Hurst Court

I was there mid cities,as a school boy.
Does anyone remember curty,the headmaster? Or Mr Robson who lived with his sister in a cottage? I was there with Rupert keenliside,Garnier,sandbach et al. Remember miss wardlaw who read us stories at night?or Mr farrar?
Get in touch if still alive.!!?

Sorry meant to say mid fifties

I attended Hurst Court aged 8-years in 1964. Mr Thwaites was Headmaster and remember Mr Robson well as a kindly gentle teacher, wonderful artist, greatly versed in nature and kept bees. I have good memories of a lovely well run school with old fashioned values and elements of ‘Tom Brown’ schooldays. I would be pleased to contact fellow boarders at the time as made many friends but sadly lost touch over the years. I went to Aldenham School after the joining with Belmont School in Hassocks.

I was there in 1966 when my parents were in the UK. Thwaites was HM and I remember Mr Robson plus Major Bowen and Easty the maths teacher.
The food was terrible. I’ve never complained about food since!

the food was ok but occasionally got burnt.we still had to eat it! |Mr Robson had this fantastic collection of vinyl LPs and we thought it great to play frisbee with some of them.Someone had a tranny and we listened to "theme for a dream" by cliff richard.
I am writing a murder story based in Hurst Court if anyone is inteested.

Hullo everyone. I was there 52-58. I believe the building has been knocked down and replaced with houses, although I can't confirm definitely. I could drive over and check (about an hour away). In the 52-58 period there were 3 Wagstaff brothers, and Michael was headmaster of Dulwich College Prep School (Exeter and a cricket blue with his PGCE)(I know because we sent a son there!). I also retain a link to Alan Boyd (Westminster and art).

I have memories of HC, not sure whether 'fond' would describe it. It wasn't quite 'cold baths and beatings', but close. I did pass top into public school, so education was probably OK!

Jeremy McLaughlin, Babylon Farm TN12 0EG jdm@macleis.co.uk

I remember John Farrar "Dick Curtis (Head M) Miss Gopp whom became John Farrars wife (lovely people), "Winny " Wardlaw, lovely lady, Robson who lived down the road with his sister, Mr Socket,

Oh my goodness how odd to come across this! I was there 1949-1954. My son lives in Battle and is Head Master of Claremont Senior School. Some weeks ago I drove past the site of Hurst Court (it's been deloished) past St Helens church and down Stonestile Lane where John Farrar and Miss Gopp lived! So weird after 65 years!! Such happy years.

Demolished of course!!

Hi. I was there 1957-63, with Richard Curtis headmaster for 3? years and Mr Thwaites after that. I remember most of those mentioned (Robson - music/choir, Mrs Crimp as matron, Farrar - games) but also Mr Marshall - classics - inspirational teacher, and one whose name I have forgotten but was a chess champion and started my love for that! Was Winny the French teacher (Miss Wardlaw rings a bell)?
I remember playing against Claremont- nice to know it's still going.
Jeremy, I would be interested in your murder mystery to bring back memories!

Brian, Could you post details of where the site was as you went there recently? I only have a vague memory, but it would be nice to go past it sometime

I was at Hurst Court 1952-57, with you, Jeremy McClaughlin! Would love to catch up. I moved to the US in 1974 and now live in the Princeton NJ area, married, with 4 boys. My details: www.princetonlondonpartners.com
I would like to know more from Jeremy Plumtre about his murder mystery story!

I don't know if any of you remember me—Piers Nash-Williams: I taught Latin (I suspect very badly!) at Hurst Court from 1966 until it closed at the end of 1968.
A lot of familiar names here: I was only there under Graham Thwaites, but I got to know Dick and Mollie Curtis—in fact it was Dick who suggested that I should apply for the post.
Sinclair Robson ('Robs' to his friends) was a great friend of mine, and was godfather to one of my children. He went on to teach at Westerleigh when HC closed; he died in 1971. We're still in touch with a niece of his (who lives in France, and is now in her 90s).
I also remember 'Easty' (Peter Eastwood) who taught Maths, and Michael Porter, who taught English. There was also a young South African called Martin—I don't remember his surname. I think he was there for the same years as I.
Best wishes to all of you, especially if you remember me.

I was interested to come across this thread. John and Mavis Farrar were my parents and we lived in Stonestile Lane just down from Hurst Court until we left in 1964 when my father became headmaster at Claremont . Many of the names here bring back memories. Win Wardlaw was my brother’s godmother. The teacher who was a chess champion was probably Arthur Hall. My father died in 2002, but my mother Mavis ( Miss Gopp) is still alive, though quite frail at the age of 97.

Any body know what this building was used for during the last war. My mother in law got married in 1940 when she was 19 and her address at that time is shown as Hurst Court. Hastings although she was a Canterbury girl

Hi Alison. Hope you and family are coping with C19. Your mum was my first teacher at HC, then not married to John. I still remember them both very well! I was at you Dad's funeral, which was the last time I saw your mum. She has done well to make 97! I've just put up a lot of notes about contemporaries on the flikrr stream. Alan Boyd I am still in touch with, but he's not been well. Michael Wagstaffe was HM of Dulwich College Prep, now retired (there were 2 other brothers). AngusWall I have lost touch with. Say Hi to your mum for me. My email jdm@macleis.co.uk for anyone who would like to make contact.

Hi Jeremy Yes I remember you at my Dad’s funeral. My Mum is doing very well for her age. She lived with us for over 17 years, but we had to move her into a care home in February as it was getting impossible to manage at home. It’s obviously very difficult at the moment as we can’t visit her. I have some photos of Hurst Court/ Westdene. Will email a couple over to you- not sure if you’re in any of them.

I have been thinking of Hurst Court for the first time in years as my wife has just been reading Gavin Maxwell's very gentle memoire which includes mention of his time at Hurst Court (his third prep school!) and of his continuing relationship with the Curtis family. This is why,on a whim, I googled the history of the school and found this thread. Dick Curtis acted as tutor to Maxwell's family in there holidays as Gavin's mother was widowed in the Great War. My elder brother Michael and I went to Hurst Court (1960-67) as the Curtis family were old family friends, but very soon thereafter Dick Curtis retired and Thwaites succeeded him. My memories of the school are of some precious friendships with my contemporaries, but otherwise of a miserable and cold environment; the food was simply ghastly, and I remember crying with hunger; but above all I remember the atmosphere of fear and sadism engendered by Thwaites, and the relish with which he administered my canings. Perhaps nothing was worse that the whole school assembly in March 1966 when he callously announced the death during the night of my great friend Mark Collis. The previous evening Mark had tripped when running along the big corridor between the 'cubicles' and hit his head on the knob handle of. chest of drawers. That night he developed a bad headache. I remember trying to find Matron after lights out to tell her Mark was in real pain. It was a long time before anyone took any notice. Eventually Mark was taken to the San and int he early hours the doctor was called. He was taken to hospital... but too late to save him from the effects of his haemorrhage.The shock and grief of the public announcement of Mark's death was searing ... and Thwaites finished off by saying that all CE candidates should now go immediately to the Examination Room because the first papers had to be sat that morning. I remember so clearly being left at my desk, in floods of tears, and unable to write anything on my tear soaked paper. I don't think Thwaites gave it a second thought . How strange to suddenly confront these memories again ...

I was sentenced to nineteen terms servitude at Hurst Court from 1959- 65. It seemed a bright airy place on arrival but the natives were not friendly. Had I been well versed in Lord of the Flies Instead of Winnie the Pooh I would have been wiser and refused to be abandoned .I clearly remember trying to be repatriated there and then with loud wails reverberating round the whole building. Academic progress was put on hold for at least three years as was any real desire to retaliate to the treatment administered .Although the brain was in lock down my fists eventually sprang into action with a modicum of success . From then on the Character building process was put in motion , the odd poem published in the Record and the vocal cords became more melodic
I liked Mr Curtis although my bottom did not . John Part was brilliant as was Bill Yeats and Mr Robson instilled in me a life long love of music . Life there certainly improved as time went on and there were a number of fellows I am pleased to have known. Jonathan Marshall , George Royce, Barney Green , Richard Potts, Robert Jacques, William Gething, Michael Kerr-Dineen And Michael Whylie . Colin Griffith , Andrew Soesan ,Digs Skinner and I all went on to St Lawrence Ramsgate. The complete opposite to Hurst Court for me where academic advancement finally bore fruit.
A murder novel based on Hurst Court sounds fantastic . Very happy to suggest victims.

Peter, I remember your surname, but perhaps it was your brother who was there when I was (I left in 1963)? I only had one year of Thwaites (not for nothing known as Thwacker!), nd rather agree that he wasn't wonderful. My father chose Hurst Court for me as he was so impressed with Dick Curtis (despite the permanent cigarettes).

Alison,
Thanks, it was indeed Arthur Hall, who sparked my interest in chess. I remember he took some of us to Bognor Regis in 1963 for the Sussex championships! I remember your father well - a wonderful games master - though I never stayed in their house. I would love to see your photos if you would be happy to email them? My brother lives in Lewes so I thought I wold drive pasts the old site next time I am down from London.

Alison, forgot to add my email! dnfh9@icloud.com

Hi, all Old Hurst Courtiers. I was at Hurst Court from 1953 to 1957. I can still recall the names of many of my fellow pupils that have come up on this site: MacLaughlin (2 of them), Plumptre (2 of them), Keenliside....
In general, I did not have a good time there. The food was disgust pigswill, which we were compelled to eat to the very last mouthful (To this day - almost 70 years later- I am unable to eat even the smallest mouthful of rice pudding, and even the very sight of it makes me want to heave!!)

Hi again, it's me continuing....
My life at Hurst Court was, as I have said, generally miserable. Coming there, at the age of 8, after a life of almost total and unrestrained freedom in Africa, it was like being suddenly plunged into an ice-cold bath. Not least in all this was the was the liberal (if that's the right word) administration of the cane as punishment, even over fairly minor refractions. I did however form many friendships, none of which endured (Does anyone from Hurst Court reading this have any memory of me?)
On a more positive note, insofar as I was personally concerned, the quality of teaching was outstanding: Miss Wardlaw (French), Mr Marshall (Latin), Mr Eastwood (Maths), Mr Yates (Yeats?) (Latin, English, including Shakespeare, and an inspiring if at times intimidating person of much life experience) and many others, not least the great man Mr Curtis himself.
I left Hurst Court prematurely, at the age of 12, and taken out by my parents to their posting in Australia. My Hurst Court-induced education, particularly in Latin and French, placed me in a class in which I was the youngest by far (some 2 years at least). This was disastrous, in that it instilled in me a laziness and complacency that was to serve me ill when I returned as a boarder to an English public school at the age of13. All things considered, I think I would in the long run have been better off if I had stayed at Hurst Court for the last 2 or so years before moving on, as normally, under the public school system. However, in the final analysis (and many years after the end of my formal education, including university), I was able to acquire a measure of academic status based upon my own researches and writings, and which to some extent I was able to pass on to my son.
It would be great (of course) to hear back from any fellow HC pupils.

PS: Most importantly, I neglected to include the great, multi-talented (including musically) and
kindly Mr Robson, as well as the similarly inspiring Mr Farrar in my tributes to the Hurst Court staff above.

And it's me yet again!!!
Whilst thus reminiscing of times at Hurst Court some 65 years ago, another memory has just come back to me, this time concerning the truly disgusting food which we were all forced to finish off to the last mouthful. As I recall the cook's name was Mabel, and it seems she was never in the habit - as most chefs should, and indeed do - of wearing headwear whilst cooking. In consequence, the first thing to do was to search through the pigswill on the plates in front of us and extract the hair embedded therein. Sometimes there was even a general competition around the table to see who could claim the most. UGH!!

And it's me yet again!!!
Whilst thus reminiscing of times at Hurst Court some 65 years ago, another memory has just come back to me, this time concerning the truly disgusting food which we were all forced to finish off to the last mouthful. As I recall the cook's name was Mabel, and it seems she was never in the habit - as most chefs should, and indeed do - of wearing headwear whilst cooking. In consequence, the first thing to do was to search through the pigswill on the plates in front of us and extract the hair embedded therein. Sometimes there was even a general competition around the table to see who could claim the most. UGH!!

Hi all. I wrote a few lines in December and then didn't carry on reading! Good to see many names mentioned of staff and co-students. We don't appear to have a web site and I am up for creating one this winter. I believe it should be possible to locate all attendees from 1950 on and it would be good to create a database and collect histories, pictures, recollections (with sensible confidentiality regime).

It would be good to have a half side A4 (in confidence) with news of you and any others you know and can contact to be going on with (my details below).

Hi to Alison, Chris Mather - we spent a summer in one of 2X cubicles opposite Wardlaw I recollect.

Regards to all, Jeremy

My contact details: Jeremy McLaughlin, jdm3964@gmail.com, mob: 07729 522294

I now have the bones of a web site created courtesy of WIX and bad weather discouraging me from outdoor pursuits!

Good to read the back and forth of the Thwaites era people of which I know little (my brother Michael did 4 of his 5 years with Thwaites but he's not as yet been very forthcoming!)

I have a data base of c60 from my time and the message trail here c27. I am trying to cover 1950-68, which with 10 new students a year suggests c180 in all. I would be particularly interested in names of pupils from the Thwaites era, earlier would have a place confirming my pre Thwaites list. Cheers Jeremy
My contact details: Jeremy McLaughlin jdm3964@gmail.com mobile 07729522294

Does anyone recall the Hurst Court school motto: GRADATIM VINCIMUS ("Step By Step We Conquer")? There was a large and impressive plaque fixed to the wall of the huge assembly room (very much the focal point of the entire school and known as "Big School"). Upon the plaque this motto was inscribed in bold letters above a further Latin text just below. I left Hurst Court, of which I have very mixed memories prematurely in 1957 (see my message above) and happened to back in Hastings nearly 20 years later (1966). I drove up the hill to the site. The building was empty and seemed to be slowly crumbling away. I happened to run into Len, the school handyman (anyone remember him?: very friendly and cheerful - he used also to clean all our shoes), and still there after all those years as the sole custodian of the huge, sprawling and empty site. He told me that the local council now possessed the site and that its future was very uncertain. He kindly let me enter the building and I wandered around it entirely on my own for a long time. A weird experience, every room empty and all furniture gone, each with its own echoing and ghostly memories. The large and impressive plaque was still there, firmly attached as ever to the wall of Big School. I wander what happened to it when the building was completely demolished not long after. I hope it is still preserved somewhere as an abiding relic probably dating back to the the foundation and buil

..and the building of the school in the mid-19th century.

Hi everyone again! I have now created a basic web site and am looking for content. I have created a non disclosing list of alumni names (i.e. only names and dates at HC), which is now close on 100*. BUT I do need help, which would be best provided by sending me contact email addresses which I will keep confidential.

Down the line I propose a password controlled 'members area' where possibly CVs, and photos could be lodged, but there are Data Protection issues which I am working through.

On an initiative of John Farrah I kept a "Pepys" like diary for nearly 2 years. I note on Saturday 5/5/56: House matches - out first ball off spin. Caught Boyd bowled Durnford. MOTOR CYCLE CRASH

Regards to all, Jeremy

MY CONTACT DETAILS email: jdm3964@gmail.com mobile: 07729 522294

Regards to all

Well, well well. I was simply looking for something to add more detail about my utterly miserable time at HC, '56-62, and came across this. Well done for creating this page, the memories, not all by any means, pleasant, come flooding back. I'd been sent there from my early years in Trinidad as my father had been sent by his company to the far east. It was a a miserable six years at HC for me and I never settled.

Many, many names familiar as comtenpory to my time there. Mr Curtis with his glass eye, "Thwacker" Thwaites who loved his cane collection and dishing out punishment no matter how trivial the offence. The casual cruelty and his enthusiasm for beating small boys of still rankles.

But yes, Mr Robinson, a most gifted, inspiring teacher of music and nature, Miss Wardlaw, who ground French into me in a way that means I'm still surprisingly fluent, John Farrah for history and sports. He often wore his Sussex martlets cricket jumper from his county team days in class. Mr Eastwood for maths, not my strongest subject, Mr Marshall for Latin and, more interestingly, Roman history which I still study today. The school moto "Gradatim Vincimus'. I found my old HC tie recently in a trunk, I thought I'd never see again.

The appalling inedible food, Mabel the cook and her unhygienic ways with food. She put me off rhubarb for life. The early morning pre breakfast walks down the hill towards Westfield (?) whatever the weather.

I left in '62 to go to Kings Canterbury leaving behind memories still haunting with me now. It wasn't a happy place or time but I'm glad do many contemporaries are still active and contributing their recollections too.

I meant Mr Robson not Robinson. Names I remember include David Norris, Merrick brothers, Simon Boxall (now, I believe an eminent marine biologist), Vane -Tempest, amongst others.

Web site is up www.hurstcourt.org. My dedicated email for this jdmhurstcourt@gmail.com. My dedicated phone number 07729 5222294

Stephen Bell - please try again. I dropped the phone as you rang and lost your number!

Jeremy McLaughlin

Hi Jeremy McLaughlin
My landline telephone is 01522-778552. My mobile (with sometimes iffy reception) is 07591579785.
One thing I'm curious about: do you yourself remember me? I remember both you and your younger brother.

Came upon this site, Allison, hope you are well, I was a Canadian who taught for 4 years at Claremont, met Roger Manuel, married him, reception, at Claremont. John Farrar Headmaster, Beasty Easty , math, Roger Westwood 6th form, Major Varian science, Major Harris English. Remember Tony Webster, Chris Beckinsale, Timmy Vincent and many other boys. We are in Canada, taught in Alberta, both retired. Love to hear from anyone who remembers us.

Stephen (Bell) I will call you later this morning. Folks, I don't read these posts on a daily basis (perhaps I should! ). My contact details are on the web site but I will add them at the end of this comment. The web site is up and functioning. I have identified c350 alumni (see web site) and I estimate half of those are alive today! Because the school was a proprietary business (which it was), it basically went bankrupt and records are hard to come by. Any help gratefully received!

My dedicated HC contact details email: jdmhurstcourt@gmail.com, Mobile: 07792 522294 (For HC only, I try to have it with me at all times), web site: www.hurstcourt.org

John Farrar and Claremont I know little about, but Alison (Doig) may have more information information.

Regards to all, Jeremy

Piers
I do remember you although I would have been 11 at the time. And Easty , Mr Robson and Porter (who lived on site and was like me, an Australian). I do recall a young teacher known only as Walker who one evening on the weekend returned with a black stocking around his neck after some sort of adventure of which we can only speculate, and envy. Maybe this is the surnameless Martin?
Bruce

Wow I’ve just found all theses comments. I was there for 3years 1961-1964 when Thwacker was head I was 7years old when I started and spent 2years in first form, left when I was 10. 3 of the worst years of my life. The only thing I learnt was how to play chess. Had a brother there Gordon Boone 2years older than me.

See www.hurstcourt.org 4 web site. Guys do me a favour! I still need email addresses for most of the contributors to this web site, please. All data is kept confidential, DPA etc. One or two of you are not on the 'all time' alumni list (see web site) eg Boone bros, but will be added when I refresh that page. Jeremy jdmhurstcourt@gmail.com

HC 62-66...The only good thing that came out of HC was the block routine after breakfast... I still take a dump after breakfast... And it probebly helped my immune system, with the blocks getting thicker and thicker with crud as the years dragged on... And as for the food, being left staving, on revolting gruel... One fish finger on Fridays. While Thwacker Thwaites had a whole pile.... And the only fat boy was his son.

Email pinderpeter@yahoo.com

I was there 1950-1955 and generally greatly enjoyed it. It was a very good prep school. The staff were great particularly John Farrar, Dick Curtis, Peter Eastwood and the matron Miss Collins. Thre was one vile man who was Mr Robson, a nasty piece of work. I would happily attend a reunion.

A dreadful experience cold disgusting food curriculum at least 40 years out of date. Conman Curtis with the Sunday afternoon honey called old man’s eye. Hungry so much of the time. I was there ‘57 or’58 until Thwaites started, but left early to go to another prep school where the food was good and edible and I cannot remember anyone getting the cane. The building was like a decaying Victorian gaol. Charlie and Mavis Farrar were the only thing that made the experience tolerable. I spent several terms in their cottage where the food was good and much more plentiful and we used to watch the test matches while we had lunch.
I can’t remember much overt kindness. Although Winnie Wardlaw did visit me when I was in hospital and we did keep up a correspondence after she left to teach elsewhere. I guess we all survived but somewhat damaged by the experience. The cooking team were Mabel and Eunice both old grey ladies well past their retirement age who habitually shed long white hair into the food, particularly the lumpy breakfast porridge.

Hullo Phil. Somehow your name hasn't made it to the school roll at the web site I have created: www.hurstcourt.org . I will add it when I do the next set of revisions. If you have any photos or recollections I would be interested. Regards Jeremy (McLaughlin) jdm3964@gmail.com

While writing a few notes on my life and the world in general for my two year old grandson I googled Hurst Court and up came this website. Amazing! I went to HC in Autumn 54 and left in Summer 60 I think. I also taught for John Farrar at Claremont for the Summer term 1966 before going to University. I remember Dick Curtis sitting with us on Sunday evenings at supper when we had baked/boiled herrings with the bones sticking out all over the place. Every now and then Curty would take his glass eye out wipe it on his handkerchief to get rid of the puss before putting it back in! I remember Mr Robson giving us marvellous music lessons. John Farrar teaching English and finishing off each day with a “happy thought” poetic quote. As the other s do I remember Eastwood, Wardlaw, Marshall, Yates as being brilliant teachers . I also remember Miss Broadbent the Matron. I wonder what H&S would have made of the wet Sunday afternoon activities when the duty master just made a ring out of the desks and got a couple of pairs of boxing gloves and matched us against each other! I also remember the lectures on the horrors of constipation and the “block” loo allocation system!! Names I remember were: Pilkington, Wagstaffe, Merricks, Barrow, Scott, Kemsley, Vane Tempest, Gwynn Evans, Peterson, Miskin, and I remember Daunt (above) as our goal keeper!

Further to above I also remember Sandbach, Garnier , Keenlyside, Boxall, etc and poor Len trying to teach us Mortice and tennen joints and Mabel’s grey hairs in all the food especially in the toast and dripping! The model railway room and crystal sets. But I don’t remember getting McLaughlan caught Boyd first ball though!!

Hope, remember you and all the teachers you mentioned. After moving to London in 1981 I have just moved back to Hastings. Thanks for educating us. I went on to become a consultant chef and now semi retired x

Hi Anton, I don't have you in the school data base. See web site/button Pupils/then School Roll. The list appears below the Key Subject bar (confusingly). Any anecdotes, photos, recollections you have would be valuable. My contact details also on web site. Cheers Jeremy M.

Funny what you recall once memory is jogged. While the rest of us were given the afternoon sweet ration at 3pm--a choice of two squares of chocolate or two small boiled sweets--there was a sumptuous afternoon tea of cakes and tea wheeled in to the teachers on a trolley in their staff room. Actually, it's just a variant on a continuing theme--when I was a young solicitor in one of the huge law firms in Sydney, the partners had a dining room from which we were excluded of course, lining up in the food court in the basement of the office tower. La plus ca change!

Just thought I'd mention this--we were only given a change of outer clothes once a fortnight and underwear once a week. Too bad if a young lad had an 'accident' early in the underwear week. I can only assume that this was to contain costs.

Just thought I'd mention this--we were only given a change of outer clothes once a fortnight and underwear once a week. Too bad if a young lad had an 'accident' early in the underwear week. I can only assume that this was to contain costs.

I joined Hurst Court in 1942/3 and left in1951.The school had been evacuated to Wrekin College Wellington
Shropshire and I joined as a day boy .At the end of the War the school returned to Ore . About 27/9 of us local day boys remained with the school on Its return to Ore as boarders but a number didn’t and joined other schools around Wellington I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and I don’t recognise many of the adverse comments (particularly about the food.....we were still inrationing) I remember very fondly the staff....JF before he married Miss Gopp! We endured the great freeze of1947 without any heating and few complaints
I have some good photos of teams ,sport days when parents came for prize givingetc ....happy memories shattered by visiting the area today(first time since1951 )to find the school demolished and built upon apart from
the cricket field I had forgotten the school motto...30/5/2022

Anyone know anything of Chris Pilkington (1948-54 -ish). He was my room mate and team mate. He had a devastating leg break, while I caught his victims at silly-mid. Anyone who remembers either of us, please contact johngarnetman@gmailo.com

Hi Hope,
Just saw the names; Hope (The Canadian) your name certainly rings a bell; remember me (1970-73). The names you mentioned are amazing, all stuck in my memory (Varian Science, Easty and Westwood). I am working as an editor in Jordan - I am 63 now. I got a Phd in 1990 from Leeds University. It would be great to hear from you at this email ( marwan@corp.albawaba.com). Cheers, say hi to Roger. I remember Ferneaux back then; remember also you wrote a note in my autograph books. Cheers, Marwan.

Chris Pilkington went to Repton, where he was a sports celebrity getting into all school first teams.

He had a place in The Hall which was where celebs were housed! I wasn't!

We had an exchange in the early days, but as I definitely wasn't a celeb, not much else!

I can't remember what happened to him post Repton. I'll have a look on Google, but it's a fairly common name!

JM

I was at HC between 1955 &1960 approx and decided to google the school as I am going to Hastings tomorrow with time to spare so thought that I would pay a visit only to find it's been knocked down. I have been having a clear out and came across all my old Hurst Court Records 55 - 62, a number of 1st team photos, 2 photos of my time staying with Mr & Mrs Farrar which includes Alison Doig and also a spaniel, a programme of the play Peregrine, signed by all the cast, my old reports (not academically inclined would be the polite interpretation). The final item is the school prospectus. Amongst the strange items in this are - "Sunbathing is carried out under supervision in the summer term and treatment by a Sollux Duo-therapy apparatus in the winter term" Anyone remember that? "Very special attention is paid to diet. HC has a reputation for good food" - anyone agree? Fees were £65 per term, with additional charges of £3 for laundry, 12/6 per term for use of books and stationery, £1 per term for transport to the outdoor and indoor swimming pools and 2guineas per term to cover increased catering costs.
Jeremy, if you are collecting memorabilia, would these items be of interest to you?
I do remember several of you who have written above and been able to connect you with the photos that I have.

I have been rereading The House of Elric by Gavin Maxwell and it has rekindled my memories of Hurst Court. I was there while it was evacuated to Wrekin College, Wellington, Shropshire, during the war. I remember Mr Curtis and have been very interested in the above comments.
Michael Gwynn (see above) must have been there at the same time. I’m afraid I do not remember him and I very doubt if he remembers me. We were very happy there.

Attended HC approximately 1961-1965.
It was wonderful to find this site and see the diversity of recollections, experiences and differing opinions.
The boys were put into environment, not of their making, where some flourished while others came away permanently damaged. However, despite the environment, many survived the worst years of their young lives and were able to overcome and harness the experience.
I wish all those who were there during my time the very best.
Cheers!

Gosh, I don't know if anyone comes to this page anymore! Well, I was a pupil between 1956 and 1961, subsequently going on to Rugby.

My parents were living in the Belgian Congo at the time, and I had spent my entire life to that point in Africa. I was looked upon as somewhat exotic, and it took me some time to adjust to the manners of smallish English gentlemen! I had been educated from the age of 5 by the Jesuits, and the recurring theme of my school reports was always "toujours bataille dans la cours!" ....I do remember the French teacher - although I forget her name - who was quite protective of me, and rather often asked me to take her classes for her, since my French was better than my English. (Or, without boasting, her French!)

Does anyone remember the 0s and 1s system in the dorms? To recap: acceptable behaviour had a 1 recorded in a rolling date matrix against an individual's name, posted on the door. To the contrary: a 0. Four 0s and then a Blue Star. Four Blue Stars in a week (or was that too a rolling calculation?) and a painful visit 'downstairs'.
Regarding carrots as opposed to sticks (no pun intended): if everyone in a dorm got 14 consecutive 1's (and I mean everyone) then the reward was being able to watch TV for a limited time and a glass of cordial plus biscuit. We achieved this feat on one occasion! It was so memorable I can recall what it was--some soccer match.
We nearly scored a second time EXCEPT that with 13 1's by all, and the finish line in sight, a person who shall remain nameless was late back from washing his knees and elbows and scored a 0 hence denying us the pleasure of sitting in Thwaites' study watching TV for an hour. I think it's fair to say that the miscreant was not overly popular after this and the glittering prize was never attempted again!

I was there 1948-54, followed by brothers Robert and Richard. I arrived with my cousin William Man, and we ran off from our parents to check out the Train Room. We had a pretty cheerful few years. I remember Curty reading the Odyssey to us in Form 5, and, because of his false eye, I knew exactly what the Cyclops looked like.

Anyone know what happened to my best friend, Pilkie, Christopher Pilkington, a devastating leg-spinner?

John Man

Today's UK Telegraph has an obituary of Michael Daunt (died aged 81) who was somewhat of a character by all accounts. It notes he attended Hurst Court! Anyone remember him?
I'm about to head off on the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race so will check on any responses on return!

Hi Alison & hope
My brother mentioned he had seen your posts on here. What memories. I did call in to Claremont last month on the off chance to look around. Some things still the same but lots of changes. Is the an Old Boys site at all?
Remember all those names and baked Alaska by Mavis Farrar

I was there too, My father and Uncle were at Hurst Court and loved it, so they met Curtis who so impressed them That I and later My Cousin Chris were sent there. Soon after the delightful Curtie retired and The Odious Thwaites took over. I recall many beatings and hated my time there. Living from Exeat to Exeat and trying to put up a brave face. There were some decidedly dodgy teachers one who taught latin and was vicious and others who were questionable. but the overall teaching was good.(Butch) Robson instilled a love of art that served me well to this day and formed the basis of my career. I remember making Sledges in woodworking later using them when it snowed at a nearby hill. Some of us had small garden patches ( an opportunity for anything to eat) and we were taught beekeeping. Making camps was also big thing in time off on the big field.There were many students whose parents lived overseas and were not able to go home in half term. I always felt sorry for them. God the food was rank, there was a pudding we called old mans eye as it oozed like Curtis glass eye. I remember complaining to Thwaites I had a worm in my cabbage and he made me stay behind and eat it ( I didn't of course) My wife says I have a cast Iron stomach, probably attributed to HC.
We hardly ever watched TV but one occasion was to watch Churchill's Funeral in Thwaites living room with its verdant conservatory at the end. Such a stark contrast to the rest of the school and the awful 'block' toilets etc. I recall in 1966 the school made a movie on the battle of Hastings on a teachers super8 camera which I guess was good innovation and we made float for the carnival parade in Hastings for that year. I am a terrible singer but wormed my way into the school Choir so i could go on a trip to Canterbury cathedral and get away for a day! I don't know how well it served me compared to alternatives, but I can put up with a lot of crap to this day

Was this the trip to Canterbury where some biscuits (unknown luxury) were handed out when the coach stopped for a break and there was a mini riot as the underfed attempted to get one? I remember Thwaites going on later about the 'disgraceful' behaviour of the choir.

Jeremy Plumtre, yes I remember you and everyone you list. I had a “tranny” in my last term but before that we used crystal sets with long aerials hung out of the window and headphones. The song I remember was “Running Bear” sung by Johnny Preston (1959). I do indeed remember GRADATIM VINCIMUS and have found it a helpful motto when struggling to complete a seemingly endless task.

Stephen Bell, I remember someone called Bell and assume it was you. Did you have a UK address in Devon (Honiton)? Like you I had great freedom in Africa and found the restrictions of HC difficult to adjust to.

Events
When the weather was deemed unsuitable for us to visit the playing fields there were sometimes organised walks. There was a short one down Chowns Hill (the road between HC and St Margarets) and back the same way. We were sometimes taken this way before breakfast instead of doing PE. There were some excellent conker trees on this route. Two longer walks started the same way but continued round to the east past the Hastings Cemetery. These were known as “Long Ore” and “Short Ore”. Short Ore took a short cut along a path by the cemetery. Long Ore followed the road.
The flu pandemic in 1957-58 closed the school for about a week. The flu had two or three phases. I for one was almost recovered when I had a relapse. At first the cubicles were used as an extension to the sick-bay. Then so many pupils and staff were ill it was decided to close the school and pupils were sent home. A few pupils who couldn’t go home remained at school. As my home was in Nigeria and I was a friend of Peter Brodribb I was invited to stay at the Brodribb’s house in St Leonards where Dr Brodribb’s wife nursed the two of us until we were better and the school re-opened.
Swimming was a weekly event in the summer term. A Maidstone and District bus was hired to take the whole school to the lido in St Leonards. Sometimes it would be open-toped. I remember some of us being very excited to see girls wearing bikinis which were a new fashion in the 1950s. More shamefully we discovered that there was a slot machine selling chocolate bars which with careful fiddling could be made to dispense multiple bars for the price of one bar.
Buses ran right past the school. Until the late 50’s they were double decker electric trolley buses using an overhead electric supply. Eventually they were replaced by diesel busses and the overhead lines and their supporting posts were removed. There was a bus stop right outside Mr Robson’s house and the noise of the diesel engine idling by the ground floor bedroom window took a while to get used to.
The Stonestile Lane / Ridge junction was re-aligned in the 50’s. Part of the northern corner of the smaller of the two playing fields was used to make bend on the Ridge less sharp and improve the sight line.
The First Form class room doubled as a changing room and storage for tuck boxes until about 1955 or 56 when the plunge pool behind the shower room was boarded over and converted into a class room for the First Form.
The Sixth Form was in a small room between the fourth and fifth forms until about 1960. Then the model train and hobbies room in the basement was converted into a class room for the fourth form and the sixth form took over the old fourth form (directly above the train room).
In the back yard there was a manhole cover over what appeared to be a deep water tank but may have been a sewer. One day the cover broke and fell into the hole when I stepped on it. I was lucky not to fall in. I was a rather skinny child so it must have been very insecure.
If there was deep snow we would go down Stonestile Lane where there was an excellent field for tobogganing.
Staff
Mr Curtis – headmaster. Lived with his wife in a suite on the left side as seen from the front. They had a large lounge with a TV which we were occasionally invited to watch. He refereed rugger games and lead PE from the top of the main school entrance way with the pupils arrayed below on the drive. Mrs Curtis took close interest in the new boys and youngest pupils and presumably sent re-assuring letters to their parents saying how well they were settling in. She kept pigs (and chickens?) and grew vegetables in part of the sports field off Stonestile Lane.
Mr Robson – deputy head, music teacher including running the choir, art teacher, and I think elementary French. Lived with his sister at 367 The Ridge about ¼ mile to the west of the school. Up to five pupils boarded in two of the rooms in his house but not for any meals. He owned a large reel-to-reel high fidelity tape recorder (Ferrograph brand) on which he recorded BBC music programs for use in music lessons. He generally walked to school pushing the tape recorder in an old-fashioned pram. He also possessed a bicycle and a poodle called Sam. He sometimes worked through the holidays as a tutor. In lessons he encouraged the use of italic writing which completely replaced the cursive writing that I had previously used.
Eastwood (Peter?) – head Maths teacher. Lived at Fairlight and came to work by car. Refereed soccer with shouts of “keep it on the island” to encourage us to avoid kicking the ball off the side of the field. Awarded prizes of Mars or Crunchie bars occasionally for successfully resolving maths puzzles.
Yates – taught Geography, History and Latin. Had retired from the colonial service in Africa and presumably had a pension. He seemed to be wealthier than the other masters and bought at least one new car during my time.
Miss Wardlaw – taught French. Lived in the rear tower accessed by stairs at the far end of the cubicles dormitory. Took a few days off in the summer to visit the tennis tournament at Wimbledon. Provided a shopping service for pupils once or twice a term. We could order items such as balsa wood, kits to make models and stationery. She would visit the shops in town and come back with our orders completed to the best of her ability. The cash was deducted from our pocket money which has been deposited for safe keeping at the start of term.
Arthur Hall – aka Horlicks – Oxford graduate who taught maths. Came to HC for teaching practice late 50’s. Returned as a qualified teacher about 1960. A W A Peterson’s father was director of the education faculty at Oxford at the time so he possibly influenced Halls’ decision to come to HC.
Dr Brodribb – school doctor. His brother was head master of Hydneye House, the next-door boys prep school along The Ridge.
Pupils
The Bourne twins (not sure of spelling). They were difficult to tell apart but at that time the elder twin was slightly shorter than his younger brother. They were at HC from 1956 – 1961 approximately.
Peter Francis Brodribb 1956 – 1960 approximately. -> Monkton Combe School -> St Bartholmew’s Hospital. Followed his father Dr Harold S Brodribb by qualifying as a doctor.
Carmichael (?Derrick) 1955 – 1961 approximately.
Richard Kavanagh 1956 – 1961 approximately.
Arthur Lister 1955 – 1960 approximately. His father drove a classic Lagonda
A W A Petersen 1956 – 1961 approximately. A very talented pupil who came top in most subjects.
Stephen Robinson 1956 – 1961 approximately. Son of Suffragan Bishop of Woolwich Dr John Robinson author of Honest to God and witness for the defence of the publishers of Lady Chatterley’s Lover when they were prosecuted for obscenity. He preached at St Helen’s on one occasion.
Gavin Maxwell wrote a book called Ring of Bright Water about otters in Scotland which was published in the 50’s.
Nicholas Miskin 1955 – 1961 approximately.
David Montgomery and Michael Norcock were step brothers. David’s father was a widower and married Michael’s mother who was a widow.
Martin H King 1951 – 1956 approximately. My elder (only) brother.
David King 1954 – 1960 approximately. Was not a relation of mine. Known as King II until Martin left when David became King I and I was “promoted” to King II.

I have just written a 21 verse poem about my life in prime numbers. At 7 I ran away from HC not because I was homesick or sad but because Nick Godwin, Simon Marriot, Philip Wykeham and I were looking for an adventure. We built a raft in the dell and planned to head for France. In the end the other three went back to bed. I wore my cap... school rule.
I packed a tiny case with my French book, chestnuts and a jar of marmite. Miss Bradshaw picked me up and Mr Robson caned me. 1958-64. I loved HC. Maths and science my bag; hence no sixth form for me as Latin was not. I loved chess and at 13 forced Harry Golombek (grand master) to a draw... he and Arthur Hall were impressed. I wiped out Mr Robson's Wagner's Ring Cycle from his reel to reel by the use of a well placed magnet. He was blatantly a member of the British fascist party. This is not libellous.

Well re libel, you can't defame the dead as a matter of legal principle!

I was a student at Claremont from 1963-1966 . My headmaster was John Farrar and his wife was Mavis Farrar.

I spent some of my school holidays with them and their children Alison and Simon to this day I remember those amazing rhododendrons that sprawled across a lake which we would explore along with those amazing woods.

Mavis Farrar was one of the most kindest and lovliest ladies I had the privilege to have known.

Hello !
Amazing to see this and to catch familiar names. They never go, do they. The names in the various roll calls and team sheets from those early school days.

I came as a very frightened 7 year old from Delhi, for sure the only Indian, non-white, short sighted blinking his way into British - English culture, unable to read, spell etc, and with family abroad.

HC gave me many things, good and not so good, but good friends - Nick Knowles remains a dear friend today, and I miss Farrar who came to stay and many others - and clearly a survivalist instinct, and set me on my way, to becoming what I now regard myself, an Indo-Saxon, steeped in the ways of British institutions and gentlemanly behaviour. More on that another time, perhaps !

This is just to say hello. I have things to say on the Collis affair, another time, and a shout out to Sir, Nash-Williams who taught us Latin. I know I was once given 101 % on a Latin exam, a joke of course, there were 110 questions and a point for each. I was a quick learner, (but please note I never went on to excel at Latin).
Star Book, as Easty would bellow out, even when it was a red. bw Paul

I came across this site quite by accident and in a way wish I hadn't. I somehow survived the worst years of my life at Hurst Court from 1960 to 1965. I could not understand why a naive and harmless child like me had to be punished so severely, but with my parents in the wilds of East Africa they thought it was the right thing to do for my education and believed the glossy brochure. It didn't help that I suffered terribly from chilblains every winter and that Thwacker Thwaites liked to instil fear and pain at every opportunity. Education seemed to run a poor second to the need to survive in one piece and remain basically sane if somewhat emotionally damaged. It surprises me that nobody has yet mentioned the corruption (as in the swimming pool building fund), the sexual interference of favourite boys by a couple of teachers, the use only of surnames or derogatory nicknames (using a first name resulted in teasing and bullying and being called a "girl"), how sporting teams disliked playing at Hurst Court due to the measly refreshments compared with their school's, etc, etc. I do remember some of my peers by their surnames, includiing Simpson from Mauritious who had a very short temper and could be quite aggressive and Lowe who was the son of Arthur Lowe of the TV series Dad's Army. Lowe appeared as an extra in A Night To Remember, a film about the Titanic, resulting in the film being shown at school. Also a very gentle soul called Royce, of Rolls Royce fame. As does Marcus Hotblack (above) I remember making sleds at woodwork, the block system of forcing boys to go to the toilet after breakfast and our film about The Battle of Hastings which was shown to other schools in the area including my sister's at Bexhill. As far as education is concerned, I remember Mr Yates teaching us about citrus fruits, or GOLLY fruits as he called them. Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, Lime and Y for Yates. I have a few photos somewhere but looking at them brings back a dark time. I was pleased to hear that the place has been demolished and hope Mr Thwaites did not die too comfortably.

I wonder what happened to Mr Thwaites? Anyone know?

Just had another look at this thread after a while. Nick Davies - if you happen to check in again, thank you for your comment about my mother, Mavis Farrar. She died aged 98 in November 2021 having lived with us for almost all the last 18 years since my father died in 2002. She would have been delighted to hear you remember her so fondly. I’ve actually got a photo of you somewhere with my brother next to a camp you made at Big Firs during that holiday you spent with us .

Does anyone remember me? Christopher Twinch (1956-62)

I was not at Hurst Court but at Belmont from 1963 to 1968 and was there when Hurst Court was absorbed into Belmont. Mr Thwaites joined the Belmont staff-I think one or two others might have as well but I can't recall who. Thwaites died of a heart attack some months after the absorption. I can only recall one out of the 30+ pupils who joined Belmont-Marshall Hartnell who was a goal kicking prop forward!

I remember Hartnell. Big fellow so no doubt someone to be avoided on the rugby pitch!

When I was at Hurst Court friends were few and far between! But has anyone run across Miles Latham in subsequent years?

I was at Hurst Court 1958-1963. I was one year younger than my contemporaries, so age 7 to 12. Had the slipper from Mr Curtis in my first term for talking after lights out. Much enjoyed music classes with Mr Robson which sparked a lifelong love of JS Bach, his favourite composer. His famous collection of records is mentioned elsewhere here. I later stayed in his little house down the road which is still there. Others friends were Harris and Perry Keenlyside. Although Robsoson’s house is still there, the school is under a housing estate behind The Conqueror’ s March pub. The main playing field is little changed, even down to the remnants of the turf huts with corrugated roofs under the trees next to Stonestile Lane. It is fortunately a local council recreation ground. The secondary playing field next to St Helens Church is a wilderness and is subject to a planning application for housing. As captain of the 2nd XI I played cricket on both fields, more happily as a wicketkeeper-batsman on the St Helens ground. On the big field I was never forgiven by Mr Farrar for jumping out of the way of a slip catch which flew past me as I was daydreaming. We never got on after that which was unfortunate as he was in charge of 1st XI cricket. Funnily enough he lived next door to my godmother, Peggy Boyd/Lawrence and was allowed to go there to watch the West Indies v England Test Match at Old Trafford in 1963 on their black and white TV. Talking about TV we watched Billy Bunter on the school TV. Academically I enjoyed my time there, winning a scholarship to Reeds at age 12 and from there an Open Exhibition to Worcester College, Oxford. I read my first James Bond novel, Live and Let Die thinking if he thinks this torture is bad he should try eating the food at Hurst Court. Like others I was not impressed with Mr Thwaites when he replaced Mr Curtis. Curtis was a prime reason for being sent to HC as my father was impressed by his war record as Captain of a submarine where he lost his eye. Thwaites, on the other hand, was no leader. I remember him sitting at the end of our long breakfast table carefully spreading his butter on toast while we suffered that appalling margarine. Mrs Curtis invited us after bath time to sit in her living room in front of the open fire while she read us The Hobbit by Tolkien. Years later I was shown round the old building by the then head of an English Language school. I asked if I could have the board on the wall with all the scholarship boys. Needless to say I heard no more when that school went bust shortly thereafter. I have a school photo of all the boys and teachers from I think summer 1959. So overall, fond memories.

Also there - from 1954-1958 with my younger brother under Curtis. A file-full of my reports still to hand. Maths report from P Eastwood: "His work in this subject is needlessly poor. He must learn to think for himself." (Quite perceptive). Beautiful italic hand of F.S.H.R [Robson]. Yates: "Far too casual" (also not wrong). Why my parents sent us there as boarders when they only lived 5 miles a way is unknown. Perhaps there were no day boys.
One of my friends was Gwydion Thomas, son of Welsh poet R.S, and artist Mildred [Elsi] Eldridge. After living in different places he returned to Hastings and died there. Does anyone else remember him?
Much enjoyed living out at John and Mavis Farrar. A really nice couple.

Interesting and perceptive observations. As an 'adult' (well a grandfather now) I can see that Easty was a very good teacher and was looking to push boys in the right direction (needs to think for himself) despite what as a 10-11 year old I felt was a fearsome manner. Mr Robson struck me as an other worldly individual from even then an era that had passed. It would be fascinating to learn what saw them become educators.