EASTSIDE BEACH
Pre War Memories
from Hazel Hill (nee Richardson)
The wonderful stretch of golden sand, it always appeared first by the east pier, so that was where the crowds collected, swollen by dozens of people who came by train from Lewes, all trekking along the cinder path, complete with push chairs and bags.
If the tide was high we would see who could be the first one to 'touch sand', not me I'm afraid, usually my friend Ada, much more daring than me, and taller I might add.
The great time in the afternoon was when the mail boat was spotted on the horizon: we all scrambled back into our wet navy blue cotton bathers to go into the swells. The mail boat was our clock as well, no watches in those days, you went home when the boat came in: no sun creams either to my knowledge, you just got burnt. I had Robin Starch dusted over my damage!
Mr Purchell's hut was a great source of pleasure, he sold lovely strips of creamy toffee for a ha'penny, lots of other sweets and pots of tea. However did he get his supplies across these stones? These were wonderful times with hot summers (we think now), but best of all it was free for everybody.
I thank God for these lovely memories.