My earliest recollections...continued

Introduction.

Anyone interested in the history of Cuckfield will appreciate the fine contribution of Mrs Olive Mabel Askew who in 1967 recalled her earliest memories of the Town; thanks must surely also go to the anonymous recorder of this precious personal statement.

The opening part can be found by following the link.... https://www.cuckfieldconnections.org.uk/post/four-butchers-five-bakers-four-shoe-shops

However, this delightful record of an earlier age in Cuckfield continues for several paragraphs and has now been added below.

I hope you agree that it is a valuable addition to our picture of our Town in the early part of the twentieth century …

The Vicarage played a big part in our school life, for here we joined the ‘Band of Hope”, the “Girls Friendly” and our own Sunday afternoon “Bible Reading” - but there was one service for men at the church – it was held once a month on a Sunday afternoon, and all the men, rich and poor went. My mother often took us children down to meet father as he came out, and as we waited outside the church we always heard the same hymn, “Souls of men, why will ye scatter". I've never heard it since.

The small piece of roadway, just beyond the church, was called the “Platt” – most Saturday evenings people gathered there to listen to the Cuckfield Band - now disbanded -or watch the men playing a very old-fashioned game called “Quoits”, and each member of the team threw a heavy ring towards a given spot – there was great rivalry among spectators and players, and I have never seen this game played for years. The Platt is now a car park.

It would take a book to recall all the wonderful happenings in Cuckfield, but I would say with the help of our three wonderful policeman – all living in Cuckfield, one at Whitemans green, one on Broad Street, and the sergeant who lived at the police station in Church Street – these men walked the beat, and knew everyone, and we all thought of them as friends.

The Old Police Station is now a private house, and the owners have called it Peelers.

Mrs. O.M. Askew