School Lay-By

The Sidlesham LSA Heritage Trail starts from the primary school car park, Keynor Lane, PO20 7NL (OS GR 978847).
Opposite the school car park are two semi-detached LSA houses (No 1&2) built in 1935, by Stirland Builders (Birdham) at a cost of ^50.
The smallholdings, numbered sequentially (1-144) across the whole LSA, were initially known by their estate number (eg: 2 Keynor). After the closure in 1983 the Post Office allowed properties to have names as well as numbers (eg Numereuxdeux).

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"The advent of the LSA in 1936, with so many children from the north of England, enforced an immediate enlargement of the school and in 1937 a scheme for improvement was carried out. Four large sunshine classrooms were provided, as well as medical, staff and headmaster's rooms and a kitchen. An up-to-date system of sanitation was also carried out and a playing field added. The accommodation was raised to 300." ('Sidlesham Past and Present'). Maurice Meeten was Headteacher in 1939, living in a house adjacent to the school. Sidlesham School was the first school in England to serve hot meals, on account of the 'malnourished' children of the LSA. CG Stillman, the County Architect, worked with a local caravan manufacturer to prefabricate a light-weight steel system in 8ft 3in lengths: three of these units making a standard classroom, and any number could be put end to end. A prototype at Sidlesham, in West Sussex, in 1936 marked the first major use of prefabrication in school building. The Chichester Observer (February 1978) recorded the school's centenary reporting that the then 'Director of Education was concerned about malnutrition in some of the children and felt that they should have a hot meal in the middle of the day. With the help of volunteers a scheme, which was later adopted by other schools in the country and which was the forerunner of school meals as we know them today, was started at a cost of 3d per head, 1.5p in modern coinage. "We walked to school and if it rained there was a cupboard at school which held a motley assortment of clothes which we could change into and our wet clothes were put on radiators until they were dry". (Joan Smith/nee Ruckley No 19) "A special school bus was laid on to go to Sidlesham Primary and on to the Selsey Manhood Secondary Modern School (smokers upstairs!!!). Originally Southdown, it was referred to as the "Biscuit Tin". For Chi High the standard Southdown public single decker bus service was used morning and late afternoon".(Nigel Dungey) "A Mrs Reed who lived very close to the school used to sell sweets and I think fruit from her front room. I was in the same class as her daughter Maureen. There was also a van which would deliver a small amount of groceries and sweets each week. There was also a Mr Binstead who lived near the school and he sold fruit. All this happened before 1947 when we left the LSA". (Joan Crees) The primary school's admissions records show that several children from LSA properties left and their families returned north or to South Wales as not all original tenants adapted to the new way of life. For example: John Hayman (66 Fletchers - Street End) left 25.6.1943 returned to Abertillery. Derek and Joan Brown (69 Fletchers - Street End) left 24.9.1943 returned to Durham.

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BBC Radio: From Grime to Groceries, 2001Edit This Asset

"When they first came down I think Mum wanted to go back straightaway, but my Dad said if we go down we go down to stay and that was his attitude to it. But the ones who stayed said it was a hard life, but a good life."

Nos 1 & 2:

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No 1:
William Rutter arrived in 1936. His children had previously attended school in Quebec, a small coal mining village 6 miles west of Durham. The 1939 Census recorded his occupation as 'general farm worker'. The family 'returned north' in February 1940 (School Admissions Register).

John 'Jackie' Kemp was a tenant here when his children were admitted to the school in October 1939, having previously been at school in Islwtn, South Wales. He appeared on the 1939 Census at 'Batchmere Training Centre'. According to the School Admissions Register Rita Hackwell and Mervyn Griffiths were also registered at No 1 Keynor in the care of Mrs Kemp. They left the school in October 1943 and returned to Trealaw in the Rhondda. Jackie was a friend of Fred Ruckley (No 19), they appear in a photo together dated 1946.

Peter Broadbridge was the tenant here in the 1950s - son Mark had No 129 in the 1970s prior to the closure.

Arthur & Sheila Strudwick arrived in October 1958 (LSA Bulletin No 528), they were still on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no leaving date.

A, B. Warlow is on the Tenant's Register in 1981, but not in 1986

Gayle Palmer, the current owner in 2023, purchased No 1 in 2002.

No 2:
Edward 'Ned' Waugh arrived in 1936 from Haltwhistle, Northumberland. Daughter Eileen was admitted to Sidlesham School in March 1939. The family left for Surrey in June 1939 (School Admissions Register)

The 1939 Census records Charles Robertson (with his wife Rosina and their 4 children) at No 2 as an LSA smallholder.

Fred Phillips was here during World War II, he appears in the photo of the Keynor Home Guard, but no arrival or departure dates. His daughter Iris was admitted to the school in May 1939, having previously attended school in Pontnewydd, South Wales, Son Walter left the school in March 1951.

Reg & Joan Brown were here in 1966 (LSA Bulletin No 919). Reg was Cornish. No arrival date, but the family left in September 1968 (LSA Bulletin No 1035) and moved to Hawaii Nursery in Titchfield.

John Swain arrived in October 1968 (Bulletin No 1037). He was one of 4 tenants who transferred from Elmsthorpe LSA in Leicestershire prior to its closure. John remained as a Sidlesham Grower after the closure in 1983, naming his house 'Numereuxdeux'.

Cow Lane

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Walking away from the school . . . . . just before turning into Cow Lane notice No 39 with its distinctive name - now on the metal gate leading to the smallholding.

Keynor Farm House & Keynor Hut

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Keynor Farm House and 290 acres of farmland were purchased in 1935 for £13,333. It became the home of the LSA Managers (Hugh Campbell (First Warden) in 1936, G. Garrett (1940+), Bertie Cutler (1940s), Bill Constable (1945-52), George Sutton (1952-64), Arthur Johnson Symington (John) Cox (1964-65) and Tom Scott (1965-83).

Keynor Hut is located right of the main gate behind the hedge. The original 'settlers' lived here during their training. It then hosted meetings and provided community facilities: pre-school, brownies, guides, parties, dances, whist drives and Sidlesham WI. The photograph shows the original tenants outside Keynor Hut - 15 of the families can be named and contact has been made with the relatives of more than 30 of the unemployed miners and shipbuilders who moved to Sidlesham before World War Two.

The photograph was taken in 1986, when the Kellys bought the house at auction. Note the total absence of trees. The house is no longer visible from Keynor Lane.

No 3a: Honeysuckle Cottage

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This was an LSA staff house. No 3A suggests it was built after Nos 3 and 4 had been constructed.
Edward Thomas is recorded living here in June 1939 when Roand Wood was admitted to Sidlesham Primary School, having previously been to a school in Lynhurst.

Edward Wood & his wife Isabella are recorded in 1939 Census. Edward's occupation was Foreman of the LSA Packing Shed.

Edward Wiseman was the LSA Estate Accountant living at No 3A from 1951 until 1961. He had been previously been book keeper at Newbourne LSA and accountant at Foxash LSA.

Nos 3 & 4:

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No 3: (Now Highfield Nursery)
Originally the Propagation Unit (props) for the Keynor Estate where seedlings and young plants were raised and then delivered to the smallholdings for the tenants to plant out.

Patrick Colgan, his wife Hannah and their three children are recorded on the 1939 Census at No 3 as an LSA smallholder.

Issac Saunders' children were admitted to the school in January 1937 having previously attended a school in Wheatley Hill, County Durham. A later entry in the School Admissions Register (April 1937) shows the family living at No 45.

Lew Issacs lived here after World War II before becoming Property Maintenance Manager, moving to No 58 Fletchers (in Rotten Row).

Charlie White (no arrival date) was living here in November 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 736) The White family left in September 1973 following the death of Mr White.(LSA Bulletin No 1280)

Mick Campbell (grandson of William, the original tenant at No 27) became a tenant in October 1973 (LSA Bulletin No 1298) and remained as a Sidlesham Grower after the closure in 1983.

No 4:
Charles McIven was a tenant here when his son was admitted to Sidlesham School in September 1938, having previously attended St. Michaels RC School in Newcastle.

Joseph Richmond was a tenant here in January 1939 when his children were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended school in South Shields. No departure information.

Joseph Lawson and his wife Florence was recorded on the 1939 Census at No 4.

Harry & Dot Richardson were tenants here between 1955 and 1977.

John Chapman arrived in October 1977 (LSA Bulletin No 1505) and stayed on after the closure in 1983 as a Sidlesham Grower.

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4a: LSA staff house

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Lewis Blackman and his wife Elsie were recorded on the 1939 Census at No 4a. Lewis' occupation was listed as Head Horseman.

Jack Wade arrived in 1947 as a Technical Adviser to the LSA (Farming & Transport). He had previously been employed by the LSA at Snaith. Jack became a tenant at No 24 in 1953/54.

George Umpleby was living here in 1969. He was Assistant Manager at the Packing Shed and was later promoted to Manager at Chawston LSA in December 1970 (LSA Bulletin No 1153)

Nos 5 & 6:

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No 5: Staff House

Fred Drummond's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in January 1937, having previously attended a school in Scotswood, Newcastle. They 'left the district' in March 1938.

William Longhosts' children were also registered at No 5, having previously been at school in Spalding, Lincolnshire. They were admitted to the school in October 1937 and the family moved to Chichester in September 1939.

Emanuel Wright's children were also registered at No 5 and admitted to the school in January 1938, having previously attended a school in Rose Street, Newcastle. The family 'returned north' in September 1939. (School Admissions Register)

Jos Aitchison moved here from No 61 (no date) Josh was born in Long Benton, North Tyneside and worked as a tram driver in Wallsend before arriving in Sidlesham in 1936 as one of the team of roadbuilders. He then stayed on as an LSA staff member.

No 6:
George Jackson lived here in January 1937 before moving to No 43.(Keynor Lane) when the address was changed in the School Admissions Register.The children had previously attended a school in Broompark, County Durham.

Fenwick & Pauline Whitfield came from Benfieldside, County Durham. His children were admitted to Sidlesham School in January 1938. The family 'returned north' in December 1939 (Schools Admissions Register) The 1939 Census records Fenwick's occupation as Assistant Propagation Houses.

Bet Johnson still lives at No 6, having moved there in 1955. Husband Pete was an LSA lorry driver, then became a tenant in 1965 and later a Sidlesham Grower after the closure in 1983. Bet used to look after the children in Keynor hut while the mothers were working in the packing shed. Bet's son David was a tenant at No 106 Batchmere.

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No 7a:

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1999-2018: Haygrove / Sidlesham (Strawberries & raspberries)

2019: Newey (wholesale perennial plugs and liners, annual basket and patio plants and trees, soft fruit and specimen shrubs)

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Nos 7 & 8:

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No 7:
Henry Charlton was living here when his children were admitted to the school in July 1936, having previously attended the Collliery Board School in Hebburn. The family moved to Fishbourne in December 1936.(School Admissions Register)

Bill & Alice Corner arrived in 1936 from West Hartlepool where Bill had been a shipbuilder. He was one of the team of roadbuilders who built Chalk, Street End and Fletchers Lanes, which prior to the LSA had been open farmland. Bill then stayed on as a tenant until September 1970 (LSA Bulletin No 1140).

Pete & Kath White arrived in September 1970 (LSA Bulletin No 1141), they were on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date.

No 8:
Henry Halker was a tenant here in July 1936 when his children were admitted to the school, having previously attended the Colliery Board School in Hebburn. According to the School Admissions Register the family left for London in June 1938. However Henry and wife Christina are both recorded on the 1939 Census and Henry's occupation was listed as 'coal miner'.

Peggy Anne Drudge was admitted to the school in September 1943 whilst in the care of Mrs Brooman. She returned to Hayling Island School in January 1944. (School Admissions Register)

Dud & Joy Ward were tenants here in the 1950s.

Peter Slade became a tenant in October 1971 (LSA Bulletin No 1193) and was a Sidlesham Grower after the closure in 1983.

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Nos 9 & 10:

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No 9:
Nicholas Greener and wife Ivy arrived from Newcastle in 1936. Their children attended Sidlesham School from September 1936, having previously attended Haworth School. The family moved to Selsey in 1937. 4 sons revisited the estate in 1996 (Chichester Observer)

Jemina McIntosh came from Knowl Top (Yorkshire ?). Her children were admitted to the school in January 1938. The family left for Wisborough Green in June 1938. (Schools Admissions Register)

Hugh & Olive McClay are recorded as smallholders on the 1939 Census and their son was admitted to the school.in January 1940. (School Admissions Register) No departure date.

The Ogdens (no arrival date) were here in 1958 (LSA Bulletin No 528). On the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date.

Bob Hutchins was the tenant at the time of the closure in 1983 and became a Sidlesham Grower.

No 10:
William Ellson arrived in 1936. The School Admissions Register has no information about previous address - the family left for Shopwhyke, Chichester in August 1940.

The 1939 Census records Noel & Agnes Baker as smallholders at No 10.

Douglas & Elsie Booth (1952-60) Douglas's brother Don was at No 15.

John & Pat Hurndall (1960 - 1986)

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Nos 11 & 12:

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No 11:
George & Sabina Davison were the first tenants, having come south from Washington, County Durham where George had worked in Usworth Colliery. The family and daughter Irene appear in the 1936 photograph outside Keynor Hut. The family did not adapt to life on the LSA and had moved to Chichester (33 Kingsham Avenue) by the time of the 1939 Census;.

John & Lily Scott are recorded at No 11 on the 1939 Census. John was listed as an 'LSA Trainee'.

John Dunn lived here from 1945 to 1953. He used his demob money (back pay from the army for time spent in a POW camp) to secure the smallholding.

No arrival date for the Bowdens. Arthur Bowden retired to reside in Chichester in September 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1449)

Goff & Pim Gleadle family became tenants in October 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1452), leaving in October 1982 (LSA Bulletin No 1764).

Alan Stride moved into No 11 (Cow Lane) in October 1982. No departure date, but family name is not on the list of Sidlesham Growers in 1983.

No 12:
In 1936 Dickie Cowan arrived from Ferryhill, County Durham.. He had been a miner at Dean & Chapter Colliery (?) near Ferryhill, 7 miles south of Durham. He retired from the smallholding in 1970 (LSA Bulletin No 1140) See 'more' information below . . . .

Martin & Lynda Samuels arrived in October 1970 (LSA Bulletin No 1141) and stayed until 1973.

Ray & Pearl Bill arrived from Wisborough Green in 1973. They left to open a nursery at Apuldram in 1984.

Arthur Weissenborn (no arrival date) was on the register of Sidlesham Growers in 1986.

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No 11: A tenant named Davidson was named on a copy of the photograph of the original tenants taken outside Keynor Hut in 1936.In 2020 I was contacted by the grandson of George Davison whose had identified his mother and grandmother on the photo. It later transpired that George Davison was in fact the person previously named as Davidson. The family did not adapt to LSA life and left to live in Chichester where, at the time of the 1939 Census George was a Gravel Pit Labourer and daughter Irene worked in the offices of Henty & Constable Brewery.Son Albert had joined the Navy by then. He died during the war and is buried at Sidlesham Church. . . No 12: Dickie Cowan (No 12) lived in Keynor Hut while being trained and his wife Maude joined him six months later. Dickie organised weekly Whist Drives at Keynor Hut and became Chair of the Tenants Association. between 1944-48. Winifred Woolf was on the School Admissions Register, with Mrs Cowan named as guardian. Dickie's daughter, Beryl, married David Bowyer and they became tenants at No 138 (Batchmere) in 1972. . . "Keynor Hut was quite a busy place as I can remember, my mother belonged to the Womens' Club, this was run by Grace Kemp (No.39). There was a Sunday School held there and she also ran that and if I remember rightly Mrs. Wade also assisted. I also remember somebody holding a wedding reception in there, and of course many of the estate meetings were also held there. As well as the bakery in Mill Lane this supplied the grocery store with the bread this was situated next to the Jolly Fisherman Pub , There was never a lot of choice like today's shops due to things still being on ration. Also there was a hardware & haberdashery shop just on the entrance to Mill Lane on the left hand side. My highlight of the week was going to the Jolly Fisherman car park where a fish and chip van visited weekly. To catch a bus it meant walking to the bus stop at Sidlesham School, alternatively walking to the Bird Pond bus stop across the field on the Selsey Road, weather permitting and getting home before dark I used to cycle to ". Beryl Bowyer (nee Cowan) . . . "Between 1996 - 2000 Arthur Weissenborn grew cut flowers, notably Stocks and Antirrhinum, that he supplied to Alan & Colin Frampton at Firstflora/Donaldsons, Vinnetrow Road, the flowers went to Sainsbury's. I was the flower buyer at Sainsburys and my father David was MD of Langmead & Robinson, Shripney who bought much produce from the Batchmere holdings". (Ian Riggs/2017)

No 13: Landseer House

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Thomas Oliver arrived in 1936 from East Jarrow. The family left for Leicester in October 1937. One of the children spent 3 months at Stanmore Orthopaedic Hospital. (School Admissions Register).

The School Admissions Register also records Edward Jackson's children being admitted on 6th July 1937, having previously been at St Matthews Street School, Irishtown. The children 'left the district' on 23rd July 1937.

The 1939 Census records William & Jane Elson and their 3 children at No 13.

Gordon & Mary Fox arrived in October 1958 (LSA Bulletin No 528) and were still here in 1969 (LSA Bulletin No 1088) No departure date, but they left for Reynards Nursery at Ferring.

John & Lottie Boyles arrived October 1971 (LSA Bulletin No 1193) and were Sidlesham Growers until 1998.

The Boyles sold the property in 2001 to Geoffrey Blake who, after a lengthy design and build process, demolished the former LSA building and rebuilt the current house in 2007. Geoffrey Blake was in the fine arts industry which probably accounts for the name Landseer House as well as other outbuildings being named after popular British artists!

Thanks to Samuel and Caroline Spencer for contacting me and updating the more recent history – they purchased the house, outbuildings and the original 4 acres in 2022.

Tonges Cottage

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At the end of Cow Lane, previously known as Cow Watering Lane, is Tonges Cottage. Purchased by the LSA as part of Keynor Farm and used to accommodate LSA workers, including Fred Willis, an electrician on the Maintenance Team and tractor driver, Bill Stubbs.

Mr Wilson was here in October 1939 when his son was admitted to the school, having previously been at school in Merton Park, South London. (School Admissions Register)

At the corner by Tonges Cottage Cow Lane becomes Chalk Lane. Both were built for the LSA, having previously been open farmland. The photograph shows the road builders including Bill Corner, who later became a tenant at No 7, as well as Josh Aitchison & Horace Hook.

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Nos 14 & 15:

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No 14:
John Fulham arrived in 1936. His children had previously attended Walkergate School in Newcastle. The family 'left the district' for Plymouth in April 1939. (School Admissions Register)

The 1939 Census lists Arthur & Elizabeth Eastwood at No 14, Arthur was a 'Trainee'.

Les and Marie Everdell (no arrival date) were here in October 1958. Les was Chair of the Tenants Association at that time (LSA Bulletin No 528)

Nelson & Marilyn Coppard arrived in October 1962. (LSA Bulletin No 730) The family stayed on the holding until 2014.

No 15:
Frederick McParlin's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in December 1937, having previously attended St. Michaels, Houghton Le Spring, County Durham. The family 'returned north' in September 1939 (Schools Admissions Register)

John 'Jack' Little was here in late 1939, coming from Gateshad with wife Norah and three children. The School Admissions Register shows daughter Alice was admitted to the school in February 1940, but no reference to her brother Jack, Her other brother George was only a few months old at the time and was christened in Sidlesham Church. The 1939 Census records Jack's occupation as Motor Driver & Electrician. The family left for Slough later in 1940 (Schools Admission Register)

Prior to 1954 the Wolstenholme family were tenants (no arrival date).

Don & Freda Booth arrived in January 1954, snow on the ground and Freda eight months pregnant. The Booths became Sidlesham Growers after the closure.

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Nos 16 & 17:

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No 16:
Edward & Rebecca Rigg's son Edward was admitted to Sidlesham School in October 1936, having previously attended a school in Hendon, near Sunderland. Mr Rigg was 'orderly of the day' at Keynor Farm House preparing eggs for the Littlers (No 32) on their arrival. (Amelia Littler writing in the Tenants newsletter in 1964) Daughter Betty 'returned from Stanmore Hospital (Middlesex) in September 1940 and left the school at the end of that month. School Admissions Register)

Frank and Madge Everley were here in May 1966 (LSA Bulletin No 914) and were selling hay in June 1969 (LSA Bulletin No 1074). No arrival or departure dates,
but moved to Cocking.

John & Patsy Corbett arrived in October 1970 (LSA Bulletin No 1141). The family left in September 1979 (LSA Bulletin No 1604) and bought a nursery in Hunston.

Andy & Pauline James arrived October 1979 (LSA Bulletin No 1608) No departure date.

No 17:
Arthur Smith's children were admitted to Sidlesham School on 23rd September 1936. They had previously attended a school in Leadgate, County Durham. They 'left the district' in 1939 (no destination in the Schools Admissions Register)

'Geordie' Forth, a miner from Silksworth Colliery in Ryehope, South of Sunderland, arrived in 1937 with his wife Margaret and 7 children. According to the School Admissions Register the family 'left the district' in December 1939. (See 'More' below).

Doug and Kathleen Mitchell were tenants in August 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 725) Doug became a Chichester District Councillor. He died in June 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1435)

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Nos 18 & 19:

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No 18:
John Oxenham arrived in January 1937 from Newbottle in County Durham. The family left the district in April 1938. (School Admissions Register)

John & Anne Buckley came from Southwick, Sunderland. His children were admitted to Sidlesham School in March 1938 and one left in April 1943. (School Admissions Register) No family departure date.

Bill Underwood arrived after the war and earned a reputation for recycling material from the council 'dump' where the RSPB Visitor Centre now stands. He was still on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no leaving date.

No 19:
John Smith's children were admitted to Sidlesham School on 14th December 1936, having previously attended Hebburn Colliery Board School. The family 'returned north' in July 1938 (Schools Admissions Register).

Clarence Liddle is registered here when his daughter Lilian was admitted to Sidlesham School in September 1938, having previously attended school in Dunston-on-Tyne. The Family 'returned north' in September 1939. (School Admissions Register)

Fred & Winnefred Ruckley arrived here in 1939 from Tonypandy. Fred had been a miner in the Rhondda Valley where there were 79 collieries. Fred was on the 1939 Census at Batchmere Training Centre. In October 1939 Peter Watson was evacuated from East Ham, London, in the care of Mrs Ruckley - he was 'evacuated again this time to South Wales' in May 1941. Daughter Joan was admitted (from Birdham?) in January 1941, she left the school (Age Exemption) in December 1949. (School Admissions Register) The family left the LSA in the 1950s.

Peter & Dorothy Worley left in September 1979 (LSA Bulletin No 1604) no arrival date.

Paul & Pat Harris arrived in October 1979 (LSA Bulletin No 1608). Paul was the son of a local policeman and Pat's parents were LSA tenants at Batchmere. Paul and Pat became Sidlesham Growers in 1983.

Monica Lucas and Anne arrived in 2001 and transformed the former smallholding into a stunning garden which they have had open to the public on several occasions.

No 20 & 21:

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No 20:
Alfred Potts' children were admitted to Sidlesham School in December 1936, having previously attended St Bedes (RC) Junior School in Jarrow. The family 'returned north' in June 1938 (Schools Admissions Register)

Frederick & Mary Browning were on the 1939 Census. Their daughter was admitted to the school in January 1940. . The family 'left the district' in September 1940. (School Admissions Register)

John and Joy Watts came (after the war?) from Radnorshire where John had managed a mushroom farm. He ran the First Sidlesham Scout Troop. (extract from 'Southern Weekly News' 13/9/1952)

Site of a former Roman villa was discovered on this smallholding in 1951. George Harris was the tenant at the time of the excavation of the Roman villa in 1951-54 (see 'More' below). Son Charles on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date.

No 21:
Henry & Rose Southern were here in December 1938 when their children were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended school in Barton, North Shields. Henry's occupation on the 1939 Census was listed as 'Trainee'.

Ernie and Ivy Bockley.arrived in 1950/51. Ernie retired to Chichester in September 1976 (LSA Bulletin 1449)

Allan Campbell (grandson of William, the original tenant at No 27) took over the tenancy in October 1976 (LSA Bulletin 1452) and became a Sidlesham Grower in 1991.

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Nos 22 & 23:

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No 22: John & Barbara Bailey. John had been a ship's riveter from North Shields until an industrial accident lost the sight of one eye before the days of health and safety. Daughter Mary was admitted to the school in January 1938, having previously attended Queen Victoria School,in North Shields. John was listed on the 1939 Census as a 'Trainee'. They retired to Selsey in 1947.

By the time John Graves arrived in 1952 qualifications, experience and finance had replaced unemployment as the criteria to join the LSA. John's employment as a single man was unheard of in the early days when wives were interviewed alongside their husbands as 'women were in it too'.John was Chair of the Tenants Association and attended meetings at LSA HQ in London. He later became one of 7 Directors of Sidlesham Growers in 1983.

No 23: (Now Applefield - Updated by Lizzie Bailey October 2024)
William and Hilda Hindson came from Haltwhistle near Carlisle in the 'first wave'. William was an avid fan of Carlisle United. Children Harry, Herbert & Christopher had previously attended Herdley Bank School. The School Admissions register records that Christopher left the Sidlesham School in August 1944, but no departure date for the family.

Walter & Charlotte 'Ciss' Bridger arrived on 5th November 1954 having managed watercress beds in Croyden. Charlotte was Secretary of the WI in the 1970s (LSA Bulletin No 1252). The family retired to East Wittering in 1979.

Andy Boorman was a tenant at the time of the closure and became a Sidlesham Grower in 1983 before moving to Australia.

The Bailys found No 23 for sale in 1998, with the house being used for tack storage and motorbike parts – Mark living there (in a caravan in the garden) while Kate had moved to Halnaker. In August 1998, the Bailys moved in, renamed it “Applefield” and within a few days had hens given to them by Diana and Dudley Pound, soon followed by a calf (from Kate Berry’s new farm), 2 sheep, 2 pigs and 7 geese! It took 2 years to get planning permission for the ground floor extension so that Alex and Lizzie no longer had to be carried upstairs.
26 years on, the small farm is still running. The Bailys host Woodland Wonders Forest School events and Lizzie runs “Wheely Wonders” - days for families with special needs children, plus her Craft Club for children in the art studio.

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"Dad arrived late 1937, the family followed in early 1938. Mum and dad worked the land until 1947 when they moved to Selsey. John was in the Sidlesham Home Guard and awarded a certificate for service 12th June 1940 to 31st December 1944." (Joan Crees, daughter) The LSA connection stayed with the family as son-in-law Norman Crees worked in the LSA offices in the 1960s. John Graves (No 22) had been foreman on a Yorkshire farm near Brough, having previously trained at Writtle Agricultural College in Essex and his £500 deposit secured a 'start-up' bank loan. He was employed as a single man, unheard of previous years when wives were interviewed with their husbands as 'women were in it too'. In addition to the original landlord glasshouse John added a second 90ft by 30ft dutchlights. As well as chickens and pigs he kept goats producing milk for the family. (First goat cost £4.10 shillings) Later John became Chair of the Tenants Association interviewing prospective tenants (Eddie Jupp (No 89) & Chris Wade (No 79) and attending meetings at the LSA Headquarters in London. His wife Kathleen became Chair of both the Parish Council and the school governors as well as Secretary and then Chair of Keynor Women's Club and Secretary of Sidlesham WI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "The Hindson family (No 23) were William and Hilda with Walter, William, Herbert (my dad), Harry, Christopher, Hilda and Stella (the only one born down south). The children had attended Herdley Bank School in Haltwhistle prior to coming to Sidlesham. The parents, my grandparents William died in 1959 aged 66, Hilda died in 1967 aged 71 The photo of the Home Guard my dad is in the back row 2nd from the right, he was 16 unsure about the other two Hindsons but take it William would be one (17) then it's got to be either Walter (18) or Granddad (46). There is a story I would like to share as I find it somewhat amazing dad and Walter actually ran away with their bikes as they didn't like it (down south) but they were found (by the police) outside Leeds. There is also a possibility that my other grandfather William Grant is in the road builders photo?" (Michael Hindson (Grandson)

No 24 & 25:

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No 24:
Albert Ashworth's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in October 1936, having previously attended a school in Backworth, Northumberland. The family returned to North Shields in November 1937 (Schools Admissions Register).

Albert Grey's children were admitted to the school in January 1937, having previously attended Colliery School in Hebburn. The School Admissions Register records that the family 'left the district', but no departure date.

Frank Baston's son Kenneth was admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in April 1938. The family 'returned north' in September 1939. (School Admissions Register)

John and Susan Pescod were tenants here in December 1938 when their two sons, Charles and George, were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended Bynemoor (?) School. The School Admissions register records that the family 'returned north' in February 1940.

Charles Pude was here in December 1940 when his children were admitted to the school, having previously been at school in Petts Wood, S E London. The family 'left the district' in February 1941. (School Admissions Register)

Jack Wade came to the LSA as a Technical Adviser, living initially at No 4a. He moved with his family to No 24 as a tenant in 1953, leaving in 1979. His son Chris became a tenant at No 79 (Fletchers Lane)

Roy Battersby took over the tenancy after Jack Wade.

No 25:
Edward Wilson's children were admitted to Sidlesham School on 19th October 1936, having previously attended a school in Castletown, Sunderland. The family 'left for North Mundham', but no date in the Schools Admissions Register. Granddaughter (Pam) now lives at No 3, married to the grandson of William Campbell, an original tenant at No 27.

Robert Johnson came from Byers Green in County Durham. His children were admitted to Sidlesham School in September 1937 and were evacuated by their parents in May 1941. (School Admissions Register) No family departure dates.
The 1939 Census lists William and Margaret Johnson at No 25.

George (?) and Agnes Weston were on the Tenants Register in 1976 (No arrival or departure dates).

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Nos 26 & 27:

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No 26: (Staff House)
George Collingwood's three children were admitted to Sidlesham School in November 1936, having previously attended a school in High Westwood, County Durham. The family 'returned north' in July 1938 (Schools Admissions Register)

Herbert Bailey's children were admitted to the school in March 1938, having previously attended a school in Annitsford, Newcastle. The family 'returned north' in November 1938. (School Admissions Register)

John & Ethel Short were tenants in December 1938 when their children were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended Brighton Avenue School in Gateshead. One of the children returned north for a 'long holiday' in February 1941.No departure date.

Lorry driver, Derek Simpson was living here in December 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 589).

No name recorded on the Tenants Register in 1976.

No 27: (Staff House)
William Campbell's children (Annie, Audrey & Daniel) were admitted to Sidlesham School in November 1936, having previously attended Haworth Colliery School in County Durham. The family left for Donnington in January 1938 (Schools Admissions Register)

Harry and Beatrice Willks were tenants in 1936 having moved south from Hebburn with the Santon family (No 34). Harry joined the Royal Navy when war broke out and both families then moved to Dartford. Harry died in action in 1942.

Jack Campbell was here in 1981 (LSA Bulletin No 1722)

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Nos 28 & 29:

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No 28:
George Eals was a tenant here in April 1938 when his son Eric was admitted to Sidlesham Primary School. He left the school (age 14) in December 1939.
A photograph of a Mr & Mrs Eals appeared on the front page of the Chichester Observer on 30th September 1936. "Mr Eals, a miner at Pleinmeller Colliery at Haltwhistle, Northumberland, is one of 36 miners to have been brought down from the distressed areas by the Land Settlement Association Ltd. and settled in Sidlesham".

Michael Wake (no arrival date) was a tenant here in July 1967 (LSA Bulletin), taking over the holding after the death of his father (?) Michael became one of 7 Directors of Sidlesham Growers in 1983 and was still on the register in 1986. His brother Phillip was at No 44 (Keynor).

No 29:
Thomas & Margaret Armstrong were living here in January 1939 when their daughter Margaret was admitted to Sidlesham School. No other information on the Admissions Register.

John & Phyll Humphries arrived in October 1958 (LSA Bulletin No 528) transferring from Abbots Ann LSA (near Andover) and retired to Bognor in September 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1449).

Jack Handford arrived in October 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1452) and was still a Sidlesham Grower in 1991.

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No 30:

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Robert & Ann Wilkinson arrived in 1936 from Hebburn County Durham. They left at the outbreak of war when Robert joined a Munitions Company in Dartford. Their daughter now lives in Canada.

John Jobling's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in January 1937 having previously attended a school in Hamsteels, County Durham. The family 'left for Guildford' in October 1937 (School Admissions Register)

John & Margaret Maltby's children were admitted to the school in January 1938, having previously attended Hilton Road Boys in Sunderland. (School Admissions Register) No departure date. The 1939 Census lists Herbert & Margaret with Herbert, a trainee.

Arthur Simmonds was a tenant here in 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 730) and he became a Sidlesham Grower in 1983.

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Nos 31 & 32:

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No 31: (Staff house)
Alexander Kelly arrived in 1936 and 'left the district' in April 1938. His children had attended Herdley Bank School, Haltwhistle, Northumberland before joining Sidlesham School. (School Admissions Register). The Kelly family are mentioned in Mrs Littler's (No 32) account of their journey to Sidlesham in 1936.

Robert Charpe was the registered guardian of children living at here when they were admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in May 1938, having previously been at school in Chester-le-Street. The family left for Camberley, Surrey in February 1939.

Charles & Florence Maisey's children were admitted to the school in May 1939, having previously been at Cwmaber School in Caerphilly, South Wales. The 1939 Census lists Charles as a motor works fitter). The family 'left the district' in April 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Mr Appleton lived here in the early days. He was in charge of shire horses which pulled carts collecting produce from the tenants. The stables were probably at the packing shed, now Keynor industrial Estate.

Later Peter Jackson, an LSA lorry driver, lived here. In April 2023 I was contacted by Roger(?) Swabey . . . . . . I worked as a lorry driver for LSA in 75/76 , during winter months we were put on general haulage which I loved mainly for a company in Goole called Johnson Transport . In summer we went on to produce from the small holdings . It was night work driving to Covent Garden , Edinburgh and Glasgow fruit and veg markets some times got a easy run to Tesco warehouse in Heywood . I wasn’t keen on night work but the job paid well and stayed with it until I moved back South to Surrey, good good days .

Alan Tarrant, Assistant Estate Manager, lived here in January 1982 (LSA Bulletin No 1729)

No 32:
William 'Bill' Littler arrived in 1936, an ex-green sand iron moulder (in the shipbuilding industry) from South Shields. The School Admissions Register records that his children Bernard and Joy had previously attended school in Mortimer Road, South Shields. An article about him appeared in the Daily Express, June 27th 1939. Some years later his wife Amelia wrote a moving story about the family's journey to Sidlesham in the Tenants Newsletter. (See 'More' below) Bill died in March 1962 in Chidham. Son Bernard was a tenant at No 42 and son John was one of the stars of our film 'A Life from the Land' - he lives in Aldingbourne (2023
The photo shows John LIttler and cousin Gordon outside No 32 in the 1940s? - note the absence of trees unlike today!).

Harry Rowlands left in April 1967 (no arrival date)

David Bowden moved into No 32 (Chalk Lane) in April 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 961) and were still on the smallholding in 2007 (Census data)

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Journey to Sidlesham "The seventh of August 1936 was a very special day for the family, after nine months of hopes and fears that we may not be selected at last we move on our way to Sidlesham in Sussex to commence life on the LSA. A life which was to last twenty-five years, a life of great hardship (which was promised to us), many frustrations and disappointments, but above all great happiness and a sense of achievement. After six years of unemployment, one's morale is very low and we were determined to make a go of this venture. At Newcastle station we met the family who were to be our neighbours, Mr and Mrs Kelly and six children from Haltwhistle, who were highly entertained by the children who, being country bred (the younger ones had not travelled before) were very excited during the journey. On arriving at Kings Cross we took our stand for a bus to Victoria and were a source of amusement, particularly to the bus conductors who passed remarks such as who were we going to play (football) and whose was the children's outing? At last it dawned on us we were at the wrong bus stop. We crossed the road and finally got the right bus and arrived at Victoria, having lost the train. We arrived at Chichester late and the manager, Mr Campbell, who always met newcomers had given us up, but not quite, as he had ordered a taxi for us. One taxi and with a driver we were fourteen, five grown-ups and nine children. The driver stowed us all in and then producing a towing rope tied it round the vehicle, securing the doors in case the taxi burst open. It was a hilarious drive, though for me very moving as I was enhanced by the beauty of the countryside we were travelling through and the strange feeling I was not leaving home, but coming home, that the countryside was where I should have been born and lived. On our arrival at Sidlesham we were taken for supper at Keynor Farm House, where in a huge kitchen, the orderly of the week, Mr Rigg, a Sunderland man, and a jolly and happy man, was busily frying eggs, we were too late for the bacon. We had supper and made our way in the dusk to our new home. It was too dark to see anything but the shadows of our furniture stood outside the house. The trainees had put up the beds and some of the furniture inside, but left most of it outside. So ended our journey to a new life and tomorrow we would open our eyes to a new world as it certainly proved to be." (Mrs Amelia Littler, LSA Tenants Newsletter 1964)

No 33 & 34:

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No 33:
Joseph Binyon was living here when his children were admitted to the school in July 1936, having previously attended St. Peters School in Jarrow. The family left for Chichester in February 1937. (School Admissions Register)

The School Admissions Register also records Robert Wilkinson living at No 33 in 1936, leaving in 1940. His children had previously attended St Oswalds School in Hebburn.(See 'More' below)

Dougie and Doris Hale (no arrival date) were tenants in 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 543) and became Sidlesham Growers in 1983.

No 34:
George Santon arrived in 1936. His 6 children had previously attended St. Oswalds in Hebburn. (School Admissions Register) One of their daughters Bethany was married to Harry Wilkes and they accompanied the Santons to Sidlesham, becoming tenants about '100 yards away' (No 27). Both families left together for Dartford when Harry joined the Royal Navy.at the outbreak of war.

John & Ann Murray-Brown 1954-1969. As a young child son Mark remembers seeing shire horses collecting LSA produce from the smallholdings. (see 'More' below).

David & Julie Bullard arrived in 1969 (LSA Bulletin No 1062). David became one of 7 Directors of Sidlesham Growers in 1983.

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No 33: The Wilkinsons lived next door to the Santons who also came down from Hebburn and who also left for Dartford in 1940 when Robert Wilkinson joined a Munitions Company. Their daughter (Betty Lapper) now lives in Canada and In 2019 the two families were re-united by email. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No 34: George & Sussana Santon had 13 children, 6 of whom attended Sidlesham School - Twins John Roberts & Suzanna, Henry, Florence, Lilian and Dawn Eileen. Their eldest child Beatrice was married to Harry Wilkes and they also came to the LSA living '100 yards away' (No 27). The Santon family left for Dartford in 1940 when Harry joined the Royal Navy. George had been gassed in the war (WWI) and may have found the work too hard without help. Their youngest child Dawn now lives in Canada. (Sylvia Higgs, Granddaughter) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . At Sidlesham they had a smallholding with pigs, chickens and vegetables, Uncle George used to talk about it a lot and how he hated it when the animals were sent for slaughter. I think it was perhaps rather an uncertain living, they would have been very dependent on the weather and the success of the livestock. They and the Wilkinsons all moved to Savoy Rd, Dartford for the men to get more reliable jobs at the J & E Halls or Vickers factories, I think this would have been a bit later (1937/8?) as WW2 was impending, might have influenced the decision. (Pat Cawson, granddaughter) . .............................. As for Dyers corner I believe that Dink Atkey had the Garage built. Colin Atkey was his son and we were good mates we went to Selsey Secondary Modern together in the same class they were streamed in those days we were in the A stream. My mum and dad, the Atkeys, and the Gnapps who kept the Post Office and general stores in Mill Lane, went out together, at the top of Mill Lane there was a cycle shop over the road next to the pub there was a baker - Coombs. We played table tennis in the hut and I went to Sunday school but not for very long as I bunked of, I have no idea of the numbers who worked at the packing sheds but they took on casual staff at peak times some of my mates worked there I was too busy helping my Dad making tomato boxes, cutting lettuce before I went to school, cutting the grass, collecting the eggs, cleaning them with sandpaper and packing them, side shooting the tomatoes I was colour blind and could not pick them as they had to picked at certain shade so they would ripen ready for market, we would have to dig every so often Dad used to double dig each glasshouse to put in manure, and rotovate the glass houses ourselves when I was strong enough I took on the rotovating you had to be a little careful because you could go through the sheets of glass , As for pigs I can remember that we had a sow who had a litter. We had 500 chickens in battery cages and arks ,the chicks arrived as day old and were put into paraffin incubators. A mid-air collision was reported in the Chichester Observer 23 May 1953. Mr Maltby "who was a deaf as a post and when the jets collided part of the fuselage landed behind him and he did not hear it - this was told to me by my dad so I cannot verify it". Hope my ramblings is of some use to you. (Mark Murray-Brown)

Packing Shed

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Keynor Farm (Industrial Estate) was the LSA Packing Shed, Stores & Offices. All the tenants' produce was brought here to be graded, packed and sent off to market. In addition to the 120 tenants, the LSA was major employer in the area. Packing Shed Managers included Cyril Cooper (pre-1958, retired 1978) and David Lancaster (1978). Assistant managers/staff included Bill Campbell (his 2 brothers Mick & Alan still have their old holdings), John Cawte (left August 1968 Bulletin No 1026), George Umpleby from Jan 1969, promoted to Manager at Chawston LSA December 1970 (LSA Bulletin No 1153), David Lancaster 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1449), R. Elliott (1978- ), N Cordery 1982 (LSA Bulletin No 1745) transferred to Potton LSA), and Miss S Dickin 1982 (LSA Bulletin No 1754) + David Gemmill (moved to props), Chris Dart (moved to props), Alan Tarrant (previously from Newent), Mrs Lawrence 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 962).

Selling privately ('flogging') was an offence : "He was selling more down the Highleigh Pound than was going to packing shed and he got his cards".

The offices was located adjacent to the packing shed where staff marketed the produce and managed tenants' accounts. The estate accountant included Eric Wiseman (moved to Newbourn in 1961), A Coldwell (from May 1961, left May 1967), Ken Batchelor (1968-78) and Kenneth Cotton (from September 1978). Other office staff: Norman Crees (1960s), C F Kingham, Personnel Manager (passed away 1069 (LSA Bulletin No 1076), Bob Middlemas (wages) left March 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 959), Mrs Campbell (1967), C Baines (Aug 1966), Doug Moorey (Assistant Accountant), Miss Woodland (resigned December 1982, Mrs Neller (wages) (retired April 1982), then Susan Parks took over.

The stores, now Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, stocked over '800 items' Storekeeper's names are recorded in the LSA Bulletins - G. C. 'Nobby' Clarke (pre-1958. retired Jan 1976) and then D. Thompson.

LSA transport was based here (and First Avenue, Batchmere).
Lorry drivers included Peter Jackson (31), Johnnie Barrell (102), Archie Carver, Sammy McCall and 'Wink' Edwards, who lived in a cottage on Easton Lane and his last job was ditching.
Tractor drivers included Wink Edwards & lorries, Glad & Harold Downey, Archie Carver No 35) & lorries, Bill Stubbs Ken Wood, Bill (Bowser) Bull, known as "Bowser" because of his devotion to Callard and Bowser sweets, a very thick Sussex accent and difficult to understand, and Reg Collyer (77).

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35 A & B:

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These properties were built for LSA lorry drivers.

No 35A:
Samuel McCall's daughter Lisa was born here in January 1970. She used to enjoy adding an 'i' to the boxes and cartons at the packing shed . . . . LiSA!

Tom Scott, the last LSA Manager, moved here when Keynor House was sold following the closure of the LSA in 1983.

Nos 35 & 36:

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No 35: Staff House
Thomas & Ruth Purcell arrived from Jarrow in 1936 where Thomas had worked at Palmers Shipyard. Both appear in the photograph of the original settlers outside Keynor Hut - Thomas standing holding daughter Alice and Ruth seated on the grass with baby Archie. Thomas died in 1940, having returned north. Granddaughter Joyce Cross returned to visit the house in September 2017.

The Schools Admissions Register also shows Fred Smith at No 35. His children were admitted to the school in December 1937, having previously attended Cruddas Park School in Newcastle. The family 'returned north' in June 1938.

The 1939 Census lists Thomas and Elizabeth Colledge with Thomas as a Trainee.

Lesley and Nellie Jackson were here in the 1940s & 50s - son Ronald was admitted to the primary school in January 1944 (School Admissions Register)' he left in July 1945. Wife Nellie (Mary Ellen) was the daughter of Lance Edwards, the original tenant at No 38.

Archie Carver was a lorry driver for the LSA. He and his wife Jean moved here in the 1950s with sons Alec and Ian. Daughter Julie was born here. At this time the property was a staff house with no smallholding. The family moved from the house after the closure in 1983.

No 36:
Daniel Cusack came from Newcastle in 1936 and returned home in 1938. (Telephone call in March 2015)

Joshua & Phyllis Glanville's six children were admitted to Sidlesham School in September 1938, having previously attended school in Witton Gilbert, County Durham. (School Admissions Register) The 1939 Census lists Joshua as a trainee. No departure date.

Albert Netley was here in July 1940 when his four children were admitted to the school. Daughter Mona left the school in December 1946 when the family moved to North Mundham.(School Admissions Register)

Walter & Lily Dixon arrived after the war. Their Landlord Glasshouse was replaced following a draw amongst the tenants in 1967. (LSA Bulletin No 898). They joined Sidlesham Growers after the closure of the LSA in 1983.

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Nos 37 & 38:

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No 37:
John McQueen was tenant here in 1936. His 4 children had previously attended Walker RC School in Newcastle. The family left for Dagenham in June 1937. (School Admissions Register).

John & Catherine Mather were listed here in the 1939 Census.

Yvonne Lander was on the School Admissions Register (January/February) 1944, in the care of Mrs Blackman.

Malcolm & Gladys Roberts were tenants in 1969 (LSA Bulletin No 1089) and were Sidlesham Growers until 1991.

No 38:
Lance Edwards, a miner from Elswick Coliery, Newcastle, arrived in 1936. His wife Anne and 7 children joined him six months later. Still on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date. His relations still live in Sidlesham and Selsey.

Giles Peare was a tenant at the time of the closure (no arrival date) and he was a Sidlesham Grower in 1986. He now (2019) writes a gardening column for The Selsey Life.

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No 39 & 40 (on Keynor Lane)

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No 39: El-Es-Ay
Lewis 'Darkie' Kemp, an iron moulder (shipbuilder) from West Hartlepool, arrived in 1936, the youngest of the early settlers at 28. He was renowned for working with horses and became proficient at ploughing. His wife Grace ran the Sunday School at Keynor Hut. The property was named 'El-Es-Ay' after the closure.
Mrs Kemp cared for Phyllis and Elaine Mitchell who were on the School Admissions Register at the beginning of 1944.

No 40:
Alfred Stebbings' children were admitted to Sidlesham school in January 1937, having previously attended a school in Hornsey, County Durham. The family 'left the district' in July 1937 (School Admissions Register)

John Williams' children were admitted to Sidlesham School in January 1938, having previously attended a school in Annitsford, Northumberland. The family 'returned north' in March 1939 (Schools Admissions Register).

Joseph Forsyth (and wife Maggie.1939 Census) were here in July 1939 when their children went to school, having previously been at Washington Colliery School in County Durham. The family 'returned north' in October 1939. (School Admissions Register)

Mrs Bedford was living here in 1940 when her daughter Jacqueline was admitted to the school on 9th September, she left 11 days later (20.9.1940) with the 'Cause of Leaving' given as 'wasn't like coming to school'.(School Admissions Register)

Dick and Mary Simmons family arrived in the 1950s (?) They were still tenants in August 1963 (LSA Bulletin No 776), but no departure date.

Noel & Jenny Bettridge (no arrival date) were here in August 1964 (LSA Bulletin No 569) and on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date.

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Nos 41 & 42:

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No 41: Deanhome
William Longworth's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in January 1938. (School Admissions Register) No information about previous schools/location or departure dates.

John and Phyllis Freeman moved to 41 Keynor Lane sometime after August 1952. They originally came from Bedford and had been living in Hampshire immediately before moving to Sidlesham. They were accompanied by their three children Elizabeth, Robert and Jonathan. They left the small holding in 1960 and moved to a dairy farm in Walburton, West Sussex, rented from the County Council.

Pat Croft (no arrival date) was a tenant here in May 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 710). The family left in September 1972 (LSA Bulletin No 1244).

Stuart Mitchell arrived in September 1972 (LSA Bulletin No 1245) and was a Sidlesham Grower in 1991

No 42:
George (and Lena/1939 Census) Hornsby's 4 children were admitted to Sidlesham School in January 1937, having previously attended schools (Wingrove & Pendower Technical) in Newcastle. The family 'left for Surrey' in May 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Doug Lichfield arrived from Wales in 1946, after the American soldiers, who were billeted here during the war, had moved out. The family stayed until September 1979.

Keith Homer was the next tenant in 1979. He became a Sidlesham Grower in 1983, He lost two acres of glass during the storms in 1987 and left in 1990.

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Nos 43 & 44:

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No 43: Barnfield
George (and Kathleen 1939 Census) Jackson moved here from No 6 (Schools Admissions Register). The children had previously attended a school in Broompark, County Durham. They were 'removed to Reading' in May 1940.

John Nelson were here in 1955 (no arrival date) when Bernard Littler (son of Bill at No 32) became the tenant having returned from Canada. The family left in Sept 1969 (LSA Bulletin No 1086).

Ted & Brenda Wilkins arrived in 1969 (LSA Bulletin No 1086) and were Sidlesham Growers in 1986.

No 44:
Percy King's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in April 1938. No previous school or location information. The family 'left the district' for Essex in November 1938. (School Admissions Register)

Thomas (and Ada 1939 Census) Tooley was a tenant here in December 1938 when his daughters, Kathleen and Hilda, were admitted to Sidlesham School having previously attended Park Road School in West Hartlepool. The family 'returned north' in December 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Ivor and Joy Dawkins were tenants here in June 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 562) No arrival date, they left in September 1965 (LSA Bulletin 880).

Patrick & Hazel Johns took over in 1965 until September 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 984). They came from Gosport and left for the Romsey area (?).

Phillip Wake, brother of Michael at No 28 Keynor, took over September 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 985) and was a Sidlesham Grower until 1986.

Ian & Linda Ford arrived in 1986.

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No 45: Acer Leigh

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Issac Saunders' daughter Maisie was admitted to Sidlesham School in April 1937. An earlier entry in the School Admissions Register (January 1937) shows that the family had previously lived at No 3, having arrived from County Durham. Son Jack was admitted to the school in January 1939. Maisie was 'removed' from the school in March 1940. The 1939 Census names Issac's wife as Ethel.

Two generations of the Bailey family then lived here, with the family being 'evacuated' to Mutton Farm House when the property was badly damaged by a bomb during World War II. John's son Alan was admitted to the school in June 1943 and the family 'left the district' in January 1947. (School Admissions Register) See 'More' below

Eddie Lever was a tenant here in March 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 549) and left in September 1972 (LSA Bulletin No 1244) No arrival date.

Peter Richardson arrived in 1972 and moved to Richardson's Nursery, Birdham in September 1979 (LSA Bulletin No 1604)

Trevor 'Wil' & Becky Wilson arrived in October 1979 (LSA Bulletin No 1608), became Sidlesham Growers until 1990 and are now (2019) independent growers;

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Peter Bailey notes on No. 45 Keynor Lane • They moved into number 45 in the spring of 1941 – dad remembers travelling in the back of the removal lorry, staring out from the tailgate, after leaving their house in Ferndale, Church Crookham, near Aldershot. • He doesn’t know why they moved to Sidlesham as his family were not from the north, miners or shipbuilders. His father was a verger but had joined the RAF by the time they were in Sidlesham. When here, his father was part of the MT (Motor Transport) section of the RAF – driving a crane to pick up crashed vehicles. • Father was Harold James Bailey, mother – Elizabeth Harriet Bailey with their four children: Marion Elizabeth, Harold Budd (now known as Bill), Peter Henry and Inez Elizabeth. • They did not use the piggery or greenhouses but did keep a few chickens. The greenhouses were looked after by a Mr Phillips who used to live at number 2. • Mr Phillips used to leave some of the windows open in the greenhouses so dad would sneak in a pinch a tomato or two. • Dad remembers many of the houses were occupied during the war by French Canadians who left after DDay. • During the war, the battery at number 45 was used by the French Canadians to store their motorbikes. • The children were allowed to ride in the back of the bren carriers up Keynor Lane before they did a sharp turn at the dip in the road to come back down it again – great source of fun and amusement! • Dad thinks the bomb hit in 1943 – it landed just behind the piggery and took that and the battery out too. The glass went in the greenhouses and the house itself lost tiles and windows. The whole family (who had been under the kitchen table) spent the night in Ivy Grange in one of the downstairs rooms. One of the staff opened the curtains in the morning and when they looked out of the window, they saw a 1000lb UXB in the driveway, 10yds from where they had been sleeping. Great excitement watching that being hauled out of the hole and made safe! • Major Thwaites lived at Ivy Grange at the time with his wife and their two sons, Richard (youngest) and ……… • Dad was the only child in the family evacuated to Muttons Farmhouse. He cannot remember where the rest of the family went. • Dad used to deliver bread on a trade bike for Coombes Bakery (one of your photos) • His brother used to work in the propagation sheds by the farmhouse trying to find the best crops to grow in the area. • Cyril Cooper, John Court and Jacky Campbell used to drive the lorries as well as do the loading/unloading, to Covent Garden. • Dad thinks his parents moved out around 1958/59, which would tie in with the next chap already listed on your website. They were certainly there when my parents married in 1955. • Mr Kemp lived at number 1. • Mr and Mrs Cutler (from the photo) he thinks lived in a house just past Brent Lodge. Their son Ernie married a Mary Kewel (who happened to be one of my mum’s best friends). • Rosemary Edwards (dad’s brother, Harold, was courting her at one time) lived at either number 32 or 34 with her parents and brother, Lesley – dad thinks he now lives in Selsey. • Mr Blenkinsopp lived at number 1 Fletchers – he used to take his horse and cart around the area collecting pigswill from the school and households for his animals. Dad learnt how to pinch out sideshoots of tomatoes from him. • The Newtons lives in Fletchers Lane too, the second house on the right from the south end (he can’t remember the number) • Mr Lichfield (lived in Keynor Lane between Cow and Chalk Lane) had a son, David. • Dad recognised quite a few faces on your photo of the Batchmere football team but could only name a couple of them. The chap holding the cup is Brian Holly (now lives in Bognor) and his brother, Harry is the one in the back row, far left. Apparently there were four brothers which made for a formidable football team at the time as their father, Karl, was excellent at training them. • Although not LSA houses, the semi detached places by the school had the Silvesters in number 2 and the Hoares in number 3. "Our house is one of the few chalet style houses. It was built at a cost of £300 by Stirling Builders (Birdham) whose name can still be seen on some timbers in the roof. The house was originally a 3 down and 2 up. The kitchen had a range and table top bath which adds a new dimension to 'bath night'. The original brick work shows traces of Ministry green paint. An original cast iron fire place remains in one bedroom. During celery cutting season I could cycle down the lane with children to go to school and we could smell celery. Our son cannot abide even the smell of celery to this day. (Becky Wilson) When the LSA closed in 1983 some growers experimented with unusual crops, known as 'queer gear' such as kiwi fruit. The present owners have developed a niche market producing courgette flowers for the restaurant trade. When David Bowyer (No 138) left the LSA he worked as a gardener for Michel Roux (chef|) at his house in Petworth, who asked if any of David's colleagues might like to grow produce for his restaurants - hence the courgettes at No 45!

Ivy Grange

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Local interest - Eric Coates, composer of 'Sleepy Lagoon', the theme tune of 'Desert Island Discs', and 'The Dam Busters March' lived here in the 1930s. (Kelly'Directory 1938). Allegedly, one of nine properties he lived in locally. No sooner had the family moved in and his wife would say "I have just found this house' . . . . .

No 46: Rose Farm

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John & Margaret Norton were listed at No 46 on the 1939 Census.

Geoffrey Smithard was here in July 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 567). He was Secretary of the Tenants Association in the 1960 with a further reference in July 1966 (LSA Bulletin No 919). No departure date, but when he left he bought a nursery in Bell Lane, Birdham.

Fred Willis, an electrician on the LSA Maintenance Unit left Tonges Cottage (Cow Lane) to become a tenant here in September 1966 (LSA Bulletin No 934). The family moved to Manhood Lane, Sidlesham after the closure in 1983.

Mutton Farm House

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During World War II the children from No 45 were 'evacuated' here when a bomb landed between the apple trees on the smallholding and blew the windows out of the house. (Becky Wilson)

The Shepherd family were farming here (dairy) in 1938 (Kellys Directory)

Selsey Road

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To the right of the T junction with Selsey Road was The Jolly Fisherman Pub, Combes Bakery and further down Mill Lane Gnapps Stores where locals could place their grocery orders for delivery. The Crab & Lobster at Sidlesham Quay was a favourite watering hole for the tractor drivers. (See 'More' for other local businesses at the time of the LSA).

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Recreation Ground

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The Recreation Ground was to have been the site for LSA houses No 47 and 48, but they were never built. The land was given to Sidlesham Parish in 1956 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the basis that it would be used for sporting facilities and recreation. The LSA held Gymkhanas here in the 1960's to raise money for a new pavilion.

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No 49:

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Fred & Myra Dixon and their five children arrived in 1937. They came from Willington in County Durham where Fred had been a miner at Brancepeth Colliery. Fred's daughter, also named Myra, was evacuated to the Midlands in July 1940 (School Admissions Register). Later she married Jack Whatley, they took over the holding in 1959 and remained there as Sidlesham Growers until Mike Foster bought the property (now called Oak End Nursery) in 1985.

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"My grandfather and grandmother Fred and Myra Dixon were among the original settlers, They lived in 9, Snowden Terrace, Willington before moving to 49 Street End, Sidlesham. The family comprised of 5 children - Harold, William, Walter, Kenneth and Myra (Carolyns mother). They lived at 3 Vine Street, Byers Green before this and all the children were born there (this was 3 miles from Willington) Fred worked in Brancepeth Colliery. Myra says that Fred lived in Fletchers Hut while the houses were being built, and remembers her mother Myra, and the rest of the family moving in on December 7th 1937. Fred had got his eye on the end house.. 49 Street End, which he acquired. No-one liked Street End so the name was changed to Fletchers Estate. They had no electricity for the first few months, so they used a range to cook, and had no heating in the rest of the house. Fred used to cook them breakfast on a primus stove in the washhouse. My mother is Myra, Fred and Myra's daughter and she married John (Jack) Whatley. When my grandparents retired my father and my mother moved from Lancashire (where they had moved to for Dad's work) to take over the small holding. My father had no experience of marketing gardening, but set about modernising and expanding the business, which was not without its hardships. My brother and I grew up there, and worked hard ourselves, making boxes before we went to school and making tea for Mum and Dad when we got home as they worked long days. The Dixon/Whatley families lived alongside one another until Dad retired. They bought the house when Margaret Thatcher sold off the holdings, and stayed there until they retired. I know that they have photos of my grandparents and also their own times at the LSA and will have many stories of their time there, as well as the names and stories of other smallholders in the area. I think it would be really interesting for you to visit them in their home in Midhurst, they would love to share their stories, and Mum having lived most of her life there, will have stories of her own childhood on the holding." (Carolyn Towers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Myra Dixon was admitted to Sidlesham School in December 1937. She had 'a temporary absence with mother' in March 1938 (School Admissions Register) This probably refers to a trip north to visit her grandparents.

No 50: Kibblesworth

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John McDonald came from High Barnes, Sunderland. His children were admitted to Sidlesham school in December 1937. The family 'returned north' in October 1939. (Schools Admissions Register). John's wife Elsie is listed on the 1939 Census.

John 'Jack' Dixon arrived in 1939, with his wife Hannah, having first been allocated Chawsden LSA in Bedfordshire. He requested a change to Sidlesham to be next to his brother Fred (No 49) Jack had worked at Allerdene Colliery, Low Fell (Tyne & Wear) where he had been a horseman, working with pit ponies. He had been unemployed for a total of 13 years before moving to Sidlesham. Son Norman took over the holding in 1959 and still retains his Geordie accent. He named the property Kibblesworth, a village near where he was born, to "bring a bit of the north country down south".

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No 51: Jakes Nursery

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Archibald Scott's children were admitted to the school in October 1937, having come from Walkergate in Newcastle. The family 'left for Portsmouth' in November 1939. (School Admissions Register) Archibald's wife Elsie is listed on the 1939 Census.

PC Dutton, the local policeman, lived here during World War Two, prior to a police house being built on the corner of Church Farm Lane. He later took over a "beat" in Billingshurst.

Ted Platt took over at No 51 following the building of the Police House. He and his wife (Eddy) came from south London. They stayed some years before moving to Selsey to run a DIY shop in the village.

Liam Gribbon was a tenant here in July 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 974) He left in December 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1464)

Ken and Jan Parkinson arrived in January 1977 (LSA Bulletin No 1465) and set up Jakes Nursery. They retired in 2019 and moved to Pulborough.

The new owners (YBL) grow medicinal cannabis.

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No 52: Mallands Nursery

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Joseph Thomas was a tenant here in July 1939 when his four children were admitted to the school, having previously been at school in Glascoed, South Wales. Douglas Thomas left the school in June 1940 'with special permission from WSCC to take up agricultural work' (School's Admissions Register).Joseph's wife Margaret is listed on the 1939 Census.

Mann was the name of the tenant prior to the Slaymaker's arrival. "The glasshouse was full of white Arum Lillies, coming into flower in readiness for the Easter trade I guess". (Derek Slaymaker)

The Slaymakers moved into No 52 Fletchers (Selsey Road) on a cold February day in 1947 and stayed until 1962. (Read 'More' below).

Walter Back arrived after the Slaymakers and stayed until September 1979 (LSA Bulletin No 1604) when he left to manage a nursery in Wophams Lane (Birdham)

Mike Foster arrived in October 1979 (LSA Bulletin 1608) and became a Sidlesham Grower (at Mallands Nursery) after the closure in 1983.

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"52 would be our home till 1962, when I left for Wisconsin in USA and my parents moved on as the LSA was changing. The four acres was the greatest place for four boys to grow up. In winter we played with our Dinky toys in the green houses – between crops. In the summer we played cricket away from the green houses and glass structures. A side benefit of Sidlesham was the abundance of military aircraft constantly overhead and the shelling range used by the RN and RAF and at times the USAF at Ham just four miles away. How could a boy really study at school. The house was ok, but by today’s standards it was poor, especially the ill-fitting windows and poor heating. Ours was a detached house on the main road with the Southdown bus stop at our back gate. Economically, I am not sure the LSA was a success for the tenants. We were poor, but did not really know that. We boys attended the local primary school – not always a happy place; but it seems we children got on ok with each other. I remember the time the packing shed burned down and in 1953 when two RN fighters collided over the village at noontime. There seemed to be a camaraderie among the tenants. At the LSA store I remember Dad talking to other tenants. Also the ladies had some sort of get-together. When the crew came to sterilize the green house, that was a great event for all. The distinct smell of soil and steam – I’ve only smelled while in the tropical jungles of Panama, where I lived for 40 years. I sometimes “fly” over 52 Selsey Road and the village on Google Earth. The geography is the same but 50+ years on, a lot has been added and subtracted to the old LSA buildings. The names mentioned of the LSA personnel including my parents have departed this life. I am 73 with 13 grandchildren. I married a dairy farmer’s daughter from Wisconsin, USA. I still value the country side of Sidlesham and what it produces. I did find that the tropics of Panama did not produce the bounty that was expected from the tenants on the LSA. I am not much of a green thumb. This brings back many forgotten memories. I am Norman Slaymaker of 52 Selsey RD Sidlesham, Chichester Now at 819 21st Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751"

No 53: Swallow Nursery

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Harry Smith came from Amble in Northumberland. His children were admitted to Sidlesham school in November 1937. The family 'returned to Newcastle' in August 1941. (Schools Admissions Register)

Graham Paget was registered here in October 1939 when his three children were admitted to the school, having previously been at school in Ynysddu, South Wales. The family 'returned to Wales' in July 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Denby Wilkinson arrived in December 1940 to take up a position at the LSA stores, A letter, from G. Garrett, the manager of the estate at that time, offering him the position mentions his previous 20 years experience with poultry, the latter part of which may have been as a government adviser to the LSA. Ill-health brought him to Sidlesham where he stayed until 1942. (See more below)

Robinson may have been the tenant before Evans.

Martin and Ann Evans arrived in 1948. Martin was a tenant until the closure in 1983 and remained on the smallholding until his death in 2013.

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My grandfather (Denby Wilkinson) applied for a post as a technical officer working under the (LSA) poultry officer, Keith Wilson. After being appointed he was introduced to the estate managers and it was his responsibility to provide advice or help to them as requested. One other task he undertook was the 're-set' of holdings on one of the Essex estates using his surveying knowledge. This estate has been proving unsatisfactory because of the varying size of the plots. My grandfather was then transferred to Sidlesham to become a relief manager, where he initiated changes to the accounting system for the settlers books, giving greater detail of the expenses and returns of the three kinds of operation on each holding. He stayed in this role until 1942 when he moved on from the LSA. My mother, Josephine Wilkinson as she then was, has a few recollection of their time in Sidlesham. She was away at boarding school so these memories are limited to the school holidays. She thinks that they lived in one of the detached houses on Selsey Road but doesn’t remember the number. She recalls that part of her father's responsibilities was supplying seed to the settlers and that sometimes she used to go out on the cart collecting the produce with a driver called Gray. (Joanna Smith, Grandaughter (2018) working for Historic England) ........................................................................................................ James Gray was the tenant at No 65 (Street End Lane) at that time. ........................................................................................................ Martin Evans arrived in Sidlesham with his wife and 3 children in November 1948. He had some background in agriculture and horticulture as he’d done farm work in the war as a conscientious objector. Mum saw the advert for married tenants. Although there was no status for the women single men couldn’t apply as women’s unacknowledged work was essential. As the LSA was set up for unemployed people in the 1930s it was accepted that people without agricultural background would need advice and specialist in horticulture and pig and chicken husbandry were available for advice. Besides a house and a glasshouse with a boiler dad paid for a small wooden structure which had a lettuce crop in ready for spring harvesting. Unfortunately this blew down when one of the frequent gales arrived just after we moved in. This left dad with no income and for many years along with most tenants, a bank loan was an annual arrangement. In the first spring day old chicks arrived and started life in a brooder house heated with paraffin lamps They were let out into a run and then taken to arks which were shifted manually daily The water and food was wheelbarrowed to them. Their laying life was in the battery and getting them there was a family affair as they had to be caught and carried in a cart which we pushed, before lifting them into the cages. The cages were manually scrubbed between batches and this job was a catalyst for mum to start her own very successful Nursing Agency called the Southdown Nursing Association. As the nursery expanded dad spent the winter evenings making wooden frames for more structures. Glazing was done with the help of neighbours working together to make the roof. These wooden structures were later superseded by aluminium ones which were lighter and much larger with automatic vents and irrigation. The wooden structures were labour intensive as the vents had to be opened and shut by hand and this sometimes happened several times a day according to the weather. Dad bred pigs for several years running them outside until farrowing time when they were brought in. This also was a family affair as they had to be herded and coaxed with food to get them to the piggery. In the early days the produce was collected from the gate and taken to be graded at the packing shed. Lettuce went at 8am so the whole family picked and packed into wooden crates from 5am. Every Friday the tenants went to the office at the packing shed to collect their grading slips and returns as Covent Garden was an open market where buyers got the best price they could. This was a chance for the men to meet and socialise a bit. Tomatoes were picked on alternate days and we all did this in the summer holidays. They were graded by size. Gradually over the years after trying strawberries, cauliflower, chrysanthemum, capons and outdoor tomatoes dad specialised in lettuce grown for continuous cropping in the winter and tomatoes in the summer. By this time the supermarkets were buying directly from the producers and brought in changes such as chiller storage and bagged produce. Dad continued the growing until he retired aged 70 but he lived another 27 healthy years (until 2012) tending a large vegetable plot and managing mowing and hedge cutting on the 4.5 acre smallholding. (Lorna Spratt, nee Evans, daughter.)_

Petrol Station

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Lander's Garage in 1950's. A YouTube video is available showing children playing on the grass verge and an absence of traffic on the B2145! (See more below)

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No 54:

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Lawrence Stimpson's children were admitted to the school in October 1937 having previously been at schools in North Shields. The family 'returned to Jarrow' in May 1938. (Schools Admissions Register)

John & Gladys Dunn are listed here on the 1939 Census.

Henry Robson was here in April 1939 when his three children were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended Hebburn Colliery School. The family 'returned north' in December 1940. (School Admissions Register)

George & Rene Heath arrived from North Mundham in January 1948 and stayed until the Autumn of 1957. In 1994 their daughter Marianne wrote a book, 'Sit and Sing Small', about her experiences growing up on the LSA.

Percy and Ruby Stone were tenants after the Heaths until September 1976 when they moved to Bosham. (LSA Bulletin No 1449) See 'More' below.

Bob & Carol Stamp arrived in October 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1452). Bob became one of 7 Directors of Sidlesham Growers in 1983 and was still on the register in 1986.

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No 55:

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Robert Richardson came from Bolam Street, Newcastle. His children were admitted to the school in November 1937. Marjorie Alice Richardson's name is on a gravestone dated 1938 in St. Marys churchyard. The burial register records that she lived at No 55 and had been born in Durham. The family 'returned north' in July 1939. (School Admissions Register)

Betty Bright (no arrival date) was the LSA Manager's Personal Secretary and she lived here with her elderly mother and another woman called Anne. Betty's office was in the house, now called Green Trees at the southern end of the Anchor car park, which prior to the LSA had been a tied cottage to Street End Farm. Still as an LSA employee, Mrs Bright eventually moved to one of the cottages on the main road towards Dyers corner. With the house vacated, Mr Heath (No 54) stopped renting the adjacent smallholding and the Cox family moved in and took over No.55 as LSA tenants.

Christopher Cox arrived in 1956. He was Secretary of the Tenants Association in the 1960s (LSA Bulletins), He died in September 1964 and the family moved to Chichester in 1965.

Eric Van Ejwik, arrived in October 1965 (LSA Bulletin No 882) with his wife and two children (Patrick and Miriam) via Bracklesham Bay, Ireland and Holland. in 1995 he rented out the smallholding and moved next door to a bungalow previously owned by Fred Stacey, the local blacksmith.

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"Although we shared a driveway with them, as children we were forbidden to speak to these women, my mother repeatedly said quote: "They are quite unsuitable people to have as neighbours" unquote. As children we never understood but of course it was apparent that Betty and Anne were partners. Two or three years after we moved to No. 54 my father rented the land and buildings at No.55 which had previously stood idle, I mention this in my book as it meant considerably more work for us children. We also kept all those rabbits in the piggery at No 55." (Marianne Heath, No 54) "Until I was about 11 or 12 we didn’t have car or a phone. We used to cycle over the Dyer’s corner for our groceries. Occasionally we also rode over to Gnapp’s in the other direction near Manhood. I remember that when my mother was in labour with my youngest brother who is 9 years younger than me , my father rode over to Manhood on his bike to order an ambulance! There was also another small grocery shop on the right just past the pub on the right after the Manhood Estate. Also there was an electrical shop run by Mr Lawrence on the corner of the road leading to Mr. Gnapp’s shop. My father was an academic who was modest and chose to grow food after the war. It was a hard life with few luxuries. I remember often being cold in winter, a lot more snow than we have nowadays…even over here in Zurich. In my early teens I slept in a small back room near the front door where the wall were covered in mould and damp. One didn’t complain though, as it was all one had ever known. My father used to light the fire so that we could all have a bath…each one in the same water…one after another! He used to use a newspaper to draw the fire to get it started. One day everything went up in flames when the newspaper caught fire. We had a modest diet, with just brown bread, butter and jam for tea. We didn’t often have meat except at the weekend as it was expensive and a luxury. A chicken was a treat. As children we only had a single three wheeler bike that the three elder children shared. I remember there was always a problem with the sewage system. It all drained into a tank out on the verge, but often it blocked up , or was full, and as a result we had sewage in our garden. My father used to try to clear it whilst we hung out of the windows watching. My father built quite a few of the structures that stand on No 55. I used to watch him…There was a lot of asbestos used a insulation around the base!!!! My father worked from very early in the morning , often until dark…or even later. He used to wear a mask and fumigate the ground inside the glasshouses. I shudder at what toxic chemicals he used…but I remember formaldehyde being mentioned. We had pigs at one time, that we bred and were weighed and sent (to my consternation) off to market for meat. We also had goats for milk for the family. My father used to milk them very early each morning. We also had a phase of egg production in the building next to the piggery. My father also grew polyanthus and in the main glasshouse had chrysanthemums for a few years in winter. He used to experiment with different systems of growing; trying out the use of kerosene heating to bring his crops on because of the increased carbon dioxide levels. He was always experimenting. He had studied horticulture and was a clever and intelligent man. The highlight of our week was when our weekly comic (mine was School Friend) and the Children’s Newspaper was delivered by a postman…who, to our great amusement always read our comic as he walked up the path! I was one of four and the eldest three had to work outside on the smallholding. We were got up early at about 3-4am and had to kneel and cut lettuce until it was time to go in and get ready for school. In the summer we spent many many hours picking tomatoes in the very hot glasshouses. Upon reflection it taught me the work ethic…which I find positive, but it was hard at the time. As the eldest, more was expected of me. I don’t remember a lot about working in the packing shed as was only there for a short time and was about 14-15. I just remember that it wasn’t my dream job. I don’t even remember what vegetables we packed. I remember that the weekly returns for what had been sold by us were posted through the door. My parents would anxiously await their arrival. They were often in debt until the money from the sales arrived. As children we were aware of that." (Anne Buff, Daughter of Christopher Cox)

The Anchor Inn

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The field opposite The Anchor was the original Propagation Unit for the Fletcher's Unit.

LSA houses can be found in Church Lane to the east (No 56 & 57), Rotten Row to the west (No 58 & 59) and Street End Lane to the north (No 61-68).

Greentrees is the property at the southern end of the pub's car park. Roy Parker's (No 85) parents lived here when it was a tied cottage to Street End Farm. It was purchased by the LSA in 1936 and Roy's parents moved to another tied property associated with Chalder Farm in Chalder Lane.

No 58 & 59 (Rotten Row)

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The field opposite the pub was originally a Propagation Unit for the Fletchers Estate.

No 58: Staff House

Picture taken in 1958.

Lew Issacs moved to No 58 (from No 3) in 1947 as the first LSA Property Manager in 1947. He left in 1955.

John Smart succeeded Lew issacs in 1955. Another LSA family connection here as John's wife, Liz, used to spend some of her school holidays as a teenager at Keynor House with her uncle, George Sutton, who was manager of the LSA at that time. Liz, an active Parish councillor for many years stayed in the house until 2022.

No 59:
John Nergaard came from Percy Main in North Shields. His children were admitted to the school in November 1937. The family 'returned north' in November 1938. (School Admissions Register)

John Dunn was here in March 1939 when his three daughters were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended school in Kibblesworth, County Durham. (School Admissions Register) No departure information.

Mike and Mary Overal were tenants here in September 1961 (LSA Bulletin No 676) No arrival date, but they left in January 1975 (LSA Bulletin No 1366).

David & Gloria Chapman arrived in 1975 (LSA Bulletin No 1372) and were still Sidlesham Growers in 1986.

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Nos 56 & 57 (Church Lane)

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Church Lane by the side of the pub leads to St. Mary's 13th Century Church and Chalder Lane.

No 56:
Hiliary Agnew was at No 56 Fletchers (Chalder Lane). His children were admitted to Sidlesham school in May 1937, having previously attended a school in Long Benton, Newcastle. Hilary was registered in Chalk Lane in September 1940 when two more children were admitted to the school. One of them left the school (age exemption) in July 1945. (School Admissions Register). Hilary's wife Elizabeth is named on the 1939 Census.

Bertie & Gladys Cutler followed the Agnews. Bertie had been Assistant Warden with responsibility for the Keynor Estate in 1937. A photograph (in the gallery section of this website) shows them on the lawn in front of Keynor House where they may have lived at that time. Later they became tenants at No 56. Son Dennis & wife Joan took over the tenancy in 1955 and remained on the holding until 21st September 1986.

No 57:
Stanley & Mary Shortt are listed here on the 1939 Census.

Alf & Dorothy Bowler arrived in about 1945 and left in the early 1960s. Alf's brother Stan was at No 115 (Batchmere).

Fred Fosberry (no arrival date) was here in August 1963 (LSA Bulletin No 775) He was still on the tenants register in 1976, but no departure date.

Peter Young was a Sidlesham Grower here in 1983.

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"My father, Dennis Cutler (No 56) always said to me that his father was a Manager at the LSA. My cousin has written and told me that my grandparents had overall responsibility for the LSA in Sidlesham and they lived in Keynor Farm House throughout the war. Apparently my grandmother showed my cousin a letter she received from the Queen thanking her for her war effort supporting the wives who had settled there from the North. Unfortunately, we don't have the letter. My grandparents (Bert & Gladys) didn't come from the north. My grandfather was born in Fordingbridge and my grandmother from Richmond, Surrey. When they married they lived in Normandy, Surrey during the early 30’s, then to the Mumbles near Swansea and then settled in Sidlesham. In those days, as you know, you had to travel around to find work. My grandfather worked in horticulture from the time he left school..My grandfather enjoyed growing and we think that is the reason he took over smallholding No 56. (Geraldine Shepherd, nee Cutler) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Cutler was admitted to the school on 6th January 1936 (he was born on 26th March 1922). His previous school is listed as Boycott Choir School, Highgate, N6. His father Bertie is listed as the parent with an address of Durley in Sidlesham. John left the school on 27th May 1938 - Age Exempt. Durley is on the corner of Selsey Road and Keynor Lane, near to Keynor Farm where the LSA offices were located. This would support the belief that Bertie Cutler was a government adviser appointed at the beginning of the LSA. ...................................................................................... "Fred Fosberry (No 57) was born in Sidlesham and, eventually moved to Hull where his daughter lived. His brother, Noel was a local thatcher who lived at Gorse Terrace and there is a picture of him in the 'Times Book of the Countryside'. (Sharron Green)

Nos 61 & 62 (Street End Lane)

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No 61:
Josh Aitchison arrived as a roadbuilder in 1936 and stayed on as an LSA member of staff. He later moved to No 5 (Cow Lane) See 'More' below.

Frank Green came from Graythorpe, near Hartlepool. His children were admitted to the school in September 1937. (School Admissions register) Frank's wife Lena and their 6 children are recorded on the 1939 Census. No departure date.

Les Martin (no arrival date) was a tenant here in April 1964 (LSA Bulletin No 809) & 1967. No departure date, but moved to Oakwood Nursery on Sidlesham Lane when he left.

Peter Francis arrived in October 1971 (LSA Bulletin No 1193) and was a Sidlesham Grower in 1983.

No 62:
Thomas Bishop, a steel worker from Durham, arrived in 1936. His wife Zillah and four children joined him six months later. Daughters Muriel and Eileen were admitted to Sidlesham School in April 1937 having previously attended St Aidan's School in West Hartlepool. Muriel left the school in March 1945, no departure date for the family.

Harry Cliff arrived in October 1958 (LSA Bulletin No 528) and was on the Tenant's Register in 1976, but no departure date.

John Ayling was a Sidlesham Grower in 1981 and 1991. (Tenant's Register)

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Joshua Aitchison (known as Josh) was my paternal grandfather. I remember visiting my Grand parents, in the late 1950s and 1960s in their house at No. 5 for Sunday lunch, always a roast meal followed by an enormous rice pudding. Josh was born on 17th May 1887 at Byker. He worked at Benton Old Pit as an apprentice joiner. By 1911 he was working for the Newcastle Tramway Co as a conductor based at Wallsend. Later he became a driver and family tradition has it that he met his future wife Kate Smiles when she was his clippie on the tram. He served in the Grenadier Guards in the war. After the war he returned to the trams but lost his job in the depression of 1928. After 7 years unemployment he applied for the Land Settlement Scheme. My dad always told me that his father had been involved in the hunger marches but I have no details. After 3 months at Sidlesham the family moved south to join him. HIs eldest son Robert worked for Hill the builder erecting the greenhouses. (Robert died in 1943 as a member of the Dam Busters Squadron - there is a grave for him in Sidlesham Parish Churchyard and he is on the Village War Memorial.) My father John who had won a scholarship in Newcastle and it was transferred to Chichester High School for boys. At that time they lived at 61 Street End, they were still there when Robert died. Later they moved to No. 5. Josh worked for the LSA until he retired in the early 1950's , one of his jobs was bringing a stationary steam engine to the greenhouses to sterilise the growing beds with steam. He died in October 1971 and is buried in Sidlesham churchyard. Hope this helps, we’re looking forward to seeing the exhibition at the Novium. Jennie Aitchison (Grand-daughter) ............................................................................... Josh Aitchison's children, Edna, John & Margaret, were admitted to Sidlesham school in April 1937, having previously attended Richard Dees School in Wallsend, Newcastle. (Sidlesham School Admissions Register)

Nos 63 & 64 (Street End Lane)

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No 63:
Wilfrid & Margaret McCaffrey are recorded at No 63 on the 1939 Census.

Ben & Ann Newton, a business partner of David Cross at No 66, took over the smallholding when the McCaffreys left.

Fred Mansbridge was on the Tenants' Register in 1976 - brother of Jack at No 78 in the 1950s?

Malcolm Cawte was a Sidlesham Grower after the closure (no arrival date) and the smallholding was leased to Haygrove Sidlesham until 2018.

No 64:
Colin Kelly was a miner from Spennymoor, County Durham. One of the first tenants "he made his fortune during the war and retired back to the north". (Sue Cole, grand-daughter) Colin's wife Margaret listed on 1939 Census.

Walter and Louise Cross arrived here in 1938 from Abertillery where Walter had been a miner. Son William left school in June 1940 'with special permission of WSCC to engage in agricultural work'. The family moved to Chichester in 1957.

Francis 'Frank' Greatorex took over in 1957 (reference to the family in LSA Bulletin No 528, October 1958). The family became Sidlesham Growers after the closure in 1983.

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Nos 65 & 66 (Street End Lane)

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No 65:
A 'fragmented' smallholding with the land on the other side of the lane from the house.

James Gray's children were admitted to Sidlesham school in April 1937 having previously attended a school in Hebburn, County Durham. The School Admissions Register records that one of the children left in July 1945. James' wife Veronica is listed on the 1939 Census.

Charlie Hall arrived in 1956 and left in September 1965 (LSA Bulletin No 880). His son John (& Anne) Hall were also tenants at No 116 (Second Avenue) Batchmere from 1972 to 1978.

David Pendock moved in October 1965 (LSA Bulletin No 882) and became a Sidlesham Grower after the closure until 1991.

No 66:
Benjamin Lee's children were admitted to Sidlesham school in April 1937 having previously attended Western School in Wallsend, Newcastle. The family 'returned north' in April 1939. (Schools Admissions Register).

John & Alan Hayman were on the School Admissions Register at No 66 (Street End Lane) for one month in 1943, in the care of Mrs Cross. They left in June to return to Abertillery.

William 'Bill' Cross, son of Walter at No 64, and his wife Marjorie were tenants here from 1956. Fourth generation great grandson Ben continues the family's horticultural tradition managing Woodlands Flower Nursery at Walberton.

Reginald Harris left in September 1968 (LSA Bulletin No 1035) No arrival date.

John Allan arrived in 1968 (LSA Bulletin No 1037) from Elmsthorpe LSA in Leicestershire, becoming a Sidlesham Grower after the closure in 1983, he died in 2014.

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Nos 67 & 68 (Street End Lane)

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No 67: Staff House

James Ostle arrived from Stanley, County Durham. His children were admitted to Sidlesham school in April 1937, having previously attended Greenland School, Stanley, County Durham. (School Admissions Register) James wife May is listed on the 1939 Census. No departure date.

Fred Cooper was here in the 1960s as an LSA employee.

No 68:
William & Elizabeth Gibson.were here at the time of the 1939 Census.

Bill Bushby arrived in October 1958 (LSA Bulletin No 528) He ran Sidlesham Sea Scouts based on the smallholding for over 20 years His son Richard took over the smallholding in 1980 and became a Sidlesham Grower after the closure. He built a maze on the smallholding in 2002 which has been open to the public raising more than £36,000 (2019) for charity.

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No 60 (Street End Road)

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William Scott was at No 60 in November 1938 when his children were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended school in Newbeggin, Northumberland. (School Admissions Register)

Gerald William Alexander 'Gerry' Voss and his wife was Barbara Mary 'Bobbie', arrived in the early 1950s. The family were still on the smallholding as Sidlesham Growers in 1991.

Street End Cottages

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Originally tied cottages these properties were purchased by the LSA as part of Street End Farm. The adjacent farmhouse was not sold, but the sale did include its barn next door which was first used as a packing shed for the Fletchers Estate and later was 'home' to the Maintenance Unit' of the LSA.

No 1:
The Young family live here. Bert Young (senior) worked at Street End Farm and then for the LSA. His son, also Bert, was born in the house and later worked at the LSA Propagation Unit. A fantastic memory for names Bert has been a great research assistant for the heritage trail and was one of the stars of our film.

No 2:
Jack Matthews was an early Horticultural Adviser, appointed by the government to help train the early tenants. He moved from here to No 58 and then moved off the LSA to work for Framptons after the war. . . . . . . . . . . .
Arthur Blackman's children were admitted to the school in January 1936. The family left for Shropshire in 1941 (School Admissions Register)

Street End Farm & Barn

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The farm house at Street End was not part of the purchase when the LSA acquired the land and the barn.

Originally the barn had stables for shire horses to transport the produce and other materials around the estate. Later the barn became the base for the Maintenance Unit, managed first by Lew Issacs and then John Smart. Members of the unit are named below- see ''More'.

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Nos 69 & 70 (Lane End)

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No 69:
Originally a Propagation Unit for the Fletchers Estate.

David McKenzie was here in March 1939 when his fourchildren John, David, Elizabeth and Kenneth were admitted to Sidlesham School. In September 1943 was re-admitted to the school, having returned after a holiday 'in the north'. He left in December. David's wife Mary is listed on thew 1939 Census and their 6 children. Derek and Joan Brown were also on the School Admissions Register in September 1943, in the care of Mrs McKenzie. They had previously been at St Oswald's School in Hebburn, County Durham. They 'returned north' a month later.

Mrs S. J. Steadman's children were admitted to Sidlesham school in June 1937, having previously attended school in Cornsay, County Durham. The family 'left the district' in March 1939.(School Admissions Register)

The Brown family (no arrival date) returned to Hebburn in 1943 (School Admissions Register)

Peter Braybon was here in July 1961 (LSA Bulletin No 666) and he became a Sidlesham Grower in 1983. No arrival date.

No 70:
Henry Lee was at No 70 when his son was admitted to Sidlesham Primary school in July 1938, having previously been at school in Dumfries. (School Admissions Register) No departure date..

Hugh (& Ethel) Lipscombe were here in December 1940 when their children were admitted to the school, leaving for Birdham in March 1941.(School Admissions Register). The 1939 Census listed Hugh as working at the Propagation Unit.

Cyril. Holley was here in January 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 542) Joan Holley was Secretary of Fletchers Hut at that time. No arrival or departure dates

Tony & Pam Marsh were tenants here in August 1964 (LSA Bulletin No 827) No arrival date, the family left in September 1969 (LSA Bulletin No 1086). Pam was the daughter of Thomas Newton (No 87), who arrived in 1939 from South Shields.

Roger King was here in September 1965 (LSA Bulletin No 1086) No arrival or departure dates.

The Boatman family were tenants in August 1973 (LSA Bulletin No 1292). No arrival or departure dates.

No 71 (Linnet House on Lockgate Road)

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The Swinstead family were the first tenants in 1938, moving here from Chawsden LSA. The picture shows the house they moved into. They left at the outbreak of World War Two for Torquay. (See more below)

Karl & Edith Holly moved here from No 100 (Batchmere) in 1946. They moved to North Mundham in 1948, returning to Sidlesham (Shotford Cottages) in 1954.

Jack Stockdale arrived in October 1950. Son Peter, who was 7 years old at the time, went to Sidlesham School and grew up on the Fletchers estate. Jack died in October 1968 and the family left in August 1969. (LSA Bulletin No 1081)

Peter Evans (son of Martin at No 53) became tenant in October 1970 (LSA Bulletin No 1141) and remained after the closure in 1983 as an independent grower.

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No 72:

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Alfred Proctor came from Newcastle. His children had previously attended Todds Nook School in Newcastle before being admitted to Sidlesham School in November 1937. The family 'returned north' in September 1938. (School Admissions Register)

Paddy Ryan arrived in 1952 and became a Sidlesham Grower after the closure in 1983. His son John was a tenant at No 117 Batchmere from 1976 and was still living at the property in 2019

No 73: Meadowcroft

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The Yellowley family (Alf and Lavinia) have been on this smallholding since 1936, coming originally from Waterhouses, west of Durham. Son Alfred and daughter Dorothy were admitted to Sidlesham School in June 1937, having previously attended schools in Cornsay and Waterhouse.(School Admissions Register).
Son Alf married Margaret (nee Willis (No 143) in 1950. They were LSA tenants until the closure in 1983 and then joined Sidlesham Growers. Margaret died in 2012. Alf stayed at No 73 until his death in 2020.

Their LSA house (photo above) featured on the cover of an LSA Prospectus. Alf planted the poplars as a boy when he first moved there, which have had to be felled as the few remaining ones brought down the electric cables and plunged Sidlesham into darkness last winter. He also helped to build the greenhouse which can be seen through the trees.

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Our father is Alfred Yellowley 16.09. 26, who came down to 73 Lockgate Road with his elder sister Dorothy and younger sister Joan. The reason my father is reluctant to talk about it is because his parents Lavinia and Alfred Yellowley ran a pub/inn called The Black Horse in Waterhouses, a small village to the West of Durham. It was through contacts and word of mouth that my grandfather learned about the scheme. The people who went to the pub could well have been unemployed as the small drift mines in the area had been worked out. There were also changes in the pub trade and my grandfather was being forced by the brewery to be a wage earner rather than a manager. I believe that my grandparents were able to pay off the original loan from the L.S.A. very quickly and as admin staff would know exactly how much each tenant earned from their sales of produce, they became a bit suspicious. My grandparents obviously had savings, and were not unemployed miners. I think my father is very embarrassed by this. Lavinia and children left the pub and lived in very cramped conditions in a building next to the doctor's in or near Waterhouses while my grandfather did the training. The house was built but the roads weren't when they moved down in 1936 and my father recalls he and his father helping to build them. So, my father lived in 73, left school at the end of the summer term aged 13 as his mother had found him a job in the Selsey Co op. The school inspectors caught up with him and he had to return to Sidlesham School for 3 weeks. He was not fourteen and therefore not actually allowed to leave until after his birthday on 16th September. He got a job at Itchenor shipyard instead and has fond memories of that time. He worked there until he was called up for the army. He spent the end of the war in training and in Germany then went to India during partition and independence. He returned to 73 where he lived until his marriage to my mother on 4th March 1950. My mother was Margaret (Peg/ Peggy) Willis. 04.04. 26 - 01.08.12. She and her three brothers William Frederick Willis (known as Fred), Geoff and Derek moved to Sidlesham around the same time as my father. Her father William and wife Ella Jane Willis had moved around such a lot that my mother couldn't remember all the houses, but I believe they moved from Gloucester though my mother never lost her Lancashire accent. My grandfather William was a poultry advisor to the tenant smallholders and the family lived in a number of different houses including the two either side of the community hut in Batchmere, and 71, and 72 Lockgate Road. She stayed at Sidlesham school until fourteen then worked at the Propagating (props) Centre in Batchmere . At the age of sisteen and during the war she won a scholarship to attend agricultural college in Usk in Wales where she excelled and got 100% in her bee-keeping exam!. She returned to the props and worked there until she moved to Collingham, Newark, with her parents when my grandfather wanted to move again. My parents were married there, then lived in one very small part of Bottle Cottage, Almodington. It was a tied cottage then (now a very lovely listed building opposite third avenue) and my Auntie Dot, Uncle Geoff and cousin Carole lived next door in a slightly larger part with a toilet. Ours was in a shed in the back garden. My sister Susan, myself and younger sister Kathleen were all born there. After the time in the army my father worked as a carpenter on the maintenance unit of the L.S.A. along with my uncle Fred Willis who was an electrician, and Uncle Geoff Willis who was also a carpenter. Other names and characters I remember were Arthur Taylor, Gordon someone known as Norman Gordon Ginger, Dennis Hoare, Dick Allen. There were many trades who worked on repairs to the houses on the estates. My grandfather Alfred was becoming increasingly unwell at this time and my father spent many hours working two jobs by helping my nana with the smallholding. Eventually my grandfather died in his early sixties when I was five years old in 1958. My father took on more of the responsibility of running the smallholding and working as a carpenter. He built a greenhouse and grew his own crops to raise money. We spent much of the winters living at 73 so my parents could harvest the lettuce crop, until in 1962 my grandmother moved to 2 Farne Close, Birdham, a council bungalow and my parents were ready to take on the smallholding full-time. My mother felt very insulted about having to interviewed regarding her experience in horticulture so did not attend the interview!. My father was also insulted by being asked how he could afford to take it on. He pointed out the years he'd worked and his own greenhouse earnings. We moved in June 1962, my father built more dutch- light greenhouses and we endured that first very cold winter and the snow on Boxing Day 1962 which meant the school stayed closed for extra days. My father built up the business and was very successful being accused by the L.S.A. management of 'flooding the market'. Somewhere along the line it became a nursery rather than a smallholding. Incidentally there has always been confusion down Lockgate Road as to the numbering. 71,73,72,74,75 76. 73 should have been built down a little track behind 72 but building a roadway was going to be too expensive and the numbers had already been allocated, as far as my father can recall. My Uncle Fred and Auntie Joy and cousins Roy, Ian, Jane and David also lived in a tied cottage I think down Cow Lane (Tongues cottage ?), but also got a smallholding on Keynor Lane. My Uncle Fred died many years ago and my Auntie Joy now lives in Manhood Lane. My Uncle Geoff remained a carpenter and lived with his family in Tomlins Cottage, Batchmere, another tied cottage, and when the L.S.A. broke up, decided against buying and opted instead for a council house in Manhood Lane. Geoff died many years ago and Auntie Dot moved in with Carole and her family in Exeter, Devon. My grandfather William Willis became a major in the Home Guard, a fact that has always rankled because he had only been a private in the First World War, whereas my grandfather Alfred Yellowley had been a sergeant until his honourable discharge through injury. The reason for this high rank it is believed is because he had a telephone and Alfred didn't. My father talks to us about the early days but since my mother died two years ago he has become rather reclusive. He has had a new hip but after many years of hard physical work he is pain from arthritis and a bad back. My sister Sue and I and families cut the grass and look after him and nursery but it is no longer worked. Kind regards Jean Sykes and Janet Sykes (nee Yellowley) Written in 2016, posted on the website in 2022 after their father’s death. .............................................................................. Sad to see that Alf recently died. Can I query your info? Alf was one of 2 maintenance men based in the workshop in the complex at the bottom of First Avenue. He married Margaret (I think Willis) who lived in an estate house on the main Almodington Road. They lived in Bottle Cottage, Almodington (almost opposite Third Avenue). Alf was a good friend and we spent many hours making and flying model aeroplanes and enjoying his homemade wines (hedgepick and elderberry). They then moved to a holding. I lost touch when I went to College. I recently drove down 1st Avenue to see how it was since We left no 100. Could still see the scars from war damage in the roof but the rest felt very sad it seems to have gone downhill big time. Mike Braisher (No 100) written in 2020.

No 74: (now Little Orchard)

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John Fordyce's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in September 1937 having previously been at a school in South Shields. The 1939 Census lists John's wife as Martha. One child left the school (age exempt) in February 1942, but no family departure date.

Cliff Fuller and his family arrived in 1956 from Billingshurst. Cliff purchased Springfield Nursery on the Lower Bognor Road in 1970 (in addition to being a tenant at No 74) and the family moved there from the LSA in 1975.

Len Dubbeldam arrived in October 1975 (LSA Bulletin No 1405), from Holland, became a Sidlesham Grower after the closure in 1983 and continued both trading and selling from the roadside until his death in 2023. For years his flowers at the roadside remained at a pound bunch, although the bunches did get smaller over time!

The windows of the glasshouse at No 74 are home to the Sidlesham Heritage Centre.

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No 75:

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Thomas Nixon came from Binchester, County Durham. His children were admitted to Sidlesham School in January 1938. (School Admissions Register) No departure date.

Benjamin Lewis was on the 1939 Census at Batchmere Training Centre. By October 1939 he was at No 75 when his daughter was admitted to the school in October 1939, having previously been at school in Brynmawr, Brecon. The family 'left the district' in September 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Tom High (no arrival date) was here in 1956 when Cliff Fuller arrived at No 74, mentioned in an LSA Bulletin (No 822) in 1964 and on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date.

No 76:

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Herbert Leslie was here in September 1939 when his son, Terrance, was admitted to the school. However, Herbert may have come down earlier as he helped to build the house. His wife Mary and son followed him some weeks later. A daughter, Eileen Erica, was born in the house in 1943. Herbert was hospitalised with a burst ulcer and then his wife was ill so the family returned north (in about 1948) to Seaton Delaval (North Shields) where Herbert had previously been a miner at Hartley Colliery, They were disappointed to leave as they had almost repaid the initial loan they had received from the LSA. (Info from Terry Haryett, Grandson of Herbert Leslie)

Eric Duffell was here in April 1940 when his daughter Erica was admitted to the school, having previously been at St. Mathews School in Redhill. The family 'left the district' in November 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Jim & Nancy Simmonds were tenants here in 1950s - arriving just before Cliff Fuller (No 74) who had worked with Jim at a brickyard near Five Oaks. Frank (Jack's son) & Nancy Simmonds (no transfer date) were tenants in 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 992) and were Sidlesham Growers in 1991.

Ann's Plants traded here until 2017.

Fletchers Lane

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The LSA bought the land of Fletchers Farm but not the house. There may have been a farm track here at the time, but the road was built for the LSA and at the time was called Prospect Avenue by the locals. A Youth Club and Womens' Club were held in a hut situated by the bend (on the site of Willowdene) and another building housed offices. These facilities were disbanded in the 1960s in favour of the community hut and the offices on the Keynor Estate.

Nos 77 & 78: (LSA staff houses)

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No 77: (Staff House)
Horace Hook arrived in 1936 as a road builder and stayed on as an LSA worker with his wife Sylvia. The School Admissions Register show that their daughter Margaret was admitted to the primary school in April 1937 and son Sydney in March 1939. The family left for Mundham in January 1940.

Victor Granados was here in April 1940 when his daughter was admitted to the school, having previously been at school in Staplefield, West Sussex. The family returned to Wales in November 1946. (School Admissions Register)

Bill Stubbs (LSA tractor driver) lived here from the 1960s and the family are still live in the house in 2019.

No 78: (Staff House)
John McCulla's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in September 1937 having previously been at school in Jarrow. The School Admissions Register gives their address as 78 Prospect Avenue. The family 'returned north' in May 1938.

Joshua Aitchison was here in March 1939 when his daughter Edna was admitted to Sidlsham School.- one of at least three properties that the family lived in while Josh worked on the LSA. (Nos 5 & 64 as well).Josh arrived in Sidlesham in 1936 as one of the gang who built the roads, including Fletchers Lane.

Tractor driver Jack Mansbridge was living here in December 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 589) Jack also operated the steam steralising machine used in glasshouses. His brother Fred was a tenant at No 63. No arrival or departure date.

Reg Collyer, a tractor driver, also lived here.

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Nos 79 & 80:

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No 79:
John & Mary Pring came from Newcastle. Their children were admitted to Sidlesham school in May 1937, having previously attended Wharrier Street School in Newcastle and Walker RC in Durham. One of the children left the school (age exempt) in December 1943, (School Admissions Register),The family left in September 1959.

Stan Lacey (no arrival date) was here in December 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 587) The family left in September 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 984)

Chris & Ann Wade arrived in 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 985). Chris' father had come to the LSA in 1948 as Livestock Adviser (No 4a) and later became a tenant at No 24. Chris became one of 7 Directors of Sidlesham Growers in 1983.and manager of Almodington Nurseries, the Propagation Unit for Sidlesham Growers. Chris & Ann still live at No 79 (2022)

A photograph of No 79 appears in an LSA Prospectus.

No 80:
John & Alice Middlemas' moved here from No 17. (Schools Admissions Register). Their 4 children were admitted to Sidlesham School in April 1937, having previously attended schools in Welbeck Road, Newcastle and Heaton Junior Tech. No departure date.

Jack & Winnie Lowe were tenants in November 1964 (LSA Bulletin No 836) and became Sidlesham Growers after the closure in 1983. No arrival date.

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Nos 81 & 82

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No 81:
James & Florence Longstaff's children were admitted to the school in March 1937, having previously attended a school in Heworth, County Durham. (School Admissions Register) No departure date.

Mark & Janie Newdick were tenants here from 1953 until 1971.

Guy Abbott arrived in October 1971 (LSA Bulletin No 1193) and was a Sidlesham Grower after the closure. His wife, Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr Newdick the previous tenant, remained on the smallholding until 2000

No 82:
John 'Jack' Semmens arrived in 1936 from Sunderland. His children had previously attended Commercial Road School. Jack was employed as part of the "government recruitment drive to relocate out of work northerners". The 1939 Census lists Jack's wife as Mary. Jack died in Portsmouth in 1975.

Prior to 1958 the Poulton family were tenants (no arrival date).

Charlie and Mary Roe arrived in 1958. Charlie is a keen member of Chichester Camera Club and it was his collection of photographs which provided the initial inspiration for this heritage trail. Charlie and Mary now live in their 'converted chicken shed and piggery (2018) and their glasshouse is also undergoing a 'change of agricultural use' to residential accommodation (2019).

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Nos 83 & 84:

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No 83:
Albert & Freda (Frederica) Reed's children were admitted to the school in April 1937.The 1939 Census lists Albert profession as chauffeur/gardener. During the World War Two the family moved to Keynor Cottage, in Keynor Lane near the school,when Albert joined the army. The Schools Admissions Register records that son Alan was removed from the school in March 1945 for 'an extended holiday in Durham'..(This usually indicates a visit to see grandparents).

Maurice Fry was tenant here in 1947 (after demob from army) and stayed until 1953 when the family moved to Worthing. (See 'More' below)

Peter & Eleanor Busby took over from the Frys in 1953. The family left in September 1968 (LSA Bulletin No 1003)

Bill & Rita Lee arrived from Elmsthorpe LSA in October 1968 (LSA Bulletin No 1037) and became Sidlesham Growers after the closure in 1983.

No 84:
John Wharton's children were admitted to the school in March 1937, having previously attended a school in Claydon South Shields. The family then moved to Hatchers Cottage before they 'returned north' in August 1940 (Schools Admissions Register).

Henry & Christina Grimes arrived in 1939 from Tredegar in the Rhondda Valley where Henry had been a miner. Their daughter had previously attended school in Sirhowy. (School Admissions Register) No departure date. Son, also Henry, became a tenant at No 87. Mrs Grimes was listed in the 1939 Census as Harriet.

Don Clark arrived in September 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 985) and became a Sidlesham Grower in 1983.

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"I lived at 83 Fletchers Lane from 1947 when I was 2 years old till summer 1953 when we moved to Worthing. My father Maurice Fry had been demobbed from the army and this was where he and Mum were sent. I went to the local school when I was 5 years old, it was 1d bus fare, but I don’t remember paying on the way home from school so I guess it was a return. The school bully (name withheld) took my sweets off me every morning. Next door (we were semi-detached) lived an old couple Mr and Mrs Grimes. I see you have a Grimes living at No.84. Across the road from us was Mrs Longstaff (a dinner lady at the school) she took me to the bus stop each day. Next door to her was Mr and Mrs Alan Poulton, I played with their children Susan and Elizabeth. Down the road towards Dyers corner lived the Mansbridge family and just round the bend from them lived the Knight family, before you got to the junction to turn right for Dyers corner. I loved that shop as a child because I bought my sweets there each week. We didn’t have a car so I sat on a seat on the cross bar of my Dad's bike and my sister born 1948 sat in a basket behind Mum on her bike. They cycled to Bracklesham Bay in the summer months. The house on the corner of Fletchers Lane now called ‘Fletchers’, with the pond in the garden has always been surrounded with large trees, kept a pet monkey that chased the children up the road if they went too near the property. This was the happiest time of my childhood, freedom, too many restrictions when we got to Worthing. I’m glad to see some people are still working the land as nurseries, we called them smallholdings. I was disappointed to see no ditches which divided some of the properties, and the hedges were always beautifully trimmed, not overgrown like they are now. I don’t know how long you have been working on this project but my Mum only died in 2008 and she would have remembered much more than me. I’ve spoken to my youngest sister who chatted to Dad more than I, he seemed to have more time as he got older to talk about old times. She says he rented 83 Fletchers Lane. He worked in the Lea Valley on the nurseries before the war, and she says he offered Mum two other places to live, but Mum said no because they had outside toilets and water you pulled from a well. My Mum was a Londoner and not used to country life, so chose Sidlesham because the house had what she needed". (Val Annison, daughter)

No 85:

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Arthur & Elizabeth Grainger arrived in 1936 from Byers Green where Arthur had been a miner in the local colliery. Mrs Grainger is quoted in an article in a local paper about the storms in 1956 (see 'More' below)

Tony Marsh took over in 1957. The family left in September 1977 (LSA Bulletin No 1503)

Roy Parker arrived October 1977 (LSA Bulletin No 1505) and he became a Sidlesham Grower after the closure in 1983. Roy had grown up in the village having lived with his parents in a house (Greentrees) near The Anchor. Roy's wife Ann is the grand-daughter of Lance Edwards, the original tenant at No 38.

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Scenes Of Havoc Left By Five-Minute Tornado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trees and buildings were blown down, glasshouses were smashed to pieces, and damage amounted to thousands of pounds when a violent storm raged through Sidlesham on Tuesday night. It was a five minute tornado - the worst in the memory of tenants who occupy holdings there through the Land Settlement Association. The smallholders were greeted the next day by a havoc scene of fields littered with broken glass and splintered timber. On hands and knees working together they tried to salvage as much as possible of their vital lettuce crops. Four smallholdings on the Fletchers Estate were wrecked, yet no one was hurt. Particularly lucky were Mr and Mrs GC Clarke and their child, who in the height of the storm, did not realise that two huge trees had smashed doen on either side of their thatched cottage home. In the morning they found part of one tree lodged against their roof. The television aerial had snapped down. The other tree had been uprooted to leave a gaping crater, about ten feet across and filled with water, close to the back door. . . . . . . . . Homes Shook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The smallholders worst affected were Mr PJ Busby, Mr H R Grimes, Mr A Grainger and Mr J Wilson. They all said there was, first of all, a dead silence, then a shattering of glass. The walls of their homes shook and carpets were blown up. It was quickly over. Ten glasshouses were smashed.- five beyond repair. Mr Busby, who has been running his holding for only a few years, said "I looked out just after it had happened, but it was too bad to do anything then." A little farther down the lane by the holdings, Mr Grainger was also busy clearing wreckage. A chicken hut on his land was picked up by the blast and smashed 50 yards away. A lamp inside set off a blaze in which 125 chickens were burned to death before Mr Grainger and his family could quench the flames. Like Aeroplanes "It was like aeroplanes flying round the house" said Mrs Grainger. "Suddenly there was silence then everything moved at once. The carpets flapped up on the floor, tiles came tumbling off the roof, and we heard a terrific bang as three glasshouses and 200 cloches were smashed. We have lost all our lettuce crop." For their close neighbour Mr Grimes the hurricane night was the eve of his 70th birthday. He had three glasshouses wrecked, one with 400 lettuces just planted in it. "We were sitting in front of the fire, when suddenly there was a crack, and a piece of glass flew out of the front door and buried itself in the woodwork of the fireplace." (Chichester and Southdown Observer Friday January 13th 1956)

No 86:

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George Kirkby came from Byers Green, County Durham. His children were admitted to Sidlesham School in May 1937. No departure date, but the School Admissions Register records that one of the children was 'removed' in May 1938.

John 'Jack' & Liz Wilson arrived in 1938 from Simonside in Jarrow where Jack had been a miner at Harton Colliery. Son Arthur, who was six years old when the family moved south, took over the holding in September 1966 (LSA Bulletin No 934) and became a Sidlesham Grower in 1983. A modern house stands on the site of the former LSA property which was demolished as a condition of planning consent.

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No 87:

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Thomas Newton arrived in 1939 from South Shields where he had worked on the railway and in the docks. His children were admitted to Sidlesham School in March 1939, having previously attended Westhoe School in South Shields. The 1939 Census names Thomas' wife as Dora. Valerie Sparrow is on the Schools Admissions Register, at No 87, in January 1944, in the care of Mr Newton. The family left in September 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 984).

Henry Grimes, whose father was a tenant at No 84 was a tenant in 1969 (no arrival date) and he became a Sidlesham Grower in 1983.

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Nos 88 & 89:

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No 88:
Henry Johnson's children were admitted to the school in December 1937. No details of previous schools/location. The 1939 Census lists Henry's wife as Lily. The family 'left the district' in October 1939 (Schools Admissions Register)

The Home Guard used this property as a base during World War Two.

Warwick Faires (no arrival date) was here in October 1958 (LSA Bulletin No 528) On the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date.

Michael Gatehouse was here as a Sidlesham Grower 1983-1991.

No 89:
Henry Blenkinsop's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in April 1937 (no previous details). The 1939 Census lists Henry's wife as Phyllis. Still here in April 1946 when one of the children left the school, but no departure date for the family.
According to the School Admissions Register, Gerald Collins was living at No 89 when his children were admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in May 1938 - the family returned north in September 1939.

Walter Saunders (no arrival date) was a tenant in the 1950s (he appears in the LSA film made in Sidlesham in 1956) The family left in 1971.

Eddie & Gloria Jupp arrived in 1971 and became Sidlesham Growers in 1983.

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Pound Inn

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With your back to Highleigh Road, the property on the opposite side of the road (Highleigh Pound) was the 17th century Pound Inn, a local for the earliest LSA tenants who used the footpaths across the fields from Lockgate Road and Almodington, known locally as Piggery Lane.

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First Avenue (No's 94-107)

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People with links to this location:

Ernie & Rose Boxall

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No 94:

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Albert (General Labourer) & Emily Case are recorded at No 94 on the 1939 Census.

Geoff Parham (no arrival date) was a tenant here in 1955 when the Lintotts arrived next door.. He left in March 1972 (LSA Bulletin No 1218)

Bruce Davis arrived in 1972 and left in October 1982 (LSA Bulletin No 1764)

Trevor Haffenden took over in 1982 and became a Sidlesham Grower until 1991.

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No 95:

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The 1939 Census lists William Antill (?), age 63, & Violet Smithwell, aged 20, at No 95. Their occupations were recorded as 'garden goods'. Violet later married to become a Blundell. No departure information.

Robert Ambridge's garage business near Slindon/Pulborough closed down during the war and he was not eligible for the services so being an 'outdoors person' he joined the LSA, was a member of the local Home Guard and stayed until the end of the war when he bought a nursery business near Lymington, Hampshire. As a child I remember meeting Mr and Mrs Aston who had been on the same site (Elizabeth Tout, daughter).

Jack and Eva Mills and son Brian were "already there when we arrived in 1947 and Jack played for the successful football team. They were still there in the 1950’s but I don’t know when they left". (John Brine No 139)

Roy & Muriel Lintott were tenants here from 1955, having worked previously on a farm near Midhurst, Mentioned in LSA Bulletin in April 1959 (No 559).they left in 1982.

Ray & Brenda Jackson (related to Lance Edwards, the original tenant at No 38) was a Sidlesham Grower here in the 1980s.

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No 96: Staff property - now Mole Cottage

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Joseph 'Joe' & Margaret Mounsey came from Bishop Auckland in County Durham in the late 1930s. Daughter Margaret was admitted to the school in September 1939, having previously been at North Road School in Spennymoor. (School Admissions Register) The family are also listed on the the 1939 Census - Joseph as a 'smallholder', wife Margaret as 'unpaid domestic duties' and daughter Margaret 'at schoo'l. No departure information.

Colin 'Wink' & Lil Edwards were here in 1950s/60s. Colin was the brother of Frank Edwards who lived at 134 Batchmere. Lil Edwards was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Bill Burt who lived at 129 Batchmere with her brother Gordon. Whilst originally employed as a tractor driver Colin was mainly employed in the
late 50's and early 60's as a lorry driver. He would take the produce from the packing sheds, driving through the night to the early morning markets in London.

No 97:

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Charles & Marjorie Fairhead are listed at No 95 on the 1939 Census. Charles' occupation was given as lorry driver.

Sam and Elizabeth 'Betty' Griffin arrived in 1951 from Devon, having previously lived in Ashington, County Durham and before that in Kingston, Surrey. The family left in 1957 to run another smallholding in Wallington, Surrey. An interesting family history is being re-discovered by their daughter, Frances Styles.

French Maurice Menard arrived in the late 1950s with his English wife Joan. Reference in LSA Bulletin No 915 (May 1966). They became became Sidlesham Growers in 1983.

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No 98:

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Albert Williams was here in February 1939 when his daughter Rose was admitted to Sidlesham School. The 1939 Census lists his occupation as general labourer, his wife Emily and daughters Zena (seeking work) and Rose (at school). Rose married one of the Hollys (No 100). No family departure details.

John & Vera Carter were from the north-east of England - (Hexham?) No arrival date, but brother George (lived opposite at No 105) is in the photo of 1948 football team. John left in September 1978 (LSA Bulletin No 1552)

Steve & Dawn Slade arrived in October 1978 (LSA Bulletin No 1556) and was a Sidlesham Grower until 1991. Brother George had a holding at No 8 (Keynor).

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No 99:

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Bryn Evans was here in March 1939 when his daughters, Margaret and Glenys, were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended Georgetown School in Tredegar. The 1939 Census lists Brinley as a colliery hewer and his wife as Margaret. The family 'returned to South Wales' in October 1939. (School Admissions Register)

Mr & Mrs Brocklesby were here in 1946 when the Braishers arrived at No 100.

Fred Hall (no arrival date) was a tenant here in 1966. His brother Jim was a tenant at No 113..Fred left in September 1970 (LSA Bulletin No 1140)

Ron Watkins arrived in October 1970 (LSA Bulletin No 1141) He was still on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date.

No 100:

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Carl Holly, a miner from Tredegar in the Rhondda arrived with his wife in 1938. Children, Horace and Lilian, were admitted to Sidlesham School in February 1939, having previously attended Glanhowy School in Tredgar. a rocket went through the roof during the war. Carl, his wife Edith and 12 children moved to No 71 Fletchers (on Lockgate Road) in 1946.

Archie (& Doris) Braisher arrived in 1946, having served in the navy during the war. Prior to the war he had trained, gained qualifications and practical experience of horticulture. Son Neil was in the British rifle shooting team at Bisley and ran a folk club behind the Bull's Head in Fishbourne. Son Mike moved out in 1960 to train as a teacher, he is now the 'New Forest Potter' in Lyndhurst (2017). The family left in September 1977 (LSA Bulletin 1503).

Nicholas Roe (son of Charlie at No 82) arrived in October 1977 (LSA Bulletin No 1505) No departure date.

Kevin Freer was a Sidlesham Grower here from 1983 until the present day (2017)

No 101:

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Brinley (Bryn) Richards was living at No 101 (Batchmere) in January 1939 when his son Trevor was admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously been at school in Aberystwyth. (School Admissions Register) The 1939 Census lists Bryn as an LSA smallholder and his wife's name as Lucie. Their two daughters both became doctors. The family were still here in October 1958 (LSA Bulletin No 528), but no departure date.

Les & Olive Anderson arrived in February 1961 (LSA Bulletin No 699) and were Sidlesham Growers until 1991.

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No 102: LSA staff house

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Stanley Williamson was at No 102 (Batchmere) in March 1939 when his children were admitted to Sidlesham Schoool, having previously attended a school in Laygate Lane, South Shields. No further information in School Admissions Register.

Henry Guy was here in October 1939 when his two daughters were admitted to Sidlesham School in October 1939, having previously been at school in Trealaw, South Wales. (School Admissions Register) No departure details.

Johnnie & Muriel Barrell were here in December 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 972), having previously occupied The Hermitage (No 140) in the early 1950s. Johnnie was the foreman at the packing Shed and his father Frank was an LSA lorry driver. No departure date.

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No 103:

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Joseph Miller's children were admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in June 1938, having previously attended school in Cheadle Road, Stanley, County Durham. The School Admissions Register also records the family living at No 122 and the family 'returned north' in September 1939.

William Morrison was at No 103 (Batchmere) in March 1939 when his daughter Dorothy was admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended Ocean Road School in South Shields. The 1939 Census lists William's wife as Elsie. The family 'returned north' in November 1940. (School Admissions Register)

The house may have been occupied by soldiers in the war and the family here before House in 1971 was called Robinson (Nick House, son)

Peter and Margaret House arrived in 1949, coming from a farming estate in Claydon in Buckinghamshire, where Peter had been a herdsman. There are references to them in LSA Bulletins in 1965 & 1968. The family left in 1971.

Judy & Ian Wilson arrived October 1971 (LSA Bulletin No 1193). They left in September 1978 (LSA Bulletin No 1552), bought their own smallholding on Sidlesham Lane and joined Southgate Growers

Mike Bridger arrived in October 1978 (LSA Bulletin No 1556) and became an independent grower after the closure in 1983.

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No 104:

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John Barras was the first tenant at No 104. He was born in 1894, started work at the age of 14, was a miner for 30 years in Durham, where he and his wife, Elizabeth, married. He moved to Batchmere in 1937 and helped form the Batchmere Football Club. John and Elizabeth retired to Hunston in 1962, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1966 and have 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They were active members of Southgate Methodist Choir and the Davies Oratorio Choir in Chichester. John also belonged to Priory Park Bowling Club. (Chichester Observer February 1966) They were also the first family on the LSA to have a colour television!

Kazimierz 'Bart' & Vivienne Bartkoviak arrived in October 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 730) and became Sidlesham Growers after the closure in 1983.

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No 105:

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John Powell was the tenant here when his children were admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in May 1938, having previously attended St. Marks School in South Shields. The family 'returned north' in June 1938. (School Admissions Register)

John (trainee) & Ann White are recorded in the 1939 Census at No 105.

George Carter and his wife were Geordies (originals?) George is in the photo of the football team (1948) Also a reference in LSA Bulletin No 593 (January 1960) On the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date. Brother John lived opposite at No 98.

Colwyn & 'Robbie' Luck arrived in 1977 and became Sidlesham Growers in 1983. Robbie's father Denis Hoare was a plumber on the LSA maintenance unit..

No 106:

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Charles Hunt's children were admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in June 1938, having previously attended Elswick Road School in Newcastle. The family moved to Portsmoutn in June 1939. (School Admissions Register)

Thomas Hall's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in September 1939, having previously been at Glanhowy School, Tredegar, South Wales. (School Admissions Register) The 1939 Census lists Thomas' occupation as colliery hard labourer and his wife's name as Elizabeth. No departure details.

Bob & Margaret Ferguson (no arrival date) were tenants here in 1958. Bob was Secretary of the Tenants Association (LSA Bulletin No 528) and Margaret was Secretary of Batchmere WI in the 1960s The family left in September 1973 (LSA Bulletin No 1296)

David Johnson (son of Pete & Bet at No 6 Keynor) arrived in 1973 (LSA Bulletin No 1298) and he was a Sidlesham Grower after the closure in 1983.

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No 107:

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Richard Grealy was here in March 1939 when his son Gerard was admitted to Sidlesham School. The 1939 Census lists Richard's wife as Norah. No departure information in the School Admissions Register.

Henry Natress was on the 1939 Census at Batchmere Training Centre. In Ocotber 1939 he was a tenant at No 107 (Batchmere) when his children were admitted to Sidlesham, having previously been at Shield Road School in Stanley, County Durham. The family 'left the district' in June 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Greville 'Tiny' Baron and Doris Baron occupied 107 Batchmere from 1954 - 1966. 'Tiny' was 6' 2" and played in goal for the Batchmere football team. Doris (92 years of age in 2017) is the daughter of 'Darkie' & Rhoda Harris at Tomlins Cottages.

Ernie & Rose Boxall arrived in September 1966 (LSA Bulletin No 934). Ernie became the first Chair of Sidlesham Growers, the independent company which was established after the closure of the LSA in 1983.

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"My grandfather had a glasshouse nursery from the early 1900's where he grew dessert grapes and this is where my father was brought up. In the 1930's the family moved to a nursery in Dappers Lane, Angmering. After leaving Worthing High School and later Brighton Art College my father trained as a pharmacist and worked at Timothy Whites where he met my mother Rose. Following his de-mob from the RAMC after the War in 1946 he became a partner with his father and brother in the family business. In December 1949 my parents and my two siblings moved to a nursery in High Bar Lane, Thakeham near Pulborough which was also owned by his family, where they grew chrysanthemums and carnations for cut flowers and glasshouse vegetables such as green beans. This nursery was sold to A G Linfield in about 1960 and my father remained as Manager until September 1966 when he was offered the tenancy of holding 107 First Avenue, Batchmere. During his time as a nurseryman in Thakeham he was an active member of the North-West Sussex Growers' Mutual Aid Group from 1952-1966. He became a committee member in 1953, Treasurer from 1954-1958; Vice-Chairman in 1959; Chairman from 1960-1966. On moving to the LSA he became an active member of the West Sussex Growers Association. As a condition of the move to 107 Batchmere in 1966 the LSA required my parents to be on the so called "R Plan" controlling their finances for two years. At that time the holding had the original LSA glasshouse and six Dutch-light structures. However they bought a 1/4acre Frampton Ferguson glasshouse (which is still there) and they grew tomatoes, winter lettuce and in some years celery and cucumbers. The Dutch-light structures later being removed and replaced with new glasshouses. My father was innovative and liked to keep up with the latest horticultural developments. He designed lettuce cutting machines which he had built at the local blacksmiths (Fred Stacey's). He often undertook trials of new varieties of lettuce and new growing techniques. He also helped young and inexperienced growers. When the LSA broke up my Father was part of the team which negotiated the terms with the Minister of Agriculture and MAFF, and as you know he was the first Chairman of Sidlesham Growers which was established in 1983. There were 80 growers in the co-operative making it one of the biggest seller co-operatives for salad crops in the country with 80-85 acres of glass and it was the first to be formed on the country's ten Land Settlement Estates. (Chi Observer April 1984) . My father had an artistic flair and designed the logo and packing trays for the new co-operative. My father, Chris Wade and others set up a small company to purchase the Plant Propagating Unit at Almodington from the LSA to continue its work providing plants for the Co-operative and other outside organisations. After my parents retired they rented out the glasshouses and they continued to live at 107 until their deaths in 1999 (Ernie) and 2011 (Rose). (Sue Piner, nee Boxall)

Batchmere House (LSA No 108?)

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Batchmere (Farm) House, next to the barn conversions on the main road, and 307 acres of land was purchased for £11,500 in November 1936. LSA staff lived in the farmhouse which was divided into two flats.

The 1939 Census records Hugh Campbell living here - formerly the first LSA Warden, living at Keynor Farm House, his occupation, three years later, is listed as 'travelling regional administrator'.

Andrew Hart, a general manager for the Batchmere, estate, lived here in 1947, having previously lived at Nos 144 & 130. He left the LSA in 1950 for Derbyshire. Son Roger was born here in 1948 and visited the house from New York in July 2023the area, including Batchmere House with his family. Andrew left in 1950 to become manager of Chetwynd Nursery, Toton in Nottinghamshire and in 1953 he became the owner.

It was for sale by auction after the closure of the LSA in 1986 with a guide price of £95-115,000.

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During the 1950s the ground floor flat was occupied by Sam Whitehorn, his wife and two sone Robert and Owen. The top floor flat was occupied by Colin (Wink) and Lil Edwards before they moved to No 96. I cannot remember who followed. (Phil Baron No 107) . "I recently had the pleasure of staying in a holiday let in Ham. The proprietor was kind enough to forward me a copy of your circular concerning the LSA film next Monday. She was aware of my interest after enquiring about the use of 'Batchmere' in my email address. My interest is highly emotionally charged, as I lived for a few of my early years on the Batchmere Estate. My father, Andrew Hart, was general manager when I was about four to six, that was during latter part of the war. My memories are very strong, even though I was so young, but as always in such cases may not stand the closest of scrutiny. We lived in three houses during our time in Batchmere, but when my father became manager we moved into Batchmere House on the corner of 1st avenue. You mentioned the Batchmere football team and I can recount several facts about it. Social events were not so common in those days, especially after the austerities of war, so the Saturday football games, on the field behind the packing shed, were of great importance. I recall one occasion when we played away, (the football field was beside a railway line which disappeared into a tunnel under the downs), when one of our players, I think it was the stablehand/tractor driver, dribbling the ball between the open legs of the opposing player and heading towards the goal. Such simple football tricks seemed wondrous to a young mind. The Batchmere team were very successful so it would seem, because on the piano in the front lounge were several trophy cups. My mother recounts a story of an occasion when just having gone to bed she heard footsteps on the gravel drive leading to the house. Opening the window she called "Who's there?" and saw a shadowy figure running off. I remember standing with other children on the school field looking out towards what I assumed was the Sidlesham Estate buildings. I think the Manager's house was in that area. My family obviously had some social contact with the manager and his family, and I believe one or more of their children also attended Siddlesham school at the same time as I did. I recall that as we looked towards the commotion, I was unsure about what was happening, but I definitely remember that something was said about the managers house being burnt and their parents injured. I think it was a false rumour and some child was chastised for starting it. I guess that event would be around 1945/47. So there we are, a few words concerning some of my memories from that time. I of course cherish them, but at the same time I can look upon those early years with some academic interest. I have remained within the horticultural industry all my life, and view those few early years with great pride. To be associated with such an undertaking was life changing for so many, and I never miss the opportunity of telling others about it". (Geoffrey Hart/2014)

No 109: Staff House

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An LSA staff house, over time various foremen of the Propagation Unit lived here.

The 1939 Census records Thomas & Mary Harley at No 109. Thomas' occupation is listed as 'Horticultural Instructor'.

Fred Blackman was registered at No 109 in October 1940 when his daughters were admitted to Sidlesham School, later living at No 139. One of the children left school in May 1943. (School Admissions Register)

Ted and Kay Jones in the 1950's, Mr & Mrs Lowcock, Mr & Mrs Grey and Mr & Mrs Lewer in the 1960s & 1970's. There were also three other families who lived there until Don Wells retired in 1982 - Mr & Mrs Stafford, Mr & Mrs Heath and Mr & Mrs Betts. (Marion Guarnaccio, daughter of Don Wells, the Propagation Manager)

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No 110: LSA House

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The 1929 Census records George & Phillippa Newton at No 110. George's occupation is listed as 'Horticultural propagator and tomato grower'.

The Sidlesham School Admissions Register shows that Harold Conway's children were admitted to the school in September 1937 and that they left the district for Burnham, Bucks in November 1938.

Don Wells, the Manager of the Propagation Unit lived here. The family came from Basildon in Essex in 1953 and Don managed the 'props' for 28 years until he retired in October 1981.

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Second Avenue (Nos 111-117)

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Edward VIII visited the LSA. The back of the original photograph read Birdham 1936. At that time the eastern side of Almodington Lane was in Sidlesham and the western side in Birdham - now both are in Earnley Parish Council. It is well documented that royalty often visited the 'depressed areas' to maintain morale during the 1930s. The windows in the barn in the photograph are a similar design to those in the buildings now standing at the end of Second Avenue.

No 111:

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John & Mary Hope are recorded in the 1939 Census. John's occupation is listed as 'market gardener'.

Jim & Daphne Lill came from Chaldon in Surrey to become tenants here in September 1957. Dapne had been a landgirl during WW2. Jim had been a fireman, later he had a smallholding and built his own house. Jim and Dapne became Sidlesham Growers in 1983, later moving to No 144. Jim died in 1996 and their son took over the holding.

No 112:

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The Sidlesham School Admissions Register records that John Herring's son was removed to Stanmore Orthopedic Hospital in May 1938, living at No 112 at that time, having previously been at school in Seaham Harbour, near Sunderland.

Rita Palmer was living here when she was admitted to Sidlesham School in May 1943, having previously attended The Girls High School in Chichester. She left the following December, having attained the school leaving age. (School Admissions Register)

Phillip Carter arrived in October 1958 (LSA Bulletin No 528). He left in March 1971 (LSA Bulletin No 1163)

Ken Smith arrived in March 1971 (LSA Bulletin No 1166) and became a Sidlesham Grower after the closure in 1983 until 1995.

No 113:

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Arthur Jeff was at No 113 Batchmere. Two children were admitted to Sidlesham School in March 1938, one had a 'temporary absence with mother' in March 1939. Son George was admitted to the school also in March 1939, having previously attended school in Chiswick, London. Arthur's wife Agnes is recorded in the 1939 Census. No departure date. (Schools Admissions Register)

Mrs Dawson was here in December 1940 when her daughter Shirley was admitted to the Sidlesham School, She left the school in February 1942 (Age Exemption).(School Admissions Register)

Edward Pope's daughter Pamela was admitted to the school in January 1944, she left school in July 1949. (School Admissions Register)

Jim & Margaret Hall arrived in 1955. Jim died in November 1975 (LSA Bulletin 1409) His son, Don, took over the holding in January 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1417) and was a Sidlesham Grower until 1995.

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"My father and mother, Jim and Margaret Hall moved from Dorset in 1955 to 113 Second Avenue. I was seven years old at the time . My brother Donald was in the army, my sister Jean stayed in Dorset and my sisters Doreen and Brenda came to Batchmere with us. I went to Sidlesham School with my cousin Richard (same age as me) and David Shirt. We were close friends and had an idyllic childhood having freedom to go anywhere on our bicycles. The headmaster at the school at that time was David Hardy a keen sportsman playing cricket for Priory Park Chichester. We also used to go to Portsmouth FC home games I saw an 18 years old Jimmy Greaves there My father learnt to drive in 1956 at the time of the Suez crisis and as I recall didn't need to have a qualified driver with him whilst learning. I have still got some petrol coupons from that time.I also remember the Booths in Third Avenue had a football pitch at the top their holding and a young Chris Blackman would organise games against his friends at the high school. I was probably the youngest player about 11-12 and my father refereed. We were playing on one occasion when a young Roy Parker also a tenant (No broke his ankle. Later in the school holidays we worked in the packing sheds and my cousin also delivered the bulletin. On my fathers death my brother (Don) took over the holding. He built a mini tractor photos of which were displayed in the shop window of Goodrowes in Chichester. Looking through the web site and also going to the Novium museum has brought many memories of Batchmere. Thank you, Phil Hall ................................................................................................................ "One of Jim Hall's children, Donald, worked as a engineer and built his father a small Ford tractor small enough to work inside the glasshouses for cultivation and general "to-ing and fro-ing". Kubuta eventually swamped this market. (Nigel Dungey)

No 114:

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Reginald Pattison's children were admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in April 1938. They had previously attended East Walker School in Newcastle. According to the School Admissions Register the family 'returned north' in March 1939.

Thomas Howells was a tenant here in May 1939 when his four children were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously been at school in Brynmawr, South Wales. The 1939 Census lists Thomas occupation as unemployed ex-miner/coal hewer) and his wife's name as Lily. The entry in the School's Admissions Register reads 'returned to South Wales apparently ' in July 1940.

John Hughes was here in November 1940 when his son was admitted to Sidlesham School, transferring to Chichester High School in September 1942. (School Admissions Register)

Wallace Stock pre- 1957.

Anthony & Heather Dungey arrived on 1st October 1957 and left for Oving in October 1976 Anthony was editor of the Tenants Newsletter in the 1960s.

Amelia Littler's (No 32) Journey to Sidlesham was recorded in 1960 and in 1964 Vivienne Bartkowiak (No 104) described how one of her chickens laid an egg weighing 6.5ozs. It was 3.5 inches long and 8 inches in circumference and she challenged other tenants to "Beat This".

Garry Peachment arrived in October 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1405) and was a Sidlesham Grower between 1983 and 1991.

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"The "Tenants Newsletter" was an open voice, but the publication was under pressure from both sides. On the one hand the LSA management wanted it to promote the Management arguments, while on the other NALSAT wanted it to be their mouthpiece. My father religiously refused to be directed by either party and continued to assay to keep the Newsletter as an independent view for the common tenant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Post Office at Dyers Corner in Sidlesham and a bakery in MIll Lane, but where else could tenants do their shopping - I believe you could get a few household items (toliet rolls, etc) at the LSA stores in First Avenue. Well this is something the modern day internet shopper might find surprising. In the 1950 - 60's Birdham Stores (a grocer with Post Office, near junction of Bell Lane and the Birdham Straight) used to send out a van once a week so you could order your groceries at your own door and get them delivered! There was also Earnley Stores (just north of Somerly Lane on Bell Lane); also a grocer, sweet shop and off-license. This was the best place for us youngsters to cash in returnable bottles - Coke, Coronor, Pinks, cider etc - scoured from the beach, hedges and ditches to supplement our pocket money. Earnley Stores may also have delivered. The Bread van (Bracklesham bakery I think) came two or three times a week and possibly also a butchers - but being vegetarian I can't be too sure. To get letters posted you simply had to put the letters at the door and the postman would take them away for you. Who needed to go out? The International Stores in Chichester - one of the earliest supermarkets - used to deliver on lists handed in to them in the mid 60's.) Not sure if many tenants would have had cars in the early days so was it a case of walking all the way down Sidlesham Lane to catch the bus into Chichester. Nearest regular bus stop was in Bell Lane accessible from one of the many footpaths linking the avenues to Bell Lane. The Southdown 53C bus serviced Almodington for shoppers and was less regular. A special school bus was laid on to go Sidlesham Primary and on to the Selsey Manhood Secondary Modern School (smokers upstairs!!!). Originally Southdown, this later was taken over by the bus company based at Westhampnet. (name?...it was referred to as the "Biscuit Tin") For Chi High etc the standard Southdown public single decker bus service was used morning and late afternoon. Can't remember much going out drinking - people seemed generally knackered. Quite a few were TT, at least of the secondary influx tenants - those who came because they could grow but the war had, for a variety of reasons, blown their own businesses and capital away. The Bell on Bell Lane would have been nearer perhaps. There was also the Bird Ham on the Birdham Straight just west of Sidlesham Lane. Probably a bit of home brew...... " (Nigel Dungey)

No 115:

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Thomas Leadbitter's children were admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in April 1938, having previously attended Stanhope Road School in South Shields. The family 'returned north' in May 1939. (School Admissions Register)

John McNeil's daughter Eleanor was admitted to Sidlesham School in September 1939, having previously been at school in Burnhope, County Durham. (School Admissions Register) The 1939 Census lists John's occupation as 'smallholder/storeman in coal pit) and his wife's name as Eleanor. No departure date.

Stan and Lily Bowler arrived from Surrey in 1947 and were tenants until 1971.

Brian O'Brien arrived in October 1971 (LSA Bulletin No 1193) and was a Sidlesham Grower after the closure until 1990.

No 116:

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Thomas Pearson was the tenant here when his daughter Patricia was admitted to the Sidlesham School in April 1938. She had previously attended a school in Hartley, near Newcastle. The family 'returned north' in May 1939. (School Admissions Register)

William Blacker was here in June 1939, when his daughter was admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended school in Trethomas, South Wales. The 1939 Census records William's occupation as 'unemployed colliery worker' and his wife's name as Maud. The family 'returned to Wales' in July 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Edward 'Ted' and Kay Jones were tenants here in April 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 704). They moved from No 108 where Ted had been the foreman at the Propagation Unit during the 1950s. The family left the estate in September 1972.

John and Ann Hall arrived in September 1972 (LSA Bulletin No 1245) they left in 1978 (LSA Bulletin No 1552), bought their own holding and became part of Southgate Growers.

Colin Chewter arrived in October 1978 (LSA Bulletin No 1556) and became a Sidlesham Grower in 1983.

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No 117:

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This property was the first on the Batchmere Estate to be mentioned in the Schools Admissions Register when Thomas McCarthy came from West Park, Sunderland. His children were admitted to Sidlesham School in March 1938. One child had a temporary absence with mother in March 1939. The 1939 Census records Thomas as a 'market gardener' and his wife's name is listed as Mary. No departure date.

Desmond & Cynthia Tilbury (no arrival date) were tenants here in May 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 558) Desmond died in 1975 and the family moved to Tangmere in September 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1449)

John Ryan arrived in October 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1452) and was a Sidlesham Grower from 1983 until 1991.

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No 118 (Almodington Lane)

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Irwin (smallholder/heavy worker) and Sarah Morgan & son Keith (assisting father on smallholding) are recorded in the 1939 Census.

Son Keith & June Morgan took over from Keith father (no date). Keith was Secretary of the Batchmere Christian Fellowship in 1958 (LSA Bulletin No 528) until he retired in September 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 984)

Roy Watkins took over in September 1967 (LSA Bulletin No 985) Still on the Tenant's Register in 1976.

George Noble took over from Roy Watkins (1976?). He left in October 1982 (LSA Bulletin No 1764).

Campbell Thorp arrived in October 1982 (LSA Bulletin No 1764) and became a Sidlesham Grower in 1983.

Third Avenue (Nos 119-128)

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The 1939 Census shows records for the Hermitage & Bottle cottage between Nos 118 & 119.

At that time Jack & Gertrude Lambert were in The Hermitage. Jack's occupation was listed as Farm & Estate Manager. Kate Hoare was at Bottle Cottage (unpaid domestic duties)

The early tenants kept pigs and chickens as part of the LSA. Some tenants kept additional livestock for their own use - goats (above), rabbits (No 86) and the Booths (No 15) had a cow!

No 119:

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The Sidlesham School Admissions Register records that John Herring's son was removed to Stanmore Orthopedic Hospital in May 1938, living at No 112 at that time, having previously been at school in Seaham Harbour, near Sunderland. The 1939 Census records John & Amelia Herring at No 119 and at that time John is listed as 'seeking work'.

John Henry Aston, no arrival date, but remembered by Elizabeth Tout/nee Ambridge at No 95, during the war. John Aston was named as the guardian for Michael James Galyer on the School Admissions Register (1944-45).Mr Aston took a leading part in the formation of NALSAT (National Association of Land Settlement Association Tenants) of which he was Chair (local and national). In 1953 he was awarded the MBE in recognition of these roles.

Bert Manning was here in April 1963 (LSA Bulletin No 806). No arrival date. He died in 1973.

Archie Weaver arrived in January 1974 (LSA Bulletin No 1366), having previously lived in one of the flats at Batchmere Farm House, while he worked at the props. He and wife Dawn left in 1997.

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No 120:

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Clarence Liddle was registered here (as well as No 19) when his daughter Lilian was admitted to Sidlesham School in September 1938, having previously attended school in Dunston-on-Tyne. The family 'returned north' in September 1939.

Two members of the Willis family are recorded on the 1939 Census - Jane (unpaid domestic work) and Sylvia (under school age). The record is 'officially closed' for other members of the family

Mrs Bedford was here in July 1940 when her three girls were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously been at St. Andrews School in Portslade. They 'returned to Portslade' in January 1942. (School Admissions Register)

Walter Nappitt (1950s) Daughters - Jackie, Christine, Maria and son Stephen, all went to Sidlesham School.

John Francis arrived in September 1961 (LSA Bulletin No 677) He was Chair of the Tenants Association at the time of the closure in 1982 and became one of 7 Directors of Sidlesham Growers in 1983.

No 121: Staff property

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Ernest Weeks was living here in May 1939 when his daughter was admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended school in Trethomas, South Wales. The 1939 Census lists Ernest's wife as Rhoda. The family 'left the district' in April 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Godfrey Shirt (LSA Services Manager) lived here when he first moved to the LSA from Newent LSA in 1951. He later moved to Fairfield (No 144)

Frank Booth (No 125) rented the holding, greenhouse and piggery in 1950s-1970s.

Albert James 'Jim' King worked at the Propagation Unit and lived here from 1963 until 1988.

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No 122:

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Joseph Miller's children were admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in June 1938, having previously attended school in Cheadle Road, Stanley, County Durham. The School Admissions Register records the family living at No 122, (as well as No 103), and the family 'returned north' in September 1939.

Malcolm Hasty was living here in the 1940s.

Roy & Eileen Edkins arrived in 1950 and left the holding in September 1978 (LSA Bulletin No 1552)

Colin Durant arrived in October 1978 (LSA Bulletin No 1556) and was a Sidlesham Grower until 1991.

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No 123:

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Charles Robson's two daughters were admitted to Sidlesham School in May 1939, having previously been at school in Gateshead. The 1939 Census lists Charles' wife as Hagar. The family 'left the district' in February 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Ronald & Evelyn (Eva) Chew were here between 1946 and 1955.

Jim Farr-Voller (no arrival date) was a tenant here in August 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 723) Still here in 1977 but no departure date.

John Wilson was a Sidlesham Grower between 1983 and 1986.

No 124:

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James & Annie Phillips are recorded as living here in the 1939 Census.

William (Billy) Bond (no arrival date) was a tenant here in February 1960 (LSA Bulletin No 597) Further reference in 1963, but no departure date.

Gerald Chisholm-Mackintosh (no arrival date) left in September 1974 (LSA Bulletin No 1349) to a nursery in Mundham.

Denis Elliot arrived in October 1974 (LSA Bulletin No 1350) No departure date. His sister Jan was at Jakes Nursery (No 51 Keynor) Their father worked in the office at the LSA stores.

No 125:

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Patrick Carroll was a tenant here in February 1939 when his children were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended a school in Hilton Road, Sunderland. According to the School Admissions Register the family 'returned north', but no date.

David Bell was here in September 1939 when his son was admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously been an Ocean Road, South Shields. The 1939 Census lists David's wife as Amelia. Their son was 'removed' from school in January 1940. (School Admissions Register) No departure date for the family.

Frank Booth arrived in 1949 and left in September 1978 (LSA Bulletin No 1552)

Terry Collins arrived in October 1978 (LSA Bulletin No 1556) and was a Sidlesham Grower 1983-1991.

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"My parents and two brothers and I moved to No 125 Batchmere in 1949 from a small hill farm in the West Riding of Yorkshire with an accent you could cut with a knife. My father Frank Booth was soon elected chairman (strong outspoken ) of Batchmere Tenants Association and later of Sidlesham & Batchmere. I went several times with my father to meetings at LSA head office in Cromwell Rd. London, opposite the Natural History Museum, with executives from the other estates, and recall the agreement to bring the first pigs to be introduced from the Spalding and Potton Estates. I can certainly remember all the tenants by name from 119 to 139 but can't recall the two which are just into Easton Lane. Tomlins Barn at the road junction was where the first boars were kept and tenants sows and gilts requiring their services were collected when on heat in a trailer and duly returned later. Peter Farley was the estates livestock man. I had my own cow so I often got to talk to him and he also liked to shoot. A Mr. Issacs was head of maintenance and Godfrey Shirt I believe he was transport and machinery, Mr. Sutton was Estate Manager. Social gatherings at Batchmere hut, from Sunday school with Mr. Morgan, holding between Second and Third Av. and his wife, to a visiting Dave Thomson the barber from East Wittering. The big events were the Carnival, most attended and the football match between Batchmere and Sidlesham. The field was the first on the left in First Av. behind what became the Stores supplying everything a tenant needed for his holding. The match was always a very colourful happening from memory almost entirely men and boys and would compare well with a Newcastle home match but more swearing. From memory I believe the son of Mrs. Littler,(tenants news letter ) Bernard married the girl opposite us Barbara Bond ( no. 124 ) and they went off tree felling in Canada. Father retired to Boxgrove just before the breakup of the LSA. he died in 1985. I could fill sheets on this, when I left school at 15, I had 30 pigs of my own, it was very much a part of me until I married in 1962' and lived at West Wittering and later moved to Flansham, set up engineering companies and retired 13 years ago. Now 73. I must have loads of photos somewhere. Also a tenants pass book, I remember Darkie Kemp, like my father a strong character. Reading the names listed bring back memories The Holly family were great footballers, both Jimmy and Wilf Aitchison played in the school team. I bumped into Graham Holly in Southern Spain about 14 years ago. You will no doubt have heard when two Supermarine Attackers from Ford Airfield collided over Sidlesham and an ejector seat with occupant hit the roof of one of the tenants houses. Kids and bits of aircraft everywhere, we couldn't get out of school quick enough in the afternoon. Then we had to walk home, we didn't mind, we were a rough, tough, bunch of kids but none the worse for it, until it came to motor bikes and 13 of the lads I knew from Sidlesham, Seley, Birdham, Wittering and Chichester never made 21. Sid Cloud 133, Frank Edwards 135, Frank Reynolds, Alan Blackman 126, along with father and I all were members of the Witterings and Bracklesham Sea Angling club (father was chairman as you would expect ), we fished venues from Selsey to West wittering and Chichester Harbour in the autumn and winter. Great fun and many recollections of when there were loads of fish. (John Booth)

No 126:

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Thomas Davison was here in May 1939, when his son was admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously been at school in Gateshead. The 1939 Census lists Thomas wife as Mary. The family 'left the district' in October 1939, (School Admissions Register)

Chris & Kathleen Blackman (no arrival date) was here in May 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 556) and left in 1962.

Jock & Betty Hutchings arrived in 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 730). They were still on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date.

Norman Lee arrived 1981.

No 127:

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Hugh Kappen's children were admitted to Sidlesham School in November 1938, having previously attended school in Throckley, County Durham. (School Admissions Register) The 1939 Census lists Hugh's wife as Margaret. No departure date for the family.

Jack Rolf arrived in 1941, having previously worked at Sussex Nurseries (carnations) in Rustington. His daughter Janet went to Sidlesham School with Ann Bowler (No 115) and later trained as a nurse. Janet and Ann are still friends today (2019) The Rolfe family left in 1951.

Bert Wilkes arrived in 1953 and became a Sidlesham Grower after the closure. His son took over the holding in 1990/91.

No 128:

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Albert & Maryh Nicholas are recorded on the 1939 Census. Born in 1888, Albert was 50 when he moved to Batchmere.

A tenant called Strutton may have been here in the 1940s when the Rolf family were at No 127.

Derek & Phyllis Howell arrived in 1958 from Alton, Hampshire. They moved out in 1975 after purchasing 8.5 acres of land in Bell Lane Birdham, where son Adrian manages Tawney Nursery.
In November 2016 Derek Gordon Joseph Howell, 90 years young and still helping out on the (Tawney) nursery was given an award at the Grow Show by Fargro and BHGS, suppliers to the Horticultural Industry.

In 1975 Rob Froud, 'Maker and supplier of Traditional Country Furniture', purchased the property and established his showrooms and workshop in the outbuildings of the former LSA smallholding.

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No 129 (Almodington Lane)

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Joseph Cheek was here in April 1939 when his three children were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously attended Lady Vernon RC School in Gateshead. (School Admissions register) The 1939 Census lists Joseph's wife as May. No departure information.

William Burtt is on the 1939 Census at Batchmere Training Centre. By October 1939 he was a tenant at No 129 when his children were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously been at school in Cwmbach, South Wales. Son Gordon was still on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date.

Mark Broadbridge arrived in January 1982 (LSA Bulletin No 1739) and was a Sidlesham Grower in 1983 and 1986. Mark's father Peter was a tenant at No 1 (Keynor) in the 1950s.

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No 130 (The Piggery)

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Andrew Hart arrived on 6th December in 1943 from Great Yeldham LSA in Essex as a 'General Manager with wife and 3 children, Andrew, Audrey and Geoffrey. The family moved to No 144 in 1945.

"Sow Service - A tractor driver will be available on Monday evening to take sows to the boar. Tenants with sows for service should contact the Packing Shed before 9.30am". (LSA Bulletin No 558 May 1959)

Reg Cox (no arrival date) was a tenant here in December 1959 (LSA Bulletin No 588) No departure date.

Don & Helen Baldwin arrived in 1963 and left in September 1979 (LSA Bulletin No 1604) to establish Black Dog Nursery in North Mundham.

Malcolm Reed arrived in October 1979 (LSA Bulletin No 1608) and was a Sidlesham Grower in 1983.

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No 131:

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Sidlesham School Admissions Register records that Ruth Lewis started Sidlesham School in April 1938. The 1939 Census records Joseph and Mary Lewis here at that time. According to LSA Bulletin No 972, Mr R. Lewis died in June 1967, aged 77.

Alfred Charles 'Dick' Burton arrived in October 1968 from Elmsthorpe LSA (LSA Bulletin No 1037) and was a Sidlesham Grower in 1983 and 1986.

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No 132:

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George & Sarah Smith are recorded living here in the 1939 Census. George's death is recorded in the LSA Bulletin (No 589) in December 1959. "Mr Smith was one of our oldest established tenants, who came to the estate in 1939. He came in those early difficult days to pioneer the scheme and get it established as it is today".

Roy Morris arrived as a tenant in October 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 730) He left in September 1968 (LSA Bulletin No 1035)

George Dalton (no arrival date) was on the Tenant's Register in 1976 and became a Sidlesham Grower from 1983 until 1991.

No 133:

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Henry Cloud, a boiler maker at Palmers Shipyard in Jarrow, arrived in 1936. The 1939 Census lists Henry's wife as Ada. The smallholding stayed in the family until 1996 with first son Sydney and wife Rita and then grandson Ian who became a Sidesham Grower in 1983 before establishing the Butterfly Farm on the holding. The link continued with great grandson Ben producing our film 'A Life from the Land' in conjunction with the Novium Museum in 2015. A copy is available on the Timeline of this website at 2015.

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No 134:

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William Redpath's daughter Olive was admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in May 1938, having previously attended Westbe Infants in South Shields. The family 'returned north' in September 1939. (School Admissions Register)

The 1939 Census records Raymond & Gwenllian Sargent living here at that time.

Frank Edwards arrived in 1945. His brother Colin was at No 96. Frank left in September 1973 (LSA Bulletin No 1296).

Michael Hickman arrived in October 1973 (LSA Bulletin No 1298). Still on the Tenants Register in 1976, but no departure date.

No 135:

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Bill & Violet Worden arrived here from Langley Park, Durham in 1937. Son William was born at No 135 in 1938, was given a middle name of 'Batchmere' and is on the photograph of the originals outside Keynor Hut, being held by his father. Daughters Violet and Doreen were admitted to Sidlesham Primary School in April 1938. The family moved to Bracklesham in 1943.

Arthur & Mary Bicknell arrived in 1943. Arthur died in June 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 707) See 'More' below.

Douglas & Joyce Kings arrived in October 1962 (LSA Bulletin No 730). They became independent growers after the closure in 1983 and left the holding in 1999.

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No 136:

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George Stevenson was a tenant here in November 1938 when his daughter Vera was admitted to Sidlesham School. The family 'returned north' in March 1939. (School Admissions Register)

David Parry's four children were admitted to the school in May 1939, having previously been at school in Cromaber (?), South Wales. The 1939 Census lists David's wife as Martha. The family left for Birdham in March 1940. (School Admissions Register).

Frank Reynolds arrived in 1940 and left in April 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1426) See 'More' below

Mychailo 'Michael' and Joyce Romaniuk arrived in April 1976 (LSA Bulletin No 1427) and were Sidlesham Growers in 1983 until 1991.

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No 137:

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Ernest & Blodwen White was here at the time of the 1939 Census. Their two children attended school in June 1939, The family 'returned to Wales' in June 1940. (School Admissions Register)

Cecil Berry was here in December 1940 when his children were admitted to Sidlesham School, having previously been at Mayville School (Portsmouth ?). William Coleman (evacuee ?) returned to Bexley heath (london) in March 1941. One of Cecil's children left Sidlesham School for Chichester High School in July 1944. (School Admissions Register)

Alec & Alice McDougall arrived in 1948. Alec became Secretary of Batchmere Christian Fellowship after Mr Morgan left in 1967. The family left after 23 years as tenants in August 1971, retiring to West Ashling (LSA Bulletin No 1185).

Gus & Christine Gore arrived in October 1971 (LSA Bulletin No 1193). They left the LSA in 1979 when they bought a nursery in the New Forest.

John Cowell arrived in October 1979 (LSA Bulletin No 1608) No departure date.

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No 138:

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Arthur & Mary Finneran are recorded here in the 1929 Census. Arthur's occupation is listed as 'labourer/general heavy work'.

Alec and Sybil Pugh were tenants in 1947 (no arrival date). They left in 1949 when Bernard Aston took over, staying until 1972. Bernard's father Henry had been a tenant at No 119.

David and Beryl Bowyer arrived in 1972 and stayed until 1992 when David went to work at a large private garden near Petworth which was owned by one of the Roux (chef) brothers. Beryl was the daughter of Dickie Cowan, an original settler, and spent her childhood at No 12 Keynor (Cow Lane).

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No 139:

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William (general labourer) & Hannah Case are recorded at No 139 in the 1939 Census.

Fred Blackman was registered at No 139 in May 1943 when one of his daughters left Sidlesham School in May 1943. The family had previously lived at No 109 (staff house).

Richard 'Dick' & Vera Brine moved here in September 1947, stayed 18 years and left in September 1965 (LSA Bulletin No 880). See 'More' below.

David & Pam Theobald arrived in October 1965 (LSA Bulletin No 882) and were Sidlesham Growers in 1983 and 1990. See 'More' below.

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Brine . . . . . . . . . . We arrived at 139 in September 1947 in the back of an LSA lorry along with all our furniture. My father had previously worked on a farm near Arundel looking after their dairy cows. Having no horticultural experience meant our first few years were very lean to say the least having to make every penny count. Things slowly improved and by about the third season lettuce and tomatoes were being grown in the Landlord Greenhouse. We kept one lot of pigs but then gutted the piggery to make way for battery cages. The Rhode Island Reds arrived as day-old-chicks which were kept for only a couple of years because by then two structures had been built to increase our tomato crop. Every year after that was much the same, a winter lettuce crop was followed by tomatoes throughout the summer. Although the LSA were phasing out livestock we kept a cow for milking for a few years but by then we had nearly two acres under glass which had become a full-time commitment. Although we arrived with several other post war newcomers it took us a long time to really get to know each other. Work always came first, so much so, that the men found themselves isolated with little chance of socialising except for the occasional visit to the Stores, but it was different for the women who soon made friends on shopping trips to Chichester or when meeting the school bus. We were surprised to find the village had two very different communities, most villagers were the families of men working for local farmers or the LSA. They viewed the self-employed LSA tenants as much better off and in a different class. Although the adults all knew each other well enough to chat they rarely mixed socially. The children never noticed any of this, we made friends with whoever was around, and with parents to busy to bother to much about us, we had the time of our lives. I went to Sidlesham School until 1951 then to the High School until 1956. Michael Braisher (100) was my best friend during my time at Sidlesham. Looking at the school photo on the website I easily recognise the staff but can’t be sure of any of the children, even myself. It was accepted the children would help with the work on the Holding but not to expect to be paid. Consequently, as soon as we were old enough we wanted to get a proper job and earn some money of our own. My first job was at Brinkman Nurseries in Birdham working with the foreman’s son Gordon Jay budding apple and pear onto quince stocks. Gordon and I are in the photo taken at the Youth Club (Fletchers Lane). I also worked at the Propagation Department delivering tomato plants and for the Packing Station collecting produce. If my parents hadn’t other ideas I would have happily stayed on working for them. Life began to improve in the 1950’s but it was still a time when few families could afford cars and so the introduction of the 53c bus service from Easton Lane into Chichester was a God Send. It meant no more 2-mile walks for Mum with heavy shopping bags and for us kids we could now get to the cinemas. Although there was competition from growers in Holland and Channel Islands, tenants like my father continued to expand by building structures to put more land under glass. I don’t think the aluminium houses were affordable then. My mother was one of the wives who shared the work, not all did, getting up at 1.30am in the winter cutting lettuce until sunrise and in the summer months planting, stringing and side shooting tomatoes. My father and I did the picking which was hot and dirty work. We picked all day or until the lorry or tractor arrived and then I used to cycle to Bracklesham for a swim rather clean myself up with the hose. When I last worked for the Packing Station in 1957 we were the largest tomato grower at Batchmere. Not every season was successful and there was the occasional glut when the unsold tomatoes were brought back from Covent Garden and dumped in a bomb crater opposite Batchmere House. Mrs Jones (109) and her daughter Esme ran dancing classes in Batchmere Hut and put on an occasional show. The local WI held meetings there where my Mother went to bottle and can fruit. Before he took over the chapel next door Alec McDougall (137) ran a club for younger children. There was also a Youth Club which Gordon Jay and I joined when we were about 14/15. The other members were all older and already working. A local girl used to organise a coach to go to dances in other villages like West Dean, Hunston and Mundham. Batchmere football team never shone again after their cup win in 1948 but the Sidlesham team continued to do well. (John Brine, son) .............................................................................................................. Theobald . . . . . . . . "My parents did not keep chicken or pigs.. Mum thinks that it was compulsory to keep chicken until 1964 and my uncle (No 34) continued to keep them after that. Mum also mentioned that until 1965 lettuce were packed and sent to market loose in boxes, but in 1965 the LSA introduced pre-packing in plastic bags. When we first moved in the butcher, Tom Hoar's from East Wittering, delivered out to Batchmere as did the West Wittering Co-op who delivered bread 3 times a week and groceries once. Milk was also delivered. My parents later shopped in Sainsbury's in Chichester. Mum and Dad didn't frequent local pubs. There is a footpath from one of the Avenues to Somerley Lane at Earnley so perhaps the Bell in Bell Lane would have been the most local for the Batchmere tenants? There was a Batchmere football team - my dad's brother Peter played in goal for them. We think that the pitch was behind the barn in First Avenue. I worked in the packing sheds at Keynor as a casual worker during the summer holidays for three or four years, cycling from home. I can't remember how many staff worked there but it must have easily been about 20. In the summer some casual staff came from Ireland and some from Bolton and they stayed in caravans at the back of the mess unit. In the western most part of the packing shed there was a celery weighing / grading machine with cups going round on a loop weighing the sticks of celery and sorting them into various weights. They were then boxed with different number of sticks per box depending on weight. The celery could give "celery burns" if you came into contact with the fluid from cut leaves / stems and sunlight - painful raised fluid filled blisters just like a burn. The main part of the packing shed was devoted mainly to tomatoes during the summer. The filled cardboard boxes were collected from the smallholding gate by a fleet of tractors and trailers - I worked mainly on the trailers stacking the boxes. Delivered to the packing sheds, the trailers were parked at the end of the grading machines and the tomatoes manually tipped box by box onto the rollers of the machine. A group of about 6 full-time ladies on a raised platform sorted out the unripe, damaged, small or misshapen fruit and the fruit fed down into shoots and were weighed at 12lbs into the reused boxes. These were then stacked on pallets for later loading onto the lorries - manually using an escalator. Grading stopped at the end of each holding's collection and the number boxes / grades were tallied for each holding to be passed to the office. Other minor crops were courgettes, peppers, cucumbers, aubergines and winter chrysanthemums but the main crops were winter / spring lettuce, celery and tomatoes. Here are a few names that I remember from working at the packing sheds :- John Barrell who I think was a deputy manager and tractor drivers including Wink Edwards, Ken - can't remember his surname but he used to ride a scooter, Ian Scott, one of Tom's sons, Bill Bull and his son's John and Ronnie. Bill had a very strong Sussex accent and John used to also drive the small tractor rotovator that could be hired for use in greenhouses. Also, Archie Carver who I think was lorry driver but may have worked on the tractors and I think Dave Simpson as a lorry driver.I hope that some of this is useful for you. Regards, (Jeremy Theobald, son)

Tomlins Cottages

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Ernest & Rhoda Harris are recorded as living at No 2 at the time of the 1939 Census.

Albert Wyatt was living at No 2 Tomlins Cottages in October 1940 when his children were admitted to Sidlesham School.

Darkie and Rhoda Harris lived in one of the LSA's semi-detached staff houses at Tomlins Cottages, Aldmodington Lane at the junction with Easton Lane. They had three daughters one of which was my mother Doris Baron. 'Darkie' was a general labourer however he also looked after the pigs in the 'Piggery' which was next door. Feeding them in the morning before work and again in the evening after work. For such labourers in those days the working week finished on a Saturday lunchtime. 'Darkie' spent the Saturday morning 'mucking' out the pigs. His wife Rhoda sold groceries and sweets from their home, the front room virtually being the local shop. (Phil Baron, No 107 Grandson) Jeff Willis and his wife Dot lived in the other semi at Tomlins Cottages.Jeff was a carpenter with the LSA Maintenance team and worked out of the carpenters workshop which was housed in the Batchmere Barns complex. No 130: The Piggery, where the sows were brought to the boar. Male piglets in the litters were fattened up on the smallholdings before being taken to Chichester Abattoir on the A27 Stockbridge Roundabout. Tenants often kept one for their personal use. (Phil Baron, No 107)

Nos 140 & 141:

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Nos 140 & 141 could be The Hermitage and Bottle Cottage on Almodington Lane. At the time that the LSA purchased Batchmere and Tomlns Farms they could have been tied cottages.

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No 142:

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Robin Gatehouse farmed the smalholdling here for Keynor Salads in 1986.

No 143: Lidney Croft

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According to the 1939 Census William Willis (Poultry Adviser) and wife Ella were living at ??? Croft with children William (15 years old), listed as a poultry man, and daughter Margaret (aged 13) at Sidlesham School. Margaret married Alf Yellowley (No 73) in 1950. (See story below by granddaughter)

Peter & Molly Farley arrived in the 1950s. Peter was Livestock Manager (Chickens & Pigs) until they were phased out in the 1960s. He then had responsibility for the Batchmere stores and the employment of seasonal staff, including students and prisoners from Ford Prison.

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My grandparents are William and Ella Jane Willis. They had moved around such a lot that my mother couldn't remember all the houses, but I believe they moved from Gloucester though my mother never lost her Lancashire accent. William was poultry advisor to the LSA tenants and the family lived in a number of different houses including the two either side of the community hut in Batchmere No 143 & 144, as well as No 71 and 72 in Lockgate Road. (**The 1939 Census has William and Lavinia living at Lidney Croft (No 143). William Willis became a major in the Home Guard, a fact that has always rankled because he had only been a private in the First World War, whereas my other grandfather Alfred Yellowley (No 73) had been a sergeant until his honourable discharge through injury. Allegedly, the reason for his higher rank was because he had a telephone and Alfred (Yellowley) didn't! My mother was Margaret (Peg/Peggy) Willis. She and her three brothers William Frederick Willis (known as Fred), Geoff and Derek moved to Sidlesham around the same time as my father. She stayed at Sidlesham school until fourteen then worked at the Propagating (props) Centre in Batchmere . At the age of sixteen and during the war she won a scholarship to attend agricultural college in Usk in Wales where she excelled and got 100% in her bee-keeping exam!. She returned to the props and worked there until she moved to Collingham, Newark, with her parents when my grandfather wanted to move again. My parents were married there, then lived in one very small part of Bottle Cottage, Almodington. It was a tied cottage then (now a very lovely listed building opposite third avenue) and my Auntie Dot, Uncle Geoff and cousin Carole lived next door in a slightly larger part with a toilet. Our toilet was in a shed in the back garden. My sister Susan, myself and younger sister Kathleen were all born there. After the time in the army my father worked as a carpenter on the maintenance unit of the L.S.A. along with my uncle Fred Willis who was an electrician, and Uncle Geoff Willis who was also a carpenter. Other names and characters I remember were Arthur Taylor, someone known as Norman Gordon Ginger, Dennis Hoare, Dick Allen. There were many trades who worked on repairs to the houses on the estates. My grandfather Alfred was becoming increasingly unwell at this time and my father spent many hours working two jobs by helping my nana with the smallholding. Eventually my grandfather died in his early sixties when I was five years old in 1958. My father took on more of the responsibility of running the smallholding and working as a carpenter. He built a greenhouse and grew his own crops to raise money. We spent much of the winters living at 73 so my parents could harvest the lettuce crop, until in 1962 my grandmother moved to Birdham, and my parents were ready to take on the smallholding full-time. My mother felt very insulted about having to interviewed regarding her experience in horticulture so did not attend the interview!. My father was also insulted by being asked how he could afford to take it on. He pointed out the years he'd worked and his own greenhouse earnings. We moved in June 1962, my father built more dutch- light greenhouses and we endured that first very cold winter and the snow on Boxing Day 1962 which meant the school stayed closed for extra days. My father built up the business and was very successful being accused by the L.S.A. management of 'flooding the market'. Somewhere along the line it became a nursery rather than a smallholding. Incidentally there has always been confusion down Lockgate Road as to the numbering. 71,73,72,74,75 76. 73 should have been built down a little track behind 72 but building a roadway was going to be too expensive and the numbers had already been allocated, as far as my father can recall. My Uncle Fred and Auntie Joy and cousins Roy, Ian, Jane and David lived in a tied cottage in Tongues Cottage in Cow Lane, Sidlesham, a tied cottage part of Keynor Farm. In 1956 they became tenants at No 46 (Keynor Lane), retiring to manhood lane at the closure of the LSA in 1983. but also got a smallholding on Keynor Lane (No 46). My Uncle Fred died many years ago and my Auntie Joy lived in Manhood Lane. My Uncle Geoff remained a carpenter and lived with his family in Tomlins Cottage, Batchmere, another tied cottage, and when the L.S.A. broke up, decided against buying and opted instead for a council house also in Manhood Lane. Geoff died many years ago and Auntie Dot moved in with Carole and her family in Exeter, Devon. Jean Sykes & Se Pearson (nee Yellowley) Granddaughters. ......................................................................................................................... "I have a few more details that I have gleaned from mum. In the original community hut at Batchmere a whist drive was held every Monday evening. There were weekly dancing classes for the local children and on Friday evenings there was a Youth Club. The church hut was used every Thursday afternoon for a 'Womens Bright Hour' which involved a great deal of singing. My mother did not attend but could hear the singing from her garden! The church hut was also used for the distribution of free cod liver oil and orange juice etc for babies. The shop opposite Easton Lane was not there when my mother arrived in 1950 and so she used 'Humphreys Stores' (now the NISA shop on the Birdham Straight) and she would walk there through the farm track opposite the White Cottage and passing through Whitestone Farmyard" (Lesley Hubbard, Pete Farley's daughter) . . . . . . . . . . . . "A fox has been seen on the Batchmere Estate three times during the last ten days and I suggest you secure your poultry at night." (P. Farley, LSA Bulletin, January 1960).

Batchmere Hut

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The 1939 Census lists the following men at Batchmere Training Centre (where they lived while they were being trained): Joseph Allison (Farm Labourer), Charles Jakeways (Builder Labourer), James Slocombe (Collier), Fred Ruckley (Coal Hewer), John Kemp (Coal Hewer), Ernest Downs (?) (Collier, Labourer), Edward Nattrass (Storeman?), Benjamin Lewis (General Labourer), Henry Guy (Motor Driver), William Burtt (General Labourer), John Jeff (Coal Hewer) and Thomas Smithson (Coal Hewer).

The following are known to have completed their training and become tenants: Fred Ruckley (No No 19), John Kemp (No 2), Edward Nattrass (No 107), Ben Lewis (No 75) and William Burtt (No 129).

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No 144: Fairfield

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Andrew Hart was a 'general manager' for the Batchmere Estate. He moved here from No 130 in 1945, before moving to Batchmere House in 1947,

Godfrey Shirt was the Service Department Manager in charge of 'central services' - machinery, tractors and lorries. He came to Batchmere in 1951 from the LSA at Newent, living first in a staff house (No 121). He moved to Fairfield in the late 1950s where he stayed until his retirement in 1988.

Godfrey supervised LSA transport to move the first buildings to go to the Weald & Downland Museum in the 1960s. Later he was a founder volunteer steward at the msueum and a bench dedicated to him is outside Bayfield House. .

A new house has been constructed on the site - the former LSA property has been dismantled and is storage at The Weald and Downland Living Museum awaiting funding to be re-built. The LSA story will then have a permanent home.

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"For the first few years we lived in 3rd Avenue, Batchmere, subsequently moving to a "manager's house" at Fairfield. My father was one of the few people to benefit from closure as it coincided with his retirement and he was able to buy what was previously a tied-cottage at a significant discount. I lived there till I went to College in 1966. I regularly worked for the LSA during the school holidays, delivering tomato plants from the Propagating Department in Batchmere to the tenants during the Easter holidays and collecting the tomato harvest from the tenants during the summer holidays (when I also helped in the packing station) I well remember the steam sterilisation in the glass houses (the steam engine also fell under my father's responsibility). It was very hot and thirsty work. I remember one occasion when a crate of beer was provided. We drank far more than usual, but didn't feel the slightest bit tipsy! I was actually at the youth club in Batchmere Hut the moment we heard that Kennedy had been shot - a moment I will never forget! As for anecdotes, there was one memorable tractor driver called Bill Bull (his son, John, yes John! also subsequently worked as a tractor driver). We were never sure whether Bill had a very dry humour or had been in the sun too long! I was out on collections with him the night Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. It was a clear night with a new moon. I remember Bill asking me why they hadn't delayed the landing by 2 weeks as they would then have had a bigger target to aim at! He eventually bought a car, and when questioned why he said it was to get to the bus stop when it was raining! I have many happy memories of life with the LSA in Batchmere, Fletchers and Keynor, and many of the characters that worked there. I'd be very interested to see any of the material you produce, and happily add to it where I can (I attended Sidlesham Primary School for 2 years and was there when that pilot crashed, must have been around 1953). The two Estate Managers I recall were Mr Sutton and subsequently Mr Scott. Mr Cooper ran the Packing Station, Mr Clarke the Stores, Mr Farley the livestock, and Mr Wells the Propagating Dept - there was a very low turnover of staff! I hope I can be of assistance to your very worthwhile project". (Dave Shirt, son)

The Trail

School Lay-By

Nos 1 & 2:

Cow Lane

Walking away from the school . . . . . just before turning into Cow Lane notice No 39 with its distinctive name - now on the metal gate leading to the smallholding.

Keynor Farm House & Keynor Hut

No 3a: Honeysuckle Cottage

Nos 3 & 4:

4a: LSA staff house

Nos 5 & 6:

No 7a:

1999-2018: Haygrove / Sidlesham (Strawberries & raspberries) 2019: Newey (wholesale perennial plugs and liners, annual basket and patio plants and trees, soft fruit and specimen shrubs)

Nos 7 & 8:

Nos 9 & 10:

Nos 11 & 12:

No 13: Landseer House

Tonges Cottage

Nos 14 & 15:

Nos 16 & 17:

Nos 18 & 19:

No 20 & 21:

Nos 22 & 23:

No 24 & 25:

Nos 26 & 27:

Nos 28 & 29:

No 30:

Nos 31 & 32:

No 33 & 34:

Packing Shed

35 A & B:

Nos 35 & 36:

Nos 37 & 38:

No 39 & 40 (on Keynor Lane)

Nos 41 & 42:

Nos 43 & 44:

No 45: Acer Leigh

Ivy Grange

No 46: Rose Farm

Mutton Farm House

During World War II the children from No 45 were 'evacuated' here when a bomb landed between the apple trees on the smallholding and blew the windows out of the house. (Becky Wilson) The Shepherd family were farming here (dairy) in 1938 (Kellys Directory)

Selsey Road

Recreation Ground

No 49:

No 50: Kibblesworth

No 51: Jakes Nursery

No 52: Mallands Nursery

No 53: Swallow Nursery

Petrol Station

Lander's Garage in 1950's. A YouTube video is available showing children playing on the grass verge and an absence of traffic on the B2145! (See more below)

No 54:

No 55:

The Anchor Inn

No 58 & 59 (Rotten Row)

Nos 56 & 57 (Church Lane)

Nos 61 & 62 (Street End Lane)

Nos 63 & 64 (Street End Lane)

Nos 65 & 66 (Street End Lane)

Nos 67 & 68 (Street End Lane)

No 60 (Street End Road)

Street End Cottages

Street End Farm & Barn

Nos 69 & 70 (Lane End)

No 71 (Linnet House on Lockgate Road)

No 72:

No 73: Meadowcroft

No 74: (now Little Orchard)

No 75:

No 76:

Fletchers Lane

Nos 77 & 78: (LSA staff houses)

Nos 79 & 80:

Nos 81 & 82

Nos 83 & 84:

No 85:

No 86:

No 87:

Nos 88 & 89:

Pound Inn

With your back to Highleigh Road, the property on the opposite side of the road (Highleigh Pound) was the 17th century Pound Inn, a local for the earliest LSA tenants who used the footpaths across the fields from Lockgate Road and Almodington, known locally as Piggery Lane.

First Avenue (No's 94-107)

1999-2018: Haygrove / Sidlesham (Strawberries & raspberries)

2019: Newey (wholesale perennial plugs and liners, annual basket and patio plants and trees, soft fruit and specimen shrubs)

During World War II the children from No 45 were 'evacuated' here when a bomb landed between the apple trees on the smallholding and blew the windows out of the house. (Becky Wilson)

The Shepherd family were farming here (dairy) in 1938 (Kellys Directory)