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Dedication service c1963

If my memory serves me right, this photograph was taken in the old St John’s School Hall in Carlton Hill. It was a dedication service for the new extension to the hall and school. I think the photograph was taken around 1963/1964, but I may be wrong.

I am sitting in the second row front right side leaning back third from the right, next to the girl with pigtails. The lady in the wheelchair at the back of the hall, was my sister-in-law Eileen Gibb, and the lady sitting next to her, leaning on the arm of the wheelchair is my sister Mary Bailey(nee Waller). Do you recognise yourself or anyone else? Can you share any memories of this time? If you can help, please leave a comment below.

Click on the photograph to open a large version in a new window.

St John's School, Carlton Hill.
From the private collection of Donald Waller

Comments about this page

  • I was at St. John’s at this time but I don’t remember an extension being built. I think the girl sitting next to you with pig tails is Cheryl Gray and the two choir girls may be the twins Joan and Julie Hardwick. I remember the headmaster was Mr Hambridge.

    By Carol Wells (20/06/2014)
  • Hi Carol Wells. I do remember it as a dedication service for something, and if it was not for the new hall extension, then I’m not sure what it was for. Are you in the photo then Carol?

    By Donald Waller (09/07/2014)
  • Hi Donald, I remember you from this school and always wondered what happened to you mate? There are lots of people I recognise here. Bottom left is Colin Edge, next to Graham Gunn, then me. Behind me is Lorraine Knowlden and Cherie Pont. Three along from me is Tina Douglas. Fourth front is Johnny Mears, sixth front Kim Perrin. Behind Kim Perrin is David Wood. Third row back, fifth and six, is Michael Oakes and Tony Angel. Back row, second left, I think is David Woods’ mum, and in front of her is Kenneth Dawber.

    By Alan Purton (05/09/2014)
  • Yes, that is Jo-Jo and Julie Hardwick.

    By Alan Purton (05/09/2014)
  • Also in this picture is Philip Virgo, left hand side, white shirt, staring at the camera. Andrew Renouf, next to Jo-Jo and Julie Hardwick: he is wearing the sandals. Peter Jones is next to Tony Angel and third from end in that row, is Ian Blackman. Behind Mick Oakes and Tony Angel, is David Burbridge.

    By Alan Purton (07/09/2014)
  • Well I am blessed Alan Purton, I remember you as well my old friend. It’s funny that I could only name a couple of people from the photo, but you have remembered nearly everyone and now I remember all the ones you have mentioned. I have only seen one person from the photo from back then and that was Tony Angel about 10 years ago and he had not changed. Like you I have been wondering where everyone was and where they all are now. Sadly I had to leave St John’s when my parents’ jobs were moved to Newhaven, and we moved into a railway worker’s house. I made new friends in Newhaven at my new school, but sadly a lot of them have now passed away. I have never forgotten the very happy times and friends I had at St John’s and wish sometimes I could meet them all again one day. Keep in touch, Alan.

    By Donald Waller (16/09/2014)
  • Hi Donald, nice to hear from you mate, never got far then, Newhaven. I had a boat moored down there, Denton Island, its moored at Shoreham now. I remembered a few more faces in the photo: front row next to Kim Perrin, (last choirboy) is Keith Lind, either side of David Wood is Roy Arnold and Tracy Anscombe. Next to tony angel is Mark Strutt, he lives in Australia now, spoke to him last year. Next to David Burbridge is Victor Hughes (Freddy) second from end on that row, right hand side, is Linda Oakes. Next to Cherie Pont is Linda Bean, next to me is Valerie Douglas I think. Others I recall from that class are Pat Omo? Deborah Float, Leslie Hawkins, June Jeffries. I struggle recognising the girls really. I do still see quite a few from this photo.

    By Alan Purton (29/09/2014)
  • Nostalga is like a blast from the past, looking back at this photo reminds me so much of good friends. I loved this school and all who were there at that time. I have seen a few people in the photo over the years and still find a lump comes to my throat when thinking about some of the people who are not with us anymore. Peter Jones was one of my best buddies at the time and I haven’t seen him for over twenty years but I know if and when we bumped into each other we would still have a laugh and joke. God bless everyone in the photo.

    By Tony Angel (03/10/2014)
  • Hi, I think I am the one in the Alice band next to my cousin Tina Douglas. I was Christine O’Donnell when this photo was taken. I think this was some kind of award ceremony.  I recall being given a book “Alice in Wonderland”! for good progress. I also remember Mr Hambidge calling me a fly catcher for always looking out of the window with my mouth open instead of paying attention.

    By Christine Garland (03/10/2014)
  • I went to St Johns, Carlton Hill. Alan Purton’s mum and and brother shared our house in George Street. I visited St John’s  21 years ago when A,ex had their social club there.  My email address is kathleencatt69@gmail.com

    Dear Kathleen
    Sorry but we have had to edit your post. We are no longer allowing the posting of requests to find third parties, as sharing information like this breaches their privacy. We recommend you try Friends Reunited website if you want to track old friends or neighbours.
    Comments Editor

    By kathleen catt [cornford] (05/10/2014)
  • Hi everyone, it’s great to see all the old name’s coming up, and all the new comment’s. As I mentioned earlier, I last saw Tony Angel about 10 years ago outside a sweet shop in Brighton, when I pulled up in my recovery truck, I stopped to get a few sweets for the day to last me for my shift. It’s great to hear from you again Alan Purton, Tony Angel and Christine Garland. It would be great if one day we could all meet up somewhere and chat about old time’s at the school. Take care everyone.

    By Donald Waller (13/10/2014)
  • This looks like the year my mum would have been there, Dawn Ayres? 

    By Davida McCaw (08/01/2018)
  • Dawn Ayres was, she was in my class. She should be in this pic.

    By alan purton (20/04/2018)
  • Hi my name was Ayres then I think I’m at the back with the hair band in I was always at the back.

    By Dawn Bonds (27/05/2020)
  • I think that’s me Dawn Ayres at the back with the hair down and in a hair band.

    By Dawn Bonds (27/05/2020)

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