Old Bob could tell a tale or two

Fortunately, war and all its horrors can be excluded, for my mission is no more than to remind us of one of our local characters who, had he continued to live, would now have reached one hundred years.

Yes, none other than Old Bob Holden, a man of Newhaven if ever there was one!

Up to 1996, a frequent visitor to the town centre, there was certainly no fear that he was likely to be on his own. Someone would always fall into conversation with him, and for many years he would accompany John Parsons around the shopping area, and between them they would pour out much of the town's history, plus of course much of the scandal of the moment.

Usually known as Old Bob by the public (and often himself) he entered this world on November 29, 1906, his twin brother Reginald appearing during the previous day. This all happened at 99 Chapel Street.

As was the situation of the time, on leaving school the average lad would expect to do some humble work for a while until finding his feet, and in due course Bob got himself into the nautical area.

One of his great joys was becoming involved with the local lifeboat service.

He began this by being appointed a boy 'knocker-upper' in 1921. This involved racing around the area on a cycle, rousing the lifeboat crew before the days of loud maroons. The rockets, in fact, continued until the introduction of pagers.

Sadly these noisy alarms have been discontinued quite recently in the name, I believe, of health and safety.

This is a very sad situation, for the maroons calling the crew also told the public that the lifeboat was going to sea, often in frightening conditions, which would remain in the memories of these same people when it came to supporting the cause by donating money.

It is a pity this impasse cannot be resolved. Fortunately, Bob had left us before the problem arose. I can well imagine his response!

One of the highlights of his life was being appointed head launcher of the lifeboat in 1935. This he continued to do for 55 years. He served under eight different coxswains.

Bob married and had two children, one of each as it is said (Colin Holden and June Gough), and lived much of his life in Gibbon Road.

One great benefit for the town was that Bob was an early member of the Newhaven Historical Society, which now operates the Maritime Museum at Paradise Park.

This gave him a great opportunity to indulge in all things nautical and be of great assistance as a member of staff, running the winter timetable. (The museum is now only open during the weekend afternoons until the clock is changed for summer).

The last lifeboat to be housed and needing to be launched was the Kathleen Mary (1959 to 1977), cox Edgar Moore.

I think this was the last occasion that Bob made his way up the rear leg of the tripod crane, sheerlegs, to display a patriotic flag from a short masthead.

Fortunately, this remarkable feat was captured on movie film by Leonard White, who recorded Bob cautiously retreating backwards after setting up the flag, only to be recovered after the Duchess of Kent (Princess Marina) had left.

PETER BAILEY

Peter Bailey is curator of the Newhaven Local and Maritime Museum based in its own fascinating premises in the grounds of Paradise Park in Avis Road, Newhaven. Winter opening hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 2-5pm or by arrangement. Admission 1 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at www.newhavenmuseum.co.uk