Dorothy Stringer: Mayor of Brighton
Dorothy Stringer School
It was very appropriate that in 1955, a new secondary school in Brighton was named after Dorothy Stringer. In her many years of service to the town Dorothy Stringer served for fifty years on Brighton Education Committee, joining it in 1923 and becoming the committee’s first female chair.
Service tradition in her family
Born in Brighton in 1894, Dorothy Stringer belonged to a family well known for their contributions to public life. Her father, Joseph Stringer, was an alderman, her mother Emma was a member of the Board of Guardians and a cousin, Herbert Galliers was Mayor of Brighton in 1929. Dorothy followed in her family’s footsteps and was elected to Brighton Council in 1933.
Freedom of the Borough
Miss Stringer was elected Mayor of Brighton in 1952 and was awarded an OBE in 1960. In 1968, on the 19th December, her record of service to Brighton was formally recognised, when she was given the Freedom of the Borough, being only the second woman to receive this honour. Dorothy Stringer continued her public service all her life, working on a great many committees into her middle seventies; she died at 77 years old.
Comments about this page
As a kid in the 50s I remember going to a function at the Dome to the Mayors Ball and met Dorothy Stringer and also received a present from her. I seem to remember there being loads of children there. .
Dorothy Stringer was on the board of governors of Patcham County Secondary School and she attended our Speech Days. In 1964/65 I was head girl and the head boy and head girl made a speech on alternate years. Unfortunately that year was the head girl’s turn. I knew I could not stand up and speak to the entire school, parents and governors and insisted that the head boy, Bruce Dingle, took my place. The headmaster agreed and so Bruce made the speech, except that halfway through his speech, Dorothy Stringer stood up and interrupted him (why I don’t know, she wasn’t commenting on his speech). Bravely Bruce carried on after her interruption, I am so glad I refused to do it, I think I would have fainted. It was of the general opinion amongst the prefects that the esteemed lady was slightly inebriated.
I was a 2nd year pupil at Dorothy Stringer when it first opened, and left in 1959 in the fifth year. I have lost one of the school magazines, 1958, I think and would like a copy. If anyone knows how to get hold of one I would be grateful
Try my brother John Curd on Facebook (Fareham..he was the first boy at the school)
I was a pupil at Balfour Road, headmaster ED Slater, when Dorothy Stringer visited one day during the early to mid 1950’s. I remember thinking how large she was and how her dress was like a tent, but I was only 8 or 9 then so everyone was big. She was treated like royalty on that day.
I was Linda Waller, and attended Balfour Road Juniors about the same time as Ken Bishop, moving to Varndean Girls in 1959. I remember Mr Slater the Headmaster very well. He was a portly gentleman but very light on his feet! I remember him being a kind and fun headmaster. I lived with my grandparents for a couple of years in Surrenden Road then moved to Vere Road off Ditchling Rise. I struggle to remember names from that time so anyone who knew me please get in touch! lyn.h25ar@sky.com One name I do recall is Anthony Beeson as being a friend – perhaps I had a crush on him ! Linda Horsburgh was Waller
How many Brightonians, not least those who are recent arrivals, know who Herbert Carden, Dorothy Stringer or Lewis Cohen were? And why should they? The City Council does little to commemorate these. and other individuals who helped to make the city what it is!!
I agree with the last comment, my grandfather Horace Robbins was a direct contemporary of Dorothy Stringer – being elected to the council in 1934 and remaining there until eventually becoming an Alderman before his premature death in 1956. In that time he took a special interest in the town’s education facilities and the parks and gardens as well as the Watch Committee. Despite all that, I am not aware of anything in the town that reflects his years of service to the town.
Oh well, we all pass on and are forgotten.
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