In 1929, Eastbourne was pretty much the last seaside resort to incur charges on the beach for bathing as it tried to hang on to its “elite” resort status. many other resorts had relaxed charges by this time, but Eastbourne’s Corporation insisted that...
My Grandfather, Clem, was an artilleryman in the 1st World War. Haunted by memories of riding a gun carriage (horse drawn) over the bodies of men and horses in the Somme. In the 2nd World War he served in the ARP in London. The first V1 attack killed many of his team...
“According to local legend, the ghost of Nan Tuck, a woman from Rotherfield who allegedly poisoned a man in the 17th century, is said to haunt Nan Tuck’s Lane in Buxted…” quote from Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buxted#Legends ‘Nan Tuckett of Buxted....
[As a young Mum, I wrote this poem from my heart. – Debbie Milner] Do I regret, having my children very young? Playing, Laughing, running in the sun. Feeling full of energy, hair blowing in the wind. Holding their happy faces with arms stretched to the sky. Do...
Onwards out of Polegate is where I paid my fare, Sitting in my window seat, the driver departs with care. Past tall green trees and hills etched with chalk, Where my thoughts went to my weekend walk. At a gentle speed, we continue on, A stranger nods, we stop, and...
I drove under the arched trees, Sheltered by their golden and red canopy. I missed the bumps as I climbed the hills, To look down for miles and miles. The beauty of a carpet of gold and green, lay before me like a film scene. The twisting roads of the forest, turned...
Suggestion from Crowborough U3A, 15/2/24 Mad Jack Fuller. Builder of follies, philanthropist, patron of the arts, very wealthy man. Said to be buried in the pyramid shaped folly in Brightling, sitting up holding a glass of port. Further reading:...
‘Nutley Windmill is a grade II* listed[1] open trestle post mill at Nutley, East Sussex, England which has been restored to working order.’ Quote from WIkipedia Suggested at Crowborough U3A 15/2/24 Further reading:...
Arthur Conan Doyle lived in Crowborough at Windlesham Manor. His statue was dressed as an elf last Christmas. JW – Crowborough U3A, 15/2/24 Further reading: http://www.crowborough.info/conandoyle.htm and...
The ghost of Alice Bright Lane, Crowborough JS – Crowborough U3A, 15/2/24 ——— Quote from ParanormalDatabase.com “Dashing Lady Location: Crowborough (Sussex) – Alice Bright Lane Type: Haunting Manifestation Date / Time: Weather...
I love history and archaeology so a song about the ‘Long man of Wilmington’ would be good JS – Crowborough U3A, 15/2/24 Chalk hill figure on Windover Hill, Wilmington in East Sussex. There are several different legends associated with...
Roaming in the forest with my dog. Camping overnight without a tent. Walking until my dog is so tired I have to carry her but need to keep moving to keep sane. With the leaves on the trees whispering music to me. S – The Big Conversation, 7 Feb 2024,...
On 11 July 1929 in gillingham kent a fire broke out at a fair killing 15 man and boys, 15 year later on 6 June 1944 two b26 crash over gillingham kent killing 18 including civilians, 7 years later on 4 December 1951 a bus crash in 52 Royal marines cadets killing 24...
When ever I took a tarty girl home my mother would always say “you can always stoop down and pick nothing up!” She passed in 1992. Anon – The Big Conversation, 7 Feb 24, Eastbourne
The occassional night out can always be justified with luxery beer (£5+ a pint) if it reminds you of listening to Sabbath with Jackson the cat sleeping on your stoned corpse! NA – The Big Conversation, 7 Feb 24, Eastbourne
May the green land be ours Protect it as we do ourselves Nurture the soil Sprinkle with stardust Let it fall Let it feed the creatures great and small Sun keep us warm Rain be our friend To all that is alive on this Earth SB – The Big Conversation, 7 Feb 24,...
The fox visits our garden nightly. He leaves a track like a bicycle. I didn’t know it was the fox. I thought somebody invisible was leaving a track on our lawn. Anon – The Big Conversation, 7 Feb 24, Eastbourne
When I was five my first love was a six year old boy called Steven. I was sat next to him at school. We were dreamers and he was called backward because he only drew pictures and told stories of living in the Banana Submarine. Anon- The Big Conversation, 7 Feb 24,...
I was a baby, I nearly died. My Dad lived away, my Mum was left to cope with us. My Mum had diabetes. She was happy though, she ate a lot of cake. My childhood was tough, I didn’t want much, I was a shy child, very quiet. Not now though, I am loud, confident all...
Four years ago I started writing poems and I had just joined Hailsham 95.9FM. I published Poems To Please after writing thirty five during lockdown. I have gone in [to the radio studio] for nearly four years with Neil Povey and read a poem which i write every week. I...
The ancient village of Northeye on Pevensey Marsh. Graeme Keane of WDC has stories. Anon Summer Trifle Festival 2023 Wikipedia Quote: Northeye is the site of an abandoned medieval village known as Hooe Level on the Pevensey Levels. ...
Song Idea – Sussex trug making anon Summer Trifle Festival 2023 Further reading: https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/sussex-trug-making/ Quote: Trug baskets are mentioned in documentary sources from the 13th Century but were probably made earlier as...
William would like to tell you about playing hide and seek on the farm, looking for ancient artifacts. His favourite times are when exploring with groups of friends, taking walkie talkies whilst they explore age 10 Summer Trifle festival, 2023
Coastal erosian, Seaford river moved to Newhaven in a great storm. Belle Tout lighthouse move, Birling Gap Cottages, the power of the sea and nature. David Summer Trifle 2023 Quote:”In 1999, due to continuing erosion threatening the future of the building the...
I’ve lived in East Sussex (Isfield) all my life and never heard anyone write a song about an oasthouse. Sarah Broadstairs Folk Week 2023 Quote:”An oast, oast house or hop kiln is a building designed for kilning (drying) hops as part of the brewing process....
The two skeletons in the well – Old Curiosity Shop, Broadstairs. Anon Broadstairs Folk Week 2023 There are two fake skeletons in the wishing well to surprise unsuspecting visitors! The building was connected to local smuggling activities long ago....
The train ride on the KESR from Tenterden to Bodiam. using steam train rhythms. From Bob the steward at Tenterden Festival 2023. Quate:”The Kent & East Sussex Railway is a renowned heritage railway based in Tenterden, Kent, UK. Built by Holman F...
Margery Polley of Pembury, martyred at Tonbridge 1557 (Maryan persecutions) Suggested at Tenterden Festival 2023 Quote:” Margery Polley of Pembury was burnt at Tonbridge in July 1555, she was the first woman Martyr of Mary’s reign. ”...
Tradition in East Sussex of bonfire societies holding large marches and firework events around 5th November. The societies collect money for local charities. Suggestion from audience at An Evening with Milton Hide, 13/9/23 part of Hailsham Festival – Liz C...
A rebellion in 1450, led by Jack Cade (“Captain of Kent”)marched on London to force the government to reform administration. A precursor to the war of the roses. Jack Cade died from injuries sustained in a battle on London Bridge in the rebellion....
Mad Jack Fuller Fuller’s tomb is a pyramid in Brightling. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Jack_Fuller suggestion from audience at An Evening with Milton Hide, 13/9/23 part of Hailsham Festival (The Olesons)
Naturalist, Horam headmaster, Radio presenter and journalist. Walter Murray Started a school in Horam. Lived alone in the woods at Copford for a year gathering wild herbs. Nature photographer, writer, radio and TV broadcaster. suggestion from audience at An Evening...
Farleys House at Chiddingly is known as the home of the surrealists. Pablo Picasso stayed in 1950 as well as many other notable artists and creatives. Farleys House & Gallery The Boy Who Bit Picasso This delightful children’s book is a wonderful introduction to...
The return of the chough to kent (a jackdaw sized corvid with red feet and bill) It’s been reintroduced to the white cliffs of Dover after 3 long years. It’s a legendary bird found in the coat of arms of Canterbury since legend suggests it got its red ness...
As this is a fabulous converted oasthouse, perhaps a story of families hop picking through the summer months away from home. Written in our audience book at the Oasthouse Acoustic Session, Rainham on 6th August 2022
