Welcome to Brightling Voices.

Since 2017 we have been recording the memories of people who have lived in Brightling for many years.

We hope you enjoy listening to their stories.

We will be adding other Brightling Voices over the next year or so. To receive a notification when someone new has been added, don’t forget to subscribe to emails (see the home page of this website).

Chris Wing & Nicola Courtney Bennett

Mary Cox

Mary and her husband Ian moved to Sheepshaw Farm in 1962. They came to see the farm with the estate agent on 2nd May 1962, which was the day their second child was due to be born. They decided there and then to buy Sheepshaw and went on to raise their 6 children there. Mary continues to live at Sheepshaw.

Sheepshaw Farm aerial view
Mary just after moving in
Episode 1: Moving to Sheepshaw Farm

Ian and children in the tractor
Mary with one of her sculptures in the background
Episode 2: Art College/Sculpting – Meeting Ian – A Few Local Characters

The original house and barns
Building the extension
Episode 3: Sculpting – Bill Deedes – Extending the House

Episode 4 part 1: Filming in Brightling

Episode 4 part 2: Filming in Brightling

Episode 5: Battle Abbey – The High Sheriff

Sheep in the snow
Mary with 2 lambs

Episode 6: The sheep cause a bit of trouble

Episode 7: The 1988 Armada Celebrations
Making hay in the 1960s
Mary with 3 of the children
Spot the ram in the back of the car
Episode 8: The Mount – Local Farming – The Gypsum Mine

The family
Brightling landscape by JMW Turner
Episode 9: Brightling, a Hallowed Spot

Sue Hoad & Vanessa Everett in conversation

Coming soon


David Gasson

Coming soon


Jean Holland

A few sentences


Maisie Winchester

Coming soon.