Peter Bailey and the Hillcrest Centre, Newhaven
Schoolboy stories
By Julius Smit
Peter Bailey as a child moved up from Exeter in Devon with his parents and in 1924, at the age of eight, he attended the Newhaven Council School for Boys. Peter has very fond memories of his childhood and schooldays and says that they were indeed happy days. Life at the school was strict, but as long as pupils behaved themselves, they were treated fairly and with respect. Anyone found misbehaving was soon dealt with.
School holidays
School summer holidays in Newhaven were long and idyllic, and Peter always found ways to occupy himself. On one particular occasion Peter found himself caught up in a strange game involving coconuts which he talks about in the accompanying sound clip.
A full retirement
In his retirement, Peter not only plays an active part in the management of the Hillcrest Centre in Newhaven, but is also one of the founder members of the Newhaven Historical Society as well as being the Curator of the Newhaven Local & Maritime Museum. He has also been awarded the MBE in recognition for his services to the community.