In this, the year of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, it must be a good time to reflect on how things have changed over the last 50 years and in particular how things are different locally. In Whitehawk and Manor Farm for instance, life has changed very much due to the massive redevelopment that took place in central Whitehawk in the 1970s and early 1980s. This part of East Brighton is completely different now than when the Queen came to the throne in 1952 on the death of her father King George the 6th on February the 6th of that year. However, although the estate has changed so dramatically, there is at least one feature that is still present: St. Cuthman's Church (the Children's Church) right in the middle of the Whitehawk estate.

It is somewhat of a coincidence that the present little church was opened in 1952, the year of the Queen's Coronation, which of course warranted some kind of double celebration. That double celebration indeed went ahead on Sunday the 2nd of June at the little church and a service, which was well attended, took place at St. Cuthman's Church. When the little church was opened in the Coronation Year it was to replace the previous Children's Church that had been bombed in 1943. Although in these more modern times not so many people actually go to church now, the local community has always acknowledged the fact that it has been there.

In the year of the Coronation the nation celebrated with street parties in many streets in every town in the land and a great time was had by all. At that time I was in the army doing my national service and of course, like everyone else in uniform, took part in big parades to mark the occasion but again like everyone else I was fully aware of the celebrations that were going on alll over Britain. The estates of Moulsecoomb, Whitehawk and Manor Farm were no exceptions to what was going on at the time. Many street parties were arranged by residents, bearing witness to what ordinary people can achieve when called upon to do so. Of course it hadn't been many years since celebrations had been arranged to mark the end of World War Two.

In 1977 the year of the Silver Jubilee the same scenario developed and once again the people of our estates demonstrated just what they could do. Once again streets were closed and wonderful street parties were put on. All across East Brighton as everywhere else in the town and right across the country for that matter, people celebrated. In streets that couldn't arrange a party, many children were invited to parties in other streets, illustrating clearly the community spirit of the time. Now 50 years after Elizabeth II became our Queen and after our little Children's Church was opened, we see our estates being regenerated and look forward to the next 50 years on Whitehawk and Manor Farm, Moulsecoomb, Bates and Saunders Park Estates.

As always if anyone has memories about the history of any of our estates, please send them to us at Phoenix.

Written by Fred Netley.