Sunday 28 November 2010

CHALK PIT BEERHOUSE

I have just got an email from a Pam Taylor with the following information about the Chalk Pit Beerhouse - "I grew up in Chalk Pit Lane and the cottage/beerhouse – then (1940/50s) occupied by Sally and Charlie Coleman – was just a few yards further up the road from our bungalow – Quarry Cottage. You can just see the well in the corner of the picture where my Grandfather/Dad/aunts went to collect water daily. Occasionally I would be sent up to the cottage with messages for the Colemans.  I hated it – it was dark inside and smelled strongly of paraffin lamps and elderly people! (and I’m wondering if I’m remembering correctly that the floors were beaten earth). I also remember members of the Wales family – younger generation of the Inn Keeper. They lived in a cottage a little bit further down the lane – still in the cluster of cottages around the Chalk Quarry. I should think my great grandfather may well have frequented the Beer House at times, although he lived in Station Rd East, Oxted. He was the driver of the train that took the chalk/lime from the quarry along the small branch line to the junction with the main line."