Dear Grannie, Thank you for sharing your photo. How exciting to see so many familiar faces again. Although I was not in the Maids Brigade myself I was affiliated to this particular church and it's activities. My father was in the Boys Brigade from an early age and at seventeen joined the amateur dramatics that went on there too. Gilbert and Sullivan operettas were put on there every year and when dad met my mother she joined the society too. Therefore at the tender age of three I was taken along every Monday evening to rehearsals of The Mikado, Pirates of Pensanze, Iolanthe and so on. When I was about 13, I joined the junior dramatics and appeared in some pantomimes which is where Grannie and I met. From this photo I recognise so many faces but not many names. What is impressive, is how happy everyone looks. I remember Margaret Pelling and Valerie Gee as they also became part of the operatic department. (soon I hope to send in pictures of the G&S operatics so you can see some of the same faces). I remember Mary Triggs well too from panto days and her mother who always took care of wardrobe for all the pantomimes. Mary had a younger brother too but can't remember his name. Mrs Richardson was, of course, director of the pantos and Sylvia Finch I remember as part of the Drama group who also practiced in one of the big school rooms that were part of this building. These school rooms, practice halls, stage, auditorium and canteen were all affiliated to and adjoining the Lewes Road Congregational Church situated on the Lewes road not far from the Gaiety Cinema. The title for these antics were then known as 'The Lewes Road Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society'. Going back to faces I remember well the person top right corner but can't recall her with that name. There was a Meryl in panto but this lady also joined the G&S later on but I would give her another name? Sheila Robins, Marion Joiner and you, Grannie, from panto days are fresh in my mind with or without photos to remind me. The Rev. Mr Gatland and Mrs Gatland are also clear as a bell in my mind. Not just from Sunday church but also Christmas parties that went on in the main hall. End of Season Parties and so on. I remember attending church services, Christmas carols, Easter events where my parents and the operatic department were sometimes asked to form a choir for special hymns, normal Sunday services and a few appearances I made somewhat under protest as the teenage rebel emerged in me! I believe the window in this picture would be looking out to the side entrance of the building and the door behind all the girls will have been leading both to the main Lewes Road and upstairs to all the school rooms. This big hall was also used for the dressing room for some of the shows. A curtain down the middle would divide it for men and women. It was a bit chilly I recall. The upstairs rooms were warmer for changing clothes but this hall had another door to the back which led directly to back stage so maybe we had some quick changes that made it more timely all round. Well, I could reminisce all day about this picture. Maybe someone else will enter some comments to help us further on, Grannie. Many thanks. Sandra.

Hi both, a few names there that I remember, although the picture is before my time. My big sister Sheila is there though! I think Sanda is slightly wrong about the location though - I suspect that the rear rows are stood on the stage of the smaller school room with the door to the rear right leading out to the entrance from the side passage. I have some of my Life Boy photo s taken on that stage, so I will check the window position etc

I have just discovered a 5 1/2" x 3" copy of this photo in my late mother's collection (which I am in the process of sorting out....)! Handwritten on the reverse is '1953' and the look of Sheila would fit with other pics of her at that time. Can I suggest then that this is 1953? Additionally, the pics of me in The Life Boys in the '60s certainly match my suggested location for this pic.

For some reason I keep getting drawn back to this pic. My mum grew up in the Lewes Road area. She was one of a twin, names Patrica and Cathrine Winter (Cath and Pat) they have an older sister Marie and a brother Henry. Just thought I'd ask to see if any one knew them. Sadly mum passed away five years ago, but my Aunty Pat, Aunty Marie and Uncle Henry are still going strong.

Hi Grannie, Sandra here. Looks like we need your memory here too please. Geoff has another idea for which room this was taken in. I am curious to know where you think it was. Was it the main hall at the front of the building or the hall at the back where the pantomimes and shows went on? If the latter then we must be looking at the stage door on the right but what did the window look out on? That must also be the side entrance on the far right of the building. What say you?

Hello Geoff, can you please confirm who your sister is? The only Sheila I can remember is Sheila Robbins, is that her? If not can you please place your sister in the photo, so many names have slipped my memory. I think the date you have is right but I was not absolutely sure when I submitted the photo. Also you are right about the location of this hall, it is where the panto's and operas were performed - where the weekly meetings of Maids Brigade were held. So sorry Janice but your relatives names do not ring any bells with me, perhaps they do with others who may visit this page.

Hi Grannie, I am indeed Sheila Robbins' little brother! So little I wasn't even born when this photo was taken! As it happens I first spotted the photo shortly before her 65th birthday so I e-mailed the link to her sons and it mysteriously appeared in hard copy at the little family gathering that weekend - cue mirth and reminiscences in equal measure. I have many memories of that room, we in the Life Boys and then the BB used to use it as well. You may have seen the other Maids Brigade photo on the site - some of those girls were my contemporaries. Strange how these coincidences happen.

That's okay, and thanks for getting back to me.

The girl 3rd from the right in the third row is Jean Gule, Yvonnes older sister.