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Patcham Youthless Club

Christ the King Church Youth Club

In the 1950s and early 1960s, Patcham had a thriving youth club attached to Christ the King Church and run by the late Les Harris, Kathy Adames and Mr Parker. Over the years there had been several reunions, but when Christ the King was decommissioned, the reunion organisers decided there would be no more. But some people had other ideas, and many wanted to stay in touch, and so the Patcham Youthless Club was formed.

Lots of activities

We have an annual skittles tournament, in memory of late member Mick Paine, a barbecue, a couple of hikes (or totters due to age) for those still fit enough (those that can’t manage the walk meet for a picnic at the end). For the last two years we have enjoyed the Chichester Ship Canal Cruise, one of our members John ‘Sam’ Bassett, even comes over from Barbados to take part.

We have lots of social events

We also try and meet up for meals occasionally. There is also an annual rock climbing challenge for the ultra fit amongst us. Last year Mick and Pauline ‘Teddy’ Harris ran a successful quiz evening for us. In the past we have also had Car Treasure Hunts but in the light of fuel prices today knocked that on the head.

Want to join us?

We are always open to new ideas, suitable for our generation; we may be in our 60s and 70s but are still young at heart. Did you go to Christ the King Youth Club? Would you like to join us? You can check us out at our website – we look forward to hearing from you: I can be contacted at daisyb2uk@gmail.com

Our website is at http://www.spitfiremedia.co.uk/youthless/index.htm

2011 Chichester Canal Cruise outing
Photo by Dave and June

Comments about this page

  • Hello to you all. I used to live at 48, Mayfield Crescent, Patcham and my parents were Celia and Charles Snelling who regularly attended Christ the King. I recall the Rev. Shrimpton and was confirmed there by Bishop Crotty, probably in the late ’40s or early ’50s. My mother used to print and distribute the parish magazine and I can recall the ‘Roneo’ stencils hanging up to dry on the clothes horse in our kitchen. I joined the 30th Brighton Boy’s Brigade under the Captainship of ‘Bumble’ Griffin who lived next door but one in Mayfield Crescent. One of our Lieutenants was Les Harris (the coal merchant) and the other was another parishioner, Mr Constable. My Mum, Celia, moved to be near us in Lincolnshire and following Charlie’s death (1964). She lived in Linc’s until her death aged 102 in 2006. They are both buried near the tower in Old Patcham Churchyard. I’m now 77, but if anyone remembers me or my parents, please feel free to get in touch. Incidentally, my parents moved to Highview Way, Patcham in 1954, the year I left school in Hanover Place, Brighton and moved to Byfleet in Surrey to start an apprenticeship at Vickers Armstrongs in Weybridge. My wife Diana (ex Carden Avenue) and I live in Dereham, Mid Norfolk.

    By John C Snelling (22/09/2015)
  • Just for the record John, the BB company ‘The Fighting 30th’ was based at Patcham Methodist Church, whilst ‘Bumble’ Griffin’s Captaincy was conducted at the 3rd Brighton BB Company at Carden School. I attended Patcham school until 1952, playing soccer alongside Les’s eldest son Paul Harris. Les was indeed a lovely man, and i have photos of his coal lorry taking us to BB Company Camp at Sharpethorne. later his youngest son Michael ‘Mick’ – also a magical athletic footballer – was also a member of the 30th BB the company by then under the captaincy of Ted ‘Pop’ Slater (ex 6th BB Dorset Gardens – a remarkable man). There was certainly much youthful ‘cross fertilisation’ of friendships through the efforts of Christ the King Youth Club activities – include my brother Dave and his wife Doreen nee May amongst those attending the dances held there. I attended the ‘Building School’ until July 1955 - unsure if you are averring to that wonderful school in Hanover Terrace or not. It was ably led by the masterful academic headmastership of of the day found in Mr Downing, whose features earned him the affectionate nomenclature of ’Goof’ – never to be uttered to his face! He could address from memory every boy in his school by their full name.

    By John Hancock (19/08/2016)
  • I spent many happy Saturday evenings at Christ the King Youth Club in the early 1960s. I remember Sam Basset, Bernie Gebbles, Nona and Adrian Tincknell and many more. I was then Jennie Siverns and now live on a small farm locally, any one out there remember?

     

    By Jennie Newbigging (15/07/2018)
  • I also spent happy evenings at the youth club in the early sixties. Jennie did you live in wilmington way? My email address is kennethlionel5@hotmail.com ,if anybody would like to share some memories.

    By Ken Cross (18/05/2020)
  • Hi Ken,
    No I didn’t live in Wilmington Way but was at the Youth Club in the early sixties, it was so popular and Saturday nights were great.
    Jennie.

    By Jennie Newbigging (Siverns) (01/12/2020)

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