Rustington historian steps into spotlight

After many years of dedication to raising awareness of Rustington’s long and fascinating history, Mary Taylor found herself in the spotlight when she was presented with her British Empire Medal.

Family, friends and community leaders gathered at Rustington Parish Council’s offices for the happy occasion, as the Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, Susan Pyper, performed the investiture ceremony.

The BEM was awarded to Mary, the village’s official historian, for services to the community of Rustington. The reception was hosted by the parish council, whose chairman Andy Cooper added his congratulations and thanks to Mary.

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A lifelong Rustington resident, Mary told the Gazette afterwards: “I am very thrilled about it, and very proud. I never dreamed anything like this would happen to me.

“Somebody must be behind this, but I can’t imagine who. I have just done this work because I wanted to see that Rustington and its history wouldn’t be forgotten.

“It was very different when, I was a child, with fields where the main shopping street is now. When I used to walk round the village with my little dog, you could stop and talk to anyone, because you knew them all.”

Mary says it is still the people who make Rustington so special place. “People I have never met before stop me in the street and say, ‘You’re the lady who writes the history books.’ Rustington has changed, but there is still a lovely atmosphere.”

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She also paid tribute to her husband, Bev – they celebrated their diamond wedding last year – for all his support.

“I couldn’t have done it without him. He has been behind me all the way. After he had to give up work because of an accident, he gradually became involved and we have worked together on the history ever since.”

Mary studied local history and palaeography – researching old documents – at what was then Portsmouth Polytechnic, and also took a course in archaeology, with Bev.

She was the founder of Rustington Heritage Association in 1983 and played a leading role in planning the new museum.