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Memories of Henfield Common

1st June 2017

Did you know that during the war parts of the common were blocked off by barbed wire? I went to school there in those days (no, not behind wire). Gorse spread like mad but the causeway remained clear. Beside it a hawthorn seed sprouted growing higher each year, eye-catching in its isolation. It still thrives (sadly masked by planted oaks) the most historic hawthorn in the village – a reminder that the country passed through five dark years of war.

After the war we could play on the common.

They were pre mains-drainage days. The common stream carried sewage away. At boggy places along it were jelly-wobbles. A game for us children was; step on a jelly-wobble, wiggle your feet and wait till the wobble became so wobbly it gobbled your shoes – step off quick. The winner was the one who stayed on the longest. Unchallenged champion was John who left it late and sank to his waist. Adult assistance saved the day. Our favourite part was behind the cricket pitch. There was a narrow strip of dense gorse, where batsmen hitting sixes regularly lost the ball, and next a rough wild part with clumps of tall grass, super for building hidden camps – except the place was infested with enormous grass snakes.

Suddenly, workers came along and began clearing the ground. Trenches were dug, drains laid, the ground levelled and grass sown. Our domain was being transformed into a Memorial Field – Henfield’s “Thank You” to the village men and women who served so bravely in that ghastly struggle against the Nazis.

The next year, two of our school friends were invited to unveil a large stone block specially placed there inscribed 1939-1945. They did so. The Memorial Field was open.

Since then it has been a venue for social events, family gatherings, stoolball, hockey, soccer and youth cricket. For 67 years the ground has taken a battering. Now it is being renovated; drainage, levels and grass. Yes, expensive, but enabled through a grant from Sport England backed by generous aid from two great village clubs. There will be trying times for people while new grass develops and knits a sound root system for a sustainable surface.

That done, let’s have a second celebratory opening; the renewal of our “Thank You” to Henfield’s war-time heroes.

So, hold on tight for September 2018.

Eddie Colgate