We chatted to Vic in October 2020 and he was happy to share snippets of his memories from Fairlight and Pett. We list some of those memories below, in no particular order:

Vic was born just before the war in New Barn Farm, off Rosemary Lane (now known as Low Winters Farm).

When he was five the family moved to Waites Barn Cottage, Waites Lane where he remained until 1962 when he married. Waites Barn Cottage was located next to where Hairbase the hairdresser stands today, but was demolished many years ago and replaced with a new house. He lived there with his parents, his sister, his younger brother (Keith’s dad) and his older brother, Bert.

New Barn Farm had been split into 2 households and was owned by a Charlie Colegate (he was related to the Fields family) and Vic’s family rented one half. They had to leave when Mr.Colegate wanted the farm back.

Vic’s grandparents lived in Lunsford Cottages, Pett and his grandfather worked on Lunsford Farm as a carter.

In 1952, Vic’s first job was with Mark Moon, the milkman. Mark Moon bottled his milk at Whiteman’s farm in Peter James Lane (Winterstow). In later years it was delivered to Pett Road by a firm called T.Bates from Hastings. Vic delivered to addresses all over Fairlight. Keith Glazier’s mum also worked for Mark. Vic recalls that Mark was cricket mad.

Vic remembers that everything was delivered to the door. Some such deliveries in the village included:-

Mr.Wells the local fishmonger. He lived in Battery Hill and had a brick-built cold store in the land opposite his front door. Harry was a baker who worked for the Co-op. There was another bakery called ‘Henry, King of Feist’ in Ore.

In the 1940s there was a five bar gate across Waites Lane manned by Jack Haynes. He wouldn’t let people through to the Firehills Estate unless they could prove they had business there. It was a private estate at that time owned by Godfrey Weston Hickman.

Mr. and Mrs. Rimmington ran the Woolpack Shop and when they were bombed out during the War, they moved across the road.

A bus was owned and operated from the Royal Oak, Pett. Bubbles Turner drove the old bus and the route included driving through Stream Lane. [Pictures exist of the bus parked outside the Royal Oak]

Later the local bus routes were operated by the East Kent Road Car Company (East Kent). They had a conductor to take the money and their buses were painted red and cream. The East Kent bus to Fairlight was the 128.

In 1951/2 Vic was on a full bus attempting to go up Battery Hill. Just before Peter James Lane everyone had to get off the bus and push as it couldn’t get up the hill. Apparently this was a frequent occurence

Vic’s father in law, Mr.Osborne, helped to build the steps down to the beach in Fairlight – they accessed the beach from the sea.

Vic remembers that a Jack Morton managed a pumping station that pumped water to Gorsecliffe. There was a big water tank at the top of Fyrsway. There was a large brick-built, open-topped water tank on the left by the Circle. Vic remembers sailing boats on the tank as a child.

A wheel from a crashed RAF plane was found on the beach at Pett Level. The RAF came and took it away to a museum.

In 1951 the Fairlight Youth Club joined with other youth clubs to re-enact the Battle of Hastings at Arundel Castle in front of the then Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II). Vic gave all the paperwork to Hastings History House.

There were many small local builders, such as Stan Dyer, Reg Sweetman, Barden & Sons Ltd, J.J. Hills, T.E. Relfe, Colegate & Sons, etc. Reg Sweetman’s company was based where Just Property is now and their shed was where Hair Base is now. Reg built many houses in Fairlight Cove and Council houses in Elm Lane, Pett after the war.

Vic’s grandfather, Harry, was listed in 1911 as a ‘well sinker’.

A Lady Tyrwhitt Drake lived in Channel Way and owned a zoo in Maidstone. She drove a Rolls Royce. [nb There is now a Tyrwhitt-Drake collection of carriages on display at Maidstone Museum].

There was a café opposite the Circle shop and a working men’s café on the corner of Farley Way opposite Pixie Wood. [Pixie Wood was a family run tea-room for many years]

Vic’s sister lived at Coastguard Cottages on the Firehills for 50 years.

The car park opposite The Smugglers at Pett Level was a lovely green and the first Pett Flower Show was held there.

A Miss Barry lived at Waites Farm and during the war, she worked as a medic.

Mr.and Mrs.Sandford ran the shop in Lower Waites Lane before the two ladies ran the butter shop.

The Pett Level Chronicles were started by Mr.Seaton who owned Pett Level. He lived opposite Tonge House at Cliff End and possibly built the Smugglers pub.

The Gosticks ran the Smuggler and owned considerable land at Pett Level.

Pett Garage was run by Jimmy Goodsell. [nb. The garage was located where Tic Toc is today]

By Karen and Paul Draper, October 2020