Searching For Childhood Friends

posted by Sheila Gregory Kesby on 04 Apr 2017 at 11:33 am

I was born in 1939 in St. James' Crescent, Bexhill. I grew up here attending the Down's Primary and Secondary Schools and then the Bexhill Grammar School to take a pre-nursing course. This led to my leaving Bexhill in 1957 to train as a nurse in London. While I kept in touch with my family and friends who remained in Bexhill, I did not return to live here until December 2014. My very best friend, Julie Press, tragically died in 2013. However, I'm still going to hold a Reunion for the Friends & Families of Bexhill - that we used to talk about - with her husband Guss Mitchell and their children.

I've posted the details of this in a separate message, here I just want to list the names of the people I remember and would like invite to the reunion. They are: Sally Stevens Dadd, Annette and Kenny Stevens, Diana and Elizabeth Vale, Raymond Alderland, Ken Gillham, Jean Burton, Jean Town, Sally Gadston and Ivan ' the Terrible'.

There are, of course, many others I remember, but not their names. So if anyone reading this remembers me and are not on my list above, please get in touch.

Looking forward to hearing from someone.... Sheila Gregory Kesby

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Ex Pat

posted by Brenda Etheridge nee Preston on 10 Apr 2017 at 7:09 am

Hi Sheila. I have just found this site. I am a little younger born in 1943 but I remember some of these names you have mentioned. I met Sally about 2years ago when in town with my friend Maureen. I Now live in Somerset but try to get back to Bexhill at least once a year.

Searching For Childhood Friends

posted by Sheila Gregory Kesby on 18 Apr 2017 at 1:26 pm

Hi Brenda,
Thank you so much for your message. I'm sorry for the delay in getting back to you. When you say you met Sally in town, do you mean London? Anyway, do you have any contact details for Sally or for anyone else you remember on the list in my original message?
We are holding a Reunion for the Friends and Families of Bexhill on 17th June 1pm until dark, at my home, 4, Richmond Close, Bexhill, TN39 3DW.
The details are in my message under the Reunion's full title posted on 4th April last. It would be wonderful if you could make this coincide with your annual trip to Bexhill and come to the Reunion. You can bring who you like and I would be grateful if you would invite anyone else you know - whether still in Bexhill or not who might like to come. If you give me your email address and/or postal address, I could send you some of the flyer/invites for you to distribute as you see fit.

BTW would by any chance your friend Maureen be Maureen Farnfield who married John Dicks. They both lived in St. James Crescent at the same time as me and now live on Hayling Island.

Please keep in touch,
Yours etc. Sheila

Miss Gadsden

posted by Sheila Varian on 21 Apr 2017 at 8:39 pm

My English teacher at Bexhill Down County School for Girls (1962-1967) was a Sally Gadsden. She was probably in her early thirties then. Pretty sure she got married towards the end of my time there.

Searching For Childhood Friends

posted by Sheila Gregory Kesby on 25 Apr 2017 at 2:58 pm

Hi, Sheila,
Thank you for getting in touch with me. I attended the Bexhill Secondary Modern School for Girls 1950-54. Assumedly the same one you're calling the Down County School. At the time you were there, I would have been in my mid-twenties. Sally Gadsden was the same age as me, maybe a bit younger but not older. Anyway, would you have any idea where she might be now?

Do you still live in the Bexhill area? If so, may I refer you to my other message entitled 'Reunion for the Friends and Families of Bexhill' posted by me - Sheila Gregory Kesby - on 4th April. This gives the full details of the Reunion I'm organising with the Mitchell family on 17th June, plus an explanation as you why we are doing it. Also, it invites anyone who is still interested and feels connected to Bexhill to come along.

Kind Regards, Sheila

Miss Gadsden

posted by Sheila Varian on 02 May 2017 at 4:32 pm

Like most people I left Bexhill not long after leaving school. Still have family there so visit from time to time.

Not really sure how old the Sally Gadsden who taught me was - at that age anyone over 21 seems ancient. Would guess her to have been in her 20s or possibly early 30s. Not very tall with curly brown hair.

If you go on to the Bexhill Observer website and search a number of Gadsdens appear. No Sally but then I seem to remember her marrying towards the end of my time at Bexhill Downs. One Gadsden is a vicar who lives in Sewell Road.

Good luck with your search.