Brightling Voices
Welcome to Brightling Voices.
Since 2017 we have been recording the memories of people who have lived in Brightling for many years.
We hope you enjoy listening to their stories.
We will be adding other Brightling Voices over the next year or so. To receive a notification when someone new has been added, don’t forget to subscribe to emails (see the home page of this website).
Chris Wing & Nicola Courtney Bennett
Mary Cox
Mary and her husband Ian moved to Sheepshaw Farm in 1962. They came to see the farm with the estate agent on 2nd May 1962, which was the day their second child was due to be born. They decided there and then to buy Sheepshaw and went on to raise their 6 children there. Mary continues to live at Sheepshaw.
Sue Hoad & Vanessa Everett in conversation
Episode 1
Episode 2
David Gasson
Episode 1: David’s early years – school, work, parents, Brightling Park saw mill, 1987 Follies Fair
Episode 2: David reads a 2009 article about him in Cricketers Magazine celebrating his 50 years at the heart of the Brightling Cricket team
Episode 3: David reads a 2009 article in the Battle Observer including the presentation of a cricket bat and a menu signed by the famous Australian cricketer Jeff Thomson
Episode 4: Mowing the cricket ground with a 12″ mower
Episode 5: David reads his first article about birds in The Messenger magazine about birds and his involvement since 1991 with the common bird census for the British Trust for Ornithology
Episode 6: David talks about the deterioration in bird numbers due to habitat loss and the many rare birds he documented on his birdwatching trips to Norfolk, Rye Harbour and elsewhere
Episode 7: David reads his eulogy and tribute to his friend and fellow birdwatcher Robin Keen, recounting their many happy birdwatching outings
Jean Holland
A few sentences
Maisie Winchester
Coming soon.