Thursday, September 13, 2007
25th August. Birthday treat. On the pier.
There has been a pier on Worthing sea front since 1862.
Disaster struck in a fierce storm on Easter Monday 1913 when the pier was mostly washed away leaving The Pavilion stranded as an island out to sea.
Just a year later it was reopened and after the First World War it was purchased by Worthing Council and became very popular and successful.
Visitors could pay 2d to walk along the pier and attend a concert in The Pavilion.
It is free to walk out along the pier now.
In 1933 fire destroyed The Pavilion and it was rebuilt in a beautiful art deco style in the style of an ocean liner.
Bill felt that a black and white image suited this view of the pier.
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Disaster struck in a fierce storm on Easter Monday 1913 when the pier was mostly washed away leaving The Pavilion stranded as an island out to sea.
Just a year later it was reopened and after the First World War it was purchased by Worthing Council and became very popular and successful.
Visitors could pay 2d to walk along the pier and attend a concert in The Pavilion.
It is free to walk out along the pier now.
In 1933 fire destroyed The Pavilion and it was rebuilt in a beautiful art deco style in the style of an ocean liner.
Bill felt that a black and white image suited this view of the pier.
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Two pictures of The Pavilion - looking like an ocean liner of the 1930s.
There must be deck chairs on a sea side pier.
There must be deck chairs on a sea side pier.
We noticed that visitors to Worthing must pay to use the deck chairs - in Brighton they are free to use.
The art deco clock.
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The metal walkway round the end of the pier was added after the Second World War.
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The metal walkway round the end of the pier was added after the Second World War.
When war broke out in 1939 the south coast became a fortress against possible invasion. In 1940 drastic steps were taken to hinder any enemy attack by blowing a 120-foot hole in to the Pier's decking near the South Pavilion. Worthing was used as an embarkation site on D-Day. In 1942 when fears of an invasion had lessened, the Pier became a recreation centre for troops complete with a canteen, library and billiard tables.
The art deco style steps sweeping to the upper deck of The Pavilion.
Looking east from the pier.
The art deco style steps sweeping to the upper deck of The Pavilion.
Looking east from the pier.
The beach cafe where we ate is just beyond the last white building you can see.
A Worthing postcard showing the Connaught Theatre at the land end of the pier. In the foreground is the bandstand.
A Worthing postcard showing the Connaught Theatre at the land end of the pier. In the foreground is the bandstand.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
25th August. Birthday in Worthing. On the beach.
My birthday dawned with slight autumn mists.
We drove to Ford for the car boot sale and loaded the car with bargains and then Bill took me for my birthday treat in brilliant sunshine and blue skies.
We went to Worthing.
It seems incredible that after 60 years in Sussex I had never visited this large seaside town. Perhaps the words "large" and "town" had put me off, combined with Worthing's repuation as being a genteel town for old folks to retire to.
Well, we are now to be counted amongst the old folks and we discovered that we liked Worthing.
It is far more vibrant than we had ever realised.
The seafront is centred on the pier with a good theatre.
We walked on the beach and on the pier and in the town. The pier and town will be posted on the blog in the next days.
The beach is pebbly but at low tide there are wide expanses of sand. We enjoyed a very pleasant lunch at a beach cafe.
So here are some Worthing beach views.
There is still a small fishing industry in Worthing. There was a stall close by that sells locally caught fish - but not on Saturdays.
There seemed to be few people during the morning taking advantage of the deck chairs.
It was so pleasant to sit on the beach with a simple meal, watching the other diners and people playing on the beach.
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After lunch we walked back along the sand. I quickly removed my shoes and enjoyed a refreshing paddle - the water felt quite chilly compared with my last time in the sea in Thailand.
Bill kept his shoes and socks on.
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We drove to Ford for the car boot sale and loaded the car with bargains and then Bill took me for my birthday treat in brilliant sunshine and blue skies.
We went to Worthing.
It seems incredible that after 60 years in Sussex I had never visited this large seaside town. Perhaps the words "large" and "town" had put me off, combined with Worthing's repuation as being a genteel town for old folks to retire to.
Well, we are now to be counted amongst the old folks and we discovered that we liked Worthing.
It is far more vibrant than we had ever realised.
The seafront is centred on the pier with a good theatre.
We walked on the beach and on the pier and in the town. The pier and town will be posted on the blog in the next days.
The beach is pebbly but at low tide there are wide expanses of sand. We enjoyed a very pleasant lunch at a beach cafe.
So here are some Worthing beach views.
There is still a small fishing industry in Worthing. There was a stall close by that sells locally caught fish - but not on Saturdays.
There seemed to be few people during the morning taking advantage of the deck chairs.
It was so pleasant to sit on the beach with a simple meal, watching the other diners and people playing on the beach.
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The dog belonged to a couple at the next table to us. He seemed to enjoy his independence on the beach - just as long as he could still just see the table with his owners.
After lunch we walked back along the sand. I quickly removed my shoes and enjoyed a refreshing paddle - the water felt quite chilly compared with my last time in the sea in Thailand.
Bill kept his shoes and socks on.
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The sands and the pier.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
11th September Jessica and John pictures.
Jamie sent a couple of pictures today through Skype.
The family had been to the swimming pool again at the weekend.
Those front teeth look very familiar to me - Jessica you seem to have inherited your grandmother's teeth!
This was the best I could find which showed off the big front teeth.
I hope that Jess's teeth are stronger than mine proved to be.
I do often see something of myself in Jessica. I think she has a similar personality as well as some certain physical looks.
I see lots of family members in John - but of course we are total jumble of all the genes which have gone before.
Monday, September 10, 2007
13th August. Evening in Tilgate Park with Ekatarina.
On Monday evening (13th August) we went for a walk in Tilgate Park.
This was our last trip out together because the next day was Tuesday and I was in the shop; and anyway it rained for most of the day.
On Wednesday, very early. Ashley and Ekatarina went back to Bangor.
Ecky discovered that trees make excellent climbing frames, expecially the gnarled twisted branches of the rhododendrons.
Ecky discovered that trees make excellent climbing frames, expecially the gnarled twisted branches of the rhododendrons.
And there are no notices saying that trees are not suitable for children over the age of 12!
Ecky climbed on the tree stump to look at the lake.
Then she joined her Dad and Grandad to watch the ducks.
Bill is standing on higher ground than Ashley - he is not really taller.
Here are the ducks and gulls.
As darkness fell we played at the carved seat.
Ecky asked me to pose looking through the hole. She is becoming very good at seeing photos in her head.
Ecky is pretending to be a fierce animal in a cage.
Peering through the standing carvings.
Goodbye to the metal lion - and goodbye to Crawley and to us.
Goodbyes are sad of course - but they are also chances for new things to begin.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
13th 14th August The bride and groom then and now.
The Ifield walk with Ekatarina took us to St Margaret's Church. The date was 13th August - just one day before our wedding anniversary.
So we talked about our wedding in the church. Then Ekatarina took the camera and told the story of our wedding day in pictures. I have added some taken 42 years ago as well.
The bride and groom stand at the altar.
The altar is modern and stylish and not at all like the altar that was still there in 1965. The interior of the church has altered quite a lot. No doubt it is much more comfortable for the worshippers, but I used to love being in that old church.
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There are no pictures of us at the altar in 1965. We signed the register at a table to one side of the altar.
The bride and groom pose outside the church.
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And here we are posing 42 years ago. I like the short dress that I wore and the very 1960's navy blue bonnet of daisy like flowers too. But I am not sure about the gloves! I just had a notion that proper ladies wore long gloves on special occasions.
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Posing with our parents and our 2 bridesmaids. Bill's parents are on the left and Paula's are on the right.
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The bride and groom pose under the church lych gate.
St Margaret's Church.
The 2007 wedding bouquet - some wheat from The Quarter Mile and a few flowers.
So we talked about our wedding in the church. Then Ekatarina took the camera and told the story of our wedding day in pictures. I have added some taken 42 years ago as well.
The bride and groom stand at the altar.
The altar is modern and stylish and not at all like the altar that was still there in 1965. The interior of the church has altered quite a lot. No doubt it is much more comfortable for the worshippers, but I used to love being in that old church.
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There are no pictures of us at the altar in 1965. We signed the register at a table to one side of the altar.
The bride and groom share a romantic moment together.
Ecky asked us to pose in the church porch. It is a good picture - but we didn't stop there 42 years ago. In fact we and our family and friends came out of the other church door.
The bride and groom pose outside the church.
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And here we are posing 42 years ago. I like the short dress that I wore and the very 1960's navy blue bonnet of daisy like flowers too. But I am not sure about the gloves! I just had a notion that proper ladies wore long gloves on special occasions.
I still have some of the flowers pressed into my Bible. It was a proper bouquet created by Mrs Griffiths who lived opposite us and some other neighbours and it was their gift to me.
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Posing with our parents and our 2 bridesmaids. Bill's parents are on the left and Paula's are on the right.
The adult bridesmaid is Diana who was my best friend at school. We are still in touch, but sadly we talk and meet very rarely these days.
Bill's youngest sister, Lesley, was also a bridesmaid.
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Walking down the church path to the gate.
Our guests are way behind us - held up by my grandparents. Grandad Frost had severe arthritis and walked slowly.
This led to a moment in the church that was actually a mistake, but I loved it.
The organist saw that my Dad and I were at the end of the aisle and began to play the Wedding March. He hadn't realised how long it would take for Granny and Grandad to reach their seats - and it was they who walked down the aisle to the strains of The Wedding March. Dad and I began once the first hymn began - Praise My Soul the King of Heaven.
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The bride and groom pose under the church lych gate.
Bill's mother obviously slipped by to be with us - determined to throw confetti.
Ready to climb into the wedding car. The car was an old Fiat belonging to John Bush who worked at the garage with Bill.
The bride looks back over 42 years together with her bridegroom.
The bride looks back over 42 years together with her bridegroom.
St Margaret's Church.
The 2007 wedding bouquet - some wheat from The Quarter Mile and a few flowers.
Thank you Ekatarina for taking such lovely photos of us and helping us to remember our very special wedding day.
Friday, September 07, 2007
13th August Ifield Fields and Playground with Ekatarina.
The fields behind Ifield church were my childhood playground and in a changing world I really appreciate that these fields stay much the same.
I can remember walking the paths with my grandparents and today I walked with my own grand daughter.
This field is called The Quarter Mile.
Ekatarina waits for us to walk The Quarter Mile.
Walking with Grandad between the fields of wheat.
The wheat seems to have been ready for harvesting for some time.
The farmer probably does not appreciate "weeds" growing amongst his crop - but we thought it looked lovely.
The path takes us through the brambles to the back entrance of St Margaret's Church.
Blue plaques are springing up round the town and it is good to feel some sense of pride in the achievements of past residents.
I love this happy picture of Ecky pushing Blondie on the roundabout.
I can remember walking the paths with my grandparents and today I walked with my own grand daughter.
This field is called The Quarter Mile.
Ekatarina waits for us to walk The Quarter Mile.
Walking with Grandad between the fields of wheat.
The wheat seems to have been ready for harvesting for some time.
The farmer probably does not appreciate "weeds" growing amongst his crop - but we thought it looked lovely.
The path takes us through the brambles to the back entrance of St Margaret's Church.
There will be more pictures of the church next time, telling the story of our wedding 42 years ago.
Blue plaques are springing up round the town and it is good to feel some sense of pride in the achievements of past residents.
Elizabeth Fry was a Quaker and I knew of her connection with The Friends Meeting House, but had not realised that she took he message to the local hostelries. This plaque was fixed to the wall of The Plough Inn.
Ekatarina claimed to know of Elizabeth Fry's work from her reading.
We crossed the village green where cricket is played every weekend during the summer. I can remember watching the cricket in the 1950's and playing as the adults chatted.
The playground is much more recent. Ecky liked this playground.
Ecky enjoyed giving her toys a ride - this doll is called Blondie.
I love this happy picture of Ecky pushing Blondie on the roundabout.
