Memories of Victorian Cuckfield: a centenarian reflects

COPIED FROM THE W.I. ARCHIVES:

MRS EMILY WELLS' MEMORIES OF CUCKFIELD 1855-1948.

I was born in Cuckfield in 1850, and can just remember the high pews and the Gallery in the Church, and also seeing a man lying on his back on a scaffolding painting the ceiling over the Alter.

There was a Brewery in Ockenden Lane (where Mrs Rapley's house new stands) owned by a Mr Best; as children we went there for yeast for Mother to make bread. Most working people made the dough, the Baker fetched it, made it into leaves, baked it and brought it back for 1d a leaf.

A man named Robinson was a rope maker in a field at the top of Chain Walk. He had a wheel fixed to the Path between two poles, a boy turning the wheel, Robby with his apron full of tow (1), one end of it fixed to the wheel, walked backwards letting it slip through his fingers. That is why it is always called the Spinney Field.

Where Mr Twiner's Laundry stands was a Grocer's Shop kept by Mr Bristy, nick-named Pinch Plum, because he would pinch a piece from a plum to make weight. He made Tallow candles and rushlights for a farthing each, which was the only light we had in our houses.

A Fair was held every September, the stalls reaching up the High Street, selling everything from sweets to quack medicine.

A man came once a month to collect our ashes to make mettled soap, giving a bar of soap in return, although somewhat gritty, it was acceptable.

A Miss Pace had a small School in Ockenden Lane, where the W.I. now stands, it being the only Private School, the Scholars paying 6d a week. As I stopped after School to sweep the Room my schooling was free.

Emily Wells at the centre of a Cuckfield cottage glove making industry in 1920

The Corner where the drinking trough now stands was called the Stocks, as it was where the offenders were put in the Stocks for punishment, and opposite in the Kings Head was the Skittle Alley. Often men played there until 4 and 5 in the morning, having large stone bottles of refreshment. They played their game very seriously.

One annual event was the Marble Match. Men and boys collected at the corner on the Stocks and played all day. People came out to watch them as now they come out to watch the Annual walk on Easter Monday.

The Police court was held at the Talbot which reached partly up the High Street, and the prisoners were kept in cells in Church Street at the house new called ‘Peelers'.

The stage coach used to travel from London to Brighton one day and return the next changing horses at the Talbot stables. Mr B.J. Burtenshaw's grandfather rode postillion in white breeches, red coat and black jockey cap.

May Day was a great day. We were given a holiday from school to parade with our garlands; on the day King Edward and Queen Alexandra were married March 10th 1863, we children were given a tea in the old Union Yard, behind the house where I was born, now the Mens' Club.

As a child I helped Mrs Bennet clean the church on Saturday. My job was to wash the red tiles down the aisle with milk to make them shine.

I can remember Mr and Mrs Sergison from Cuckfield Park coming to church. He was a tall gentleman with a very tall hat. She was a little lady in a poke bonnet and a very large crinoline

My father was born in Cuckfield as were my nine brothers and sisters, and four of my own children, so I really feel part of Cuckfield.

FURTHER MEMORIES OF CUCKFIELD NOTED ON ANOTHER OCCASION.

About 50 years ago when Italians travelled the country with barrel organs, one of the places they lodged was the Doss house attached to the Wheatsheaf Inn in Broad Street. On Monday morning it was usual to see 10 or 12 organs outside, the men tuning up, ready to start the week, all jabbering away in Italian.

In the Avenue in Cuckfield Park is a doomed tree, the legend being, a branch falls off every time a member of the Sergison Family dies.

Mr Ernest Payne who lived at Hatchlands was one of the pioneers of X rays, working in a shop behind his house, and travelling up to the London hospitals. He lost a hand through his experiments.

Our Queens Hall was built by Public subscription to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, and our Library by Mr Payne of Hatchlands and Mr Bevan of Horsgate. 

The first flying bomb of the last War landed at Mizbrooks Farm, Cuckfield on June 13th 1944. It fell in a corn field doing no damage. A bomb fell in Brook Street on Dec. 6th 1940 wrecking two houses and another at Hanlye Lane trapping the occupants of a Lodge. No loss of life.

Our old workhouse was turned into the General Canadian Hospital during the War and our local children were entertained each Christmas by the Staff.

https://www.cuckfieldconnections.org.uk/post/1989-gcse-student-uncovers-cottage-glove-industry-in-cuckfieldth 1950 and received 98 cards and 16 telegrams including one from the King and Queen. The Vicar spoke of her at the Morning and Evening Services and visited her in the afternoon as did the Chairman of the Urban Council, bringing a vase of carnations, The Church bells rang in the in the afternoon and there was a constant stream of visitors with flowers and presents. The Birthday cake had 100 candles on it. 

As she went to bed that night, she said 'I have had such a happy day and I feel all my Dear Cuckfield friends have enjoyed it with me'. She died Dec. 12th 1950.

(1) An untwisted bundle of fibres such as cellulose acetate, flax, hemp or jute

For more on Emily Wells please follow the link :- https://www.cuckfieldconnections.org.uk/post/1989-gcse-student-uncovers-cottage-glove-industry-in-cuckfield