Memories of life on the line, recorded by rail inspector before death

A STUDY of railway life experienced by a train revenue inspector has been lovingly assembled after his death from audio tapes recording his memories.

Anthony Vent, who until recently lived in Manor Road, collected the recordings and has now published the life story of Brian Groome, who died in 2003 shortly after finishing his sixth 90-minute cassette.

"It was a long task," said Anthony. "Because I had to sit and listen to the cassettes, and replay them when I missed names, and so on.

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"But there was also something a bit eerie about it because he's passed away but he would be addressing me on the tapes by name.

"But ultimately it was a privilege to do."

Brian Groome, of Polegate, lived 1066 Country all his life, working at Norman's Bay, Pevensey and Westham and Cooden Beach stations among others.

He started out as a "box-boy" along the Bexhill-Eastbourne line, worked his way via Halt-Keeper to Guard and eventually Revenue Inspector - the latter-day equivalent of our black-coated penalty fare inspectors.

An avid model railway enthusiast, Brian's front room was dominated by a huge model railway which ran through a hole in the wall to his bedroom at the back.

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Tackling fare dodgers from half a century ago, the book also features interviews with railway men who worked on Bexhill Station signal box from the 1920s-1950s. Anthony claims it is the first published account of railway life by a British Railways Revenue Inspector.

'¢East of Eastbourne costs 9.95 (plus 1.35 postage), and is available from the Observer office in Sackville Road, as well as Bexhill Museum Ten per cent from the orders taken through the Observer will go to Bluebell Railway Brighton Atlantic Group Fund.

Payment by cheque is preferred, made out to Buggleskelly Books and sent to: East of Eastbourne, 22 Glassenbury Drive, Bexhill, East Sussex, TN40 2NY.

A few copies remain of Sussex Motorman, the memoirs of Ore-based train driver Hubert Hobden, also edited by Anthony. Observer readers can purchase a copy of East of Eastbourne plus the above from our Bexhill address for 19.95, plus 2 postage.

Brian Groome in his revenue inspector's uniform in his back garden in Polegate