Nostalgic memories of excursions to Petworth and other country places came back to Bill Blann who was born in 1922 and lived in a cul de sac called Ten Acres in East Worthing. He recalled:-

'My Mother in my very young days would arrange day outings to various places - Devils Dyke, Haslemere, Petworth, Midhurst, Godalming and other country places. The charabanc would arrive at Ten Acres in the morning, usually hired from Silver Queen Coaches and all the friends and neighbours who had paid for their seats would climb aboard.

Then off we would go, me sitting on somebody's lap - that saved the cost of a seat. We always went to a number of places and looking back now I am quite sure it was from one country pub to another. It was usually dark when we arrived back home, so it seems to me that the last pub visited was stayed at until closing time was called and that was the signal for the start of the homeward journey.

There was one time I remember in particular because all the passengers had to vacate the charabanc and walk up a hill. That coach was not powerful enough to take a full load up that hill!

I can remember too, it starting to rain, the charabanc stopping and passengers helping to manhandle the folding canvas hood from the back to the front. The narrow roads of those days must have made coach driving a hazardous experience but then, of course, there were very few other vehicles on the roads. It was possible to go quite a long way without seeing any others.'