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Class 6 photographed in 1953

Where was my heart-throb?

I don’t know where my heart-throb Johnny W. was when the photo below was taken. Perhaps he just wasn’t there that day, or maybe he joined later. His family lived in Midhurst Rise. When we started at the infants I can so very clearly recall going up to Susan Upton, and saying that I liked her and would she be my friend? I even remember that we were standing by the huge metal fence that stopped us from falling down into the Juniors’ playground which was on a lower level.

Still  in touch with classmates

Susan Upton and her family moved from Lyminster to Coldean Lane and then to Devon. We lost touch for many years and then she contacted me again. She now lives in Somerset and although we haven’t seen each other for all those years since they moved we are still in communication.  Susan Watts, who is next to me is still in Sussex and I met up with her only a couple of weeks ago and she reminded me how Edward Cooper always wore fair-isle tops. Sorry, Edward if you are reading this but to make you feel less self-conscious, I always had to have my hair tied away from my face with a ribbon either side as our Dad didn’t want my sister or myself to have fringes.

Police Christmas parties

Michael Griffiths and his family lived almost opposite us in Westfield Crescent, and mine, Charlie Baverstock, and Michael Bevan’s Dads were all policemen. We also used to meet up at the annual Christmas party, where we were taken to a pantomime at the Hippodrome, and then onto a tea which was usually at Wellington Road police station. Happy times and I wonder if the children of police officers are as fortunate these days in such entertainment. 

Olfactory memories still vivid

When my husband and I were selling up in Brighton, the surveyor who visited was none other than Roger Marler (in the photo below) and I don’t believe that I had seen anything of him in the 17 years since we’d left Carden School.  And one final reminiscence – is it only me or can anyone else identify with this? After a long dry spell don’t the pavements and roads smell just like wet playgrounds? Talking of which I was always fascinated by the shimmering heat haze that hung over the Junior playground on hot days as we came out of the door and up the steps to it.

Class 6 – 1953

I am in the second row back from the front,second right. The names are:
Back row L-R: Robert Tully, Raymond Honor, Robert Leach, Charlie Baverstock, Michael Bevan, David Read, and Michael Griffiths.
Next row down L-R: John?, ?  Roger Marler, Priscilla Lewis, Audrey Coote, ? ,Janet Kipling, David Plumb, Barry Rainsford.  Next row down L-R: Edward Cooper, Joyce Purcell, Gloria Scott, Linda ?or ?, Janet Kipling, Beverly Miles,,Susan Watts,,Rosemary Tullet and Raymond ?.
Front row L-R: Robin Ellis, Lesley King, Susan Upton, Janet Taylor, Carol Wood, Marlene Dyer, Jane Frost, Carol Washer and Keith Hammond.

My apologies if I have mis-named anyone. If you can recognise yourself or anyone else, please leave a comment below.

Click on the photo to open a large version in a new window.

Carden Primary School: Class 6 1953
From the private collection of Rosie Roser

Comments about this page

  • Hello! I’m Florence, Marie-Thérèse daughter and I’m seeking for Audrey COOTE, Gary and Christopher’s mother. If you are this person, please answer to my comment because Marie-Thérèse is looking after her for fourty years. Thanks and best regards.

    By TAQUET Marie Thérèse (14/03/2011)
  • Well done Tilly with all the names! Could ‘John?’ LH end of 2nd row down, be David Bridle or even that great comedian, Michael Palmer? I thought that Robin (LH end of front row) was King, not Ellis – he famously knelt on the class hamster when we were in class 8, prompting a day of mourning for us all. I think Janet Kipling is next to Beverly Miles, and she wore glasses later on. The girl with glasses behind me could be Jacqueline ? who lived near me in Carden Hill, but not sure.

    By Sue Strong (formerly Watts) (14/03/2011)
  • Hi Rosemary. I’m Steve Raynsford the younger brother of Barry. I was thrilled to see this photo of Barry. I was born in 1951 so I guess I went to Carden Hill in 1956. Barry met a girl from Cuckmere way called Valerie Lock in 1966 they married in 1969. I’m going to show Barry the photo, I’m sure he will be thrilled as I was to see this photo. All the best, Steve Raynsford.

    By Stephen Raynsford (22/05/2011)
  • Hi Rosemary, just been told by my brother about this picture taken all those years ago! We are still living happily in Hollingbury. I wonder where all the other people are now living and if they have happy memories of Carden School. Best wishes, Barry Raynsford.

    By Barry Raynsford (22/05/2011)
  • Hello, Stephen and Barry. How lovely to see your comments! I do seem to remember Valerie Lock by name, but can’t recall why? Was she a Carden girl too? This page with the photo on was dated the 24/02/11 but there is also another page with my recollections dated the 19/02/11. in case you haven’t seen it. I originally had difficulties in attaching the photo! I too, would love to hear from anyone else who remembers our peer group at Carden. Very best wishes Rosie (nee Tullet).

    By Rosemary Roser (nee Tullet) (18/06/2011)
  • I think the girl in the second row down (4th from the left) is call Mary Simmons? She lived in Carden Hill with her parents Harry and Jean. Did anyone know them?

    By Helen (01/07/2011)
  • Message here for Sue, (formerly Watts). I wonder whether you lived close to Woodbourne Garage? I worked with a lady in the early 60s who had a daughter called Susan Watts. Sometimes Mrs Watts would give me a ride home from work and always dropped me off at Woodbourne Garage so she could continue on her way towards the Westfield Crescent area while I took a right turn and walked down to Rotherfield Crescent where I lived. I do recognise you from Carden school days but not so sure if you connect to the memory I have of the Susan Watts I met later when out to work. Going on from there it looks very much like Valerie Slade sitting behind you, Sue. Valerie and I were pals for a while and in the same class at some stage. We would visit each other in our homes. I remember she lived in Lyminster Avenue not far up from the little church on the right. If it is the Valerie I knew?

    By Sandra (01/07/2011)
  • Hi Rosemary, great memories of Carden! Pamela Freeman and I are convinced we are 3rd and 4th in 2nd row back from the front! Pam and I were and still are good friends and were thrilled to see all the familiar faces from Carden infant school days. Also we both remember going to your house after school to play. I used to live in Denton Drive and Pam in Crabtree Ave. Pam clearly remembers Robin King giving her some of his tadpoles and feeling sad when they hopped off! Does anyone remember us? (Pam’s got the dark hair)

    By Janet Martin (Ford) (09/09/2011)
  • Janet, Hello, Yes, you and Pamela may well be where you think you are in the photo. If I remember you had blonde hair and was your house in Denton Drive on the lower side and near to County Oak Avenue? If not then I’ve got houses muddled with Linda Emery’s. However, I do remember you and Pamela. Good to hear from you.

    By Rosie Roser (13/09/2011)
  • Hi Rosie, lovely to hear from you, yes I lived near County Oak Avenue in Denton Drive, north side and Pam lived south side of Crabtree Avenue, in fact our gardens backed on to each other. Linda Emery lived on the south side of Denton Drive as you thought. My younger sister Jennifer trained to be a teacher after raising her children and ironically her first post was at Carden.

    By Janet Martin (Ford) (17/09/2011)
  • Hi Rosemary its Robert Leach (Bob) just found this site and seen the photo of our class back in ’53, how fantastic. I remember you and a lot of the others. I lived in Denton Drive and so did Roger Marler, we were in the 30th Brighton scout troop together. I remember Sue Watts who lived in Birch Grove Crescent, I believe her father and my dad were bus drivers for Southdown buses (they where green/cream). I’ve seen the comments relating to Carden School and oh how the memories come flooding back. What a great site, would love to know more, can you email me? Thanks.

    By Bob (Robert) Leach (29/09/2011)
  • So nice to see the pictures of Carden School. I was born in 1948 and lived in Carden Hill in the Police house next to Charlie Baverstock. I also went to the police party’s they were such fantastic fun. I remember Barry Raynsford and Rosemary Tullett, such fond memories, and when it snowed we had terrific fun on our sledges going down the hill opp my house in Carden hill and Hartfield Ave. I used to go to the chip shop in woodbourne ave, and to the county oak pub where they used to have a small window at the top of steep steps that they served Crisps with a small blue bag with salt in (sounds like I had a very unhealthy diet!) anyway I had had a great childhood living there with loads of lovely friends (apart from one who I hated!) Life was so simple then where you were alowed to spread your wings with freedom and grow!

    Dear Heather,
    Sorry but we have had to 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 Heather Fill (nee Worrall) (21/03/2013)
  • Just remembered some of my great pals names Margaret Russell she lived in Carden Hill we used to ride our bikes for miles and miles, Catherine Kenly, Margaret M’cwerter (don’t know if I’ve spelt them all right)! Diana Ross, Pat Trinder, Beryl Pomeroy she lived in Lyminster Ave.

    By Heather Fill (nee Worrall) (21/03/2013)
  • Heather, Hello, I remember Margaret MacWhirter as, if I remember rightly, apart from school I believe we also went to Girls Guildry with her? Sue Watts will probably remember her better than me as they were both Lyminster girls. In fact last time we met up we were, naturally, reminiscing and your name came up. Take care, Rosie.

    By Rsie Roser (19/04/2013)
  • Nice to see the old photos. I think my brother, Raymond Golds, may be the boy extreme right in the second row. Hope this helps put names to everyone .

    By Marilyn Kellett née Golds (09/05/2013)
  • Hello, Marylin, Now I have had another look at the photo I know that you are right. At least I got the first name correct!

    By Rosie Roser (11/05/2013)
  • Hello, Marylin. Now I have had another look at the photo I know that you are right. At least I got the first name correct!

    By Rosie Roser (11/05/2013)
  • Hi, Does anyone remember Diana Bentley (Carden Ave) or Pamela Watts? Di (my wife) came from Stanford Road school about 1955.

    By John Snelling (07/06/2013)
  • You were right Rosie. I did go to Girls Guildry with you. My brother pointed me to this site and it has brought so many long forgotten memories.  Like the camp beds and Miss Still and Miss Green with her teeth that stayed where they were when she spoke to us.

    By Margaret Pringle (McWhirter) (17/02/2015)
  • Margaret (nee McWhirter), hello and great to read your comments. I can’t say that I remember Miss Green but I certainly do recall Miss Still. Wasn’t her Christian name Alice? I have in my mind’s eye that she stomped, or appeared to, as she walked along and how very old she seemed to us children! As you have found this site, I wonder if you have also read the one that I also wrote entitled “A Trip down Memory Lane”?  There is also one of a football team of our era. Wonder if you are still in the same area?  We certainly all had some happy times that have left fond memories. Best wishes.

    By Rosie Roser (03/04/2015)
  • Hi, I remember Jane Frost, David Bridle, Margaret McWhirter and Roger Marler. Amazing to see a school photo from so far back. I lived in Denton Drive and have really good memories of the school. I found this page purely by chance while searching for something totally different, so glad I did. Best wishes to all

    By Marlene Hoad (Dyer) (19/01/2016)
  • Marlene, Did you also go to Margaret Hardy? I believe we may have met up at a reunion. I know it was in Southwick somewhere and I think it was to celebrate our 50’ths, or thereabouts, but forgive me ‘cos I can’t remember the name of the hosts! How awful is that?! Were you a hairdresser? Best wishes

    By Rosie Roser (nee Tullet) (11/02/2016)
  • Well, what memories Rosemary!  This is Roger Marler, very late at night here in Western Canada where I have lived for the past 40 years.  I was just messing around on the web trying to find out some history about my sister Janet and stumbled upon this posting.  The 17 years after Carden School that you refer to, and beyond, contain many eventful times; more than I am prepared to go into here.  Suffice it to say that I went on to Varndean and then Brighton Technical College; but I was not a particularly good student.  Various posts took me eventually to the Architectural Department of Brighton Borough Corporation before emigration.
    I don’t recall that survey you refer to but it sounds logical because that is what I was likely doing then.
    I wish you well in tracking down all of this history; but my memory is clearly not as strong as yours.  Good luck.

    By Roger Marler (06/09/2016)
  • Roger, hello and how great to hear from you. Sorry that it has taken me so long to reply, no real reason at all plenty of time now that retirement is here but the days seem to whip by sometimes! Where abouts in Canada are you? We have relatives in Manitoba. Never visited but would like to one day if ever the chance arises.

    Very interested (others might say nosey!) to know why you were trying to find out some history about your sister? I remember her too and didn’t she also go to Margaret Hardy? Hope you were successful. Glad that you found this site though. There is also another one that I wrote and it comes under A trip down memory lane and there is another entitled 1957 football team that may also interest you. Do you have family in Canada? My old chap and myself have been together for 53 years and married for 47! As he likes to say you get less for life! We have two children, one of each, and 5 grandchildren. It is the most beautiful clear blue sky sunny day here today with just a hint of a nip in the aor, Autumn is on the way. Hope that you may see this. Take care, Love Rosie.

    By Rosie Roser (10/10/2016)
  • I may be the girl in the photo with glasses. My name was Sandra Tribe and I lived at 14, Fernhurst Crescent. I was born in 1946. I have been living in Canada for the last 50 years.

    By Sandy Jantunen (30/05/2020)
  • I met Roger Marlers sister Janet when we left hospital at 3 years of age, having had pneumonia. We shared a taxi and she gave me my first Beano comic. We met again at Carden Road school, at 5. Her birthday is April 7 mine is April 10.

    By Marion Palmer {Alford} (23/02/2021)
  • Hello,
    Does anyone remember the picture shows that used to take place in the 1950s in the Carden School hall ? I think they used to be on a Monday evening. I think the science fiction films of that era were quite popular. Afterwards we usually had chips from the shop on County Oak Parade which later became a Chinese takeaway.

    By Barry Raynsford (16/06/2023)
  • Came across this site last year. I’m married to Charlie Baverstock who has often spoken of Carden, and I know names of Barry Rainsford, Robert Tully, Rosemary Tullet. When his Dad retired from the police they moved to Peacehaven. Charlie only stayed a few weeks then moved back into Brighton, living above Modern Shavers in Surrey Street that his Dad had taken over. He fished off Brighton beach in a small boat, and later had a charter angling boat business out of the Marina. He played basketball for years, and we now both coach local groups. After a few years in town we’ve lived back in the Hollingbury/Patcham area for over 40 years, and go past Carden nearly every day!

    By Anne Baverstock (23/03/2024)
  • Anne Baverstock,
    Did your husband, Charlie, play basketball for the Brighton Giants, in the 1960’s? If so, he’d remember Barry Widdowson (the team’s founder/captain) and maybe me too.

    By Alan Phillips (27/03/2024)

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