I worked at Jaycee Furniture from 1963 until 1982. Although I started at the new factory at Woodingdean I do recognise some of the faces in the 1958 photo.
Second from left is Jimmy Edwards, then Geoff Louis, fourth from left I think is David Knott and next to him is Colin Richardson. I am still in contact with David Knott and will ask him if he knows the names of the others.

No Roger, that's not Dave Knott Dave was a mate of mine and he attended my Wedding in 1959. You are right about the others. The Guy 4th from left was a young labourer who was learning to use the belt sander. When you speak to Dave, give him my regards and remind him of the time we were on the top deck of a bus after a night out when the ex Albion Winger Frankie Howard, wanted to take us apart for what he misconstrued as insulting behavior to a young lady. We were infact minding our own business and laughing about a recent Goon Show episode while mimicking some of the Characters. We hadn't even noticed the lass. But Frankie was adamant that we were in the wrong. There were only 4 of us on the bus. Frankie was in no mood to listen to our explanation of Goon Show humour, so we sat out the rest of the journey in silence.

I can confirm the names that Roger Albrow listed above and have also spoken to Ray Stevenson who thinks that he may have taken the photo.
I remember Keith Upward who I thought went to Australia ? Any more photos Keith?

Oh Wow Roger. Thanks so much for posting this photo. Jimmy Edwards is my dad who is now living in Derby.
I shall print this photo off (with your permission ) and send it to him. He will be amazed.
Thank you again

Sorry - thank you to Keith for the photo.

Lorraine, you're welcome to use the photo. I knew your Dad quite well, he lived in Westbourne Street, Hove, I believe. I think I'm right in saying, that your Mum was only 14 when her and Jimmy were engaged! He had to do his National Service before they married!  It probably was Ray Stevenson who took the photo with my 127 Kodak bellows camera. I caught up with Ray when he came out to Australia on a promotional visit for Jaycee in about 1980. I was working as a Building Inspector in Melbourne and while walking to work one morning, I spied Ray demonstrating wood carving in the front window of a department store! I walked up to him and just stood there until he recognised me. I hadn't seen him in 20 years. I invited him to have dinner with my family that night. He knew my wife Mary, who he had actually dated before I did, back in the mid 1950s. I don't know if Ray remembers, but we were in a school play together at Hove Manor School (Connaught Road). Ray played the part of my Mother! I had one line which I muffed but Ray was very good! We were in the class that designed the new school badge, under the guidance of Jack Mutton our art teacher. Yes Dave! I'm still in Australia, nearly 50 years now! I'm now living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, I'm retired from building but pretty active as a football coach, coaching kids at local schools and a women's team at club and rep level. Still married to Mary! 49 years in December. My e-mail address is: mup30636@bigpond.net.au if any of you want to contact me.

Thanks so much. I spoke to Dad on the phone last night and read out the names mentioned here and he couldn't believe it! As soon as I get the printer working, I shall print it off and send him the photo. I sure it will take pride of place in his workshop - yes, he stills makes beautiful furniture from time to time. You are correct, Dad did live in Westbourne street. They say its a small world. Darren (Jim's youngest ) moved out to Oz three years ago and joined the Australian Army. They are in Toowoomba. Lovely to hear from you and thank you for bringing back all these wonderful memories.

I worked at Jaycee from 1957 to 1982. I started in sub-assembly with Mick (Shaggy) Lane, Mike Cheesman, Terry Dowden, George (Knock it up Wrong) Carter, Jack Fraser. My take on the photo starting from the left: Ron (Rip) Kirby, Jimmy Edwards, Bill Howells or Geoff Louis, Mick Chivers, Colin Richardson. I don't know who it is standing - a guess, Ken Townsend? I'm with Roger Albrow and David Knott this Saturday 11th at my daughter's wedding.

Hi Guys, Dad ( Jim Edwards ) has been thrilled to know that you have all been making contact through this site. He is full of memories of you all and the great times he had at Jaycee. He has been telling me about the dreadful winter when the weather had all but snowed everyone in. He apparantly walked some of the way from Portslade and at one stage, hitched a lift with a milk float! (That's what you call dedication to work). Hope your daughter's wedding goes well at the weekend Bob. Could you pass on Dad's regards to the other guys please? Thank you.

Hi Bob, Unfortunately you are wrong on most counts!
From the left: 1. George Williams, 2. Jimmy Edwards, 3.Geoff Lewes, 4. A young labourer who took over in the sanding shop, 5. Colin Richardson, 6. can't remember his name but his two older brothers worked at Jaycee, one a leading hand, he came to my Bucks' Night! 7. standing, apprentice who was fast tracked to the office. I used to give him a lift to work on the back of my motor bike from Worthing.
Most of the others you mention, I knew very well. I went to Mick Lane's wedding. He and Mike Cheeseman worked at the Hove factory where I started in 1955. Terry Dowden was a mate who I used to go chasing girls with at the Court School of Dancing. George Carter (Orson) was Mr Nice Guy, no longer with us. Jack Fraser was an ex coffin maker in the Indian Army and a story teller of note. (We worked in the assembly shop with Mick Lane, Mike Cheeseman & Tony ?? under leading hand Tom Evans, until I was moved up near the Carving Shop. Mick Chivers worked in the same shop as Colin Richardson. Ken Townsend was a mate of mine, I think he was doing his National Service when the photo was taken (which I took with my 127 Kodak bellows camera!). Dave Knott (Knotty) was also a mate that I used to socialize with, he attended my wedding on 19/12/1959.
But I'm sorry to say Bob, I can't remember you! Maybe you can jog my old memory. Hope your daughter's wedding went off OK.
Regards.

I joined Jaycee in 1966 as an apprentice. By this time they had re-located to Bexhill Road, Woodingdean but many of the names listed above I worked under in my early years. The names I remember are:- Dave Knott, Geoff Louis, Bob Andrews, Colin "biker" Richardson, Roger Albrow, Jimmy Edwards etc. I learnt a lot from you all which enabled me to open my own factory in Sunderland. I had to take early retirement to care for my wife Colette who has been very ill and is now disabled. Many thanks to you all as you helped to shape my career, kind regards.

I learnt today that Ted Leaver has died at the age of 71. Ted, I believe, worked at Jaycee in the sales office all his working life. He started in 1953, left to do his National Service and then returned. He was another great character that I have great memories of.

Hi everybody, I attended the Manor from 1954-58. We were under the control of Mr Rothwell and cane then. He followed Mr Ralph. I wonder if anybody has a picture of the school badge? It used to be on all excersize books etc.

Managed to track Ron (Rip) Kirby down and you are right - he is not in photo. He started on the same day as Ray Brinkhurst at Scarborough Road by Preston Park, he never worked at Regent Hill! Is Jimmy still playing football - ha ha, or can he remember the Jaycee team, Hollingbury Park our home ground?

Hi Bob, Dad (Jimmy) is no longer playing football. His mind still thinks he is 'George Best' but the legs and feet think differently (he will kill me for that)! He is currently in Australia visiting my brother so I will send them the link while he is there and perhaps send a message to confirm whether he remembers his 'playing days!'

I have just stumbled across this page on the web and have really enjoyed reading it. Thank you! I remember Colin Richardson and Mike Cheesman, in fact Mike is my dad, who is very well and living in Norfolk. I am not sure if you will remember my mum Rosalind Thurston (now Cheesman) who also worked at Jaycee in the late 60's/ early 70's. She was in payroll I think. I will be sure to speak with him later today and tell him all about this. He isn't on the internet but next time he is at my house, he will be sure to read it for himself. Many thanks again

My Dad Ted Applin worked for Jaycee's for most of his life, right up until 1998. Does anyone remember him? I would love to see any photos of him at work or if anyone has any memories of him. My brother Terry also worked there for a while.

Does anyone remember the bread pudding?

I worked at Jaycee until they closed. I well remember Bob Andrews, Dave Knott, Roger Albrow, Ted Lever, Jack Fraser, Ron Kirby and many more, with very fond memories. I would love to hear from anybody who remembers me.

Hi Paul Yes we had some good times in the upholstery at Jaycee. 7.09 for a loose seat, 90 minutes for 411 or 447 I think! We also worked together at William L Maclean, furniture makers for 4 and 5 star hotel's. All the best to you Paul and maybe we will meet up sometime.

Hi Bob - would love to meet up sometime - a lot has happened in the past few years. Hope to hear from you soon.

Can anyone tell me whether Jaycee is still trading? I ordered a piece of furniture in May 2009 from a local furniture retailer but they can't get any response on the phone from Jaycee. I'd be very grateful for any info.

While living in England (U.S.A.F. RAF Mildenhall) in the late 60s and early 70s, my parents purchased a beautiful wall unit model # T930. I must say it, nearly being 40 years old now, has held up quite nicely and looks very regal. I guess they either can't or just won't make furniture of this quality these days. It is in my home in Orlando, Florida now, so just thought you lot would like to know.

Isn't life very strange as I came across this tonight and tomorrow it will be 7 years ago that my lovely dad Colin Richardson passed away. It's so nice to see that you remember him, funny to see him in that photo from all those years ago. I will show my mum this tomorrow. Ray kindly made me a beautiful carved sign for my day nursery when I opened it many years ago - still have the sign but no longer the nursery. I am currently trying to get in touch with Dave Knott's daughter Angie as I was very good friends with her - but can't seem to find any contact for her.

I worked at Jaycee Furniture in the late 60s early 70s, in the "computer department" using card decks and programming. Worked in an office with I think Slyvie the bookeeper or payroll person and a lady in the computer room, can't remember her name! Anyone who knows any of these people let me know. I am in Canada now have been here since 1974!

I joined Jaycee as an apprentice in 1975. Along with Graham Geal, Kevin Gander, Geof Green and a few others. I remember the training school area, the phone would ring asking for one of us to go and work on one of the flow lines, and carting those ammo boxes, excuse for tool box, around - until we made one out of a drawer and fixed a hindged lid. Those were the days. The Regency dept, great bunch of guys, George, Mick, Ray, Glen and more - sorry, can't remember names. Lunchtimes, summer or winter, I would check what the wind was doing. If anyone remembers me, you know I was a surf nut - well I still am, and make surfboards for a living now - have done for the last 21years here in Bude, Cornwall. Be great to here from you all.

Was interested to see your comments about the factory in Woodingdean and thought some of the people who responded might be interested in an event called 'Then & Now' taking place in The Church Of The Holy Cross that aims to involve people in finding out about the history of Woodingdean. If you would like to come along and participate or just take a look please contact me via email. 

Hi Steve long time no see, nice to hear ur still doing ur thing down in Devon. I haven't seen Graham for about 18 months and see Geoff Green at football occasionally. Let me know a bit more about yourself and hopefully one day we're all get together again. Bye for now

To Nicki Newman. Hi my name's Kevin and Angie is my cousin. Can I help in any way?

I have stumbled across this site while searching for early Jaycee furniture. My grandfather Jack Cohen founded Jaycee after the war and sadly, as far as the family tell it, my uncle Clive Cohen ran the company into receivership after Jack died suddenly in his mid 50s. If anyone has any memories to share or history they can impart of Jaycee under Jack it would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Tom. My father, Harry Washington, used to work at Jaycee with Jack Cohen, your grandfather. I think Dad used to do office work, ordering supplies etc. I remember going there a couple of times when I was about 3 years old and seeing all the sawdust on the floor, and sitting in his chair. I believe the workshop was in Hove, this must have been 1949/1950? I cannot give you any more info as Dad passed away 6 years ago.

I lived in 104 Langley Crescent. I used to take my 4 girls down the hill to school in all that ice and snow in 1958-9. Littlest on a sledge. Did anyone remember my friend Pam Lindsley who worked at Jaycee? Sadly she is now gone. We met aged 11 at Varndean and were friends until her death. I now live in Crawley.

Did anyone know Dave Jarvis, cabinet maker, who worked at Jaycee's?

To Tom Bonnet, Hi Tom, my name is Keith Upward, the one who started this site. I have many memories of Jaycee, much of which I would prefer not to discuss on this site. I had great respect for your Grandfather, but alas, not for some of his management staff between 1954 and 1960. I still have three Jaycee furniture catologues in my possession. I am willing to part with them if you are interested but I will need your postal address. I can also provide some of the history from 1954 to 1960. My email address is samkeith2@bigpond.com Regards

I came across this site by chance. My wife believes her mother, Ethel Jay, worked in the upholstery department in the early 1960s. We bought a Jaycee three-piece suite in 1965 which is now on its third re-covering.

When I was about 4yrs old, we lived next door to Jack Cohen in Hove. I was in love with his daughter (Christine?) who was a few years older than me. I remember Jack had one of those Victorian wind-up electric shock machines.

Does anyone remember my grandad Graham Rowland (Rowley) from the Woodindean factory? He is well and living in Lewes.