Wayside weed all the way from Odessa

Difficult to imagine, certainly, and I'm afraid I was rather sceptical in accepting the story, but it was told to me many years ago by the late Arthur (Ted) Davis, one of those who could claim to have been born in the workers' cottages at the old mill.

According to him, sailing vessels came all the way from Russia with grain, to be milled at Bishopstone and then, I assume, to go into the market.

He said that seed from a weed left these vessels and grew around the area. He called the plant 'Rostock weed' and of course it has spread along the coast both ways from the mill.

I have to admit I have passed this on to many, with some reservation, naturally.

Lo and behold, last year as a result of including an old football team at Newhaven in one of these articles, the name 'Wink' Catt with all its associations with Tidemills, was seized upon. The news spread to Australia to 'Wink's' daughter Deirdre who had been a famed international tennis star.

Last summer she paid two visits to the museum during her stay for the Wimbledon season and turned the records upside down in family tree research.

This was followed in the autumn by a visit from former Bishopstone farmer John Willet and wife, resulting in him sending many useful photos.

Now he is a direct descendant of William Catt the famous miller at Tidemills (the reason for the name change is a story on its own) but before he emigrated to the West Country, with his herd of deer in the early 1970s, he had kindly allowed me to copy the famous painting of the mill in its glory. His visit this time resulted in confirmation of two sailing vessels which had been employed in this grain exchange with Russia, but from Odessa in the Ukraine, and he assured me that at times horses were part of the cargo!

Delete Rostock and insert Odessa and the humble weed must not be confused with the very tall wild parsnip (I think) which seems to compete for space on those verges.

Our picture is of the dramatic fire which destroyed Amy's Garage at the top of the High Street in Newhaven.

The outbreak happened at about midday on Monday, July 19, 1976 when the premises were occupied by Arrow Tyres which now retains the rear section of the site.

A remarkable set of coloured photos of the drama were captured by Barry Davis of Peacehaven and can be seen in an album at the museum.

I have never been sure whether there was any petrol left in the tanks of the pumps visible in the picture, but it was a fierce conflagration with many dangers. One fireman was badly hurt.

The doorway, left, was the entrance to the then Williamson's ironmongery shop, now sadly closed.

At the rear, as now, was a vast stack of old tyres. Marshall Lane, like today, was very narrow but it was vital fire appliances could get to the tyres.

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. Summer opening hours are daily, 2-4pm or by arrangement. Admission 1 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at www.newhavenmuseum.co.uk