Viva Lewes April 2015 Issue #103

under 16 êêêê
shoes on now
#8 Car Park Commerce
My Middle Child has embraced car boot sales with a passion
that borders on the obsessional. Reared by a mother
who always has an eye for a bargain, it’s perhaps no surprise
that this child likes to spend his Sundays bargaining away
at Lewes’s well known Car Boot Sale, located at the back of
Waitrose. Armed with a well-deserved £5 pounds- he does
a lot of chores- Middle Child goes into battle. First up is a
large 70s disco ball. “Five pounds,” demands the stall holder perhaps a bit out of touch with the disposable
income of a 7 year old. “I’ll give you 50 pence,” says my son - only he doesn’t. He’s too embarrassed
to haggle so instead I, reared on a diet of English reticence, am forced into the ignominious position of
Family Haggler. The stall holder laughs, although not unkindly, at my miserly offer before agreeing on
a more modest £2.50. We browse through some books and some DVDs before I grant permission for £1
to be spent on a large tub of sweets. With £1.50 left to go, Middle Child heads off towards a stall selling
a range of jewellery. Here his money secures a brooch festooned with large green ‘emeralds’ which glint
in the Sunday sunshine. I smile indulgently before heading home with him to Google his final purchase.
Maybe we’ve nabbed a real bargain after all. Jacky Adams
Lewes Car Boot Sale, every Sunday, at the back of Waitrose 6am-1pm.
Western road centenary
Lewes Western Road Council School (mixed) opened amidst great excitement on Monday 12 April
1915 as the town’s first Council School, designed for ages 9 to 12, with 50 boys and 39 girls on the roll.
This month the school celebrates its centenary with a reunion and open afternoon for old pupils and
staff on Fri 24. If you’d like more information or would like to share your own memories, please contact
the school office 01273 473013 or email office@westernroad.e-sussex.sch.uk Maya Fender
Photos from 1937 & 1938, courtesy Emily Sanders
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