I bought this postcard over a month ago now and I am so pleased with it that I don’t know why I have shown you it until now. It still makes me smile every time I look at it.
This postcard was printed and published by The Mezzotint Co. of Brighton, Sussex. It was posted on the 5th October 1906 from Framfield itself, destined for a Mrs. Brooker in Battle, Sussex. Technically speaking because the card is printed the detail is not quite so sharp as on a photographic card, but it is still an excellent card in my opinion.
Several generations of my ancestors probably passed through that school, although I have yet to find the school admission registers to prove it. I wonder why the children are standing outside and why so few? Were they late for class or perhaps early? Who are the two older figures? I love the bicycle leaning against the hedge, almost taller than the girl standing next to it.
What was most surprising to me is that the building is still in use as a school. Despite a few changes to the buildings they are still recognisable, but fortunately there were no children standing in the road when the Google Street View car went past.
Hi, Mr. Gasson.
I was so pleased to discover your page on Framfield. One line of my family traces its earliest recorded roots to Framfield, in the 13th century. But there can be only so many pictures of buildings; I loved the postcard with the people in front from 100 years ago. That makes Framfield real to me.
Lynne Larson, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
I went to school there and lived almost opposite at “Downs View”
Michael Berry Tasmania Australia