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Class photograph c1950s

Among some of the children shown in the photograph are Roy Large, Gerald Oxley, Lesley Westgate, Sally Thompsett, Caroline Jupp, Bobby Linstead, Penelope Lister, Maureen and Jill.

I am second from the right in top row; the teacher is Mrs Love.

Do you recognise yourself or anyone else here? Can you share your memories of this time? Please leave a comment below.

Elm Grove School class photograph c1950s
From the private collection of Coral Luke

Comments about this page

  • Which one’s Robert Linstead? My friend Anna Roberts married a Bob Linstead, they met when we were very young.

    By Rosemary Appleton (07/03/2014)
  • I think I am the child on the right hand end of the bottom row, my name was Pauline Woodham, now Roberts.  I have an older sister called Valerie and an older brother named Ronald. We moved to West Yorkshire in 1954. I think the child sat next to me (second on the right, bottom row) is June Collier. We all lived on Upper Wellington Road. I would love to hear anything about June.

    By Pauline Woodham (24/04/2014)
  • I went  to Elm Grove School in the 50s but do not remember this photo or the teacher, but think I can see myself in it. Were you Coral Parsons, if so we were friends at junior school.

    By Caroline (Jupp) (21/08/2014)
  • Hi Pauline,

    What number in Upper Wellington Road did you live on? I lived on Upper Wellington quite recently.

    By Rebecca H (03/09/2014)
  • I had Mrs Love as a teacher. I think Bob Linstead lived in Cobden Road, he later worked with my husband for Segas, now British Gas. I remember other teachers: Mrs Large, Miss Tutt or Tullet and the nurse/secretary/dinner lady Mrs White.

    By Gay Patrick (21/12/2014)
  • Someone I spoke to last night told me they recognised me from this photo! How long ago?  I am the Jill mentioned at the top of the page – was Jill Lassetter then. I remember a few faces and names.

    By Jill Cash (16/01/2016)
  • Hey Jill Cash, formerly Lassetter 45 De Montfort Rd, right? I’ve been wondering what happened to you (and Sandy House). I live in Huddersfield now but was in Brighton in August and cycled past the Hare and Hounds where you once had a party! How you doing? Lynne (was Brewer) 

    By Lynne P (08/10/2017)
  • Hi, my Auntie Carole is 70, she was fostered as a child by two sisters who lived off Elm Grove. My Aunt was sent to Elm Grove school for at least 5 years. Does anyone remembers her? Her name was Carole Lowrie.

    By Ashley Geddes - Pierce (30/10/2017)
  • Hi, I went to Elm Grove School in the 50’s. My name was Linda Matthews then and I had a twin brother Geoff. It looks like me in the photo second row right second to last. 

    By Linda Pierson (16/05/2018)
  • Elm Grove was my first school. From what I remember it was a good start to an education that has served me well. I am unable to list any names of teachers or pupils ( a lot of water has gone under the bridge) over the years. I would love to see a class photo ( 1952 / 53 / 54 ) and any names that spring to mind. My name is Peter Miller (now living in Canada ) and I lived in Franklin Street, and will be visiting Brighton in 2020 and will be going to look up my old school. I would welcome any information to my request. Regards.

    By Peter Miller. (20/09/2019)
  • Hey Peter Miller your name rings a bell, I lived in Elm Grove. Other names I remember are Tony Avis, Tony Martin, Melvyn Parker, Larry Goodman, Richard Saunders, Patricia Gardner, Rosemary Trigwell, Maureen Fitzgerald, Violet Little, Janet Eury, Sylvia ?. Have I jogged your memory? I moved to Australia in 1963 been there since, I have been back for holiday in 1970 and again in 1983.

    By Phil Fowler (01/10/2019)
  • I lived next door to Elm Grove School in 1938,
    Number 91. It was known (locally) as the ‘Haunted Villa`
    It was eventually demolished for the school. The girls domestic classes were the other side of our garden wall. We had an old apple tree that was overlooking the door where the girls cooking classes were, and they often asked me to throw them an apple.
    I can only remember the head master, Mr Hughes.
    My mother used to pop a crusty roll from the bakers opposite. The shop was called Giggins.
    We spent most of the time, running in and out of the shelter.

    By Charlie Bull (10/10/2019)
  • Re my letter 10th October….My comment on Giggins Bakers shop.
    It should have read…My mother often passed a crusty roll to me through the school railings during play time.
    sorry about that.

    By Charlie Bull (10/10/2019)
  • Hello from Queensland Australia, I remember Philip Fowler and I believe he had an older brother like me.I recall Sally Thompsett (railway children) and Bobby Linstead was a mate,lived along Cobden road next to public baths,we would go there once a week! Bobby is on the far right with braces,I am the fifth one in to his right.My mum lily Molloy (nee Batchelor) also came here with brothers Bill,Tom and sister Gladys circa 1910 on. Mum’s just had her 100th.My brother terry & sister Tina also attended.love to hear back from any of you again.Emigrated to Australia 1989.Come Home most years.

    By Dennis Molloy (26/04/2020)
  • I am Pauline Woodham now Roberts, I lived at 16 Upper Wellington Road with my sister Valerie and my brother Ronald. My sister is now living in, my brother in Cornwall and I’m in Yorkshire. I am now 74, I would love to hear from June Collier or anyone else who knew her.

    By Pauline Robers (03/09/2020)
  • I went to Elm Grove school, Lorraine Andrews, I remember the names Mrs Love and Mrs Large, I think I am in the photo 2nd row from front, 3rd in from left.
    I have a class photo it has some of the same people in it, it is dated 1960. I was 6 then, my friend Christine Fowler emigrated to Australia, she lived in Elm Grove not far from the school, I lived in Wellington Road in the flats above the Police station. I will try and get the class photo onto this website.

    By Lorraine Slaughter (01/10/2020)
  • Yes I am Gerald Oxley, to the right of Mrs Love.I went to Elm Grove Infants and Juniors from 1954-61. I used to live at 3 Seville Street, only around 20 paces from the school gates. So I used to go home at lunchtimes but one day a week I stayed at school for lunch as I loved the food there, especially the corn flake flan and custard. If it was your birthday you were called to the front at the morning assembly and handed a boiled sweet from the headmistress and allowed to eat it there and then! A great honour I thought. Yes Sally Thomsett who lived in Bentham road later found fame in The Railway Children and later Man About the House. She was a budding actress then and went to drama school during her school years I believe. I trod the boards with her in the Junior School period. I played a chef and made the audience screech with laughter. Why , I cant remember. Is anyone still in touch with Sally? Would love to catch up with her. Haven’t moved far. Am in Telscombe Cliffs now.

    By Gerald Oxley (27/12/2020)
  • I am Coral Luke nee Parsons. I do remember Caroline Jupp very well, I remember going out in your dad’s car Caroline to visit relatives in Worthing I believe. I met Bobby Linstead at a Gas Board Christmas Dinner/Party. After I married we lived in Brighton until 1982. Then we moved to Mid Sussex. In 2004 we moved to France but we had to return in January 2013 when my husband was taken ill during a visit to see family. We now live in Bognor Regis.

    By Coral Luke (15/12/2021)

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