“My mother’s family had a shop at the bottom of Edward Street called ‘Hughes’ which was a saddle and shoe makers. My mother had been born at a beer house called ‘The Little Wonder’ and she and her sister Min would dance on the counter for the customers. Her maiden name was Wink. The one memory that holds in my mind is the sight and sound of childrens’ bare feet flapping on the ground, something that I have not heard since. Many men drank heavily, including my uncle, but often this was the only escape from poverty and deprivation.”
Walk down Edward Street and turn left into Prince’s Street towards the Old Steine. Turn right at St. James’ Street, and head towards the sea, crossing the Steine towards the YHA building. Turn right and cut through the pedestrian alley called Avenue, crossing East Street into Bartholomews.
Follow the road past the Town Hall into Prince Albert Street, turning left into Black Lion Street. Follow a narrow alley, Black Lion Lane, between the Cricketer’s and Black Lion pubs. At the end of Black Lion Lane cross over Ship Street into another alley, Ship Street Gardens. This lane emerges opposite an entrance between 18 and 19 Middle Street to the former cul-de-sac of Hayllar’s Cottages.
