The Great Storm of 1987 struck the night 15–16 October 1987, hitting the south coast England shortly midnight and peaking the early hours 16 October 1987.
The wind increased as I was walking Ditchling Road my way home attending a political meeting to decide who was to stand parliament.
There were few people out such bad weather. I looked front me and me. I was truly my own. Above the sky was very dark and below the pavement was becoming wet. Inside the houses the lights were still on so people hadn’t yet gone bed. Soon I arrived the corner my street and walked the local off licence which was closing the night.
A short journey the hill and I got my destination. Home sweet home. I didn’t go straight to bed, but filled the kettle water and boiled it 5 minutes. I drank my favourite mug and listened to the wind outside.
I went to bed I checked that everything I needed the next day was neatly packed.
As I lay down to sleep I heard the wind beat the windows. I was glad to be inside a building and not outside. The bad weather continued the night and it was getting worse. I could hear tiles falling the roof and clattering the pavement.
I planned to get up about seven o’clock, but I waited half past seven my sleep had been disturbed. The high wind had continued the night.
ten to eight I had made a cup coffee and had my breakfast. I went down to the basement where I keep my moped but prior starting the engine I thought it would be better to walk.
It was the right decision. Outside there were scenes destruction. I walked down the hill, along Ditchling Road to a park the Open Market. I had to climb fallen trees to continue my journey. Few people arrived work that day. As I made my way the entrance I noticed that there were few students. Normally, the school gives students certificates good attendance, but this October they deserved certificates surviving the Great Storm.