45. Jenny Shackley (nee Charman) writes about life in Lancing from 1947

Jenny Shackley.

I have just read all the memories of people on your website.

Hear Jenny's story

Early Life in Lancing

I was born in Lancing in 1947 at 8 Tower Road. My Dad used to work for Frank Lisher and, in fact, looked after the shire horses referred to in one of George Forrest’s comments. My sisters (of which there were 4) used to go to the stables to watch the horses being fed or mucked out, or get ready to go out. My dad loved these horses dearly, and whilst I don’t recall, he must have been heartbroken when he did not look after them any more.

School Days

I went to South Lancing School, both infants and juniors and then on to Irene Ave for one year and then on to Boundstone Comprehensive when it was brand new. Oh, how privileged we did feel with that school. I had Mr Jones as my first form teacher, and he said to me, “Are there more of you Charmans at home?” as apparently, he knew the rest of the family.

I stopped on for an extra year to do GCE and was sad to leave the school to go to work. I then got married after a few years and finally ended up in Bristol, where I still live.

Fond Memories

I have a sister who still lives in Lancing and was an usherette at the Luxor, and I do visit about three times a year. I still remember fondly the sweet shop in North Road where we used to go on the way to school, the bread shop opposite South Lancing school where we used to buy a crusty roll for a farthing and eat all of the insides, leaving only the shell to eat on its own.

In the summer holidays, I had friends who had one of the beach huts and we used to spend many happy days on the beach. I still like to go down to the beach whenever I visit.

All in all, your website has brought back many happy memories.

Jenny Shackley (nee Charman)

jenny.shackley@blueyonder.co.uk

Story 13 from Brenda Redford

Brenda Redford

Brenda writes:

Family Holidays in North Farm Road and Tower Road

I used to come to Lancing to visit my Grandmother in North Farm Road in the fifties as a youngster in the school holidays. My aunt and uncle lived in Tower Road. 

The Luxor Cinema and Jaffa the Labrador

I remember going to the Luxor to see Singing in the Rain and other films that were on at the time. I remember walking a lovely Labrador called Jaffa, as he was orangey red in colour. 

Railway Workers and Child-Sized Baskets at Woolworths

My grandfather worked for the railways, which were at Churchill Industrial Estate. On North Road, there was a cobbler and a small sweet shop. Also, Woolworths had small shopping baskets for us children that couldn't manage a large one.

Horse-Drawn Floats and Riding at Bridles

 I also remember a horse-drawn milk float delivering milk and groceries.

Sadly, my Grandmother has passed on now, but I am now living in Lancing myself and still walk dogs, my own and also run dog training classes. I expect some of you have seen me around and maybe have come to our classes. Lovely memories. I still love Lancing.
-She adds
I also used to ride the horses up over New Road, owned by the Bridles.
Regards
Brenda Redford

Story 12 from Karen Foster

Hear Karen's story

Karen Foster

I found your website by accident, it was such a delight it was to read everyone's memories, that I thought I would write some of my own.

Life in Tower Road and the Veranda Classroom

Just the word Lancing conjures up pictures of my childhood.
I was born in Tower Road at No.84, moving to No.80 (the one with the steps) in 1967. My first school was South Lancing Infants in North Rd in 1958, the classroom with the veranda must take a photo of it one day before it disappears. I can remember the air raid shelters, as remembered by Paul Bridle, and woe betide anyone who went near them. I believe the headmistress was Miss Birch, she had a large jar of sweets in her room, don't know how I know that one!

The Great School Migration: From North Road to Irene Avenue (

 We were told one day that we had to move schools, so we packed up our books and pencils and walked up to The Unit, which is now Boundstone Nursery School. Mr Teacher was Mr Juleff. We soon settled there until we did the same thing again and walked around to Irene Avenue for our last term before Boundstone.

Felt Badges, Beatles Clubs, and Playground Games

I spent many happy playtimes in those schools, playing marbles, etc. Does anyone remember standing tea/gum cards against the wall and flicking other cards to knock them down, winner takes all? We had lovely tea parties at Christmas in the school hall, with food provided by our parents. We also had a Beatles club there when I was older, it cost 3d, and we received a small daisy-shaped badge made of felt!

Chalk Pit Adventures and "Cheese and Sand" Sandwiches

School holidays were filled with trips up the downs, playing in the chalk pit, and plenty of room to use a child's imagination; you could be anything up there. other times spent on the beach, building the proverbial sandcastles with moats, drinking orange squash and cheese and sand sandwiches!

Paddling Pools and the "Eel in the Mine" at Brooklands

I remember the Brooklands paddling pool opening. There were lots of animal-shaped pools for us to play in and rocks to climb, what fun! Fishing under the bridge that led into Brooklands for sticklebacks and minnows. Someone told us that there was an eel living under the bridge, hidden in an old mine that was buried there. You believe anything when you are young.

Cinema Trips and Local Shopkeepers

My friend Sheila Haite, who lived next door and I used to go to the Luxor together to see Walt Disney and Cliff Richard films. The first film I saw was Bambi, it cost 9d. We used to look for which films were on, on posters in Sompting Rd, just outside the knitting wool shop, which was next to a grocers shop owned by the Street family, then owned by the Brown family. This was next to Mr Jones, the chemist. 

I remember Paul Bridle's grandparents' shop on the corner of Myrtle Rd, my mum Lilian Wingfield used to shop in there but worked in the other grocer's shop. She later went to work at Woolworths. My dad Reginald, worked in the railway works but left in 1963 before it closed, to go to Solarbo in Commerce Way. I remember Dr Alexander was my dad's doctor, but us children saw Dr Whiting; he was a lovely man.

I could go on forever, but will stop My parents and sister still live in Lancing, and although I only live in Rustington, I still think of Lancing as my home.
Karen Foster, nee Wingfield.