Published in the West Sussex Gazette on November 15th 2001

A delightful description of how Worthing used to be is included with the following childhood memories sent in by Maureen Roberts who passionately loves the town.

Born in Kingston, London, I actually came to Worthing when I was 2 years old, in 1946, and we lived in the High Street, almost opposite Union Place. When I was 7, we went to Australia for 2 years as my father was seconded to the Australian Navy.

We returned in time for the coronation in 1953. That was wonderful. All the fancy dress competitions. (I was actually on the front page of the Worthing papers as I won first prize). All the street parties. I was attending Lyndhurst Road School at the time.

We then moved to Wiston Avenue, they were new houses then, and we lived almost opposite where the flower sellers lived, so some of them the same age as myself became friends. All around were nurseries and fields, it was great, we had so much fun. We could even go primrosing out at Clapham Woods.

I went to Davison Secondary C of E School, which was at that time in Chapel Road. Our headmistress was Miss Tate. We lived in awe of her, and didn't dare put a foot out of place. Her deputy was Miss Brown who also took us for Maths and History.

My maiden name by the way was Maureen Wilson, and I was born 27/04/1944. My mother was Brenda Wilson, who was a cook at Woolworth's for years, and latterly ran the canteen at the Adult Education Centre.

My father, Matthew Wilson, was a license-plated cabby for over 20 years, but also worked at Worthing Police Station as a civvy, and then was caretaker of the Adult Education Centre. He was well known around the town and well loved.

My father also featured in the Lloyds Bank Robbery where the guard was killed by Terry. My father was the taxi driver who picked up the robbers and took them to the station. His evidence helped to convict them and he received a reward from the bank of £1,000 -- a lot of money then.

On the subject of school chums, sadly I have lost touch with most of them, but do occasionally meet the odd one, although I've never kept in touch. However, I do have all my old school magazines, which
name us all, and show some awful pictures.

I can go on forever with so many memories, so if you want any more info, just let me know. I have also kept newspapers etc. of most of the important events in our lives, and of Worthing.

Worthing, what a lovely sounding name that is, it rolls over your tongue in the same way that our beautiful downs roll across the south of our county, and the gentle waves roll in from the English Channel and gently wash the shore.

Worthing beach with the Pier Pavilion in the distance and the Dome Cinema (top right).

South Street looking north towards the old town hall, with its commanding view of this once main thoroughfare. The old town hall was demolished by the borough council and the land on which it stood is undeveloped, forming part of the paved area leading to the Guildbourne Centre.

I remember the Worthing of 50 years ago, when the same downs and the same waves rolled gently and even more quietly. The genteel pace of life, the beautiful old town hall, which stood so arrogantly at the top end of South Street.

The harsh stony beach, and the endless sand when the tide was out beyond the pier. The flags on the beached fishing boats, waving in the wind, why was it always windy on the beach?

Two-way traffic down Montague Street, now a pedestrian precinct, and the wonderful smell that emitted from Green's Delicatessen, by the old bridge in Railway Approach.

Spells, (no not Harry Potter), the greengrocers, which spilled over onto the pavement with all its glorious and colourful fruit and veg.

The 4 cinemas: Plaza, Dome, Odeon and Rivoli. In those days it was difficult to decide which one to go to, and the plumes of smoke the day the Rivoli burned down.

Davison School, in the centre of town, and Walter Brothers, the shop where you could get everything, or so it seemed at the time.

The lake in Homefield Park, the fire station in Charlecote Road, and -- oh yes -- the Dairy of Highfield and Oaklands in the High Street, where you could go and see the horses, and watch the milk being bottled, and if you were lucky, when they came to the end of the roll of silver paper which they used for the bottle tops, they would give you the cut out roll -- oh what treasure that was.

The lake which used to be a prominent feature in Homefield Park, Chesswood Road.

And everywhere you went, the nurseries growing endless tomatoes, and empty fields growing nothing but grass, a few trees and the occasional horse.

The flower ladies - yes, the same ones -- different location (Offington, by the cemetery; Warren Road), in fact a part of Worthing's heritage that still remains, but now in the town centre.

Ah sweet memories of old Worthing. I could go on forever. Will they in 50 years time, write about the Worthing of today with such tender memories.

I hope so.....

Maureen Roberts, Worthing, 2001

Published in the West Sussex Gazette on November 15th 2001