RINGMER TRANSFORMED

A Visitor’s Impression (1)

Since last I had the pleasure of a visit to your village, several Yuletides have passed.

In those days I chose Ringmer as a place for rest owing to its absolute freedom from the hurly-burly of business activities. How different today, with business asserting itself everywhere.

While waiting tea, my eye fell on what proved to be the Ringmer Record, a very youthful publication as full of promise as the first crocus. A member of the staff soon exacted a promise to contribute.

I had arrived by bus from Brighton, part of a service connecting every­one’s front door with the next County.

The area from Shortgate is dotted with pioneer bungalows.

Recollecting a timber yard, I again pictured the very methodical rites of timber conversion, but the sawmills are gone, and a builder’s yard full of wise saws and modern instances, where I. spent an admiring half hour watching the machinery. It was perhaps fitting that a new state like the Irish Free State should come to the growing Ringmer. Building Works, for I saw work destined for Ireland.

Too busy to build houses for their own workmen!! I suggest the loan of tents.

Further on I found a site pegged for the builder, next to the constabulary domicile, and in the distance behind I saw a three acre field, now the property of the Ringmer School, which again is in new hands.

If the children here attended a town school, whose playground was in the street, (and there are many yet, where I come from) they would indeed be truly grateful to the donor, Captain Christie.

I was sorry to learn that the old Reading Room had passed out of the hands of the Village, for there we once found rest, recreation, and a chance to study a bit, but I guess it won’t do to express any opinion about it now, but I trust there is still somewhere in this village where young ambition may find a chance.

Then my friend the miller, Mr. Holter, has transformed his business and the old mill on the hill looks down sadly, and sometimes a little stern, on his supplanter.

To the right along Goat Lane, a new bungalow, with attractively laid out gardens, kept me in touch with the modern idea, which is showing everywhere

At Goat Farm I found a 60-cow stall, looking as beautiful as a public bath. On the road to Lewes I perceived more evidence of the builders’ activities in a promising new Residence.

I confess that a church is the last place where the ordinary man would expect to find innovations, and my acquaintance with the new organ left me speechless. In the town private individuals spend thousands just to hear “the band” and here in the country your lucky village has a band all to itself. You would be rich if your village had no other attraction.

On the way I passed the Village Sign, again in the forefront. A new telephone exchange at the Post Office.

May I offer my congratulations to Mesrs Geering and Hooper for their improvements. Alas, it used to be my ambition to drive a ball from the Green into those windows, but I dare not now, even were fortune to favour me with a chance.

At the foot of the Green I saw signs of vigour in the many businesses there.