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Mystery photos of Brighton and Hove

Nursery/Infant School c1947/1949

By Maralyn Eden

I think the first photo was a day nursery school. I believe I was about three years old. I think it could have been Sussex Street or Richmond Street. The second photo could be Finsbury Road. Does anyone remember these nursery schools - or even recognise themselves on the photos?

The disappearing hair grip
I am in both these photos. I remember we use to have a nap on little camp beds. When my mum picked me up from school one day,she asked me where one of my hair grips had gone. I told her I had swallowed it! She took me to the hospital, where they x-rayed me, and told mum it would pass through my system.

I am sitting at the end of the table on the right of this photo

From the private collection of Maralyn Eden

I am on the second row from the front, first on the left, kneeling and holding a skipping rope

From the private collection of Maralyn Eden

This page was added on 16/01/2009.

Comments about this page

I was at Richmond Street School at the same time and I remember having to drink tiny bottles of milk that I was convinced was poisoned and having to go to bed in the afternoon - why I don't know as I wanted to play. As for the photos I never went anywhere with the class where there was any grass or bushes.

By Patrick Collins (Catswhiskas) (17/01/2009)

I'm sure the nursery was on the other side of the road to Tilbury Way.

By Tina (17/01/2009)

I went to Sussex Street School but only remember a concrete area near the gates where we played, I don't recollect any grass or trees at all. I do remember having to lie on camp type beds in the afternoons to sleep when I really didn't want to do that at all!

By Marion Goodwin (18/01/2009)

I wonder if either is Tarnerland, my nursery?

By Patrick Charles Kite (21/01/2009)

Sussex St was rather short on grass/trees. The fold up canvas beds were, as I remember, for those who could not read! It certainly spurred me on to join the learned ones behind the portable screens.

By RichardW (21/01/2009)

Nothing at all to do with the mystery day nursery schools, but, given her gastric experience as related above, Maralyn may be interested to hear that when I was about seven (1956) I was in the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital for removal of my tonsils, and I bit the bulb off a thermometer left in my mouth by a hapless nurse and swallowed it, mercury and all. My parents were similarly advised that this would pass through my system and, although the hospital took the precaution of x-raying me, it presumably did since I'm still here to tell the tale.

By Len Liechti (22/01/2009)

Hi Len
My hair grip must have passed through my system with no problem also. I didn't envy my dear mum's job though.
In the first photo, I seem to remember at one time going to a teacher's house, near the Pepper Pot. In the second photo, with the crowd of children, I wonder if that could have been a trip to Queens Park.The boy in the first row and centre of the photo is Roy Osbourne

By maralyn eden (25/01/2009)

Maybe the photograph is of the open air nursery that was on the same sight as Tarnerland? Am I right in thinking that these were McMillan nurseries named after Margaret McMillan who pioneered outdoor learning before the war?

By Vanessa Denyer (14/06/2009)

Maralyn. I was a nursery school assistant at Tarnerland N.School, Sussex St 1943/44. Top picture could be this site after the war (air raid shelter removed and other changes). An "august" lady, Miss Sutton, was Superintendent. This was the era of "buzz bombs" and quite a challenge to get 30 excitable 2-5yr olds into the shelter. "Dick Barton, Special Agent" was the favoured radio program at the time so the bigger ones were hiding to do espionage activities! There was no formal teaching but the children learnt through play, water, sand painting and interaction in a structured day. Play, eat and rest. Certainly remember camp beds, it was my job every day to lay them all out and fold them up again an hour later. I also mended overalls and checked every toy down to the last peg. Delighted when I got a pay rise from 5 shillings to 7 shillings and sixpence a week! I remember children from that time and Miss Sutton was a strict but excellent teacher and I learnt very elementary child psychology through observation (amusing stories). A very happy year.

By Muriel Clow (20/07/2009)

I went to St. Johns School in Carlton Hill but don't remember any grass. But l do remember the little canvas beds. Must have been 1948, I started school at four.

By Sheila Jones (20/07/2009)