WW2 in Bexhill

posted by Bob Sudbury on 21 Jun 2007 at 9:16 pm

My Dad's Canadian Anti Aircraft Battery served in defence of Bexhill and Cooden beach before they went to Dieppe. They stayed in Seafield School Cooden Beach (hope I got name right). Can I get a location of the school for the Battery's archives. We can't remember the exact location. I also have pictures of the area from the war, Is there a contact that would like copies for historical purposes?

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WWII In Bexhill

posted by Brian M. Powell on 31 Aug 2007 at 6:28 pm

YES PLEASE! I would like to get hold of the photos for the Sussex Military History Society and you can email them to me at woodlandspowellATbtinternet.com (replace AT with @) or post the on the web and give me me the URL to point to.

Thanks

Brian

Seafield School

posted by Jonathan Aston on 16 Nov 2007 at 5:38 pm

To Bob Sudbury (see message above).
Seafield School was one of three schools in a row (the other two were Effingham - a girl's school - and Falconbury (correct name?) - another boy's school for the same ages (8 - 13) as those who went to Seafield.
All three schools closed in the 1970's - you will find their crests in a specially dedicated stained-glass window in the nearby church (Little Common? - my memory now fails me, I was at the school in the '60's). Cooden Beach was close by, many of the parents of the various schools used to stay at the Cooden Beach Hotel. After the schools closed, the land was used for building new homes. I have a framed photograph of Seafield School, given to me by the then Headmaster - Granville Coghlan. It was all a long time ago, but good memories.....

Seafield School

posted by Peter Haines on 13 Oct 2008 at 1:45 pm

The address of Seafield School was Collington Lane West, from memory. I went back there some years ago to have a look. Difficult to recognise now, with the whole area developed now/ new houses and the school and playing fields long gone. I was at Seafield School in the Sixties also. I remember all of us standing outside the school as HM The Queen was driven down the lane, containing the three schools, Falconbury, Effingham and Seafield and we all waved to her. I remember Mr Jamieson as a young and inspirational schoolmaster. He married the headmaster's PA. The headmaster was Terence Coghlan, son of Granville. The school closed when I was there and I went to St Andrews Eastbourne.

Seafield School

posted by Charles Fogden on 03 Feb 2010 at 3:28 am

I was there in its last three years of existence. 91 pupils if remember correctly. Terry Coghlan wore a bad toupee that sometimes came off when he went swimming. A boating pond, a swimming pool, a nine hole golf course and a student garden with bamboo plants that resembled the set of a Japanese prison camp. One summer the school was evacuated when lumps of sodium went missing from the science lab....great fun.
Colonel Tyrell was the school master I remember.

Falconbury School

posted by john vincent on 24 Feb 2010 at 7:22 pm

I remember playing seafield at cricket (and probably rugger and soccer) in the late fifties/early 60's. I was there from 1953 until 1961...Head was Mr Devitt (not a bad chap) but his wife was a horror...!!!
Being next to Effingham girls school was always interesting..!! even in those days. The school closed in late 60's I think.

Seafield

posted by Danny Braem on 02 Mar 2010 at 8:55 pm

I bought some papers and photos recently from the family Williamson, who's son Tim went to the Seafield school, late 1930's. I have a letter from Granville Coghlan to Tim's father as well as a schoolreport and some tournamentspapers and also some programmes of schooltheatre at Seafield. Is anyone interested in a digital copy? I live in Antwerp, Belgium. And, I'm 54 years old and collector of old photography.

Seafield School

posted by Charles Stephens on 09 Apr 2010 at 1:48 pm

I was at Seafield School from 1960 until 1965 and loved it. Great place to be then. Very sorry it closed. I remember Jonathan Aston - How are you my old friend?

Seafield School

posted by James Wright on 11 May 2010 at 1:26 pm

I was at Seafield School from 1956 until 1961 and have a number of photographs of the school football, cricket and rugby teams as well as the annual "whole school" photo. Some of my school reports don't make great reading - written by G.B.C., T.G.C., J.A.C.K. and Captain Wheeler.

Terence Granville Coghlan

posted by Beverley Coghlan on 13 May 2010 at 10:23 pm

My husband Terence Granville Coghlan who was headmaster of Seafield School for a number of years, died last year. I would love to have copies of photos of the school and any information and memories from staff or pupils who attended the school.
The school was sold in the early 1970's Terry moved to South Africa in the 1980's where we met. We returned to England in 1997 and lived in Weybridge, UK. We spent many weekends revisiting Bexhill, Little Common and Cooden Beach. He had fond memories of that time and we were fascinated by his reminiscences - some of which were sad and some hysterically funny. His ashes are buried in St. Marks Church, Little Common as he requested.

Bexhill

posted by Danny Braem on 15 May 2010 at 7:59 pm

To Beverly Coghlan. Please send me your homeadress so I can deliver the copies and information I have. The pupil in Bexhill was a son of mr. Williamson, who was a director of a cottonfactory in Belgium. I would be pleased to send this to you.
Kind regards,

Danny Braem

Contact For Danny Braem

posted by Beverley Coghlan on 16 May 2010 at 5:11 pm

Hi Danny
My e-mail address is: bev@bevcog.com.
Please mail me there and I will send my address to you. Thank you.
Beverley Coghlan

Would Like Information On Falconbury School

posted by Ron Falconberry on 09 Jun 2010 at 10:26 pm

I have a very short section on Falconbury School on my family genealogy web site. Although I have concluded that the school is not connected with my family, I still find it to be a very interesting subject.

Mr.Colin Redfern supplied me with a few photos about the school a few years ago but I would be interested in additional photos or more detailed history about the school so that I can make the article a little more informative and interesting.

The article is here if you want to view it: http://www.falconberry.com/miscellaneous.htm#school

If you are interested in sharing any of the school's history or photos with me for the web site, I would be very pleased to talk with you. My email is: ron@falconberry.com. (Note: If your email gets rejected with a statement that the address is disabled, please try again later: it is quite finicky.)

Falconbury School

posted by Colin Redfern on 21 Jun 2010 at 6:07 pm

For Ron Falconberry and others interested in the history of Falconbury School, please visit
http://www.bahamianseashells.com/falconbury2.html

Best regards,
Colin Redfern

Fun In Sussex

posted by frank coultard on 04 Aug 2010 at 6:44 pm

I attended Seafield from 1950-55 and loved it. I owe my love of rugby to being there. Boxing came in useful too. Granville's extra Greek. JACK's Latin (Kempston was his surname). Introduction to being whacked was good training for Oundle!
Captain Wheeler was a good egg.
Good grounding for which I am ever grateful.

Happy Memories

Frank

Effingham House School

posted by Liz Spencer on 08 Aug 2010 at 9:50 pm

I went to Effingham House School in the 1960s until it closed in 1968. We used to swim in Seafield's outdoor swimming pool (freezing) but had little to do with the boys from either Seafield or Falcnbury apart from attending the church at Little Common on Sundays.

Beaten At Seafield

posted by John Prescott on 03 Oct 2010 at 9:55 am

Aston - I remember the name well as my buttocks still show the marks.

I was sitting at the front of a class, where all prolific naughty boys had to. Aston sat right at the back with the goodies and clever. All of a sudden, a disruptive noise was made, and the master whose name I cannot recall, immediately blamed me for it. Protesting my innocence for a change, I was then sent next door to report my 'disobedience' to Granville who took me out to the gym after picking up Captain Wheeler's (Buggins) walking stick.

I was thrown over the horse and Granville started belting me. Luckily, the walking stick broke after the 3rd stroke and that was the end of it.

Aston did own up to me after and apologised but I was the one who suffered. That evening, Granville at dinner asked me if I would like to eat my meal standing up. Somehow he by then knew about the great miscarriage of justice.

Seafield Possible Reunion Lunch

posted by Nicholas Wright on 04 Oct 2010 at 11:34 am

I am considering organising a reunion lunch fir any old boys from Seafield that I can contact. The event may take place in early 2011, depending upon how many old boys are interested.

My email address is nicholasewwrightATbtinternet.com (replace AT with @)

Please contact me if you are interested.

Seafield School 1947-1951

posted by John Siddons on 29 Oct 2010 at 12:17 am

Any Old Seafield boys that are interested in a reunion please contact NICK PERRY at c.n.perryATbtinternet.com (replace AT with @) He, along with Nicholas Wright, another Old Boy, are thinking of a reunion in mid 2011. I live in the US now and will be present!!!!

Seafield School 1965-1969

posted by Richard Hudson on 02 Nov 2010 at 1:45 pm

I was at Seafield from 1965 - 1969, when it moved to Hazlemere???
I remember the name Charles Fogden. Also remember the Film Nights on Saturdays and the Tuck Shop, that opened in the Games/Library prior to the film. Walks to 'Tank Trap' woods and Church on Sundays, with the whole school raising their caps, when we passed an adult. I have a school photo from about 1967, taken on the grass bank in front of the main building.

Message For Richard Hudson

posted by Nicholas Wright on 10 Nov 2010 at 7:25 pm

Could you contact Nicholas Wright by email on nicholasewwrightATbtinternet.com (replace AT with @)

Seafield School Reunion?

posted by Jonathan Aston on 16 Dec 2010 at 9:52 am

This has become interesting! Having posted my message in November 2007, I re-visited this page for several months, but then gave up since there were no further comments. I've now just returned, and it's good to read everything that has been written over the past couple of years!
Firstly, my sincere condolences to Beverley Coghlan, I was so sorry to hear of Terry's death last year. I remember him well, he took over from Granville as Headmaster whilst I was at the school.
Good to see the names of Charles Stephens and James Wright. Charles, I would love to see you again, maybe we could meet up in 2011? I usually get to London once a week, so maybe dinner or lunch sometime? James, I remember you as a contemporary of my brother (he lives in Canada) and I think I sat behind you for awhile at either Lords or the Oval in 2009!
I have in a storage room many old black and white team and school photos from both my brother's and my own days at the school. Also one or two newspaper articles, some school reports, etc. Will try and dig them out in January.
I have remained in contact with just one very good friend from Seafield days (I'm not giving his name in case he doesn't want it mentioned on this site), but have often wondered what happened to Peter Harker, Stephen Lucking, Guy Lee, plus others whose names escape me right now! Only yesterday I saw a letter from David Worskett in The Times!
After I left Seafield, both I and my late parents kept in contact with Granville, Captain Wheeler and Jack Kempston. I continued to occasionaly visit Mrs Wheeler after her husband died. All are gone now, and I havn't been back to Little Common for maybe 25 years.
Good to see that comments have been posted by people from both Effingham and Falconbury, I had one or two friends long ago from both those schools.
Would be very interested in attending a Seafield reunion, and I shall email Nicholas Wright and Nick Perry regarding this.
In the meantime, I wish you all a very Happy Christmas!

I Remember John Vincent And Effingham House

posted by Antoine RAYMOND on 21 Dec 2010 at 8:14 pm

As John rightly wrote, not only we would play rugger, soccer, and cricket against Seafield, but we would also write letters to the Effingham House girls next door. One of mine was intercepted and read aloud by our headmaster. I remember being quite proud, actually, whereas he was expecting confusion and shame...it scored well with the girls next door also...I remember John Vincent quite well, and would welcome getting back in touch.

Seafield Reunion

posted by Graham MacKichan on 23 Dec 2010 at 1:31 am

I am also planning to attend the reunion with at least one of my brothers. Including a cousin, there were four of us at the school, known as Mac I, II, III, and IV. I started as III, but as my older brother and then cousin left before me, graduated to Mac II, and then Mac I. I think my overpowering memories of the school were Sunday evening verses before the very strict headmaster, Granville, and being beaten with almost anything that was to hand, but particularly on the hand with that short stick he kept in his desk. That, and one of my contemporaries being thrown over a desk by JAC Kempston and splitting his head open on a radiator.

Sincere condolences also to Beverley Coghlan, I also remember Terry well. I seem to recall that he and Dorothy used to keep two giant Pyrenean Mountain dogs.

I also recall the very strange series of incidents with sodium and potassium, which Charles Fogden - name rings a bell - refers to above and which led to the school's disruption shortly before it's closure. Terry was looking for someone to own up, and if my memory serves me correctly a certain Nicholas Bright stepped forward, although none of us believed for a moment that he was responsible.

Seafield School '60-'65

posted by Peter Harker on 23 Dec 2010 at 6:52 pm

I am amazed to have just read the messages about Seafield on this site, having had an email out of the blue from an old friend Jonathan Aston, contemporary at the school in the 60's. I have a stack of -(mostly good - despite what was in retrospect a pretty harsh regime but the norm for the times)- memories and not a little memorabilia including a full set of the dreaded end of term reports, school team photos, a couple of ties and 2nd and 1st X1 caps! I have known Robin Barnett (59-64) since the 80's. His brother Nick was also at the school. Have visited Bexhill several times over the years.
All that remains is Seafield Cottage that was
at the entrance by the school gates, next to where Mr Sandford (?)taught carpentry and regaled us with gory tales of what befell us if we handled the chisel in the wrong way and always had a pot of resin/glue on the boil. I remember also Chris Ambler, Anthony Causton, the Stenhouse brothers,Mike? Ortmans,Guy Lee and his brother Nick,Charles Stephens, Peter Broom, Stephen Lucking and James Savage who were all direct contemporaries. I am sad to learn that Terence Coghlan ("Terry") has recently passed away. Would be keen to attend the proposed reunion luncheon.

Seafield School 1963-68

posted by Keith Auckland on 28 Dec 2010 at 5:07 pm

Well well! I chanced upon this by googling Falconbury on a rare occasion when I can justify going nothing useful! I had learned of Terry's death on the Rugby School Wikipedia entry, (Granville is listed among the schools notable alumni,though I didn't know he toured with the Lions). So my condolences to Beverley too.
I too have fond memories of Seafield and quite a lot of memorabilia including a prospectus which must date from the early '60's. The fees were ?100 per term and we seem to do a lot of eating: breakfast, light lunch, dinner,"little tea" followed by "high tea"! We needed to do a lot of sport to run this lot off! I hope to attend the re-union and renewing some very old friendships. Graham, apart from the time we were all beaten, a midnight party down at the swimming pool, I can't believe you did anything to deserve it!

Seafield School 1956 - 1961

posted by James Wright on 08 Feb 2011 at 10:51 pm

Jonathan Aston - nice to read your comments above. I made contact with your brother Nicholas about 12 years ago but nothing since. You probably sat behind me at Lords in 2009 (I am a regular visitor) and recently spent a day there with Anthony Jeffryes who also left Seafield in 1961.
Hope to see you at the re-union lunch in April.

Seafield 1954-60

posted by Christopher Morrison on 03 Mar 2011 at 11:50 pm

I was at Seafield '54-'60 and will be attending the lunch on 19 April; look forward to seeing you all there.
I am in touch with William McIver,and he and I went on to Epsom together. He emigrated to Australia, joined the Aus army and served in Vietnam. I also remember 'Tig' Miles, David Austin [who joined the Merchant Navy after Pangbourne], Patrick Beckett whose lovely sister went to Effingham;Chris Causton; a Canadian called Evans; and of course the masters as mentioned above.
Very fond memories - and I can still parse a sentence and know the pluperfect passive subjunctive of Amo! I retired from the R Navy in 2001.

Seafield 1956 1961

posted by Andrew Pott on 04 Mar 2011 at 8:07 pm

Hello James Wright! No wonder I could never track down Anthony Jeffryes. I forgot his name was spelled like that. Can I get in touch with him? See you at the reunion hopefully.

Memory Lane Seafield

posted by Nick McIver on 07 Mar 2011 at 10:44 pm

Nicholas wright the organiser of the Reunion
in London is one of the few I remember (1948-1954). Any sign of the Miles Clan(Four of), Julian Hale, Michael Emmerson, Colin Morris, JCN Robinson (who lived in the West Country where the visiting Australian Cricket teams always visited (? stayed)I last saw him skiing in Villars Switzerland in 1956. Also Peter Savage who had a sister at Effingham, I last saw him in Austria when I was a student in London and he was in the Royal Engineers, I believe then at Cambridge.Happy days! I had two younger brothers at Seafield William and Harry, now both married and living in Australia. I have just heard the news of Beverley Coghlan and I am extremely sorry to hear the news of Terry's death. My condolences to Beverley. I have signed up to go to the reunion. Norman (aka "Nick - which I now much prefer) McIver.(Seafield 1948-54) (PS I do remember Coultard above).

Seafield Football Colts 1957

posted by James Wright on 09 Mar 2011 at 10:09 pm

Following on Christopher Morrison's message above, I have a Seafield photograph of him with R. Fry, J Powell, Peter Hacking, Patrick Beckett, David Austin, C. Rowell, Chris Causton, Peter Kinnersley, Tim Miles and myself. I will bring it along to the lunch

Seafield School '57-'60

posted by Bill Evans ( aka Yank) on 21 Mar 2011 at 6:23 pm

Amazing really that after all these years, the memories seem fresh....Here are some names which I remember....hope I get them right.
Robin Mcdonagh who went on to Stowe as did I.
Charlie Rowell, who lived around the corner from me in South Kensington, in Onslow Gardens. I believe he joined the Met Police.
Was there a son of Freddie Laker ( of Laker Airways) who lived in Bexhill? Robert Cobb, lived in Kent and I believe went into Estate management; the Arvold brothers, whose father was a Judge; Tim Miles, who had 3 brothers ahead of him went to Wellington, I think. Peter Cundill ( whose father was a trainer).
Nunn, Greene, Cawston brothers, Powell, Kindersley, Buchannan, McIver, Austin, Scroobey. I think there was also Peter Wright, who was fascinated by soccer and was glued to the radio every Saturday afternoon before supper ( my mistake....James )!
I also remember those interminable Friday afternoons with JACK learning 5 line history vignettes for the common entrance exam...and thanks to James Wright, Christopher Morrison and William McIver for more names.
I remember several of us boys helping with the marking of the lower field on the Wednesday evening before Sports Day '60 with Captain Wheeler and when we returned to the 'boot-room' someone called out, "let's lock out the Yank ( my inappropriate nickname since I was Canadian !) and slammed the glass door in my face. Of course the glass broke and there was a lot of blood....but what I remember most was a whispered conversation between a couple of adults the next day...."should he really be allowed to show his face on Sports Day ?"
Granville said YES and that was that !

I may even have some team photos, which I could have scanned and send to you if you think this might be amusing !

Seafield 65-69

posted by Richard Knott on 15 Apr 2011 at 4:18 pm

Googling Seafield does bring up some interesting sites!

Seeing the illustrious list of attendees I will now make every effort to make the re-union. Have thrown away most of the Seafiled photos but I'm sure Graham M will be happy to see the picture of him and Tim Rice (who is coming as well) in our three man dormitory.

WW 11

posted by RAF child on 22 May 2011 at 8:04 pm

My dad , Flight Sergeant McVeigh, served at the Bexhill base. I'd love to hear any stories or facts about that time as my dad has sadly passed away. like many men [and women] he didn't talk much about those days but when he did, he spoke fondly of the men and the area.

Thanks.

Captain Wheeler's Daughter

posted by Tim Brodrick on 02 Jun 2011 at 12:56 pm

1946-1952
About fourth hand I heard that Captain Wheeler's daughter had asked after me. i would dearly like to make contact as I have such happy memories of lessons from this inspired man. As far as I know he was completely untrained in education but he made every subject come to life. he left me with a love of the English language, its history and its grammar, including punctuation! Whether he realised it or not he was a surrogate father to me and probably to others who's fathers were still serving abroard who may have sadly been killed. I would dearly love to convey these sentiments to his daughter whose name I know not. can anyone help?

Ww2 Radar/ack Ack Gun Site?

posted by tony morris on 29 Sept 2011 at 1:44 pm

Hi am doing some long running research on the bexhill ww2 radar site, as my mother was there in the radar unit 536 battery?.. any information/photo's..? anything please.
Tel/text: 07967963611

best wishes,

Tony Morris

Ww2 Radar/ack Ack Gun Site?

posted by tony morris on 30 Sept 2011 at 1:13 pm

Hi am doing some long running research on the bexhill ww2 radar site, as my mother was there in the radar unit 536 battery?.. any information/photo's..? anything please.
Tel/text: 07967963611

best wishes,

Tony Morris

Seafield 60 -65

posted by Charles Stephens on 03 Jul 2012 at 2:06 pm

A message for Jonathan Aston and anyone else who remembers me. Would be great to meet to see how we are turned out and recall Seafield days. cwspostAThotmail.com replace AT with @ as do not know if this site likes email addresses. Charles - now 60 years old!

The Three Schools

posted by Graham Lyndon-Jones on 11 Sept 2012 at 11:42 pm

I was 5 when the war started, and remember these schools very well, all having access from Collington Lane. We had to evacuate as a family in summer 1940 because of the threat of invasion. My father stayed at home as he was the pharmacist in Little Common, and needed by the military. When the schools were back to normal, I sometimes delivered medicines on my bike. Apart from Falconbury, other schools nearby were Portsdown Lodge and the Beehive, both girls' schools. Mr Noakes had a cabinet-making workshop near Cooden Mount. He told me how he had made all the doors for the schools when they were built.

Ex Falconbury School Pupil

posted by Geoffrey Wyatt on 27 Sept 2012 at 2:16 pm

Falconbury Shool was evacuated to a village (Kings'Sutton, near Banbury) in WW2. I went to that school which was housed in a very large Palladian house formerly owned by Earl Beatty, as a day boy amongst boarders. I remember Mr and Mrs Faulkner and their daughter Janet.
When war ended I went back with them as a border for a year before going to Hurstpierpoint College.

Contact

posted by Geoffrey Wyatt on 28 Sept 2012 at 12:29 pm

I live near Hastings. Contact:- blackbridge33@googlemail.com to reminisce if so desired.

Canadians In Bexhill

posted by Luke Flanagan on 05 Nov 2012 at 2:11 pm

I would be very interested in receiving any information related to Canada and Bexhill. I have recently completed a PhD in Canadian Studies and, as a resident of the town, have begun a research project investigating the link between our town and Canada titled ‘Canadians in Bexhill.’ This has inevitably taken a military angle with the presence of Canadian troops in the town during both world wars.

If anyone has any information or insight that they would like to share I would be very interested to receive it. A letter to the Bexhill Observer was published in the most recent edition (2 Nov - p7) and may be accessed here: http://www.bexhillobserver.net/news/letters/your-letters-friday-november-2-1-4433625

More about the project and me can be accessed here: http://canadiansinbexhill.wordpress.com/

Capt Wheeler

posted by Christopher Morrison on 10 Dec 2012 at 3:57 pm

Reference Tim Brodrick's message, 8 above this one, I think Capt Wheeler's daughter was called Julia.
I too have fond memories of him, in spite of being nearly deafened by his clips round the ear, and being set 100 French sentences - which Granville immediately rescinded!

Seafield School 1968 -1969

posted by Peticia Lever (nee Simonds) on 18 Mar 2013 at 9:39 pm

I also went to Seafield School in 1968 for 2 terms when the girls school I attended Ancaster Gate joined with Seafield and we moved to the Seafield site. Terry was headmaster and I'm so sorry to learn of his death and send my condolences to Beverley. I remember several of the boys Graham MacKichen who I think was head boy, Richard Knott, Nicholas Bright etc. I was also there when there was the sodium and potassium incident which happened towards the end of the Autumn term. We were all busy with putting on a production of Oliver which sadly had to be cancelled and we all got to go home early for the Christmas holidays. I also remember Colonel Tyrell as an excellent teacher.It would be fun to meet up with anyone who was at Seafield at that time. I live near Oxford and can be contacted on ticia.lever[AT]btinternet.com

Effingham House School Bexhill On Sea

posted by Elizabeth Pearce (Gibson) on 05 Sept 2013 at 1:59 pm

I used to attend effingham house school from 1955 to 1961 and would love to find some of the friends I made there.

Seafield 1943 To 1947

posted by Mike Tuson on 23 Jun 2014 at 10:26 am

I joined Seafield in 1942 after the school had moved to the Two Bridges Hotel, on Dartmoor, and left in 1947 after it had returned to Bexhill. Coincidentally my stepfather,Eric Bradshaw, of whom I knew nothing until 1952, was at the school when Granville's father was headmaster and Granville was there as a pupil, - I was there when Granville was head and Terry was a pupil and my son, Anthony was there when Terry was head. As to fees, my first year there the fees were a horrendous £90 a year, full board!!

Falconbury

posted by Hugh Glover on 25 Aug 2014 at 1:42 am

Thank you all, especially Colin Redfurn. I was at that school around 1962 to 1966.

Care To Dance?

posted by Sue (Prowse) Tako on 08 Oct 2014 at 5:10 pm

One of the more painful, if amusing memories from Effingham School, situated as it was between both Seafield and Falconbury schools, & which I attended in the 1950's, was the instigation of dance classes between Effingham and Seafield - once it became apparent that the Seafield boys only came up to us Effingham girls' waistlines (we were a good deal older than they, after all!), I believe someone must have recognised the futility of this endeavor!

Mike Tuson

posted by Tim Brodrick on 09 Oct 2014 at 5:48 pm

I joined the school for the summer term 1946 just after the school returned from Two Bridges. I remember you Mr Tuson as being very senior to me and if I remember correctly you went to Dartmouth College on leaving. I was very jealous as I wanted to follow my father into the Senior Service. When I left entry was at eighteen. However I was found to be short-sighted and that was that: so became a vet!

Effingham House School

posted by Nicola Blatch nee Dumas on 30 Jan 2015 at 4:21 pm

I was at Effingham House from 1957 - 1963 ish. Good to hear someone was there too! Some good memories of apple bobbing on Mo's birthday!

Effingham House

posted by Grizelda Cowan (Gray) on 21 May 2015 at 7:50 am

I was at Effingham House from 1962 till 1968. I remember sneaking out at night to go skinny dipping in Seafield's pool. Coincidentally, years later I married Peter Grosch who had been at Seafield and later at Hurstpier Point which was one of the schools we had a dance 'against'! That particular evening and its repercussions will stay in my memory for ever - still makes me smile.

Old School Days

posted by Julia Bateson (nee Ludford) on 06 Jul 2015 at 4:26 pm

I was at Effingham leaving in 1966. I have to say the swimming and hockey on the coldest pitch known to man came hard as I was born in Joburg. We bought some lovely coloured bloomers to wear under our hockey split skirts but Mo was having none of it. She was from the Victorian age but I appreciate the help she was to me.

Falconbury School

posted by simon manley-cooper on 02 Nov 2015 at 5:39 pm

I was at Falconbury from 1955 to 59, I remember John Vincent who had a wonderful voice and starred in our school musicals. I remember peering at the girls of Effingham playing hockey and usually being beaten by the boys of Seafield at rugby and football but not cricket. John is right the headmaster was Phillip Devitt whose wife was something else but he either divorced her or she died as he remarried a lovely lady, I know this as I dropped in for tea just after the school closed. It would be good to hear from you John

Hi Nicola

posted by Clem Treasure (nee Sharp) on 08 Dec 2015 at 6:04 pm

Amazing to see your name after all these years.
I remember coming to stay with you one school
holidays._one of the few bright spots in an
otherwise unhappy time at the school.

Hi Nicola

posted by Clem Treasure (nee Sharp) on 09 Dec 2015 at 10:13 pm

Amazing to see your name after all these years.
I remember coming to stay with you one school
holidays._one of the few bright spots in an
otherwise unhappy time at the school.

Falconbury In The 40's

posted by Ian Surman on 10 May 2016 at 7:27 am

I was at Falconbury from about 1942 to 1948.During the war Falconbury moved to Astrop Park in Kings Sutton near Banbury then returned to Little Common when hostilities ceased . I enjoyed Astrop Park particularly as it had a large lake in which we could fish and any respectable catch was cooked for us. What a treat !
At the Little Common site we were next to Effingham House where we would take a sneak at the girls playing tennis on the adjacent courts. Boys being boys would jeer at the girls and this got me whacking from the Headmaster Mr Eardley. Not my only one I might add. . sweets were of course rationed and we were allowed three or four dished out by Matron. I hid some in in my tuck box which were discovered resulting in another beating with a gym shoe over the billiard table.

Happy days !

Fond Memories Of Seafield

posted by John Siddons on 26 Jul 2016 at 7:14 pm

I was in the school from 1948 to winter 1951. My brother Hugh was there too and he had a term or two at the Dartmoor site.
I had a fine time for those years. Sport was my favourite 'subject'. Latin with Kempson was a terrifying event. I still have scars on the back of my thighs and broken fingers too! Would not be allowed in today's school world.
I read a note above from Tim Brodrick.........he and I used to fight together, I remember!
I won't forget Pat Coughlan. He wore a strange band around his forehead which intrigued us. He had an old open Alvis which I wanted to own!! Vintage cars became a hobby of mine years later.
Thanks to the Latin in which we were all force-fed I was able to go to my father's and grandfather's old school.
I have a school group photo dated 1951 and a few football and cricket team photos around the same date.
Should anyone want a copy please contact me. I live in the USA now. I am 78 y o a and feel like a 50 year old!
John Siddons

Falconbury

posted by MICHAEL WARD on 20 Sept 2016 at 7:53 pm

I was thrilled to read through the message board. I was at Falconbury between 1956 and 1961. My two older brothers, Nicholas and Rodney, also attended Falconbury. It was 60 years yesterday, 19th September 1956, that I spent my first night at boarding school. I would love to be back in touch with anyone who attended the school, especially so if you have any photos. My email is michael.ward@noozz.com and the number is 07956886116

EFFINGHAM

posted by Sharon langley on 30 Dec 2016 at 9:35 pm

Have just found this site. I was at Effingham for only a short time (1968) before we were told it was being sold to developers. I remember that we were all in tears and were given the day off to go to Cooden Beach. My two best friends were Jane Munro and Susan Fraser. This all makes me feel quite nostalgic. Its so interesting to read all your memories.

Falconbury

posted by Ashley Burns on 26 Feb 2017 at 4:18 am

I've just come across this site and in particular the post from Michael Ward. I was at Falconbury from 1958 to 1962 and remember Michael very well. He ( and Tony Ablett) very kindly took me under their wings during my first term. I still have school photos from those days including (e.g.) a photo of the entire school in 1958/1959 and photos of the 1960 and 1961 football and rugby teams in 1960 and 1961 respectively.

I am a barrister in private practice in Hong Kong - saburns@templechambers.com