THE QUAY CUT ABOVE THE OLD SWING BRIDGE
"Salt-caked coaster" from Seaham
By Roger Morley
My wife Janette and I lived in Seaford from July, 1965, when we were married, until late 1966, when we moved to Denton, where we lived until we moved back to North London in 1970 (mistake!). I used to play the "organ" at Tarring Neville Church, on the occasions when they held services there. My wife worked at Vacco then Ranalah Gates (where she met Charlie Watts!), until the birth of our first son in December, 1968, and I worked in the laboratories of Ferguson's on Denton Island, all the time we there, until our return to London.
Every couple of weeks, we witnessed the arrival of an ancient coaster from Seaham, which unloaded directly opposite Ferguson's laboratories, on the man-made cut, which had created the quay for the purpose, and Denton Island itself. I have tried everywhere to find the name of that coaster, without succcess. Can anyone help, please? I remember its last trip, before being scrapped. The bridge opened to let this coal-fired, filthy, sooty, yet brightly bunting-bedecked coaster through for its final unloading!
I have numerous (mostly happy) memories of dear old Newhaven, like the time it was actually cut off for 24 hours by heavy snow in the winter of 1967/1968. I think I've got the year right, but I know I'm correct in remembering that a large number the workers at Ferguson's who were brought in every day by coaches from Brighton, Lewes and Eastbourne had to spend that Friday night in the canteen, unless they had friends to stay with!
I will try to dig out some pictures to add. I know I have some to support the snow story. Also some of happy days at the Flying Fish in Denton, where I used to play the piano now and then, and where I could sometimes be persuaded to play Rugby Songs, for community singing!