Over the past year, one of our archival volunteers has been meticulously appraising, cataloguing, and rehousing our large archival collection of drama and music records.
At this year’s remembrance service, the Head Master will read the names of Old Brightonians who lost their lives during the Second World War. Some of these men, like John Sulman, lived to marry and have children, while others were children themselves, like Frank Stuttaford. Although their lives were very different, each would have walked through the archway in the College’s gatehouse. They would have posed for their house photograph in September, and sat in the chapel each morning, alongside their friends.
Almost two years ago, Hew Prendergast emailed the College about his ancestor, Sir Harry North Dalrymple Prendergast (BC 1849-50). We were thrilled to hear from a descendent of such an illustrious OB, and invited Hew to speak to our 4th Form. Much to their delight, Hew brought along one of Sir Harry’s swords. It was fascinating to see an object with such an exciting story; an object which also prompted me to learn more about the sword that had once been kept in the College’s chapel, above Sir Harry’s plaque.
In September, we invited Patrick Hicks (BCJS/Le. 1967-74) and Jeremy Charles (BCJS/Sc. 1964-74) back to Brighton College to be interviewed by current pupils, Dan Kimber (Ry. Upper Sixth) and Ella Ticktin-Smith (Ch. Upper Sixth). Their reminiscences will soon be made available in a short podcast on the Old Brightonian website. Here, Patrick reflects on his experience of returning to Brighton College after 50 years.
We continue the saga of our Victorian pupil, in the month of February.
Andrew Potter (Br. 1957-62) recently got in touch with a set of photographs. Dating between 1952 and 1957, the images show Brighton College Junior School.
Malcolm McVittie recently wrote a letter to the Head Master, describing his father’s experiences after leaving school. This letter recounted a story of bravery and perseverance.
Much of the pleasure found in an archive is making connections and understanding histories, but the membership card for the Brighton College Elephant Club (BCEC) has had me flummoxed for weeks.
On the 5th October 1916, the Governors of Brighton College met to discuss the usual issues important people discuss.
We are trying to find out the names of old 1st team captains for rugby, football and cricket in order to find out which houses they belonged to at school.
About six months ago, our maintenance team asked me to take a look at a large sign stored in their workshop.
From the pictures on the blog, many of you may imagine me sorting through piles of old papers. You might be surprised to hear that I am also responsible for managing some of our more recent records - even digital ones! This aspect of my work began last year, with a project focused on the school’s pupil files. Working alongside our brilliant Assistant Bursar, Cathy O’Reilly, I completed an information audit and made many plans for the future, which are now being implemented. Inspired by the project, I decided to write a short essay as an entry for the IRMS (Information and Records Management Society) Alison North New Professionals’ Award. The winners of the award were announced last week, and I was delighted to discover my entry had won!
This week being National Gardening Week, I thought it would be nice to consider how the school’s gardens have changed over the years.
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 …
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.
It might be small but there's room for two!
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...
While searching through the Brightonians this week, I stumbled across a short, but fascinating, article written by the Jazz Appreciation Society, in 1962.
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.
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.
Can you guess what the last boy played!? This image is taken from Dorothy Isabella Fenwick’s notebook. From 1929 to 1948, she was a matron at Brighton College: in Stenning House, School House, the Junior School and finally Bristol House. She retired in 1948 and lived in Walpole Terrace, Brighton.
Earlier this month, I gave a short talk to our 4th Form Academic Society. Deciding on a theme was tricky, but since I’d recently worked on the school’s roll of honour – ensuring it was ready for our new memorial statue – the theme of ‘conflict’ seemed fitting.
Rev. Canon William Dawson remains Brighton College’s longest serving Headmaster, having lead the school between 1906 and 1933. He supported the College through the First World War and instigated a significant rise in pupil numbers – so significant that we were apparently bursting at the seams! It was a great pleasure to welcome Rosemary Sidwell and her husband Richard back to the College
Since its foundation in 1845, Brighton College has built a significant historical collection, which is now held in the purpose-build archive on Eastern Road. This collection is not only important to the history and culture of the College, but also to the historical Kemptown area and Brighton itself.
Malcolm Jenkins (H. 1951-55) writes reading the August newsletter about Sir John Chilcot, O.B. President, prompted me to revisit an old photograph taken circa 1954, of some of the inhabitants of Hampden House, including John Chilcot. The photo was taken at the top of the bank, which was out of bounds to all but prefects’ feet, with the old tin sheds which housed Hampden at the time, in the background!
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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