Memories of the Danestream

Following publishing the article 'Danestream bursts its banks' a few days ago we have received these memories from Alice Yeandle. Alice was bought up in Milford on Sea, having moved to village from Worthing at 5 years of age. She now lives in France.

"From my little Milford on Sea information booklet dated 1931 it is marked Danestream. We knew the Pleasure Grounds as the Pleasure Gardens.

In the 50´s we would spend our Saturday afternoon’s building dams, unfortunately they were cleared in the week so hard work commenced again until dusk, dragging branches and general dam making items until we had achieved our task!  What fun.

In the area where we built our dams, near the bridge leading up to Barnes Lane, there was an area with many different flowers, one of which was Fritillaries which I found amazing with the squares of pale mauve and white on the petals so maybe that was why there was the name Pleasure Gardens.

Oh, to be young again and live in Milford and not the other side of the water.

Good wishes to you for the New year.

Alice Yeandle"

As an aside, Alice's 1931 booklet shows that the Milford on Sea village population was 2372 at the time. (Men 965 - Women 1407). Today the village population has more than doubled to c.5000.

click image to enlarge.

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The 'Pleasure Grounds' through which the Danestream runs, is understood to have only got its name around the 2000's. Previously it was known as 'The Pleasure Gardens'; as it had been planted up as an ornamental garden and it was part of the 19th century Georgian attempt to turn Milford on Sea into a prominent and gentrified seaside resort. 

 

Some long-standing village residents also refer the area simply as "Pledge". 

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We also heard from Bob Braid of the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society. He has shared some photos and newspaper cutting from 1968 and 1982.

Bob commented; "This is how the village used to be before the Downton 'Dam'! 1968: I think the estate car was owned by the owner of Bay Trees who got fed up with vehicles sending waves through his front door; until the police told him to move it."

PS: Lazy Lion Reopens after flooding

Having needed to close for a few day following their cellar being flooded in last weeks heavy rains, The Lazy Lion is now open again and welcoming customers for tasty breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

To read the original 'Danestream bursts its banks' article, please click here.