Brading

Old postcards are sometimes poorly produced and grainy, I've done my best to scan them. Please click thumbnails for full size picture. Dates are from the card or my estimate (where possible). The manufacturer of the card is shown in brackets (where available).

Brading is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Berading. It was originally a port, with the sea coming to its High Street, but due to silting up and the building of the railway embankment at Bembridge this is no longer the case. The harbour was known as Brading Haven. The site of the church is reputed to be a pagan burial ground but the present building largely dates from the twelfth century. There is still a bull ring, which was use to tether bulls for bull baiting. the town is known as 'Ye Kynge's Towne of Brading'

Multiview of Brading showing (from top left) the Bull Ring, Little Jane's Cottage, the church, the view

over Brading from the Downs with the Town Hall in the centre.


Card showing an illustration of a man in the stocks at Brading Town hall, probably around 1910. (Woodbury)	The stocks and whipping post at Brading, probably from the 1950's. These may still be seen. (Thunder & Clayden)

Old Houses at Brading, an 'Oilette' postcard probably prior to 1910. (Tuck)	The church and Town Hall, Brading postmarked 1906. (Woodbury)

The church at Brading, probably in the 1960's. (Dean)	Little Jane's Cottage, Brading postmarked 1909. (see below). (Ideal)

View looking east across Brading from the downs. The area beyond the village was Brading Haven which until the building of the railway embankment at Bembridge was flooded and provided Brading with an outlet to the sea. (Dennis)	Nunwell House, just outside Brading. Former home of the Oglander family, from about 1970. (Dixon)

Little Jane

Little Jane was a young girl who lived in Brading at the end of the eighteenth century. She was 'The Young Cottager' in 'Annals of the Poor' written by Legh Richmond, curate in charge of Brading and Yaverland 1797 to 1805. In this book he wrote about 'poor and humble folk' who despite their position led deeply religious and inspirational lives, it was basically a religious tract. She died of consumption at the age of 15 on 30th January 1799.

When she died her gravestone was inscribed:

Tread gently o'er this grave as ye explore

The short and simple annals of the poor.

A child reposes underneath this sod;

A child to memory dear, and dear to God.

Rejoice! Yet shed the sympathetic tear.

Jane 'The Young Cottager,' lies buried here.

Little Jane (from Wight Life 1972)

Brading

5 November 2008