Tranquil days in the High Street

Wellcourt Farm on the right is well hidden behind the trees and bushes. A sort of farmyard wall enclosed the lower area and as it swung into Meeching Road, it took on a definite curve.

This was continued with the building which eventually replaced it and in its latter years was

Parsons the Greengrocers.

What a popular store it was, with much of the produce arranged around the curve on the outside rather like a display at the present street market.

The considerable expanse of curved glass shop windows was deceptive to the space behind. The premises now is, of course, the booking office for a local taxi operator.

Returning to the photo, the farm on the left was run by the Webber family who lived in the house on the corner with Folly Hill in Lewes Road (just out of the view), lastly occupied by the Amy family). Photos of the main street in the very early 1920s include views of the dismantling of the several barns.

The cattle grazed in the meadows between the Lewes Road and the river and were led into the farmyard for milking from an entrance near the bottom of Folly Hill.

From the High Street entrance you purchased your milk requirements; no surprise that below that gateway was the work place of a local saddler.

Down from there a very short terrace of cottages, now including a health food shop, a hairdressers and lastly an estate agents (previously a branch of Lloyds Bank), but that premises is better remembered by the old timers as Daisy Oliver's sweet shop.

Finally, like a full stop, the frontage of the impressive Sussex Lodge often referred to as the Georgian Mansion, now, of course, a parade of shops acommodating the post office.

In 1871 it was Albert School for boys, day and boarding with three teaching staff, a governess, 25 pupils and seven domestics. By 1881, the school was at 34 Meeching Road, down to eight pupils, two teachers and two domestics.

At this time Dr Martyn Cann had taken over Sussex Lodge, which was demolished in 1961, having housed other doctors and, lastly, a cinema proprietor during the interim period.

About a year ago the last large tree in the High Street was felled for safety reasons. This was the last of the row which had fronted this attractive residence. The circular raised sitting area marking the spot, could sadly be named The Smokers Retreat!

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. Opening hours are Saturdays and Sundays, all year, 2-5pm or by arrangement, weekdays (April 1-October 31), 2-4pm. Admission 2 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at www.newhavenmuseum.co.uk