Bringing the story of our village to life

At the time of the First World War sheep bells were a common sound on the Downs but just twenty years after that war ended there came the roar of the Spitfire.  In both the First and Second world wars, young men employed on local farms, village shops and the potteries on the Common left their homes to go to war;  sons of wealthier families became serving officers soon after leaving school.  On the home front as, local communities set up Red Cross hospitals and Civil Defence Units, land girls and prisoners-of-war helped out on the farms.  Personal recollections and diaries, newspaper accounts and official records show the sacrifice and contribution made by our downland communities with stories of individual courage, family sadness and collective endeavour.