My magical French leave as war clouds gathered

It reported on the death of Frank Martin, an expert in wood engraving and many other achievements in the world of art.

I met him and his charming wife by pure chance when they wandered into our seafront museum in the mid 1990s.

Both were extremely friendly and were staying the night at The Old Volunteer guest house in South Road. It seemed they frequently abandoned their London W4 address to spend some time at a cottage they had near Dieppe.

They were so impressed with the contents of our humble building and insisted they should collect some fish and chips from near their guest house in the evening, join me at home with a bottle of red wine and leave on the ferry the following morning. Which of course they did, and many times more until the journey became too much as their ages progressed and their cottage was sold.

I saw them last in March 1997 at the new museum where they gave me a copy of his latest work, the title '“ Newhaven-Dieppe '“ a wonderful wood carving work and on very special paper, so costly that mine, a limited 'cheap' range', was 90.

Intended for specialist collectors, the written material was equally delightful, but all of this is to reach his favourite saying, 'Never mind about air travel or channel tunnels, there is only one way to go to France and that is Newhaven-Dieppe', which brings me to the choice of photo No. 1.

Pre-war, the service had six steamers, four to cover the two a day crossings each way, leaving two spare, these covering overhauls, breakdowns, short cruises and day trips.

With the latter to Dieppe, the steamer called at the Palace Pier, Brighton, on the way out only, but straight to Newhaven on return, as the boat ticket would include the rail fare (same firm).

In the picture the steamer Paris IV is approaching the famous pierhead.

Although her record crossing in 1913 was in two hours 36 minutes, for a twelve shilling and sixpence return journey, I don't expect all of the boilers would have been fired.

However, there was still time to have four or five hours ashore, plus, of course, you were on the record-breaker.

Not so on my first venture. That was on the Versailles, the French opposite to our Paris, and unknown to me, the Second World War was about to start in about three weeks time.

My day was to have been spent on a friend's yacht, fishing, and I was dressed for it '“ no socks, uncleaned shoes, tennis shirt turned inside out to look fresher, old sports jacket '“ I was on holiday.

My girlfriend of the time was having an oil painting of herself being done by Guy Gravett (son of Sid, a founder of Newhaven Art Group) but I had to see one of the ship's officers, on behalf of someone else.

He said I could go over and back for 1 first class '“ so it was back to the car, cancel fishing, grab girl, and return to the boat. We sailed, another boat followed after us and 200 were left on the quayside '“ why? War clouds were in the sky, and all were rushing back to their home countries!

In appreciation, we took the officer for drink at Dieppe then ambled to the casino, then on the promenade. It was a hot day, so being British, we must have cup of tea. There was only a waiter in the restaurant. The band bringing in its instruments, insisted we return in the evening when 'life begins'.

We did, stony broke, and found the ballroom all in evening dress. The leader stopped the band and beckoned us to a table. The manager was introduced, followed by free food and drink, a violinist at the table, English music, and a a dancing partner provided for the girl and me with no socks!

What a gimmick it all was, like a fairy story as we ran to catch the same boat back at midnight! As Frank Martin said, there's only one way to go '“ Newhaven-Dieppe!

PETER BAILEY

Peter Bailey is curator of the Newhaven Local and Maritime Museum based in its own fascinating premises in the grounds of Paradise Park in Avis Road, Newhaven. Winter opening hours are 2-5pm Saturdays and Sundays or by arrangement. Admission 1 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at: