Introduction to the area

Photo of All Saints Church, Patcham
All photos from a private collection
Photo of Patcham Mill
Photo of Church Hill, Patcham
Photo of Patcham Clock Tower

Your editor for Patcham is Bill Maskell. If you’ve got any queries about this area, or can add any information, photos or memories, please send My Brighton and Hove a message via the Comments form at the bottom of this page.

My interest in local and family history started when I was about sixteen years old.

Born but not bred in Brighton
 Although I was born in Brighton my early years were spent in the north of England. Returning to Brighton in the late 1940’s I soon discovered that a regional history knowledge dominated by coal mining, ship building, deep-sea trawler fishing and steel works was a bit out of place. Sheep still populated the Downs in the thousands, arable fields produced an abundance of variable crops and heavy industrial sites were few and far between. In essence I was a stranger in the locality of not only my birth but also the proven birthplace of five generations of my father’s family.

Since then and over the intervening years I have been keenly interested in the local history of Brighton and its surrounding area.

Boundaries
The historic parish of Patcham comprised of the following manors: Patcham Court, Patcham Place, Withdean Court, Withdean Kayliffe and Moulsecoomb. In total it covered 32 square miles and included an area west of the Dyke Road now in Hove as well as the whole area northward from the boundary of the parish of Preston. On the north it abutted the parishes of Pyecombe and Ditchling. On the east it ran with the boundary of Falmer and Stanmer parishes and on the west of West Blatchington and Newtimber. Transferring this information on to a map would show that Withdean, Westdene, Tongdean and Hollingbury with areas of Moulsecoomb and Bevendean were all within the original parish.

The development of modern Patcham
The nucleus of modern Patcham is the village of yesteryear; centred around Church Hill and Old London Road, the now designated conservation area, contains many listed properties.

Prior to the Sir Herbert Carden’s inspired Brighton/Patcham incorporation in 1920’s, development south of the village was mainly piecemeal. With new building land available a series of suburban satellite estates were to quickly evolve.

In the 1930’s, to the east of the village, the Ladies Mile Estate was development by George Ferguson. Built to advertise the estate, the Patcham Clock Tower was erected at the junction of Mackie and Vale Avenues.

Close by is the Ladies Mile Hotel, opened in 1935; this is a fine example of a 1930’s estate public house. Ladies Mile Road was an old drove road from Patcham to Stanmer Park: developed over the years this road is the home to diverse vintage properties. South of the village, local builders, W. H .Lee and T.J. Braybon were responsible for most of the developments on the Brangwyn, Old Mill, Braybon and Carden Avenue estates.

Comments about this page

  • I grew up in Mackie Avenue and found this site yesterday. Today I get a phone call from an old mate who I knew from Patcham Middle School and we are having a reunion in April. Spooky or what.

    By James Firth-Haydon (04/03/2004)
  • I moved to Patcham village from central Brighton, it is the best move I have ever made. The community spirit is fantastic and I have set up a dog walking and boarding service in our beautiful flint cottage.

    By Liz Perks (15/04/2004)
  • Have your ever come across any data on John Pecham (or Peckham) 1230-1292?

    By Mike Mitchell (19/07/2004)
  • I am trying to get the contact details for the owners of Patcham Mill, and wondered whether you might be able to shed any light or help out? I work for a television company in London, and we were hoping to feature Patcham Mill.

    By Marcus Jones (Pioneer Productions) (19/07/2004)
  • Patcham is really a beautiful place on earth! I was in Brighton in July 2003 and lived in Patcham for two months. The old houses and the kindness of people turn this place into an uncomparable place where racism doesn’t exist.

    By Abijo (27/07/2004)
  • The Abergavenny farm cottages of Patcham Court Farm (former Grade lll listed buildings) are threatened with demolition in favour of a park & ride scheme. This would change the face of Patcham forever and must not be allowed to happen.

    By Sharon Raby (10/02/2005)
  • I have lived in Patcham for most of my life and was christened in All Saints Church. Now I have 2 children and I am pleased to live in such a peaceful place but within easy reach of Brighton seafront.

    By Jo Harvey (20/02/2005)
  • My grandfather, George – born 1865, and my father George were both sextons of the parish church. I have traced the family back to John born 1796, father John, mother Sarah, probably from Woolwich. Are we related?

    By Dan Maskell (08/10/2005)
  • My roots here are very deep. Not only do I live in Patcham but so do my parents, Mr and Mrs Hampton. My great grandfather and mother are buried in the churchyard along with babies. They lived in the cottage at the bottom of Peacock Lane and farmed the Withdean Estate as tenant farmers. I am glad there is a reference to the horrendous idea of a Park & Ride directly opposite the conservation area – this shouldn’t be allowed to happen.

    By Gillian Coles (07/11/2005)
  • I moved to Patcham in the early 1960s when my mother Beryl married my stepfather Bill Wilson and lived in Wilmington Way. I attended Varndean Girls School but left after the fourth form. I was married in All Saints Church in March 1972. My sister Wendy went to Patcham secondary. Our name was Neale but we changed to Wilson. I remember spending a lot of leisure time at a little park across the road from the Ladies Mile pub but cannot recall the name of the park. Some of our friends were Roger Smith, Eric Hole, Rodney Whiteman, Pat Shepherd, Rosaleen Pountney, Davina Coull (who emigrated to New Zealand). We sometimes went to a youth centre at the bottom of Ladies Mile Road.

    By Patricia Silsby (09/11/2005)
  • When my parents married in June 1934, they postponed their honeymoon in order to be able to immediately set up home in a newly completed bungalow on the Ladies Mile Estate at Patcham. At the time my mother was ‘in service’ at Hatch Beauchamp, Withdean, and probably remained in that employment until they moved to London some two years later. If anyone could suggest how I could find out the address of the bungalow they bought I would be most pleased to hear from them. My parents’ surname was Murphy, my father’s first name was Hugh and my mother’s was Norah.

    By H. Glendinning (16/11/2005)
  • I started working for the firm of T.J.B. in 1954 and retired in 1989, after 37 years as a scaffolder. Uncle Dick was what I knew him by. He was an officer in the Royal Engineers, served in France until Dunkirk, and finished up on the reserve list a Lt. Colonel. He died about 1994-5, while I was on holiday in Tunis, and was unable to attend his funeral, which I regret. I always got on well with him, as a matter of fact I compiled his family tree from Frant, there was a number of the ancestors over in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. I later deposited a copy of the family tree in the Library of the Sussex Family History Group at Lewes, Sussex. I am still a member of that society. But I live in Spain now. His mother (nee Maggie Block) lived at Coppercliff, and when she died she left the house to be used as a hospice for terminal cancer patients. She was a very nice woman. I believe she came from Diss (Suffolk or Norfolk) her father was a grocer there. The part in your article regarding what the firm of TJB built – I reckon if you were to take away all the houses, flats, rebuilds and conversions that they’ve done, Brighton & Hove would finish up like it was over 200 years ago. A fishing village.

    By Albert V. C. Roberts (06/12/2005)
  • My parents moved to Vale Avenue in 1937 and remained there until their death, my mother outlived my father and died in 1971. They are both buried in All Saint’s church cemetery. I was in the church choir from 1942 until 1952. I left Patcham when I got married in 1957.

    By Maurice Wyatt (16/01/2006)
  • Please can you tell me if Patcham had some kind of boarding place for children, in around about late 1940s to early 1950s. Or if any of the local villages had a similar place. My uncle has a childhood memory and does not remember the exact details although he can recall the place name and could describe the place he was staying at. Many thanks.

    By Debbie Hare (30/01/2006)
  • My Bishop ancestors came from Patcham in the 18th century. One called Sarah married a Richard Maskell of Pyecombe, a shepherd. Later generations were all in Brighton. Can anyone tell me the population of Patcham in the mid 1700s?

    By Emma (09/04/2006)
  • I was wondering if you could tell me what the land was like before the houses were built in Overhill Way. Was it a hill as the name suggests?

    By Claire (13/04/2006)
  • I’m looking for informnation about a pub/hotel called the Black Horse or Black Lion on the London Road in Patcham. This is also a Harvester restaurant. I would appreciate it it if you could help me – thank you.

    By Valerie Thompson (24/07/2006)
  • My grandfather, Tom Pavey, was born in Patcham in the 1890s. He was one of several children. His sister Ella Pavey married local schoolmaster Eric Yardley, and his brother William Pavey was killed in Belgium in WW1. There was some scandal involving his father (also called William I believe) whose first wife (my great grandmother) drowned in the well at their farmhouse home (which later became a public school). Then he married a much younger woman (thought to be a servant in his house) who got through his modest fortune in pretty quick time!

    By Amanda (28/07/2006)
  • I moved to Patcham four years ago. It is an amazing place which has pleasant views and very nice people. I recommend it for families.

    By Lozz (11/08/2006)
  • My great-grandmother is shown in the 1881 census as a servant in Raysholm House, Patcham. Can anyone throw any light on what this house was please as only one other person, also a servant, is shown living there at that time?

    By Shirley (27/08/2006)
  • I can remember (from the 1950s) to this day what inscription is printed on the Brighton boundry stones near Patcham. My mum and I used to take a bus to Pyecombe and walk back home to Kemp Town, the boundry stones were our rest place. The poem went as follows:

    Hail guest, we ask not who thou art
    If friend, we greet the hand and heart
    If stranger,thou shalt not long be
    If foe our love will conquer thee

    By Vera Wakefield (17/11/2006)
  • All I know is my grandad lived in Withdene cottages when he was a child. My family went to Brighton for holidays but sadly I never went. I heard it was a lovely place and would like to know if I have any living relatives there still.

    By Michaela Guile (14/01/2007)
  • My grandfather married a Matilda Jane Still of Patcham in December 1891 in London. Matilda was born on 27th April 1860, her parents being William Still and Ann Comber, both of Patcham. William and Ann married on Christmas Day 1850 and had six children, James Edward, Alfred Samuel, Charles Horace, Walter Ambrose (married Frances Standen), Matilda Jame and George Benjamin. I have an address for William and Ann in the 1881 census of Church Hill Cottage, Patcham.
    Ann’s father was a Maltster – was there a brewery in the area?
    I should be pleased to hear from anyone who knows the family.

    By Ettie (07/02/2007)
  • I recently bought a watercolour in rather primitive style, inscribed ‘Patcham Priory’. It shows a double-fronted red-brick house with bay windows flanking a porch and small tower, with a black horse and trap in front, the horse’s reigns held by a boy. A steam train can be seen in the distant top right. It dates to the late 1800s. It is unsigned but the back bears the name and address Mr Lade / 20 Brooker Street, which I believe is in Hove. If anyone knows the house I would be interested to hear anything about its history.

    By Max (28/03/2007)
  • In response to Max’s enquiry re “Patcham Priory”: the house concerned would appear to be the one built in 1882 and called “The Priory”. There was never in fact any such place as ‘Patcham Priory’ to the best of my knowledge. The early (possibly the original) owners of this house were David Lade and his wife. David died in the late 1990s. In the 1901 census his widow Emily is said to be, “living on Own Means” and the link with the N. Lade (cowkeeper) who is registered at both 20 and 29 Brooker St in Hove in directories around 1990 would appear to be questionable. The house in the Withdean part of Patcham was damaged by a fire in 1910 but was rebuilt and Emily Lade lived on at the house for several years afterwards. The house is rumoured to have been used by the Home Guard in the 39/45 war but I’ve been unable to confirm this.
    It would be great to hear any more details you have about the watercolour. My name is Peter Booth and my email address is: peter.booth90@ntlworld.com

    By Peter booth (20/04/2007)
  • Re my response to Max’s enquiry about ‘Patcham Priory’ – I realised when I later read it through that I’d let a critical ‘typo’ get past: the date of Mr Lade’s death should have been in the late 1890s – not the 1990s! Apologies. The house, incidentally, was demolished around 1970 and was replaced with flats bearing the same name – ‘The Priory’.

    By Allan Booth (03/05/2007)
  • I understand that Sinden Bros funeral directors used to have branch in Patcham as well as the centre of town. Does anyone have any information about it or know where it was situated?

    By Liz Henty (20/06/2007)
  • Responding to Liz Henty’s enquiry: according to a 1960s directory, E.Sinden & Bros had a branch at 39 Craignair Avenue, Patcham.

    By Peter Booth (19/07/2007)
  • I was born at 181 Makie Avenue in 1944 and went to Patcham School and the old school in the village. I had a wonderful childhood Playing over the downs and the old tank track, now the bypass. I am youngest of four, two brothers and one sister; Ivan Watson – Ian Watson and Deveana June Watson – I am Diane Jean Watson. My brothers were Cubs and Scouts my sister and I were Brownies and Girl Guides – is there anyone out there who remembers us?

    By Diane Campbell Watson (20/09/2007)
  • I was thrilled to access your website today whilst I was searching under John Musgrove Wilson and so surprised to see him listed under the Local Folk heading.

    As his youngest daughter I would really appreciate any communication from anyone who either knew him or could help me find out any more information about him. I do not have any photographs. Likewise I would be interested in hearing from anyone who knew my mother [deceased] Hetty Emery.

    Her mother used to live in The Crescent.

    I believe John & Hetty may have run several clubs. John may have been involved with the Conservative Club.

    If you could direct me to any other possibly useful Brighton websites, it would be wonderful.

    Very many thanks

    By Yvonne Allsop [Wilson] (24/10/2007)
  • I just wanted to say thanks to Peter Booth regarding Sinden Bros info. If anyone knows anymore about them, that would be great.

    By Liz Henty (02/11/2007)
  • Can you tell me what the boundaries (by road name) are for Patcham, ie is it all roads north/north west of Carden Avenue?

    By Malcolm Muir (01/05/2008)
  • I am wondering if anyone still living in Patcham remembers my grandmother Edith Vincent who lived in Patcham from the 30’s until her death in the 80’s. She lived at 10 Vale Avenue and remarried when she was 70 to a Mr Cooper. I would love any information about her as I never got to meet her as my parents moved to Australia in 1952.

    By Lynn Mahony (21/05/2008)
  • Born in Patcham (1940) in a bungalow in Braeside Avenue and moving away before the end of the war, I moved back to Patcham in 1947. My parents bought The Rest-a-While tea-gardens at the bottom of Mill Road. We had seven happy years there before moving into Brighton. The petrol station which is on the site now has pumps at the foot of my bed, I am sad to say!

    By Ian Tracy (04/06/2008)
  • During my youth, our family lived in several homes around the Patcham area. Whilst a pupil at Shoreham Grammar School (now Shoreham College), I was a member of the Chapel Choir and took a keen interest in Organ Music. David Gutsell was a fellow pupil and his father was the Vicar of All Saints Church, Patcham. He kindly gave me access to play the Organ on several occasions. All working on the Extension principle, I always considered the instrument as very powerful when required, and rate it as my favourite church organ. I managed to track down the firm responsible for it’s maintenance – WoodBrown of Haywards Heath; and spoke with Mr. Brown who was actually involved with it’s construction, and indeed worked on the Console as his Apprentice Piece!
    Now living in Abergavenny, I keep meaning to revisit Brighton, via Patcham of course.

    By Mark Elliott (11/06/2008)
  • My mother and father are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary this year. I am putting together a scrap book of their life in Brighton. My mother was born in 1937 and lived in Wilmington Way, Patcham; her name was Mavis Hook and she had three brothers. She went to Patcham Primary School. Mavis met my dad, named Denis Poplett. If anybody remembers them please contact me: sandwake2000@yahoo.co.uk

    By Sandra Wakefield (21/06/2008)
  • I was born in ‘Sails’, Stoneleigh Ave, Patcham in 1941 and lived there with my sisters Heather and Annette, unfortunately Heather died in 1945. I left home in 1960. Our end of the road was unmade at that time and subsequently the house became number 23. The house was called “Sails” by my father Albert Wheeler as we could see the sails of the windmill up on Mill Hill from the garden. I married Carolyn Harris (49 Ladies Mile Rd) a great grandaughter of Joseph Harris who built the mill. I went to school at the end of the road, Patcham Juniors and Seniors, and then eventually to Varndean Grammar. I spent 1 year at the “old school” in Old Patcham. Miss Horsley was the headmistress of the Junior School, Mr Budleigh the head of the Seniors and Mr Hutchins (Butch) the head of Varndean. I have very fond memories of Patcham – the chalkpit, the “ups and Downs”, dewponds on the downs, lambing at Patcham Court Farm, looking for adders at Sweet Hill, roaming the woods at Patcham Place, cross country runs to the Chatri, tobogganing down Sunnydale Ave. I still return for visits. If anyone wishes to swap memories of Patcham they can contact me at michaelarmandwheeler@hotmail.com

    By Michael Wheeler (27/08/2008)
  • I was very interested to see the photograph of the new estate being built in Ladies Mile Road in the thirties. I moved to a new bungalow at the top of Ladies Mile Road in 1947, when I was four. This was on the edge of the downs and provided a play area for the whole of my childhood. We used to build ‘dens’ in the brambles amongst the trees, run up and down the bomb craters, collect wild flowers which were abundant on the chalk hills and trek to the dew pond on the way to Ditchling Beacon. My father’s family were a part of Patcham village life since the 1860s when my grandfather Joseph arrived in the village from Lewes and set up a bakery in the village. He subsequently built Patcham Mill after being denied planning permission to build a new steam mill in the village. Since Joseph set up the first ‘telegraph office’, Patcham Post Office has been run by a Harris, the present sub post-master being my brother, Nigel. My cousin, David Harris still lives above the Post Office and my mother Vera Harris lived at 1, Church Hill until her recent death. There is a seat in the park opposite, with the inscription “Roy’s seat” in memory of my father who was also sub postmaster for many years. He often talked about the way Patcham was in the 1920s, before all the new estates were built.

    By Carolyn Wheeler (nee Harris) (31/08/2008)
  • Great to have found this website and info about my wonderful Patcham. I spent many happy years there in my childhood staying with my grandparents Lilian and James Will. It is good to read all the stories and comments which have brought back so many memories to me. I did visit briefly in 1989 when visiting England again on holiday. I guess it will just be wonderful memories for me as I am not likely to travel that far from New Zealand again. My grandparents lived at No 60 Sunnyhill Avenue.

    By Ann Chalk (07/09/2008)
  • Hi Patricia! It’s Davina (see comment 09/11/2005). I spent 24 years living in N.Z. and I now live in Queensland, Australia. I have three daughters aged 40, 39 and 36 and three grandaughters aged 17, 15 and 13. I remember you quite well considering its 45 years since we saw each other! Some of the names you mentioned I don’t recognize but Rosemary Pountney I do. I have a photo of us taken just before I left for N.Z. with other girls whose names I cant remember, taken on the path at Varndean with the Dorothy Stringer School behind us. What interesting memories!

    By Davina Rosendale (07/03/2009)
  • Does anybody know of the Sinden family who owned the funeral home?

    By Linda (13/06/2009)
  • My grandparents lived at Carden Avenue from the 1930s until my grandfather died in 1964 followed by my grandmother in 1981. Their names were William and Carrie Hunt. My grandfather was warden for the barn church in the 1950s. After they died my parents lived in the house, my dad was called Glyn Bagnall, he died in 1987, my mum was called Vera, she lived at 98 from about the age of 9, she died in march of this year. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister, Keith, Colin, Tony, and Sue. Tony lives in Stoneleigh Avenue and Sue still lives in Carden Aveue, My name is Carol; does anyone remember us?

    By Carol Stedman (03/09/2009)
  • I have just found this web page and have enjoyed reading all the emails. I lived in Church Hill, Patcham from my birth in 1941 until I married in 1960. I still have very fond memories.

    By Edna Fuge (nee Penfold) (24/10/2009)
  • I would like to add a bit extra to my previous correspondence. My family worked the farm, Patcham Court, at the top of Church Hill, and it was an idyllic life. From some of the other mails on this site, I can remember Michael Wheeler up at the farm watching the animals. Also, him getting married to the pretty Carolyn Harris. Also her lovely parents at the Post Office. Edna (nee Penfold)

    By Edna Fuge (nee Penfold ) (25/10/2009)
  • Does anyone know Mr Anthony David Ellis who lived in 1961 in Garden Cresent 19 in Patcham Brighton?

    By O.T. de Jong (20/01/2010)
  • Hello Davina. I was delighted to come across this Patcham website and then to see reference to yourself (comment 09/11/05 Patricia Silsby and then yourself on 08/03/09) was amazing. I have two sons aged 27 and 25 who both live and work in London. I live in Tamworth, Staffordshire. I remember you so well.

    By Barbara Hall (nee Trusler) (08/02/2010)
  • I am a freelance journalist working for the community page at the Argus and wondered if anyone would be interested in helping me build a then and now page for Patcham? email me if you can help. I would love to hear from all of you. seanyoungjr@aol.co.uk

    By Sean Young (11/02/2010)
  • Can anyone please point out where Varndean Cottages might have been in Patcham?

    By Phyll (16/02/2010)
  • Varndean Cottages have survived in the playing fields of Varndean School. The cottages are about two hundred yards to the west of the school and are to the immediate south of the lane called Stringer Way which crosses the playing field.

    By Peter Booth (20/02/2010)
  • Hi Barbara (09.02.10). Fancy your name popping up! If you wish to correspond my address is: geodav@wideband.net.au. Hope to hear from you soon.

    By Davina Rosendale (31/03/2010)
  • I moved into 13 Patchdean (right next to the twitten) with my family in 1964. I loved living there – many happy times spent at the park by Mackie Avenue. Dad used to grow loads of veg in our huge back garden, he built us our own wendy house. Was a sad day when they pulled them down. I remember standing there as they pulled them down and dad saying that we would soon be back allbeit in a new house and we were just 18 months (roughly) later.

    By Diane White nee ( Whelan) (07/08/2010)
  • I just loved reading all the messages. I am making a trip soon from Bucks to Patcham to try to find my ancestors’ graves and anything I can about them. My great great grandfather was born there and his many children. The name is Dodd and I am really looking forward to finding out more. If anyone knows any Dodds, do please get in contact with me at bbpurpose.tiscali.co.uk or 07890764161.

    By Barbara Butcher (nee Dodd) (25/08/2010)
  • I love your page it is so interesting.I have just seen Barbara Butcher’s comments. I wonder if her g g grandfather was John Charles Dodd who married my grandfather’s sister Margaret Ellen Penfold b.1874? I did try to email you Barbara but could not get through. If you see this and you are interested my email is efuge48@googlemail.com. Edna Fuge (Penfold )

    By E.Fuge (nee Penfold) (21/09/2010)
  • Just found this site. I was born in Patcham in 1948 went to Pacham Infants, Junior Old Village and Seniors. What a great place to grow up. I live in Coldean now. Does anyone remember the Muggridges from Carden Avenue?

    By Carol Lynn (nee Muggridge) (30/11/2010)
  • Can someone please settle an argument. Back in the 1950’s the Robin Hood Garage was on the A23 just north of the traffic lights at the junction of Vale Road and Mill Road. I say it was on the east side between the traffic lights and Braypool playing fields. Am I right?

    By Ron James (03/12/2010)
  • Does anyone remember going to the old barn methodist church at Ladies Mile Rd. My brothers and I went to Sunday school there. My brothers were Keith, Colin and Tony Bagnall. Tony still lives in Stoneleigh Close. My grandfather was the caretaker there in the ’50s. His name was William Hunt, my grandmothers name was Carrie. Does anyone remember any of us? My grandparents lived at 98 Carden Avenue.

    By Carol Stedman (29/12/2010)
  • I lived at 3 Stoneleigh Ave, I remember nothing but happy times..

    By john pickston (28/01/2011)
  • I spent today on the beach remembering all my happy times growing up in Patcham. Who could ask for anything more? Now that sounds like a song.

    By Pickston (31/01/2011)
  • We have lived at 57 Wilmington Way for the last couple of years. We love it here but does anybody know who lived here before?

    By Tracey (11/02/2011)
  • Regarding Ron James’s recollection of the position of the Robin Hood Garage; he his correct.

    By Michael Wheeler (30/03/2011)
  • Hi Tracey. We live opposite you! Would suggest trying the record office in Lewes or asking the people up the road who have lived here for over 54 years!

    By Kate (19/06/2011)
  • As a child I remember going with Mum to buy produce at Sandfords Stores just down from the Carden Ave post office opposite Patchdean Cottages. For many years “The Boot Mender” had the little shop to the right of the post office. On occasions I would be sent with a list and some money to collect goods from Sanfords or stamps from the post office. Sandfords also delivered a couple of times a week, the delivery man was called Dave, or Davy to the kids, he drove a 1950s Ford E83w 10hp van with a short bonnet, this was painted dark green and nicely sign written in a creamy yellow with the store’s name and details. Davy often stopped for a cuppa and a chat, he was a nice chap with wavy blonde hair and he wore fairly heavy glasses with round lenses. Mr and Mrs Bull lived two doors from us and I seem to remember Mrs Bull working in the Post Office, her daughter Carol becoming Miss Brighton and later The Lady Mayoress. Jeanie was the younger daughter, a very sweet girl liked by everyone that met her.

    By Alan Spicer (06/07/2011)
  • I have just started to research my stepfather’s family and I noticed that Amanda wrote about the Pavey family in Patcham in 2006. All the names such as William Pavey, Tom and Ella seem to be the same as mine. I have heard about a scandal in the family but don’t know what. If Amanda does still look at this site or if anyone knows of her, please would she get in touch with me at phyllis962@btinternet.com. Many thanks.

    By Phyllis Newman (05/09/2011)
  • My grandfather Charles Frederick Holden built several houses in Patcham, a few in Warmdene Road, including one I lived in during childhood. I can’t find any information on him or his work, although I know he built other houses in Brighton too.

    By Christine Abbas nee Holden (12/09/2011)
  • Born in Brighton 1939, in Dale Crescent, moved to Warmdene Road and Mackie Avenue until I left for Barbados 16 years ago. A member of the 30th Brighton Boy Scouts in Patcham where I achieved the Queen Scout award. I share so many of the memories of others who grew up in Patcham Patcham School, (juniors) watching Cricket on the playing field The Old Barn (Methodist Church) Bonfire night on waste ground at the bottom of Braybon Avenue (the Catholic Church is there now) seeing Hollingbury being built. Christ the King Youth Club (A lot of us still meet up),The Old village,Church Hill and so much more. I come back to Patcham twice a year and walk round and remember some wonderful times growing up and bringing up my family in the area. I have made contact with Michael Wheeler and hope to meet up with him next year if all goes well.

    By John Bassett (30/11/2011)
  • I lived in Dale Crescent from almost my birth in 1947 until my family moved to Saltdean around 1963. I went to Patcham Infants, Juniors including the second year at the old school in the village. Some of my teachers were Mrs Horsley, Mrs Whennel, Miss Honeysett, Miss Hart, Mr Shephard, Mr Gearts. I remember our neighbours in Dale Crescent being Mr and Mrs Arthur Tester, Mr and Mrs Frank Parris, Mrs Ford, Mrs Wadham and a few others. I remember the area behind Ladies Mile Road which we used to call the ‘chalk pits’ and we played cowboys and indians there. I almost always drive through Patcham when I’m in the area as it has such fond memories for me. Does anyone remember these names?

    By Dave Harris (31/12/2011)
  • I have lived in Patcham all of my life and went to the local schools including the White House Nursery which had an old milk float in the garden to play on. Also the 30th Cub Scouts in Vale Avenue. (I am now 49 yrs old). I remember Mr Gearts at the Junior School, I was in his class one year (about 1973). One of the best teachers when I was there I reckon. When the Junior School expanded south into the Infants School section (when the Infants got their new school) we had a dry ski slope in the school hall (the south hall which was previously the infants hall). How many schools had their own ski slope? (I think the slope had previously been at a premises in North Street which closed down if I remember correctly but I might be wrong.)

    By Cliff (11/01/2012)
  • Re the Robin Hood Garage messages above: I have lived in Patcham for 49 years and my recollection is from the early 1980s when I started driving. I agree 100% that the old Robin Hood garage was on the east side but directly opposite on the west side was a large modern petrol station (demolished when the bypass was built) and I am pretty sure that on the edge of the canopy it said Robin Hood Service Station, so I believe this would be why there are different recollections.

    By Cliff (12/01/2012)
  • My friend at school lived in a bungalow behind the Robin Hood garage and there were kennels nearby. Her name was Lisa Yates.

    By Geraldine (nee Batchelor) (17/01/2012)
  • Michael Wheeler beat me to confirming Ron James’ claim about the Robin Hood Garage as two of my school friends did their apprenticeships there. Can anyone confirm my memory of a little pull in snack-bar on the A23 back in the 50s north of Braypool on the same side past the house and before the Pylons, some days one can still see the brick wall against the grass bank? Often the RAC man with his motor-cycle would be parked there. Tell me l’m not going ga ga.

    By Gerry Millard (06/02/2012)
  • Hello Carol nee Muggeridge, I remember you and Pauline nee Heasman, maybe you remember me?

    By June Churchill (nee Bates) (11/02/2012)
  • I lived in Patcham from birth in 1954 to marriage in 1980. Following the passing of my parents last year I am feeling a bit sentimental about the old place. I did the usual Patcham Infants/Juniors and Varndean route of schooling combined with 30th Brighton Cubs Scouts and Patcham All Saints church choir, the latter under Clifford Dann. Tony Gearts and his wife still live in the same house in Patcham and were good friends to my mum and dad who lived nearby in Highview Way. The original old Robin Hood garage was indeed north on the East side as my dad sometimes used to walk me there to watch the ‘old crocks’ as the veteran car run was known at the time. My mother used to walk me from our home along Highview Avenue South to a twitten down to Patchdean, Sandfords, the Post Office etc. Rightly or wrongly we used to call it the birdsnest way and it dropped down to a good school friend Roger Newman who I believe lived at 21 Patchdean before it was knocked down. I used to make regular trips to the little shops in Patcham on the clocktower side including a visit to Old Tom at Tomlinsons the Greengrocer and general store who used to have long sticks of tasty black liquorice, Cracknells the proper greengrocers, Attwoods for paraffin for the heater at home and Gills for the occasional treat of a kitkat and perhaps a special occasional treat of a matchbox car from the window like when I had chickenpox. Ogdens the bakers was on the other side with my favourite traffic lights pastries (red, amber and green jam circles in a round biscuit base) and Graveleys the grocers where I would be sent for a 1/4 of Brooke Bond tea and dashed home as quickly as possible to check the tea card inside and gum it in to my album. Later on there was Charlie in Unwins on the ‘new’ parade of shops. I loved my time in Patcham and as I work in Brighton I still drop in to Patcham to restoke my memories. I was sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs Harris although delighted it stayed in the family, and saddened when Geoff and Mary Salmon finally relinquished ownership of Salmons. I still bump in to Geoff’s son David at the gym and recall buying construction kits and jamboree bags at the shop with my choirboy income and a Zena Skinner cook book for my mum for Mother’s Day in the sixties. Happy days.

    By Nick Buckwell (12/02/2012)
  • Carol Stedman, I knew your mother and father and your Uncle Charles. I lived at 103 Carden Ave. If you would like to talk about the information I have you can reach me on mo.muggridge@live.co.uk

    By M. Muggridge (12/07/2012)
  • Gerry Millard – no you are not going ga-ga, the snack-bar was built into the bank and the owner lived in the house above it reached by steps up the bank. His name was Windsor, he had two sons (my sister says three). I have lots of memories of Patcham that may be of use to you or any other interested party. My E-mail mo.muggridge@live.co.uk

    By M. Muggridge (14/07/2012)
  • Ref Diane White: We lived at 13 Patchdean. Moved out late 50s, I think. I was very young. I remember the huge back garden where Dad had a greenhouse. Full of slo worms, lizards, and toads. I think there were two flower beds at the front. One circular, one star shaped. There was a sort of copse at the back of the garden? You could also walk along the twitten to what we called the “ups and downs”? Both my brothers still live in Patcham.

    By Terry Hilton (29/08/2012)
  • Ettie asked about the Still family. My grandparents, Frederick and Alice Still, who were married in 1921, moved from London to Sweethill then to a farm nearby. They then moved to Patchdean. They had several children. I believe they were related to the Still family living in Patcham. I have seen a gravestone in All Saints Church, of William Still. I hope that helps.

    By Linda (07/02/2013)
  • I have just found this site: I saw the post from Carol Lynn, nee Muggridge, and yes I remember you, we were at school together. We occasionally saw you and Pauline in Brighton on Saturday evenings. I now live at Hangleton. My email if you want to contact is fredgething@aol.com 

    By Pat Gething, nee Mouat. (15/03/2013)
  • Could Rita Buckrell or relatives (post 8/2/08) please get in touch regarding Patcham Place. I now own this historic buildings and am trying to unravel it’s past including it’s former use as a school back in the 1930s. We still have the old school bell and cradle mounted on the roof pitch on the south side and there is evidence of the tunnels filled in during WW11. We have evidence too of the ghost that haunts the hallway across the 16th C flags. I have allowed several viewings by locals and welcome more as we restore the buildings from their dilapidated state since we bought them 5 months ago. So, please get in touch. My email is: CGargan@ksdgroupltd.com

    By Chris Gargan (28/07/2013)
  • For the attention of the editor-Bill Maskell. Bill, I have heard nothing back for Rita or or family .(see my post dated 27 7 13). Please could you offer any ideas on how to get in touch with her . KR Chris

    Editor’s note: This page was created in 2006 and the person who submitted it is no longer associated with the website. Sorry but we do not have any contacts for the individuals you are looking for.

    By Chris Gargan (17/09/2013)
  • I lived at 8 Dale Avenue. I have a brother Anthony (Tony) if anyone remembers us. I went right through Patcham Schools and was the last head girl before the senior school closed to become Patcham Margaret Hardy. I was in 6th Patcham Brownies and 2nd Patcham Guides. I was a Cub Scout instructor with 30th Brighton scouts, where I met my husband Dave. Dave lived at 7 Upper Winfield Avenue, his maternal grandfather (Charles Wilson) built all the houses in Upper Winfield, all semis except number 7 which was detached. Now living in Portslade.

    By June Churchill, nee Bates (21/09/2013)
  • My gran lived at 39 Church Hill. Her name was Clifford and the cottage was demolished to make way for the public house car park. My grandfather came home from the first world war and became a postman. He was taken on a gun carriage and buried at the top of Churchill in the cemetery but I cannot find his grave.

    By Tony (21/10/2013)
  • Ian Tracy – I came across your post whilst looking for info on the Rest A While Tea Gardens. My mother told me today that her uncle (Arthur Ashby) and his wife owned this business at some point. I’m not sure of any dates at present but who knows, maybe our families have a business link!

    By Vaughan Taylor (07/01/2014)
  • My Grandad Harrry Hart, bought the Old Barn from the farmer that own all the land around Patcham, he owned and operated “Alpha Coaches” from there for years. My father and his brother sold it some time in the late 80’s. My sister went to the little schools around the corner which was run by Miss Sticks.

    By Anthony Hart (06/02/2014)
  • Hi to everyone in Patcham/Brighton reading this. We are trying to trace all photographs of Patcham Place circa 1900 onwards for our First World War and D-Day event to be held this year in commemoration. Please respond if you can help. Of particular interest are any photos of the Shrievers who lived at Patcham Place at the turn of the last century, of whom the 15 year old son gave his life serving on HMS Monmouth in South America. Best wishes.

    By Chris Gargan (13/04/2014)
  • Hi all, I conducted busses in Brighton in the early 70s, I was conducting the 5s I went home to my wife and said sometime we are going to live in Patcham, we did in 1995 could not be more happy.

    By John Dine (14/04/2014)
  • As an ex-Patchamite (Lomond Avenue 1955/1968) I browse this site every couple of months and it always prompts some fresh memory of the past. My brother Peter was briefly a conductor on Brighton buses in the late 60s and I recall he worked with a member of the aristocracy who was, I think, a bus driver. Does anyone remember this?  I also knew Rodney Whiteman, Pat Shepherd and Eric Hole and in fact met Patrick Moore whilst he was filming The Sky at Night in Eric’s back garden, George, his dad having constructed a huge reflecting telescope on the back lawn of his house in Sanihils Avenue. Does anyone know if there is or has been a Patcham CS School reunion this year? I recall June Churchill nee Bates organised a ‘do’ some years ago which I sadly missed and, as the class of 63 all gain OAP status this year, it might be a good way to celebrate surviving this long!

    By John Ridgewell (10/07/2014)
  • Sadly, John, I doubt there will be another reunion, unless someone else organises it. I did organise two and it’s not for the faint-hearted! I might be able to get a small group together, like Bruce Williams, Colin Granger, John Evans and perhaps David Packham. Could you let me have your email address and I’ll be in touch.

    By June Churchill (11/07/2014)
  • Hi June, my contact is johnandcherylridgewell@btinternet.com, if you’d like to get in touch.

     

    By John Ridgewell (27/07/2014)
  • Carolyn Wheeler – my family, like many, often frequented your family post office.  Is it true it is closing now?  such a shame if it is. I don’t live in the area now so whether or not it is closing can you please say hi and best wishes to Nigel from me.

    By Susan Shipp (09/08/2014)
  • I am really glad I have found this page.  I have learnt a lot about my place of birth.  Born in Baranscraig 1972 (I left in 1996), I attended White House (dramatic fall from milk float!), Patcham First, Patcham Middle and Maggie Aggie.  I worked in Salmons whilst a student and frequented the Wilmie (bit too frequently!).  When being sent to the shops you had to await confirmation of whether that was ‘up the end’ (Deeside), ‘ round the corner’ (Mackie shops) or ‘over the hill’ (the old village). ‘Up the end’ was our nearest.  I remember lovely Alan the greengrocer and the sweet little Bakery next door, lovely John and Dot in Londis and lovely Farooqs in the newsagent. Many happy summers were spent playing in the kids park and on the tennis courts – about a quid a day including ice pops kept us cousins happy. I still have family and friends there.

    By Susan Shipp (09/08/2014)
  • I was born in 1947 and lived with my parents in Glenfalls Avenue until my baby brother Nigel came along and we moved to Carden Avenue near the main London road. My grandparents lived at 46 Heston Avenue. I remember vividly the couple who had a horse and cart which brought the vegetables round. The horse which I adored was called Kitty and if she happened to ‘drop’ a load of manure on the road, everyone would rush to scoop it up to put on the roses!!

    By Lesley Miles (12/02/2015)
  • I was born in 1950 and along with my three sisters we were all delivered at home in Mackie Avenue. I too remember the couple with the horse and cart, their name was Laycock and we were sent out to shovel the manure for the garden! Marilyn Jones (de Lacy)

    By Marilyn Jones (14/02/2015)
  • Replying to M Muggridge, I went to school at Patcham Fawcett. Cannot remember his first name – used to sell ice cream – was he a family member?

    By John Tulloch (09/05/2015)
  • Re Kitty the carthorse: my grandparents lived at 98 Carden Avenue, I used to feed Kitty an apple when she came up the road. If we weren’t there she would cross over the road and wait by the front gate until we came out. My grandparents names were William and Carrie Hunt and they were caretakers at the Old Barn until my grandfather died in 1964.

    By Carol Stedman (06/04/2016)
  • Hello. I live in Elwyn Jones Court, opened in 29th January 1991 and am very interested in what building was here before this one. I am very interested in history and would very much appreciate it if you could advise me. Thank you very much.

    By Mrs M Redhage (25/08/2016)
  • Mrs Redhage, if you go to the James Gray Photo Collection, owned by the Regency Society, you will see some lovely photos of Devonia Court and Heron’s Court - grand and imposing Victorian buildings that once occupied the site and were demolished in 1987. The images you want are 210 to 213 of Volume 34: http://www.regencysociety-jamesgray.com

    By Janet Beal (27/08/2016)
  • Thank you so much Janet Beal for the information you gave. It’s such a shame to lose these beautiful Victorian buildings, which I absolutely love, with all the wonderful characteristics of the era, but alas, times must change I guess.

    Thank you again.

    By Mrs M Redhage (01/09/2016)
  • You’re very welcome, Mrs Redhage. I tend to agree with you.

    By Janet Beal (01/09/2016)
  • Hi Linda (2013 post) My grandparents were George Edward Still b 1916 d 1966 and Vera Elaine Still (Martin) b 1916 d 1995. They lived at Loder Road, Brighton but the whole family were from Patcham area. My great grandparents were George William Still b 1874 d 1957 and Ada Charlotte Still (Mountbatten) b 1876 d 1968. Vera Stills sisters were Maud, Lynn – their maiden name was Martin. Anyone know anything of the family please let me know.

    By Martyn Still (22/01/2018)
  • Patcham Junior School has commissioned a long painting on a playground wall to celebrate their 80 year anniversary. It will reflect not only the development of the school, but also the history of Patcham and I am helping the artist with research. Does anyone have a photograph of the railway carriage that used to sit on what is now the corner of Warmdene Road and Ladies Mile Road. Several residents remember it but cannot find a photo. As it is a unique subject, in such close proximity to PJS, this would be an excellent inclusion to the art work, in addition to the more well known features such as the Chattri. Please help if you can.

    By Chris Taylor (05/02/2018)
  • Martin Still (22/01/2018) please email – linda@ridgeway36.com    

    I have done some research into the Still family and I am fairly sure there is a connection.

    By Linda (07/03/2018)
  • Chris, I did my PhD on interwar Patcham [completed 2012] and during my research there was much talk by locals about the railway carriage at the Warmdene corner. However no images ever came my way! I have always hankered for one as the carriages were part of the ‘landscapes of informal settlement’ [in normal language…shanty towns] that sprang up mainly in the early interwar years. There were plenty in Woodingdean, Shoreham Beach, Lancing and further out at Pagham and Winchelsea Beach [amongst many other locations]; however local info was that Warmdene was the only one locally.

    If you need any contemporary images to help with the mural do let me know at [g.mead@sussex.ac.uk]

    By Geoffrey Mead (08/03/2018)
  • I lived in ladies mile road opposite the Harris family,I sang at the All Saints church,I did a Salmons paper round and enjoyed the dances at the ctk youth club. I have lived in australia for over 50 years and regret losing touch with everybody. My email address is kennethlionel5@hotmail.com.

    By Ken Cross (18/05/2020)
  • With regard to the Robin Hood garage I used to catch a bus with friends to play on the bank opposite the garage. I remember there was a house near the bank where we used to buy a bottle of Seven Up or an ice cream. I have a photograph somewhere of the garage taken from the bank. I always used to carry a camera with me. Happy days, a chance to escape from Brighton.

    By David Goss (10/01/2021)
  • What a lovely discovery this page is. I was born in 1951 and lived at 1 Mackie Avenue until I was 18. My dad was the local GP and back in the fifties the surgery was attached to the house. Later on He and his partner Hertzl Sless built a small group surgery in Carden Avenue, next to the cobblers. I remember Kitty the greengrocers horse, and used to love being allowed to feed her a carrot. The local shops in Ladies mile road were such a mixture, there was Rita’s the haberdashers, Connicks the chemist, although for newspapers we always went down to Salmons in the Old village. This is such a nostalgic site, I love it. Does anyone remember the space next to the Ladies Mile pub , through the twitten, parallel to Mackie Avenue, that was not developed into housing until the mid sixties? Marilyn Burton my neighbour and I would take our bikes and spend hours up there, I think some of the craters must have been bomb damage, but we made terrific dens in the trees and brambles.

    By Jane Scott (21/02/2021)
  • I worked on the buses out of Lewes road depot ,I can remember sitting on the salt bins at the terminus by the palace pier list when one of the conductors was called to the phone, very unusual!. When he came back he shook his head and said I’m a ####ing lord. I believe he lived in Hurstpierpoint.

    By Richard Wickham (03/12/2021)
  • Referencing Jane Scott, I think your father was Dr Hicks? He must have treated me for almost all the usual childhood ailments when I was growing up in Baranscraig Avenue. A very kindly man as I recall.

    By Phil Back (10/06/2022)
  • My great grandfather Walter William Winsor owned the Braeside cafe in Patcham in the 1930s.He had 3 Sons to 2 different wives, Ronald Winsor, Jack Winsor and Harry Winsor. Does anyone remember them? I’m researching my family history and would like to hear from anyone that knew the Winsors in Patcham.

    By Gemma Louise Winsor (04/11/2022)
  • Mum (joy Caig) lived on Ladies mile road from when she was born in 1935 as her dad helped build the estate. He met my gran in Sandyhills, Scotland. Mum and dad got married at All Saints and had their reception in the Black lion. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary a few months ago. So many great tes for several generations of our family in Patcham.

    By Joanna de souza (14/01/2023)

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