Memories from the 40s and 50s

Do you remember Windy Bill?
In the late 40s to early 50s there used to be an old man (to me) who did weightlifting by the trolleybus stop at the paper shop on Lewes Road, at the bottom of Richmond Street. He used to collect pennies in his hat and also used to run behind the trollies making a whistling/wheezing sound. My mum said his name was Windy Bill. Anyone else remember him?

My favourite street sellers
I remember just after the war an Italian man used to come up Sussex Terrace pushing an ice cream barrow. Because it was hard work pushing the barrow up Richmond Street hill, he used to let us kids, who helped him a few times, have a small cornet free. There were also the French onion sellers, with their old bikes and their bodies strung up with strings of onions. But my favourite street seller was the barrow filled with winkles. I remember sharing a pint of them with the rest of my family, picking them out with an old safety pin.

Sussex Terrace in World War II
After the street was bombed, the uphill side had lost both ends. The car repair garage had gone, our house had gone, and on the Richmond Street end just the wall holding up the hillside remained. On the downhill side of the street a few houses were left standing about halfway along. I don’t know if these were bombed or taken down because of damage.

Charlie whistling a tuneless tune!
Charlie Payne (or Paine?) had a coal merchants and greengrocers shop. I remember he was always whistling a tuneless sound and used crutches. I think he only had one leg. He was a nice bloke and let people have lots of stuff on tick. At the end of the war we were taken on our first holiday ever to a farm at Odiham where we stayed in old gypsy caravans. He took us all there and collected us, aunts and friends as well, all riding on the back of his flat back lorry. I don’t think the police would allow it now as it must have been very unsafe.

Other neighbours
Other people living in the street were The Hubbards with their sons Roystone and David (Ginger). There were also the Sullivants, D’agastinos, Bryants, Mrs Cooper and son, and a lodger who was a fantastic painter called Mr Calvo. Also the Smiths with two sons and a daughter.

Long gone shops
My mother knew Fred Hills, who had the butchers shop on Richmond Street. By World War II this was owned by Nicholls (a family grocers). On the corner of Dinapore St below the railings, there was also a fish shop just after World War II called Breeds. You used to get a threepenny bit of fish and a pennarth of chips plus a free Big Pickled Onion if you took your own newspaper.

Dinapore Street fish shop
Round the corner of the other end of Dinapore St was another fish shop in Albion Hill. It was owned after the war by the Warnett (or Warner?) family. Their son Dave joined the army the same day on National Service as my brother Mick and was his best man a few years later.

Comments about this page

  • My dad was a co-op baker’s roundsman who pulled an electric van around Brighton streets – his name was Charlie. He would take me on his rounds in the school holidays. i can rember looking up to this man lifting his weights, while my dad with his bread basket on his arm, went from house to house delivering bread, when he said ‘do you want a try?’. Before I could try, my dad gave a whistle and I had to leave. Thanks for helping me to remember him.

    By l. Godden (27/01/2006)
  • I was delighted to see mention of the Breeds fish shop in Brighton. It was owned by my great uncle Jack Breeds and his wife Nellie. I have a photo of my great grandmother, Katherine Breeds, standing outside the fish shop in Richmond Street, some time before 1921.

    By Carol Trotman (02/06/2006)
  • Would love to see your photo if you would post it. My favourite fish shop ever and his pickled onions were like footballs. Well I was only a nipper then so maybe they weren’t really.

    By Pat Collins(Catswhiskas) (14/06/2006)
  • Does anyone remember the Gower family who lived at 19 Sussex Terrace? If so, any information would be welcome.

    By John Gower (16/07/2006)
  • Was the Gower’s house the one that stood on its own near to Charlie Payne’s greengrocers and coal merchants? What dates are we on about?

    By Pat Collins (Catswhiskas) (21/07/2006)
  • The Gower family lived at number 19. I don’t know whereabouts Charlie Payne’s was. They lived there (initially sharing with relatives, the Bennetts) from when the house was built in the early years of the 20th century. My aunt (Rose Gower) and her brother (Frank Gower) lived there until the house was compulsorily purchased by Brighton Corporation sometime during the 1960s.

    By John Gower (28/08/2006)
  • Ernest Stacy, my grandfather, was a shoe maker and repairer, living at 52 Coleridge Street Hove. He lived there from about 1912 until his death in about 1952. I many happy memories playing in his shop and with the children in that area.

    By Jean Hudson (08/04/2007)
  • I well remember all the characters mentioned. My grandmother was Mrs. Anscombe, the Scotswoman whom many regarded as a tartar but she was a sweetie. My great grandmother moved into No. 33 in 1889 and my mum, known to everyone simply as “Janet”, moved out in 1994 due to the stairs. The Bryants lived next door to us. Her nickname was Omo, owing to the color of her washing on the line!. Miss Gower always wore a beret and walked with her head tilted to one side. She did not welcome our attention as children. She worked at Gower’s fishmonger’s in North Road. D’Agostino’s lived next door to her. Mrs. Don, as we called her, always had sweets for us kids – we’d help her carry her shopping bags home.
    Charlie’s shop was across from us – he had a perpetual drip on the end of his nose, which he never removed. I used to marvel how he would shovel up the coal into the scales, balancing on one leg and a crutch. The lone house next to Charlie’s, No. 13, is where the Coates family lived: Win and George with about 7 kids. They were salt-of-the-earth types. It was the original fisherman’s cottage and never had electricity – I remember the gas mantles. Win’s brother was George Novis, next to whom lived the Sommerfields and Claytons.
    How about Emma Mitchell?
    And the Irish Dowds family?
    Reagans? Penfolds? Greenings?
    Roy Hubbard was kind of “punchy”. His dad used to beat him a lot and we thought it affected his head.
    Down on the corner at the bottom of the street was Mrs. Cove’s shop – a dear old lady – tiny shop with one of everything. She had the only TV set in the street and we kids took turns for BBC Children’s Hour. At Sussex Street end was the Blue House – quite a rowdy sort of pub. At the Richmond Street end was the blind lady’s cottage. We’d help her walk home and she’d give us a 1d. Just down the hill was Freddy Hatpin’s pub (Fred Hatton) – a much more sedate place (opposite Breed’s on the uphill side of the railings). Norman Breeds was my first professor in art college. Right at the top of the street in the big house in Richmond Street lived the Herriots. My favourite haunt as a child was the ledge!

    By Peter Strub (27/07/2007)
  • Crumbs Peter – Talk about bringing back faces of the past. I lived next door to Ginger Hubbard at No. 24 and could hear the beltings the whole family took on a regular basis. As for the other names: Terry Herriot, plus others you have put, brings back old mates etc I had nearly forgooten. Do you remember the blind lady had a cat? It was the biggest moggy I had ever seen. And Fluffy Flo who lived over the wall at the back of the Coates’ wall and seemed to have a lot of visitors after dark! I ‘m pretty sure I remember your relatives but can’t be sure as it was a long time ago. As for Roy Hubbard, I remember him sitting on a branch of a tree hanging over what was left of Apollo Terrace and just after, it collapsed into our back gardens and he was sawing between ‘him and the trunk’ and shouting to my mum that he would soon get it cut off for firewood, not realising that if he did he would fall about 30ft onto the rubble in the gardens below. So maybe the beltings did affect his noggin a bit?

    By Pat Collins (Catswhiskas) (03/08/2007)
  • I was so glad to read of Dinapore Street as my father came from Dinapore Street. I believe he lived next door to a grocers shop called Uptons. He never really said much about it and as he is now dead, if anybody remembers Harold Legg I would love to know. I believe his father was 6’8 tall and a meat humper at Russel Street meat market, but my dad was very secretive and never told us anything.

    By Bob Legg (17/08/2007)
  • Hi. Bob. My Mum Winnie was talking to me just before she died and mentioned Harold and his dad . Also a Georgie Legg if he is one of the same family ? I think she went to school with one of them at Richmond Street. Probably Harold’s dad as she was born in 1908 and passed away at nearly 97 years old. I was born in Dinapore Street in 1942 (no 2) I think but the family lived at no 14 ? for a long time before moving to Sussex Terrace. Bombed out of the house next to Mrs Cove’s shop and finished up at no 24. before moving “UP NORF” to Leicester.Small world ain’t it.

    By Pat Collins(Catswhiskas) (02/09/2007)
  • Hello Pat, thanks for writing your letter. George was my dads older brother he emigrated to Canada about 1949-50 but he died about 15 years ago with cancer. My dad had two sisters Vera and Violet, unfortunately they are both dead as well so I have no family on my dads side still alive. It would have been his dad that your mum went to school with. We have found a couple of pictures of him. He was I believe, the biggest man at the time that lived in Brighton 6 feet 8 inches tall 20 stone and took size 16 boots. I don’t know if you remember about 1950 my dad and my uncle Cyril Granger connected a s/hand gas cooker up for Nan. It exploded, blowing the cast iron door right through the window – it caused quite a bit of trouble. I dont know what number they lived at, only it was next to or near Uptons grocery store. I wished I could find out more, but as I said there are no relatives left.

    By Bob Legg (04/09/2007)
  • Hi Bob. I do remember that about the cooker, in fact I think somewhere amongst my mums old diaries and letters there is a newspaper cutting out the Argus. I am trying to get them all together so as to send them to this site. Sorry to hear that all the family have passed on but it comes to all of us in the end. I am the last of my line now so maybe in a few more years my mob will be extinct. I have an idea that your family lived close to my nans old house at 14 Dinapore St on the upper hillside of the street but not too sure. Maybe some other person will read this and fill in the details. I seem to think now that George went to school with my uncles as that would have been about the right age. At least we will still be floating about on the internet for many a year, makes you feel sorry for the poor blighters in the future doesn’t it?

    By Pat Colins (catswhiskas) (05/09/2007)
  • Yes, I remember the Irish family. Connie was my dad’s sister. Paddy Dowds lived in Staplefield Drive.

    By Bridget Dowds (24/09/2007)
  • Does anyone remember the Gillam family from Apollo Terrace? I am looking into my family tree so any help greatfully received.

    By Ian Gillam (01/01/2008)
  • Ernest Stacy of Cleridge Street was also my grandfather. I would be very interested to exchange information with you Jean. If you see this please leave details of how I can contact you.

    By Michael Feek (13/01/2008)
  • Hi Mike, we are cousins, contact Robert Marshall he has my e-mail address as both Lynne and myself are in contact with him. Love to hear from you.

    By Jean (04/03/2008)
  • I think your stories about Brighton are brilliant. I lived at 24 Marina Parade in 1967 and I noticed that an article was written by Carol Trotman. What a coincidence. Any relative?

    By Carole Trotman (23/08/2008)
  • Hi I’m wondering if anyone can remember the Offen family from 37 Apollo Terrace. I am researching my family tree but have hit a brick wall! I would be so grateful for any information on either the family or Apollo Terrace.

    By Kirsty Offen (25/08/2008)
  • I remember Apollo Terrace collapsing into the house back gardens and builder’s yard in Sussex Terrace (now part of John Street) one New Year’s Eve. I think it was just after WW2. Not sure of the date. Maybe the Argus newspaper archives would be able to give you more details of people who were left with houses or were made homeless. The gardens of No.24 and others were filled with rubble right up to the back doors and it was lucky that no one was killed as far as I know.

    By Pat Collins (Catswhiskas) (06/09/2008)
  • Re Sussex Street / Dinapore Street:  I lived at 30 Dinapore St for a while before moving to Lewes Rd. There were the Sergeants, Irish I think, Haylers, Whiteheads, Moons, Pumphreys, French, the Bishops where I lived. Brian Barnes lived by the railings. The other fish shop was called Shirley’s. We had a Canadian soldier staying with us for a while. He was a Red Indian called Big Canoe. He never liked the idea of having winkles on Sunday. The shop in the middle was called Parkers, then Uptons took it over. Mrs Taylor in Albion Hill used to make us toffee apples.

    By Terry Denney (15/05/2009)
  • Hi Jean and Mike, Ernest Stacy was my great grandfather and as I am researching the family tree it would be lovely to have some contact with one if not both of you as I do not know much about Ernest, apart from his son also Ernest (my grandfather). Please contact me further if you can help me.

    By Joanne Stacy (16/05/2009)
  • Peter, you mentioned Emma Mitchell – she was my great great grandmother and lived at 26 Sussex Terrace until 1954. Did you or your family know her?

    By Stuart King (10/06/2009)
  • To Terry Denney.  I lived at 24 Dinapore Street. My mum sadly died last year but myself, Roy, my sister, Carol, and my brothers, Malcolm and Harry, are still left.  My elder brother Pat died eight years ago.  Nice to see people are still interested in the old times.

    By Roy Sargeant (15/07/2009)
  • To Terry Denney: My brother Harry Sargeant said he remembered you from Dinapore Street. We lived at 24; it used to be the Gun Tavern. We remember a lot of the names from the street - love to see any old photos if you have an email. racing_16roy@yahoo.co.uk

    By Roy Sargeant (07/08/2009)
  • Emma Clout married a Bryant,and they were moved into 5 Elmore Road, a new council house. They were the first to move after the re-developement, and i was born there to my parents Nell and Jack Bryant in 1942. What happy times. I have two older sisters, Brenda and Jackie, and a younger sister Ann. We were all brought up there.

    By Joyce Blackman (formerly Bryant) (08/01/2010)
  • To Roy Sargeant: I am not a Brighton man myself but some of my family cetainly were. My great great grandmother, Caroline Sharp, as she then was, lived at 24 Dinapore Street in the 1890’s and ran the Gun Tavern with her second husband Samuel Sharp. Several of my Betson relatives lived in Dinapore Street through the 1920’s and up to the Second World War. Thought this might be of some interest.

    By Derek Betson (20/01/2010)
  • To Derek Betson, that is a very big help. We have tried to find out about The Gun Tavern and people who lived there have tried to get photos, but no luck. Thank you so much. Have a good new year.

    By Roy Sargeant (06/02/2010)
  • If there is any member of the Upton family left who lived in Dinapore Street, it would be very nice if would get in touch. Maybe you may have some old photos of the street or family. I’d love to hear from any of you.

    By Roy Sargeant (02/03/2010)
  • Hi Stuart, I remember Emma Mitchell. She lived four doors down from us, the Harriotts, at number 30 Sussex Terrace. I knew the Dowds, the Bryants, the Raymonds and the Strubs, I used to go around with Peter’s sister, Renita. We were the family that lived in the big white house at 30 Richmond Street. The Corporation pulled all that area down in 1965. My mum and dad were Bill and Kath Harriott. I remember Fred Hatton from the pub, the ‘Live and Let Live’ which was on the corner of Richmond Street and Dinapore Street. Round the next corner from our house in Richmond Street was Liverpool Street. Sorry for waffling on, back to Emma Mitchell: she moved from Sussex Terrace to the block of flats next to the “blue house” where she lived until her passing a few years ago. Do you or anyone remember us Harriotts? There is my brother Terry and my sisters Yvonne, Wendy and Christine. Would love to hear from anyone who came from that area.

    By Jill Turner (Nee Harriott) (18/03/2010)
  • Hi Jill, Connie Dowds was my father’s brother’s wife; my father was Patrick Dowds. I used to live at 26b Sussex Terrace back in 1988. Glad I moved – I’m now in Swindon and love it here. Connie used to go dancing alot, and next door was Mrs Penfold

    By BridgetDawkins (23/03/2010)
  • Hi Bridget, thankyou for your reply. By 1988 my mum & dad had passed away & our house at no. 30 Sussex Terrace had been sold. (I loved that house!). I remember Mrs Penfold, the Ramsays, George Novis & his son Ricky, Mina Sommerford, Gwen Hoad, the Strubs & your family the Dowds. I used to go around with Sharon, Connie’s youngest daughter & there was Veronica who emigrated to Canada, Jimmy & Patrick who sadly passed away. Do you remember Julie & Frank Cronin? They had a son, Keith, & they used to live next door to us at 31 Sussex Terrace. How the memories come flooding back! Lots of happy times living at Richmond Street & Sussex Terrace. Do you still keep in touch with Sharon, Jimmy & Veronica? Oh to bring back those times which are now sadly long gone!

    By Jill Turner (Nee Harriott) (23/03/2010)
  • Re: Beer Trailer overturning. I’ve got a photo of it, with me and a few others (Dave Martin, Roger) filling up our jugs and buckets – it appeared in the Evening Argus.

    By Alan South (29/04/2010)
  • Hello everyone! Great memories of the years gone by where we all used to play as kids. We’re the Smith family: Winnie & Stan with kids Stanley, Bobby, Michael, Peter, Joy and Roger from number 22 Sussex Terrace, next to Jupps the builders yard one side and Mrs Cooper and her son Benny the other side at No 23. Then the Collins family: Winnie and sons Micky and Pat. Their mum, Winnie, taught me to knit when I was 8. T then there was the Hubbards with sons Roy, David (Ginger). Then there was Mr & Mrs Don (D’Agostino’s) with kids Don, Pat, Mary and Tony, and Tony eventually married Wendy Upton of the sweet shop end of Dinapore Street! Then there was the Coates family in the cottage No 13: Wnnie and George with their kids: Alan, Georgie, Judy, Shirley, Eveline, Carol and Linda. Across the road the Novices, Summerfords, Claytons. Then the Bryants with their kids Johnny, Sylvie, Joanie and Eileen. They used to go hop-picking every year. The Anscombe’s Janet married the German we called Fritze, and Peter their son. Next to Coveys shop was the Martins: Terry, Derick, Bobby and David also Bob and Vi Greening with daughters Pat and Sylvie. The Dowds - the father was a Navy man and the 2 boys Jimmy and Paddy were in the NTC in Richmond Street School. They had a sister Veronica. Just up from Richmond Street School was the James’s grocery store and they delivered our milk & bread. Jack James had a club foot. I think they were related to the Dowds. The Harriots were know as “cousins” to us by marriage: Aunt Kath, Uncle Bill, Terry, Yvonne, Wendy, Christine and Jill. Everyone used to play up the “Cretch” and in the street – skipping, tincan wabbler, 2 ball, hand stands up side Coates wall. My brothers used to build the four wheelers and have races with the other kids and when it snowed we’d use our mums’ trays to slide down the hill (dump) next to Coveys. We used to build our bonfire on the same “dump” and guard it in case the kids in Kingswood Flats nicked it for theirs. And do you remember the Watts, the Windsors, the Nickals, and a Dave Willis, all lived in Liverpool Street? And the Folwers up Sussex Street?

    By Joy Panteli (nee Smith) (04/05/2010)
  • To Joy Panteli – I lived in Dinapore Street and I remember Dave Willis. We were very good friends. I remember his mum chasing him with a broom - he thought it was funny and kept laughing. I used play in the creche. I remember the Dowds. Very good times.

    By Roy Sargeant (31/05/2010)
  • Hiya Joy . I have not been I have fond memories of playing in the street and up the Creech with you and your Bruvvers. Still not forgiven you for blowing your nose on my cowboy suit though. Ok I will let you off. I was down the street a few months ago but hadn’t time to look around . Bye . Hope to keep in touch . From near Skegness, Lincs.

    By Patrick Collins (Catswhiskas) (16/06/2010)
  • How fascinating to read all these memories. Still hoping someone will remember the Gowers at number 19 Sussex Terrace. (see my earlier entries.) Is there any one out there who can provide me with anything?

    By John Gower (17/06/2010)
  • Cheers Pat – but no it wasn’t me who blew their nose on your cowboy outfit. Yes I remember the name Gowers, but can’t place the family. Charlie Harriott’s coal shed/and veg stall was on same side of the road as the cottage, it was next to the cottage garden. The Coats family lived in the cottage (number 13). The only Paynes I knew lived on Richmond Street, opposite the blind lady’s house. There were four kids; their names were, Johnny, Billy and Josie Payne. Sorry but I have forgotten the other sister’s name. Do you know if Frank Gower was a Milkman?

    By Joy (nee Smith) (21/07/2010)
  • My parents Frank & Julia Cronin bought No 31 in 1945 for £475, I was born there in 1949; my wife Margaret & I lived there until 1990. My father died in 1978 & my mother died in 1987. I have very fond memories of my young days in the Terrace playing with the Dowds & Martins. I remember Mrs Cove & her son Brian who died in a car accident some years ago; we are still in contact with his wife Kathy. The last time I visited the Terrace was for the funeral of Connie Dowds. My wife met Sharon Dodds a few weeks ago in Eastbourne – we now live in Pevensey.

    By Keith Cronin (04/08/2010)
  • Keith,I don’t remember you or your name but then youre younger than me, but my younger brother Roger Smith was born in 1949 in 22 Sussex Terrace so maybe you were friends with him?,David Martin was the youngest in the Martin family. Bob Martin was my other brother’s best mate Peter Smith. Terry Martin died 4/5 years back, he was devastated after his wife died. Bob Martins id still about in Brighton. I remember hearing Mrs Cove’s son died, wasn’t he called Willie Cove? I also heard that Micky Collins of 24 Sussex Terrace died in a traffic accident? Do you remember the Bryants? I was friends with Eileen Bryant – Johnny Bryant died in an accident too. I think Sharon Dowds was the youngest;how is Veronica Dowds? Their Dad made my wedding cake; he was a Chef in the Navy.

    By Joy (09/08/2010)
  • Joy, yes I remember Roger Smith and David Martin, also the Bryant family, we lived next door to them. Mrs Cove’s son was known as “Willie” in those days but reverted to his true name in later years. I went to school with the Dowds children. Sharon was the youngest of the Dowds family and still lives in Brighton, Veronica lives in Canada, Jimmy in NZ, Pady died some years ago, Jennifer lives in USA. Yes their dad, also called Jimmy, was a CPO Chef in the Navy and I can rememder many ex Navy treats at the weekends. I do not remember Micky Collins. I can remember the Coves lived at 40, Martins at 39, Cooks at 38, Penfolds at 37, Dowds at 36, they did live at number 11 across the road from me prior to the redevlopment, Haryeys at 35, the local milkman, Miles at 34, Strubes at 33, Bryants at 32, we liverd at 31, Somerfords then the Herriorts at 30, Novices at 29. 28 was divided into 2 flats the Hoads had one flat. Gwen now Palmer still lives there- we get a card from her every Christmas. I also remember your family at 22. I can just remember the houses that were demolished. The Coats were friendly with Brian Cove.  I think there were about 8 to 10 houses on that side of the terrace.

    By Keith Cronin (11/08/2010)
  • Hi Joy, it was great to see you the other week in London Rd. Sorry to have taken so long to get back to you, but as they say, better late than never. You say that Johnny Bryant died in a car accident, I thought that he died from an illness a few years back? Do you still see Eileen, Johnny’s sister, and do you remember his wife Mary? I wonder what happened to her.

    By Jill Turner (Nee Harriott) (13/08/2010)
  • Hi to Keith and Joy, I am Paddy and Eileen’s daughter. Verconia was Paddy’s sister, she died last year. I don’t know if any of you remember my sweet Mother Eileen Dowds, she died on Christmas Eve 2008. I used to live at Sussex Terrace, 26b now I’m in Swindon.

    By Bridget Dawkins (09/11/2010)
  • Hello Jill, I am so so so sorry for the reply, I only met Sharon once at my Mum’s funeral in 2008, so I don’t know her at all really. I’m 44- I do remember Connie very well but I found she didn’t like my Mum very much. My mum was always giving and people would take. Anyway, do you still live in Brighton? x

    By Bridget Dawkins (09/11/2010)
  • To the person who remembers the collapse of Apollo Terrace, I’ve just found this short film of the aftermath on the pathé news website. (It’s just after the strange snippet about marionettes!): http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=23560

    By Janet Beal (23/11/2010)
  • Joy, no, my uncle Frank Gower wasn’t a milkman. He worked at Surridge Dawson’s. When did you live in Sussex Terrace?

    By John Gower (28/11/2010)
  • Thanks Janet. That’s the first time I have seen that film. The last time I saw that collapse it was the real thing. If the wall had been 10 feet higher my older brother and I would have been squashed in our bed as the wall scraped down the brickwork of our upstairs bedroom wall of number 24 and completley buried our garden. My Mum was at the Dome at the time with her brother, my Uncle Alf, as he had not been out of the Navy long after returning from the war and it was the first time ever she had left us on our own.

    By Patrick Collins (Catswhiskas) (03/12/2010)
  • Although I didn’t live in Sussex Terrace, I remember some of the famlies. I went to school with Joy Smith, Eileen Ryant, Evelyn Coats, Terry Herriot. I saw Joy about 18 months ago and we reminisced over the good old days. I remember the Coats family, I spent a lot of time at their house. In them days their house seemed so big as you walked along Sussex Terrace from Sussex Street end to the other houses and when you went upstairs and looked out of the front window you see the Royal Pavillion. I would like to be in touch with these old friends. When I last saw Joy Smith she said she had some photos of us at school. I’d love to see and maybe have copies of them. I haven’t any of when we were at school. Please get in touch, my email address is kathleencatt@yahoo.co.uk.

    By Kathleen Catt (02/02/2011)
  • Wow! Keith you remember all the numbers of the houses people lived in … well done you! I’m still trying to put a face to your name!
    Hiya Jill, yes it was great to see you too. I’ve seen Eileen Bryant about town but not lately, but hope she’s fine.
    Hiya Kathy, yes I have a few photos of us all that lived in the Terrace and I also have group photos of us in school at (St Johns Infants and Juniors). We could get copies done in ASDA for anyone interested? We could meet up and go get ’em done whilst we wait! My brother Peter and I already had some old photos copied and enlarged at ASDA and they came out great.
    Hi Bridget (Paddy’s Dowds daughter). I knew your Dad and Jimmy. Sorry to hear about your Auntie Veronica passing I knew her too. I don’t recall Eileen Dowds.
    Hi John Gower. I was born in the Terrace at No 37, moved up to No 22 and left the Terrace in 1964 but my parents still lived in 22 until 1968. Then they moved to Edward Street.
    Anyone interested in the photos can contact me at joypanteli@hotmail.co.uk  Hope everyone’s keeping well.

    By Joy Panteli (nee Smith) (07/03/2011)
  • Just to let those of you know that are interested, that I have now posted many photos on here. There’s school photos, street photos, etc. 1930s 40s, and 50s. You may recognise yourselves, your family or friends. Joy Panteli (Smith).

    By Joy Panteli (14/06/2011)
  • Hi Joy. You may remember me, I was Peter’s best friend. We lived at 39 Sussex Terrace. I was interested to see you have posted some pics on this site. I have seen the 1937 ones but can’t seem to find the 1950s ones. Can you point me in the right direction please.

    By Robert Marten (17/06/2011)
  • Have you tried the Argus archive?

    By Ania Smith (30/06/2011)
  • Hi Bob, of course I remember you, nice to hear from you.  Hope you are well. The 50 photos are of most of the neighbours in the street, it was the Queen’s Coronation 1953.  So if you type that in on the top right and click go, you should see the photos.  You can click on them and enlarge. If you want to see the school photos, just type in schools and click on St John’s. Would love to hear your news as to what life’s been like for you over all these years – and the rest of the family.  Take care Joy

    By Joy Pantelli (11/09/2011)
  • Hello all who have written on this page, we are looking for people who lived in Carlton Hill / Tarner to share memories for a national educational resource. We have 30 oral history accounts so far and are collecting some lovely donated family photos, but we need more so please get in touch, it would be great to hear from you. Chloe Howley and Jess Huffman

    By Chloe Howley (27/09/2011)
  • Happy Birthday Bob. All the best Joy and Pete Smith.

    By Joy Pantelli..(nee Smith) (03/10/2011)
  • Hi Bob ..when you eventually get on this site again…. if you put an email address up where I can reach you then I’ll send you the photos (via email) straight to you. Joy

    By Joy Pantelli (nee Smith) (04/10/2011)
  • Joy, I found the photos two days after I left my last message. Thanks for the offer, I have sent you my email address.

    By R Marten (23/10/2011)
  • Hi Bob, I don’t know where you sent your email address too so I’ll give you this email address to contact me joypanteli@ntlworld.com. Get in touch and I’ll send you all the photos you want.

    By Joy Pantelli (25/10/2011)
  • Hi, I remember all the Sargent family well and I used to play with Roy’s sister Carol. Roy, if you would like to get in touch please contact me, I would be happy to hear from you.

    By Wendy (Upton) D'Agostino (30/12/2011)
  • Hello Wendy, it’s Roy. How are things? I live in Whitehawk now and Carol lives in Queens Park. Would be nice to speak to you again.

    By roy sargeant (26/02/2012)
  • We are the proud new owners of 23, Sussex Terrace. We have read with great interest all the wonderful old recollections of our new street. Does anyone have any more stories or archives of 23, Sussex Terrace?

    By Tom and Susan Pierce (03/10/2012)
  • Hi Tom & Susan. The earliest references to Sussex Terrace date to the 1840s, when a builder named John Likeman used the site for producing lime (lime burning). Around the 1860s he laid out a vineyard on the site called ‘Sussex Graperies’ on the east side of the road. It is probable that he built the 10 or so houses as a development on the western side of the road, jointly financed with others, around 1849-50. As land prices grew, a few more houses had been added to the western side by the 1870s, but it was not until around 1905 that the housing on the eastern side was developed and the road connected at both ends (it was previously a cul-de-sac). Sussex Terrace suffered bomb damage during the war and the housing on the eastern side was demolished around 1959-60 to make way for the flats which now dominate the area. Regards, Andy

    By Andy Grant (05/10/2012)
  • Hello from Canada. I am attempting to get any information about my maternal grandfather and grandmother who (according to the 1911 census) lived at 35 Sussex Terrace. The names were Edward and Ada Marchant, with their children Ted, Bill, Lottie (my mother), and Clara. My grandfather was a green grocer and subsequently founded E. Marchant and Sons Wholesale Fruiterers. My mother Lottie, and her second husband (a Canadian soldier – my father) emigrated to Canada in 1947. I would be grateful for any information or anecdotes that any might be able to provide. Thank you.

    By Gary MacLeod (24/10/2012)
  • I wonder if anybody remembers my Nan Ena Hubbard (Georgina Hubbard), or by her married name Ena Livermore, (married to Derek Percy Livermore)? My Nan had a brother David Hubbard and my mum spoke of an Uncle Royston (I think this could be Roy Hubbard) and also my Great Nan who was Ellen Hubbard. My mum was Carol Livermore, she had sisters Sylvia and Debbie, brothers Graham and Robert and lived in Apollo Terrace and also the Sussex Terrace area. Her younger brothers and sisters may not have been born when she lived there though. My mum speaks fondly of her time at school there with the open fireplace, and clapping hands during assembly, and having to stop clapping hands when the king died! She also mentioned some sort of cliff behind the house or street. I’d be so interested to hear from anybody that knew them. Kind thanks.

    By Helen Wrapson (12/11/2012)
  • Hi Helen, I remember Aunty Ena, she was my Nan’s sister, and Carol, Debbie, Sylvia, Graham and Robert are my mum’s cousins. There were a few brothers and sisters; there was Ena, Mary my nan, David who married Millie (they had a fruit stall at the end of the pier), Emmie and Georgie – to name a few. I remember Sussex Terrace and spending days there. Remember Graham got in trouble for taking me on the back of his motorbike in Tarner playground. Ena had a Bassett hound called Mandy. Royston is Roy Hubbard, but I can’t remember much about him, I will have to ask my Aunty Brenda who is my mum’s older sister – she knows all about the Hubbards. I have sent a facebook request to you. Gina.

    By Gina Charmaine-Gibbs (01/04/2013)
  • My great grandmother lived at 37 Apollo Terrace. Ellen Hubbard and George Hubbard, then they moved to 25 Sussex Terrace with my nan Mary Hubbard who married John Gay ford. My Nan’s brother Jim Hubbard married Francis and their children were Jean, Royston (Roy) and David (Ginger) Hubbard. They lived next door to Emma and Wally Mitchell. My aunt Brenda lived at 25 Sussex Terrace and married James Martin, she remembers the night of beer lorry and also a lady called Aunty Jane who wasn’t an aunt but every one called her that. She couldn’t walk and used to be put in the sun by her family in what was a coffin on wheels but she was a fab knitter and used to knit for all the new babies. I remember a house on the corner of Sussex Terrace and downstairs was a little shop, the lady was a bit scary but I and my cousin used to buy lollies there.

    By Gina (07/04/2013)
  • (continued…..) Ellen and George Hubbard  had a smokehouse in the back garden and my aunt used to have to go and have to sell the smoked fish before going to school. She was sometimes late and used to have a ruler whacked across her knuckles as she wasn’t there in time. She said in the winter when her hands were freezing it stung for hours. Tough times; we all forget how hard life was in those days – hard work, not a lot to eat but everyone helped each other out. Amazing to see all the stories.

    By Gina Charmaine-Gibbs (07/04/2013)
  • Hi Gina, The picture you paint of life in the middle of the last century gives a lucid account of day to day life and it provoked a thought in me. There are very few descriptive accounts of the houses in the roads you mention (for instance, number of room, sizes and features). I wonder if you (and others) might care to write short such descriptive pieces in the various site sections on their memories of the housing stock of yesteryear. Regards, Andy

    By Andy Grant (08/04/2013)
  • Hi Andy. Will have to ask my aunt for a description. Will obtain the info and post.

    By Gina Charmaine-Gibbs (08/04/2013)
  • Hi Gina, Thanks, that would be marvelous. Perhaps you could forward any thoughts to Jennifer and if there is sufficient scope, it might be put into an article. Don’t worry about further additional research outside of your aunt’s memories – I can do this if necessary. Regards, Andy

    By Andy Grant (09/04/2013)
  • The barrow ice cream seller mentioned at the beginning, wasn’t his name Carolla or Crolla? or something like that? I think he used to live in Stanley St.

    By Jackie Thomas/Parker nee Jones (29/04/2013)
  • Peter Strub, you mentioned the Regans. I’m a Regan and that’s my great grandparents. I would love to hear more on them.

    By Shelly Regan (21/10/2013)
  • I am 88 years old and was born at 116 Sussex Street, my grandfather’s greengrocers and coal merchant’s shop on the corner of Nelson Street and Sussex Street. My grandfather’s name was Charles Alfred Harriott. Does anyone remember this shop? On the other corner of Nelson Street was Harvey’s sweet shop. Would be grateful if anybody has any photos of the greengrocers shop. Many thanks to all.

    Hello Stan – check your email I have sent you a message. Jennifer (Website Editor)

    By Stan Storry (21/10/2015)
  • Does anyone have any information about Nelson Street before the demolition, or in the area around the Lion and Unicorn public house also known as the “blue” house or any other information of any other streets nearby. Many thanks if you can help.

    By Stan Storry (29/10/2015)
  • My name is Jean Marchant (Baker). I lived at 5 Rchimond Hill, in the prefabs built by the German prisoners of war (there were five of them.) I used to play at the corner of Sussex Street/Sussex Terrace in the 1950s. I remember Mrs Cove very well as I used to go to her shop most weeks to get groceries with my mother in law in the 1960s. My mother in law Rose Marchant’s family were bombed out close to Mrs Cove near the corner of Sussex St/Sussex Terrace in 1943. I remember Mrs Anscombe very well. I used to talk to her and near where she lived was Jock Harvey who used to deliver the milk – I also went to school with Evelyn Coates and I was often at her house playing ( I remember her house as it jutted out from the rest of the street). Quite a few of the Baker family lived in Belgrave Street and Hanover Street. Is there anyone out there who can supply me with the photo of my husband Donald Marchant hanging out in the bed where he was bombed out almost alongside Mrs Cove.

    By Jean Marchant (04/04/2018)
  • Hi all, Shirley Haskell nee Coates, we lived in number 13, all nine of us I remember most when I was young and lived there but not all but thanks for reminding me. Shirley Haskell nee Coates 6/6/2018

    By Shirleyhaskell nee Coates (06/06/2018)

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