How this book came into being

By Nicola Benge

Rod Patterson in Portslade WRVS centre with homemade postcard!

Photo from WRVs Heritage Plus archive

Cover of Portslade Portraits book

Photo from WRVS Heritage Plus Archive

Back of Portslade Portratis book

Photo from WRVS Heritage Plus Archive

WRVS Heritage Plus Reminiscence Project Portslade

Introduction to Portslade Portraits

This book is the result of ten weeks of creative writing sessions organised by Heritage Plus and run by writer, Vanessa Gebbie, with a group of people, all over 55, who attend the WRVS Portslade day centre in Windlesham Close, Portslade (see picture over), and who wanted to share their histories with others. Many of the participants who attended are involved in the WRVS and helping with the day centre, as well as other third age and local history projects, so they came well equipped!

The full, rich lives we have included here are just touching on the histories of those who came regularly to the sessions at the centre, and it's been hard to know what to leave out, as well as what to put in. Many of the participants are Sussex natives, or people who have spent many years here for one reason or another, and have an abiding affection for the area. This will hopefully be a resource that will enable others to remember more of Portslade's history, and teach others about the heritage of the town and the wonderful, creative, warm people in it.

Nicola Benge

Heritage Plus Project Coordinator