Hanover Terrace School

I was there between 1960 and 65. I remember Mr. Downing (Goofy), Mr Chappel, Mr Pope, Mr. Walsh, Mr Lowry (French), Mr Mc?? (Art), Mr Steel (Maths) plus many others. I even remember Peter Stockbridge (English and RE) now occasionally seen on TV.

Served my "sentence" fom '65 - '70. In addition to the above I recall Bob Leale (Maths), "Harry" Homer (History) and I am pretty sure that Peter Vincent, who is now a BBC comedy script writer sat in as an English teacher for a while.

Hey hey! I was at this school too. 1970-1976. I remember Peter Bluck. You live(d)? on Hartington Terrace, or Place, and had a gorgeous looking older Sister, Susan as I remember!! I was on Bernard road. The role call went... Ambler, Ashton, Ashby, Bantock, Barry, Bluck, Bottomley, Brown, another Brown, then me!! I've lived in the USA since 1980.

I was there from 1970-1975. I think I went to Kevin's house every lunch and his mum gave us iced buns.  I have one of those long panorama photos taken in 1973 - will scan and post.

Hi Kevin, I remember you. Your Dad had a Zepher car. I run a media company now: www.playitforwardmedia.com. Go to it. There's a photo of Sue on there. Send an email. Cheers. Peter Bluck

Hi Peter, Tom and Kevin
I attended the school between 1970 and 1975. I can remember you all. Remember also the History master Ron Newbold and an English master called Macneff. There was also Bill Rex the deputy Head. If I remember he was pretty frightening and I did receive a few lashes from his cane.
Also if I'm not mistaken I think our Mums used to run the Tombola at our open days. Fond memories - keep in touch.

Great to see that there are a few of us still about. I found this picture while clearing out the other day: http://infinisol.com/images/BSTS. Roger, I believe our mothers still see each other once in a while.

Bob Miles, the Art Master was Mr McKinley, Chem Master, Mr Moran aka Lemon, Mr Spud Taylor woodwork and Mr Parfitt and Phil Best P.E. Sure brings back memories. '61 - '65 expelled. Best mates Joey Holland and Chris Dowsing both RIP.

Kevin, where in the US are you? e-mail me. Also I will be in the UK first two weeks of May - anyone interested in getting together?

Anyone else from class 3X of 1951? Our class master was McKinley, other teachers were Taylor, Chappell, Pope, Parfitt, Bullock, Hargreaves and Behar, the Head was Downing. Classmates included Dave Pierce, Dave Short, Dave Court, John Tree, Chris Beard; anyone remember these!

Hi Michael, I only just noticed you live here in the US too. I moved here in 1980 and got into the restaurant business. I owned four restaurants at one point in Orange County, California. I lived in Newport Beach until May of '04 when I got very sick and spent three months in the hospital. After that I sold the restaurants and my houses and retired to the desert. I now live in Cave Creek, Arizona.

I was at Brighton Sec Tech School about 1953-1959. There were four 'houses' Red-Nash (Mr Pope-History) was my house; then Blue-Adam, White-Wren and Green-Lutyens. I was taught brickwork by Mr Hargreaves and went on to Technical College to study building. Had my own building business for years in Portsmouth. We used to have our sports days at Withdean stadium and normal sports afternoon at East Brighton Park

Hello David Brazier. I was with you in 3X and remember you well. Like me I think that you were not very sporty. Did you go to St Lukes Senior School? I think that your father was killed in the War as rear gunner. I hope that this is not painful to you. Did you go to Australia. One of our long time mates was Bob Carden who was Mayor of Brighton and Hove a couple of years ago, he tried to arrange a School Reunion. I'd like to hear from anyone at the School, 1951 to 54, email me David Pierce at apierce298@aol.com

I was at the BSBE 1953+, I recall that the leaving age was 16 but I elected to leave aged 15. Mr Parfit the metalwork master did all he could to convince me to stay, he failed and said I would regret it for the rest of my life. I started work for H A Waller & Sons metalworkers in Brighton eventually to become Managing Director. Mr Parfit was one of my customers and bought much of the metal from me for use in his department. I was there for 31 years and left to buy my own business in Portslade, not too many regrets there!  Now retired to Torquay.

Hi Peter, Roger, Kevin and Tom. Yeah '70 - '75. I went back after about ten years and couldn't believe how small the yard was! Amazed too, that pictures of circa '57 have the same teachers, Mr Chappel, Mr 'Dolly' Parfit, and Mr Hargreaves. Do any of you remember when Anthony Goldsmith gashed his leg open in the woodwork lesson? It's a long time guys, but good memories.

Hi Colin, I am the grandaughter of H Waller. I am now 50 but can still remember visiting the factory as a child. I have been trying to do some research. If you have any pics of my late grandfather or any of my uncles, would love to see them. Regards, Clare

My husband is the John Tree mentioned by Dave Brazier who was in Brighton Tecnical College, from there he went to work at Alan West and left there to join the Fleet Air Arm.He married me, a Welsh girl from Pembrokeshire. When he left the navy he worked in electronics but then went into the building trade setting up his own business. He always says that his time at BTC gave him a good grounding for what he does now, yes he is still working. We vist Sussex often to see his sister Margaret who now lives in Worthing but we love to go into Brighton to look up his old haunts and fishing venues. Best wishes to you Dave and any one else who remembers him.

I knew John Tree very well as we were at St Lukes Terrace School and went to The Building School at 13 into form 3X. John lived in Windmill Street near Queens Park Road. My father also new John's father, I think that they worked in the hotel industry brfore the war. I still live in Brighton. I wish him and his family well. Happy memories. apierce298@aol.com

Hello to John and Mrs. Tree. Yes, I used to go fishing with John and would love to hear from him and any other old boys from BSBE who knew me from those days. You can contact me at davebrazier@optusnet.com.au

I went there in 1953 when it was BSB&E to 1957. We lived on Southdown Ave and I rode a bicycle daily to school. I remember Mr Ben Chappel, who taught Technical Drawing and was assist. head to Mr(Goofy) Downing. Downing taught Economics and Divinity. Other teachers I recall were: Price - Geography, Behar - French, Pope - History, (Spud)Taylor - Woodshop, Hargreaves - Brickwork, and Parfit who taught lead beating and plumbing. Our science teacher's name escapes me at this moment, but we called him Boffin. I remember he wore a white lab coat and smoked a pipe, which he would place in his pocket. One day smoke was coming from his pocket and the class was trying to get his attention to it as he tried to ignore us. Very funny. Classmates I recall include Mike Bristow, Edward Alexander and .. hmm, I need help here! Later I went on to Brighton Tech College and subsequently spent much of my life in civil and construction engineering and management both in the UK and USA. Thank you BSB&E, a unique and excellent school. I am now retired and live in Florida USA.

Hi David Brazier, I was at the Building School from 1949 to1953, I left at 15. I remember you and knew David Warne, any idea where he is now? I used to go out with his sister and knew his family quite well, seeing as they lived near me. I also knew John Tree, he came from St Luke's Terrace Juniors as I did. I would like to hear from you, I am in Oxfordshire and my email is; vic.bath335@btinternet.com

Hi Vic, good to hear from you. I will e-mail you as soon as possible. I migrated to Australia in 1964 and don't know what happened to David Marne.

Hi John Tree, You may not remember me, but I was in 4x with you at BSBE, and also St Lukes Terrace Juniors before that. If I remember correctly, you are a cousin of Rodney Wheeler who was also at St Lukes Terrace Jnrs. After closing down secondary technical schools with the introduction of comprehensive schools, it is proposed to bring them back again because of the shortage of skilled engineers etc. I am sure that all of us who went to BSBE, later BSTSBE, have known all our lives after leaving the school, that we knew all along that it was a huge mistake in closing them down at that time.

What memories some of the comments bring back. I was there from 1955 to 1961 and can also remember names of teachers and classmates. Mr Pope taught French and history, but best at French was certainly Mr Behar. His favourite English phrase seemed to be "Are you mad" when he did not like your answer or pronunciation. Mr Hargreaves taught brickwork and was also the football coach. His son Alex was also at the school. Does anybody remember the two Woods? 'Big and Little'. Little was Brian and I can't remember the name of Big. In the late '50s a new PE Teacher came and introduced Scottish Country Dancing, which we put on as a display at the end of the school year. I saw and talked to Mr Stockbridge in Brighton about 5 or 6 years ago, although he said he remembered me, I don't think that he did. 'Freddie' Freyn was maths. Does anybody remember Paddy Rea, a really good foootballer and captain of the school team? Sadly he passed away about 4 year ago and was given a great send off by Sussex Police where he was employed for many years. I was told that a lad named Housego. who lived at the bottom of Elm Grove had gone into the Diplomatic Corps and was quite successful. I was sad to see that the School had been demolished and replaced with housing, but I suppose that is progress.

Hi Clare Cornes. I am Ian Waller. my dad is John Waller, one of H Waller's sons. I have many photos of the Waller family. if you want any info please get in touch. cheers Ian.

Hi Ian, my father is Alan Waller and his dad was Owen Harcourt Waller. Because I see the name so rarely, I get very curious when I do. I wonder if we might be related...

Hi Colin Wares, I don't know if you remember me but I left the same day as you.  I remember that you lived by the railway viaduct, which I visited a couple of times.  I lived out in the sticks at Wivelsfield so I used to leave home at 7am and arrived home at 5.45pm. If I boxed or ran after school had finished other boys would take me to their homes to wait for the evening events as it was not possible to get home and back to school again in time. You, like me were in the gymnastic team which gave exhibitions after school hours, so we were involved with Mr Weedel for practices etc. I too was told by the masters that I would regret leaving to pursue a career with racehorses.  I worked in this industry from age 15-65 when I retired - with no regrets. During this period I was a jockey, Head lad and trainer, being Head lad to the trainer of the 1967 Grand National winner Foinavon, which there has now been a book written about. The author is David Owen published by Wisden Press. It is good to hear that you were successful in your chosen career.

Colin (Horsey) Hemsley

Hi Colin Hemsley. I remember you well, also Dave Berry and Ian Parsons who both commuted by train from your neck of the woods. How strange to remember the BSBE with affection having spent our last days wanting to get away from there. I had several contact with ex BSBE boys throughout my working day. My business was allied to the building trade and many companies in the Sussex area were managed/run by ex-pupils. Roy Weedle became a buyer for The London Nameplate Co and was a customer of mine for several years and also for repairs to his sailing boat. Fantastic to hear of your involvement with the Grand National winner - I guess it doesn't get any better than that in the racing world. 

I have only just stumbled on this site for Hanover Terrace School and I am a bit confused. There is much more info about BTSBE school on separate pages. If you go to Places..Schools..Hanover Terrace School there are about a dozen icons leading to lots more pics and comments, including photos of Coronation window and full frontal of the dreaded main entrance and the school yard.

Thanks for the tip Barry, I will see what posts are there. ...... Vic

Regarding posts on this page, I learnt from Dave Brazier's daughter in January this year, 2017, that Dave passed away on the 4th January, 2017. We were often exchanging emails, especially aviation ones, his daughter picked up one of mine to pass on the sad news.