Gift from Sussex sparked Guinness World Records collection of handkerchiefs

Brenda Mathews began her collection of pocket treasures as a child, after her friend Margaret visited Seaford on holiday and brought her back a 'Greetings from Sussex' handkerchief that she bought in Woolworths. It featured beautiful scenes, including Arundel Castle, West Sands and the Pier at Bognor Regis.

The gift sparked a passion in Brenda. She realised she could seek out handkerchief mementoes of her own holidays, when she travelled to places like Devon on the train with her family.

Brenda said: "As children growing up in Hertfordshire in the 1950s, we seldom saw the sea, so my friend Margaret was excited to go on holiday with her family to Seaford one summer. On her return, she brought me a stick of rock and a colourful rayon handkerchief printed with 'Greetings from Sussex'.

"Its views include Bodiam Castle, Eastbourne’s Carpet Gardens and a windmill on the Downs. Back then, these souvenir hankies were on sale in most Woolworths stores in seaside towns, and friends and relations enjoyed looking out for them to bring me back from their travels.

"My collection gradually grew over the years but then hankies began to be superseded by tissues and by the time my husband and I moved to Sussex with our two youngsters in 1976, souvenir ones were seldom produced.

"We began browsing in antique and charity shops, where we managed to unearth some interesting older keepsakes of Brighton Pavilion, the Italian Gardens and the West Pier. A colourful Sussex map hanky with the Martlets crest shows Haywards Heath and Cuckfield, though I have never yet found one of our home town, Burgess Hill.

"I have a pretty lace-edged memento from Hastings Castle and another of The Lovers’ Seat up at Fairlight and was thrilled when a friend helping at a rummage sale found me a fringed hanky depicting Midhurst Cowdray Ruins."

Brenda featured on an episode of Bargain Hunt, Series 71: Ardingly 4, in May 2025, with antiques expert Charlie Ross chatting to her about her extraordinary collection.

Charlie said: "It's thought the first handkerchiefs were used by the Ancient Greeks. Fast forward to the 14th century, and handkerchiefs were often made from fine silks and adorned with embroidery.

"During the Victorian era, handkerchiefs became more intricate, were a sign of social status and used in courtship. They were even used to relay messages."

Brenda told Charlie her husband Peter helped to preserve the handkerchiefs by placing them in record sleeves.

She was surprised with the presentation of a Guinness World Records certificate for the largest collection of handkerchiefs, a total of 4,727 achieved in October 2024.

The collection includes some special examples from across Sussex - although there are still some Brenda would like to add to her haul.

She said: "As a result of giving talks about the hankies, I have received some beauties from people, including pristine satin hankies of the Sussex Yeomanry and the Sussex Regiment which had been carefully stored by the wives and sweethearts of men serving in the world wars.

"On a visit to Chichester, I was delighted to find an embroidered souvenir hanky for sale in the Cathedral gift shop and another time our daughter bought me one in Hanningtons, Brighton, with local views and even a picture of the store itself.

"At a car boot sale I was amused to come across a man’s hanky produced for a 1985 Brighton Conference, printed 'This is an authentic Brighton beach hat. Knot the corners and put it on your head'. Sadly, there are no Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club ones in my collection, though I know they exist as I was once shown a box of three by a keen Seagulls fan.

"My Broadstone Warren Scout Camp hanky was found tucked away by my friend, who said her son had given it to her years earlier. They bring back memories for so many people - a resident in one care home, on seeing my little embroidered hankies of Wannock Gardens near Eastbourne, recalled how she used to go there on Sunday School outings in the 1930s.

"I enjoy researching unusual finds, such as the man’s hanky printed with the initials A.O.F.B., and the large crepe one showing the roads radiating out of London. This puzzled me as the roads are not prefixed with a letter, just no.23 to Brighton with the Wagon Shed marked on it and the Felbridge Arms on the no.22.

"There is so much social history involved and I am often amazed by what has been depicted on them in the past - and occasionally what hasn’t! My handkerchief printed ©Imperial War Museum, London, produced to accompany their Forces’

Sweethearts Exhibition in 1994, shows the names of various celebrities but not Dame Vera Lynn! Thankfully, she was gracious enough to autograph mine when I contacted her."

Collecting souvenir handkerchiefs has turned out to be a fascinating and compulsive hobby for Brenda. She has donated any payments she has received to the Alzheimer's Society.