Later to be Brighton Secondary Technical School

Looking north along Hanover Terrace: school building on the right
Photo by Roger Bateman
School entrance
Roger Bateman
The playground looking east
Photo by Roger Bateman

In response to the request for photos of the Hanover Terrace School which later became the Brighton Secondary Technical School I have now been able to unearth these photos that I took in the 1980’s before it was demolished.

The photographs
The first is looking northwards along Hanover Terrace showing the school building on the right. The second is of the school gate entrance and the last is the playground looking east at the part of the school that backed on to the next road up. On the ground floor can be seen the arched windows of the very large workshop where we were taught brickwork and actually built parts of houses there.

School in the 1950s
As a naive young pupil in that workshop during the 1950’s I once removed a broomstick that was wedged between the floor and a protruding cornice of a recently built wall not realising it was supporting the bricks until the mortar dried and the whole lot came crashing down. Whilst I was wondering how on earth I could put it all together again I suddenly saw stars when I received a hard clip round the ear from the brickwork master Luke Hargreaves who had just walked in. In the fulness of time though he forgave me and even selected me for the school football team that he also ran.

Looking at the photos now it does look a dreary and foreboding place but inside the masters and quality of teaching were excellent and regularly produced some of the best academic results in Brighton

Comments about this page

  • Having been a pupil during the 50’s at the “Building” school, as it was  often referred to, it was quite a pleasant surprise to see these photographs. They certainly brought back memories to me, particularly the one of the school entrance. That was where we made sure we wore our caps before passing through, as mine was in my pocket until I about ten yards from the gate. As one was threatened with detention if a pupil was spotted without wearing his cap or the school tie, these two items being the only uniform requirements set by the school to be worn.

    By Vic Bath (08/01/2007)
  • I was a pupil from 1948 to 1951/2 at what was kown then as the Building School. Great school, rugby and cricket the only sports I recall. The masters all wore their gowns, discipline was strict, very high academic standard, small classes. Lunchtimes at the Level with the girls from Margaret Hardy.  Oh they were days of sunshine and innocence.

    By David James (01/02/2007)
  • I attended what was then BSTS between 1970-1975. The place celebrated, I believe, its centenary in 1971. I remember the woodwork and metalwork rooms on the ground floor facing Hanover Terrace. The teachers at the time were Mr Young and Mr Parfitt respectively. I remember the metalwork room had ‘sink’ with acid to cure the metal we were working on. You would never get away with it now. Different times. The head was Mr Wilson, and Mr Chappel was deputy head. He retired in around 1972 and was replaced by ‘Bill’ Rex, a man who did not suffer fools gladly (as I found to my cost!) English and Drama classes were taken by Peter Stockbridge. I understand that he sadly died early in 2007. He was a really good teacher. There was also a Mr Eric Kinley teaching Art. He must have been in his late 60s and was not in the best of health. The Art classes were taken in the assembly hall. The building had a heating system that was always playing up, resulting in the boiler room flooding. There was a flight of steps at the front of the building leading down to the boiler room and after one incident of flooding, one of the staff wrote in chalk on the wall a plea that if any boy finds water filling the stairway he must report it to a teacher. I went past the place around 1985 and could still see this written on the wall! Memories, eh? There was a small-ish gymnasium, and we were taught PE by Mr Webber (who also did Maths, I believe). Some of the other teachers I recall were Mr Nolan for Physics, Mr Carwin for Chemistry, Mr Leete for Technical Drawing (oh, how he loved to tell us about fishing) Mdme Blackledge for French. These classrooms were all on the upper floor. There was a teacher who’s name escapes me but he was well known for giving the ‘slipper’ to any misbehaving boy. The only difference was that he liked to take a run up just to make the event more memorable! History was taken by Mr McNeff, another teacher who would stand no nonsense. Sports were strong on the agenda, with Atheletics at Manor Road in the summer. There was also Football, Cricket and Rugby at East Brighton Park

    By Charlie Lyons (17/02/2007)
  • Although I cannot remember the name Charlie Lyons (unless you had a nickname, mine was Boris), I too was at BSTS during the same time: 1970-75. The teacher who took a run up at our backsides was Mr Carwin (‘Rudolph’ because of his big nose). I was one of his victims. I was taught PE by Mr Tomkins, where I played ‘Murder Ball’, rugby on a wooden gym floor with only shorts on and no rules! Mr Webber was the relief teacher for my PE. Mr McNeff was my House Master for my last two years. Mr Stockbridge was such a character, we used to love winding him up, just to get a rendition of his thespian rantings. Did you see the screening of ‘Ice Station Zebra’ in his class, what an event that was! Mr Craven took Art for our class. Does anyone know what happened to that fantastic ‘stained’ glass window of the Pavilion that stood at the back of the Art class when we had assembly? It was behind the arched window shown in this site’s photograph. Bill Rex was also known by us as T-Rex for obvious reasons, got the cane from him, ouch! Mr Mathews stood in for ‘Zip’ Nolan in Physics I remember.
    I now live in Perth, Western Australia (have done since 1994), coming ‘home’ to Brighton for a visit in August 2007. Would love to hear from any of the following: Chris Trott, Robert Kasperik, Martin Verral, Richard Marchant, Ashley Lilley, Michael Fallbrown, Marcus Chipman, Tony Fordon, Keith Waller, Gary Pepiett, Steve Strafford and any one else who may remember me. stowell@aapt.net.au
    This is a great site, which my other Brightonian friends here in Perth often look at, thank you for your hard work.

    By Andy Stowell (29/04/2007)
  • I was also a pupil at this school 1970-1975. I do remember Charlie Lyons, but alas can’t recall ‘Boris’. It was so nice to find this page and read about the people of this school. It has now sadly been demolished and replaced by a row of houses some 4 years back. I certainly remember Mr Nolan the Physics teacher, and always remember how he used to flip a cigarette into his mouth from under the bench. Was Mr Stockbridge the Geography teacher? I remember that we would always get him talking about anything other than Geography. You talk of the football, cricket and rugby at EBP. I also remember the cross country runs we used to do up the side of Wilson Avenue and back down the other side. I still have my steam driven motor we had to make for our ‘O’ level in Metal Engineering, anyone else got theirs in the back of a cupboard somewhere? Oh the memories……

    By Stuart Keir (21/06/2007)
  • I remember going here in 1982/3 when it was used as an annexe building for St.Georges House, which was at the bottom of Dyke Road next to cemetry. This was where you were sent when you’d been expelled from your secondary school!

    By Batty (15/07/2007)
  • I was at BSTS from 1975. Stockbridge was the English teacher and actor – appeared in ads for ‘Marathon’ chocolate bars.  Hi Stuart!

    By Michael 'Tom' Collins (30/07/2007)
  • I was at the school from 1975-1979. I started the same time that it changed to ‘Patcham Fawcett Annexe’ – a thinly disguised, but rather clever, way to maintain the illusion of being comprehensive, while actually remaining as a technical school!  I found this page because I was searching for the name ‘McNeff’ – for some reason he popped into my head today. We knew him as ‘Mad Mac’, because he was prone to launching into lesson-long stories of increasing oddity and whimsy. Although strict (as mentioned above) and rather old-school, I think by then he was either losing the plot or getting into his second childhood! I remember we would deliberately try to trigger another story, partly to avoid actually working, and partly because they were so bizarre and nonsensical. One I can remember involved a hat-maker who made hats out of fruit and whipped cream delivered by elephant. I think it’s no surprise that one term he suddenly retired for ‘health reasons’.  Mr Rex I remember well, a strange man looking rather like George Melly (and sharing his love of jazz!) – or a bullfrog, as less kind people said. Mr Wilson before him was another old-school type, like something out of an Ealing comedy or Molesworth book. My memory is that he even wore a gown.  The physics teacher (whose name annoyingly escapes me) was one of those inspirational ones you remember forever. Very strict, but fair with it, and with a great love of his subject. The geography teacher (Brown?) conversely was useless, completely unable to keep control of the class. One fond memory is the deputy head storming into the class and bollocking him in front of us, for shouting at us while an exam was in progress!  Great to see those pictures – I kicked myself for not getting around to taking some before the school was demolished. An awful, grim building (condemned in 1969!) but with hindsight a pretty good school.

    By Andy Hain (06/08/2007)
  • I was a pupil at BSTS for one year, in 1963. I must say I hated it. The place was far too enclosed for me. I remember Mr. Kinley, he was in poor health as I believe he only had one lung. Mr. Liddell taught maths, I seem to remember. I was more than happy when, at the end of that year, the head and I came to a mutual agreement that I should find another school to terrorise.

    By Vernon Page (25/09/2007)
  • I was there from about 71-76 and Mr. Eric Kinley was still there until about 74 or 75 when he died. He was one of the art teachers. When he caned one of us, we just stood there and took it, as he was so weak and feeble, you barely felt it. A strong draught would have blown him out of of the window. As I remember, he designed and made the stained glass window in the assembly hall. He also designed a craft kit that you could buy in toy shops. It was a set for designing and making your own small windows with colored, transparent plastic and little plastic sticks for the frames.

    By Kevin Bushby (03/10/2007)
  • Wow, memories of my three years at BJTSB (1947 to 1950) have returned after 58 years. The headmaster was Mr Harding who taught economics, Joe Huddart, social studies (his field trips were always great), from the courthouse to the gasworks he took us all over. Mr Weedall the phys ed teacher, ex Navy PI kept us fit. Mr Hargeaves taught brickwork, Mr Pope taught history, Mr Bullock was the science master, Mr Riegate (tyrant of the upper third) taught English there was a lady science teacher, her name escapes me. The woodwork teacher was super. Mr McKinley was the art master, a brilliant man I will always remember he designed the school crest on our gold and blue blazers (plumb bob, steel square and compass). The plumbing teacher was Mr Parfitt, I wonder what he must have been thinking handling hot lead with us all around, no guards, goggles or aprons. Wow, our hands used to be black from handling and bossing sheets of lead into shapes and flashings! I am so glad I had the opportunity to go there. I graduated with Albert Hillyer, we both went as carpenter apprentices with Field & Cox Buillders in Brighton. FHP

    By Frank Parker (31/10/2007)
  • Hi Michael ‘Tom’ Collins – do I remember you? Did you not live very near to St Luke’s school. I won’t say the name of the road.

    By Stuart Keir (14/11/2007)
  • I guess its when you start getting towards your 50th birthday when a large case of nostalga kicks in. I find myself drawn towards websites like this and enjoy seeing names form the past and reliving my youth. Alas it only seems like yesterday. However, I attended the school between 1970-75. I will always remember those games afternoons over at East Brighton. The football sessions were taken by Mel Hopkins. It shows the times when a double winner with Spurs in the early sixties had to make a living by pitching up on Wednesday afternoons and teach 11-16 year olds. I wouldn’t expect Beckham et-al to do the same. Charlie Lyons I’m sure was in my house (Lutchens). I think green was our house colours. I even have the school cap, emblazoned with the trowel and compass, in my study. Fond memories – keep in touch.

    By Roger Higginbottom (06/12/2007)
  • I went to the school between 1966 to 1971 when it was Brighton Secondary Technical School. Teachers I remember were Ben Chapple, the assistant head master, Blackledge was the French teacher for the last 3 years. ‘Dolly’ Parfitt for metalwork, ‘Spud’Taylor for woodwork, Mr Walsh for English, Mckinley for Art, MacNeff for English & History,( I found out later that he was a prisoner of war in Asia which went some way to explain his odd behaviour), Tony Webber and Bob Leal for maths, ‘Pussy’ Williams for geography. Of the kids that were there at the time several are millionaires, one is an established Tory MP who likes to keep his time at the school quiet, one murdered at Shoreham Harbour and one semi pop star.

    By Richard Boniface (30/12/2007)
  • Hi everyone, I wonder if anyone remembers me being at BSTS from 1969-1974? Most people called me ‘Hewie’, probably because of ‘Opportunity Knocks’ presenter Hughie Green. Friends that I remember include Tony Dunk, Gary King, Andy Barnard, Phil Hall, Paul Snelling, John Weir, Keith Austin, Stewart Gregory, Ian Squires, Steve Brand, Mick Trower, Mark Richardson, Phil Nunn and many more. Does anyone remember the tragic death of Clive Olive who was discovered in Shoreham Harbour? I think it must have been around 1972-ish.

    By Nick Hewetson (11/02/2008)
  • Yes, I remember Clive Olive. He was a couple of years ahead of me. I think he was involved with a motorcycle gang or something like that. I think he snitched on one of them. They dumped his body in Aldrington Basin. I remember seeing his picture in the Argus with the story.

    By Kevin Bushby (19/02/2008)
  • What a scary thought. All of us who left in 75 are approaching 50.
    I still feel ill when I think of the changing rooms under the gym. They must have stunk.
    I still have memories of Tony Howell and myself being caned  with a metre rule which broke on Tony’s hand and then being hit with the remaining bit.
    Also Tony Webber dragging me out of assembly for talking, dragging me back to our form room and throwing me over the desks.
    Kevin are you still in America?

    By Chris Hornsbury (28/02/2008)
  • I remember Roger Higginbottom and Stuart Keir. Stuart had a mass of red hair. Roger I seem to remember was planning to become a pilot. I remember being knocked about by McNeff for talking in class, made my lips bleed. I run a media company in Lewes now. I remember those days with great affection (even the beatings). I still see Peter Stockbridge. I edited his one man show recently about Malcolm Muggridge. Kevin Busby (apologies), I will reply in depth to your email. Hey, Stuart Keir – wasn’t my sister (Sue) good friends with your sister?  Regards to all.

    By Peter Bluck (13/03/2008)
  • Hi Peter: Yes. your sister was and, as far as I am aware, is still good friends with my sister. Glad to see other people contributing their recollections from the past.  Talking of those changing rooms, I remember one year getting the bumps in there and hitting the ceiling every time! And the smell, well you had to be there, can’t really describe it, but you knew when you were entering the room.

    By Stuart Keir (19/03/2008)
  • Hi Stuart: Apparantly your sister was a bridesmaid at my sister’s wedding. Unfortunately, Sue lost touch with Linda, but would love to meet up again. If possible can you let me have a contact telephone number for Linda. My email is peter.bluck1@btopenworld.com. What are you doing now?

    By Peter Bluck (21/03/2008)
  • Hi Nick: What memories this site brings back, all the names I had forgotten, but brought back so vividly. There was also Mr Young who took over woodwork from Spud Taylor. In addition to Ice Station Zebra, the year before we saw “Where Eagles Dare”. I remember seeing it at least 10 times in the English Room. Geography was taught by Mr Barrett, always remember a Freudian slip when teaching weather concerning warm fronts! There was also Chris who helped out the staff as a general technician. There was also a teacher who had escaped from Uganda during Idi Armin’s reign of terror who made you count the cracks in the ceiling as a punishment! There was also Richard Smith, Ernie Alcock, and Ian Lawrence. I Would really appreciate anyone who remembers me (1969-74) to get in touch.

    By Paul Snelling (31/03/2008)
  • Peter – Stuart and Roger – can you believe that we are 50 this year? The time has gone by fast and indeed this site brings back some fond memories. I have one of those panoramic photos in my office from 1973 and we are all there; the photo was taken I believe at East Brighton Park. Peter – do you remember the day that you scared the living daylights out of me with a spooky tape recording stuck up the chimney – you were always dabbling with tapes and media. I checked your web – looks like you are in your element. Stuart, I indeed live near St. Luke’s, our mothers were good friends. Roger – I believe that our mums still see each other once in a while. My e-mail if you want to connect is mtc@infinisol.com and I am currently in the UK for a few days. With such a packed schedule – not sure it will be long enough to get together, but if anyone is up for a coffee e-mail me. Michael.

    By Michael Collins (08/05/2008)
  • Ha ha; Well you might be 50, but I am still but a spring chicken. I do remember those panoramic photos. After visiting this site, I was trying to remember if I had purchased one, but I don’t think I did. If I remember correctly one year, Patrick (Paddy) Mc.Gee. (think that was his surname) and myself, tried to be in the photo twice, not sure if we did manage it, you ought to take a close look in case we are!

    By Stuart Keir (09/05/2008)
  • Michael, where are you living now? Didn’t you live just up the road from the swimming pool? I can remember those photgraphs, yes we did all go over to East Brighton park. Everytime I drive down Wilsons Avenue to the Marina I can remember running up that hill during cross country (well walking anyway). I keep hoping someone will post one of those photos on this website so we can all have a good laugh at ourselves.

    By Chris Hornsbury (12/05/2008)
  • I will scan the copy that I have and post to my website – give me a week or so. I’m  currently living in the US and have been for 13 years. I remember that run, it was a killer. Also do you remember the run around the school?

    By Michael (15/05/2008)
  • Yes I can remember feeling silly running around the block. It would be great if you could scan the photo.

    By Chris Hornsbury (21/05/2008)
  • Joe Huddart, ‘Ben’ Chapell, Reg Pope with any chair legs that were broken in his class so that he had something to ‘cane’ you with. ‘Uncle’ Roy Weedall, with his cricket bat at East Brighton Park, ‘stamping’ Don Bradman’s autograph on your backside, ‘Boff’ Bullock, ‘Spud’ Taylor, Jack Mitchell, Parfitt, Hargreaves, Coldwell, all names from the past, and who could forget the frenchman Behar. How ever would they fare in today’s education system? As for ‘Goof’ Downing in charge of one of today’s schools, well the mind boggles.  Then there was the caretaker, Mr Berry, with his sign for visitors “ALLENQUIRIES” , where he forgot his punctuation, he should have asked Wally Walsh. I was at the Building School from 1953 with Ronnie Carrett, Dave Hancock, ‘Ocker’ Hawkley, Keith Stewart , ‘Boggie’ Marsh (is that him with Wogan in the mornings?), Peter Godbee, Bob Cannell, what names, but as regards the building, what a tip!

    By John Davis (18/06/2008)
  • ………and his name is Wally Whoosh, got a haircut like a bush, like a bush, like a bush…..etc…etc…

    By Malcomb Celani (19/06/2008)
  • I was at the school from 1951 to 54. It was wonderful and set me up for a good career in the building industry. I was lucky to be articled to T J Braybon and Son Ltd as a trainee surveyor. I became a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and stayed with the firm all my working life. I worked my way up and retired as Managing Director. I will always be grateful to Mr Downing, Messrs Chappel, Hargreaves, Taylor, Mc Kinley and of course Boff for all their help. What a tragedy for the industry that it lost its identity and the industry lost the opportunity to pre-train young men.

    By David Pierce (22/06/2008)
  • I attended the school from 1957 to 1962 and remember the names of the teachers well. I remember Mr Pope taking us on a field trip to Harrisons Rocks for climbing lessons when he was our form teacher, a few weeks later he came in to school with a plaster caste on his leg from a rock climbing accident. His weapon of choice if I remember was a ” flying jenny” from a weaving machine that he would throw across the class with great accuracy. I got the cane from “Goof” and was asked to leave early on my final day for letting teachers tires down on their cars parked in the street. Even today people remark about my total disregard to personal health when handling lead, acid, and anything that generates heat/flame ( Thank you Mr Parfitt) . I went on to an Engineering Apprenticeship and after that a series of jobs that took me all over the world. I have my own company based in Chicago and still use some of the skills that were learnt at the Secondry Technical School. e-mail: rogersturt@sbcglobal.net

    By Roger Sturt (30/06/2008)
  • I attended the school between 1949 and 1953. I was in Lutyens House and remember many of the teachers of that time – most today would have been labelled as sadistic. One abiding memory was the competing stink of either the boiling cabbage from meals on wheels close to the school or the Tamplins Brewery at the other end of Hanover Terrace on brewing days. I also remember the long walk over Race Hill to take sports lessons. I contributed to the school magazine ‘The Scriber’ and still have the copies which my mother saved. I played rugby and ran for the school and when I left took up an apprenticeship with the BTH company in Rugby. On my last day I set fire to my cap and tie in the gutter outside the entrance to the school. I am glad I had the opportunity to attend the technical school. It set me up for life.

    By John Simmons (24/07/2008)
  • I realise this is a ‘guy thing’ but I too have happy memories of Hanover School in 1955/56 even though I am an old lady! I lived at No. 99 and was very sick with TB. Every day teachers would walk the lads past my bedroom window as they were on their way to football etc and they all waved to me. Some even brought their lunches to the porchway to eat, and wrote me poems to cheer me up. I was 16 at the time and so much enjoyed their lively company.

    By Violet Lankstead (nee Hammond) (12/08/2008)
  • I went to BSTS from 72 – 76 before being moved to Patcham Fawcett for being a bad boy. I remember that run round the school every so often when the then gym master was a Mr Bergen.
    Remember Mr Pipkin, geography I think? I remember Steve Inscoe , Dave Johnson. Anyone remember the sexy maths teacher who wore red minis?
    I left Patcham joined the RN and saw the world had 2 kids by first wife Karen, then left navy went into sales. I met second wife Liz carried on travelling and am now retired on a small greek island with Liz and my 2 great danes and great dane mastiff cross loving life .Just built a pool and life cant get better. If anyone out there remembers me give me a buzz on email johnatthedoghouse@yahoo.co.uk

    By John (Jock) Jennings (27/08/2008)
  • I was there from about 1953-1958. There were four “houses” then; I was in Red-Nash, the others were Blue-Adam, Green-Lutyens and White-Wren. Pope was the head in our house. Downing was headmaster and I was taught brickwork by Hargreaves. He kicked over a wall I had built saying it was rubbish and “do it again”. The football team was playing at Southwick one Saturday when we spotted Walsh and shouted at him “Wally”, “Barrel” etc. From then on in his English Classes he always had us reading pieces out loud as he said he knew we all had good voices. No lasting harm done though. Real characters and set us up for life for which I was grateful

    By Brian Tipler (30/08/2008)
  • I have just made a note on the other page. Nice to hear from David Brazier who was with me in 3X in 1951.

    By David Pierce (22/09/2008)
  • Those were the days!

    By The Trog (01/10/2008)
  • Well I have so many memories I don’t know were to begin.
    Stuart – Patrick McGlyn was ‘Paddy’s’ surname. I completed an apprenticeship with him at the now defunct KTM. Along with Mark Hughes, Russell Fossey, Richard Vinicomb (a year above us) and a few others. The last I heard from him (circa 1989) he was living ‘up north’, a father and cohabiting with an Asian girl. I had heard that your father died, Stuart, as has mine, and that you were working at Jodrell Bank. Is the latter true? Remember our long walks to and from school, Stuart? Where are you living now? I remember your house on Freshfield Road, your family and that your dad installed boilers.
    Charlie Lyons – how are you? I remember being at your house one evening in Whitehawk looking through a telecope at ‘heavenly bodies’!
    Roger – I, of course, remember you and your last name, as it’s a little unusual and has the word ‘bottom’ in it. Yes I’m still juvenile! Do you remember Burwash?
    Malcolm Celani – how the devil are you? I’d heard that you had moved to Canada, is this so? I had also heard that John Celani is still in Italy (Frozinone), working in a ceramic tile factory, married and with children.
    Colin Standing was one of my good friends at BSTS, and was apparently convicted of attempted murder several years ago. Does anyone have any news of Colin?
    I emigrated to the USA (Connecticut) 16 years ago today! I own a Body Shop and get back to the UK once a year. I was back in July. I divorced 8 years ago and have beautiful 23 year old twin girls.
    Are there any reunions? If so I’d like to see everyone. My email address is colinw59@hotmail.com

    By Colin Wheeler (in Connecticut, USA) (16/10/2008)
  • Colin I thought you owned a cycle shop?

    By Chris Hornsbury (28/10/2008)
  • I never owned a Cycle Shop Chris. I was a competitive cyclist from 1981 to 1992. Doing road racing in the early 1980s and then time trialing up to 1992. I was a member of VC Etoile and then a founding member of the Regent Road Club. Both located in Brighton.

    By ColinWheeler (29/11/2008)
  • Hello all.  I think it’s a great idea to keep in touch and we can always come back to this site for pictures and stuff.  How about using one of the more slightly faster methods that are available these days?
    Here is a list of my ones:
    Email: mark424242@gmail.com
    SKYPE: markwhughes
    Mobile: +420776454088
    Twitter: DaMaHug
    FaceBook: best way is to use the email address
    I look forward to a sign.

    By Mark Hughes (in Prague) (10/02/2009)
  • Hi all.  I remember a lot of your names! Stuart, Mark, Kevin and Chris. I have recently been in touch with Colin Wheeler. I am on facebook if you want to contact me.  Memories! The good old days.

    By Paul Phillips (11/02/2009)
  • Cheers Paul for your last posting. Now regarding Facebook – have you ever done a search for yourself on the worshipful system? 🙂 I’m sure you are there, but unfortunately so are several other Paul Phillips. The best way to find people on FB is by email address.  My details are as above.  Lets get connected again!

    By Mark Hughes (in Prague) (12/02/2009)
  • Mark I will get in touch, my email is paulphillips2@hotmail.com for anyone interested.

    By Paul Phillips (25/02/2009)
  • Went to BSTS 1959-64. Richard, my brother was there from around 1971-06. I didn’t like it too much but enjoyed the football, played for school teams with Colin Smart and the like, we went on to play for Brighton Boys. Mr McGregor ran the team then (he played for Celtic I think). Got the cane from Mr Downing a couple of times, but he ran out of puff after two wacks so sent me to Ben Chapple for the proper stuff. Not bad days really. I remember paying 6d for 4 iced buns at the tuck shop window and going to the chippy at the end of the road every Monday for sausage and chips. I recall Chris Nevatt, Ray Hawksworth, Colin Sinclaire, Ken Worthington, the Mitchell twins etc….miss it all I suppose.

    By Rusell Vinicombe (13/03/2009)
  • Greetings, I attended the school from 1957 to 1962. I was in the same year as Roger Sturt who was in the ‘E’ classes, but I was in the ‘B’ classes. I remember Roger was a keen cyclist and had an expensive bicycle. I have fond memories of the iced buns from the tuck shop and the local chip shop. After a very promising start academically I became a difficult pupil, I blame having Wally Walsh as our form teacher in the 3rd year, he always seemed to pick on me and said I was lazy whereas I thought I was working hard. I was glad to leave early right after the O-level exams to work in the architects dept at Crawley Development Corp. In later years I appreciated what I had learnt from Messrs Chappell, Steele, Bullock, Coldwell, McKinley, Pope, Parfitt, Taylor, Hargreaves, Stockbridge, McGregor and Behar. Mr Downing the head seemed to float about the school as if in his own world and one had the impression that his robust deputy, Mr Chappell, really ran the school. I learnt manners and courtesy from Mr Downing, he thanked me after giving me the cane for taking my punishment so well. I gained my entry in the punishment book for flicking ink onto the back of Lousey Pearce’s jacket during french lessons. I recall the school secretary at that time was a bit scary but do not recall her name. After higher education I kept up the standard of the school by becoming an architect, much to Mr Hobden’s disbelief; I recently retired as chief architect for a corporate organisation and am living in Bedford. Robin Spike, a classmate is also an architect and is a partner in a practice based in Lewes.

    By Jack/John Wallace (27/03/2009)
  • Hi Jack: I remember you. I was more interested in cycling than school at that time. I rode for Brighton Excelsior for about 15 years and for a club in Germany in the early 70s, while working on a plant rebuild near Frankfurt for an American owned company. I look back now and realise that my grounding at the Secondary Tech pointed me in the right direction from a career perspective. I have lived about 45 miles north of Chicago for the last 18 years and own a small engineering services company operating mainly in the water and wastewater treatment sector. My e-mail address is rogersturt@sbcglobal.net  wing me an e-mail with your phone number and I will give you a call.

    By Roger Sturt (29/03/2009)
  • I attended the school from 1968-72. I came from Stanford Primary with Derek Clark, Clive Olive(murdered in1973) and Neil Tonge. I remember a few others in my year Graham Maskell, Glen Bryant, Garry Lott, David Peckham, John Head and Steve Smith whom I live practically opposite now. I can’t say I have particularly fond memories of the place as I was bullied a fair bit. I remember running round the block for PE also some times The Level. Cross Country started at the bottom of Wilson Avenue and did a circular route of about 3-5 miles. You had a choice of that or rugby. I used to choose the run because once you had finished you could go home and being quite fast I had finished in about 45 minutes and was gone. Christmas carol concert was held at St Peter’s Church (colder inside than out). I remember Graham Maskell was in the church choir and cosequently outsung everyone else. Some of the teachers I recall,Monsieur Gerradotti, (obviously the French master) who would stand in the corridor and smoke while taking a class. He also had an unerring aim with a blackboard rubber;Williams (geography); Mcneff(maths); Homer(history,quite apt); Ian Wright(chemistry and sport). I also recall Mrs French being in charge of dinners. Enough reminiscing for a 52 year old.

    By Alan Andrews (21/04/2009)
  • Hi to all, yes I was there from about 72 to 77. I am 48 this year so you know. I am in regular touch with a few guys and we intend to meet up in our 50th year. As for all the bits above, I have read them all and it is great. I know Nick Tonks is in Queensland, Australia as is Paul Martin, I believe Richard Cousins is in France working as a heating and vent engineer and I am in the West Midlands. I am a partner in a debt solutions company called Xitdebt Limited. We make people bankrupt and such like IVAs and all that – pretty boring but its a living. I was married and have two fantastic kids: a daughter Charley and our son AJ. I now live with a Brummie girl and only have a collie dog Megan. So anyone who wants to chat, just call me by email and I will ring you back or email. Good luck to one and all. Hi to Andy Stowell. We were kids together and I remember our mums being friends. I think Chris Trott is a helicopter pilot now and Anthony Layfield is a Pilot.

    By Stuart Chandler (27/04/2009)
  • I attended BSTS from 56 to 59 when I left for the US after my father died. Teachers included Downing, Cappell, Walsh, Pope, McKinley, Taylor. It was a school out of Oliver Twist but it prepared me for my future in US. I would love to connect with my classmates but have been unsuccessful in my trips back to Brighton.

    By Peter Walsh (16/05/2009)
  • Peter, I assume that you have seen the picture of pupils at the school in 1957 on the my Brighton and Hove site. can you indicate if you are in that photo? I was in my first year and am in front of Ben Chapple. I seem to remember your name and also by the way live in the U.S. My e-mail is rogersturt@sbcglobal.net

    By Roger Sturt (20/05/2009)
  • I am intrigued by Stuart Chandler’s comments, Stuart I remember your name but cannot put a face to it, must be because I am 48! Can you send me a school photo to jog this failing memory please, stowell@aapt.net.au. It is interesting to see the diverse careers we have all chosen. Me, I hated woodwork always prefered engineering and ended up as a Cabinetmaker then Carpenter. I have ended up as a safety advisor (once a safety prosecutor for the government) to the Housing Industry Association of Australia. My ‘patch’ is Western Australia which is about the size of Western Europe, so I don’t always manage to get home in the evenings, funny that! I look forward to hearing from anyone who remembers me, I would love to know the whereabouts of the people I mentioned in my first posting. All the best everyone.

    By Andy Stowell (24/05/2009)
  • Hi to Roger, Tom, Peter, Kevin, and Chris. ’70 -’75. Two laps of the block and woe betide any poor old dear in our way! Do you remember certain teachers, Mr Curwin eg who would get aimed at with the ball as he tried to make it through the doors of the gym? I was in the Wren house (yellow) What about getting the bus back from East Brighton Park after sports and running the guantlet of the kids at Whitehawk? Was the playground the smallest one ever?? And the toilet block, the stuff of nightmares! Bottle-top football, the book fight in Mr Stockbridge’s library and Roy Newbold smoking his pipe in History. Good times.

    By Andrew Hubbard (06/09/2009)
  • STC was an extremely old fashioned but without doubt good school. I followed my brother Tony to start at the school in September 1971 and left in 1976. Last year I was lucky enough to have a visit from Australia from one of my year, Andy Stowell – AKA ‘Boris’. Other lads in my year included Peter Cox (brain box!), Paul Davis (Cedric); Russell Spence; Garry Carter; Brent Clarke (Skin); Andy Williamson; Richard Carter (Carter’s electrical) ; Chris Trott (Grantham Road Garage); Danny Funnel. These are the names I can remember at the moment, but there were only around 300 at school so around 2 classes of 30 each in each of the 5 years. I remember Ronnie Wilson, the Head, especially his cane – now dead, and Bill Rex who put the fear of God into everyone by just looking at them. Dolly Parfitt on the metalwork, Ted Young woodwork, Carwin (Rudolf) on chemistry, Brian Leet on technical drawing, Tony Webber on maths (I`ve been hit with his wooden blackboard rubber a few times). There was Stockbridge who has hired a few cars from me and I’ve seen him in Casualty and a few beer adds on the TV. McNeff did history.

    By Stephen Strafford (06/09/2009)
  • Good to see so many memories of the old school. Strangely though very little from the middle 60s. I was there from 1961 to 1967 and can remember the following teachers: Downing, Chappell, Steele, Liddell, Churcher (?), Bullock, Walsh, Stockbrige, Homer, Williams, McKinley, Taylor, Parfitt, Pope, MacGregor, McNeff and Leal. Houses: Adams, Nash, Lutyens and Wren. My lasting memory will be (and I think it was my last day of celebrations) Ben Chappell removing the beer from the prefects room saying “we are not licence for drinking alcohol!!!”

    By Graham Dawson (23/09/2009)
  • I was at BSTS from 1972 to 1977 and likewise have many fond memories of my time spent at Hanover Terrace and I likewise concur with much of the sentiment expressed above. It might have been a somewhat shabby building, but it was actually a bloody good school even though we might not have appreciated it at the time and to think now of the stuff we were taught and allowed to do, e.g. 12 and 13 year old lads working with industrial lathes / milling machines / welding torches / etc and we just took it all in our stride. Yep, I have a lot to thank BSTS for and, in particular, it’s teachers whom (with hindsight) were really a rather marvellous bunch of characters.  I’m presently a Training Captain on Boeings at a large airline based in Dubai, where I am leading a rather charmed tax-free life.

    By Tony Layfield (06/10/2009)
  • BSTS 1970-75. I’ll be back in Brighton for a quick vacation from Nov 28th to Dec 5th 2009. If anyone is interested in getting together let me know by email, colinw59@hotmail.com Maybe we could do a small reunion. I’m hoping to see Colin Standing and John Hunt during this week.

    By Colin Wheeler (05/11/2009)
  • I attended this school from 1951 to 1956 most of the teachers I can remember are: Head – Mr Downing, Mr Chappell (technical drawing), Mr McKinley (art), Mr Bullock (science), Mr Weedall (physical education), Mr Pope (history, geography and english), Mr Behar (French), Mr Parfitt (plumbing, metal work), Mr Mitchell (painting and decorating), Mr Taylor (woodwork), Mr Hargreaves (brickwork), Mr Hobden (maths), Mr Walsh (english), Mr Coldwell (I think physics) others I’m not sure. I found the standard of education at this school was very good and feel that more up to date schools should extract a leaf! Some good memories, but very hazy about my fellow pupils. I can remember the Fish twins (Derek and David) and a good friend at the time Tony Hyde. A couple of painful instances, remember getting our pieces of woodwork out and Mr Taylor always penciled in ‘SPEC’ on his work, I looked at this and said does that say “SPUD” – big mistake. I got ‘what was that you said, laddie’ and was promptly bent over one of the benches and was given a severe thrashing with long piece of 1/4″ dowel. The other was when I was late into one of Mr Weedall’s lessons and had a cricket stump across my behind which I may add was painfully groovy. Games afternoons were good; played rugby and in the summer a few of us were serious cyclists and Mr Weedall would allow us to go for a training run from East Brighton Park along the seafront to Ovingdean. Then we would go over on to the Woodingdean Road and then up to the Downs Hotel, along Warren Road left over the race course and down Wilson’s Avenue to East Brighton Park, good days.

    By Harvey Wyatt (then known as Roberts) (06/11/2009)
  • Well well… Russ Vinicombe – that’s a name from the past although I can’t put a face to it … must be the age mate … 63 now!  I left in 1963 and joined the army with my twin brother Peter – sadly he’s not with us now, died of a brain tumor in 1990.  I don’t remember too many names from my class other than Jim Godsmark, Nigel May, Bert Potter from Bevendean – he always had cigarettes and used to tease all us smokers who had none “I’ll lend you one for two back tomorrow”. There was also a Steven Waller and a Gerald Lane. Pete and I both did some boxing and I continued it in the army – did quite well really.  I’m retired now (a bit early) and live in The Philippines. email me at tony.mitchell99@gmail.com if you remember me and want to chat.  Oh and there was also a guy who was always in trouble with his long hair, can’t remember his first name, Paterson his surname.

    By Tony Mitchell (10/12/2009)
  • Hello Tony. I remember you, the Mitchell twins with the red hair, and you started at the school the year after me. So sorry to hear about Peter but you are still around to remind us of your exploits. Living in the Phillippines sounds quite exotic and you are keeping up the standard for former BSTS students working around the world.

    By John Wallace (04/01/2010)
  • BSTS 1960 – 1965. Hey, Graham Dawson, I remember you! I’m on Facebook if anyone remembers me and wants to get in touch. I have to say that, with the exception of the final year, when I did no work and had great fun, I hated my time at BSTS. Peter Stockbridge I remember with affection. I hope to hear from Graham.

    By Peter Reeve ("Jim') (05/01/2010)
  • Hi Peter. Good to hear that there’s at least one other person still alive from that era. I tried looking for you on facebook, but there are 81 Peter Reeves on there. Give us a clue. Sad to read that Peter Stockbridge died a couple of years ago.

    By Graham Dawson (11/01/2010)
  • Hi Graham. Yes, there are also 180 Graham Dawsons and I’m not sure how to narrow the search. Anyway, my website is peterreeve.com and my email is peter@peterreeve.com. Hope to hear from you.

    By Peter Reeve (Jim) (01/02/2010)
  • I was also there in the mid sixties, 1961-1966. I remember when I first started I thought that the Mitchell twins (much bigger than me) were quite scary, but as time went by they were obviously just larger than life characters. I’m not really sure if I enjoyed any of my time at BSTS but time changes one’s perception and now I look back at the old place with a sort of fondness. I’m afraid that I got into quite a few scrapes with most members of staff – basically down to my antipathy to authority. However, they must have taught me something as I’ve managed to do OK in life. So thanks teachers and ahem… sorry. The guys in my class that I remember are Phil Gazzard, Vic Garman, Ian King, Mick Young, Andrew Stuart and Michael Fabricant (now a Tory MP). I hope you are all doing well. As for me, I’m living in the south of France, enjoying blue skies, good food & wine and the love of my life Suki. Hope to hear from anyone who remembers these times.

    By Dave Edwards (19/02/2010)
  • I was at Sec Tec between 70-75, I was in Nash, eventually became house captain, played in the football team, with Les Bantock as captain and I was captain of the basketball team.  I remenber we won the league one year by beating Knoll School in a play-off at their gym.  Peter Bluck: how are you?  We lived close together and spent a fair bit of time at each other’s houses. It’s been good to read about the old school. Many happy memories. Rex had a wicked way of giving the cane, where he would hit the top of your outstretched hand and then hit the knuckles on the way back up, and if you flinched he would add an extra hit for your cheek.

    By Peter Crook (16/03/2010)
  • Pete, how are you? Long time no see. Still playing darts?

    By Chris Hornsbury (23/03/2010)
  • I am a 52 year old American and never went to this school. However, I remember the Clive Olive murder story – it actually hit the States pretty big because it was so gruesome. Read about it in the Daily News, a large Long Island N.Y. newspaper of its time in the early 70’s. I was young when I read of it but recall the horror of it.

    By Jeff (10/04/2010)
  • I attended “the Annex” from 1975-1979 and I remember it for the most part as a fairly grim place, but it was certainly populated with some memorable characters. I have maintained lasting friendships to this day with fellow “inmates” Colin Hewlett, Michael Graney and Andrew Lumsden (Andy and I ended up applying for our US citizenship at the same time). I believe that most of the teachers did their best against a backdrop of knowing that the school would imminently be merged with the “main school”. I do recall the mini bus fund that never resulted in the purchase of a new vehicle… apparently the cost of the bus was going up faster than our fund-rasing ability could keep pace!
    Teachers that I remember fondly included Mr. Davies (Deputy Head & English) and Mr. Brown (Art); Davies was tough on everyone, but I always sensed that he believed in me… I heard that he had read short stories that I had written in his class to other classes and he even chatted with me one day about my artwork (Mr. Brown had just put up a display of my drawings in the art room / assembly hall building). By contrast, Mr. Brown had a hard time controlling the kids, but he was always good to me… he would set the class a project and then come over to me and ask me what I was working on… he then took the time to personally help me with whatever I had decided to work on. Mr. Brown picked up the rather unfortunate nickname of “Helmet Brown” which I believe was a reference to his haircut; the name was cruelly etched into the top of the blackboard in his class. Thanks to Mr. Brown and Mr. Davies, English and Art were my favorite subjects and made time at the Annex considerably more bearable. My first English teacher at the school had been Mr. McNeff. “Mad McNeff” was a little eccentric and would slowly tap away on his antique typewriter while making strange chirping noises. He once spent an entire lesson teaching us about the cause of hiccups… apparently a mushroom shaped organ in our throats that can be removed permanently with the use of a curved blade on a string called a “hiccup remover”. My first class with him, he made me stand in front of the classroom while he repeated my name several times over and said it sounded “like the rising sun”… needless to say this “observation” had the 30 other kids in the class rolling around in tears of laughter. Mr. Webber (Maths) was a really nice bloke, but my maths ability was always rubbish, so I ended up in Ms Yates (Maths) class for my last year. The back row of Ms. Yates’ 5th year Maths class is one of my fondest memories of the school thanks to my co-conspirators Andy Lumsden and Raymond Woods. Mr. Nicholls (History) could be a bully at times (ripped me to pieces on my first day at school because I dared to correct his mispronunciation of my name), but was generally a decent bloke; everyone called him “Pipkins” because of an apparent resemblance to Hartley Hare on a popular children’s TV show of the time. Next door to Mr. Nicholls’ classroom was Mr. Curtiss (Geography); I think his strategy was to teach those of us that wanted to learn and abandon those that were disinterested. I remember when in the 2nd year, Mr. Burgen (PE) insisted that we run around Wild Park in the rain wearing our football boots, I slipped down a gravel path and tore my calf open; Mr. Curtiss took me to the hospital and waited with me until my mum arrived; I felt that he was really trying hard to be as nice as possible. Mr. Matthews (Science) was a decent bloke but I always had a hard time staying awake in his class; still, rather Mr. Matthews than Mr. Jones (Chemistry) who always struck me as being more aggressive than was really nescessary. When Mr Cowley (Computers) left, our computer lessons were taken over by Bill Rex (the headmaster); unfortunately, “Sexy Rexy” took an instant dislike to me and always gave me a hard time. He once caned me so hard that the cane splintered on my palm and the lacerated skin later became infected. However, I must say that after a parent-teacher meeting with my mum, I think he came to realize that he had misjudged me and was pretty civil and even somewhat encouraging to me during the last 6 months at the school. I was the only person in his class to get an O level pass in Computers. Rex did seem genuinely pleased for me when I was accepted into BHASVIC. The unfortunate job of teaching us French fell to poor Mr. Kennedy, I understand that not one person ever passed O level French during all the years that I was at the school. Great guy, more like one of the lads than a teacher… I think that Anthony Harrop and I were his only hope for even a slim shot at getting a pass, but it just didn’t happen.

    By Asheem Sharma (03/05/2010)
  • Anyone that was at BSTS from about 1969-1978 should look at this panoramic school picture taken in 1973. Lots of old faces, and some fresh faced ones. Sent to me by Michael Collins. http://www.infinisol.com/BSTS-1973.pdf

    By Colin Wheeler (20/05/2010)
  • Thanks for the picture, although I left a couple of years earlier I can still identify some of the teachers. Great to see that Mel Hopkins was still involved with the school- to think that he once played against Pele. If anyone has any photos from my era, 1966-71 I would be extremely grateful.

    By Richard Boniface (15/06/2010)
  • I was at BSTS 1974-78 and remember some of the names mentioned above. I was not the most well behaved boy and seem to recall having more cause than should be necessary to visit the headmaster’s study. Teachers I remember include Mr. Wilson (head, technical drawing, and golf! I believe he died from his heart condition in about 76), Dolly Parfitt (metal/wood work), Fred Cowie (computers), Alan Matthews (physics), Maggie Newell (maths and short skirts), John Davies (english), Rex (deputy at the start and probably acting head after Wilson), Mr. Brown (art, not very good at class control), Mr. Burgen (PE), Rudolf Carwin (chemistry), MacNeff (history, I think). I recognise other names from other comments here, like Pipkin and Mr Webber, but I don’t think they ever actually taught me except as relief. Of the students, names I recall or recognise are David Grinter, Nick Tonks, Colin Wheeler, Andrew Placzek, Colin Taylor, Stuart Chandler. I’m sure there are others but my memory fails me. I still live locally in Hanover and I am now head of IT at the University of Brighton, which, as Brighton Polytechnic, was where many of our computer lessons were held.

    By Quentin North (29/06/2010)
  • I attended the school from 1961 until 1965 although I have to admit that for the last 6 months it was a grim affair so I mostly played truant and used to go to the pictures in the afternoon before getting back to do my paper round. For the first 2 years I was doing really well but once I found the juke box in the cafe round the corner I’d spend my dinner money before reaching school, but I always had enough left to buy four iced buns in the tuckshop. Also there was a shop near the alley way in Hanover Terrace where you buy cigarettes – mind you, I’m glad they don’t make Park Drive any more. Teachers I remember are Mr Parfitt (Dolly) Metalwork, Mr Williams (Pussy Cat) Geography, Mr Taylor (Spud) Woodwork, Mr Stockbridge (Drama) excellent chap, Mr Walsh (English), Mr Hobden (Maths), Mr Bullock (Boff) Science, Mr Mckinley (Oh no boy!) Art. I remember having to run all round the race hill in the freezing cold cross country running. Friday afternoon was games at East Brighton Park I seem to remember. I was in Nash House. I remember all the guys that Dave Edwards, in his previous recollections, remembers plus Pete Sayer, Chris Dowsing, Joe Holland, Ron Hill, Alan Grieves, Anthony Carr, Graham Smithson. There were a few of us who seemed to get regular detention which was held by the prefects (as I seem to recall). I do remember being selected during my first two years to read the lesson at what I’m sure was the school Christmas Carol service at St Peter’s church. I also remember being in a school play “Oliver Twist” which was held at the Dome Theatre. I wonder if anyone else remembers this? Drama with Mr Stockbridge was always a lesson to look forward to. Good and bad memories really.

    By Ian Luckhurst (04/10/2010)
  • I must correct myself and say there was a shop near the alley way in Hanover Terrace where you COULD buy cigarettes. Thinking on I also remember a teacher named Mr Steele (Tommy). Did he teach Maths or Tech Drawing? We also used to have a morning assembly once a week in French as I seem to recall but I cannot remember the French master’s name. I also remember being in trouble (not for the first time I might add) and being sent to Mr Downing the Headmaster. He always reminded me of Mr Chips in the film “Goodbye Mr Chips”. Mr Downing must have been feeling a bit frail that day and made me read some text from the Bible so I escaped the cane. It was always rumoured that Mr Downing kept a crate of Lucozade under his desk in order to sustain him throughout the day.

    By Ian Luckhurst (05/10/2010)
  • I was at the school from 1947 to 1950 and still have memories of it, the teachers and some of my friends there. I would love to hear from any other “survivors” who possibly remember me. johnstarley2226@yahoo.com.au

    By John Starley (09/10/2010)
  • In response to Ian Luckhurst: Mr Steele was the most brilliant Maths teacher, Mr Chappel taught Technical Drawing and Mr Pierce was the French teacher. Sadly, Peter Stockbridge died a few years ago. What games teachers do you remember? How about “Jock” MacGregor, sadistic!

    By Graham Dawson (10/10/2010)
  • Sad news. Mel Hopkins passed away peacefully on 18th October aged 75.

    By Chris Hornsbury (27/10/2010)
  • I attended this school from 1952 to 1956 and then went to Brighton Technical College to study building for a diploma which I gained in 1959. When I started school at the age of 11 we were divided into two classes namely 1T and 1E. I was in 1T along with Bond, Breeds, Brown, Burtenshaw, Chadwick, Cole, Constable, Corrigan, Dunstan, Evans, Ford, Goble, Gray, Greener, Groves, Herbert, Jarman, Lewery, Mason, Matthews, Morley, Pither, Reeves, Saxby, Simmonds, Tingley, Thomsett, Tree, Turner, Vaughan, Webb and Willis. The Head was E. Downing and deputy Mr Chappel, Mr Bullock and Mr Milligan (science), Mr Pope (history), Mr Huddart (geography), Mr McKinley (art), Mr Behar (French), Mr Walsh (English), Mr Frane and Mr Fry and Mr Hobden (maths), Mr Hargreaves (brickwork), Mr Mitchell (painting & decorating), Mr Parfitt (plumbing), Mr Taylor (woodwork) and finally Mr Weedall (games).
    In 1955 Mr. Behar took a party of (between 15 and 20 pupils) to Annecy in France. After a horrible ferry journey from Newhaven to Dieppe we then took an overnight train and arrived in Annecy early in the morning. We all enjoyed our stay, especially as we were in the next hut to several beautiful Egyptian Girl Guides at the Maison des Jeune youth hostel.
    Although I did very well in most subjects and left with a First Class leaving certificate, the best day of all was the last! We had freedom to do anything within reason and the most quiet and shy boy (Bond, I believe) got on the stage and played pop tunes on the piano. No more having to wear the school cap and tie, what a relief! The only time I wore my cap home was when a pigeon pooped on my head in Brighton Station just before I caught the 4.28 pm home to Burgess Hill.
    When I first arrived at the school in 1952, I remember the massive stained glass window in the art room. This was 12ft high and 6ft wide but made in two halves each 6ft square. It was made to commemorate the 1951 Festival of Britain, and was a pictorial representation of the Brighton Pavilion with four famous local characters between the arched windows. It was made by fitting coloured cellophane between two thicknesses of plate glass and what a masterpiece this was. I believe it was dismantled and taken to the college in Pelham Street long before the School was demolished. Just to finish my saga, I had the pleasure of meeting Norman Hobden and his wife on a coach trip to the West Country in 2002. He reminded me of the “Herald of Free Enterprise” tragedy when he provided a glowing reference to enable David Lewery to captain the ship. The rest is history.

    By Frederic M. Avery (01/11/2010)
  • Hello all who remember me, Ian Lawrence. I have just found this site as not one for browsing the web. I went to Sec Tech 69-75 and remember many of the above names, sorry for not keeping in touch. Left UK in 1980 for the Middle East and now live in Vietnam and Philippines. Anyone out there who would like to drop a line please do so on lawelarabie1@hotmail.com Take care.

    By Ian Lawrence (02/11/2010)
  • I have just discovered this site and read some of the contributions. My goodness how it’s rolled back the years. I was 11 years old when I started there in September 1951. I was in Wren house and form 1T. I also remember Frederick M Avery or Fred Avery as we knew him. We were in the same class although his account gives his start date as 1952. He also recited the class register. I too have always been able to remember this, and put faces to the names. Just a couple of points on this. Tony Matthews left during the first year as his parents moved to Australia. And a new boy started mid-term, his surname was Clarke. I used to live in Haywards Heath and I remember the famous 4:28. The last four coaches were reserved for school children. The last two for girls and the 3rd and 4th last were for boys. If you missed that then you had to catch the 4:58. I have to say that I was only an average student in the academic subjects and fair to poor in the practical subjects i.e. woodwork and metalwork. I was for some unaccountable reason quite good at French and Mr Behar nominated me for a prize. Which was presented by the Mayor of Brighton at the Royal Pavilion. I was also reasonably good at sports and games and won the Junior “Victor Ludorum” (Summer 1952) at the School Sports held in Preston Park. I only survived one term in the second year, 2T, as my father had a new job. Because we moved from East to West Sussex I had to be relocated to another technical school, in Horsham. It wasn’t a patch on Brighton. My son, his wife and three children, live just a couple of streets away from Hanover Terrace and I went to show them where I went to school. Alas it was no longer there.

    By Tony Greener (24/11/2010)
  • Hi everyone. I was at BSTS from 1972 to 1977. There are a few comments from people I remember from that time. Stuart Chandler has been in contact. Perhaps the first year class of 1972 could meet up next year. Yes, we will be 50! Great stories and pics.

    By Craig Deeley (05/12/2010)
  • Hi Craig I remember you. You were a friend of my brother Allan Wheeler (Dill). He lives in Woodingdean and has remained friends with Mark Waite and Steve Scott to mention a few. I was two years ahead of you. And yes, he turns 50 next year. If you want to contact him email me at colinw59@hotmail.com and I will send you his details.

    By Colin Wheeler (06/12/2010)
  • Does anyone know if any old schools records have been kept. I am guessing this is the school where my great grandfather may have been caretaker in 1901, which I appreciate is way before anyone here was born.

    By Sue (31/12/2010)
  • Hi all. I left in 72. Anyone remember Saunders? Think he took Physics and could certainly whack you with a slipper. I also remember a Peter Vincent – he taught drama and was also a TV scriptwriter – and still maybe. I remember McNeff as being crazy about antiques and in order to deflect him from Maths we would all bring in old trinketts with the hope he would waste the whole lesson talking about them. It sometimes worked – other times you copped the missed lesson as homework. Remember that uniform with the gold / blue braid – and cap detention. First film I remember in that English room was Lord of the Flies. Michael Keay (1T in about 66)

    By Michael Keay (05/01/2011)
  • In response to Sue’s request, the records for this school are at the ESRO in Lewes and date back to the 1890s – however no mention of staff sadly. I did post a comment about this school recently and my great grandfather was Arthur Cockett – a board school caretaker from at least 1891 to 1911. Please contact me – this sounds very interesting!

    By John Wickens (09/02/2011)
  • ? Huff, David (sir) George, Jeff Richardson, David Orr, David Allen, Mick Shipham, David Brazier, Roger Partridge, Roger Bateman, Peter Watts, Peter Clements, Mick Pope, ? Lazerus, Barry Skinner, Mike Bullivant, Ron Newton – all I can remember for now. Where are you at 68/68 yrs? design-t@iafrica.com

    By Terry Burke 1952-58 (20/02/2011)
  • I was at this school between 1961 and 1966. Some memories not so good but mostly very good. Some good mates, good teachers and I feel the place did me some good. The head master, Mr Downing was excellent.

    By Allan Fowler (23/02/2011)
  • I remember Dave Edwards, we were at Fairlight together as well as BSTS. Also Ian Luckhurst was the first guy I spoke to on our first day there. I was in Nash house and Ralph Homer was out form master in the first year. Pete Sayer, Vic Garmon, J (Jay) Andrews, Mick Fabricant, Ian Wanless, Mick Young are just some of the names I remember. Does anyone from pre 1961 remember Paul Fallows? He was a close friend of my family sadly killed on his motorcycle in Lewes Road 20 years ago.

    By Allan Fowler (01/03/2011)
  • I have read with interest all the various comments and contributions, but no mention has been made as to when the school was erected and when it was demolished. However, a newspaper cutting I saved from the ‘Argus’ dated 29th October 2002 on page 8, there was a letter by Chris Horlock of Church Green, Shoreham headed “Century’s Service”, with a photograph of the school taken just south of the main entrance, with the caption “Gone but not Forgotten”. This was in answer to a Mr. R. Long asking about the school on 17th. October. Chris Horlock said that the school began in 1873 as the Hanover Board School and became the Brighton Secondary Technical School after the last war. During the late 1970s it served as an annex of Patcham Fawcett School. Final closure as a school came in July 1981 and then for a brief period it was a centre for the disabled. The 127 year old school was finally demolished in the spring of 2000 and replaced with new housing. Frederic M. Avery (A pupil from 1951 – 1956)

    By Frederic M. Avery (13/03/2011)
  • Great to read all the comments. I was thinking of setting up a BSTS forum – any interest?

    By Michael "tom" Collins (22/03/2011)
  • The Forum is a great idea, it gets my support.

    By Allan Fowler (24/03/2011)
  • I went to the Annex from 1978 to the end, when the problems with the un-cooled carbon blocks in the Physics room caused the closure of the school early and we moved up to Patcham on the old 26 bus in the morning. Seeing the names of Pipkins (History), Curtis (Geography; I will always remember the maps on his blackboard, normally Newcastle), Jones, my form teacher for two years, and Bill Rex, and having to stand under the clock before going into his office at the top of the stairs and everyone knowing where you were going. Block running continued right until the end under the guidance of “Trigger”.

    By Iain Hards (30/03/2011)
  • Iain, what were the Uncooled Carbon Blocks? Sounds like something Michael Carwin the Chemistry teacher would have loved.

    By Michael "Tom" Collins (04/04/2011)
  • I had a friend who went to BSTS in the early 60s. He used to say the initials stood for Borstal School for Thugs and Scoundrels.

    By John Cording (05/04/2011)
  • I was at the Building school from 1952 -1957 along with the Fish twins Derek and Dave. What memories! We often sit around and talk of how the school set us up for the world we worked in. Next year, in Sept, we three intend to celebrate the 50th anniversary since our joining. Anyone who knows us (or more importantly can still remember!) are more than welcome to join us. Brian Tipler, Harvey Roberts to name just two.

    By Ray Leppard (05/04/2011)
  • I don’t know about the Borstal tag but we did have some dodgy geysers there in the early and mid 60’s. One of my classmates became an MP and is still serving and we all know what they are like. Very Dodgy. But all in all it was a good school for its era. Uncooled carbon blocks sounds impressive – that must have been a health and safety issue discovered after I was there. Boff Bullock was the Physics teacher in my day, maybe he left behind a delayed experiment.

    By Allan Fowler (07/04/2011)
  • Hello Ray Leppard. I remember you from school and also Derek and David Fish. They are actually relatives of mine as my grandmother, who lived in Beeding, was Fish before she married my grandfather. It would be great to see you again and I have been trying to find a contact for Derek and David. I have been living near Portsmouth for years and my email is b.tipler1@ntlworld.com. Look forward to hearing from you Ray.

    By Brian Tipler (07/04/2011)
  • Hello Ray Leppard, I remember you and David & Derek Fish. They are in a picture of the Building School 1st XV Rugby team 1956/7 (go to Hanover Terrace School). I remember Harvey Roberts (now Wyatt) and his friend Tony Hyde. Mike Milway would like to make contact with Tony. Mike and I are still in contact, he now lives in Gloucestershire. I also remember Brian Tipler. I was in his football team that played at Southwick one Saturday morning and we saw Mr. Walsh in town and we shouted “Wally” to him (read Brian’s comment above). Best wishes Tony Bolding

    By Tony Bolding (12/04/2011)
  • Allan Fowler, good to hear your comments and I’m please to see that your sense of humour is still intact. You actually go back to my very earliest memories at Fairlight Infants School. I do agree with you that it was actually a good school, 20 to a class and generally first class masters. I now know that I did have a bit of a rebellious attitude but the teachers kept their faith in me and much of what I learnt at school carried me through in later life. Sad to see that it’s no longer there. I took my son to see the old building when he was about 10, and he thought it was a bit grim, but he understood that it was once my school and that it wasn’t so bad. One big gripe though, why were the playing fields so far away? Anyway Allan what are you up to these days?

    By Dave Edwards (14/04/2011)
  • Hello Tony Bolding: Good to hear of you after all this time. I am still in contact with Stan Wales who was in the rugby photo that you previously posted and I also remember most of those in the team. Ray Leppard and Derek and David Fish have emailed me and we will try to arrange a meeting later this year.Email if you would like to Tony at b.tipler1@ntlworld.com to exchange notes on old times. Best Wishes Brian Tipler

    By Brian Tipler (15/04/2011)
  • Hi Dave, good to hear from you after all these years. I understand you are living in France, lucky guy. I am still in Brighton, working for myself. Remember Ian and Gwen Nichols, well Gwen was in hospital with my wife when our kids were born and occassionally I used to bump in to her but not for some time now. We were all a bit rebellious in those days. The old school was fun and easy to bunk out from when you wanted an afternoon off. The playing fields were a bit distant but again you could hide out when on the cross country run or slope off if you didnt fancy cricet or softball. The rugby was fun though in the winter. Keep in touch mate, you can get me on allan.fowler@ntlworld.com cheers

    By Allan Fowler (20/04/2011)
  • I was at BSTS from 1961-1966 and have very clear memories of the place (though I can’t always remember what I had for dinner yesterday). Parfitt, Taylor, Chappel, Steele, Widd, Bullock, McKinley, Stockbridge, Walsh, Homer ,Williams and Lowry-Pierce (sp?) were the teachers. I remember Ian Luckhurst, Arthur Jordan, Michael Hendry, Dave Edwards, Mick Young and quite a few others. By coincidence, I ended up working with Mike Fabricant 1988-1991 before he became an MP.

    By Tony Carr (26/05/2011)
  • Hi all, Great memories, names from the past. Anyone remember Gwynne Jones? He unfortunately died recently – he was a restaurant owner. As for teachers… Peter Stockbridge, he was in Eastenders … as Arthur Fowler’s mate on the allotment! Dolly Parfitt must have been there for years along with Eric Kinley, they must have been about 70 when I started there! Anyone remember Helen Blackledge? French teacher after Monsieur Geradotti – she used to sit on the desk in front of us in her short skirts – phew! Tony Webber, Ben Chappell, Spud Taylor, Brian Leete, Mr Williams, McNeff, he used to make strange noises with his lips during the silent Maths lessons. Mick Carwin and his size 16 slipper on the front of his desk. And finally a little ditty about Michael Fabricant: Fabricant was a lab man but he isn’t anymore, for what he thought was H2O was H2SO4! Bye for now.

    By Graham Maskell (05/06/2011)
  • Just to add a little to the closing chapters. I was at Brighton technical college in the late 80s early 90s, at that point the school was divided in two, one part was accessed from Coleman Street, that was used as a school for kids excluded from normal comprehensives. The other part accessed from Hanover Terrace was part of the technical college. The long room with the big arched window shown in the third picture was used as computer network room. The upstairs was used for normal ‘chalk and talk’ teaching of things like Maths and Electrical Principles, there were two or three big rooms on the ground floor that were used for Electronics practicals and Printed Circuit Board design. I was very sad when the college closed Hanover Terrace, School Road, Preston Road and Richmond Terrace. All the Engineering has been concentrated in the old Stanley Deason site on Wilsons Ave. Cheerio.

    By Andy Marsh (03/08/2011)
  • Andy, I am facinated by this: “..one part was accessed from Coleman Street, that was used as a school for kids excluded from normal comprehensives…” who where these kids and why were they excluded?

    By Michael "Tom" Collins (23/09/2011)
  • The Coleman Street entrance must have been the maximum security wing if the ‘excluded’ kids were housed there. Was there ever such a thing as a normal comprehensive? Be good to have some memories from the Excluded ones.

    By Allan Fowler (11/10/2011)
  • Maybe they were never heard from again…

    By Michael 'Tom' Collins (14/10/2011)
  • I went to the Sec Tec from 74-78. My elder brother Phil Hall went there, and I remember Nic Hewison, Andy Barnard and Roger Higginbottom, who travelled on the 53 bus home and would speak to me, even though I was a year below! I remember Mc Neff, who apparently had been in the Indian Cavalry, and had an ancestor die in the Charge of the Light Brigade! I remember teachers such as Bill Rex, Mr Parfitt, Mr Cowley, Jesus Young, the TD teacher and Mr. Leet, who also took TD. Friends were the Hampton twins, Ian Whitworth, Eddie Salvage, Shane Pellett, Andy Tugwell, and many others. I remember seeing someone been posted at the bike shed, and been kept out of school by the top year, who were looking for more posting victims! Ah, such sweet thoughts! I also took pictures inside the school just before it was demolished in 2000. If anyone wants to contact me I am at guy99@btopenworld.com

    By Guy Hall (16/10/2011)
  • Taking due licence but with full credit I have in true BSTS tradition pinched his homework. As John Davis says:- Joe Huddart, ‘Ben’ Chapell, Reg Pope with any chair legs that were broken in his class so that he had something to ‘cane’ you with. ‘Uncle’ Roy Weedall, with his cricket bat at East Brighton Park, ‘stamping’ Don Bradman’s autograph on your backside, ‘Boff’ Bullock, ‘Spud’ Taylor, Jack Mitchell, Parfitt, Hargreaves, Coldwell, all names from the past, and who could forget the Frenchman Behar. How ever would they fare in today’s education system? As for ‘Goof’ Downing in charge of one of today’s schools, well the mind boggles. Then there was the caretaker, Mr Berry, with his sign for visitors “ALLENQUIRIES” , where he forgot his punctuation, he should have asked Wally Walsh. I was at the Building School from 1953 with Ronnie Carrett, Dave Hancock, ‘Ocker’ Hawkley, Keith Stewart, ‘Boggie’ Marsh (is that him with Wogan in the mornings?), Peter Godbee, Bob Cannell, what names, but as regards the building, what a tip! I was there at the same time as John Davis who lived up the road from me and can add John White, Ian Muzio (Victor Ladorum), Fred Sharman, Geoff Puttock, Ken Palmer, Rutherford and Browning or was it Brown?  I think it was Ian Muzio who broke his wrists swinging on the bar above the boiler room. What about the iced buns for break time and the disgraceful Prefects’ room? Little did I know or even dream that I too would end up like Goofy, standing on the stage in mortar board and gown addressing our 500 award winners and parents in the Assembly rooms in Worthing, or at departmental prize givings. I changed direction mid career and retired 6 years ago as Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies and Engineering at Northbrook College which in some ways brought me back to my initial roots as my remit covered the departments of Motor Vehicle (mechanical and body work), Aero Engineering and General Engineering, all the building trades, Computing, Hairdressing, Catering, Business Studies, Special needs and education at Ford open prison. I may be alone, but I actually enjoyed my time at the school with its wide variety of teaching styles and subject availability. I see Duncan Rea-Palmer regularly and have Terry Brown as my brother-in-law. I also sing occassionaly in a choir with Andy Rutherford.

    By John Hawkley (Ocker Hawkley or Hawkeye) (08/11/2011)
  • Ocker, do you remember taking me down to your dad’s garage, one Sunday afternoon, and we sat in a little black Standard 8, and I pulled the starter, it was in gear and jumped forward, and you giving me a b——g for doing that, as it might have caused damage. I’ll never forget how fast you were, on your bike, and how knackered I was trying to keep up with you. Sadly Keith Stewart died about 6 yrs ago. As for you becoming a Dean, it just shows how life can be so unexpected. Hope you are well, and happy, take care, JD.

    By John Davis (06/12/2011)
  • As an avid woodworker – I have continued to use the skills that we learned at BSTS from good old Ted Young. I was there from ’70 to ’75. Think he leant his skills from the book of Sloyd. Anyway – I am looking to complete my collection of woodworking books with the one that Ted and us boys used. I think the book was about 2″ thick. If anyone has a copy – or knows the title – would love to get a copy. All the best

    By Michael 'Tom' Collins (07/12/2011)
  • Can any of the old boys remember what they were doing on Wednesday morning 6th February 1952? I can. I was in form 4E drawing a British Whitworth thread under the direction of Mr Ben Chapel when the Headmaster Mr Downing came into the class and told us all to stand up as he had some very sad news. H.M. King George 1V had died. We stood in respect for some minutes and then the Head moved on to the next class. In June 1953 we had a special holiday for the Coronation and were given a book on the it by Richard Dimbleby. The art master, Mr McKinley designed a large ornamental window which consisted of a long roll of clear polythene with coloured pictures of the Coronation route etc. In my opinion was not as succesful at that prepared for the Festival of Britain in 1951 and was not mounted and has probably been lost.

    By David Pierce (25/02/2012)
  • I must be getting old. It was of course King George V1. David Pierce.

    By David Pierce (02/03/2012)
  • Hi guys.  Well we missed the 50th – I am now 51. Shall we try for a meeting this summer 2012 – any thoughts? Please get in touch if you can. I have seen and met David Kent he is still in the Brighton area and been in contact with Craig Deeley and Grant Braiden, Tony Fittock and Mike Bollingbroke, all are well and fit so good news there.  Come on guys, let’s get it sorted. Regards to all Stuart

    By Stuart Chandler (23/03/2012)
  • I was there 1966-71. Mr Downing was head but retired after a year, a dear old boy, he got quite emotional at his farewell. Mr Wilson his replacement wasn’t so popular. I remember Dolly Parfit, Spud Taylor, Pussy Williams, Leapy Leal, Ben Chappel, Mr Mcneff-yes very strange, Mckinly, ping-pong the bald french teacher before Md Blackledge George Homer- history, Vic Tomkins, Stocksbridge and Peter Vincent who was one of the Two Ronnies’ script writers. I was in the football team and we travelled to matches in an awful Bedford van with bench seats along the sides-felt pretty sick by the time we got to the game.

    By Howard Johnston (11/04/2012)
  • I just stumbled onto this site because I was a bit bored and was amazed by the amount of posts by ex-pupils from the 1970-75 era. Well here are my recollections. Mum took me on my first day (grey shorts, blazer and cap) and would not leave until we went in (what an embarrassment).  Being a little chap I had to make friends with the big boys and if my memory serves me correct it was the likes of ‘Big’ Jeff Over (probably the biggest lad in school), Pete Crook (crookie), Dean Martin (deano), Wayne Clarke and my good old mate called Clyde Brown. Some of the names mentioned in the earlier posts sound familiar like Roger Higginbottom, Chris Hornsbury, Andy Hubbard, Rich Vinicombe (I’m sure his dad was involved in Radio Brighton or a reporter for the Evening Argus), Russ Fosey, Colin Standing, Stu Keir. Perhaps some of you remember me? My memories of the old school fade a little as the years progress but a few vivid ones still linger on: playing cards behind the raised T.D. boards at the back of tech drawing, every time I went to English (and here’s a name that no one has mentioned yet, the old dinosaur Wally Walsh with the hairs growing off the end of his nose). I had to stand in the waste paper bin and face the wall because Wally thought I was a waste of time, he was probably right. I was a proud member of the school strike where we all had a sit-in on the Level along with a few kids from Queens Park (we made the news with that one, anyone remember?). Along with a few other choice characters we unloaded the school metal workshop of all its copper sheets and sold it to the local scrap metal merchants, for a healthy profit I might add. But a small problem arose from that one, the next day we started a new project in metal work, good old copper dishes with no copper plate. I remember going down to the Level at lunch time on Nov 6th and collecting all the old gunpowder out of the fireworks that had not gone off and putting it in a box, yours truly threw a match in it while poor old John Hunt was looking at it all, well he ended up with the worst sun tan I’ve ever seen, no eyebrows and a receding hairline beyond his 15 years. Sorry again John. Also the endless lessons spent in the cafe up the road playing pinball and the sweet shop down the road who used to look after my five park drive and a book of matches that I got off him on Mondays that had to last all week, cheers me old mate, you would not get loyalty that from today’s shopkeepers! Well that’s all for now except I left school early in 75 to join the army without taking any exams, became an Army Physical Training Corps Instructor and served 18 years. I then retired to Devon and now work in a secondary school teaching pinball and pyrotechnics. If you remember me you can catch me on Facebook. Bye and thanks for the memories.

    By Colin Gill (Gilly) (13/04/2012)
  • Will be in the UK this summer – if anyone from ’70-’75 is about and up for a beer – email me zylon7@gmail.com

    By Michael 'tom' Collins (16/05/2012)
  • I also remember “Mad Mac”, but our reasons for using the name were totally different. He did have a habit of losing his temper and threw a pupil across the room so hard that the blackboard fell off the wall when he hit it. His love of antiques always found him on the road to Mandalay.

    By Phil Edwards (20/05/2012)
  • I was there from 1966 to 1971, and yep we had some real fun times, some names I still remember; Ian Wright the Chemistry teacher who was famous for lobbing a blackboard rubber or metre rule at you if you were not paying attention, Mr Saunders for Science he liked to think he was a hard nut. Plus all the usual suspects, Ben Chappel, boy could he dish out that cane of his, some pupil names that come to light, Michael Chapman, Lenny White, Peter Hayler, Martin Hedgecock, plus many others who made the old place somewhat of an icon in my memory. Happy Days.

    By Peter Sutton (20/07/2012)
  • I was at the school from 1961 to 1968. I remember classmates called Hemsley, Boorer, Luff and Fabricant. The memories that stick out: buying stamps during the maths lessons, being caned for no particular reason, watching classmates being thrown across the room during the drama lessons, the Duke of Edinburgh’s award camping in Small Dole, buying those iced buns, the chess club ran by Ralph Homer (is he still alive?) and many more.

    By Mike Freeman (31/07/2012)
  • Sorry, it was 1961 to 1966. I’m afraid the brain cells are not what they were.

    By Mike Freeman (31/07/2012)
  • I attended this school in the early-mid 50s and I have, honestly, to say I recall it with no affection whatsoever. I think the picture of the gates sums it up “abandon hope all yea who enter here’. Even in the 50s it seemed to exist in a time warp as a reincarnation of Dickens Dotheboys Hall. Apart from a few teachers such as Mr Pope the teaching staff were by modern standards sadists and would I imagine today  be sued for every red cent (if they escaped incarceration). Bullying and extortion by larger pupils (some of whose names feature in the attached comments) was rife. I remember being forced by the sports “teacher” to box a much larger boy with the obvious results. I had come from St Andrews School in Hove which was a great school and this place was a horrible shock. I must confess I would frequently leave my home in Hove travel by bus about as far as Lewes Road then get off as I just could not face the place and just return home. I was lucky in that my parents moved to Worthing and I transferred to the brand new Worthing Technical High School, an excellent school which restored my faith in the school system. Had I realised it was being demolished in the 80s I would have been happy to fork out the air fare to fly back from Australia and crack a bottle of champers as the bulldozers went in and consigned the place to the garbage can of history.

    By Keith Kent (05/11/2012)
  • Alan Fowler. How are you? …Ian Luckhurst..It’s a strange life. I was on my way to the Amex stadium on Friday night and I got into conversation  with this man, talking about the not readily perfected transport system to the new stadium. We starting talking about school and this man turned out to be Mr Stockbridge`s son. Apparently Mr Stockbridge continued to perform as an actor up until the end of his life. Incidentally, Mr Stockbridge was an Albion supporter.

    By Ian Luckhurst (06/11/2012)
  • I was at The Buildings from ’51 – ’54 and remember Dave Pierce, a rather tall lad for his age who Mr Weedall used to frighten smaller players like me on the rugby pitch at Patcham. There was also a Dave “Short” who must have been 6′ tall. I seemed to always be placed at full back until I decided to run out of the way. I didn’t go to games much after that. My mates were Albert Paynter and Ray Royston. I also knew Geoff Gold whose cousin lived next door but one to me in Patcham. I used to “commute” to school by a No 46 then No 44 trolley buses. Anyone remember me? John Snelling 3x,4x and 5x.

    By John Snelling (05/12/2012)
  • I’ve read a message above from August 2008 by Violet Lankstead which nobody appears to have replied to. I remember you lying in bed in your front room almost opposite the school gates. I used to wave to you but didn’t realise you had TB. That’s 58 years ago, so I presume you recovered from it and hope you read this. My brother-in-law had TB around that time – Chris Bentley. He is still with us and living in Moulscombe. You could have been in the Sanatorium together. John Snelling (at the school 1950-54)

    By John Snelling (20/12/2012)
  • I think I remember you Keith and seem to recall you being picked on, particularly by Ron Weedall the sports master, whose speciality was to twist the hair of pupils and in your case a clump of your hair came away in his grip. Also remember the one-sided boxing bouts but you weren’t the only one who was unfairly matched – I too got a clobbering. I guess the thought in those days was to toughen us up. In the early days I too dreaded the school but after a year or two came to appreciate and enjoy it. Maybe you would have done too if you had stayed.

    By Roger Bateman (20/12/2012)
  • Hello to all the former pupils at this school. My name is Nathan Kennedy and I was wondering if anyone who went there remembered Clive Olive, the boy who was murdered by a gang in 1973. The reason I ask is that he was my uncle, but I never got to meet him as he died 3 years before I was born. If anyone does recall him, I was hoping that they might be able to tell me some things about him, as neither my Dad nor Grandmother was ever willing to talk about him. I found the book that was written by Jim Marshall, the Chief Superintendent of the case but that was just about the murder and the prosecution of the murderer. It would be wonderful to have some stories of his schooldays, perhaps if I’m really lucky some photo’s of his time there. Thanks in advance to anyone who could help.

    By Nathan Kennedy (22/12/2012)
  • Hi again, well the world ticks on… still not got it together have we? we must sort a meeting soon. I am still in the West Midlands and come back to Brighton a couple of times a year to visit friends. Come on guys, let’s make it this year before it’s too late. I was there 1970-77 ish

    By Stuart Chandler (15/01/2013)
  • I was BSTS from 62-66, I remember the awful bullying that went on when you first started at school. Heads down the toilet, school ties used to strangle you and the pushing and punching the prefects would inflict on you as you went from class to class. I remember fighting back and finished up in the Mr Downings office where I was duly caned for having the nerve to defend myself. There were some good times Mr Stockbridge was great, English lessons always came second to Drama. Push the desk back and improvise a dramatic scene with another pupil, lots of laughter ensued. I learned lots of things at the school that have put me in good stead for my working life. Good to read the stories of BSTS.

    By Tony Wickham (27/01/2013)
  • I remember the ‘Secondary Technical School’ as it was known from when my brother attended there in the 60s. I remember Mr Stockbridge as he was one of my teachers when he went to Moulsecoomb Secondary where I attended from 1968-73. He was a really nice chap and I met him later in 2000, we had a nice chat about his times there. I used to go to the annual fetes at the Secondary Tech each summer and I remember I always used to buy some good books from the stalls. My Dad ran a stall for a couple of years which, if I remember correctly, he called ‘Captain Clarkson’s Treasure Hunt’. It was about 1967/68, he used to paste a map onto a slab of hardboard with holes in it, in these he would put about 100 raffle tickets (guess who he used to get to roll them all up!). All the punters had to do was buy a ticket using the map reference and there would be prize money ranging from about 5 shillings up to £1 for any winning ticket. It was quite clever for the time and he always sold out. My Dad was always a bit of a character and when he did this he was in his element, he would talk to anyone and everyone and used to gather quite a crowd. I wonder if anyone remembers his stall or the summer fete?

    By Paul Clarkson (29/01/2013)
  • Attended 1954-59. Great teachers – amazing I did as well I did considering my lack of attention.

    By Robin Donelan (10/02/2013)
  • Hi, my name is Philippe, I’m French. I was a French assistant in 1972/73; Headmaster was Mr Wilson. Any former students around?

    By Philippe (10/02/2013)
  • To add to Terry Burke’s list from two years ago (sorry for delay but I have only just discovered this site): William Moore, Ray Hunter, Anthony Allan, Len Huff, Fred Orr, Wadey, Derek Layzell, Michael Mills, Taylor, Turner, Saunders, Roger Brazier, Ian Downing, Les Pope, Michael Bullivant, David Wyatt, Michael Shippam, Graham Ladd. I’m not sure about some names. Funny to look back with some good memories  when at the time it seemed like Colditz.

    By Robin Donelan (11/02/2013)
  • I was pleasantly surprised to find this site while idling away time online. I was at BSTS from 1955 to 1960 and remember many of the staff; Downing as Headmaster, Parfitt for metalwork, Mitchell for painting and decorating, Taylor for woodwork (with his mountain of fag ends in his ashtray), Hobden for maths, Chappell for tech drawing, McKinley for art, Pope for history, Walsh for English, Price for geography, Bear for French, Bullock for physics and Hargreaves for building. I have a vague recollection that it was called Brighton Junior Technical School and changed its name soon after I started. The quality of teaching was excellent despite the run down look of the building. I went on to Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School for A-Level and the teaching there was definitely inferior. It was a pity that BSTS could not offer A-Level.
    Some of the pupils I particularly remember include Philip Norris, Bill Wood, Brian Wood, Geoff Stephens, Andrew Noble, Laurence Collins, Keith Stonham, Page, Wilson, Winyard and other faces, but no names. I particularly remember Keith Golding, a Brighton boy boxing champion, who I fought in the inter house competition and lost heavily! Boxing was part of PE lessons. It was also used to sort out scraps in the school yard when the combatants were marched up to the gym, four benches set up for the ring and a pair of boxing gloves given! The trek over the Race Course hill to East Brighton Park for games was a pain. The cross country course straight up a hill and round part of the race course was not my favourite activity! I did join Mr Pope on his climbing activities at High Rocks, Harrisons Rocks and Stonefarm Rocks in plimsolls but no helmets. We had a few close ‘shaves’ with some spectacular falls. Certainly would not get away with it now! I used to cycle down and back as I was into cycling as a member of Central Sussex Cycling Club. The 4.28 train back to Burgess Hill was not my favourite journey when so-called friends made my life hell for two years. I joined the school Archaeological Society which had ‘digs’ on a site at Stonepound in Hassocks under the guidance of Pete Tree and Des Taylor, if my memory serves me right.
    The uniform was distinctive with its yellow and blue braid around the jacket; the dreaded cap which all had to wear, including the prefects. Theirs was fitted with a yellow tassel! The Level was a place of many battles, especially in the snow, usually against Fawcett School if my memory serves me right.
    After A-Levels I joined the Metropolitan Police as a Police Constable for a short while, but realised it was not for me. I then trained as a Handicraft Teacher (Woodwork and Metalwork) and also later as an Outdoor Pursuits teacher, including climbing, caving, canoeing, mountaineering, orienteering, sailing, expeditions etc. I have worked in a range of schools including grammar, approved, secondary modern and finishing up in an independent school. I think you could probably say that BSTS had more of an effect on my career than I probably realised at the time. I am now happily retired in Cumbria in close proximity to mountains and caves! Also I teach the skills of dry stone walling to try to keep the craft alive and maintain the diverse walls of Cumbria.

    By Patrick Adair (29/03/2013)
  • Ian Luckhurst – how great to know you are still around and reading this web page. You were the first guy I spoke with on our first day there in 1961. I remember dear old Mr Stockbridge (Shoey) he was a great teacher. Good to know you met his son. Sorry for a long delay in responding to your note on here. I have not come across any old school buddies but remember loads of names. I see Mike Freeman wrote on here. There was Denby, Garman, Spencer, Fabricant (now running the country) Sayer, Adams, Dave Edwards who I have met up with once, Luff, Carr. Now my brain has seized up and names stopped coming.

    By Allan Fowler (26/07/2013)
  • Allan Fowler, did you go to Fawcett (1961—)? Our form master there was Mr Tolhurst, who also taught French. Its just that I remember an Allan Fowler very well – an excellent footballer too, as I recall. It’s amazing what attics our brains are from time to time.

    By Phil Allsopp (17/09/2013)
  • I attended between 1970-1975. My memories are of an old fashioned, disciplined school with Victorian standards. I did not take to the school at all and have mostly bad memories. On the positive side I enjoyed PE & games immensely, in particular cross country (yes, I was the only one), basketball and football. I remember winning some title at basketball against Knoll School at their ground. I also remember playing in goal and getting one in the nether region and being stretchered off by Mr Webber who then had to investigate the damage (Ouch)! Memories of names like Andrew Markwick, Andy Williamson and Lenn Davey. Sadly I did poorly at school but went on to be a successful DJ and more recently an Estate Agency Manager. it would be great to hear from anyone who remembers me (curly hair – now disappeared at 53).

    By Des Parker (22/09/2013)
  • Hi John Snelling, that name was a blast from the past! It is nearly 60 years ago, but I still remember you. I also remember John Tree, Dave Court, Dave Warne, Dave Short, Chris Beard, Albert Painter, Dave Fly, (later Royston) and have already had contact on this site with David Pierce and Vic Bath. Your comment on the photo taken at Patcham School playing field brought back memories when you mentioned that the pre-fab woodwork shop with the teacher Goldsmith. I attended Patcham School for a short period when I moved to Hollingbury but, after a few weeks, found out that I had passed the exam for the BSBE. The first day I went to Woodwork, Goldsmith, who I was told was an ex-commando, punished a boy by having him stand at the end of the room then running the full length of the shop to belt at him with a length of wood! It frightened me to death! As I was only there a short time, I can only remember 2 lads in my class at Patcham, they were Mick French and Harry Windsor. A new teacher started the same day as me called Mr Childs. I migrated to Australia nearly 50 years ago, but still think back to those days. It was a crummy building, but I think that it was a good education (except for French with Behar!). Anyway, I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me from the BSBE, my email address is davebrazier@optusnet.com.au

    By Dave Brazier (03/10/2013)
  • Hi Phil Allsopp, sorry but you memory is recalling the wrong Allan Fowler. I did not go to Fawcett and I was never an excellent footballer.

    By Allan Fowler (10/10/2013)
  • This is John Wyatt (Scythe). I remember the Mitchell twins (sorry to hear about Peter) and all the others Tony mentioned. Wally Walsh was nicknamed “the Barrel” as he was often seen coming out of the pub on Lewes Road.

    By John Wyatt (16/12/2013)
  • BSTS – commonly known at the time as “the Borstal School for Teddyboy Students”. Fun Days.

    By John Wyatt (16/12/2013)
  • I read Hawkeye’s account of his days at the Tech and recognise all the names he mentioned, sorry to hear about Keith Stewart he was my closest buddy throughout my days there, I used to go to his home off Elm Drive Hove at the weekend. My recollections of entering the Tech was as a result of failing the 11+ exam to Grammar school and taking a “space test” guess that was for a space at the Tech. I remember the test was a simple practical test compared to the 11+. Guess the thinking was “their brains don’t work maybe they can do something with their hands”, however only 2 or 3 boys were selected from any one school, I was at the Downs Junior School in Ditchling Road and I believe the other 2 boys selected with me were John Rennie or Reynolds and David (Spud) Taylor aka Wingnut. Not sure what happened to John but Spud and family were all members of the Salvation Army and they emigrated to Australia and I heard that Spud was a station master in Sidney. No one has mentioned the creeps badges, prior to being a prefect one had to be a marshall with a little square badge with a letter M. I was a marshall and one perk was to man the tuck shop dishing out the iced buns which guaranteed your buns because there were never enough and they would run out with a queue still outside. On the day I was leaving Keith Stewart and I spent part of the day in the woodwork shop sharpening all the plane blades and chisels for Mr Taylor, he gave us 7 shillings and sixpence each because it saved him a lot of work. I left at end of term just before Christmas and Mr Weedle had arranged a parents evening with a inter-house boxing match. I was in Adam House and agreed to box that evening, because of my height there were only two boys in my year group that I could be matched with. That night I was boxing Dave Berry, throughout my years at the Tech he seldom if ever beat me but that night he gave me a pasting which I have never forgotten. The only regret I have of leaving the Tech was going back that night!

    By Colin Wares (02/02/2014)
  • If any one from BSTS years 1970 – 1975 is out there I’d love to hear from you and to hear what you have been up to over the 40 years! Can you believe that it has been 40 years?

    By Michael (Tom) Collins (28/02/2014)
  • I remember Phillipe, the French assistant. You taught me, and another pupil, real French – many ways to get our faces slapped in conversation. I did use some of what you taught us in 1976, but not since. Happily though, never did get the slap!

    By Phil Edwards (02/04/2014)
  • I too remember the old school and with fond memories. I attended there from 1954 to 1958 when I left in the fifth year to come back with my mother to Essex, a very wrong move for my standard of education. I also remember most of the old teachers: Mr Pope, Mr McKinley, Mr Hargreaves, Mr Weedall, Mr Chappel, Mr Behar, MrParfit, Mr Taylor, Mr Bullock, Mr Mitchell and some I do not recall. Mr Downing as Head was very good to me and my mother as she was at the time a widower trying to bring up a slightly wayward son. I came back to Essex after winning the one length freestyle at the school’s swimming each year at North Road baths and promptly won the 100 yards freestyle schools championship; a tribute to Mr Weedall and the Brighton beaches, Black Rock baths etc, through many glorious summers. I too went on to have an apprenticeship, in mechanical engineering and worked my way up to Project Management on some larger construction sites before retiring at 70. This I did not like so I went back to work at a construction college only to find that the woodwork, painting & decorating, plumbing and brickwork are still basically taught in the same manner. Alas I find the same cannot be said for English Maths Trigonometry etc where I feel the standard has dropped. I remember the school tuck shop where I use to serve the iced buns to the rest of the lads, and the small sweet shop outside the school in Hanover Terrace where I used to help out the old lady-owner at lunch times as she could not manage the considerable influx of pupils all at once. For this small service I was rewarded by having my selection of sweets for the day. I also remember some of my classmates: Roger Partridge, David Wadey, Leonard Huff, Paul Brieley. Michael Pope, Little Ashdown, Stuart Hartshourn, Brian Gardener, and many more I can remember by face but not by name. Happy days indeed and a lot of lessons learnt not to be forgotten. It would be great to hear from anyone who was there at the same time as I was and chew the fat a bit. I still go back now and then to see the old haunts and to tell my wife of the times I had as a teenage boy finding out about life in the fast lane – as I thought at the time. I lived up off of the Dyke Road area by the Grammar School and did many a paper round around the Seven Dials area to get my spending money. I had some very good friends then and spent some very late nights out and about much to the frustration of my Mother and older sister who had to come looking for me of a night!

    By Stan Bullivant (08/04/2014)
  • Editor’s Note:

    Dear John

    Sorry but we have had to delete/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 John Davis (22/07/2014)
  • Did you attended between 1961 and 1966 and remembers Pete Sayer? I was reading a book about the South Coast beat Scene in the 60’s and discovered that Pete stayed in the music business before getting involved in ecology and crewing on the first Rainbow Warrior. According to the book Pete ended up in Hawaii as a marine carpenter and was there at the time of publishing the early in 2000s.

    By Allan Fowler (15/10/2014)
  • I was there 1954-1959 I travelled in from Saltdean mainly by bus but sometimes by bike. Remember it all well but am a bit jealous of computer classes and drama which were not available in the late 1950s. Specifically recall ‘Popeye’ Pope’s ‘weapons’ including chair legs and ‘the complete works of Shakespeare’ which gave you a nasty headache. Also remember him ‘strengthening’ his grip for rock climbing by hanging on to the picture rail and working his way round the classroom.  As well as the ‘stained glass window Mac Kindley did a lovely clay model of the two old street musicians who played the harp and violin around The Lanes. Remember the large stone jar of ink that topped up our ink wells and the ‘experiment’ we tried tipping it down a crack in the floor of the science room only to find it turning the woodwork shop ceiling a dark shade of blue. All the ‘technical’ stuff I learned at school stood me in good stead for the design work I did in a Technical Advertising Agency… and subsequently a business of my own.  Happy Days

    By Andrew Noble (31/12/2014)
  • If anyone has photos of the old school woodwork room, would love to see. I have a Hi Res panoramic of 1973 if anyone is interested in seeing that.

    By Michael Collins (08/05/2015)
  • Hello to all on this site, which I have only just discovered.  I am a BSTS old boy from the early 1970s. The names on here I remember well are Charlie Lyons. Stuart Kier and Michael Collins.  I’m just making a quick post now to get on the board. I’ll dredge my brain for some more memories later.  I’ll also check back to see if anyone remembers me.

    By Colin Winslett (28/07/2015)
  • I have only just found this site. What memories it brings back. I was at BSTS 62-66, and have fond memories of what was at the time a not so happy time. I hated school generally, being only quite small in stature and not really the bravest of souls. I learnt to survive through my wits and my mouth. There was a reasonable degree of bullying, particularly of first formers – mostly from second formers. I survived this by making friends with some third formers. I remember all the teachers’ names mentioned in here, was strapped and canned by a couple of them. Looking back on it now I realise that at times I was somewhat of a prat and was quite unkind to some people for which I am now truly sorry. At the time it was a case of being drawn along by the crowd, but now I realise it was a form of bullying just the same – so while it may be late in coming, please, anyone who I may have been mean to at the time, please accept a belated but sincere apology. Having said that I do remember having fun, names unfortunately mostly escape me, but a few do spring to mind, Andrew Lovelidge, Geoff Hunt, Ollie (?) Watson, Grier (?), Jaspers (?), Tutt, John Lyons – I do remember your name Tony Wickham. I’ve been living in Australia since ’71, but have been back home many times, was sad to see the old school gone, but life moves on doesn’t it. I too have a landscape photo of all the school pupils and teachers from ’62-63 I think, not sure how I would scan it though, but if anyone is interested feel free to contact me as I’m happy to share.

    By Clive Custance (10/08/2015)
  • Hi Clive. Your name rings a bell with me. I was there same time as you. Mr Homer was my form teacher in my first year, 1E. I recall most of the names you mention and the reference to bullying. It was done to us and we also did it to others. Not proud of it but it was a culture at the time. Anyway I mostly enjoyed the old school. Overall I was glad I went to the school.

    By Allan Fowler (24/09/2015)
  • Hi Allan. I do remember your name also – but like most of the names I can think of, it’s mostly by the surname. From memory we all used surnames or nicknames drawn from surnames rather than Christian names, and teachers most certainly did. I remember a maths teacher who used to spend most of his time in class working on his stamp collection – I think he was the one who would grab you by the ear and say “you’re a nasty little boy – what are you?” – the expected response being ‘I’m a nasty little boy sir’! I also remember a few French teachers being given a hard time by us all. There was some pretty funny banter that used to happen in class and I think it was all of this type of stuff that gives me the fondest memories. As far as educational outcomes – my father was constantly disappointed with my performance – but later in life I did go on to Uni and did very well – so something happened somewhere!

    By Clive Custance (28/09/2015)
  • Sorry Graham – no names thank you.

    Editor

    By Graham Dawson (07/10/2015)
  • So were the houses on the right of the photo Nos 20 and 19 (which I believe are still there), with the school then occupying the site of the houses which are now Nos 18 and downwards?

    By Alan Hobden (07/10/2015)
  • 65/69 for me. I remember most of the masters mentioned plus one or two of the pupils. Some of the names I remember are Alan Goldsmith, Peter Richardson (fantastic cricketer), John Keats (played guitar), Alan Burtenshaw (but I think he might have been from Whitehawk Juniors?) John Budgen? It was a long time ago. I remember getting McNeff going by purposely misquoting Shakespeare. He would spend the rest of the Maths lesson reciting the whole of the relevant act. He really knew his stuff when it came to the bard. Peter Vincent was my favourite. For drama he used to get us to act out the next weekend’s Frost Report sketches. I for one used to love spoiling the program on Sunday night for everyone at home by beating the actors to the punchlines. I also envied his little white sports car and tassel fringed suede jacket. Funny the things that stick in your mind.   

    By Bernard Akehurst (20/01/2016)
  • Well I was there in 1967 – 1972. What a great site to find all this stuff on, the memories come trickling back. 

    By Jim Walker (21/01/2016)
  • Mr Downing was just leaving I remember.  He was a sweet old guy with the unfortunate nickname of Goof!  Rex was a swine though,  I remember him telling us to bugger off on our last day, so we did. I’m still in the Brighton area,  I can remember all the old teachers and a few of the pupils, Martin Ball, Andy Brown, Terry Morgan, two Clives, Phil Grimshaw,  and a few others. I remember running around the block when it was freezing and the vile little dungeon of a changing room we were all squeezed into. My favourite teacher was Helen Blackledge, I always liked older women ha ha. What a crazy place it was but we all survived,  sorry to hear it’s gone, I hadn’t realised.

    By Jim Walker (21/01/2016)
  • Hello Colin! – It’s been a long time!

    By Michael 'Tom' Collins (05/02/2016)
  • Hi Clive, great to read your comments. The Maths teacher I am sure was ‘Jack’ Liddell. Ex army, RSM I believe or so the legend went, very military and treated us like squaddies. We did give some of the teachers a hard time but also some of them scared the living daylights out of us.

    By Allan Fowler (02/03/2016)
  • Thank you Phil Edwards for your message dated 3 4 2014. I hope you’re doing well. I sent some pictures which have been published. Enjoy!

    By Philippe Dupont (05/03/2016)
  • I was there from 1962-67. Memories include having to fight for most of the first week to avoid getting dunked in the toilets. Going to Russia on the school trip in the summer of 1963; the two teachers that organised it were Jack Liddel and Peter Stockbridge. They had a rather laid back approach to everything and we were allowed to go off wandering by ourselves around Moscow and Leningrad in the evenings. Would never happen now.
    Seem to remember being an ideal pupil during my first year then going off the rails in my 2nd and 3rd years – lots of detentions and canings – then settling down to work in my 4th and 5th years. Throughout all this time I was really into my sport and got school colours for swimming, rugby, and basketball.
    Pupils I remember (some only by nickname) were ‘Tadpole’ because he had an older brother at school called ‘Frog’; Gruff (Pat Gurr); Huddy (John Sayers); Joe Holland (who sadly died of a heroin overdose); Clive Buxton and his older brother Ken (really good all round sportsmen particularly boxing). Others include some of the people that have posted above like Clive Custance, Tony Wickham and Ian Luckhurst. Also remember Pete Sayer from the year above me who got into surfing around the same time as me. Fitting that he should end up in Hawaii.
    Of the teachers, I really liked ‘Wally’ Walsh not because I was any good at English but because of his dry wit and he always seemed to have a soft spot for the ‘bad boys’. Remember Jack Liddell’s detentions whereby you had to sit at a desk upright and still for 30 minutes and every time he saw you move he would add on 5 minutes.

    By Geoff Wooldridge (09/03/2016)
  • Hi Geoff, good to read your comments. Sad to know that Joe Holland died of an overdose. I remember Ian Luckhurst, he was the first guy I spoke to on my first day there. As you say I also liked Wally Walsh and Jack Liddel.  Ralph Homer maths, Boff science, Mr Downing headmaster, Ben Chappel assistant head, Fungus McKinley art are some of the teachers I recall. Classmates included Mick Young, Mick Fabricant, Dave Edwards, Pete Sayers. Some surnames that come to mind are Denby, Carr, Green. Some good times at the old school.

    By Allan Fowler (18/03/2016)
  • I attended BSTS in mid to late 70s. I remember my first day. The uniform, the school bag stuffed with technical drawing paraphernalia, logarithms, books and exercise books. It turned out in the end i would understand none of their uses, and felt completely hopeless and frightened by the whole school experience.

    I did not achive the goal i went there for as a pattern maker as the building side of things appeared to be winding down and as i remember it the final year or so as an annexe of another school was a complete waste of eveyones time.

    The positives were my walk from home in ladysmith road along lewes road looking in delightfull shops such as Filbys toys,forfars bakers and Fords furniture shop,the monument makers was always an attraction i dont know why.

    I hated the likes of mrs newel,brown,rex and curtis,but liked mr parfitt only because metalwork was the only thing i could do,i got rid of my air operated engine you had to do for O level ages ago.

    The janitor was Snowy White i believe[or was this coombe road school].i felt sorry for him as his scuttling and scrunched up eyes allways caused amusement to all.

    The pupils i remember most are Guy Hall,Clive Attwood,Ian Harris,Steve Inscoe,Andrew Plazcek,Dave Johnson,John Jennings,one ex pupil run off with my wife so the less said about him the better.

    Not such happy times for me but out of school was the best time,the school building its self is no loss i believe as it was a forbidding place for me.Mrs Newells legs being the only saving grace.

    By Colin Hales (18/09/2016)
  • Hi, I was just looking at a very long picture taken at East Brighton Park 1966 and I was wondering if anyone else on that picture would like to add a comment. My brother Mark Richardson also went to BSTS and Nick Heweton commented that he remembered Mark’s name.

    By Peter Richardson (08/04/2017)
  • I was looking at a very long photo of the students and pupils of 1966 at East Brighton Park. I was wondering where everybody is today. Myself I got married in 1972 and left Brighton and moved to Perth, Western Australia and am still here to this day, and still married with two lovely girls. I have been reading some of the guys’ comments and yes they brought back a lot of memories good and bad. Some of the boys in my class were Gary Watkins, Gary Marsden, David Wells, David Tucknott, Alan Goodsmith Bernard Akehurst and others I will remember and write down. Things I remember was the tiny tuck shop just to the right of the door to the  Metalwork shop then down to the wood work shop and up the steps to the dining room to have our milk or orange juice in a small bottle, up the ramps to the small gym on your right (where you could walk through to the other side of the building) then up the stairs to the Headmaster’s room and the rest of the class rooms. Well reading other comments someone mentioned Lenny White with his small gang Michael (Face) and Angus Bashford. I had a run in with Lenny a few times after school at the front gate of the school grounds. Nick Hewetson mentioned my brother Mark Richardson who also lives here in Australia, in Melbourne. 

    By Peter Richardson (08/04/2017)
  • Hi Pete, Its been a long time. marriage, kids, divorce, career in the construction industry, 50 odd years living in Brighton until I moved out of the area in 2004. No longer have any contact with any of the old names/faces which you mention, but know Bernard Akehurst is still around, and I believe commented on here some time back. Lost track of most people but used to run into Dave Tucknott around the clubs in Brighton 40 odd years ago, he was in the regular army then, and always had some great stories to tell ! Sadly both Lenny White ( who became a bricklayer) and ‘The Face’ died some years ago.

    Nothing but great memories of the school which will live with me all my life, thanks for jogging my memory.

    By Martin Keats (09/07/2017)
  • Hi guys I was there from 1971 to 1973 or 4. I remember some of the names mentioned, I was only known as Ashley  Stuart then, [ name too long in those days] if anyone remembers me give an e-mail .bluehills@virginbroadband.com.au

    By Ashley Dagleas-Stuart (28/09/2017)
  • Hi Pete Richardson, I remember you and Mark. Do you remember Jeff Jackson? His parents were friends with your parents. Last time I saw you was on the dance floor at the Suite in about 1973. Also remember you helping out coaching our basketball team at Manor Road around the same time! I remember hearing you had moved to Oz back in the ’70s. I played semi pro water polo for Queensland between ’79-’83. I have lived in Malta now for over 20 years. I saw Jeff in California when I played in the world masters back in 2006, he has lived there since 1976. Where have all the years gone?! I hated my time at Sec Tech, I later found out I was dyslexic but in those days nobody knew, so I struggled to learn. Looking back it was a big laugh and waste of time for me at school. All’s well that ends well, though. Can’t believe we are all in our 60s now! Heard Lenny White died about 15 years ago but didn’t know about Mark Chapman (Face); how sad.

    By Peter Paolella (11/11/2017)
  • I vaguely remember Alan Andrews I think, a little guy, very quiet and well spoken, a big head of light brown hair and glasses. I remember he and I were always the best at art, to be fair he had the edge on me and we were the only two to take art A level.  For some unknown reason we had to go to Moulscoombe school to do it. My only good subjects were sports which I always excelled in, woodwork and crafts, technical drawing and art and drama. The rest of the subjects were a complete waste of time for me in those days. I went on to work most of my life in construction which I loved  although my first three years after leaving school I worked for the DHSS. This actually came about because I and a couple of other mates attended a days out at an office in West Street which they paid us for. It was in the early days of video interviewing and as it meant a day off school and money I hastily voluteered. Apparently I did well as they offered me a job in the Civil Service after. Mum and Dad were thrilled that someone like me could have a secure job for life. I stuck it out for three years or so then went to construction and freedom.

    By Peter Paolella (15/11/2017)
  • For those that have not seen my post on another BSTS page, I received an email from Dave Braziers daughter in Australia in January 2017, that Dave died on January 4th, 2017.  Dave and I were in contact every week with ‘funnies’ and aviation messages. RIP Dave.

    By Vic Bath (13/05/2018)
  • Hi, in case anyone is interested, there is talk of an all School reunion to be held (possibly June 2020).  Keep watching this site for more information.  (Allan Clarkson, Nash House, 1965-1970).

    By Allan Clarkson (25/05/2018)
  • Does anyone remember a Steven Traculla that was there between 69 -72. Would love to know.

    By Greg Ryan (04/07/2018)
  • Time to get the reunion ball rolling. Following a discussion elsewhere, we are sounding out how popular an ‘all school’ BSTS reunion would be. Dates being suggested at the moment are either 20th June 2020 or 27th June 2020 as the idea started out as a 50th anniversary for the year that left in 1970 and has grown. At the moment, we are just collecting names of people interested and asking people to spread the word. Some ex pupils now overseas have expressed an interest in attending so we may need to firm up arrangements at some point later this year. So that this lovely site doesn’t get bogged down with replies, I will shortly post an email address for any reunion correspondence. We will also need some people willing to help organise as we don’t just want people shuffling around in a pub’s private room with cheesy music in the background.  So if you want to help and/or have memorabilia to share, please let us know. Keep in touch and spread the word.

    By Allan Clarkson (13/08/2018)
  • Further to my message above, the Reunion email address is bsts2020@gmail.com

     

    By Allan Clarkson (14/08/2018)
  • I am interested in the reunion in June 2020. I will send an e-mail to the address given. Vic Bath, BSTS 1949 to 1953

    By Vic Bath (25/04/2019)
  • Hi Vic, I think that we at St Luke’s Terrace Junior School in Mr Tamkins class as well. I met up with John Wallace at Lofty Alan Scales’s 80th party in London in December 20017. I would love to meet up again and attend a reunion. I still live in in Brighton. I will be 82 in December (if I am spared). All the best, David Pierce 1951 to 1954.

    By David Pierce (02/10/2019)
  • I’ve just found this site and it’s a long time since any comments so I will keep this short. I was there 60-65 and still have my copy of the 62 photograph. I also have the 1965 Speech Day booklet which lists everyone; if anyone would like a scanned copy just let me know. rodney.goldup@sky.com The technical skills that I learnt there came in very useful. Whilst I had a career in a legal profession, I built a 650 Triton at 18 and have rebuilt many vehicles and refurbished many houses since. I remember all the teachers mentioned above. The school friends that I particularly remember are Stephen Trigwell, Richard Thompson, Graham Dawson, Peter Reeve, Stuart Moyle, Philip Nash (professor at American Uni), Michael Stringer (Navy), Ken Bishop (Police), Anthony Scott and many more. I hope you are all still fit and well. My work took me to Hertfordshire in 1969 and have lived in Hampshire for the last 40 years. All best wishes to everyone, Rod Goldup.

    By Rodney C Goldup (07/02/2021)
  • Hi to anyone who remembers me from my ‘stay’ at BSTS circa 1961-67 especially Dave Edwards who gives me a mention in his short list of unforgetables…I remember you too and many others from those halcyon days. I ended up living in France too – Région Centre – and often go to the south to visit my ex who lives near Avignon. So, maybe we could meet up some time (si ça te dirait bien sûr!)? Love to you all and never forget WWG1WGA !

    By Andrew Stuart (10/09/2021)
  • Would appreciate any former members of Sec Tech 1963 or before to contact me on 07832389010 Jim Wadey, Don Grant, Terry Barker, Rick Moffatt and others who would love your company at a reunion sometime locally.We are all nearly 80 so it would be nice to look back at all the good times. Transport can be provided. Lets do it and have a laugh.

    By Jim Wadey (16/03/2024)

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