Memories of Brighton College by Ernest L French (C. 1939-44)

In August 1939 I had already got my uniform to go to King's College, Wimbledon, when my parents decided that war was imminent and that I should become a boarder at a school not close to London.

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Questions for the new Head Master, Richard Cairns

Brighton College welcomed a new Head Master in 2006. Here we take the opportunity to grill the poor man on his hopes and aspirations for his new ward.

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Graeme Roberts (S. 1944-47) Remembers His Swim Team

I do so much enjoy receiving the Pelican via e-mail and searching for signs of those still around who were colleagues of mine in the mid-forties.

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REPORT: Graduation Day 2006

The 2006 Graduation Day Ceremony, attended by all 6th form leavers, friends, family, staff and alumni, was every bit as uplifting as the OBA President David Gold had told me it would be... I had been asked by our esteemed leader to attend on his behalf as he was busy darting around the country amassing support for his imminent assault on government. I was happy to do so, even though it meant addressing the assembled throng on a summer’s day so hot that it lent new gravitas to the expression "passing-out ceremony"!

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REPORT: "Legendary Entertainment" - The Lashings XI visit Brighton College

On Thursday 29th June some of the world's most prolific cricketers played against the College 1st XI. Chris Crosbie - a guest of Guy Bradshaw (R. 1979-84) - sends us this report...

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First Memories of Brighton College

In November 1942 an appointment had been made by my parents for me to be interviewed by the then Headmaster, Walter Hett. A daunting prospect for a 12 year old. We lived on the other side of Hove so Kemp Town was unknown to me but I did manage to get off the bus at the bottom of College Road. My first contact at the College was the then porter, Smart. On hearing that my appointment was at 11 o’clock he looked at the hall clock; it was ten past eleven! I can still see the look on Smart’s face. I don’t remember ever being late at school again in all of my 5½ years there.

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G.P. Burstow (H. 1924-29)

Those of you who remember Philip Burstow will know of his life-long devotion to Brighton College both as a boy and master. In 1929 he joined the staff of Brighton College Preparatory School which was then in Lewes Crescent, and remained in what later became the Junior School until his death in 1975.

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Memories of Brighton College Junior School

I have just come across the article by Martin Buss regarding his memories of the old Junior School on the south side of Eastern Road. He asks what became of the handbell that used to be rung. As far as I know it was still in use in the "next generation" Junior School in the old Convent of the Blessed Sacrament in Walpole Road up until the time my father retired from teaching in the early 1980's.

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Memories of Masters by Mike Senyard (A. 1950-53)

I read with much enjoyment Pat Lyford’s affectionate recollections of his masters’ nicknames and mannerisms in issue 18 of the Pelican. I fully endorse Pat’s comment that he was very fortunate to have had the masters that he mentions. I would like to add my own very minor contribution to his list.

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Memories of Brighton College Junior School 1950-1954

In March 2006, I had the pleasure to attend the 100th Anniversary Dinner of the founding of Durnford House. While at the College, I made a quick visit to the Junior School (JS) now long since situated where St. Mary’s Hall used to be some fifty years ago. I was profoundly shocked and saddened to realize from what turned out to be a very short visit that the JS that my brother, Brian, and I used to know, had totally ceased to exist.

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Leo Mckeague (S: 1988-91)'s Daughter Christened at Brighton College

My daughter Lillie-Louise was christened at Brighton College on the 11th December 2005, after which we all had a few drinks in Cafe de Paris.

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Remembrance Sunday at Brighton College 2005

The Service of Remembrance at the College is essentially based around music and readings, including personal accounts of those whose lives were affected by war on and off the fighting fields. It is a demanding occasion for the College and Prep School Choirs and other musicians, but it is also an opportunity for deep reflection for the congregation which, as always, was made up of current pupils, parents, current and former staff and Old Brightonians. This year, the Chapel was bursting at the seams and it was fitting in this, the 60th anniversary of Armistice Day but also the 160th anniversary of the founding of Brighton College and Dr Seldon’s final term.

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REPORT: OBA Sponsored College Rugby and Netball Tour of South Africa 2005

All the efforts in planning and training were put under threat by doubts over our departure day due to the strike by South African Airways. A phone call at 11am on the morning of departure gave us the go ahead. The tour was up and running. However, another obstacle awaited us is Johannesburg in the form of passport control, which took two and half hours to clear. This put enormous pressure on catching our connecting flight to Cape Town and only the pleadings of an old man and the size of the party allowed us to win the day and board the plane half an hour late.

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12 things you didn't know about Brighton College

Some terrifically fascinating facts about Brighton College include...

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Cricket Dinner - Celebrating 150 years of College Cricket

This year we are celebrating the 160th anniversary of Brighton College’s foundation, and both the Headmaster and the Old Brightonian Association are very keen to celebrate this occasion fittingly. Hence there will be a number of events arranged at the school to mark the achievements of Brighton College, events which we hope will enable Old Brightonians of all ages to renew past associations and friendships.

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