I would like to fill in a few gaps in the recent Argus coverage of the life of local songstress Clara Butt. Some time ago I researched Clara's time in Southwick and the resulting documents are in Southwick library.
Her father, Henry, was born in Jersey in 1848 and her mother in Shoreham in 1851. They were married at St Michaels Church, Southwick, in 1869.
Clara Butt was born on February 1, 1872 in Southwick. Before she was three, the family left Southwick and went to her father's home in Jersey. It was here Clara attended the South Bristol High School for Girls where her fine voice was first noticed.
-W. Ted Heasman, Hammy Way, Shoreham-by-Sea
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