Name : June Margaret Carter
Maiden name: Luck Baker
DOB 19.05.31
Where were you born: It was called Tin Town as the houses were made of Tin (Broomgrove, Hastings).
Where have you lived: I lived at Broomgrove until I was 5, then moved to Ore – I was at Ore until I married at 22. I’ve been living in Guestling since 1953 – 60 odd years.
Work: Dewhurst’s the Butchers as Cashier/bookkeeper. They had 9 shops in Hastings in those days – they traded under several different names: British and Argentine Company, Eastman’s, Kingston’s and Dewhurst’s. I worked for them for 8 years after I left school at 14. I stayed with same firm – working at different shops as a relief. I was at Bohemia Road shop for six months’ training. He was a strict Manager, but he taught me well. Then I went to Kingston’s in London Road, then I went to an Eastbourne shop. After I worked on the land I went to the Beefeater for a job for a change! In Wartime 1945 I worked from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm, but sometimes we were still there at 11.00 at night doing orders. No overtime in those days and you didn’t question it – just kept going!
Coronation Memories (George V1): The Mayor was Councillor Blackman (who owned a coal company), he was a bit of a philanthropist. All schools had a Christmas tree and every child had a present courtesy of him. At the Coronation, children were all given a silver bracelet with little coloured stones in the shape of a crown and it is still as it was then – not tarnished (not actual silver). This was a gift from him. We were also given a propelling pencil with a little glass window on the side of it and when you shook it a little gold coach appeared. I gave it to my granddaughter. On viewing the Coronation – I was only 6 at the time. No TV then, so unless you had a TV or you knew someone with a TV you wouldn’t have seen it!!
Memories of Winter of 1947 and 1963. !947 – birds froze to the lines overhead. No ‘buses running – so I walked from Ore to Bohemia Road – I was doing my training then. I managed to get there at exactly 8.30 down Mount Pleasant and up through the Park. Very pretty – but awful to see birds dead. My youngest boy was 3 years old in 1963 and we had winter from the end of Nov. to March – an Arctic Winter. No central heating – everyone crowded around one fireplace. We had to breathe on window to see out. When I got married I put the cot by the chimney breast. One fireplace in the whole house. Babies wrapped up and we were too.
Memories about the storms we have experienced 1987. I worked on the land – packing apples – there was an almighty crash – a high building. One of the apple bins had been picked up and had come down through the roof. This was at the bottom of White Hart so the hill saved it from the wind.
Memories of 2nd World War. I was not evacuated. I didn’t go to school for 18 months – roamed in Pett and Fairlight. I got to know Fairlight very well. Went to Fairlight cove down the steps – lots of barbed wire on the beach at that time. The school children, when it all opened up after the War, were sent (not asked – just told!) to all the fields towards Fairlight Church where we had to go gleaning which meant picking up all the seeds from the threshers. We had little nimble fingers which were just right for gleaning! We had to collect sheeps’ wool on hedgerows and would tease and spin it – then used beetroot skins and carrot peelings to dye the wool – wash it into skeins to make sure lanolin had come out. This was all part of school training. Ore Village school was a house attached to the school – we would go there and be taught how to clean lampshades and dusting on tops of doors! Also how to clean the grate, bathrooms and bedrooms and the kitchen. 3 girls a week would cook dinner for the teachers and you would go to the shops to buy provisions to do so – what you would need. We also went to Mount Pleasant laundry to learn how to wash and boil clothes, starch clothes, pillowcases everything was starched! This was all part of our education. I learnt to cook meat puddings and pies, stews – wholesome food. After I got married I was glad I had the training. Even now I observe the rules the teacher told me. Scripture was taught – Headmistress explained in everyday language. Maths, History, Geography, PE, games, Art, Music. Greek Mythology and Shakespeare -all the Classics were taught. Glad I was taught these things – this was all in Senior education. My sister in law was a sports’ fanatic. We went to the Pilot Field every year – all schools competed there – long jump, high jump, relay and hurdles. I won the long jump and was 3rd in the 50 yards. Football was played there as well. Money was tight and I couldn’t stay on for further education. I earned a pound a week out of which I gave mum 10 shillings. Mum didn’t buy our clothes when we started work. We managed our own money and didn’t expect a lot. Potato and hop picking was done for extra money.
There were not many houses in Fairlight in those days. All gorse and grass. The Lover’s Seat has disappeared and the land is different now.