Celebrating the Wagstaff story.
Isaac Wagstaff, a humble, strong character born in Yorkshire in 1880. Married to Eva from Keighley West Yorkshire, who worked in the Cotton Mills before they moved to East Sussex.
Isaac came to work at Newhaven Docks as a Marine Engineer and later with a new trade as a carpenter and builder founded the family business in 1911, in a new town, originally known as ‘New Anzac-on-Sea’ but went on to be known as Peacehaven in 1917 .
115 years later our unique family owned and run business is still serving in and around the local communities in Peacehaven and along the South Coast.
Photo shows: Issac Wagstaff.
1911 The Founding
What a year to be founded in 1911, a time where major world events were taking place including The Coronation of King George V in the UK, Roald Amundsen being the first to reach the South Pole, the theft of the Mona Lisa, the launch of the Titanic in Belfast, and Marie Curie being awarded her 2nd Noble Prize in chemistry.
Issac and Eva Wagstaff were members of a local Church and worshiped in a chalk pit, known as “Joslin’s Pit”, prior to the completion of the first free Church that they helped build in Peacehaven.
Issac could see a growing community in need of support and guidance, at their lowest time of their lives, preparing to say goodbye to a loved one. With much respect and care for his community, Issac decided to start a very much needed and unique business as an undertaker in a new town.
Photo shows: Opening of the “Free Church”. Second row from back, 7th in from left – Eva Wagstaff and her two daughters, Kathleen and Mary, to her right.
1920 John (Jack) Wagstaff is born
Issac and Eva had five children.
In 1920, just 2 years after the first World War had ended, their fifth child John (Jack) Wagstaff was born, making him the first child to be born in the ‘new’ town of Peacehaven. Their eldest son Harold joined the family firm as a builder until he was forced to retire due to ill health.
Herbert and Alice Chinn moved to Peacehaven with their daughter Margaret, where Herbert became the headmaster of the local Tin School.
Photo shows: First baby born in Peacehaven. John (Jack) Wagstaff.
1930 - 1945 World War II years
Jack Wagstaff announced his marriage to Margaret taking place on 4th September 1944 at Telscombe Village Church, making sure all of the local community could attend and be a part of their big day.
In June 1945 Margaret gave birth to Noreen.
Jack and his best man Ray were in the RAF together, based in Lincolnshire before heading to Canada to help train the aircraft engineers before the British Allies took a base in England to help with the War effort.
Jack and Ray were too late to take the first ship bound for Canada. Sadly the ship was bombed at sea with no survivors; how lucky the two men were and how different life could have been for the Wagstaff family.
Margaret worked in the telephone exchange in Newhaven.
Photo shows: Top picture – Margaret Wasgtaff with baby Noreen.
Left picture – Jack Wagstaff in his RAF uniform.
Right picture – Jack and Margaret Wagstaff .
Bottom picture – (left to right) Issac and Eva Wagstaff, best man Ray, bridesmaid Dol, Jack and Margaret, Herbert and Alice Chinn
1946 Return to Wagstaffs
When Jack Wagstaff returned from WW2 he joined the family business in 1946 and dedicated his life to growing the company.
Jack and Margaret had four children and these children very much became a part of the community.
Photo shows: Top picture – Jack and Margaret at local charity event.
Left picture – Noreen on the carnival float through Peacehaven.
Right picture – Margaret with her children.
Bottom picture – Jack featuring in the Peacehaven Post.
1953 Issac passes away.
Sadly, Isaac Wagstaff passes away, leaving his family behind.
Photo shows: 1926 (left to right) Kathleen Wagstaff, Louise Wagstaff, John (Jack) Wagstaff, Harold Wagstaff, Mary Wagstaff, Eva Wagstaff and Issac Wagstaff.
1954 - 1970 Growing business, growing children
Jack and Margaret continued to grow the family business and opened an Estate Agency. They worked tirelessly whilst raising their four children in Peacehaven.
Noreen, the eldest daughter, began working in the family business at aged 18 and later Alistair joined them, continuing the tradition of carpentry and building. Jack Wagstaff continued having a very active role right up into his nineties. Like their parents and grandparents before them, Noreen and Alistair continued the Wagstaff tradition of dedicating their working lives to growing the family business.
Always wanting to support the local community, Jack, together with Malcolm Troak, designed and built Peacehaven’s first War Memorial in the grounds of the Church of Ascension to remember and honour those who lost their lives during the War, some of whom were their friends. Jack also ran the Poppy Appeal for many years and in 1960 he also became a local parish councillor.
Photo shows: Jack, Margaret and Noreen (far right) at a local dinner dance event.
1971 Eva passes away.
Sadly, Isaac’s beloved wife, Eva, dies.
Photo shows: Eva Wagstaff
1973-1978 Third Generation of Wagstaff's
In 1973 Noreen married local farmer Roger Fripp, both members of the Eastbourne Motor Club. Their marriage took place at Telscombe Village Church, the same place her parents had married.
Four years later saw the birth of their first daughter Clare, followed one year after that with the birth of Hanna, completing their family.
Noreen and Roger raised their two daughters whilst growing their families businesses, both working long hours on the farm and supporting the Wagstaff’s Funeral Directors and Estate Agency.
In 1975, Alistair’s son Seth was born, while Alistair continued to work in the family business.
Photo shows: Top picture – Noreen and Rogers wedding
(Left to right) John Fripp, Doris Fripp, Roger Fripp, Noreen Wagstaff, Margaret Wagstaff, Jack Wagstaff, Dave Tearle, (best man) and flower girl Lauren Wagstaff.
Left picture – Jack and Margaret.
Right picture – Noreen and Jack.
Bottom picture – Alistair outside the Brighton branch, he still works in today.
1979-2003 Growing a legacy
With Margaret always firmly by his side, Jack was able to devote his time to expanding the company, with the support of Noreen and Alistair. They together attended many charity events, dinner and dance evenings and local fundraisers, whilst developing building projects across Peacehaven and serving the local community in their time of need.
Jack, a self-taught draftsman, designed and built many properties in the 1980’s including the Chapel which he was very proud of. The Chapel is still used today as an integral part of the Funeral Directors, with its own mortuary and Chapel of Rest which facilitates small private services, and a meeting room open for community clubs and events.
Alistair obtained his qualification from the NAFD, National Association of Funeral Directors in September 1993, and became Wagstaff’s Funeral Director and still today he is working in the Brighton branch.
Photo shows: Top picture – J. Wagstaff Chapel, Peacehaven.
Bottom picture – Alistair Wagstaff
2004-2009 The Diamond Years
In September 2004, Jack and Margaret celebrated their 60th Diamond Wedding Anniversary in the Telscombe Town Hall with family and friends.
In 2007 Hanna was married to Simon and gave birth to eldest daughter Pippa in March 2009, then Stanley in August 2010.
Photo shows: Top picture – Jack and Margaret.
Bottom picture – (Left to right) Jack, Hanna, Simon and Margaret.
2010 End of an Era
It was sadly just after Jacks 90th birthday he passed quietly at home in December 2010.
Photo shows: John (Jack) Wagstaff.
2014 Loving wife reunited with Peacehaven's first born.
After the passing of her husband, Margaret’s health declined, Noreen and Alistair caring for her comfortably at home until the family suffered a huge loss in Margaret’s death August 2014.
Photo shows: Margaret Joan Wagstaff.
2015-2020 The Fourth and Fifth Generation of Wagstaff's
Noreen’s daughter, Hanna, the 4th generation, joined the family business just before the sad passing of Margaret.
Hanna, Clare and Seth all welcomed their daughters Martha, Harriet and Lottie in January 2018, the fifth Wagstaff generation.
Alistair, Noreen and Hanna together with a fantastic, experienced and dedicated team are proud and privileged to still be supporting and serving the local community today.
Photo shows: Top picture – Hanna and Alistair, celebrating 100 years in the Yellow Pages, with James Nesbitt.
Left picture – Pippa supporting the local dementia group during work experience at the family company.
Right picture – Stanley, and Martha celebrating Noreen’s birthday in 2026.
Bottom picture – Martha and Harriet visiting their great grandparents graves at Telscombe Church.
2020-2026 The Journey continues
With our fantastic dedicated team we are privileged to continue to support local families whilst enjoying supporting many Charity events from RNLI, Martlets Hospice and The Rocking Horse Children’s Hospice, and keeping up with various window displays in memory of those fallen in War.
Photo shows: Top picture – The Wagstaff team.
Left picture – RNLI Charity fundraising.
Right picture – D-Day Anniversary window display.
Bottom picture – Fundraising for the Rocking Horse Charity.
115 years serving the local community
Throughout the 115 years Wagstaff’s have always remained rooted in family values. A strong reliable business, very loyal to Peacehaven and passionate about serving the needs of the local people.
Wagstaff’s also work with other locally owned businesses where possible, from a family run mechanics, Independent Estate Agents, Solicitors, Florists, Stone Mason, Painters, Carpet Fitters, Tyre companies, Gardeners, and many other family owned and run local trade companies.
Alistair, Noreen and Hanna together with a fantastic, experienced, dedicated team are proud and privileged to still be supporting and serving the local community today.
Photo shows: Alistair and Noreen
