Under-represented
‘Portslade is always very under-represented in Brighton and Hove news and views. This is strange considering the history. It was a huge farming and fishing community many years ago and boasts one of the oldest areas of Brighton and Hove with one of the oldest churches – St Nicolas in the Old Village. It is a huge community now and one of the most densly populated estates in Brighton and Hove. I would love to see more representation of Portslade when referring to Brighton and Hove. Just look at the history books and see for yourself.’
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I grew up in the Old Village, Portslade. My address was 36 High Street, and we lived in the upstairs flat, opposite the George pub. I remember the butcher there and the other shops and Le Carbone, where I worked for some time as a receptionist, my age at that time was about 23 years and it was there that I met my husband to whom I am still married and we celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary this year. Unfortunately I do not have the facility to send photos on my computer, but I would love to hear from someone who still knows the Old Village. I now live in Somerset, so we don’t get that way much now. I hope I hear from someone.
In August 2005 I was able to re-visit Portslade where I lived from 1938 to 1959. In company with my brother and sister we walked much of our old haunts and in particular the Old Village, Boundary Road, the seafront by the canal, the Cattle Arch, St Nicolas Church etc. We saw St Nicolas School which we had all attended as children, and were pleased to see that it was largely unchanged, at least from the Locks Hill approach. The Old Brewery still remains much as I remember it when I worked in the accounts dept of Le Carbone from 1952 to 1956. I now live near Folkestone and although I have visited Portslade many times in recent years, this was the first time I had made such a detailed exploration and it was indeed a pleasure. Much has of course changed, but sufficient remains to give some character to the area.
During the late 50’s early 60’s I worked at the Southern Engraving Company, opposite LeCarbone, in the old village, Portslade. I have lost contact with many of my old friends, but would love to hear from anyone who remembers the fun time we had while working under the watchful eye of “Harry”. Please contact me at aussigal1@yahoo.com
Avril Darby, Beryl Watts, Peggy ?, Pat ? whose father and brother also worked there. One of the men Tony Clevett and I recently made contact through the fab Brighton and Hove web page and we have tracked through many memory lanes. Alan Cooper and Alan Shepard cousins who worked downstairs. We used to make name plates some of the work was quite heavy, and often accidents happened with the cutting machines. But come break times we always could be found laughing and enjoying our work, weird it might be, but it was one of the fun places to work in my life.
The Christmas parties held at the old Stag Inn?
My great great granny lived at 38 High Street and she died at that address in 1937. Her name was Amelia Burrage, I don’t suppose you remember her do you? I would absolutely love to chat about her if you do, somehow I just feel a real affinity with her, but I would love to know if that is good or bad!
To Pat Burnham: Are you ‘Aunty Pat’ who lived at 216? M.O.R. in the 60s? I’m son of John and Sonia who lived at 196.
I think the Aunty Pat you refer to is Pat Oliver who was married to Ernest who for years had the off licence in the old village. I was born next door to the first house he lived in 27 M.O.R.
It’s amazing how things work out regarding Mr Neil Wooley. In 1935 I lived at 216 then moved into Brighton. It must have been near the end of 1938, as we had to go down to Mr Combes who own the off licence. He was the government agent for supply of the gas masks for all the people up Mile Oak, as the war was coming. Now we all moved back up to 8 Beeches Rd. I would like to try and explain a few thing about Mile Oak. Chris has got a lot of it right, but starting from the seniors boy school at the top of the High St (that’s what it was called when I was there in 1942), going north you would pass some houses on your right on the bend. On your right is a small lane that is now covered over that led back into the old village. Now still going north you pass Brasslands drive. 50 yards on was the entrance to what we called the bad boys school. It was the London County Council reform school. You then went down into the dip up, a slope pass where we used to live. There was a farm opposite, then down the hill pass the cott on the left and right past Chalky Lane. I remember there was no such a thing as Valley Road, that was all Broofield Farm as far as the eye could see. Now we come to the hole in the wall. It was a mud track in my days that led to Foxhunters Rd and my road, Beeches Rd. The flint wall which I think is still there, went right up to the large air raid shelter that I can’t remember ever being used. Over that wall was the paddock and a eight bedroom mansion that all of us boys played in. There were tennis courts they were near Harry Ward’s bungalow in Foxhunters Road. That mansion was pulled down by the Canadian troop to save us kids from geting hurt. Someone will read this and it will all come back to them. I’m 77 so I know that there are a lot still around, like Ron Salter and Dennis, then there is Brian Rowlands and Joy Ward, (I don’t know her maried name). They all still live up Mile Oak. A lot of people knew about the fire. I was very lucky, the first I knew of it was when I came home on my first leave after my traing at Cattrick, the telegram passed me coming home. Joan and Ray Standford put me up on all my leaves from Germany including my brothers George (known as Tinker) and Patrick the youngest. They lived with Joan for some years in the 1914/18 timber army hut right opposite Sefton Rd next door to the Becks’. I think I had better stop I could go on for a long time all about the war years but I don’t want to bore you all, but I am very lucky I have a good memory.
I hope to get up to your reunion in june if all goes well regards to you all.
Hello Don Kane, My family and I lived at 222 M.O.R. After the fire engulfed your home we looked after your family’s white bull terrier for a while, we had an empty bedroom and I spent many hours playing with a very friendly loveable dog. Every time I have seen a bull terrier since I remember yours, unfortunately I can not remember it’s name.
Hi Neil, I am Aunty Pat who lived at 216 Mile Oak Road. This is the first time I have decided to visit this site again, and I do hope you will visit this site. You and your sister Joanne if I remember correctly used to play with our Angela, Alison and Andy. Angela sadly passed away in October 2011, Andy has gone his own way and is in High Wycombe, but Alison now lives with her partner Rob in Barnet, Herts and has Robert (21) and Jessie (15). Angie left us Gerard, her son who is now 19. I can’t believe this, but I do hope you see it and get in touch. I have left my e-mail address. George and I now live in Somerset and have now been married for 53 years. I do so hope I hear from you Neil, please .
Aunty Pat, I’d love to get in contact but I cannot retrieve your e-mail address. mine is neil.n.j.woolley@btinternet.com, I’d love to hear from you after what must be 50 years since I last saw you.
HI Ernest
I lived at 75 BoundaryRoad, a stones throw from the station. We had a greengrocers Red Hill Farms and that turned into a café named Debra. Next door was Stacys a haberdashery shop. Do you remember anything of the shops. I ended up going to the Brighton and Hove Grammar school but I don’t think the school lasted long. My parents moved in 1957. I live in Hythe now. very close to you. Ann.
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