Photos and articles about Brighton and Hove in the time of coronavirus. See our collection and add your own!

Dodo Jaye School of Dancing

I attended this dancing school during the 1950/60s and the photographs are from just two of the many group dances we performed over that time.  They were taken in the studio at Millers Road, Brighton.  We entered both the Brighton and Worthing Festivals as well as taking our Royal Academy of Dancing grade examinations.

I’m standing 3rd from the left on the top photo with 2nd left Gayna Platts-Martin and 1st left Elizabeth Leaney. On the bottom photo I’m standing 1st left.

Can you recognise yourself or anyone else? Do you have memories of the Dodo Jaye School of Dancing? If you have information or memories to share, please leave a comment below.

Click on each photograph to open a large version in a new window.

Chef Tasting the Food!
From the private collection of Sally-Ann Bennett
Fairies and Animals
From the private collection of Sally-Ann Bennett

Comments about this page

  • I was full time at Dodo Jaye from 1961-1967 and entered all of the Brighton and Worthing festivals. I was there with Beverly Pelling, Pauline Grimstone, Jacqueline Pynn and Suzanne Togni. Do you know any of these girls or indeed me!

    By Sandra Hale (nee Hersheson) (27/05/2012)
  • I was also a full time student at Dodo Jaye from 1961 – to 1965. I then went to Brighton and Hove Education Arts School. I remember all the girls. 

    By Lynette Bailey (10/06/2012)
  • I would love to get in touch with Lynette Bailey and anyone else who was at the school the same time as us. I am happy for you to pass on my email address if they want to make contact.

    By Sandra Hale (nee Hersheson) (24/06/2012)
  • Hi Sandra, I have asked for this website to pass on my info, however this is not something they do. My website is http://www.viceroygatesdoors.com.au.   Look forward to hearing from you.

    By Lynette Bailey (11/07/2012)
  • Hello Sandra and anyone who remembers me! I was a full time student at Dodo Jayes during the early 60s.  I have emailed Lynette and I am happy to forward my email to those who remember.  It would be great to have some sort of a reunion of photos. Hope to hear from you.

    By Beverly Nicholson (nee Pelling) (29/08/2012)
  • I was a boarder at Dodo Jayes from 1967 to it’s closure in 1970. Who remembers Buller King?

    By Jane Harrison (09/10/2012)
  • Hi Jane. Yes I remember Buller King very well and would like to share my memories! I expect many of us have similar ones!I intend to contact Lynette Bailey perhaps you can too and she can give you my details.

    By Sandra Hale (nee Hersheson) (10/10/2012)
  • That looks like Sharon Boone in the fairy pic in the centre but I don’t recognise anyone else! Tried finding the school and pupils on friends re but not much luck. I’m still in contact with Valerie Potton and would love to be in contact with anyone else who remembers. Anyone on facebook?

    By Jacqui Nolan (Pynn) (27/01/2013)
  • Hi Jacqui, I remember you, I have a picture of Sharon and I will post it.

    By Lynette Bailey (02/03/2013)
  • Hi, I remember many of the girls well. Claire and Lucille Andrews, Jacky Pynn, Suzanne Tognie, Sandra Hersheson, Gillian Brasse,  Heather. Happy days filled with dancing and acting.

    By Amanda Mitchell (14/07/2014)
  • To Jacqui Nolan (Pynn). Could you tell Valerie Potton that I would like to have news of her. I knew a girl named Valerie Potton in Brighton in 1968-1969. Maybe she’s the same. Excuse my English.

    By Michel Blachère (23/01/2015)
  • Hi Michel can I ask where you know Valerie from as I doubt if it was through the school.

    By Jacqui Nolan (16/03/2015)
  • I am curious whether any of you had any association with Windlesham School. Windlesham started over 65 years ago with the founder renting the studio at Dodo Jaye School of Dancing for morning Kindergarten. As the current Headteacher, I am looking into the history of the School and I would really like to get in contact with anyone who has information/photographs of this time. Please do get in touch. 

    By Aoife Bennett-Odlum (Mrs) (03/05/2015)
  • Hi Lynette, are you the same Lynette that had a school of dance in Preston (melb) in the ’70s?

    By Gianna Palma (11/11/2015)
  • I want to contact those that knew me but haven’t had replies.

    By Valerie Hitchens (30/10/2016)
  • Hi Girls, what is everyone up to in 2018? Can’t believe how old we all must be.

    By Lynette Bailey (02/12/2017)
  • Hi Lynette,

    Your Dad was the dentist and my Dad used to give you a lift to school from your home in Saltdean. I do wonder what happened to all the girls.

    By Mandy Mitchell (07/01/2018)
  • Hi Mandy, I still think of you and the other girls as little children. Ha ha. I live in Australia near Sydney and I do visit England every few years. I am still friends with Susan Harris. I remember your dad worked for the Argus.

    By Lynette Bailey (23/05/2018)
  • I am on Facebook and friends with Sandra Hale (Hersheson) and Susan Gleeson (Harris).

    By Lynette Bailey (23/05/2018)
  • Hello, I was at Dodo Jaye’s and Educational Arts School until (I think) 1965.  I remember Jacqueline, Beverley, Suzanne, Gillian and others and entering all the festivals.  It would be good to make contact with anyone who still remembers me.

    By Pauline Grimstone (03/09/2018)
  • My Grandparents were Dodo Jaye and Buller King, and as a child I occasionally stayed in the bedroom off the dorm on the top floor, and would often visit with my 3 sibs and parents.
    I would love to see your photographs.

    By Jo Lacey (23/12/2019)
  • I am so glad you all survived that dreadful school . You all sound very happy which is good news to hear . I was a boarder and couldn’t believe the cruelty to the younger girls by DoDo Jaye. She would scream and shout most mornings with porridge spitting from her mouth . Most of the little girls were dumped there by their parents with some of them not even going home for the summer holidays . DoDo would scream until she made them cry . We had a dreadful diet which consisted of Porridge, toast, macaroni cheese, potatoes . Never had any vegetables . I had cold after cold due to this bad diet. She would only let me bathe once a week and not allow me to wash my hair . As a punishment once she banned me from having a bath one week , so when she went out the girls helped me have a quick bath . She was a cruel woman to those poor children I only hope they found happiness after they left and it left and no long term effects . The school deserved to be shut down . They were the worst two years of my life . Luckily it had no long term problems on my life I just hope those lovely innocent lives who boarded there are ok .

    By Frances long (09/02/2020)
  • I remember a few of the names mentioned in the article. Does anyone remember the two boys who trained at Dodo Jay between 1954 and 1958?

    I don’t think I have any photos, but I remember Dodo Jay and Buller King well. My mother taught drama at the Millers Road Studio for a few months but it didn’t attract enough pupils to continue.

    By Ian James (10/05/2020)
  • The original writer mentions Gaynor Platts-Martin. So far as I know she later had a part in the TV soap Crossroads under the name Gaynor Lloyd.

    Frances Long writes about boarders and the appalling conditions; I didn’t board, as I only trained there once a week, but I remember Dodo had a sharp tongue. She didn’t teach the youngest or lower grade classes and I didn’t progress far enough to cross her path. But my older brother did. And I remember, when my mother was teaching there, she saw that side of Dodo.

    By Ian James (11/05/2020)
  • I am Mr. Jackie Drummond Percussionist/Drummer for
    “Summer Cocktails” Show, Palace pier, Brighton, April to September 1966. I have great memories of working with Dancers and all the acts/performer’s.I remember how hard the Dancers worked (as always ). my memory now is not so good on names, I think it was Lynette Bailey that I sometimes used to give a lift home after the show , forgive me if I have wrong name . The Dodo Jaye / Brighton Belles were all part of the Show. I always loved Brighton and so pleased we still have the Palace Pier, though very sad the Theatre on same where we all performed has now gone. I have many stories from those times and later years Performing in and around Brighton , including The Grand Hotel a week or so before the Bombing. I have travelled and performed world wide since that summer of 1966 but the lovely memories of that time and friends I made stay with me. Sadly I lost contact with so many people over the years. Geoffrey Mussard was the Pianist for the show , I see that name often, I wonder if its the same person? I hope ??? To tour again soon Jackie Drum Drummond, Band+Steve Warren Band+Billkrem . Prog Rock fans can hear me on Recordings of Julian’s Treatment A Time Before This.Look forward to seeing / hearing comments from all .Look after The Palace Pier it was always and still is loved by me and so many people all over the world Jackie’ Drum’ Drummond.

    By Jackie'Drum'Drummod c/o (14/02/2021)
  • Hello , does anyone know if Josephine Riches attended here . She died in 1957 .
    My grandma had a beautiful photo of Josephine posing in her ballet outfit . If anyone has information I would be very greatful .
    Thank you.
    Janice Pearson.

    By Janice Pearson (08/11/2021)
  • I attended Lourdes Convent from 1952 until 1964 and I remember Gaynor Platts-Martin being there at some stage. I recall her parents owned a shop in Lewes Road. I also went to dance classes with Vera Garbutt. I recognise Sally-Ann Barnett. Not sure how! I was Virginia Winters in those days.

    By Virginia Hartwanger (née Winters) (17/01/2022)
  • I (Catherine Gee) was at Dodo’s the same time as Beverly Pelling, Pauline Grimstone, Jacqueline Pynn and Suzanne Togni. when I was last in Brighton Beverly unearthed some newspaper cuttings from the festival of some of us in tutus – happy times. My fondest memory was our piano accompanist – I think she was from Jamaica and could play anything from classical to tap, but she was amazing for jazz. Also if you went wrong while performing she would just improv until you got back on track – made us all look good.

    By Catherine Morley (24/02/2022)
  • My sister and I, Janet and Betty Bull, attended Dodo Jaye’s in the 1940’s, preferring tap to ballet. I remember their daughter Anne King. Also remember Bubbles Yetman and an attractive girl called Rita who danced to “When the red, red robin comes bob, bob bobbing along.” My great friend, also a pupil, was Judy Brooke who became a nurse.
    We all attended Patcham primary school.

    By Betty Harris (09/03/2022)
  • My name is Gayna Platts- Martin, I now own Captain Bligh House in central London.
    I would be most interested to talk to Sandra Hale and Jane Harrison.
    I was at this school from 1954 to 1959!

    By Gayna Martine (25/05/2023)
  • Oh My goodness,
    I was at Dodo Jayes 1967?to when it closed.
    My name is Suzanne Aiken, I remember Claire and Lucille Andrews, Gayda Oldfield (she boarded), Beverley Pelling, Suzanne Togni. Teacher Madame Bourtchart taught French. I remember them being very happy days. Would love to see any photos there may be of those years, I remember a competition for designing the summer uniform, can’t remember who won though.!! Love to hear from anyone who remembers me ! I entered Brighton and Worthing Festivals. I think I danced a Russian National that Beverley had done.

    By Suzanne Aiken (25/08/2023)
  • Hello Suzanne

    Your name is very familiar as are the other names included in your post. I also recall Rosalind Field, Coralie and Katrina Powell, Monica and Patrica Kent (the twins from the Isle of Wight), Hannah and Pookie, Sara (can’t recall her surname but I think she was diabetic) and, last but not least Vanessa, I can’t remember her surname either. She went through hell at the hands of Dodo who often spoke to her with such venom. I’ll never forget that, poor girl. I hope she had a good life despite the abuse.

    Yes, I had forgotten about the competition you referred to but it’s suddenly come back to me. The design that won was a dress with a very large tie attached, or should I say a very large tie with a dress attached. Gosh, that has taken me right back.

    It’s lovely to hear from you and I’ll watch this site to see if you post anything else that you can recall.

    God bless.

    By Jane Harrison (29/09/2023)
  • Hi Jane,
    I unfortunately lost all my photos, dance and drama certificates. Where are you now, I’m still in Sussex. I now watch two of my granddaughters dancing in the Festivals, brings back so many memories. Its Brighton Festivals (now Sussex Festival) 100th birthday this year. There have been so many photos put on Facebook but none of us Dodo Jays girls.

    By Suzanne Aiken (30/01/2024)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.