Newsletter No.15

By Vic Lander

East Brighton Bygones Local History Society

"Newsletter" Issue No 15 September 2009

Introduction

It was with very deep sadness that the news of Ken Powell's untimely death reached us. Ken had been member of Bygones and was well respected by members. The Powell family were amongst the most well known and respected of Whitehawk families, Ken's father Ron being the founder of the famous Whitehawk Football Club. Ken was also held in esteem as a young boy by those younger than him who wanted to emulate him and attain the standards he had set.

Our deep felt sympathy and condolences go out to Marilyn and their family on their sad loss.

News of members

Bob Nutley and Vic Lander went to visit Fred and Betty Netley recently and found them in good spirits. Bob appeared to be much better than he had been and Betty was, as always, full of beans. Betty was very proud to show Bob and Vic the M.B.E. medal and the documentation that accompanies it.

Flora is not too well at present so I am sure she would appreciate a friendly phone call.

A mistake was made in the members' contact books regarding Elizabeth Wicks. Elizabeth lives at number 18 Sidney Tidy house and not 15 as printed. Beryl lives at number 15. Elizabeth's details are on the amendment sheet as she is a new member.

Charlie and Sheila Coverdale spent a pleasant day with Vic and Brenda Lander so that Vic could help Charlie prepare his talk for the October meeting.

General news

We now have our new telephone number which is 07780 315752. The Chairman has the phone and will take the calls directed to us. When he is on holiday another member of the management team will take the phone.

Recent activities

Marion Devoy, Tricia Leonard, Bob Cristofoli and Vic met recently to discuss the feasibility of compiling a book of members' reminiscences. A list of chapter headings was produced on such things as memories of going to the cinema, childhood games and crime. It was decided that each month one of the subjects will be picked out and members asked to submit their anecdotal memories, if they wish.

We did not have a visiting speaker at the August meeting. We had members giving short presentations on various subjects instead. Ernie Baker gave a most interesting talk on the 1950's Smallpox epidemic, which hit Brighton. An interesting point, which came out of Ernie's delivery, was the effect the epidemic had on employment. This was something that many members had not considered.

Pam Piercey was able to put another angle on the epidemic from the point of view of the administrative considerations that had to be put in place by the local health authority.

Yvonne Bligh gave a talk on her memories of her mum preparing to go out to a dance and dressing in her party dress.

Molly recited her wonderful poem "Hopping Down in Kent".

Vic Lander's grandfather had been a sea captain and Vic read from an entry in his grandfather's log, of a trip he had made in 1885 from London to Martinique in the Caribbean.

Nine members attended the August 'Char and Chat' afternoon. As always, everyone attending enjoyed the informal chats.

Forthcoming events

We are planning to carry out a Spring clean ("Yes I know Beryl that it is Autumn"), of the school air-raid shelters on Saturday morning 12th September. Any member who can spare an hour or two will be most welcome to lend a hand. At present we have Sheila and Charlie Coverdale, Bob Nutley, the Chairman and Vic Lander attending. If you can help please give your name to Charlie.

The next 'Char and Chat' afternoon will be on 30th September.

A reminder to you all that our Christmas lunch will be on 3rd December at the White Horse Hotel, Rottingdean.

Members' Stories

This month's item is not so much a story more as proof that one of the main points of our constitution is working successfully. As you will know, one of our aims is to re-unite members with family or friends who have lost contact. The following tale shows how this can work.

"Thank you Bygones" By Beryl Tucknott

On Friday 14th August my telephone rang. It was dear old Keith Chambers ringing from the Bygones office to tell me that he had received an e-mail from a cousin of mine, asking for my details so that they could contact me.

My cousin's name is Jackie Robinson nee Lilywhite. She had found our Bygones website and seen my Lilywhite's family photos. Keith asked my permission to give her my details to which I readily agreed. Within a short time I received a call from Jackie and we had a wonderful 'catch up' time on family news and gossip.

I last saw Jackie about six years ago at a family reunion in Emsworth, where most of the Lilywhites live. During our catch up chat Jackie asked me if I had any photos of her dad, as when her Mum died, a lot of the family photos were lost. I believe I only have him in a group photo. He was my uncle Len and was the seventh child of my grandmother's ten children. My Mum was the third.

Polly, my grandmother, gave birth to all ten children whilst living on army camps as my Grandfather was a member of the Royal Sussex Regiment. He finally retired as the Regimental Sergeant Major.

Jackie, being ten years younger than me, was interested in hearing some of the family stories of which she was not familiar. Although we had exchanged Christmas cards over the years, it will be nice now to swap info. over the 'phone.

So I say "thank you to Bygones" for putting us in touch! Beryl Tucknott August 2009

Subject and date of next meeting

The next monthly meeting will be held on 11th October 2009 at the Whitehawk Valley Social Centre in Whitehawk Way commencing at 2 p.m. The subject of the talk will be the sinking of an evacuation ship during World War 2. The speaker will be Trevor Cox.

And finally ......

A cowboy walked into a saloon and ordered a Whisky. When the bartender delivered the drink, the cowboy asked, "Where is everybody?" The bartender replied, "They've gone to the hanging". "Hanging" said the cowboy "who are they hanging?" "Brown Paper Pete" replied the bartender. "What kind of name is that?" the cowboy asked. "Well" said the bartender, "he wears a brown paper hat, brown paper shirt, brown paper trousers and brown paper boots". "How strange" said the cowboy." "What are they hanging him for?" "Rustling" said the bartender.