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Carden School

A trip down memory lane

By Rosie Roser aka Rosemary Tullet

Started in 1952

I started at Carden Road School in 1952. I was born in 1947, and would have been five years old in the December of 1952. I know that I left for Margaret Hardy in 1959, so it sort of works out. I lived in Westfield Crescent with Mum and Dad, and my younger sister Pauline. Our cousin Ian lived with us for several years, and was also a pupil.

Remembering the teachers

The teachers and head-teachers names I can bring to mind are Ede, Emmons, D'etlinger, Vermilon (who I believe was my first teacher), Monger, Goodchild, Aldous, Rustington, Cheeseman, Kitchen, and Kent(or Kemp). I also remember Mr Bunker, who was a tartar and of whom I was terrified; although I was never in trouble – I would have been too scared. I can clearly to this day still remember Johnny Washington being chased around the classroom by Mr Bunker. If you are reading this Johnny, do you recall it? I adored you but I don't believe it was ever reciprocated.

Carden Primary School

Photo by Tony Mould

Afternoon naps and bottles of milk

I clearly remember the little beds that we slept on in the afternoon. Also of being taught to write with the letters up on the blackboard with the W's looking like a row of butterflies. Do you remember those little bottles of milk and the little toilets on the other side of the corridors to the classrooms? What about Mr. Emmons always singing the Hippopotamus songs at the various shows? I think it was he who put the fear of God into us by telling us in an assembly that we must on no account pick the berries from the snowberry trees on the path that led down to County Oak, as they were extremely poisonous. I can’t work out why, if they were so dangerous, that they were planted there.

‘Cool as cucumbers’

Does anyone else remember the red ants that invaded the little patio areas outside the classrooms? And of course, who can forget the regular visits of the ‘nit nurse’? What about that distinctive smell of the kitchens? I do remember clearly standing in a queue by the kitchens, waiting to take our 11plus exam, and Mr Cheeseman telling us to be ‘as cool as cucumbers’. Does anyone still have, as I do, the Coronation glass from 1953? I loved the the nature trips to Old Boat Corner and Stanmer Park – do you remember them?

Would love to read your memories

I moved to Gloucester in 1976 with my husband, son (who was also at Carden for a short while) and daughter and we now have five grandchildren. If there is anyone reading this who remembers Carden School, then I would love to read your recollections too. You will remember me as Rosemary Tullet.

This page was added on 19/02/2011.

Comments about this page

I remember the youth club there. It's where I met my first wife, and I can still remember the Beatles blasting out of the record player.

By Roger Davis (14/04/2011)

Hi Rosemary, I used to live in the same house as you in Westfield Cres. Mmy father was a policeman as was yours and I also knew Pauline and Simone Driver across the road. I used to play in a group called The Beat Syndicate at this time and we played at Christ the King Youth Club and we practised at Carden School. I was also born in '47 and I lived in the house for about a year when I was about three. Regards, M Brooker.

By Michael Brooker (16/06/2011)

Michael (Brooker.) You have NO idea how absolutely thrilled I was to see your comment. I remember you very well and either I have it or Mum does a photo of you and me sitting on the steps leading to your flat and if I remember correctly eating ice-cream! Did you and your family move to Carden Avenue after you left Westfield? A house not far from the bend at Patchdean? That may have been at the time when 77 was turned into a house by my Dad. I stayed there until marrying in '69 when we moved to a flat in Hove. In '70 Mum, Dad and Pauline moved a bit further down Westfield and Mike and myself moved back to 77 until our move to Gloucester in '76. Pauline married in '72 and moved to Peacehaven where she and her husband still live. She has two children and four Grandchildren. I have a feeling, or so I am told, that you were my first "boyfriend". Wonder what you have been doing over the years? My Mum will be very pleased when I tell her that you have been in touch. Please give my best to your family. Rosie (Tullet).

By Rosemary Roser (nee Tullet) (18/06/2011)

Hi Rosie, my parents and I did as you remember we did move to 67 Carden Ave and we stayed there until 1966 when we moved to Hollingdean where I lived untill 1972 when I married and moved to Eastbourne. During my time in Brighton I always regarded "The Wilmington " public house as my local. I used to go there most nights. I have one daughter Carlie and she has given me two beautiful granddaughters. I wonder if you remember Diane Paris she was also the daughter of a policeman Ray Paris has just recently died. We lived next door for 14 years and when I moved to Eastbourne I found myself living three doors away from her mum and dad I have been self employed as a landscape gardener for 40 years now but my life has always been taken over by my love of music. Most of my spare time is spent in my studio or playing in bands. I will cover my band life on another day. Regards, Michael.

By Michael Brooker (04/08/2011)

Michael, hi once again! I have found the photo of both of us sitting on the step eating ice-creams. I knew it was around somewhere! When I told Mum and Pauline that we'd been in touch, Pauline knew all about you and The Beat Syndicate as, apparently, she used to follow the group around. I had no idea! I don't recall Diane Paris. Mum may remember Ray however. I expect you may know that "The Wilmington" is now known as "The Long Man". For how many years I don't know though. Lovely to hear from you. Look forward to hearing all about your music another time and maybe there will be a way that I can get the photo to you, if you'd like. I would be most reluctant to give out e-mail address and 'phone nos. etc. here though, as I am sure you would. Wonder if it is possible via Jennifer Drury who helped me set up my original page and was most helpful. Anyway, for now, Best Wishes.
[Editor: Rosie, we'd be happy to share your email address with another contributor if you want to give your permission.]

By Rosie Roser (15/08/2011)

Am I dreaming or did there used to be a lake/pond behind the school? I went there in 1952. I'm sure I used to go home soaking wet with my friend Micky Tilley,after playing on an old oil drum. Great memories.

By Alan Clarke (04/01/2012)

Hi Alan, Sandra here. I don't remember any lakes, as you put it, but there surely could have been something for you to be interested in. Sounds like you were even more cheeky than I remember you. If I am right we were in Mr Kithens class. Best teacher I 've ever had. It was in this class we started dating. I was all of 10 years old and only became 11 as we entered the summer holidays prior to starting the autumn season at Dorothy Stringer. It was there I lost your romantic attentions to a beautiful girl called Pauline. Ah, well, I couldn't blame you for that. She really was very pretty. Curious to hear further comments about lakes and ponds.

By Sandra Bohtlingk- Baldwin (04/01/2012)

Hi Alan, I lived in Warmdeen road during the war and used to play up where you say there was a pond but I don't remember any pond. There was an old dump full of rubish and an old hut we used to play in, but can't remember a pond. We used to sit up on the downs watching them build Carden - that's when Hollingbury was a pig farm.

By Kenneth Mchale (03/02/2012)

Hi Ken. Thanks for reply, perhaps it was an old dump filled up when it rained and I am looking at it through rose tinted specs but still great memories. Just a point of interest: my brother Brian Clarke worked with and and was a friend of a Ken Mchale who lived in that area - just wondering ...

By Alan Clarke (08/02/2012)