Skaters have had a grand time of it this year, and Brightonians, as may be supposed, have not been behindhand in availing themselves of the long spell of frosty weather. Every morning troops of eager skaters with clanking skates hurry along to the Central to catch trains to such places as Falmer, where there is a good piece of water, surrounded by the pleasant village, and having the old church for a background.

Or, perhaps, the Retreat water, about three-quarters of a mile from Burgess Hill, may be the destination.

Or Cuckfield Place ponds, close to that most romantic of old houses, the home of the Sergisons, and the scene of cheers to his lordship with musical honours, and many happy returns of the day, for the next day, January 18th, was his lordship’s birthday, when he completed his 59th year. There were to be grand hockey and cricket matches on the ice at Cuckfield Place the same day by Squire Sergison and his brother officers and a goodly company.

Harrison. Ainsworth’s 'Rookwood'. Here there are two ponds, the upper and lower; the former was reserved for the hockey teams, the latter for skaters. They are thrown open to the public, and are about two and a half miles from Haywards Heath. To those who have permission, the beautiful waters of Lord Sheffield’s Park are available. There are several ponds connected with one another.

Source

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, January 24, 1891

Illustrations accompanied the article in The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, and then enhanced and framed.

Contributed by Malcolm Davison.