The Many Lives of the Rothbury: From Party Hats to Radio Hits

 The Many Lives of the Rothbury: From Party Hats to Radio Hits

"We’ve been doing some deep-diving into the history of the Rothbury this week, and the response has been wonderful. To make it easier to take in, here is a quick round-up of the two distinct eras we’ve been exploring: [check the update below]

• The CVA & Community Years: We’ve looked back at the Combined Veteran's Association and the heartwarming Christmas parties held in the function room. Thanks to Julia Holman, we have 'vibrant' photos of the paper-hatted mischief that once filled the hall.

• The Southern Sound Era: We also stepped into the 1980s, when the building became Radio House. It’s fascinating to think that the same walls that heard CVA carols later broadcasted the hits of Southern Sound across Sussex.

• The Future Map: We aren't finished yet! We are currently working with Tony Clevett to create a 'Memory Map' to show exactly how the layout changed through these different chapters.

Which era of the Rothbury do you remember best? Was it the 'flicks', the CVA tea, or tuning in to 103.5 FM? Let us know in the comments!"

___________________________________________________________________________________

Then & Now: The Rothbury’s Transformation

It’s truly "meaty" history when you consider how much those walls have seen.

• The Transformation: In the 1950s and 60s, the Rothbury was a place of paper hats, CVA community tea, and the magic of the cinema.

• The New Wave: By 1983, the cinema screen and the tea hatches had made way for high-tech mixing desks and microphones as Southern Sound moved into Radio House.

• The Shared Spirit: While the technology changed from projector reels to radio transmitters, the building remained a vibrant hub where Portslade stories were told to the whole of Sussex.
  Click here to see the rare 1982 demolition photos of this transformation.

Did you ever visit the building during its Radio House days? Or perhaps you remember the "cheeky" transition period when the bingo callers were replaced by DJs?

After Global put Radio House on the market in 2019 following the closure of the Heart Sussex studios, the building was reimagined as a modern business Centre. Today, it is used as fully managed office suites, housing a variety of small to medium-sized local businesses.

___________________________________________________________________________________

The "Final Call for Memories" (with your new lead):

"We are piecing together a 'vibrant' picture of the Rothbury's interior layout across the decades. We’ve heard from one local resident who worked in the building for a staggering 36 years—imagine the stories those walls could tell!

• Share Your Photos: Do you have any 'cheeky' snaps of the building’s exterior, perhaps from the Bingo era or the early days of Radio House?

• The Interior Puzzle: Do you remember where the CVA tea hatch was, or where the DJs at Southern Sound sat in relation to the old cinema stage?

• The Faces: Can you help us name any more of the 'vibrant' characters who made the Rothbury the Centre of our community for so long?"

---

🗺️ UPDATE: The Plot Thickens! Our Memory Map Just Doubled!

Following some vibrant feedback from Peter Groves, we’ve discovered that the CVA Club wasn't inside the Rothbury Cinema, but was its "next-door neighbour" to the left!

This changes everything! We are now looking for memories of two buildings:

• The CVA "Rabbit Warren": Do you remember the original three-room layout? The small bar, the darts room, and the TV lounge?

• The 80s Makeover: Who remembers when the club went "open plan" with the stage at the front? This is likely where our Father Christmas photos were taken!

• "A Little Local Mystery: We’ve had a few whispers about the 'other' entertainment that used to take place upstairs for the apprentices in the days of the old club. If you were a 6d-a-week member and remember those 'vibrant' evenings, do get in touch—though perhaps we’ll keep those specific memories for a private chat over coffee!"

Help us get the facts straight! Were you a 6d-a-week member? We’d love to hear from you.

"This changes everything! We are now looking for memories of two buildings: The original CVA 'Rabbit Warren' next door, and the Rothbury itself." 

___________________________________________________________________________________

The Southern Sound Roadio Era

The 2020 Rebranding of the Rothbury

---