Honor, but married once more to Thelma who still lives there today.
    I am the Phil Burton that Paul Edwards has mentioned a number of times in earlier messages and I have lived in Mile Oak for all of my life and now reside in Brasslands Drive. I, along with Paul, remember “the way we were” in Mile Oak. How things change.

    By Phil Burton (28/04/2008)
  • There was a family at the top of Foxhunters Road with four kids, the eldest a boy and girl, then two much younger, it seems.
    Linda and her sister Cheal? from Beechers Road, just beside the gap that led to the backway to our homes. I recall Pat Dinean, went to school with her, and Michael Birch lived nextdoor to her house in Stanley.
    Does anyone recall the lady who pumped away at the church organ during Sunday School, Ms. Corrall I think?
    Of course there was Sister Holland, dressed in grey nun’s garb, she lived somewhere in Portslade I believe.
    David Scott married Pauling Earle, the greengrocer’s daughter after Figins sold out. Pauling and I were in school together. They stayed in Mile Oak for a long time, I heard that they are not there now. David was friends with my brother John, and with the “Wise” and “Hemmings” boys. They used to play Robin Hood games on the downs behind the waterworks. The days John had to look after his baby sister….. she became maid Marion, and was tied appropriately to a convenient tree…….to be rescued later, after the boys tired of their game. I never minded, as I recall………just stood patiently waiting to be untied.
    The last time I went blackberry picking was with my youngest son, then about 8. Gone the glass jars we used to use as kids….I thought a plastic bag a much better container. Shame I never realized the thorns on the bushes would catch the bags, and berries….and I arrived back at Phyllis Christmas’ bungalow, with white jeans covered in blackberry juice. My son did not think this was such a great outing, as I had promoted it to be, from my childhood.
    Phyllis made jam from our gathering and it still tasted as it had all those years ago.
    Tottle grass, we used to pick it by the bunches for our mums. Wonder if it still even grows on the downs behind the pub.
    Memories

    By BonnyCother/Veronica Bentley (28/04/2008)
  • Hi,

    I can well remember my young days in Mile Oak (I have lived in Mile Oak for all my life) going up the horses with Paul Edwards, and playing in the old chalk pit, I can also well remember carrying the cannon shell back to the farm, and also a live Mortar shell which I found with my other friends Steve Herd and Adrian Luck and carried carefully back to Mile Oak farm much to Mr Cross’s horror.
    For those who attended Mile Oak County School for Boys, here are some teachers names that you may well remember: Mr Beale (head), Mr Bennett, Mr Parkinson, Mr Faulkner, Charlie Watts, Harry Steer, Les Whitely, Wally Travers, Dolly Brown, Enoch Johns, Mr Wincer. If I can remember any more I will let you know.

    By Phil Burton (28/04/2008)
  • Yes, I can assure you the place behind the pub – and indeed all over the downlands – is choc-a-block with blackberries in season. That at least hasn’t changed!

    By Paul Edwards (29/04/2008)
  • Hello Bonny,
    Vema Cheal was her name, and if I can correctly remember her mum passed away very young. There was Valerie Russell who lived next door,
    I also remember Phillipa Fast.That name ring a bell with anyone? I remember going to the church to watch Lantern Slides and also getting kicked out of brownies there.I was such a sweet child. Cannot remember who played the organ but that name Correll sounds familiar. Ok now what happened to Jennifer Rose? 60 odd years of memories seems like yesterady. I do remember the postman, we used to call him Joe and he had one brown eye and the other was blue.
    Cheers

    By Lynne?Abbott (02/05/2008)
  • I have just spotted a name I know, Rusty Burns. He, Teddy Osbourne and I went to school together. Any one know what happened to them?

    By Elizabeth Edwards nee Carole Newell (03/05/2008)
  • Hi there
    Elisabeth, Paul, Phil and all who have contributed to the wonderful Mile Oak memories, web pages. We are having a Mile Oak Revisited on July 27th starting at the church, going onto the pub, and on July 28th, outside the pub, a walk down memory lane, round the original block of Mile Oak streets, then lunch at the pub, and for me, after lunch a quick hike up the hill behind the pub to view the scenery….maybe not such a “quick” hike, but a huff and puff hike.
    So all who are interested in adding to our growing list of those born 30’s, 40’s and 50’s…….. let us know Bonnycother@yahoo.com, we can give you further details. Dont forget to bring your old photos, or copies of them… The good old days of our childhood.
    Lynne I am sorry you cannot join us but do send some pics to one of the organizers so we can add them to a display.

    By BonnyCother/Veronica Bentley (05/05/2008)
  • Mile Oak revisited
    The following is a copy of a flyer suggesting a reunion of those born or lived in Mile Oak in the 1930s, 1940s and early 1950 only.’This is an invitation down memory lane for those old ‘Mile-Oakers’ who were born or grew up in the original Mile oak of the 1930s, 1940s or early 1950. Events have been planned for Sunday 27th July 2008 and Monday 28th July 2008. There will be a church service at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Stanley Avenue at 6.30pm on Sunday for those who would like to attend. Should you not wish to attend the service we will be all gathering in the function room of the Mile Oak Inn from 7.30pm onwards. On Monday 28th July at 10.00am there will be a Walk Down Memory Lane. We will meet in the car park of the Mile Oak Inn, where the circular walk will also finish in time for a pub lunch. For old times sake we would like the gathering on the Sunday to consist only of the original Mile-Oakers, howerver, any family members or guests that you would like to bring would be welcome to the walk and lunch on Monday. If this reunion is something you would like to attend please contact one of the below mentioned:- Mary Smith(nee Elliott) MPythonEsq@aol.com – David Elliott kestrel.design@lineone.net – Bonny Bentley (nee Cother) bonnycother@yahoo.com – Pat Peeters (nee Bunting) ppd@hetnet.nl
    A copy of this flyer can be obtained from any one of the above

    By David Elliott (05/05/2008)
  • Funny I remember Aunty Tommy and the kids. She was related to Olive Gebbett nee Gosden, my Aunt by marriage do not know exactly what the connection was.

    By Lynne Abbott (06/05/2008)
  • Does this mean that those of us who came to Mile Oak after 1950 cant come?? I thought it was for anyone who grew up in the ‘Golden age’ of Mile oak was allowed to come? My family didn’t move there until after I was born (1953) I notice one of the dates is the 28th Monday, some of us have not retired and still have to work.

    By Paul Edwards (06/05/2008)
  • Mile Oak Revisited: Further to my previous message regarding a reunion, it was intended that those born or living (on the dates mentioned) in what was the original ‘Village of Mile Oak’ i.e. Chrisdory Road, Stanley Avenue, Beechers, Sefton, Foxhunters together with Mile Oak Road upto and including the cottages adjoining the chalk pit, would be more than welcome, all of whom are now more than likely retired and in their ‘dotage’. Further information can be obtained from those mentioned previously.

    By David Elliott (06/05/2008)
  • Good friends I used to play with back in the 60s that I haven’t heard from for yonks. Apart from Phil B (Hi Phil). There was Paul Hurst who lived on the corner of Stanley Ave (near the 9 poplars that have now gone), Steven and David Groves who also lived in Stanley Ave just up on the left in the bungalows (before the slight hill), Ian Birtchall who lived in valley road on the bend. I’ve not seen him for a long time. Robin White who lived behind the Valley Road shops for a long time I then bumped into him briefly in Home back in 1972 or so. Mark Young (think his name was) always carried a briefcase to school and his mum sometimes stopped near my house on way to the Mile Oak Secondary mod and gave us a lift. Gerald Birtchall whose name I have seen mentioned in theses pages. Peter White who lived just up the hill opposite Mile Oak shops – joined the Royal Navy I believe. Just down the hill from our chalk pit cottages on the right before the ‘Hole-in-the-wall’ bus stop there was/is a big house set back in some trees down a drive, there were a couple of little girls lived there I used to play with sometimes – blowed if I can remember their names! And just a bit further down on right was young Miss Ann Holden! Still remember her. Another good friend was Ian Ferguson who I believe now lives in Worthing, I saw him about 10 years ago.

    By Paul Edwards (16/05/2008)
  • As you may have noticed that I have previously added comments on this great website before, I am hoping someone can fill me in with some further details. I recently was removing a hedge from a garden in one of the older houses along Mile Oak Road and uncovered some foundations to some of the greenhouses that used to cover the area now taken up by properties in Oakdene Crescent area in the 1930-50s (you can see these and surrounding sheds in David Elliott’s fantastic photo dated 1940, also on this website). I also uncovered some old gardening tools and old fashioned terracotta pots whilst digging. I believe the greenhouses belonged to the farm and the Nursery at the time. Does anyone have any memories or knowledge of the Nursery, and exactly where it was?  PS David Elliott: have you any more pictures of Mile Oak – I would love to see them (if possible) – it would be greatly appreciated.

    By Chris Wilkes (24/05/2008)
  • Chris
    Two houses along the road from your house, towards the shops stood a wooden house, painted black. Joan Stanford lived there with husband Ray and son Clive. (He is now in Australia). Behind this house were rows and rows of flowers and halfway to the downs stood large greenhouses on the left side of the path. A gentleman (Bob?) with a hump back was the worker. (I used to go buy a bunch of flowers for 5 shillings, for the church). There was a shed on the right side of the pathway, I guess for tools etc. The flowers were beautiful, I loved walking in the greenhouses to select those I wanted. I also think there were several rows of greenhouses, behind the house next to Joan’s house, towards your house. I think the family there were the Becks. I am sure if you search deep enough you will uncover many treasures. What fun………..

    By BonnyCother/Veronica Bentley (30/05/2008)
  • Hello Bonny how lovely to find this site.I am often thinking of you and Julie and our wonderful childhood in Mile Oak, Bruce and I take our grandchildren to the farm to buy eggs and see the animals. I point out the Buttercup field where in the winter we would go sledging(on anything that was flat) we always seemed to have snow in the winter then.The old dead oak tree where we used to play all sorts of imaginary games.Sadly no longer there! There are so many memories. I remember being able to play tennis in the road out side our bungalow, not many people had a car then. And our little “Island” in the middle of the road at Sefton and Stanley. I could probably go on forever there is so much to remember. Jeanette and I are looking forward to seeing you on the 27th.

    By Sylvia Crowe nee Denman (04/06/2008)
  • Hi Sylvia
    Lovely to make contact.. do you remember the ‘little house’, skating on the cement between your house and the next, and down to the shops, Mr. Dew, and our beloved dolls, and vacations in Somerset? Oh what fun we all used to have. Looking forward to seeing you and Jeanette on 27th.

    By BonnyCother/Veronica Bentley (06/06/2008)
  • Hello Bonny, yes I remember our little house we never did dare to venture out in the middle of the night! And our lovely holidays in Templecombe with Grandma and your lovely Mum. I got Bruce to take me back there but the cottages had been pulled down. The stocks were still there so I took a picture.
    I do remember our dolls and poor Mr Dew we were probably a nightmare! And I’m still not much better at drawing cars you should see my pictures of dogs!
    Can’t wait to see you.

    By Sylvia Crowe/Denman (08/06/2008)
  • I remember you Denman girls and your mum, I must be a couple of years older than the rest of you. I remember the island between Sefton Road and Stanley Ave. Somehow we always had snow and I remember sledding on the hill behind where the Mile Oak pub is. I also remember some kids getting a ride in the newspaper van to go ice skating. It must have been just after the war and I am sure they went to Brighton. Lots of good memories growing up in Mile Oak even in difficult times.

    By Lynne {Abbott} Neidhardt (09/06/2008)
  • Sorry Lynne, but I don’t remember you. I was born in 1945, my mum moved to Mile Oak, Stanley Avenue in1943. I remember her saying that her knees used to knock when the air raid sirens went off. She used to go under the kitchen table with us girls, she must have been so frightened. Dad was away in the army. When he came home he walked from the station not knowing where Mile Oak was – he thought it was out in the wilds! Mum also worked on Broomfields Farm. I can still remember the smell of the earth, the sun, all of us kids: the Thomas’s, Bonny, the Hornbys and Jess Hornby who was a special friend of my Mum’s – in fact I believe she worked on the farm driving a tractor till the 1980’s. My darling Mum passed away last year at the age of 90. Coincidently it is the anniversary of her death on the 28th July so it will be especially momentous for us as we had a plaque put up in the Church of the Good Shepherd in memory of our parents.  I remember so much of Mile Oak – going to the Church Hall for parties and having to take our own plate and spoon, Sunday School, had to go as Dad was ringing the bell! I remember Miss Eyles. We have hand-painted photographhs of us girls – Jeanette was holding a parrot (not a real one). I also used to go to the Elliots – Anne used to let me borrow her Enid Blyton books. I have so many happy memories.

    By Sylvia Crowe / Denman (15/06/2008)
  • Hi Sylvia.  I have some of the special portraits taken by Ms. Eyles also – hope you bring yours along. I have a photo of you at my 5th birthday party also, I have made some copies of that and other photos from my collection for you. My email address is bonnycother@yahoo.com, if you want to contact.  I think Jeanette might recall Lynne Abbott. Does she remember the Finlaysons of Foxhunters Way? And would Pam recall the Collison twins?  We have over 50 original “kids” coming along on the Monday. It is going to be so much fun.

    By Bonny Cother / Veronica Bentley (17/06/2008)
  • I do recall Lorraine Finlayson. I hear she is not too well at the moment. I don’t know whether you or anyone else remembers her cousin Ken Martin? Sadly he passed away last October – he was a work collegue of mine. I’m hoping Pam will be able to come on the weekend, she lives in Lincoln so it’s quite a way for her to come. I remember the twins – didn’t they live in Stanley avenue?  Jeannette has most of the old photos so I will get her to bring them along.  I didn’t realise that there were so many people that feel the same about dear old Mile Oak as I do. My email: sylv128@hotmail.com

    By Sylvia Crowe / Denman (18/06/2008)
  • Hello Sylvia. You are the same age as my twin brothers that were born at 378 Mile Oak Road in 1945 on VJ day – that was some day. My other brother, Paul, was born in Sefton Road in 1940 and I am older. Funny – I was born in London and came to Mile Oak when I was one year old. Have lots of memories of Mile Oak. We used to carol sing and have great bonfires in the Paddocks. Lots of fun days between the air raids.  My mum just turned 95 two weeks ago. I wish that I was near her because she could have told us a lot about Mile Oak. Cheers from Idaho.

    By Lynne Abbott Neidhardt (19/06/2008)
  • Can any one help me? I am tracing my ancestoral tree and have come across John Aldridge who in 1871 was at a racing stable in Portslade. Does anyone have information on these stables? Thank you.

    By Tina Reeves (16/07/2008)
  • I wondered if anybody has heard of a “Jam Factory” in Mile Oak, Portslade. I believe the name may have been “Cookes” or “Cookies”. My grandfather met his wife there in around 1920-23.

    By david.lee800@ntlworld.com (20/07/2008)
  • This is an answer to two questions: 1) Tina Reeves: the racing stables which were referred to were probably the Paddocks at Mile Oak as there was a stables there for many years. 2) David Lee: the “Jam Factory” to which you refer was probably the ‘pickle factory’ that used to be opposite where the shops now are in Mile Oak.

    By David Elliott (21/07/2008)
  • Hello David. I remember the pickle factory. During the war they made fire kindling – little bundles of wood. I remember Mum working there.

    By Lynne Abbott Neidhardt (27/07/2008)
  • It was really great to read all the comments on this site but you must forgive me if I can’t now put a face to all the names.
    My parents moved into Foxhunters Road in 1935 and I can share the memories of so many of you. I can well remember coming home from school and feeding the horses at the bottom of the garden before Standley Avenue South was developed. I can also remember the prisoners of war – I came off my bike in Mile Oak Road and my mother’s face was a picture when I was carried home by one of them (plus escort), and the French Canadians billeted in the woods at the bottom of the road. Really showing my age now. My father died very young by today’s standards, but my mother only died last year aged almost 96. My husband and I moved back into Mile Oak in 2006 to enable us to care for her and we still spend a lot of time keeping up the garden which was always her pride and joy. I was really sorry to miss the re-union having had an accident and being stuck indoors with my leg in plaster. Trust you all had a great time.

    By Marian Parke (Ditton) (28/07/2008)
  • Hello Marion Ditton. I remember you. Seems like yesterday we were kids up Mile Oak.
    I did pop up there a couple of years ago when I came home for my mums 90th, lots of changes but it is stilll Mile Oak. I do remember your mum, and my mum is 95 and hanging in there. I reckon it’s good Sussex air and lots of hard work, as they never had it easy. Best wishes from Lynne in Idaho

    By Lynne Abbott Neidhardt (29/07/2008)
  • Thank you for your information about the old stables in Portslade. I wonder if there has been a book written about the old Portslade which might have more information?  Once again thank you.

    By Tina Reeves (12/08/2008)
  • I have a photo from my neighbour with a group of fellow workers who were employed at the Mile Oak School. I think she said it was taken in the 50’s.

    By Elizabeth Edwards (01/09/2008)
  • Hello David Reader, Steve Redhead and George Martin you all mentioned Mile Oak approved school. OK David Reader, you mentioned most of the names of the teachers, for instance Mr. Beale the Head.
    When I visited Mile Oak around 1952, I went to Mr Beale’s house near the wreck. He asked me, did I think he was fair as he had been fired – something to do with rationing. I said yes, I found you to be a good man.
    As for the names of the four houses when I was there: Allenby Haig which were the army Beatty and Jellico were the navy. I was in navy withYates, Wilks, Wilson, Inwood and Mr Beale of course.
    My number was 119, but as yet, I have not come across a boy who was there when I was there. And yet all the things you wrote about were the same as when I was there.
    As I said the houses were differant, as in names, but everything else was the same. I went to Chelsea Barracks in the Boxing finals and won a medal, also swimming at Brighton baths against other schools, and running long distance. On sports day, I ran the mile against really big boys and did well. Mr Yates was my favorite teacher.
    OK, on to Tony roberts. I remember too well, what the school was like. Hard and tough, but after a while I enjoyed the discipline.
    Regular meals. Just being at the end of the war, we were lucky to get three meals a day and a slice of bread and jam in the gym for supper, as we all were crossed legged on the wooden floor. Then into a French bed as they would call it, meaning the boys would double up the top sheet and when you tried to get into bed you had to remake it again. But then you went there four years after I left and I cannot remember any of the boys who I left behind. My email address is trevorwhitworth@hotmail.com, get in touch. Hello Steve Redhead, your name keeps popping up. About the chap murded in Ramsgate, I never read about that. The poor chap must have attended the school long after I left in 1950.
    My fondest regards to all who attended Mile Oak school for good boys, as that’s what we were.

    By Trevor Whitworth (19/09/2008)
  • Oh well. I seem to be alone on my enquiries of the lads being at Mile Oak Approved School for Good boys between 1945 to 1950 or am I the only one living from that time? I read a comment by Phil Burton talking about MileOakCountySchool for Boys. Surely Phil, you are not talking about Mile oak Approved School because
    you mentioned Mr. Beale as the Head. What year was this? as until about 1952 he was the Head of Mile Oak Approved School. But unfortunately he lost the Job owing to the LCC insinuating he was on the fiddle about Rationing as this was not to long after the war and things were still on ration. On my last comment above, I did mention he told me, when I went to see him at his house near the Portslade Wreck, about 1952 thereabouts. But then I am thinking he went into another post at another school. Please enlighten me on this. My email address trevorwhitworth@hotmail.com

    By Trevor Whitworth (23/09/2008)
  • Yes Trevor, Dave Reader, Steve Redhead and I were there in the 70s.

    By Lee Mack (08/10/2008)
  • Reading the above comments about Mile Oak Approved school, it should be noted that Portslade County School for Boys also had a Headmaster named Mr.Beal. Was this the same man?

    By Tony Clevett (25/10/2008)
  • Does any one know the whereabouts of Jimmy and Gerald Wise of Mile Oak? Their father, Big Jim, worked at the water company in Mile Oak. Jimmy married Tina and had a daughter Joanne. They are cousins and I lost contact with them in the 1970s. Would love to hear from them.

    By Judy Whittaker (nee Sheppard) (29/10/2008)
  • Re the contribution from Judy Whittaker: Judy, the organizers of the recent Mile Oak Reunion are busy writing a book on the history of Mile Oak. If and when you locate your cousins, Jimmy and Gerald Wise, could you let me also know how to contact them? My e-mail address is: ppd@hetnet.nl they might be able to help us with some information, which they might have known via their father, on the Mile Oak Waterworks. Thanks for your help in this.

    By Pat Peeters (nee Bunting) (02/11/2008)
  • I was at the approved school from 1973 until 1977. The houses were called Lewes, Pevensey, Arundel and Bramber after the castles. I remember Wayne, he was in Lewes and was a good cross country runner. He was the best runner in the school and there were also David and Simon Mansel and Richard Lowry. The only time I’ve ever met anyone from there was in borstal or prison. Sadly I remember Mr Fordham- he gave me the cane. .and Mr Yates or nutter as we called him.  He chain smoked even in class. My favourite staff were Mr Redhead and Mr Ambrose. Mr Kane was headmaster. We used to say cane by name cane by nature still I probably deserved it. If kids today had the discipline we had maybe the country wouldn’t be in such a mess. If anyone remembers me, my e mail address is b14words@yahoo.co.uk.  My 3 brothers were there before me, their names were Roy Rogers early 1960,  Derrick Rogers 1960s and Kenny rRgers late 1960s early 1970s.

    By Barry Rogers (20/12/2008)
  • I thought that I would offer a bit of an update on Mile Oak.The plot or land on the east side of Mile Oak Road just north of Paythorne cottage has just been sold for what I do not know.The old Spar shop is now derelict and the large house on the corner of Mile Oak Road and Chalky Road is being converted into Maisonettes and flats. The site on the northern part of the LCC school has been developed with a number of houses and flats and is called Monarchs View. I will try and update the happenings in Mile Oak from time to time.The Argus web site is another good place to keep up to date and can be found at http://www.theargus.co.uk.

    By Councillor Bob Carden (26/12/2008)
  • I also remmber Linda Roley, did your Mum used to ring a bell when it was time for you to come home? Also I remember Bonnie, Enrite, Christine Green, Ian King, Jeffrey Freeman,Theresa Villes, also Gwen Holden and Janet Curley. We all lived in the same road I think. I must say that my sister Jennie and myself have lovely memories growing up in Mile Oak. Have not been back to England since my parents sadly passed away in 1997, hope someone in Mile Oak knows of these people.

    By Sally Murar (bowman) (25/01/2009)
  • With reference to the reference by Sally Murar, I lived next door to Janet Karly in Oakdene Crescent. She now lives in Lytham St Annes near Blackpool. Both her parents John and Pat have sadly now died. Her younger brother David was killed in a parachute accident several years ago. Her other brother lives somewhere in Mid Sussex. They were a wonderful family, extremely nice neighbours

    By Councillor Bob Carden (02/02/2009)
  • Hallo Bob, what a lovely surprise to hear from you, unfortunately your Janet isn’t the same as ours. Our Janet lived on the corner of Drove Crescent. Her mum was Vera, the dog’s name was
    Judy but I can’t remember her Dad’s name; also she was an only child. We, my sister Jennie and myself can’t remember where Oakdene Crescent is, perhaps you could put us in the picture? We obviously don’t know each other, but it was nice to have a reply. It would be brilliant if someone out there that did know us would write a little something. I am sorting out some old photos from our childhood, and will be putting them on the school page if anyone is interested.

    By sally murar (nee Bowman) (03/02/2009)
  • In reply to Sally Murar nee Bowman, I lived in Valley Road when it was first built in 1946/7 when it was called Drove Gardens having moved up from George Street when I was 10 years old. Our house was the last one in the street at that time and was situated at the bottom of the footpath running down from Mile Oak Road. I later moved to Heathfield Drive when I married in 1963. Then in 1979 we moved to Oakdene Crescent to what I think is the nicest part of the world or was until the Brighton Bypass was constructed.
    I am not sure where you are in the world, but I will if you are OK about it, put a piece in the North Portslade Community newspaper that is published bi monthly. I also write a column on the Argus website as the Portslade community correspondent where you can pick up my E mail address. Come up with a few more names and I will see who is still about.

    By Councillor Bob Carden (08/02/2009)
  • We have been residents here in Mile Oak Road since 1995.
    Love reading the website and wondered if anyone has any memories of our house. We live at 164 Mile Oak Road( opposite Edgehill Way) and believe that a Mr & Mrs Englehart lived here for many years. Also there is no 166 Mile Oak Road. Next door is now a modern house (168) that we believe was built on a double plot. I think it may have been a an orchard prior to building. Our house deeds suggest that we may have once been a poultry farm. Would love to know any past memories relating to this area.
    Although We were’nt born and bred here we still love it and spend many hours walking the downs with our two Border Collie dogs.

    By Julie Grant (01/03/2009)
  • If I think back to about 1948, there was an orchard somewhere near to where Wickhurst and Stonery Roads are today.
    I remember when I was about ten years old, playing in that area and going into an old shed to find a large number of live .022 bullets that were quickly taken away by the police.
    Another memory I have, is finding self set potato plants and digging them on land that had previously been market garden.
    The area near Chalky Road was farmed by the Broomfield family and the bit adjoining the footpath running down to Valley Road from Mile Oak Road was owned by Mr Hugget.
    He lived with his wife in the Olivers in North Road that was the bottom of his land.
    The land was farmed using a horse to do all the ploughing etc.
    That part of Valley Road to where No 40 is today was then called Drove Gardens.
    We lived at No 40 that in those days was 11 Drove Gardens, how confusing.
    We moved there from George Street about 1947 and to think we actually had a bath room even though in the summer the water was heated in an old boiler which we carried up stairs and was also used to boil our clothes.
    We had no television at that time. Our first one was purchased just too late for the Coronation.
    All my mates then came to watch the FA Cup final as it was the only set in the Street.
    How did we manage?

    By Cllr Bob Caarden (08/03/2009)
  • To Bob Carden. Hello,sorry I haven`t been into the internet the last couple of weeks. I live in Germany and have been here since 1970. Before I moved to Germany I lived at 66 Wickhurst Road on the corner of Wickhurst Rise. My sister and I also remember picking potatoes up the top of Wickhurst Road, I think. We have so many memories of our childhood which never was boring. One girl I remember, her name was Christine Adams and lived up Foredown Drive. I haven`t seen her since 1960 or something. Perhaps you could find out where she is today. I went to St. Nicholas School in Portslade and I put two photos in. One is the Nativity around  1959 and the other one doing a Dutch Dance. Have a nice day.Thank you for your interest.

    By Sally Murar nee Bowman (11/03/2009)
  • With reference to Sally Murar and her request about any knowledge of Christine Adams formerly of Foredown Drive; I will see what I can do. But as with most females, she has probably married and changed her name. However I will see what I can do when I have a spare 5 minutes or so. I will check the electorial register for to see if there is an Adams still living there.

    By Cllr Bob Carden (23/03/2009)
  • Great site! My name is Vicky Lynch. I had an older sister Marian, we lived in Drove Crescent. Hi Sally, do you remember me? Marian was friends with Janet Curley. I remember you and your sister. We used to play on The Bumps behind Valley Road. Hi to Tony Clevett and Bob Carden too. Hi Paul Edwards..my friends and I used to go up the farm on our bikes with you…and Ian Ferguson, etc. Moved away to Canada and worked at Gatwick Airport for 25 years.. weird you live in Horley. I travelled the World but now back living in High Street in The Old Village. So many memories. So much has changed, but great to see so many comments and recognise names after all these years.. will comment again.

    By Vicky Lynch (21/04/2009)
  • Just read your email Vicky, where did you live in Drove Crescent? We lived on the  opposite courner to Janet, I asked my sister Jennie if she rememberd you but we both are not too sure. I do remember playing behind the bumps of Valley Road. What school did you go to?

    By Sally Murar (22/04/2009)
  • Hi Sally, We lived at the northern end of Drove Crescent, opposite The Green Triangle. Mum was Marge(sadly died 2001) Dad Jim still with us! Marian and I both went to Chalky Road Girl’s School. I was blonde, Marian brunette.I am now 54. We used to go around with Janet Curley. We thought nothing of taking off over the Downs to pick blackberries or of walking to The Dyke, complete with lemonade powder drink from Mr. Eames’ sweet shop in Valley Road. Maybe you are Janet’s age? We were also friends with Maureen and Bruce Hill from Wickhurst Road. Hope this jogs your memory. Regards to all readers and contributors of this site.

    By Vicky Lynch (23/04/2009)
  • Hi Vicky, nice to read your e-mail this morning. Still not sure who you are, we lived at 106 Drove Crescent in a flat above Mrs Dunn, on the left side of the road lived the Holden sisters. I think one was Gwen Holden. We played with Christine Green, Ian king, Teresa Villis, some of the names, such as Linda Roley we can remember, and Janet. I am now 60 my sister 59. We moved to 66 Wickhurst Rise,went to the Knoll Girls School. In 1970 I left England and went to Germany and have been here now 40 years. That’s probably why we have a problem trying to recall who you are, perhaps you know some of the names mentioned. We remember the shops in Valley Road and we used to go to Courthope Youth Club in the sixties. Do give some more names, and have you seen Janet in later years? ‘Have a nice day’ to all people who remember Sally and Jennie Bowman.

    By sally murar (26/04/2009)
  • Hello Terry Bayse. Once again I read your comments at the top of this page. You state you were at Mile Oak Approved School for good boys. You were there from 1949. I take it you read my comments. I was there from 1946 to 1950 Easter. In house Jellico Navy side. We must have crossed paths, maybe in the same house. Can you remember the Riley brothers Jimmy and younger brother Terry? Also do you remember a boy called Flack and his brother. Ray Flack had a finger missing? My email again is trevorwhitworth@hotmail.com.

    By Trevor Whitworth (02/05/2009)
  • Wow! It’s always so interesting to read all people’s memories about Mile Oak and how sometimes people come back to their roots (I would love to!). I strongly recommend anyone and everyone to use Google maps or Google Earth app to get a very up-to-date view of the area. Google Earth needs to be downloaded and installed on your Pc/Lappy – Google maps esp is excellent for looking at the Mile Oak/Portslade area using both maps and satellite images – and it’s free. It can even find areas by postcode search. If you you use the program (it’s a global online service), just input something like ‘Mile Oak, Sussex, United Kingdom’. It’s fantastic to get a close aerial view of the area and see how, for example, the chalkpit and the whole area has changed in the last 40 years.
    Vicky – I’m sorry to say I don’t remember ‘us’ going out with our bikes – did you know Phil Burton then? He was one of our mates and lived near you (very white hair). He still lives in the area. Ian Ferguson was living over in Worthing last time I heard. I would love it Vicky if you could jog my memory some more and if we could meet up for a chat sometime (I don’t need much of an excuse to come down to Mile Oak!).
    Linda P. – You mentioned you had some photos of 1963 era. Do you still have them and could you post them somewhere or mail me a link?  ‘Flickr’ is a great place to put photos and give someone a link. My email is itsmepaul57@gmail.com   Thanks.

    By Paul Edwards (06/05/2009)
  • As I said, I do from time to time go back to Mile Oak and as digital photography is a major interest for me I naturally like to take a few pix. Here are a couple of links to some I have taken in recent months, maybe of interest to those of you who live abroad. I work at Gatwick airport and it only takes me about 40 minutes to get down there from here. Sorry, I’m a bit lazy and haven’t got round to annotating them all yet – I’ll try to force myself! http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/itsmepaul57/VisitToMileOak?feat=directlink
    http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/itsmepaul57/TODAY?feat=directlink
    You’re welcome to download any you like.

    By Paul Edwards (07/05/2009)
  • My first comment is in response to a posting made back in 2005, by Mike Stapley. Mike asked for advice regarding finding the death of Rowland Stapley, aka Farmer Rowland. There are a couple of candidates, both died before 1925, as per Mike’s data, but I would need a bit more information to try and track down the correct record. If Mike ever looks on here again, please feel free to contact me and I will gladly try to help. My email is Natbrent@fastmail.fm. I have been done family history research, off and on, for over 20 years, and although I wouldn’t say I am expert, I may be able to assist Mike or anyone else for that matter. I have a few old Directories and other resources, and I am happy to do look-ups for anyone – I am not always speedy but I am willing. Secondly, I saw various mentions of books and photos about Portslade and Mile Oak and I thought readers may like to look at an outstanding resource for the latter – the James Gray Collection, on the Regency Society website:
    http://www.regencysociety-jamesgray.com but be prepared to be distracted, possibly for many hours. The collection covers many local areas, with photographs spanning numerous decades.  I lived In Mile Oak Road from 1974 to about 1982, not far from the junction with Chalky Road, and I remember the Spar Shop and Bonny’s wonderful shop in the parade opposite. I remember you could arrange for Father Christmas to call and give your children a present on Christmas morning – which was a wonderful thing in those days. It’s good to see what a lively and thriving page this is. An terrific example of the success and scope of this fantastic website.

    By Helen Shipley nee Clifford (20/06/2009)
  • Hello to any old Mile Oak Approved School boys from the 70’s who are likely to read this. A few of us are having a reuinion on the 29th of this month [August 2009] - anyone who would like to come email me at macklee@hotmail.com

    By Lee Mack (22/08/2009)
  • Hi Sally nee Bowman:yYes my mum did ring a bell, I think I still have it somewhere. Of course I remember everyone you mentioned. I remeber your grandparents used to hold small pantomimes in their house at Christmas. We used to play rounders in Wickhurst Road or cricket on the field where Wickhurst Close is. When the dads used to come home from work, we would all go and play for fun up the field in the evenings. What good times we had. I remember the lovely horses’ field where Downland Court is. And the reform school stood so proud on the hill. There was Burt Brundles pig farm. When he had been to the bakery for food for the pigs, he would give us ice-buns or such.

    By Linda Packer (06/09/2009)
  • I am the one of nine Grandchildren of Olive and Tony Gebbett, ex Stanley Road and Post Office in Mile Oak Road. I was brought up at 174 Mile Oak Road from 66-87 and know so many of the people mentioned on here. Even though it was quite developed by the 70s the downs were quiet and safe, and my brothers and I used to go roaming for hours, going as far as Beeding. Happy days indeed. My mum still lives in the same house, nearly 50 years now. I am in south Portslade with my family. Olive died in 95 and Tony in 78. All descendants are living, spread widely around the world in six different countries. Regards

    By Martin Gebbett (11/09/2009)
  • Hi Linda. Just klicked onto this site and pleased to read your email. Those were happy times when we had our pantomimes, it was every year. My grandmother made all the costumes. If I remember rightly, my Mum also made all the dresses from crepe paper for the Brownies’ pantomimes. My memories are not that good – I also cannot picture the faces anymore. Last time I was in Portslade was 1997. I have also heard it has changed so much, what a shame. I went to St Nicolas School then the Knoll Girls School. I used to go to the Courthope Youth Club where there were lots of good evenings and live bands. My sister and myself belonged to Shiverers Swimming Club. What school did you go to? How old were we in those days?

    By Sally Murar (15/09/2009)
  • To Helen Michael and all, I also sometimes go to Mile Oak and imagine it is 1973 again, as my childhood there and then was just great. I spent nearly all my time with my beloved Nan, Emmeline Beck of 363 Mile Oak Road. You were 11 years old in 1976 and I was 12, so we probably didn’t know each other. Mr Booth was the headmaster at Mile Oak Primary and my favourite teacher was Mr Grantham. It would certainly be great to hear from any of my old pals, Mark Allen, Gaynor and Donna Laye and all who were at school with me.

    By Richard Beck (18/09/2009)
  • My name was Cynthia Burton. I lived at 360 Mile Oak Road with my dad, Wilf Burton, my mum, Alice Burton, and my brothers Jonh, Graham, Rusty, Francis and sister Sydney. It was quite nostalgic to read all the letters. I remember the thatched cottage that Mrs Painter owned - I used to go in and she would give me apples from her orchard. I remember the downs, Mrs Birchel, Mrs Gere, the Mile Oak being built, the Mile Oak Residents Association Bonfire Parade and Father Christmas coming to our house on Christmas morning, the farm and a whole lot more. I now live in Lancashire with my family and run an Art Club in the town were I live. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me or wants to know more about Mile Oak.

    By Cynthia Miller (19/09/2009)
  • Hi Martin Gebbet, I am Olive Gebbet’s niece. You won’t know me as I left Mile Oak in the 1960s. Aunty Olive and Uncle Tony spent a lot of time with me when I was very young – I did live with them for a short while, in the house that used to be where the Tesco now stands in Shoreham. Is your mum Pam? I remember her.

    By Cynthia Miller (20/09/2009)
  • Hi you all. Paul Edwards here again. Rapidly running out of memories of my time living in Mile Oak. I went down on a nostalgic visit to Mile Oak on Friday last. I was taking advantage of the wonderfully unseasonal weather we have had lately. A really really nice day. I parked the car near the Mile Oak pub and walked up into Oakdene Crescent and through the alleyway up past the Stones old stables – in the stables there is a large van! I still can’t figure out how they got it in there as there is no access – helicopter? One thing I did discover is that it’s true what they are saying in the press. There were lots of spiders. I saw half a dozen hanging over the footpath up to the Downs and also blundered into a couple of webs strung across same. I turned left out of the gate onto the Downs and walked up, following the fence to the gate at the top where the stables used to be. On the way up and on the way down I did some blackberries picking – I also ate them too – are you jealous? It was a lovely day and after my sojourn up on the Downs I walked down the alleyway behind the old ‘Hole in the wall’ the one which joins Beechers Road. I then went down Stanley Avenue and up to the park – well, what used to be the park. It looks very odd now and I had trouble trying to remember how it used to be. It was much bigger that’s for sure – the football club and the school seem to have stolen it. The swings used to be on the top of the ridge – I could see my house at 279 in the distance. Still got memories of riding those swings back in 1965 and day-dreaming away. Every time the swing went forward I imagined I was going to swing over the Downs! It was after 3pm when I was there on Friday and all the kids had just come out of school – how I envied them. How lucky they are to be growing up there, even though I don’t think Mile Oak is as nice as it used to be. I wanted to take some pictures around the park but thought better of it, as someone might think I was taking pictures of the children…….. sad isn’t it – this PC world? After that I walked though past the new school – the little aeroplanes from Shoreham flying overhead just as they have always done. I walked into Graham Avenue and up to the shops there – where I purchased a sandwich and a drink for refreshment. Then I walked back the way I had come up the path to the Hole in the wall and back to the car – stopping to look at the Mile Oak shops as I did so

    By Paul Edwards (28/09/2009)
  • Hi Cynthia Miller, I would love to hear from you. My mum is Pam (she still visits your stepmum in Mile Oak Road, and knows Rusty). I don’t know much about the Gosdens, but do have a complete Gebbett family tree going back to 1822. Drop me an email on martingebbett@live.co.uk if you can.

    By Martin Gebbett (12/10/2009)
  • Hi Paul you’re quite right I did join the Royal Navy directly after leaving school in 1968 and served the better part of thirty years. Although I’ve now ‘swallowed the anchor’ I’m still very much connected to the service and manage the visitor’s services side of HMS Victory (jobs for the old boys!). I must say these days Victory suits me; permanently in dry dock and home every evening. I still visit Mile Oak most weeks, as my mother still lives in Oakdene Crescent, I often smile about the times we had as children and teens when I look up at the hills behind mum’s house! Do you remember the budgie club run by Buff at the boy’s school?

    By Peter White (29/10/2009)
  • I must say I enjoyed reading the comments on this site; I found it totally by accident whilst searching for something else. Will revisit it regularly to satisfy my nostalgia gene!

    By Peter White (30/10/2009)
  • Peter it so nice to hear from you after all this time. I parked my car near your house just last week. I did look at it and think of you, and I wondered about you and your folks and if you got my message on Friends Reunited. You went into the Navy and I went into the Guards brigade (believe it or not). Amazing job you have now. Yes, of course I remember buff and the buggies – it all seems a bit bizarre now all these years later. I have taken quiet a lot of photos around the Mile Oak area including our old school(s). My email is: itsmepaul57@gmail.com. I am still in touch with Phil Burton and Brian Rollinson, but Ian Ferguson seems to have disassociated himself from us all.

    By Paul Edwards (30/10/2009)
  • Hello, I lived at 144 Mile Oak Rd from 1954 to 1968. There was a field next to us, which now has three blocks of flats built on it. You could see all over the Downs from the back of our house. Coming from Chalky Road, it was the last house before the field/ flats on the left. In the bad winter of 1962/63, one could slide down the path from Mile Oak Road, through Stonery Rd, Drove Crescent, and end up in Valley Road. Anyone remember the twittens at top of Drove Road, which the left path would take you to MileOakGardens, the right path to the Stonery Road/Mile Oak Road junction? A few people I remember in the area were Bonita Enright, Margaret Hughes and Linda Ackhurst for the girls, and David and John Spicer, Barry Scrase, Barry Bunker for the boys. I served an apprenticeship with Vine & Lee, Station Road ( now Tesco). The Home and Colonial shop opposite Vine and Lee was a throwback to the past. Now living in Cwmbran, Gwent-since 1973. I still come back occasionally to see the old areas and some old friends. This is a really good site, found totally unexpectantly after doing a search for someone else.

    By Greg Doull (31/10/2009)
  • Hello Cynthia. You won’t know me but I went to Cottesmore School with Rusty and Teddy Osbourne, I was 10 and had a crush on Rusty. We all came from the Mile Oak area. We are now all in our 60s but the memories do linger. My name was Elizabeth Newell in those days. I have recently moved back to the area and my son is living in Graham Avenue. Went round the world only to come back to the beginning.

    By Elizabeth Edwards (13/11/2009)
  • Hi Elizabeth. My brother Rusty is still living in Portslade. As you say we are all in our 60s but it seems like yesterday when we were all kids. So you have travelled around the world - you must be very knowledgeable. I only started to travel a couple of years ago and love it. It is good to hear from you. I have not been to Mile Oak since my dad passed away - has it changed much? Please keep in touch Kindest regards.

    By Cynthia Miller (08/12/2009)
  • Seasons greetings to you all – Mile Oakers past and present. The downs behind Mile Oak must be fantastic now with all the snow – ideal for some thrilling sledging – just be careful of barbed wire fence at the bottom of the hill! You really build up speed going down there! We used to jam screwed up bits of newspapers down our rubber boots. This kept your legs and feet warm and stopped snow going down inside. Wish you all a very happy Christmas and and a prosperous new 2010. Paul Edwards (1954 – 1968)

    By Paul Edwards (18/12/2009)
  • Hi, does anyone remember the Hobdens from Stonery Road? Bill, Lil, Terry, Tina, Rob and me. I would love to hear from anyone we lived next door to the Jenmans.

    By Tony Hobden (scruff) (26/12/2009)
  • Really nice to read all the lovely memories. I’m just doing a bit of family history research and wondered if anyone can say anything about number 2 Graham Avenue, especially from mid 50s to the late 80s.

    By Ron (27/12/2009)
  • I have just moved into 286 Mile Oak Road, which is one of the two white cottages at the top of Chalky Road. It is  immediately on the left as you turn left into Mile Oak Road. It would be interesting if anyone can help with any history of my new home?

    By Scott (29/12/2009)
  • Hi Scott – good move! I only wish you could have seen the area before it was over-built. Chalky Lane actually was a chalky rutty track – its been tarmaced since the ’60s though. There was a big golden cornfield to the left of your house – now, sadly overbuilt with houses and flats. If you read the other postings from myself and others you will find out a lot about the history of the place. I lived across the road from you at 278 in the white cottages to the left of the Chalkpit until the age of 15 and had very happy times there. The house/cottage you now live in was lived in by a farmer, Mr Robinson and his lovely wife – she was a real old dear but very kind to us kids I seem to remember. Good luck in your new home.

    By Paul Edwards (01/01/2010)
  • Hi Sally, I am Jackie Dunn that lived down stairs from you in Drove Cres. I have lived in Western Australia since I was 12. I have been back to UK a few times over the years- last July was my last visit. I went to the old house as I do each time and took pictures and also had a reunion with some of the girls I went to school with- one of them was Sheila Mepham who lived across the road. I would love to catch up with you and any one else that remembers me. My email is jvillano@bigpond.net.au

    By Jackie (nee Dunn) (12/01/2010) (12/01/2010)
  • Hi. Greg Doull a question for you: are you the Greg that was an apprentice at Vine and Lees garage the same time as myself, Chris Howard, Les Goatcher, Ray and Phill Way among others if so please email me at labrador2@btinternet.com it would be great to hear from you.

    By Ken Barrington (16/01/2010)
  • I went to Mile Oak Girls School from 1950 1955 but cannot remember things except for spending time outside theheadmistress’ room. I played a lot of netball, hockey and stoolball. Now with my friend Maureen Denning (nee Burtenshaw) I remember Cathy Hodge, Diane Christmas but then it all goes black.

    By Diane Newnham(nee roxbee) (17/01/2010)
  • I used to go to Mile Oak Girls School in 1953 and left England for Australia in1955. I lived in Fairfield Gardens, Portslade. Dawn Rist used to live oposite me. At school I was friends with Pat Benson, Pat Butcher, Daphne Dyson and Joan Peel – are you girls still around? I came over after 50 years for a visit and loved it. Please, if you remember me, contact me on jollyjan@live.com

    By Jan Purcell (nee Janet Burgess) (21/01/2010)
  • Hi Linda Packer nee Rowley, I had Sandy the dog from the Cooper’s who used to go mad everytime she saw you. I remember I had only had her a few days and took her for a walk, she suddenly went nuts until I couldn’t hold the lead any longer and let go. She ran off up Wickhurst Road with me trying to keep up. When we got around the bend I found you making a big fuss of her. From then on when she went nuts I knew you were around somewhere and would just let the lead go and she would find you. It broke my heart to part with her when we came to Australia but she went to a very good home – an elderly lady Mrs Prentice whom we had known for years took her and she live to an old age. Ever true to her character Sandy saved Mrs Prentice’s life; she fell down her stairs and laid unconcious. Sandy went to the side gate and barked until the neighbours came to complain and found her and called an ambulance. Mrs Prentice suffer a fractured skull and broken wrist and made a full recovery. My Mum could never smack me once we had Sandy, she always knew when I was in trouble and would get between Mum and me so Mum tried to lock her out of the room and that didn’t work either. I am still in contact with the Coopers.

    By Jackie (nee Dunn) (26/01/2010)
  • This is a message for Lynne Abbott. I have been trying to get in touch with you but have had no reply to my e mails. I hope you are alright. Please could you e mail me when you can as we have the things you wanted on Mile Oak. In case you have lost my e mail address it is MPythonEsq@aol.com I look forward to hearing from you.

    By Mary Elliott (29/01/2010)
  • Hello everyone. I live in Overdown Rise and just want to say what a lovely place Mile Oak is. The shop in Graham Ave is convenient and not too pricey, the 1 and 1a bus is always available, the Chinese takeaway does a brilliant crispy duck and a blinding wonton by all accounts, the Downs is a 5 minute walk away, there are not too many chavs around compared to South Portslade, parking is free and a plenty, the old folk are far from moany, Mile Oak Farm has a wonderful donkey called Albert and overall I am happy to be here. Just thought I’d share that with you.

    By Leon Blank (13/02/2010)
  • Hello Cynthia. You would not Know Mile Oak now. In fact Portslade has changed a lot but there are still pockets which will never change. My email is eliz.edwards@hotmail.co.uk. Send me an email and let me know how the family is and what has happened in the years that have gone by.

    By Elizabeth Edwards (14/02/2010)
  • It is a long time since I sent in a comment. First, Cynthia: is Johnny still alive, I had such a crush on him when we were young? It is lovely to see your name on the web page. Secondly: for anyone wanting to read some history of Mile Oak, there is a newly published book out by David Elliott, WOW so full of history… and of course the stories of the “kids” from Mile Oak Revisited. Worth looking at the site and then seeing if you can purchase the book. I am not sure if it is on public sale yet or just for those who attended the fabulous reunion in 2008.

    By Bonny Cother (15/02/2010)
  • Richard Beck, do you have family history notes of your family? Many of the “old” Mile Oakers recall your family living at the bottom of Sefton Road, is that right? We would like to update our old family stories, if you can enlighten us. I am one of the Dream Team that organized a Mile Oak Revisited reunion two years ago…for the “kids” of old Mile Oak. We are currently planning another reunion, again for the “old” kids. But would like to update with family news, if anyone out there who lived or family lived in Mile Oak during the 30’s 40’s and early 50’s, please contact Bonny Cother – born at 1 Beechers Road, Mile Oak in the 40’s.

    By Bonny Cother (16/02/2010)
  • Cynthia I gave you the wrong email it is elizeds@hotmail.co.uk. Do any of the families that lived in the Mile Oak Road above Melrose Ave, the Jacksons and the Lintots have any input? if so I would love to hear from them. They would have known me as Carole, Mrs Coggins grand daughter.

    By Elizabeth Edwards (14/03/2010)
  • Just found this site. It has brought back my childhood.

    By John Cox (20/03/2010)
  • I recently purchased a slide copier as back in the 70’s and 80’s I used to take only slides. The only problem being that they are hard to show. So at the moment my project is to copy some of my more interesting slides and I have found some old slides of Mile Oak taken back in the late 70’s. Hope you find them interesting. http://tinyurl.com/ylzho5y

    By Paul Edwards (09/04/2010)
  • You all might be interested to know that the Mile Oak area is now covered by Google Earth and Google Maps street view. In some ways I think maybe Google Maps is better as you can actually walk around the streets!! You just need to scroll to the Mile oak area then ‘PULL’ the little orange man on the lefthand toolbar onto Mile Oak! enjoy!! Paul Edwards http://maps.google.co.uk

    By Paul Edwards (12/04/2010)
  • John Cox, I noted a message from you. Did you live in the two storey house on Mile Oak Road, opposite Brian Cox’s house? We have a reunion this year for the original “kids” of Mile Oak … contact if you think you maybe in the group.

    By Bonny Cother (13/05/2010)
  • On the 16th Feb. 2010 Bonny Cother mentioned the reunion that was held in 2008 for old ‘MileOakers’. She also mentioned a book that we published, ‘MILE OAK – Birth of a Community’, to commemorate that reunion and it includes much information and memories of those early days of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. The book is available to purchase. More information about the book can be found on this web site under ‘Topics/Local history resources’ with notes by Jennifer Drury and also on the web site http://www.mileoakrevisited.co.uk. It is intended that we hold another reunion in July 2010.

    By David Elliott (14/05/2010)
  • Yes Bonny I did live in that house and hope to be at reunion on 25/07/10. David has emailed me with details of expected reunion – hope to see you all again

    By John Cox (15/05/2010)
  • Hi John. Great to read you will be at the reunion this year. Were you once a policeman? The current owner of your old home on Mile Oak Road has dug up many artifacts and has asked for any history available of the house. Dont forget to bring any old photos of your time in Mile Oak.

    By Bonny Cother (29/05/2010)
  • In July 2008 we held a very successful reunion for the people who grew up in Mile Oak during the 1930’s, 1940’s and early 1950, some 50 or more old Mile Oakers together with their families attended. It has therefore been decided to hold another reunion this year [2010] on Sunday 25th July at Mile Oak Farm with arrivals any time after 11.15am. This time we will be having a BBQ with food being ready from about 12 noon. There will be a charge, sufficient to cover our costs, for burgers or sausage in a roll. Drinks or ice creams are available from the farm shop. We will welcome all those who attended last time and we are especially looking forward to meeting those who could not come or who we were unable to locate at the time. All will be welcome. Should you know of anyone and their whereabouts who lived in Mile Oak during the above years and who have not been in touch with us please let either them or us know. If you have any photographs of when you were young or that relate to those early years that you would like to share with us, please bring them with you or forward a copy of them to one of the following e-mail addresses. If you are able to come and have not already informed us please let us know at either of the following e-mail addresses info@mileoakrevisited.co.uk or MPythonEsq@aol.com. We need to know numbers so that we know how many to cater for. Whilst most of those who attended the last reunion have purchased the book ‘Mile Oak – Birth of a Community’ that we have produced to celebrate the reunion, we have further copies that will be available on the day.

    By David Elliott (05/06/2010)
  • Like many people, I have just discovered this site and after browsing through many comments I noticed a comment from Gregg Doull [31.10.2009]. Are you the younger brother of David Doull, Greg? David and I used to be good friends at Portslade County school.

    By Keith Granger (22/10/2010)
  • Can anyone please tell me a bit of history about the Whitecroft house along Mile Oak?  Many thanks

    By Valerie (03/11/2010)
  • Hi, can anyone get back to me with history of number 300 along Mile Oak Road please as I am trying to find the history of the Ruff family. They used to live at number 407 Mile Oak Road. Many thanks

    By Lee Ruff (11/11/2010)
  • I thought it was about time that I added a bit to the Milke Oak site. I was at the Mile Oak reunion this year to cover it for the Argus blog. It was very well attended and followed on from the Mile Oak Farm open day held on the Saturday. It was a super day and I took a number of photographs including a couple of group shots in front of the farm shop that I remember as the old chicken shed. I took a number of photos over the two days and I am more than willing to email the group shot to anyone who requires it. It was nice to see Keith Granger writing an article as I remember him from the area playing football for Mile Oak FC. I watch Mile Oak play on most Saturdays at the recreation ground where I stand with several old Mile Oak players including Charlie Phelps, Ron Kerly and Melvin Patterson. I have a border collie / Alsation that watches the game and follows the ball intensley. I have been a councillor for North Portslade for just on 20 years now and keep well up with local issues. I can be contacted by email bob.carden@brighton-hove.gov.uk

    By Bob Carden (28/11/2010)
  • I was surprised and delighted to get an email from the new residents of my old home at 279 Mile Oak Road the other day. They are doing some excellent work modernising the place and also kindly sent me some pictures of what it is like now (I haven’t seen inside for over 40 years). I want to wish them the best of luck in their new home and I hope they will be as happy as I was there.

    By Paul Edwards (06/12/2010)
  • Re Bob Cardin’s comment about watching football with Charlie Phelpps. That name brought back long ago memories of Charlie, Brian Denyer and “Angel” with alsatian dog. Doubtful if Charlie will remember Bonny Cother, but would love you to jog his memory of how many times we all stood chatting in Chalky Lane, Portslade Rec. I recall Charlie had a nasty bite on his lip from a caged bird, quite a lump came up. Merry Christmas to you all

    By Bonny Cother (13/12/2010)
  • A very merry Christmas from Mile Oak to all the readers of this site. We are once again in the snowy season and the roads have been a bit bad for a few days unusual for this time of the year. I sit with Charlie Phelps and the other old stagers watching

    By Bob Carden (23/12/2010)
  • Hi Bob, how about some snow scene photos of Mile Oak for me, send to aussigal1@yahoo.com, I would appreciate. Happy New Year to all in Mile Oak, Portslade, Sussex, and specially to Jennifer and company at My Brighton and Hove web page. I am at present in Perth West Australia, have met up with Mary Cross, sister to David at Mile Oak farm. I will be returning to cold,.brrr, Florida end of January.

    By Bonny Cother (31/12/2010)
  • I took a copy of my last e-mail from Bonny Cother regarding the class of 4A at Portslade Boys school, to football today and left it with Charlie Phelps who is in the picture. He will be commenting on it and I will forward his comments in a week or so time. Bob Carden

    By Bob Carden (29/01/2011)
  • I have just read through all the comments and it makes very interesting reading. Although not a Mile Oaker [I was born and lived down on the Old Shoreham Road], I do remember many names from the Fifties and Sixties and am sure I was in the same class at St Nicolas as Sally Bowman and Marcus Jackson and am sure that Paul Edwards was a friend of my great buddy Roger Reeve. There was a request a couple of years back about the nursery. This I am sure was run by my uncle Eddie Wrapson and his father Charles before him. It was very active before during and just after the war, but could not compete with cheaper imports in the fifties. Eddie had a house built on the Mile Oak Road just opposite Chrisdory Road where the 15B terminated. Eddie had 4 children Kevin, twins Eillen and Josephine, and Elizabeth. I remember very happy times roaming the fields where Oakdene Cres stands. Adjacent to the nursery was the piggery run by the colourful Bert Brundle who lived down in Abinger Road and often drove his old Ford Popular around with a pig in the back. Well done to all the contributors on this bit of the site.

    By Peter Wrapson (30/01/2011)
  • This world gets smaller by the day. My grandfather (step) worked for the Wrapsons on their farm where the Downs Park is today just north of Fox Way. He later moved to carting coke at the gas works before he died during the last war. His name was Jack (John) Styles and he lived at 5 George Street, Portslade. One of the Wrapson family lived in Southdown Road until a few years ago and took part in the Intergenerational project with me until afew years ago before moving to Southwick. I delivered meat from Venners the butchers in Portslade Village to the Hiltons who lived at Bush Cottage on the farm when I was 14 years of age in 1952. Cllr Bob Carden.

    By Bob Carden (31/01/2011)
  • Bob’s latest post certainly made the world smaller, his grandfarher must have worked for my great grandfather John Wrapson who rented Bush Farm (now Downs Park) from Brighton Council in the first years of the 20th century. He was Eddie Wrapson’s grandfather and my dad’s who was Reg Wrapson. Eddie lived on Southdown Road and did contribute to that project. John Wrapson went on to hold many carting contracts although he could not read and write. He died in 1928. The Hiltons must have been later tenants of Bush Cottage. This certainly stirs memories.

    By Peter Wrapson (02/02/2011)
  • I remember Fred Patching, his son Bob and daughter Marjorie. I used to play piano and accordion in my band with Peter Patching playing drums.

    By Barrie Searle (04/02/2011)
  • I was born in 1962 and our family was one of the first to move into 4, Overdown Rise when the top was still a chalk track. Dad Len, mum Rruth, sister Jane and myself spent many happy times playing with Lee Collins, David Fox, Paul Price, Gavin Tanner, and the Aylewood boys – sorry can’t remember their names. We spent ages over the dump – now near the bypass. Anyone remember the big bonfires at the old farm, or behind Gorse Close or in the field by Mile Oak Farm? I think built by Nick Gill? I was in 6th Hove cubs run by Gwen Gill, June Bennison and Phyl Sawyers then scouts and now back at cubs as a leader. Any old 6th Hovers out there? 6th Hove is 100 years old in 2013 I believe – the old scout hut in Abinger Road, Portslade is just being overhauled as it was getting in a sorry state. Should be ready for our 100 years. Would be good to catch up with any old scouts.

    By Mark Standen (04/02/2011)
  • It seems that this very small world gets smaller. I knew Peter Patching as well as his brother Bert along with Bob and more so his son Bob Junior. I worked with Peter at CVA Kearny & Trecker for a number of years as well as meeting him at the now defunct FMT Club on numerous occasions. Rightly so he was a bit of a performer and he sang quite well also. He contacted me a few years ago over some prolem or other but I have not heard from him since. Bob Junior was at the Old Mileoakians reunion just last year where I saw him talking to Dave Cross at the farm. With reference to the Hiltons at Bush Cottage, they worked for the Wrapson family and, as I remember, they knew my grandad, John Styles. I am pleased that readers are jogging my memory enabling me to think of old friends and relatives from bygone days.

    By Cllr Bob Carden (06/02/2011)
  • Peter Wrapson: Sorry I don’t think this Paul Edwards ever knew anyone called Roger Reeve. I was born in 1953 so probably didn’t go to the Infants school until about 1958 and then onto the Junior school next door. I DO remember Marcus Jackson – he was our next door neighbour (we lived as mentioned at 279 Mile Oak Road), he also had a big brother Terry. They were much older then me – I have written in a previous post how Marcus ran though the big corn field in between Mile Oak Road and Wickhurst Rise – I was a small boy maybe 7 or 8.

    By Paul Edwards (07/02/2011)
  • When I read about Bob Carden delivering meat to the Hiltons at Bush Farm, it reminded me that my mother and older brother told me that they used to go to tea with Ted Hilton and his wife during the early 40s. Did they still live above the horse stables/cattle pens at the farm when you delivered meat to them, Bob? They had to access their living quarters via an outside stairway. Ted’s brother, Charlie Hilton (Wag), lived at New Barn Farm with his wife and son (Fred) in the early 60s. I worked with them on the farm at this time. There were four horses kept at the farm, Diane Morgan (Jonny) had Bonny, Jennifer and Linda Paige had Lady and Titch, and Josie Wrapson looked after Trixie. On one of the few occasions I tried riding a horse, I was riding Lady when the stirrup came undone and I dangled underneath her until I fell off. I decided there and then to stick to riding motorbikes! I remember Monica Hughes having Welshy (as mentioned previously on this site). I used to walk miles over the downs with Monica riding Welshy when she first had him. When he was unwell, I think with colic, they kept him in the shed in the back garden in Southdown Road while he recovered. I am still in touch with Diane Morgan and have bumped into Linda Paige a few times at Mile Oak Farm when visiting Dave Cross. I recognise quite a few of the people connected with horses mentioned on the site so its been an interesting trip down memory lane.

    By Ed Leppard (01/03/2011)
  • Hi all, my parents (Joan & Denis) used to have the VIVO the Spar store next to the Mile Oak Pub, from the mid 60 to when I sold it in the early 90s. As a boy before I could drive I used to deliver the groceries with my dad driving, then when I joined them as a partner, I used to to the deliveries, so many of the names on here seem to come flooding back with the addresses. My parents before buying the store in Mile Oak had a grocers and off licence in Boundray Rd and before that in Noth Street Portslade, name of Bostel’s at no 20 North Street. As a boy I remember going to Mile Oak to play, when all around Thornhill Rise were just fields, My sisters went to the girls school but as we had moved to Hove I went to the Know. Anyone who would like to get in touch my email is mtchllptr@aol.com.

    By Peter Mitchell (06/03/2011)
  • The old SPAR shop is no more and is shortly to be a block of flats though heaven knows where they are going to park other than the pub car park. I remember the old Mrs Bostel in the Hammerton off licence in North Street. I was born in George Street on the 22nd April 1938 the same day as one of the Citrone girls from the ice cream parlour in North Street where we had our first ice creams from on VE day. I also worked with two of the Citrone boys at the CVA factory in Eaton Road. I had a friend called Ivan Philpot whose mum had a sweet shop in North Street. His parents split up and he went to live with his father, I beleive it may have been to Tunbridge Wells. His mother is still alive although I have not seen her for a while. I would like to see him again but I suppose that I never will. Thanks all of you out there for stirring my old brain box, I think that it is wonderfull that all these memories will be recorded for ever. This is my favourite site - I spend hours reading the articles and travelling down memory lane. Bye for now and, as they say, I will be back!

    By Bob Carden (09/03/2011)
  • Thanks Bob for you comments.I drove passed the old Spar site the other day as my son was playing football against Mile Oak FC. It looks like they are about to start work on it, happy days, Do you remember Father John?

    By Peter Mitchell (23/03/2011)
  • Just responding to Mark Standen, my name is Richard Beck and although I don’t think I knew you, I used to be in the same class as my old pal Gavin Tanner. I also used to be in the 6th Hove Scouts with my pals Mark Allen and Andrew Bruce. At the end of every evening we would play British Bulldog, so I expect you have rugby tackled me a few times. You may also have gone to the Yorkshire Dales potholing trip to Alum Pot, which was a great experience.

    By Richard Beck (30/03/2011)
  • Father John as in Pop John, known by the “kids” back when Mile Oak was a dreamy place to live in. Do we remember him, I recall a smiley round face, with sparce hair, always on the go. Is this the Father John you ask about? Mark Standen 4/02/11 you mention the scouting/cub groups. My brother John Cother became a Queen’s Scout and attended the scout hall, (Abinger Road). If you wish to contact him send an email to me bonnycother@yahoo.com, as my brother is soon to be relocating. I will gladly pass your message on. Pam Evans 26/03/07…sorry only just read your posting. I would love history and photos of the LCC school when your grandmother owned the building, if you have any?

    By Bonny Cother (31/03/2011)
  • I think the Father John that Peter Mitchell is referring to is John Lloyd-James who came with the new church. Sadly he died a short time ago. He was a lovely man. So was the other Father John, John Knight. Maybe it is something to do with the name that makes them so nice. Peter, I remember you and you parents. You used to deliver my groceries to me in Heathfield Crescent in the 70s.

    By Mary Smith (13/04/2011)
  • Replying to Richard Beck – 31/03/11: Yes, I was in the Scouts the same time as you. Sorry I don’t remember you but I do remember Andy and Mark, also the potholing in Alum Pot. I was in that area last summer and walked up to the campsite we used – good memories. Even the British Bulldog – pity its banned now – too rough! as if it ever was.

    By Mark Standen (04/05/2011)
  • To Bonny Cother – Hi, thanks for the comment regarding your brother in the Scouts. I will email you when I know the open day at the Abinger Road Hall this summer after the refit. Ask him if he remembers ‘gov’ Bob Gill? He is writing his memoirs / history of 6th Hove Scouts and is hoping to get it published asap – will let you know when. I remember Father John (John Lloyd James) dashing around Mile Oak on his little moped with his cape flying – us kids thought he looked like Batman. Also him getting the biggest cheers when running in the dads’ race at Sports Day at Mile Oak Primary School. Seems a long time ago now.

    By Mark Standen (04/05/2011)
  • Paul Edwards, Mrs Jackson, who lived next to you in the cottages, was a close friend of my grandmother (Jane Smith, 295 Mile Oak Road). For some reason we used to call her Aunty Hall, and sometimes we were allowed to stay at her house late, watch the badgers in the back garden, and then go to sleep at about 1 am. I remember her Minah bird that stood just inside the front door. Her sons were a bit older than me, and I didn’t really have much to do with them, but I do remember ‘Uncle’ Charlie in his chair in the back room reading a newspaper. He was a very quiet chap when I used to go there, I think he used to tolerate us!

    By Bryan Smith (18/05/2011)
  • Bryan: Thanks for your post. Its interesting to here things like this from the ancient past. The only odd thing is that I don’t remember anyone else going into the house or being in next doors garden – you know how quite it was there – nor do I remember ever seeing any badgers although I did consider myself to be a ‘child of the downs’. I do remember we had lizards in our back garden at 279 you could stroke them in the summer if you moved slowly. There used to be a small garage on the left side of the cottages which I think was Charlie’s sole domain, never saw anyone else go in there. I do also remember ‘Paddy’ their dog – do you remember him? Well he gave our old English sheepdog pups anyway and my dad was really angry about it! When I was a small boy growing up at 279 there was a gate right at the top of our garden and you could just walk out onto the downs where the ponies were and out onto the South Downs way – seriously overgrown these days! As a boy I was always out and I used to play a lot on the path that ran along the front of the cottages. There were two kindly old dears living in the far left cottages and a Miss Penny living on the far right as seen from the road. I still think its really odd that they have added another cottage on the far left now where Charlie’s garage used to be. I still have a pic online showing that very garage! I do remember Marcus and Terry – much older then me too. I still have a memory of Marcus running through the cornfield across the road with me on his back and a great big red harvest moon coming up on our left one evening. I seem to remember at least one of the brothers went in the Royal navy and eventually one or both of them going to Australia – long time ago now. I know Jackie used to babysit me quite a lot when I was small so my folks could go out back in early 50s. Out of curiosity how old were you then? Its very odd because since reading and posting to these pages I’ve realized I didn’t know everyone in the area even though I thought I did at that time!

    By Paul Edwards (20/05/2011)
  • Have only just found the Mile Oak page. Lots of names I remember. I have lived in Sefton Road since 1966. Very Good. Ray Humphries.

    By Ray Humphries (28/06/2011)
  • After reading some of the last comments on this page about the 6th Hove, I contacted Bob Gill and he has allowed me to assist with getting the history of the group published. This is planned for the centenary of the group in 2013. It would be great if anybody wishes to contribute any items or memories of the 6th Hove which may be included in the book. We have hundreds of photos but it would be fantastic to have some memories of the early days of the cub pack and scout group. Bob and Gwen Gill and the Bennison and Sayers family in Mile Oak have given so much and enhanced the area and many of the young people they came in contact with, and I hope the book will be a fitting tribute to them and the area. If you have any memories please send them to wrapson.family@ntlworld.com. As always there are so many names and events that stirs my memory. It was surprising that that there were two Paul Edwards living in Mile Oak within four years of each other, each not knowing of the others existence.

    By Peter Wrapson (13/08/2011)
  • Hi Paul, just read your comments ref the Jacksons. I served with Terry on a couple of “boats” (submarines), he was later transferred to nuclear “boats” and I last saw him in Boundary Road ( some time ago) and he said that he was living in the States. Last I heard of Marcus he was travelling around the world but that was even longer ago. 

    By Dave Phillips (25/08/2011)
  • Dave Phillips: Thank you very much for your info regarding Terry and Marcus – I knew that Terry was in the navy didn’t realize that he was on subs (a subject I’m rather interested in). Seems quite a few of us joined the forces. Peter White who was one of my old mates in Mile Oak also spent quite a long time in the RN and I of course was in the Guards. It was all so long ago now – as I tried to write in one of my previous posts I do have a clear memory of Marcus running through that big old golden cornfield that was on the left as you went up the MO road with me on his back about 7 yrs old and a big red harvest moon coming up on our 10 O’clock position. Oh Halcyon days! Loads of horrible houses on it now and on the RH side too – there were also no pavements back in my day. I wonder if you know what became of Charlie and Jacky – presumably long gone by now? Thanks. PE.

    By Paul Edwards (02/09/2011)
  • Paul – yes I remember Paddy the dog, now you’ve mentioned him. I was born in 1959 so I guess this was all around 1965 – 1970, something like that? Which senior school did you go to, Paul?

    By Bryan Smith (18/09/2011)
  • Bryan Smith: Not later then mid 1966 as my mother died in December that year (I was 13). I was born in 1953 and went to all the schools in Lox Hill from Infants/Junior and finished at what was then the Portslade Secondary school for boys, Windlesham House. I was ‘babysat’ next door from the age of four upwards I think. Long time ago.

    By Paul Edwards (25/09/2011)
  • Fantastic web site. Look forward to hearing from anyone who remembers me.

    By Rusty Burns (16/10/2011)
  • I remember Father John in the Gang Shows with 6th Hove scouts. I was in 2nd Portslade Guides. I attended infants school and St Nicholas juniors when we had to walk up to church every Wednesday morning. Later I went to Mile Oak girls school and was friends with Jean Lloyd, Daphne Mainstone, Pam Chambers- all in the same class 1945 – 1950.

    By Ann Singleton nee Hawkins (18/10/2011)
  • I have just called into Portslade Community College new Learning centre in Boundary Road on the corner of New Church Road and have been looking at this site as I have not written on it for some time. A good place to look up old friends and contacts from the past. A great place to come if you are in Boundary Road shopping area. Bob Carden

    By Bob Carden (31/10/2011)
  • I was on Face Book last night and did a search for ‘Mile Oak’. According to a page some young Mile Oakers have put up, they are going to shut down or move the park that’s opposite the girls school (Chalky Road). It’s been there such a long time and I can remember it going right back to when I was a small boy and the fairs we used to have most years back in the 50s or 60s and also the big bonfires we had on the common land in front of the park on the 5th November. But it’s much smaller now than it used to as they have built houses and a school on it. Pity. I dont know what the replacement will be.

    By Paul Edwards (01/12/2011)
  • I have just been reading Paul Edward’s piece above about the park in Chalky Road and the fun fair that use to come. I think the fun fair used to be just north west of the park where the road now goes to Graham Ave and houses are built. You’re right Paul, the park was bigger to start with but I don’t know when it was made smaller. Does anyone remember Mr Freeman and his helpers running the football matches in the park on Sunday afternoons? I can remember on one occasion my right foot coming into contact with Dave Barcock’s knee. We both had to limp home. I can remember on numerous occasions having to look for lost balls in the artichoke field which ran in front of the girls’ school. Sometimes there was more time spent looking than playing. 

    By Ed Leppard (03/12/2011)
  • Mmmm, long time ago Ed. I used to spend a lot of time up the park on my own I think, I was up there from five onwards ha ha, dreaming away on those swings. I could see my house – the cottages besides the chalk pit as I swung back and forth (279) in the days when Chalky Road really was chalky – no tarmac. My memory is still that the fair was inside the park.The park simply got smaller when they decided to do what they are about to do again – build on it. They built a school and I still can’t get used to it. Looking at some pictures of inside the school at Graham Avenue it makes me feel very strange realizing that their parquet flooring is laid where we once walked and played all those years ago…a lifetime ago. Come back in thirty years and they will have built right up to Truleigh Hill on the Foredown (east ) side hill, up past Crosses Farm. Glad I won’t be here to see it.

    By Paul Edwards (04/12/2011)
  • Just had another thought Ed, I don’t remember the artichokes – but I do remember the wild rhubarb that grew there on the corner where the bus used to turn round after coming up Valley Road – which we often used to eat. No wonder we always had funny tummies. I’ve got this funny crazy memory as a small boy of the bus getting stuck there one day when it was turning round-it was very wet and and my mum was trying to push it while the conductor stood on the platform just watching her. Ha haa, totally mad but I’d swear it happened.

    By Paul Edwards (04/12/2011)
  • Hello my good friend Ed, I have very vivid memories of that game in which you thought my knee was of the ’round football shaped ‘ type, I still whince with pain even thinking about it! I can still see you bent over, doubled up with laughter. Shame about the demise of the park, remembered for lots more than football. Will contact you soon. Dave Barcock

    By Dave Barcock (05/12/2011)
  • I remember the Broomfield estate. My wife and I purchased 32 Broomfield Drive in 1966 for £3,175. On the morning that the plots were released I was second in a very long queue outside Deacon & Co, 11 Station Road, Portslade, then once they started building the house I would visit it almost daily when the builder had left, to see the progress and also to clear the cavity walls of excess cement to prevent future damp problems. We spent many very happy years in Broomfield Drive, Oh! bring back the good old days.

    By Michael Clark. (06/12/2011)
  • Tempus Fugit: Well, here’s the end of another year – they seem to be speeding up and shooting past even faster as time goes by. Anyway, I just wanted to send Seasons Greetings to all Mile Oakers, past (esp) and present, and wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new 2012 when it gets here, and just hope they are wrong about the end of everything in 2012 as that would spoil things a bit (tut those Mayans!). Have a great time!

    By Paul Edwards (18/12/2011)
  • Once again another trip down memory lane, reviewing the notes from friends known and not, who have lived or live in dear old Mile Oak. Here is age showing, I recall before the park was built opposite the girl’s school. Haystacks along gravelly, chalky paths. And then we had a green grass park to play in – nothing but grass, to relax with friends now feeling grown up as attenders of the secondary schools. Sylvia, Pat, Michael, a few names I recall. Did they really think we needed a park when we had the Downs to roam over? Ah well I guess someone had money to spare and thought that one day a park would be needed because of the housing around it, a place for kids to play in. I will always have the happy memories of the Mile Oak of my childhood, now so overgrown, the roadways seemingly small, traffic clogged. New ugly small bungalows and squat town houses on every small patch… the new-comers don’t know what they have missed. One day it will all disappear in construction madness, the once pristine downlands, quiet laneways over to the Dyke and beyond. The rustle of corn, ready for harvesting, the shrill whistle of birds disturbed soaring high in the sky. Gorze bushes with their heady scent from yellow flowers. A small plane droning overhead towards Southwick airport. In the distance, views of the coastline. White puffy clouds in brilliant blue sky during summer time holidays.  Time for a picnic of soggy Marmite sandwiches, maybe jam, warm Tizer drink, and a biscuit if one was lucky. Play a few games with other kids, before slowly walking home to parent and chores, and supper and time for bed. In winter the chill each day to face when one got out of bed, and to the kitchen for steaming plates of porridge before going out to “catch” the bus to school when in Infant or Junior. Ah, no rudeness to teachers, we did not dare, if it was called respect, we had it.
    All gone in time, and time moves fast now, each year a milestone pushing our past memories further away. Oh I wish someone could stop the clock, I want to return to Mile Oak as I knew it then. The kids at the bottom of Beechers Road, like a club during the holidays, my best friends Sylvia and Julie playing together at the top of Beechers, occasionally daring to walk down and join the other kids. Watching as new building began, the pub, and then houses, new residents moving in, strangers to “our” land. How could I know that once I left Mile Oak, nothing would ever be the same again? My childish eyes would only see it “all grown up” and rather dull. Was it only because we were kids that we found so much to do? We were lucky then.

    By Bonny Cother (12/02/2012)
  • The well written comments from Bonny Cother have totally summed up what all of us ex Mile Oak folk think. Yes we were very lucky to have had then what the present residents of Mile Oak don’t have now and I am afraid they never will be able to experience the fantastic times we all had. Yes,yes and yes again, if only we could have those special times now. I loved the way you put the pictures back into our minds Bonny.

    By Dave Barcock (17/02/2012)
  • Interesting to read. I used to go to the boys’ school in Mile Oak, best part was football days as we used to walk along to the girls’ playing field at the end of valley road – never got interested in football – but the girls I did! I’m still living in Portslade.

    By malcolm allwright (21/03/2012)
  • Well, regarding the girls school (hard to see these days what with all the new buildings) MY memory is that us lads from the secondary mod school used to actually go INTO the girls’ playing school and get changed in a hut and get our boots on and play football there. Always hated football but it was nice to see my house from that location! Sometime between 1964 and 1969 I believe – a lifetime ago. I bet we never ever thought ourselves, back in those distant days – “one day I’ll be 58!” Paul Edwards

    By Paul Edwards (24/03/2012)
  • Michael Clark, I remember my mother queuing up at Deacons to secure a new house. She lost out but managed to get first on the list for a house in Thornhill Rise. We moved in in July 1965 and it cost £2,750, so there must have been some rampant inflation between then and 1966! The rest of the area was a building site for years and it was our personal playground. We used to go in all the houses while they were building them. Such terrific fun.

    By Renia (28/04/2012)
  • i have lived in Portslade my entire life. I was born in George Street in 1938, moved to Drove Gardens now Valley Road) in about 1947. I purchased my first house in Heathfield Drive in 1963 when I married my wife Merle. The house cost £2,450, again this was purchased from Deacon & Co in Station Road. In 1979 I sold that property for £18,000 and purchased my present home for £20,000. I think it was then that inflation started to get out of hand. I haven’t got a clue what it is worth today. How do youngsters manage to get a home together. Heaven knows. 

    By Bob Carden (10/05/2012)
  • Hi, I was born in 1965, and we moved into number 4 Thornhill Rise in 1966, mum Sandy dad Terry, my brother Neil and sister Nikki-one of many nappy valley kids. When we all grew up together we had some great friendships which still to this day we have. I used to knock around with Micheal Fox, Richard Donaldson known as Wozy, Lee Marten, Simon Tanner, Andrew Jarman, Steven Westlake, known as Speed, Mark Hutchings, Trevor Mills, Lee Wares, Dereck Oatley etc.

    By Graham MacDiarmid (06/06/2012)
  • Hi, Debra Miles, how’s your lovely family? It’s been a long time since we last met- may be too long. I remember playing in the cul-de-sac at number 4, happy days! We used to play on our bikes and trikes outside your house, and along the garages that backed onto the park. When you moved to the Isle of Wight we missed you all very much. And what great memories I have when we came over for Christmas, it was such a good Christmas that year, one that we will all cherish. I do hope that you are all very well, and maybe we can arrange a time when we can all meet up for old times sake… xx

    By Graham MacDiarmid (07/06/2012)
  • Hi Bob our paths must have crossed many times, we probably knew each other as kids. We did see each other at the reunion last year, you taking photos- one of my grand daughters also took some. I was born in 38 same as you, lived in Mile Oak Road until 1950, passed your house every day going to St Nic`s, was good friend with Ronnie Edwards who lived close to you (have you seen the picture of the football team of St Nics I put on a while ago?.) I moved to Fishersgate in 1952 and sadly lost touch with most of my friends from Portslade. Hope you are keeping well & enjoying life. Kind regards 

    By Frank Piner (09/06/2012)
  • Hi Dave Barcock, thank you re comment. Mile Oak memories will always be sweet poetry for me, my regret is leaving it to see the world. I have old photos from since the construction on a wall in my house here in Florida, I will never forget the fun times of my childhood. It was good to see a response from Rusty Burns, I knew his family. It is good to see you all really. I try to find some on Facebook. I would like to know when the two storey houses in Sefton Road were built, because they were there when the bungalows were built in 1935. So many questions about the old Mile Oak. All memories gladly read.

    By Bonny Cother (09/06/2012)
  • Frank, as you say I was at the reunion taking photos last year. Perhaps you would like to put the 21st July in your diary along with any old Mileoakians reading this. Dave Cross at the farm is holding his bi-annual open day. Ron Edwards died several years ago however his brothers and sisters are still around and I regularly go for a drink at the Goldstone Club in Shirley Street, Hove with his younger brother George and his wife Carol. Come the football season several of us oldies gather at Mile Oak Rec to watch the team play. Nice to chat- does any one else want an update from the area. Don’t all rush. Cllr Bob Carden

    By Bob Carden (10/06/2012)
  • Hi, quite a while since I posted last. Just to let those who knew Betty White who lived at 3 Oakdene Crescent since 1957 and was for many years was a ‘dinner lady’ and then classroom assistant at the local infant and junior school passed peacefully away on the 27 December 2011 at her nursing home in Bosham. I know mum loved living in Mile Oak and I have many happy childhood memories of the area. I hope the new owners of No 3 are as happy as she was over the years!

    By Peter White (12/06/2012)
  • I have just read about Mile Oak and has it brought back some memories. My parents Ron and Julia Wybrow used to own the Mile Oak Store back around 1966 – 1968 (we left England in November 1968). I used to work in school hours at the Newsagent/post office across the road and attended the Portslade County Girls School until I left if 1968. It is very difficult to remember lots of people that we would have known but I do remember a Julia Caney who lived in Oakdene Avenue with her parents. I would love to know if anyone remembers the family or if indeed Julia is reading this as I would love to get in touch with her (I used to have an email address for her but it got lost when computer went down). By Chris Bates (14/06/2012)

    By Christine Bates (14/06/2012)
  • In answer to the last two comments I remember Mrs White of No 3 Oakdene Crescent as do I remember Mr White whom I believe at one time worked at Southdown Motor Works in Victoria Road. The bungalow has recently undergone a complete make over by its present owner. I didn’t know that your mother had died in fact I vaguely remember you from way back, I believe that you were in the Navy. As regards Christine Bates request for knowledge of the Caney family, Mrs Caney is still alive. I last saw Gwen this morning in Church. Mr Caney died several years ago. I will endeavour to see if I can link you up with Julia, I will pass on details of this website to her via Gwen.

    By Cllr Bob Carden (17/06/2012)
  • TO GRAHAM MACDIARMID. Hi Graham. I don’t know if you remember me? I lived at 4 Overdown Rise and my garden backed onto yours. Think I’m older than you but spent long time playing with your brother Neil and Lee Collins along with Gavin Tanner, the Fox brothers,  Price to name a few. I still live in Mile Oak.

    By MARK STANDEN (18/06/2012)
  • To Cllr Bob Carden. Thank you very much for your comments about the Caney family. So nice to hear that Gwen is still alive, and hopefully I will be able to get in touch with Julia.

    By Christine Bates (19/06/2012)
  • Well, some lovely memories, having just found this page. I don’t know any of the names except Julie Christmas, who was a 6th. former at Portslade Secondary School for Girls when I was a first former. She and Carol Dean were my heroes, as I was a swimmer. I didn’t live in Mile Oak – I was down near Portland Road, and have no idea why my mother decided I should go to Mile Oak School instead of the Knoll. I live in Canada – came in 1975. I left school in 1965 or 66. Girls I remember from my class are Linda Hayler, Jennifer Lewis, Linda Castell (who had a sister Pauline about 2 years ahead), Susan Vassie (whom we called Suki Vas), Derryn Wingate, Margaret Hart, Diana Thomsett, and a few others. I was Sylvia Lee back then, too.

    Dear Sylvia
    Sorry but we have had to delete some 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 Friends Reunited website if you want to track old friends or neighbours.
    Comments Editor

    By Sylvia Lee (20/06/2012)
  • Sylvia just for your information Julie is still swimming, now for recreational not competative. We have been friends since very young in Mile Oak, whenever I visit the UK I spend time with her, a wonderful person, mother of three, grandmother of three. I will pass on your message. I live in Florida now.

    By Bonny Cother (19/07/2012)
  • Yesterday [21/7/2012] Dave Cross at Mile Oak Farm held its bi-yearly Farm Open Day. It was great that the weather held up and the rain stayed away. There was a good array of farm machinery on view and a good number of animals this year – it included sheep and one lamb having only three legs. Lolla, the parabella miniature horse, was dressed up for the occasion. Also on offer were donkey and tractor rides. The day itself offers an opportunity to get out and see the various animals and birds on the farm. Unfortunately I was unable to get there till the afternoon but was still in time for a hot dog. Well done to our local farmer Dave Cross for again putting on a great day. If any of our readers, of which I know that there are many in all parts of the world, would like to contact me on my email bob.carden@hotmail.co.uk I will be pleased to pass on the odd photo taken on the day.

    By Councillor Bob Carden (22/07/2012)
  • Greetings all Mile Oakers past and present. I was down in MO on Saturday just for a little look around, it was a nice day, and I was horrified to find that someone has plonked a horrible looking totally out of place looking block of flats or apartments on the old Spar store site at the bottom of Southon Close. Very sad I think and it stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the 1930s houses and bungalows that have been there since we were young and before that. I felt that particular stretch of the MO road was the main, almost totally original part of the old Mile Oak – not any longer. It’s every bit as awful as the horrendous architecture at the bottom of Graham Avenue opposite the old girls school- very sad. Before, you could almost have passed it off as the old Mile Oak – not any longer.

    By Paul Edwards (31/07/2012)
  • I used to live at 33, Drove Road, next to the old Oast House brewery building that had become a furniture factory when I lived there from 1963 to 1974. Our family bought the house from the Bunting family, as my mum (Joan) was the best friend of one of the family, a lady we nicknamed Aunty Bunt. The factory had some sort of glue or varnish that attracted rats and there were massive ones in our garden. The chimney ruined our television reception, so when BBC2 aerials came out, Dad climbed up the back of the chimney and secretly fixed our aerial on it. It is probably still there. I remember Christine Whybrow from school as she lived near me. The factory opposite us (which was part of Le Carbone, before they also took over the Oast House too) made hellish screeching noises all day, something like metal being turned on lathes. The horses from Foredown Stables used to delight in dropping the outcome from their morning hay, just outside our gate, on their way to the Downs. Dad was pleased to collect this for the roses

    By Judy Barrow (Simmons) (08/09/2012)
  • Just a short note to Judy Barrow (Simmons). I am the granddaughter of the Bunting family who lived at 33 Drove Road and spent many a happy day with them in that house from my birth (1939 until I left the area in 1959). The Aunt Bunt you speak about was my Aunty Eileen. I also remember vividly the smell coming from the factory next door. I also remember playing houses with my dolls in the shed at the bottom of the garden. Happy memories.

    By Pat Bunting (19/09/2012)
  • Nice to hear from you again Peter. Sorry to hear about your mum’s passing away. I actually parked just down from the bungalow few weeks back when I came down for a visit. I’m afraid I have absolutely no recollection of your folks at all – strange really, strange because I remember Ian Ferguson’s parents quite well. Went up on the downs had a bit of a look around – didn’t see a soul I knew, but there are still people there I knew, such as Phil Burton. Hope all is well otherwise. Oh, I hear The Victory is having a make-over – is that right? Paul Edwards

    By Paul Edwards (02/10/2012)
  • Hi, I lived in Thornhill Way from 1966 to 1972 with Dad, Alan Miles, Mum Lesley Miles, and my sister Debbie who I see made an entry earlier on. I remember walking to Mile Oak school, down the unfinished Chalky Road, past the playing fields. I used to be milk monitor but left a week before there was a big storm and the classroom roof blew off. I remember the playground was divided up into boys and girls. I too remember the ‘ adder hump’ and the farm where the cows were milked. I also remember that the farmer grew rhubarb at the edge of his corn field. There also use to be a bar with a red barrel hanging outside. At the top of chalky road there was a huge rubbish dump. I remember the headmistress of Mile Oak primary having very white hair. Names I remember: Michael Mongrel, David Waldron, a girl called Lisa who bit everybody and Neil and Graham Macdermed who lived near the shops and the adder hump. Time flies…..that was 40 years ago.

    By Richard Miles (14/10/2012)
  • I came back here expecting to find a batch of new posts – nothing, disappointed. I hope its not too late to wish all Mile Oakers past and present a very happy and prosperous new year in 2013 and PLEASE dig up some old memories and photos to take us back to our youth. And dont forget to come and visit our M.O. FB page. P Edwards.

    By Paul Edwards (24/01/2013)
  • Hi Paul Edwards. I’m still around. Nice to see you are too. I’m back again in Thailand, but will be back in April 2013. I’m getting myself wheels and driving down to Mile Oak school and meeting up with Lee Mack who went to the school in 1975, 25 years after I left. I hope you are keeping well. Regards

    By Trevor Whitworth (06/03/2013)
  • Mile Oak School as you knew it isn’t there anymore Trevor: knocked down years ago, housing estate on it now – think I told you. Mile Oak Secondary School for Boys is now Portslade Community College.

    By Paul Edwards (13/12/2013)
  • I notice nobody has added a comment for 8 months so this may not be seen (better late than never!) I grew up at 25 Overdown Rise from 1966 – 1990 and recognise many names here. My mates were Steve Collins and John Eacott, Phillip Day, (also of Overdown Rise), Nick Pannett, to name but a few. We spent all our time playing ‘over the back’, which included the Adder Hump, catching Lizards, mucking about in the cornfield, making camps etc etc. Anyone remember  ’Creepy Forest’? It was that small wooded area at the end of Mile Oak Rd by the farm, just next to the Water works. There was a grassy plain in the center of it and loads of great trees to climb. I think we may have named it ‘Creepy Forest’ after a couple of creepy encounters there! Good times!

    By Steve Ockenden (20/08/2014)
  • It’s been nostalgic reading all the memories people have from when we were all kids.I must admit I have had no contact with any old school pals from Benfield or Portslade Boys school for years. I am familiar with several names mentioned, met Vikki and Marion Lynch at my father’s funeral a few years back and reminisced on the old times. Can anyone remember at the far end of Graham Avenue an old barn and close by a house ruin with a filled-in well? I told my granddaughter stories of when we used to play here when we were young. Only today I drove up to Mile Oak to check it out. I can only assume that the A27 has been built over the site as I could see no evidence of it although everything was overgrown. Mile Oak looks so built up now and has changed so much. So many cars parked its hard to imagine we actually played in the road all those years ago. Still good to get banter from Tony Clevett on F/B regarding playing football for Fishersgate. Look forward to future stories on this site.

    By Bruce Hill (17/09/2014)
  • I would really love to find some history on my house, as had ghostly Going Ons. Have only been here since June 2015. House is inbetween Broomfield Drive and Thornhill Rise, opposite the flats. 

    By Kelly Fricker (27/08/2015)
  • Four houses at the junction of Thornhill Rise with New England Rise were built in 1965 and we moved into one of them. All around us, were nothing but some planned roads, piles of bricks and mud. This massive housing estate was our playground. I’ve probably been inside every house in Broomfield and Truleigh! I remember the park was bigger than it is now, and the school was much smaller. It took several years to build it all and the top of Chalky Road near Thornhill Rise was one of the last areas to be built in chalet-style bungalows. This area was always fields, according to aerial photos and maps going back 200 years. New England Farm, at the other end of Thornhill, was demolished to make way for the bypass. It would be interesting to know what kinds of ghostly goings-on you’ve experienced!

    By Renia Simmonds (28/08/2015)
  • Hi Derek Marks, my name is John Payne. I was there from 1941-4, do you remember me? I can recall some of the masters there – Mr Beale of course – he had a son, Master Tony as he was known at the time. Here is my email, tichie12373@hotmail.com. I would like to hear from you.

    By John Payne (15/02/2016)
  • My partner and I bought our first house (a chalet bungalow) at the  top of Gorse Close in Mile Oak in 1977 for £13,500. We were in our 20s and I had lived in central Brighton before that. It was great to get onto to the Downs and walk to Devil’s Dyke very easily. But..it wasn’t called ‘nappy valley’ for nothing. By then it was just a sprawl of suburbia with children everywhere – the bus from work in Brighton took forever. We had enough after 15 months and sold the house for £21,500 and went back to central Brighton again.

    By Belinda Lumsden (16/02/2016)
  • I just stumbled across this page whilst looking up Mile Oak History for a work related report. I spotted references to Bob and Gwen Gill – my Nana and Grandad! Amazing seeing so many memories on here! I livde in Mile Oak (Graham Ave) from 1989 (aged 2!) to 2009 (aged 20). My parents and grand parents are still living in Mile Oak so I visit a lot of the time. It would be amazing to see some older photos of the area if anyone has any lying around? 

    By Jade G (16/02/2016)
  • Jade, if you look at the site http://www.mileoakrevisited.co.uk you will find many photographs of Mile Oak in its heyday.

    By David Elliott (30/12/2016)
  • Dear Max,
    Sorry but we have had to delete your post. We are no longer allowing the posting of requests to find third parties, as sharing information like this breaches their privacy. We recommend you try social media websites if you want to track old friends or neighbours.
    Comments Editor

    By Max (17/01/2017)
  • I was born in Mile Oak in the front bedroom of  No 360 opposite the Mile Oak  Inn ,  I love reading these comments .  Takes me back to my childhood .  Memories of playing in the fields, picking blackberries, picnics on hot Summer days come flooding back .  It was a beautiful place to grow up in, I don’t think we realised how lucky we were, private such freedom. I remember the Painters, the Christmas family the Burchalls, the Gures and many more. The last in the Off licence used to practice her violin , The chip shop wasn’t  at all mean with the vinegar,………I could go on for ever talking about Mike Oak. X

    By Cynthia Miller. Nee Burton (19/03/2018)
  • I have only just noticed the comments to my previous remarks.  I apologise for not answering you. I am on Face Book if anyone would like to look me up. and I will be more than willing to share my life since Mile Oak with you. 

    By Cindy miller, maiden name Cynthia Burton (21/03/2018)
  • Hi Cynthia,

    Was your Mother Thelma Burton ? I remember she lived opposite the Mile Oak Inn & I worked with her for many years at what was the Post Office & later BT. She was always very well dressed I seem to remember & also never far from enjoying a cigarette in the days when you could smoke at your desk !

    By Rob(Bob) Tasker (22/03/2018)
  • I have spent almost all of today reading comments about Mile Oak, some from people I remember, and of places that were dear to me as a child growing up in Mile Oak.
    Firstly for those who do not know, my darling brother john passed away, I believe it was two years ago, a short battle with cancer. My brave Royal Horse Guards soldier, fought to the end the deadly disease that had taken our mother 45 years ago. I dont think Julie will mind me sharing that they lost darling Diane Christmas also within the last year. Brenda is still alive as is Julie. I made notes as I read through the posts, firstly the square white house, that I believe still stands by the garage, was built in The Paddocks time, it was the “managers” house. During WWII it was the family “Butcher” house….for the garage, the big shed behind was where military vehicles were “fixed. As Alan Lyon told, the boys would watch work being done and girls would be there to watch the boys. I would love to answer ALL your questions. Rusty Burns is still around Carol N. Janet Pilcher in my class at St. Nicolas Jr, father was head master of the LCC school 1954/55. The Malt factory was the wood factory, when I worked at Southern Engraving, 1960. Joan Stanford passed away some years ago, and sadly Clive died TOO young, he had lost his beloved Jane, and Clive was found dead in his bed……. They had a wonderful round house, and wood working shop. Clive was extremely good at crafting. When working on the roof of the shop, he fell and broke his back….. luckily he had great friends, who finished the construction. Clive was a strong man, he always looked like a Canadian lumberjack to me. His birth mother worked at the Paddocks apparently. Joan adopted/fostered him as the big hearted person, always ready to help all. Clive’s last name was Barnet, Joan was Stanford she married lovely fellow, who used to shrug his shoulders and smile when Joan ranted about his short comings. Joan used to look after me in the mornings when my mum worked at the LCC school. I had visited Joan on one of my visits from Australia, she told me to wait as she wanted to call Clive and Jane…….they came round and listened to me talking about the land that they so wanted to see. They had a great life… but when Jane was diagnosed with cancer, I believe Clive was not looking forward to a future without her. Sadly somehow, the beautiful house and land, went to a “friend” and not to Clives beautiful daughter, I have not met his son. I am friends now with the daughter, she has Clives sense of humor. Val Booker, Hi again, it was good to see you at the reunion. I did recall meeting when we were little kids. Ron Salter passed away some years back, Dennis may still be alive, I dont know. Mark Standen can you let the 6th Hove Scouts troop know that my brother passed. Thank you. For those who remember Terry Dinean, I have not heard from him for some years, he was living in Sydney Australia. I think his sister Pat is still in Mile Oak. John Cox lovely to make contact again. The two old white houses top of Chalky Lane on left prior to turning left……. Norma King and sister used to live in one. The Cheal girls from Beechers lost their mother when they were very young. Helen, Auntie Phil as I called Phyllis Christmas was a wonderful friend to my mother during the long lonely months that my father was off overseas…..”working for Errol Flynn” and others. I found out long after he died, (when cleaning out his house) that he had been living with another woman from 1946, in Southampton and then wherever he was…… our Christmas visits were brief and to keep his English nationality, or some such excuse. We did not know of Frenchie…. I did get to meet her, and sadly she was very unhappy towards the end of her life. Although I comforted her, I could not sympathize. Oh by the way, Helen your Nan chose 45 Stanley as there was a donkey tied to a tree at the bottom of the garden…….. and was the first bungalow in Mile Oak to have a room in the roof…. Graham W, David Elliott may remember more of your home, he had a photo of him on an old motor bike from that wooden hut opposite the “Wise” home, on MO road.
    The rifle range has history for me, my uncle John Brian Cother, (killed WWII in Cyprus) used to walk from Brighton Grammer School, he belonged to the boys military group there. They would use the shooting range regularly. That is a long walk for kids. Bert Brundle had the use of land behind Joan Stanford’s ex army huts.. (very plain inside, but a home) I used to purchase flowers from Bert for the church…..Mum sent me to get them, I was always frightened of Bert. I remember the Beck family when they had their new house built also. Alan Lyons are you still around? I recall going into your house, but it had to be at the end of WWII…… I was born 1944. I would sell my house in Central Florida and relocate in Mile Oak if I could……. I have three cats, which would have to travel with me, and what they have to go through to be brought from another country would be unsettling for them. Oh by the way, the Spar shop was owned by the Coombs prior to any other………they then with help from brewery brought into their shop next to the postoffice/sweet shop. As you can guess I am a writer now……have always loved writing, as Julie tells me, the teachers always had me read out my essays. I have written Book 1 England, Girl From Mile Oak, Bonny J Cother……. it is complete, and on the market. email me for details aussigal1@yahoo.com. Love you all for the life you have shared with me and all old Mile Oak “kids”. Hope I answered your questions. Mr. Butcher that lived in the big house, was a BIG man to this little girl when my father holding my hand walked down the lane way to the big workshop…… I was around two years old, when Dad returned from WWII. Please print my email address for the old friends to contact me.

    By Bonny Cother (04/07/2023)
  • I did forget to add a story given by someone who participated in removing items from the plane that came down on the corn field behind what we called the “Jumping Field” at the bottom of Stanley Ave, behind Foxhunters Road bungalows. MORA held several yearly gatherings in that field after meals at the bottom of Beechers. Back to the plane, the boys being boys, removed items, went up onto the downs and “played” with same. Then decided to return some items to the plane, prior to the police getting involved…….BUT some items went down one of the four wells on the Paddocks land….which later became a foot path from Mile Oak Road to the bottom of Beechers….. I cannot name the boys, although I believe by now all would be dead…… I knew the well and believe that they would not lie.

    By Bonny Cother (05/07/2023)

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