Does anyone remember the two class rooms in the barn? I remember one day whilst I was trying to write on a chalk board, seeing a mouse walking quite slowly across the floor and out through the door. We all got told off for not concentrating on our work.

Hi Bob. Your comment gives away your time of placement at the school! WWII brought about the taking into use of that barn. I'm not sure for how long its use remained though as I never returned to Brighton after my Fleet Air Arm service. Similarly, the mortuary barn came into use during the WWII period.

I went to this school from 1940 to about 1945. Miss Tidy was still headmistress and I seemed to spend a lot of time outside her office, mainly for making ink blots on my schoolwork. I also remember the barn, as kids we used to scare each other about there being dead bodies inside, not knowing that it had been used as a mortuary. This was after the war, about 1946 when I was 10. We'd try to peek through windows, then one of the boys would make a moaning noise and we girls, and some of the boys, would run away screaming. In 1959 I was going to the barn which was then for ante natal care a big change in use, from death to life you could say.

Hi there. I am doing my family tree and I think my great aunt taught here from 1927 until 1960. Her name was Margaret May Singleton. I think she was known as May tho ? Anyone remember her? She never married so won't be the teacher looking for a 'contribution'.

I was at Moulsecoomb Juniors from 1956 to 60. I'm pretty sure Miss Singleton was my teacher in the 3rd year. We were in the annexe at the top of the lane. I have fond memories of her, but don't know why after all these years. I remember the barn as a Scout hut as well as an anti-natal clinic. Mr Williams was my 2nd year teacher, he ran the post office at the bottom of Elm Grove. Miss Nazeth was my 4th year teacher.

I remember when the wall holding the earth for the air raid shelter fell down, another guy and I lifted a huge chunk off a girl's leg, he went with her in the ambulance and got his name in the papers, I got nothing!

Miss Singleton was a teacher in the Junior Mixed School from the 1930s onward. More liked one than some ... ! She was, to me anyway, a little on the large side and kept her hair in a bun. Her 'school uniform' was a sort of apron/overall, coloured green whilst most of the teachers normally wore their usual clothes. Did she still persist in that attire in later years? From the comments above, she was at the school a very long time!

Yes - Miss Singleton. One of those teachers who put Miss Horton to shame with her child handling capability. I don't recall anyone complaining about her. Idiosyncratic with that distinctive style of clothing maybe, but I can only remember the niceties of the lady. As well as the 'uniform' style, she always seemed to move slowly and spoke always in a cheerful fashion. How nice it is to remember the more acceptable face of Moulsecoomb School from those early years.

Hi Ron, do you have a relative called Theresa Spicer? She was in my class for most of my school days.

Just a memory from the 40s. I was born at 19 Bevendean Crescent in 1939. My sisters Anne and Joan, and brother John and I all went to Moulsecoomb School. My list of teachers names begins with Miss Tidy, Miss Piercy, Mrs.Ward, Miss Holland, maybe your one with 'red lips', who got married, at St. Peters Church. There was Mr Hibbert, Mr Thomas, and Miss Paddison who lived in Widdecombe Way. Then there was Mr. Burroughs. Mr. Kitchen was head master, and my Mum was the welfare lady in his office, who took the dinner money, put plasters on our knees and many other things. It was a brilliant school with happy memories. Canvas camp beds included, I could never get to sleep in the afternoon. With four children in our family, we were always doing something. My sister Joan was school swimming champion through junior and senior schools. Moulsecoomb was known for its sport ability, country dancing and music. I once went to the Albert Hall to play my recorder in a get together of schools arranged by Sir Malcolm Sargent. How was that for the 40s? The senior teachers I had were Miss Sharman, Miss Mitchell the best Geography teacher in the world, Miss Moore who taught French, and Mrs Hemsley who taught art and needlework. She used to be Miss Suckling when she also taught my mother in the 1920s. Lots of memories. Anne, in the typing pool, Joan in the photographic dept. and me in the purchasing dept. all worked at Allen West. So lots of memories of Brighton. My brother John worked at Parker Pen. Sadly Joan died in 1987, and John passed away Sep.2009. Anne lives in Essex and I live in Ayrshire. Hope that someone reads this.

Hi Valerie, I read your comments, so you're not alone! I came along 9 years after you, but some of the names are familiar to me. I'm sorry to hear about John as his photos are a big asset to the Moulsecoomb Junior School page on friendsreunited.com

Hi Steve, thanks for comment, John would have been pleased to know that you valued his input, I must look the website up. I don't remember you - 11 years was a big difference in age, and I was probably at work by the time you finished primary school. Did you belong to the Tugwell family at Bevendean, maybe a sister Jennifer? Family butchers shop at Bevendean? Be nice to hear any news.

Hi Valerie. No I don't think I know you, as you say - 11 years is a long time! I wasn't related to the butchers but did deliver papers from the paper shop next door. My sister is Ann, 4 years older, but probably still not close enough!

I have a class photo of my dad, Philip Plaine, in 1937 taken in front of Moulsecoombe School. He is 83 and still alive. They lived in Chailey Road and there was Lucy his mum, Pearl and Gladys sisters, and Ron. I also went to Moulsecoomb School for 2 years in 1954-6 when we moevd to Coldean.

Re. Theresa Spicer: Hi Steve, no I don't remember having a relative of that name but I would guess she would be. I'm presuming you're referring to Moulsecoomb School?

Hi Valerie (Woodward). It was nice to read your comment, above. I now know a little more from the time when I left the schools. Thank you, and to you Jennie (Chapman), fancy hearing of Phil Plaine, your dad, from you. He was a rascal with the girls! A lively lad, well liked and full of life in those days. Oops; hope nothing bad has slipped out there.

Hi Ron, Theresa was in my class at Moulsecoomb and Stanmer. She would have been born in 1948 or 49.

Hi Steve. You wrote: Hi Ron, Theresa was in my class at Moulsecoomb and Stanmer. She would have been born in 1948 or 49. By Steve Tugwell (09/02/2010) I'll check with the family to see if I can connect anything and will call back in the future.

I remember Miss Nazmeth, Miss Marchant (awful teacher) and Mr Williams (my favourite). But does anyone remember me?

I seem to remember the name, did you leave Moulsecoomb Juniors in 1960?

It was lovely to read Valerie Woodward's memories of Moulsecoomb Junior School and Senior School. I was in her sister Joan's class and remember several of the teachers. I have many happy memories of going down into the shelters with Miss Patterson and singing the song "Mares eat oates and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy". I too lived in Bevendean Crescent and also had a paper round covering the odd numbers in Bevendean Crescent and Medmerry Hill.

Hello Celia, I too remember going into the shelters at Moulsecoomb School and we used to make woollen pom-poms using the cardboard milk bottle tops from our school milk. I was Anne Fuszard and your sister Christine was in my class. Happy memories of Bevendean and Moulsecoomb School.

Hi Celia, Good to hear from you after so many years, doesn`t it turn the clock back? I remember you so well, Anne and I often talk about the Harmers, Chapmans, Curries and many more who lived round the other end of Bevendean. Great days weren`t they when Moulsecoomb was the best school ever. I am still in touch with the twins, Jenny and Norah, do you remember the "pony days" such freedom for us all then. Do you have any photos of your class, maybe with Joan in them?

Hi Steve Tugwell. I seem to remember your name, did you live in Higher Bevendean? I left the juniors in 1960. I went on to the Brighton Secondary Technical School.

Hi Graham. We were in the same class all through junior school. We all used to race Dinky toys across the playground. I lived in Staplefield Drive but live in Canada now.

Hi Steve, I well remember racing the dinky cars. Can you name any other pupils for me to remember? The memory is a little vague after 50 odd years? I still live in Brighton after all this time. I seem to remember my first teacher at infants school was Miss Woods, does anyone else remember?

Hi Graham. Thanks for reminding me of our 1st year teacher, 2nd year was Mr Williams, 3rd Miss Marchant and 4th Miss Nazeth, if memory serves me right! A couple of other names are Colin Eldridge and Andrew Hammond also Denis Winchester who went to Brighton Tech with you. If you go to friendsreunited.com and find Moulsecoomb Junior School there is a photo of our class but I can't remember too many names.

Hi Steve, yes I remember the names very well. Particularly Denis Winchester and Andrew Hammond who conned me in to believing that he was related to Hammond's Toy / Model shop along Lewes Road near the bottom of Elm Grove which he wasn't! Haven't found the school photo as yet, but I will keep looking.

hHi anyone, does anyone remember the Gunn fam? Terry Janet and Carole our parents Charlie and Dinah sadly both now deceased, emigrated to Australia in 1956. I went to the Moulsecoomb infant, junior and senior schools. we lived at 40 Moulsecoomb Way and then 46 Stonecross Road until we left. I would love to hear from anyone .

Hello Janet Gunn, yes I do remember you and your brother Terry. I was Joan Oram from Halland Road, you might remember my sister Rita and brother Johnny. It isn't clear from your comment but do you now live in Australia?

Hello Joan Cumbers, thank you so much for answering. Yes I do remember the name well, my best friend was Mary Small who also lived in Halland Rd. Do you know her? Is Rita my age? I was born in 1938. My sister Carole and I still live in Australia, my brother Terry never came with us as he was in the RAF and married a Spanish girl, (first wife) he later worked for BA and has been coming to Australia for over 35 years. Terry and Carole both went to Stanmer school when it opened. I stayed at Brighton girl's school, Miss Carson I believe as headmistress. really looking forward to hearing from you.

Hello Janet. I do remember the name Small but can't put a face to it, I'll have to ask Rita, she still lives in Brighton and often sees people from Moulsecoomb, so her memory gets revived. I got married in 1959 and moved to London where I have lived ever since. I think you may be remembering Rita Harris from Ashurst Road rather than my sister who was born in 1942, me in 1940. I do remember you had a sister but couldn't recall her name when previously writing. You looked alike, didn't you?

Hello Joan, so good to hear from you. I was in Moulsecoomb recently, my brother lives in Spain and was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. My sister and I visited him and did a trip to Brighton. We caught a bus outside the Pavilion and did a return trip passing Halland Rd etc. We arrived back in Aust. 19th Feb. We were away 5 weeks, we stayed with Tony Cooke my cousin, who lived in Ashurst Rd & knew the Harris family. Tony had a brother Bob and sister Joyce. You are the same age as Carole, which school did you attend? Yes Carole and I are alike. Does Rita know Audrey and Sheila Piercy (twins) also my good friends? I didn't keep in touch though. It must be exciting living in London.

Hello again Janet sorry for the delayed reply, I've moved home from Harrow in Middlesex to Watford in Hertfordshire, not far about 5 miles. So sorry to hear of Terry's illness but do tell him, as I'm sure you have, not to give up hope. I was diagnosed with cancer 2003, in 2006 it got worse the doctors thought I was a goner. I'm not, I'm still here and was given the all clear last week yippee! I certainlY do remember the Cookes. Joyce the beauty queen, Bob and Tony, who was nearer my age and their bull terrier dog. Last time I saw Tony was around 1961, he was working as a waiter on the Brighton Belle. I travelled on the train from Victoria to Brighton, my toddler daughter kept ringing the bell! I remember Carole but didn't go to school with her, I went to Varndean. My Mum, no longer with us, always thought she was a smashing girl, she made her laugh, can't recall why. I haven't asked Rita about your twin friends, moving is hectic, where did they live?

Hello Joan, congratulations on your good news, attitude is important, you sound very positive. Terry needs family around him, he has gone into care in Spain. Tony goes to see him often, they both worked with B A . sadly Bob was killed on the M1, 25yrs. ago. The twins, Audrey and Sheila Piercy lived opposite me in Stonecross Road. I don't know their married names. I read your Halland Road blog recently, I had no idea that was you, very interesting. I wish you happiness in your new address. did you ask Rita about Mary Small? She lived in Halland Road on the higher side, about halfway down. She was a very good friend; the tyranny of distance means losing touch with friends. Thanks for your reply Joan. Regards Janet van Santen, nee Gunn

Would anyone be interested if I started a Moulsecoomb Face Book group? Chances are we could make contact with a lot more old friends, and we could post old photos, etc. Anyone interested should let me know by email: moulsecoombe@hotmail.co.uk

Editor's note: A Face Book group sounds good Kevin. But - please remember everyone that it is VERY easy to post photos here. Website visitor numbers are an average of 1,500 per day - so just think of the potential coverage. It would be a real shame if photos and comments were not shown here as well. There are other Brighton areas on the site that have many more photos - Moulsecoomb is behind on the photo memories stakes. So come on you Moulsecoombers - let's see those photos. If you are not very computer savvy - then just email them to me and I will publish them for you. Now how about that for an offer you can't refuse? Mail me: jennifer@mybrightonandhove.org.uk

OK, here's one for the old Moulescoombers. I have a photo of my Grandfather Horace Robbins who was both a councillor and Alderman of Brighton (and lived at 145 Ringmer Road) unveiling a Memorial Birdbath at Moulsecoombe School at sometime before 1956. Trouble is, I don't know which school (I doubt the birdbath is still there). But does anyone recall the birdbath and at which school? Anything which adds to the info I have about him would be useful as he died before I was born. Thanks

My late husband's family lived at 121 Birdham Road from 1938 to 1950. Mary Tonks and Michael went to Moulsecoombe infants and juniors. Michael would have started infants about 1947, Mary was already there. Mum was Margie, Dad was Ted. Wondered if anyone recalled them or, had any school photos of those times.

Re the comments made about Theresa Spicer. She is my wife and remembers Steve Tugwell at school. We have just celebrated our 40th anniversary. I have been building the family tree for several years. With over 8000 names I have many links, so could share info and would appreciate any details from others.

Do you recall the free school milk? I was a "sixer" in the cubs, our leader's pack name was 'Bagheera'. My teacher, Mrs. Horton, asked us to put up our hands if we wanted 'a second milk' - I thrust my arm up and called out "Bagheera". Mrs Horton grabbed me by my ear and made me stand in the corner for an hour! She never forgot that incident, as a year later, after I had succeeded in the 11+, she warned me ... " Remember you won't get away with swearing at your teacher at Varndean!" Despite my protestations, she still did not believe me!

 Jennie Chapman (nee Plaine) and I both went to Stanmer and I have lost touch with her and I live in Canada now - I have put my email below if anyone knows Jen's address to forward this. Thanks jeannecw@nbnet.nb.ca

I started at Moulsecoomb infants in September 1961, I lived in Colbourne Avenue so it was only a short distance from home. I remember going into the hall and having a name tag made up. I was then taken to Miss Patterson's class, she was a lovely lady who reminded me of my Nan and I can see from previous comments that she had been a teacher for a long time. The class was the one right next to Hodshrove lane at the end of the playground and it had a slide that was far too high for me to go on. Going forward to July 1973 I went up to the same class on the day I left school and the slide was still there and it was tiny! I remember the headmistress Mrs Anscombe who used to play a sort of military music on old 78's on an old gramophone player that we couldn't help marching into assembly to. Great memories.

Following on from my previous comment, in 1964 I went up (or along) to the Junior school. I still lived in Colbourne Avenue so it was only a short walk away. I remember some of the teachers very well, Miss Tiley, Mrs Young, Miss Gould, Mr Holland and my 4th year form teacher Mr Gallier. When I was in the 4th year (67/68) we used to have daily Gould v Gallier football matches at breaktime on the playing field, it used to be fun and I well remember the balls in those days were leather and very heavy! I had school dinners in the 4th year because my parents moved a bit further away, I mostly found them OK but well remember the fearsome dinner ladies making pupils clear their plates before they were allowed to leave.

I remember Mr Gallier- he was my teacher at Moulsecoomb Juniors, he used to love teaching the brighter kids to play chess.

Mr Gallier was my teacher in the 4th year of Moulsecoomb Juniors when I was 10/11 years old in 1967/68. He used to drive a yellow Ford Anglia. He prepared us well for the secondary schools we all went to, we had quite a few from our class go to Westlain & Varndean, we even had one girl go to Brighton & Hove High. I remember one day he came into the class absolutely fuming because the Government had just announced that in 4 years time our currency was to change from 'Pounds, Shillings and Pence' to 'Decimal', as a maths teacher he could see the problems ahead. We all sat in silence and as 10 year olds we couldn't see what the fuss was about, I can now because I personally favour the old money. He was a very good teacher though and he used to get very involved with the football team and from what I remember they were a good side. I last heard in 2005 from another source on the net that he was living in Australia with family, at that time he was 85 which would make him 92 now.