Peoples Stories - Bevendean History Project
Bernard Fennell's memories of Moulsecoomb & Bevendean
I
was born in Wallington near Croydon in 1929 and moved down Brighton in
1943 to live in Milner Road. In 1947 whilst studying at Night School, I
met up with John Diffen who was very much involved with the Moulsecoomb
Youth Fellowship, attached to St Andrew's Church, which he invited me
to join. The evening classes were held at the old Intermediate School
in London Road Brighton and my tutor was Jack Witten, who was also
organiser of the Moulsecoomb Youth Fellowship.
I began my working life at Allen West in 1943, which had a factory in Coombe Road. They also had factories in Moulsecoomb Way and Lewes Road, and before I was called to do my national service in 1947 I worked in all three factories.
Due to hearth problems, I did not serve the full term of two years in the RAF, just my basic training at West Kirby, near Liverpool and a short period at RAF Melksham in Wiltshire. Following my discharge from the RAF I spent a short time working at an Estate Agent in Hove, before taking up a post with the Trustee Savings Bank in Church Road Hove. I spent four years studying for my professional banking qualifications and, following a period working as a relief branch manager obtained my first managerial appointment as manager of the Uckfield branch of the bank. The office in the High Street was, in fact, the oldest building in the town and had a beautiful oak ship's timber across its ceiling. Following appointments in Horsham and Eastbourne, in 1974 I was transferred to the branch in Haywards Heath, retiring from there in 1988.
In 1955 I joined St Andrew's Church Choir and recall attending the dedication of St Mary Magdalen's Church Coldean by the Bishop of Lewes. St Andrew's Choir led by the Rev Ian Smith was invited to sing at this service.
In 1960 when Jack Witten moved to Haywards Heath to become head teacher of St Wilfred's C of E School, I was asked to become leader of the Moulsecoomb Youth Fellowship and held this position until Ian Smith became priest-in-charge of St Peter's Church, West Green Crawley and I was appointed choirmaster. I served 42 years as choirmaster and during this period the choir increased its membership to 40 members. The annual choir camping holidays held at Ashes Farm Iklesham, begun in 1961 continued until 1998. As well as our church music commitments, which included singing at various churches in Sussex and on one occasion providing a choir for a service in Chichester Cathedral. We also performed annual concerts (musical extravaganzas) in St Andrew's Church Hall, progressing to staging several Gilbert & Sullivan Operettas.
My association with Moulsecoomb began when I joined St Andrew's Church &the Fellowship in 1947. My earliest memories of Bevendean was of The Avenue and the parade of shops with Manton Road at the end of the central green, which I believe was given over to allotments until the late 1940's. As an alternative route from Milner Road to St Andrew's Church, I walked up to Baden Road at the top of the hill and down "Jacob's Ladder" (a footpath with steps) overlooking Lower Bevendean. There were allotments either side of "Jacob's Ladder" and magnificent views across the downs, where later the Bevendean Estate was built. I also recall walking along a track from Bevendean to Kingston, part of the old Juggs Road and the original link with Brighton across the Downs.
I began my working life at Allen West in 1943, which had a factory in Coombe Road. They also had factories in Moulsecoomb Way and Lewes Road, and before I was called to do my national service in 1947 I worked in all three factories.
Due to hearth problems, I did not serve the full term of two years in the RAF, just my basic training at West Kirby, near Liverpool and a short period at RAF Melksham in Wiltshire. Following my discharge from the RAF I spent a short time working at an Estate Agent in Hove, before taking up a post with the Trustee Savings Bank in Church Road Hove. I spent four years studying for my professional banking qualifications and, following a period working as a relief branch manager obtained my first managerial appointment as manager of the Uckfield branch of the bank. The office in the High Street was, in fact, the oldest building in the town and had a beautiful oak ship's timber across its ceiling. Following appointments in Horsham and Eastbourne, in 1974 I was transferred to the branch in Haywards Heath, retiring from there in 1988.
In 1955 I joined St Andrew's Church Choir and recall attending the dedication of St Mary Magdalen's Church Coldean by the Bishop of Lewes. St Andrew's Choir led by the Rev Ian Smith was invited to sing at this service.
In 1960 when Jack Witten moved to Haywards Heath to become head teacher of St Wilfred's C of E School, I was asked to become leader of the Moulsecoomb Youth Fellowship and held this position until Ian Smith became priest-in-charge of St Peter's Church, West Green Crawley and I was appointed choirmaster. I served 42 years as choirmaster and during this period the choir increased its membership to 40 members. The annual choir camping holidays held at Ashes Farm Iklesham, begun in 1961 continued until 1998. As well as our church music commitments, which included singing at various churches in Sussex and on one occasion providing a choir for a service in Chichester Cathedral. We also performed annual concerts (musical extravaganzas) in St Andrew's Church Hall, progressing to staging several Gilbert & Sullivan Operettas.
My association with Moulsecoomb began when I joined St Andrew's Church &the Fellowship in 1947. My earliest memories of Bevendean was of The Avenue and the parade of shops with Manton Road at the end of the central green, which I believe was given over to allotments until the late 1940's. As an alternative route from Milner Road to St Andrew's Church, I walked up to Baden Road at the top of the hill and down "Jacob's Ladder" (a footpath with steps) overlooking Lower Bevendean. There were allotments either side of "Jacob's Ladder" and magnificent views across the downs, where later the Bevendean Estate was built. I also recall walking along a track from Bevendean to Kingston, part of the old Juggs Road and the original link with Brighton across the Downs.
1 March 2015
Story_039