Gordon Smith (Br. 1946-52 and Headmaster BCJS 1970-80), OB of the Month, July 2016

Gordon Smith attended Brighton College from 1946-52. Upon graduating, he studied at Trinity College, Oxford, where he read English. He went on to work in various educational institutions, including Brighton College, where he was House Master of Aldrich from 1963-1967 and then Head Master of the Junior School from 1970-80. He is now retired but still maintains close ties to the College and has been an active member of the Old Brightonians, having been captain of the OB cricket club. We were very interested to hear of Gordon’s time at the College, both as an ex-pupil and staff member!

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William "Bill" Blackshaw, Headmaster at Brighton College from 1971-87, has died

Bill Blackshaw, who was Headmaster of the college from 1971 to 1987 died peacefully at home in Rottingdean on Friday 27 May. He had a huge impact on the school during his 16 years of headship, increasing numbers markedly, introducing co-education in the Sixth Form and overseeing the greatest building programme of the post-war era.

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Keren Burton (Head of Girls Games - Prep School, 1988-2015)

We are sad to report the death of Keren Burton, the recently retired head of Girls Games at Brighton College Prep School. A funeral service will be held at Woodvale Crematorium (North) on Thursday May 26th 2016, at 11am.

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Notes on the Archive: The Changing Face of the School

This week being National Gardening Week, I thought it would be nice to consider how the school’s gardens have changed over the years. 

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From the Archive: Tales from India

Many of you may remember Martin Jones as the College's Head of History. Others may also recollect him as our Librarian, our Honorary Archivist, and author of the brilliant school history - Brighton College: 1845-1995. As an expert on all things Brighton College, he has been a wonderful help since I started this time last year. He regularly keeps in touch, and recently sent me some fascinating observations from his travels in India … 

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People in the Archive: Hubert Leslie and his S-s-silhouettes

Every week, I receive a fascinating enquiry from a researcher, a member of the public or an Old Brightonian – sometimes all three. In early February, Julia Webb from the National Portrait Gallery got in touch to learn more about silhouette-artist extraordinaire, Hubert Leslie.

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News from the Archive: Our Reading Room is Ready!

It might be small but there's room for two! 

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Stories from the Archive: The Case of the Missing Lion

This week's post was written by Karen Scanlon, who volunteers at the archive. She was helping to catalogue our collection of uniform, when a picture on the wall caught her attention... 

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Brighton College Bangkok

Brighton College Bangkok opened in September 2016 and shares the aims and ethos of Brighton College UK, England’s top co-educational school.

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Music in the Archive: The Jazz Appreciation Society, 1962

While searching through the Brightonians this week, I stumbled across a short, but fascinating, article written by the Jazz Appreciation Society, in 1962.

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Stories from the Archive: Discovering Documents

One of the joys of sorting through the archive at Brighton College has been discovering documents that haven’t been seen for years – sometimes, these can be ‘hiding’ in places one least expects.

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The family of Lister Durell Wickham (Ch. 1908-13) donate his medals to The College

The North family bestowed a great favour on the College in June 2015 when they arranged for the medals of Lister Durrell Wickham to be donated to the College. Head Master Richard Cairns was delighted to meet with the Phillipson family and to receive the medals, which are now on display in the College Chapel. After serving at Gallipoli Lister had been home ill, and had married his sweetheart musician Marguerite Dickensen.

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History Challenge Week: A History of Brighton College in 50 Objects

As part of History challenge week, a fascinating exhibition entitled ‘the History of Brighton College in 50 Objects’ has been displayed in the library. Based on the popular BBC series, ‘A History of the World in 100 Objects’ presented by the Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, the exhibition provided an intriguing insight, not only into the history of the College, but also into the wider context of social and political changes that have taken place between the mid-19th Century and the present day.

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News from the Archive: Our New Rolling Shelves!

Christmas has come early at Brighton College Archives, with 'phase one' of our re-fit nearly complete.

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End of Michaelmas term 2015 letter from The Head Master

Two years ago, a boy came to see me in my study to tell me that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and was about to embark on a gruelling course of chemotherapy. He was 17 years old at the time. Thankfully, he is now fully recovered.

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