I'm so delighted to have 'stumbled across' your site and in particular to peruse the memories of Miss Broadbridge, (Mrs Stone), re: St Nicolas Junior School. Reading this lady's recollections was wonderful and certainly re-kindled some of my own.

I was born February 1954, near to the snow-clad valley of Abertillery, wrote Charmaine Skinner. It was my father's wish that I be educated in England, (not sure what prompted this, as our Welsh heritage was long and ne'er before was this a consideration), therefore at about three months of age my life in Portslade commenced.

Our arrival here found us living above a shop in Station Road, (just one room), and I later learnt this to be a tough time for my parents, who experienced a great change in culture and much discrimination.

From there we moved on to Trafalgar Road, (Dad worked in Foredown Drive where Mam and I regularly joined him for lunch. He was also a keen Cricketer, so much time spent at Recreation Ground and in Club House; hot orange juice comes to mind!), Elm Drive, then to Stonery and Chalky Road. The latter two addresses bearing most relevance to my tale.

Our home in Stonery Road was blessed with vistas of open fields and grazing horses, later to see the erection of Downland Court. We lived there until a few years after my Dad's death in 1962, (a great sadness, but nevertheless, a 'fortunate' girl, who received more unconditional love in those few years than many know in a lifetime, plus a great investment of one-to-one learning hours), and moved to Chalky Road in 1965.

I think my first introduction to school life was a brief spell at Knoll Infants, from where I quickly joined Locks Hill Primary. The Headmistress being a 'warm and caring' lady, I think, Miss Nixon? For some reason my time there was brief and I seemed to be allowed to 'skip' a year, hence entering St. Nicolas Juniors about 1961.

We were still housed in the old flint building, cold playtimes, ensuing staff-room recovery periods and, with no canteen, school lunches meant regular route marches to Benfield. Being, at that time, a very slow eater, I was always frog-marched back with one of the more frightening staff members. (Legacy being that I now eat far too quickly!).

The reigning Headmaster was Mr Humphries and, being a fellow Welshman, good rapport was soon established. Other teachers who readily come to mind are: Miss Young, Mr Slack and Mr Oliver. The latter recently 'shared paths' with my husband and I am told, looks well.

Amongst my recollection of peers are: Carol and Jenny Sharpe, Jane Ormerod, Christine and Linda Johnson, Linda Greenfield, Penelope ?, Elaine and Keith Lickerish, Christine Patterson, Judith Jones, Susan Lipscombe, Beverly Nye, Julie Mills, Barbara Gogarty and the Head's daughter, Ruth Humphries.

At this time I lived in Stonery Road, so walked to and from school with Mam discreetly following up at the rear. Regular 'pit-stops' for sweet top-ups took place in Jeff's old Village Store. Geographically my little friends included: Margaret Woolven, (a Benfield girl with whom I've never lost touch), Cheryl Roberts, Julie Martin and Eileen Maidlow, (a reunion just rekindled).

Our back garden faced that of the Goble family, and other near neighbours included the Stephens and Trusslers. By now I had enlisted in the Girl's Brigade, based at the Village Green Baptist Chapel, under the watchful eye of the Minister, Rev. Starling and his lovely family.

Here I would call en-route for one of the 'Sallis' girls. Also remember an older girl, maybe Beverly Hotston, and we too shared many fun times. I think she lived in Applesham Way, as indeed did Messrs Humphries and Slack.

After my father's death, when I was almost eight, all the staff were extremely supportive and I remain indebted for their kindness.

Our move to Chalky Road virtually coincided with my entry to Portslade Girls School, another educational home I thoroughly enjoyed. (I'd always enjoyed school and would cry if considered too ill to go!).

During my time, this was a girls only establishment and amidst my memories come the names: Headmistress, Miss Saunders, for me, an ongoing empathic facilitator, Mrs Mackay, (English), Mrs Parrett, (Form, Arithmetic, Music), Mrs Bottomley, (Maths), Miss Taylor, (History), Mrs Maclean, (Geography), Mrs Rodenight, (Anatomy & Physiology), Miss Allen, (Art), Mrs Wheeler / Mrs Yarnell, (Domestic Science), and Miss Hawkins, (Science & P.E).

I think the head girl when I joined was Linda Hayler and my peers included: best friend Margaret Woolven, Jacqueline Godley, Georgina Braden, Ann Waddington, Joy Carpenter, Alpha Paton, Colleen Brewer, Wendy Cooper, Linda Howard, Christine Lemon, Linda Graham, Susan Pierce, Ruth Rowland, Jill Attwood, Christine Noble, Linda Jackson, Susan Hedgethorne, Sandra Povey and Julie Wren, who I think lived in Cowper Street, Hove.

Such good days, but sadly I have no 'photos or mementoes, so now that I've found this great facility (this website), thank everyone for making it possible and look forward to accessing regularly.

I have enjoyed this time with you, hope my thoughts will trigger more and look forward to reading the reflections of others.

Charmaine Skinner, 2002