This article was first published in the West Sussex Gazette on September 23rd 1999

The is the second and final part of Eben Ballantyne's boyhood memories of Arundel 50 odd years ago,

Eben continues:-
At that time the river (Arun) was banked with raw chalk blocks which eroded and had to be replaced frequently. Chalk was brought down river from the Black Rabbit chalk pit on barges propelled by long poles operated by men who walked, pushing from bow to stern along narrow decks on the gunwales.

I enclose three photos, one of my father driving a float entered in a parade by the Norfolk Garage, for which he worked as a mechanic for many years. This parade, which we see passing St. Aubin's stables, opposite the St. Nicholas Church, was in honour of the jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary in 1935.

A sailing barge moves into sight of Arundel

The second is of another carnival float, with my father again, in a fruit basket.

The other, of a rather bent Morris Minor, shows that road accidents are nothing new. I think one of the men is Stan Fears, father of Doug, who was mentioned by Graham, the one in the white overalls is my father.

Old Arundelians will also surely remember the almost perennial Henry VIII float featuring the rotund Mr. Fred Rumsey in the title role, surrounded by his buxom wives and happily quaffing huge tankards of ale.

Mr. Rumsey drove the same Austin taxi for many years. It was the only one into which he could fit, just.

Another Arundel character was one Ted Mills, who, in the summer, when he was not exhibiting his considerable physique by parading along the top of the bridge before, eventually, plunging into the river in a spectacular dive, would ride his Matchless motor cycle slowly around town resplendent in a singlet and bowler hat. I strongly suspect this was to invoke derision from visiting 'furriners' giving a good excuse to give one a good thumping.

I also have memories of the huge steam engines from Penfolds, of Ford Road, used to power threshing machines and other farm equipment, but for me the piece de resistance was the vast Gyrotiller, a steam driven rotary plough which I thought was the epitome of raw power.

Although I spent most of my working life on the metropolitan newspaper, the 'News' in Adelaide, now defunct, but then the springboard for Mr. Rupert Murdock's rise to being arguably the World's most powerful media magnate, I have remained a product of the country and on retirement escaped the City to a small farming and fishing town on the shore of St. Vincent Gulf, much like coastal towns used to be in Sussex.

There my wife and I enjoy the simple life, sailing, fishing and being involved in local affairs.

I have come to love Australia, but dear old Arundel will always be my spiritual 'home'.

This article was first published in the West Sussex Gazette on September 23rd 1999

The Black Rabbit Inn, Arundel near where chalk blocks were mined to line the banks of the River Arun.