White Admiral Pub: Cricket and Football Teams
The Boys!
From the private collection of Jennifer Tonks nee Smith
Football team
From the private collection of Jennifer Tonks nee Smith
Football team
From the private collection of Jennifer Tonks nee Smith
Cricket team
From the private collection of Jennifer Tonks nee Smith
In the 1960s,The White Admiral pub at Lower Bevendean was a great place to go. This photo below was taken c1968; it looks as if it might be a celebration of a pub team win.
The people back left are Peter Wenham, Rodney Fitch, Colin Wallace, Maralyn Wallace, Mrs McKeon,Tony Granger, Lorraine, Barry Slade, John Sudbury, Roy the landlord and Phil Davey.
Front row shows Ron (?) with thumbs up, then Michael Tonks (my late husband) holding a glass of beer and, on the other side, Alan McKeon with Joy the landlady on his lap. Can you put names to any other faces? If you can, please leave a comment below.
I was very sad to find on a recent visit, that the pub had been demolished and now there are flats on the site.
A pub celebration
Comments about this page
I have been told the name of man in middle: it is Wally Edwards with cigarette. So from the left: Tony Smith, Dave Pullen, Wally then Stan Towner (our best man in 1971) and then my late husband, Michael Tonks.
A few names:
Top row: 2nd left Michael Tonks (my late husband), Alec Lawday, ?, ?, Jonnie Greening.
Front row: Stan Towner (our best man 1971), Dave Pullen, ?, ?, ?
A few names:
Back row: top left 3rd in Michael Tonks (my late husband), 6th Alec Lawday
Bottom row left to right: 2nd in Dave Pullen?, 6th Stan Towner (our best man 1971)
Only one name here: back row 2nd left Michael Tonks (my late husband). I know the faces but cannot recall names.
The 5th one in next to Alec is Alan Greening. Bottom row left to right: is 1st one in Smart? 2nd in is Dave Pullen, fifth one in is Barry Wallis. I know a lot of the faces but can’t put names to them. I use to drink at the White Admiral when my big brother Alec did not tell me to go home! Sadly Alec passed away a few years ago.
Hi Marge Milham. My late husband Michael Tonks and I knew your brother. If you would like a photo, please contact Jennifer, the Editor, who can put you in touch with me.
Do you know if Barry Slade is an offspring of the Slade family which used to live at Ringmer Road, North Moulsecoomb in the 1930s? Both the boys from that family went to Moulsecoomb School and during the war I lost touch with them. One, named Dennis, went out with my sister Bet for a very short time. He was a boxer and I think he boxed Tommy Farr in practice bouts prior to any Farr fight.
Hallo Ron. Sorry for the late reply. Barry Slade’s father was Dennis. He worked at the Regent. He went on to live in Lower Bevendean.
Back row left – right: Mick Creamer, Micky Tonks, Alex Lawday, Allan Greening. Front row: L-R:Stan Towner, Dave Pullen, Rodney Ralfe, Barry Wallis, Barry Fitch
Back row L-R:Peter Wenham, Frankie Gosling, Me & Colin (Wally), behind us Carol & Roddie Fitch, Nell Grey (Lol’s Mum), Peg McEwan, Joy Brockway(landlady),landlady’s Mum Ira in front of Nell and Peg, Tony Grainger, Lol Grey, Barry Slade, John Sudbury, Roy Brockway (landlord),Phil Davey. Front row L-R: Ron Trot, Micky Tonks, Frank Gosling’s wife I think, Joy on Allan Mac’s lap, Len, Robin Gosling and his wife.
This picture was taken in the Drill Hall, Dyke Road and it was for the men’s darts team.
Back row L-R; Harry (Landlord), in front of him is George Smart, the other are the same players from previous pic. 2nd from right next to Rodney Ralfe is Basil Kelly
It is good to see some history of the Lower Bevendean Football Club as it played a great part in my teenage years. My father was George Smart who was very involved in the founding and runnning of the club. Our house was knee-deep in dirty football gear every weekend. Early matches were won with scores such as 32-0. Eventually the club had its own pitch at the far end of the estate. They were nicknamed ‘The Badgers’ from their striped kit.
I don’t wish to contradict my sister but to the best of my knowledge the club never played in striped shirts. A badger is depicted on the club badge hence the nickname. Our mother has this photo with all names present. I will dig it out and fill in missing names though I know the goalkeeper is Mickey Creamer. Spent most winter Saturdays as a child watching Bev against such teams as Bison, High Hurstwood, Buxted etc. As my sister mentioned the pitch at the top of Heathhill Avenue became the club home sometime mid-late 60’s but until the changing rooms were built teams had to change in Bert Williams’ garage.
What great and happy memories. I shall be planning a Bevendean reunion this year 2011. Let me have your emails or contact numbers.
If you lived in the Bevendean and Moulsecoomb areas in the 50s/60s/70s I shall be organising a get together in the summer. Do make contact with me so I can keep you informed. brianralfe@aol.com 0r 07710946342
Missing name from top row (second in from the right) is Norman Farrah
Great photos. We had such good memories from Lower Bevendean. Wish John and I could make it back this year from Sydney but was there last year. Still, give us the dates - you never know what will turn up xxx
Thank you Marilyn and Trevor for your input on here and other photos. Sue, I recall two families of Wickams. One, last house in Leybourne Road towards Heathhill Avenue. The other the very next corner if my memory serves me. A Mary? Yes, great times indeed.
Great to see old photos of the White Admiral crowd I worked behind the bar from 1965-67 with my dad Fred (now living in Chester near us aged 94) when Harry Burns had the pub. Remember most of the lads in the photo also Roy and Joy who took the pub over from Harry. Brian, would like to try and get to the Bevendean reunion so let me know if you arrange it. Regards to anyone who remembers me.
Mick and I were looking through his old scrap book the other day and the picture is one of many that he has, along with many newspaper clippings. Mick is currently in the PRH and has the good company of a friend, also a fan of football, I took the book to the PRH, Mick enjoyed sharing the photos, news clippings and memories with him. Mick is without question one of the most wonderful, intelligent, kind, humorous and incredibly brave men in this world, even with severe disabilities following his brain haemorrhage in November 1998 he has never complained or felt self pity. Many “friends” have backed away, maybe just can’t deal with it, sadly it is their loss, he is an amazing person to be with. Mick and I are blessed with our love for each other.
Just found this Carole. I am sorry about your husband’s illness. I do recognise his face but of course my husband knew him better. Best wishes to you both.
Only just noticed your comment Carole. It would be lovely to see Mick’s scrapbook, perhaps with him. By the way the ground in the picture (I am fairly sure) is The Greyhound Stadium
Hi Carole. I’m sure you won’t recall me but Mick will. My dad in law used to repair Mick’s car. His name was George Howell. Hope Mick is ok. Do you still live in Patcham? My hubby, Bob, passed away over six years ago. Give Mick my love and tell him plumbers ain’t what they used to be.
Many a good time was had at the White Admiral, it was even used in an episode of Only Fools & Horses (The Peckham spring). Phil Davey is still around & now drinks in either The Branch Tavern or The County Oak. I worked & was also co- licensee at The Admiral & it was a sad day when it was knocked down as no-one was willing to spend money on it to re-open. Now the community of Bevendean & also Moulsecombe have nowhere to meet or drink……
Phil Davey eh? Good friend of my late husband Michael. Think his wife’s name was BENTA? Certainly she was Norwegion. Had a son Daniel? Used to go out in a foursome to Brighton Dogs. Long time ago. Angie, may I ask if you are older than Phil? That would give me a clue. Roy and Joy were landlady and landlord in my day. ALL those people in the above photo were known to me then.
Unfortunately I didn’t really know Phil Davey when this photo was taken so I didn’t know of his wife. I only know his wife now & she is known as Lol. I am younger than Phil, born in 1955 in Norwich Drive. You may know my brother David Cole or my late parents Ruby & Doug, & also my late sister Maureen.
Hi Angie. I don’t know very much about pubs, it was never my thing. I do know of the boys in the photos. I did know your sister Maureen at school. The last time I saw Maureen she was in hospital, I was there visiting someone, and she was in the next bed. I believe I was 21 at the time and had left Bevendean quite a few years before.
Hi Brian. Remember Bevendean in the 1960s – 1970s with Mr Webb the head master, Ken the grocer and his son John? Let me know when your books out (lrolf9@me.com) with care. By Lee Rolf (11/05/2012).
Every Christmas always went down the White Admiral on Christmas Day lunch time. The public bar and saloon bar were always busy. Then had to stagger back up the woods to Norwich Drive where dinner was always ready. Have dinner then fall asleep in the armchair. Shame the Admiral has gone.
Hi Greg. Memories eh? Great pub, great atmosphere. It certainly is a shame. My late husband Michael (second left bottom) lived next door but one. On dot of opening he, then when we married, we, enjoyed Xmas lunchtime there too. Happy days.
Just a hello to Mick who l have not seen for years. Lived in Walmer Crescent until early 60s but recognise many faces and names. I would love to know about any sort of reunion or get together. Les Dean
Hi everyone. I was passing time going through times of past and came across the White Admiral picture showing the darts team. What a surprise to see my mum and sister in the photo! Brings back memories – sadly mum passed away years ago. Lol is married to Phil Davey but I heard that he is not in good health. The person at the back of the pic looks like Bob Mekeon, Peg’s husband. All the best.
Strange to see a picture of my Dad (Alec Lawday) this young. We do not have any pictures of him this young. If anyone has anymore could they please contact me?
Unfortunately Phil Davey passed away this summer.
How lovely to see some of these names. Digging into my lost memories I remember the ‘Bevendean big boys’ as I called them: Micky Creamer, Alec Lawday, the Ralph boys. I used to gate-crash the hut in the school fields and for some strange reason sing to them. I have seen the Jones boys, the Wakelins, Anthony Baker (Binky) and a few more in the last 5 years. So lovely to read these articles.
Hi just came across these pics of the good old days at Lower Bev. They truly were good times; a time when people cared for each other and friendship meant something (sadly not the case now). There can’t be many of us left now and it’s sad to hear of those that have passed.
What a great picture. I know all these guys. My Brother Barry passed a while back as have some others in the picture. It’s a great memory.
Still keep popping back just to see if anybody else is about.
Both my grandads were pigeon racers here, their names were Fred Tester and George Jeffrey’s.
I’ve just found this shot, which features the then landlords of The White Admiral, my parents Roy and Joy Brockway, and also, my grandmother, Eirwen Mayer. I spent my early years at the White Admiral. Great photo!
Add a comment about this page