Welcome to the Aldwick Bay Estate, one of the most attractive and unique areas to live in the south east of England.
A Brief History
The early days of the Estate from its establishment in 1929 are described in ‘The Sussex Riviera — Aldwick Bay Estate’, a small booklet which is available from the Estate Office. However, the story began in 1928 when WHB Fletcher, Lord of the Manor of Aldwick, sold his 575-acre Pagham Farm estate at auction at the Dolphin Hotel Chichester (now Waterstones) for £29,000. One hundred acres of this prime land, situated in “The Bay”, were purchased by Captain H B Alloway MC, a London based property developer who conceived the idea of creating “an outstanding example of land development”, what we call today the Aldwick Bay Estate. The rest as they say is history!
In his advertisement Alloway proclaimed “The Aldwick Bay Estate caters for the town dweller who desires a nice type of seaside residence and for the retired wishing to live in a peaceful neighbourhood not invaded by trippers and charabanc parties, free from bands, pierrot parties (?) and the noise and hustle only too commonly associated with many seaside resorts”. Original intentions were that every house would have accommodation for staff and chauffeur and each garden be large enough for a tennis court! Early attempts at establishing strict standards on house design soon gave way to a more relaxed approach resulting in Georgian, Tudor, Dutch, Spanish and French influenced designs. Sporting and social activities were a key part of the original concept resulting in bathing chalets, the Tithe Barn Club, tennis courts and a bowling green, all now sadly gone. The Club held regular dances and was a popular haunt of Air Force officers from nearby Tangmere during the war. The Bay Court Hotel, situated by the Dunes, was originally built as a private residence but changed to an hotel in the 1940s, becoming a popular resting place for celebrities attending the Goodwood horse races, and many famous cinema stars including Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and Jack Hawkins. Eventually it became unsustainable as a hotel and was converted into flats.
During the War
An invasion along the South Coast was a constant fear necessitating defences on the beach and Estate which did nothing to enhance its appearance. Those residents who had a home elsewhere moved away from the Estate during the war years. Rumours of spies and fifth columnists abounded and at least one house was raided. The Fairway, Manor Way and Bay Walk became home to Canadian forces in Nissen huts. The Mulberry Harbour built for the D-Day landings could be seen from the beach and indeed one section which did not make the crossing can still be seen today. A couple of important visitors during this period were Lord Alexander of Tunis and Douglas Bader who was billeted on the Estate. Shortly after the war Neville Duke, a wartime fighter ace and then test pilot, lived on the Estate. Hunters Close was named after the famous Hawker Hunter jet fighter in which Duke broke the world air speed record in 1953 flying along the coast at 727mph.
The Great Storm
A pivotal point in our history occurred in October 1987 when The Great Storm, an unexpected and prolonged hurricane, devastated much of south east England. Here buildings were damaged, mature trees uprooted, major roads blocked and movement on and off the estate was by foot only for several hours. At that time, all of the roads , verges, beach and common areas which constituted the “Estate” were owned by a property company which found itself faced with the significant cost of clearing up the debris/repairing the damage.
The Birth of The Aldwick Bay Company Ltd
Concerned with how this might play out, a small team of residents persuaded their neighbours to contribute a total of £32k allowing them to purchase the Estate out right and run it under the banner of a Residents Association. Those original “founders”, four of whom guaranteed the money until it was collected, were led by Mr J.S. Williams to whom the current shareholders owe a considerable debt. Acquired in 1988, the purchase was then formalised into a Limited Company later that year. The first challenge was to clear the storm damage and then to begin improving the potholed roads, the verges and lighting, but without doubt, it was that “association of residents” who laid the foundations for the environment we enjoy today.
Photos of how wonderful the trees look now
The Company as it exists now continues to function for the benefit of its shareholders with the primary purpose of maintaining the roads, verges, lighting and footpaths collectively known as the “Estate”. In addition, it seeks to promote a spirit of community among residents, whilst at the same time protecting and wherever possible, enhancing the ambience and character of their surroundings. A private business limited by shares, the powers and duties of the Company are set out in a Memorandum and Articles of Association and bound by the various Acts of Parliament relating to micro companies including filing annual returns to Companies House. The Directors of the Company, up to eight in number, are unpaid and elected by the shareholders to hold office for three years. More on this can be found under the heading “Directors and Special Volunteers”. The Annual General Meeting of shareholders is held usually in October or November at which audited financial statements for the previous calendar year are presented for approval. The meeting also serves as a venue for the Board to propose the budget for the following year and the subsequent maintenance contribution payable on the 1st January. Whilst attendance is voluntary, the meeting also gives shareholders the opportunity to voice their views about the management of the Estate should they wish to do so. The Company’s primary source of income is in the form of maintenance contributions. As one might expect the latter have increased modestly over the years but nevertheless, all shareholders are obliged to pay it. Until recently the Company’s financial strategy was based on matching income with expenditure with work only undertaken if funds were available. Having now built up a healthy reserve, we are able to look further ahead and to help do this the Board has established a 5-year plan, a living document, which in addition to routine maintenance, sets out a programme for major works such as road re-surfacing, replacement lighting and drainage, without the need to spike up the annual contribution in those years where expenditure would clearly outstretch income. Assisting the Board is a team of volunteer Area Representatives who by keeping in touch with their “flock”, form an important link between the Company and its shareholders. This is a two-way affair which works best when information flows in both directions. “Reps” are encouraged to report back on matters of concern as well as offering up any helpful suggestions. Information is also disseminated down in the form of a twice-yearly newsletter. Notwithstanding all of this, shareholders can contact the Board direct by telephone or by sending an e-mail. Please see our “Contacts” page for details.
A touch of Nostalgia
Already mentioned are a few of the famous people who have either lived here or had connections with the Estate, but the list is considerably longer. A favourite pass time is to investigate who lived where and knowing your house may have been home to a celebrity tends to add a little fun to the game! Who knows, did someone famous once live in YOUR house?
Royalty/Near Royalty
Queen Mary and Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth Princess Margaret (who was proposed to by Anthony Armstrong-Jones on our beach) 8th Earl John Spencer (father of Princess Diana) The Bowes-Lyon family (Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite who went on to marry George VI) The Parker-Bowles family
The World of Entertainment
Laurel and Hardy George Robey (old time music hall) Mary Pickford (Hollywood Actress) Norman Wisdom J Arthur Rank (Film Mogul) Millicent Martin Ronnie Carroll (singer) Fred Astaire (who raced horses at nearby Goodwood) Bing Crosby Edward Fox (actor) Rex Harrison Peter Davison (actor) Suzi Quatro (American rock singer) Patricia Roc (film actress who had a romantic liaison with Ronald Reagan, amongst many others)
Boxing – Nigel Benn
Motor racing – David Purley, Derek Bell, John Watson
Business – Asil Nadir (Polly Peck), Jonny Rubeck-Taylor (invented steel wool) , Sir Gerald Vincent de Ferranti (Electrical Engineering), Fred Francis (invented Scalextric), Ivor Spence (VIP Raceways), Charles Purley (founder of LEC refrigeration).
Aviation – Peter Twiss, first pilot to exceed 1000mph in 1956, Douglas Bader, wartime ace who made his last sortie from nearby Goodwood before being shot down and captured. Neville Duke, wartime ace and test pilot. Arthur Mobbs, famous Pathfinder in Bomber Command, and Alan Plant, Vickers Test Pilot.
For the price of this house below in 1930 you could buy …
4 horses or 17 cows. For a skilled tradesman it represented 9 years wages!
The equivalent value today is approximately £60,000! Try buying a house
