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Fawcett School, York Place

Memories to take to America
By Ian Brook
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Fawcett School, York Place' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Fawcett School, York Place' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Fawcett School, York Place' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Fawcett School, York Place' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Fawcett School, York Place' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Fawcett School, York Place' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Fawcett School, York Place' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Fawcett School, York Place' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Fawcett School, York Place' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Fawcett School, York Place' page

I recently discovered your site and some messages about my old school Fawcett. I have just been down there and taken some pictures of it and around the area.

I was born in Brighton so it is very dear to me, I am moving to America later this year and wanted to take a bit of here with me. Your site is perfect for that, as I'm sure it will continue to grow with contributions from many.

This page was added on 20/08/2007.

Comments:

I am an old Fawcett school boy and looking at these photos the other night I could almost hear the rumble the kids used to make. I am not going to go into a horde of teachers names because it would take all night, but I can remember getting the slipper across the backside for going out of school during the break. The only bit of a puzzle I am getting is over the Pelham infants school as I remember this as being Pelham street secondary school for girls.

By John Wignall (21/08/2007)

I went to the school from 1936-1939. It was then known as the Brighton Intermediate School. Boys entrance was in Pelham Street, Girls entrance in York Place. We had four "Houses", Fawcett, Godwin Russel and Tettersall. We had some pretty tough teachers, and the Prefects were minor tyrants. Nevertheless a good school. I played in goal for the school football team in the final of the Junior Barlow Cup at the Goldstone. I think the gate at the match was about 27! All relatives of the players.

By Eric Feast (22/08/2007)

Many thanks to Ian Brook for these nostalgic pictures. I attended Brighton Intermediate Girls 1940-1945. The schools then changed names beginning a new phase following the end of the war. I have been away from Brighton for more than 50 years but it was great to see the once familiar building again particularly the entrance in London Road. The girls entrance was the left hand side. We used St Peter's Hall for PT (physical training).

By Rita Denman (30/08/2007)

I attended Fawcett from 1951-1955 and the photos from Ian Brook certainly brought back lots of memories.I remember that most of the teachers had their own implement for inflicting pain whether it was a leather strap or slipper or cane and it certainly used to keep us quite for a while after a dose.Can any body remember the bread shop in Trafalger St. We used to skip over the wall at break time for a hot roll,and if we got caught it was punishment time.I was in England in June this year (I now live in Australia) and would have liked to have paid a visit to the old school but time was too short.This really is a good site and hope many more old boys find it.

By Mike Holt (30/09/2007)

Hi Ian, Just a note to say I liked the photos which brought back memories until we got moved to Patcham Fawcett. Are you the same Ian Brook that attended Fawcett in early 60s? If so I beleive we know each other.

By Peter Blasby (09/11/2007)

The bakers in Trafalgar Street was called Dudderidges (I think that is how it was spelt). I went to Margaret Hardy and left in 1965 - and they were still going strong!

By Carol Hardy (09/11/2007)

The bakers I believe used to make Beano Pies. We used to get them as we came out of the Brighton Boys' Club. Carol - do you remember going to school with Betty Lucas?

By Peter Blasby (11/11/2007)

I went to Fawcett between 1954 and 57 when we transferred to Westlain. Re Dudderidges: we used to go out at break time and get the best hot crispy rolls ever. The beano shop was up the top of St James's Street, simple fayre but delicious. Sure I remember John Wignall (Wiggy).

By Alan Brown (15/11/2007)

Hi Alan, we were in the same class through Fawcett and Westlain. I've looked at the Westlain site but not many early names and none I recognise. Yes the beano pies came from 'The Pie Shop' in St James' Street. Do you remember the name of the sweet shop in the next street up from Pelham Street where we all went?

By Geoffrey Sharp (20/01/2008)

I was at Fawcett School between 1948-50. I remember all the houses mentioned. Also teachers - Benson, Bond (who did have a metal plate in his head from a war wound). I remember him throwing a chair at someone. I played chess for the school. Does anyone out there remember Michael Cohen (great friend), Tony Wilkes or Ray Gunstone?

By Eddie Ward (21/04/2008)

Hi Ceena. I attended the Children's Parade last week that ends up on Madeira Drive. The starting point for my girls' school was right outside Fawcett in Pelham Street ,so just had to have a slow walk past the old school. It certainly brought back memories. Hope you enjoy America and keep viewing this site

By Tony Belcher (10/05/2008)

Ref teachers for Fawcett School, here are a few more names: Burt White, Daddy Dyer, Jazz Bolton, Mr Ward, Mr Lowe, Billy Benson, Mr Griffiths, Mr Lane(he was the bee keeper), and Mr Davis. (music).

By John Wignall (01/07/2008)

Regarding Patcham Fawcett teachers; Bert White, Roy (Daddy) Dyer, dear old Jazz, Charlie Griffiths, I remember them. Also, Grace Brandwood, Bill (Flycatcher) Shields, Harry Bradford, Maurice Packham, Pete Holland, Colin Ashdown, Des Moore, Charlie Cook, Caroline Conniff to name some more. Two to hate; Denyer who took Science and Jack Widdup who took PE and Games. I was at Patcham Fawcett from 1969 to 1973. I remember Dave Maynard, he and I used to muck about in Ma Holkham's typing lessons. My late brother Trevor was also at Fawcett form 1973 to 1978 along with our great friend Gerry Clay.

By Nick Phillips (13/07/2008)

I was at Fawcett last year in Pelham Road, first year Patcham Fawcett. Have to say when I look at the main enterance it reminds me of Slade prison. What a contrast to the new school. I remember the school meals were great, everything clean and great facillities. Shame the teachers were not up to the same standard.

By John Tulloch (06/09/2008)

Hi Peter Blasby, I was at Fawcett from 1963; in the last year we all moved to the, then new, Patchem Fawcett. I'm afraid my memory isn't good but your name definitely rings a bell, we of course mostly only knew each others first names didn't we. I was in the 'B' stream all the way through and lumbered with Des Moore even for the last year at the new school. Ian (nickname Sena).

By Ian Brook (27/10/2008)

I went to MargaretHardySchool from 1940. I had to keep changing schools because of the air raid bombing. When I was younger I went to St Bartholomew's and played in the street because we didn't have a playground. I think one of our teachers at St Bartholomew's was Miss Roust. My brother Phil would get canned on the hands by a teacher whose name I can't remember. I was always getting disorder cards for talking. Is the Rita Denman mentioned above the one I lived next door to in Queens Park Road?

By Vera Vinall (nee Toynbee) (02/11/2008)

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