On his debut visit to the coastal town Clive Agran learns about Ian Fleming, Ronnie Barker and the seafront’s longest bench.
Despite the welcome winter sunshine, my first-ever visit to Littlehampton isn’t getting off to the best of starts – I can’t find the council offices where I’m supposed to be meeting my escorts. The handsome, white, mid-19th century Manor House that Littlehampton Town Council occupies is far more elegant than the dull municipal block I was looking for. Inside there’s another surprise, a delightful museum.
Terry Ellis, chairman of Littlehampton Heritage Group, and Malcolm Belchamber, a fourtime mayor, have kindly agreed to show me around town. Since time is limited and our combined age is 225 or thereabouts, we’re not walking on this occasion but climb into Terry’s car instead.
Whereas Malcolm, a retired estate agent, has lived in Littlehampton all his life, Terry is a comparative newcomer. Together with his wife, he spent two years scouring the south-east of England in search of the ideal place to live and firmly believes he’s found his Shangri-La.
Our first stop is unscheduled. As Terry points to a Dalmatian dog scratching at the first-floor window of a terraced house (bear with me if you will), Malcolm spots the owner feeding seagulls by the harbour wall opposite. Leaving aside the desirability of otherwise of this activity, it’s immediately apparent that Alan McKay is a real character. The three magnificent classic cars parked outside his house, alongside which the three of us feel genuinely youthful, confirm my initial assessment of Alan as, at least, mildly eccentric.
Despite a mild clash with the authorities over the clambering canine, Alan is another huge fan of Littlehampton. “It’s an oldfashioned, family-friendly, seaside resort,” he remarks above the din of squawking seagulls.
Denne historien er fra January 2019-utgaven av Sussex Life.
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Denne historien er fra January 2019-utgaven av Sussex Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
TAKE YOUR TIME
Dean Edwards’ new cookbook features delectable recipes that you can slow cook or stick in the oven. Here’s a selection of the best
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ON THE FRONT FOOT
The rugby legend took the reins at Sussex County Cricket Club in 2017, rekindling his love for a sport that first won his heart on the village cricket fields of North Yorkshire
NAKED AMBITION
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ROCKET MAN
Astronaut Tim Peake has come a long way since growing up in Westbourne and attending Chichester High School for Boys: 248 miles above Earth, to be precise. But, he says, life on the International Space Station has a lot in common with family caravanning holidays
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Lewes’ most famous resident Thomas Paine may be the greatest propagandist who ever lived. But how did a humble customs and excise officer ignite the touchpaper for revolution in not one but two countries?
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All in a day's work
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Brighton is often rated one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the UK. What these restaurants prove is that plant-based food doesn’t have to be puritanical – at all of these places you’ll find big flavours and a desire to push the envelope
