Miss Veronica Pitt’s Legacy

Miss Veronica Pitt ’s Legacy An Enlightened Legacy

To advertise in Seaford Scene please call 01273 710793 or email fran@seafordscene.co.uk 43 The future of the Downs with its spacious fields was secured and brought into being by the determination of Miss Veronica Pitt when, in 1964, The Downs School closed and the buildings and grounds passed into the ownership of Seaford Urban District Council. The community-spirited generosity of the school’s last headteacher led her to pledge the gardens on the east side of grounds and the swimming pool (which is no longer) to the community for public walks and pleasure grounds in a Deed of Gift to the people of Seaford. The gardens were intended to be a permanent memorial of to the 63 years of the life of the school. The Downs School Visitor’s Book reveals distinguished luminaries visited the school between 1929–1942, including great composers, virtuosic musicians and an epic explorer. The book which sold for £1,000 at auction in 2015, contains the signatures of composers Sergei Rachmaninoff, Igor Stravinsky, world famous pianists Artur Schnabel and Myra Hess as well as Lt.Col. Victor Haddick who was part of the 1924 British Everest Expedition and whose notable and heroic entry included a verse ‘Lines to Mallory and Irvine’ both who perished on the ill-fated expedition. World famous pianist, Arthur Rubenstein wrote ‘Delighted with the symphonic players’ a truly remarkable testament to the accomplishment of The Downs School. In his book, Seaford and Eastbourne in the Great War, local historian Kevin Gordon mentions the girls were politically aware and their active debating society encouraged them to discuss current affairs. The Downs School Prospectus stated ‘special attention is given to Health and Physical Training’ with tennis, lacrosse and netball amongst the activities on its extensive fields. The Downs School Press Notice 1964 recorded ‘it is difficult to remember a Summer Term without the pool… it gave hours of enjoyment both in and out of work time.’ Whilst ‘afternoons in the Memorial Gardens spent in quiet reading and study will be long remembered. The fragrance of flowering shrubs and the skilful blending of every shade of green with the brilliant splashes of colour of the rose-beds were an endless source of pleasure.’ No doubt witnessing increasing development everywhere, Miss Pitt wished the endless pleasure of outdoor activity and the open spaces of the Downs to be shared and enjoyed by the people of Seaford. In more distant times, this area was part of a Saxon settlement that later became farmland and common. Historic maps of the Sutton Estate dating from 1624 to recent times show the presence of flint walls and farm outbuildings where the school library (now a residence) stands in Bydown and the school’s laboratory and games store is today home to the active 60+ Club – indicating that these structures could be up to 400 years old! Traces of this historic past and rich cultural heritage seem surprisingly to have escaped historical listing, or notice within an area of local character worthy of conservation. Today, the defining features of the Downs are its Edwardian facades and the open space of the playing field – a landmark feature on the route through Seaford. More hidden and perhaps less known as a public space is the secluded walled Memorial Garden of Miss Pitt, with its lawns, mature trees and shrubs, and a pétanque terrain that is played on throughout the year by active senior members of the community. In fact, the Downs has been handed down to us as a vibrant multi-purpose recreational facility that serves the whole community from the very young to the young at heart. With the assurances of Town, District and Government recognition of green spaces protected within Seaford’s Neighbourhood Plan and policy that supports the whole of the Downs site as a recreation facility, residents have placed their confidence in the Plan with a ‘yes’ vote in the local referendum. Thus, the future of the accessible, inclusive grounds at The Downs survives through the determination of residents inspired by the enlightened and generous contribution of Miss Pitt’s legacy for the quality of life and wellbeing of Seaford. Karen Hall Photo: View of the Downs, Seaford.

“The sound of the singing bowl touches the deepest part of us and makes the soul resonate. The sound promotes relaxation, mobilises self healing and can release our creative energy.” Peter Hess

Peter Hess® Singing Bowls make you smile People often smile when they feel the singing bowls. They feel the tingling vibrations in their hands, on their stomach and on their feet. The sound is beautiful. It has many overtones and is therefore very relaxing. After a sounding hour the atmosphere is more relaxed, more friendly, more satisfied. I can visit your organisation, nursing home and care home – so you can try it!

Maja Dethloff Peter Hess® Sound Therapist Mobile, Text, Whatsapp: 07728 036 423 Seaford www.soundfeelings.uk info@soundfeelings.uk

SKIN CLINIC BEAUTY

Applies to all Permanent Laser Hair Removal

Underarms £40.50 Bikini £48.60 Back £102.60 And many more areas apply. Call for free consultation. 40% off when you book a course of 3 treatments

14 Place Lane Seaford BN25 1LA absolutebeauty.me 01323 899768

facebook absolute beauty seaford

The Alexander Technique

Are you fed up with pain or tightness that restricts your movement? Are you recovering from an injury or operation and wish the recovery would speed up? It’s quite possible that the Alexander Technique could help you. It’s gentle, non-invasive, relaxing and de-stressing.

Try a taster session of one hour with no further commitment for £20

Geraldine Gleeson 01323 873921 Mobile or text: 07568 157000 geraldine@ alexandersouth.co.uk alexandersouth.co.uk

AB Generic Advert 2017 Template v2.indd 1

Seaford_scene_quarter_MAY17.indd 1 Sussex Eyecare 27/02/2017 09:42

Independent Opticians

Stylish Eyewear Professional Eyecare

Large range of quality frames and lenses Complete glasses from only £49

Prescription Sunglasses from only £60 Free glasses for those on a low income (and receiving benefits) Large range for children and half price frames for teenagers

www.sussexeyecare.co.uk

We’re here to help you achieve a confident smile! We’re here to help you achieve a confident smile! Our friendly team works with you to create a smile you can be proud of with our cosmetic dental treatments.

Our friendly team works with you to create a smile you can be proud of with our cosmetic dental treatments. Our cosmetic services include:

Why our patients love us: “Instant faith in the dentist. Teeth straightening with an Inman Aligner™ A cosmetic straightening treatment that offers a great solution for crowding or protruding front teeth. Focussing on this area means treatment can be completed in a matter of weeks, case dependent. SPECIAL OFFER FREE bleaching for teeth straightening cases (worth £550)* Claremont Dental Practice 1 - 3 Terminus Buildings Seaford BN25 1NT 01323 897502 Our cosmetic services include:

Why our patients love us: “Always have a good chat whilst I’m waiting (which is never very long), and making appointments is a very easy process. My teeth look amazing and I’m so happy with everything! Safe to say I’m never moving away!” GOOGLE REVIEW. Call now to start your journey to a beautiful, healthy smile with our team on 01323 897 502 Teeth straightening with Cfast™ This treatment benefits from being fast, discreet and affordable. Cfast™ is a simple, gentle, minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that straightens the front top and bottom six teeth. Dr Samata Ravipati is a UK finalist in the 2018 Aesthetic Dentistry Awards, so you can rest assured you are in safe hands.

*For a limited time only. SPECIAL OFFER FREE bleaching for teeth straightening cases (worth £550)* Improve shape with veneers Fantastic for perfecting chipped, misshapen, stained and misaligned teeth with thin, handcrafted porcelain that bonds to the surface of your teeth. Veneers do not require surgery and provide instant cosmetic results.

Assured and efficient, straight to business. Clearly explained what needed to be done. Had a tooth out, no pain, not even mild soreness!” GOOGLE REVIEW. Achieve a whiter smile with teeth bleaching A safe and effective way to remove mild to severe staining and reveal a whiter, brighter smile. We use only the most reputable materials to achieve your desired result. Call now to start your journey to a beautiful, healthy smile with our team on 01323 897 502 SEAFORD SEAFORD LIBRARY MORRISONS CHURCH ST BROAD ST STAFFORD RD A529 A529 CLINTON PL A529 C L A R E M O N T R D CLAREMONT RD CLINTON LANE PLACE LN PLACE LN DANE RD Fill the gaps with Valplast ® dentures Our solution for you to replace one or more teeth. Unlike more traditional ridged, bulky and unstable dental materials, Valplast ® partial dentures are made from a flexible plastic material which fits neatly into your mouth and is very discreet. Receive 10% discount on treatments when your join our Membership. G25833 Claremont DP New Patient Flyer - 1.indd 2 30/07/2019 09:44

*For a limited time only.

Bridge the gaps in your smile

Our fibre bond bridges can be done in as little as three hours for a same-day replacement to missing front teeth.

Receive 10% discount on treatments when your join our Membership.

CLAREMONT RD

SEAFORD LIBRARY STAFFORD RD

SEAFORD MORRISONS CHURCH ST BROAD ST A529 A529 CLINTON PL A529 C L A R E M O N T R D CLINTON LANE PLACE LN PLACE LN DANE RD