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Open forum for old boys of Mayfield College to post items of interest to other Xaverians.
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Mayfield College
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About Me
- Desmond Bokšan-Cullen
- I am the web-master of the Eastbourne Catenian Circle. I am also the Chairman of the Sussex Branch of the British Computer Society.
134 comments:
I am an x Mayfield boy and keen to keep updated pauljdunn@gmail.com
Does anyone have any idea what became of the big wooden plaque boards listing the House Captains on the walls in the four corners of the refectory? I think I was close to holding the record for having my name on them for the most number of times - and probably the most number of boards! That said... probably best left in the mists of time!
Phil Graham (1968-73): pg@philgrahampublishing.com
I am also an x Mayfield boy 1974-1978. Always interested in knowing about what happened after I left and moved to the USA. Fisher House. carbrat@yahoo.com
I attended Mayfield College in the 60's. I was in Fisher House. I was one of the few day boys and not even a Catholic. There used to be an old boys club called the Magaveldians, but I cannot find any information on whether it still exists.
House Captain's Boards are still in the new development. They remain in the public areas for all to see.
HI iam Arnaud Fourlégnie, I left Mayfield in 1980 , spent 3 years at Mayfield.
kept some good memories of this adventure, i wish i could have sent
my boys for the education i had !
My contact is :
company mail: contact@sunis.fr
Hi All 1971-1978 Nick Toni Plunket house. God bless the old place many fond memories R.I.P Mr Walters (Wolly Bonk)drop me a line if you new me! Now in Texas USA
nicktoni7@hotmail.com
I am also an x Mayfield boy, Moore House, left 1983-87. Lots of memories in the West Wing. Keen to keep updated and be in touch with old school friends like Damian Leslie, Darren Crawford, giles Fox etc... Cyrusch@netvigator.com
WINSTON ROBINS
MY BROTHER CHRIS AND ME WERE THERE IN THE SIXTIES MC15 AND MC27
MORE AND CHAMPION HOUSE, USED TO HATE THE CROSS COUNTRY RUNS! HA HA
WINAWAY5@HOTMAIL.COM
I am a relative of one of the Br. Dunstan's in the former Mayfield College graveyard. Would love to hear from anyone who is interested - particularly other Xaverian Brothers.
I was at Mayfield College during the Second World War, 1942-1945, when Br. Pius was in charge. I went back for the first time last year and had a look around the upmarket conversions. I was in Plunkett House and slept in a vast dormitory on the third floor where bats flew up and down each night. Coincidentally the flat I was shown around once contained that part of the dorm where I used to sleep. It was hard to recall how it once appeared. Life at Mayfield at that time was dominated by religious observances, we seemed to be in the Chapel, or otherwise on our knees, every morning, early. I found it onerous, especially as I did not believe a word of the Catechism or any other part of the religious teaching. Got quite good at Latin though.
125 MC
I was at Mayfield from 1958-64 and have many, many memories most of them happy of my time there. After leaving used to go to Challoners Club in Pont Street occasionally and meet up with an assortment of Old Boys. A great pity that the both Challoners and the Old Boys Association seems to have passed away some years ago. Would love to hear from any contempories. My e-mail address is richardgermain@talktalk.net. Richard is my middle name, Dennis being my first name and the one I was known by at Mayfield.
just want to know, did anyone else get abused by brother kieran?
Is Brother Kieran still alive?
most of the former staff seem
to be in the graveyard except possibly Br. Philpott whom I knew
very well along with Br. Mario.
The problem with the Xaverian Brothers English Province was that the older brothers were unwilling to move with the times-hence they got no new blood.Many left-Brother Denis-Brother Bernadine. Brother Benet among others, who tried to change the face of the English Province but were considered radical and voted out. Theyjoined the secular clergy or other orders
leaving the likes of Br. David Br.Stephen and others to keep younger spirits down at the bottom of the monastic table-what a loss in what could have been a wonderful opportunity to prosper and grow as the original founder of the Congregation would have wished like the America Province where unblinkered freedom in that Province has allowed it to as they say In small things grow.
yes i got abused by brother kieran
and its still affecting me badly, sad to say !!
Why did bro leo and others beat us?
Bro Mario is now Father Mario in Brighton East Sussex.
There's a whole lot of photos and chatter about MC going on daily in an updated Facebook alumni page. Paste this link into your browser and sign up:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2493190287/
Look forward to seeing you there!
Regards,
Phil Graham. (MC174 1968-73)
I was a foreign student of Mayfield College from 1970-1979. I was one of a few students from Hong Kong, never been to the boarding school before, a whole new surrounding. Brother Ambrose; Brother Henry and Principle Plunket. I have returned to Hong Kong since 1983, and I would never believed possible to find a old friend Tim Spicer thru Facebook. I am still trying to locate Robert Dimba if he's still in UK. My name is Dennis, my naickname used to be "Tampax" (if anyone still remember.
Wow dont believe it there is a page. Hi I was at Mayfield from 69 to 74 and remember everything all the funny brutal queer brothers to the stupid saturday boys games in uniform,running down thevilage onasaturday afternoon to buy cigerettesgetting caught by the prefects and having the shit kicked out of you,can anyone remember Mr Barry the sports teacher or should I say torturer,I remember fondly those times I was in Plunket house MC 217 I never regrett it and believe itwas the making of me in spite of everything,I live in Germany and have for over 25 years which I am sure is a direct offshoot form my time in Mayfield which at a young age introduced me to many new nationalities,thank you Mayfield and all the other boys who made it. Richard Edwards 1969-1974 Plunket
Yes I remember you tampax I was in Tim Spicers class,how are you and what are you doing now,greetings Richard Edwards MC 217
Does anyone remember Bill Jackson in the 1950?
Hi I am Terry Webber 1951 - 55 More House. What a good opportunity to read Old Boys comments. Interesting to see what the school has meant to us. True it was hard. Food rationing never ended at Mayfield. Luckily we could swop the food with each other I was always surprised that anyone wanted my herrings. Can you imagine herring with beetroot and brown gravy Where was Jamie Oliver. He probably would say 'Great very healthy' I liked the long runs on Saturday a chance to get away but the religious stuff was unrelenting - luckily it cured me of Christianity for life So yes apart from wearing out my knees did me a favour and set me off on a free thinking course. I got the cane a lot almost every time Alfonsus saw me I was doing some mischief The discipline at Mayfield was harsh, the teaching was haphazard by today's standards but I am thankful the knowledge I gained an appetite for the classics. Some of the Brothers were disgusting and to avoid falling pray to their influence you needed to come to the school with an inner moral compass and good street wisdom. I left with 4 'O' levels which surprised Alfonsus that I did so well. These days 4 GCSE's would be a total failure - in 1955 it was the equivalent of a masters degree. Employers at the time would bite my hand off to hire me and I never had to offer any proof (English was not even amongst my passes).
Present day I live and work in Surrey am a Grandfather, travel the world in wonder.
Hi! I was at Mayfield from 1974 to 1977. Does anybody remember bro osmond "pencils and rulers" totally bonkers. does anybody remember bill leverett or john rose. I was in more house csjhead@hotmail.com
Hi ! I was a French boy of Roubaix and I attended the school in 1948/1949 with More House and Br Pius,then the Head. I followed the tuition in form 3 and form 4 and was quite interested in all matters and also with sports. The English language was of current practice during my professionnal life in textile exports in many countries.
I am now 78, ans enjoy good health.
That year was another French boy in form 5 Gérard Mulliez who become famous after launching a giant chain of food stores.
He is still living too. I keep a very good memory of that period
and manageds to keep a sound connection with christianity, despite the fact that some of the brothers would not fly too high...
I convey my best regards to all the nice (old) boys who remember me.
I am Tony Pearce; I am a successful Artist andin the 1950s and 60s was a first class rugby player with London Irish and Sussex. Iwas at Mayfield 1944-49; I was abused by Bros David and Pius, later at the novitiate by Bro Ambrose; I think the current brothers should know about this;I am not seeking compensation but do others think they should know? There has been so much cover up regarding abuse by clergy and religious, it should be in the public arena
I am not very good with these blogs etc., being nearly 80! alive but not kicking! further to my comments on the 27th Oct. you can contact me should you wish at:
antpearce@hotmail.co.uk tony pearce
Hi! I was at Mayfield between 1943 and 1946 when Bro. Pius was headmaster. Was in Plunket House. Anybody else during that time? I remember the "doodlebugs" flying over on the way to London!!
I was at Mayfield between 1968 and 1973 when Brother Plunket was HM and then Brother Dominic. I remember mad bro Osmond. Nasty Kieran and various others like the cook Antininous or some such name like something out of the name of the Rose. I hated the place - glad to hear they are all dead.
SO MANY OF US BOYS WERE ABUSED BY THESE BARBARIC BROTHERS. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN REST IN PEACE. PACK OF SH**S
Searching for Simon Hodges. In Mayfield together between 1968 - 1971. My e-mail fja.pelling@alice.it
attended 66-68-still scarred by these monsters-dont want compo-just to know they are in hell!!
Hi, my name is Richard Klein and I went to Mayfield College between 1969 and 1974. Frankly, it was awful. Bullying was absolutely everywhere - I lived, quite literally, in fear of my life; the Brothers were despotic and abusive - Brother Kieran, Brother Stephen Dunn and others - both physically and sexually; the food was almost inedible. What a ghastly place, viscous and nasty. I regret to say that many of the boys in my class were no better. I left to go to another school having finally told my parents the truth about the place and as soon as I went to the next school I realised that life at school did not have to be one of terror and brutality. Mayfield College, in the words of Johnny Cash - may you rot in Hell.
something should be done about these foul abusers, but i think most of the pupils at this hellhole actually were as bad as the brothers so it is quite credible that no one will stand up and be counted for fear of retribution from their peers.
i know because i suffered hell at the hands of several fellow pupils and was sexually abused by brother kieran to boot. as others have said on here. may they rot !!!
Hello, Did any of you go to school with my Dad, John Baker in the 1950's?
Hi Terry, just read your message. Did you hear that Howard died in 2010?
Claudette
I was at Mayfield January 1944 to
June 1947 when I ran away. Must say it was my 4 attempt. I had dirty shoes and made up my mind that Sadistic Pius was not going to put the cane across my butt anymore.Bro Leo was our form master. One brown eye one blue eye.Never knew that there were Bum Bandits there.Must have got out in time. William Bland.Tsb
I was at Mayfield January 1944 to
June 1947 when I ran away. Must say it was my 4 attempt. I had dirty shoes and made up my mind that Sadistic Pius was not going to put the cane across my butt anymore.Bro Leo was our form master. One brown eye one blue eye.Never knew that there were Bum Bandits there.Must have got out in time.
i was at mayfield 1962 to 1965. three years of bootcamp. i believe i managed to avoid being the victim of the brotherly pedophiles by maintaining first position (academically !) in class. although life there was hard it was a memorable experience for which i have no regrets. i guess i was one of the lucky ones.
Some will remember me Pat Clarke. I taught in Mayfield from Jan 1978 to Jan 1981. Health reasons forced me to leave but I quickly recovered and taught in other places until my retirement in 2000. Retirement in still going great. But I still remember fondly my time in Mayfield in the company of Pete Pattar, John McKay, Trevor Hunter, Anthony Barry the ladies, Myren, Denise, Jo and others. Sad to see how the mighty structure has fallen into commercial hands. No more the voices of culture, education and idealistic values nor, the sounds of youthful laughter and sport.
Father Robert Andrews was the chaplain for many years.
I am interested in receiveing any thoughts, reflections or information on this priest. He died in 2002.
Many Thanks
Hi out there,
is anybody in touch with my brother andrew adelaide (arround 1970)?He dissappeard 1987 in india and hasn´t been seen since then.please contact me when you know something
sven@adelaide-foto.de
I was a boarder and joined in 1980. I was 10 and I was bullied, humiliated and physically abused. It was a living hell. Predatory paedophile older boys like Christopher Alete (with the connivance of Victor and Nnamdi) abused at least one boy regularly and terrified the rest of us with the threat we would be next (the so-called 'Red Light District'. One of the brothers was a well-known paedophile and teachers included sadistic psychopaths like Mr Eckstein who smashed a young boys head between bis huge knees and damaged his hearing or would make you lie out on the desks and raise your legs. He would then place his penknife under the legs so as you tired you would get cut. Academic standards were a joke and would have been far worse had there not been a group of super smart kids form Hong Kong who pretty much taught each other. It was without doubt the shittiest, nastiest and foulest school I have ever heard of. I am glad it closed. I wish it had done so 40 years earlier. From this board it is quite possible that it had been better before and day pupils would have had a very different time. But for us it was a nightmare and one I know I am not alone in trying to shake off.
I'm Dennis Thomas (MC97)and was at Mayfield between '71 and '73/74I vaguely remember Richard Klein as we both lived in Hamburg and on a couple of occasions few back together? Does any one know what became of Simon May and Sebastian Light(?), who were in the same class? I left because my family moved back to England and when I started at the new school the first teacher I bumped in to was John Williams (RE teacher)who said 'Thomas what are you doing here?'; he was a very nice guy.
Looking back there were good and bad time but don't remember any abuse by the Brothers but there was some bullying.
Hi, I was in Plunkett House 1953-1957.MC 112. Strangely enough I don't remember all these incidents of abuse. Maybe nobody fancied me. Yes they ruled by the cane, 6 fourteen times in first terms and on last day after stuffing Chris Hammerbeck into a Tea chest, unfortunately ripped his trousers getting him out with the assistance of O'Brien.This after trunks sent to station. I remember great sport, particularly rugby and boxing and the great Br Henry and his ACF and Science lessons. So come on guys lets hear the good things about the Old place. Br Mario was in charge of Junior Dorms and is now the Parish Priest in Mayfield Village. Met him at Howard Nevills funeral in 2010, he seemed in great form. The Old Boys association was thriving in the 60's and memorable nights at the Challoner Club, with Jo Modro, Terry Webber and others every second Friday of the month.
Hi, I was at Mayfield from 1980 - 1987 - Campion House. Recently went to visit it as Mayfield Grange which is all a little strange. Odd to find the chapel as a luxury flat. Ironically, I'm now a teacher. Just wondered if anyone knows what happened to Andrew Simmonds - he was the English Teacher in my day and a great one at that. Would love to contact him to say thanks. Please email salvador@70@hotmail.com
Sorry, that should be
salvador-70@hotmail.com
!!!! thanks!
alex gill (mc 29).was at Mayfield 1952 till 1956 knew Mylchreest and Webber and cross country runs.went to Canada 1957 now in Brighton Sussex (74 this year) have photos and memories would like to reminisce with any survivors.
contact on alex44gill@gmail.com
Hi. I was classmate with Alete, Victor, Nnamdi, Onyemenam, Awani, and that bunch. Absolutely shocking to hear there was that level of bullying going on. While we were classmates, I never really socialised with them that much. I ran into Onyemenam in Atlanta a few times, where he now
lives
I had some bullying experience of my own however. Funny enough, from a classmate who thought I was too quiet. Dude was Iraninan, and was
an amatuer boxer. So he leveraged his skills to intimidate most. But, we had him straightened out very quickly, and he soon abandoned his maad ways.
Anyone kno how I can reach Nick & Caroline Howitt?
Fbali@bellsouth.net
Mc120
1950-55 I was bullied there aka Larry làmb. Sexually abused by several boys in the showers after rugby and also in the dorms. Still suffering I am now 74yrs oĺd . Hated the colĺege went back for the first time to see the new flats when western homes had the cricket match out of curiosity.
Mental, Physical and Sexual Abuse.
Although I am 87 years old I remember the abuse as if it happened yesterday. The problems with crimes of this nature is that the abused child has nowhere to go and nobody to complain to, he feels as if somehow or other he is at fault for what is happening to him and so remains silent. We struggle on but always remember those terrible days and their everlasting effect.
These pages contain the first mention that I could find of the abuse at Mayfield College. Thank you to those who have come forward. Is there an official place where I can register my name as one of the abused. There must be dozens, if not hundreds of us.
Greetings to all who shared what it meant to have been a boarder at Mayfield College. However, it meant vastly different things to different people.
I have recently been reading many of the messages on the various MC notice boards and applaud those of you who have contributed to the nostalgia and the more recent history - particularly for those of us who are a long way away (I have lived in Australia since 1957). Unfortunately for me, there are virtually no posts from former pupils of my era.
I went to Mayfield at age 9 in 1944 and finished there after 'O' levels (then GCE) in 1951. That is now just under one tenth of my life!
Most of my memories are not happy ones.
I wasn't any good at sport - except swimming, at which I excelled (one time winning the under 15s, under 16s and under 18s in the one year) but swimming wasn't a "proper" sport and had no accompanying kudos or status. Had I been any good at running (too slow), boxing (too soft), long or high jumping (too heavy), my life at Mayfield might have been different.
In retrospect, the quality of teaching was not very high, except for Mr Foweracre ("Itchy Bot" because he often scratched his backside), as a result of whose patience I shall never forget "The Causes of Distress and Discontent in 1815" - and would you believe, it was a question in my GCE History exam!
The rest were Brothers and mostly, I think, not only unqualified in their specialised subjects but totally unqualified in the realism of life or in the psychology of human relationships. On reflection, I think that like us, most of them were also victims of a system of which they had become a part for one reason or another. Most of them, like us, learned to accept and conform to that system, while others - the opportunistic, cruel and in some cases really evil ones, simply manipulated the system to suit themselves.
I'm quite certain that nobody cared whether we were HAPPY or not - and if they couldn't get us to cooperate "because it's one of the school rules", they would tell us that disobedience was a sin and we'd go to Hell.
Despite all of the above, my time at Mayfield engendered an independence and self-reliance that has served me well ever since. So it's not all that regrettable and there's certainly no point now in wishing that it had been otherwise.
I still remember at least half of my Form 2 Roll Call – Barraud, Bland, Broomhead, Catalani, Curtis, Daniel, Dimarco, Drewery, Fielder 1, Fielder 2, Gaffney, Griffin, Harrington, Howick, McIvor, Mills, Nunan …….
There's no doubt in my mind that "Miss Kirby's Wood is Out-of-Bounds to All" (even now??), that my number is MC2 and that every day of an unpleasant experience (term time) is one closer to happiness (holidays at home).
I posted this Reflection on the other site about four years ago but had almost no response. However, I notice that there seems to be more interest in the 40s and early 50s on this site, so maybe somebody out there might like to exchange some thoughts. I'd be quite happy to discuss it further if anybody cares to send me a message. Kind regards, Doug Howick
i think somthing should be done about the abuse suffered throughout the decades at Mayfield , there are enough reports on here to warrant an investigation, A report should go to the police, Noone seems to be doing anything about it. DISGRACEFUL
I truly visited this site out of nostalgia for the old school, but I empathised with some of the issues raised. As a day boy I escaped the reported sexual abuse, but was always aware of the rumours, and was shocked to read about the experience of others. For me however, there were two things to comment on. If you were out of the A stream, you were pretty much fending for yourself in education standards, and dependent on one or two really good teachers to get you out of the mire. Mr Walters, Brother Conrad, Brother Henry, Brother Osborn (though eccentric in the extreme) and Mrs Higgins were amongst them. if you were in C grade, you were largely neglected and an outcast. I did much better educationally when leaving the school for my A level years. But also bullying was rife, and in 5 years, I had a miserable time, usually from fellow classmates. Frankly speaking the school did nothing for me, and I achieved so much more when away from it.
Do anyone know Simon paddon please let me know. and were he is,. My name is mark Daniels and I am on Facebook
You will find me on Chelmsford hall school. He start mayfield college in 83 but that's all I have of him.
I was at Mayfield from 73-79. I too suffered abuse at the hands of the monks. mild abuse but abuse nonetheless. Br. Alan Basie was my abuse.
Despite that I still feel positive about my stay at MC. It definitely has given me Self reliance for the real world.
Shame that there is no old boys club like Challenor club (only went twice) where old boys can meet and reminisce or perhaps decide on any furtheraction to be taken regarding abuse at the school. I don't feel my abuse affects me but many of the posters above clearly have had their lives badly affected by it and want and need some sort of closure.
It seems to me that there are enough of us who would like to assess whether our experiences at Mayfield have affected our subsequent lives whether beneficially or otherwise.
I would be very interested in participating in a free and active dialogue on these matters.
If the current blogs don't permit that, then maybe we should simply exchange emails as a cooperative group. Any comments? Happy to receive them at doug@tpaa.com.au
I have just discovered this Blog and would like to add my h'a'porth. I was a pupil there from '60 - '63 - my name back then was Joseph Twell but have since changed my first name to Jason. I was in Moore House.
I have read, with sadness, some of the accounts about sexual abuse and bullying of which I was totally unaware of. Only one person tried bullying me, a nasty little prefect by the name of Noone - he ended up having his dinner tipped into his lap one day - that put an end to that!
Classmates I recall (forgive any spelling mistakes!): the Strickland bros, Bauder (from South America?), Joseph Azarpardi (Egyptian?), (Simon?) Plunkett, Michael Parkinson (No, not that one! This one had ginger hair), Keating, Smith(?), John Duffy (and his brother Simon in a lower form)and then there was Philip Haskett-Smith from a lower form - I fancied his sister Jennifer!
Staff:
Major Laffin: A great guy, although I was a poor student of Geography he gave me a copy of his book "Codes and Cyphers" (which I still have today!) for my studies of Ireland (a long story!).
Itchy: I can't for the life of me recall his name - History teacher with his portable replica of a cross on which hung many of his lessons.
Bro. Cadgedon: (a Magnus Pike forerunner) eccentric Maths teacher - I starred under his tuition.
Bro. Kieran: My sanctuary from rugby! Started a cross-country running team which I thoroughly enjoyed - he would quite often give me free reign in the new gym.
Bro. Leo: Nasty piece of work! A smelly Welshman that was rugby mad and used a chair rung for a stick!
Bro. Henry: A gem! Used to take us for Science and the Army Cadets - I starred under him too.
Bro. Alphonsus: the snorting headmaster - not a bad guy really but I only ever saw him when I was in trouble.
Bro. Osmond: another crazy character - taught English.
Bro. Dennis: for the short time I knew him before he left: he was the 'odd-job' man and I'd used to sneak out to his workshop where he'd teach me many of the DIY skills I've matured since. He also alowed me to drive the school tractor which I believe was a David Brown but have not had any luck finding any information about that particular model anywhere - maybe you can help? I believe I was the only pupil allowed to drive it and I mowed the playing fields a few times.
Last, but not least, Bro. Nathaniel: I can't sing the praises of this man high enough. He was a fair man and taught Maths and French. I regard him as my first mentor - we would often spend ages talking and I can honestly say that not only did he teach me to "think", encouraging me to be inquisitive about anything and everything, but he also realised I was becoming an atheist. He didn't criticise me, or try to 'convert' me but instead insisted that I carried on delving for the truth saying something like: "You must go where the facts lead - that's Science!" And I've followed that advice to this day.
All in all, I was an emotionally troubled youth whilst at Mayfield due to an unsettled and somewhat traumatic domestic life but I can honestly say, when I compare the education (formal and informal) that I received there with peers who went to ordinary day schools, I had a far better head-start on life than them.
Jason Twell.
Since passing 50 a couple of years ago l admitt I have become more nostalgic over my younger days. I attended Mayfield from 77-80.I had to leave my state comprehensive after 1 year because my single parent was in the military. I did not enjoy my time at Mayfield, while I escaped the sexual abuse that was endemic for many years prior to my arriving. I soon learnt that it had been previously rife.I did not however escape the bullying from both upper 6th & Masters. Having left a school that I had been excelling at to be dropped of at Mayfield was to say the least harrowing. All that said I did have many friends whom I'm still in touch with today. I would like to find out if anyone is in touch or knows the whereabouts of John ( the stammer ) Rose and Gary (Bermuda) Williams.Mr Steve Agar , Mr Graham Reese , & Mr Michael Brown you all did your very best (certainly for me) and your students. I'm sure Brother Osmand riding around in his cassock on a Honda 750cc still lives in the memory of not just myself, and Brother Conrad was a truly holy decent man. Good luck to all you concordians. As for you PAT (PADDY ) Clarke it's a good job I never ran into you in my later years because then it would be YOU getting a good hiding!
Dominic J Deen
Hi my name is Dave (David) Lynch. I was at Mayfield, as MC39,from 1958 till '62. I left because my family moved to Southern California. I suppose I could have continued and finished my education there, but the alure of Los Angeles and Hollywood etc. was very powerful. And my retiring Dad had contacts that allowed us to take personal possessions -furniture and equipment, (my Dad's gardening stuff, my bike! and other stuff) with us, because we moved via a Steam ship, The Pacific Fortune, which was "full" of Whiskey bound for the Western States and Vancouver, leaving from Glascow direct via the Panama Canal to Los Angeles. I was in More House. Fond memories of my school years. Would love to see those big roll photographs that were taken in the Summertime. My
best friend there wash/is Jeremy Nolan Neylan. We lost touch after I moved. Unbeknownst to me he also later moved to Sydney Australia. And only a few years ago we "accidently" remet via Facebook!
I visited the College a couple of times on return visits to England. My sisters family live in Cheltenham (Glos). I am available on Facebook if you are into Social Media. (as David A. Lynch.) I currently live in Cincinnati in Ohio. Would dig to hear your history! Cheers Dave
-e'mail -sevenderwent@aol.com
Yikes! Dave Lynch-58-62...then moved to California. Was "Itchie" Mr. Fouracher teaching Latin in your time?
Hey Doug. I just discovered this site by accident I put v Mayfield into Wikipedia and Lo!
I was MC39 from 58 to 62... when my family moved to California.I have very fond memories of my time there. Let's chat -David A Lynch -FaceBook.
Hi Jason I just discovered this site. I was MC39. 58-62... when my family moved to California. I have very fond memories of my time there and the Education -Old Itchie! And yes Mr Laffin, a totally brilliant teacher. Yeah Br Leo he was a right cruel barsterd. My best mate was and is Jeremy Nolan Neylan. But I remember Azopardi. And others. Do you recall our only I think "negroe" Black student -a dear friend Caesar Saliba. I heard later that he had a hard time in post Coll life because we at Coll accepted him as our school chum and brilliant sportsman then he kind of found out he was "black" and experienced unbearable discrimination in "civilian" life. I am in Facebook David A. Lynch. Cheers Dave.
Hey Dennis I was at Mayfield while u were there, my number was MC17, my name is Charles Wong, my email is charleswong65@gmail.com, contact me
My father Patrick Arthur Hill was at Mayfield in the 1930s. He took me to see the place in the 1970s and said that it was contracting, apparently the rifle range was no longer working.
Will try and find some of his memories of the place from siblings and post them here.
Patrick Hill
I am Peter Mann, 1957 to 1962, having previously done a couple of years at Foxhunt, so you could call it 7 years hard! I stumbled on this site by chance after my second wife asked me today, "What was that weird school you went to?", and when I mentioned Xaverian Brothers she remembered being in Goa years ago and getting heartily sick of the relics of Francis Xavier which are apparently big over there.
The 4th and 5th Form in 1961 and 1962 was quite a tight-knit outfit if i rememebr right, although there were cliques within it. I remember Kevin Moran and Paul(?) Sinclair, and Dennis Germain, (who I see posted on here in 2010), and Noone and Gilsenan, and Parkinson and Dumbrell, and David Lynch... (I'm not sure Lynch and I got on very well, is that right?), and I could summon up more names with time. Oh and Paul Williams, who I came across years ago where I worked at Reuters when he was on a contract with us. We felt we were quite an intelligent bunch I think, but I don't know if we really were. But we did play off each other in class and a lot of learning went on. Was Itchy our Form master? He was excellent at Latin and History.... I can still remember some Latin.
I don't remember any abuse...maybe I was too unpleasant or too cross or too sharp... I'm not sure which. But I remember and have hated ever since the Catholicism forced on us day and night. I never have been in a church since I left in '62, except for weddings and funerals, and I tend to believe that the Catholic church is a malign force in the world, so in that respect the school had the direct opposite effect to the intention! I was in Campion house, surely the best House!
I remember life being very hard with respect to food, bullying, cold, disocomfort, eked out baths and showers, ice in the toilets on a winter morning, that terrible feeling of coming back to school after the Christmas holiday and this gigantic gothic pile looming sinisterly in the January darkness with just a couple of lights on and the wind was howling and you realise you are going to be locked up there for 3 months!
But it did generate self-reliance... I left after 'O' Levels, and went straight into the Merchant Navy as a Deck Apprentice, and everyone was amazed how easily I took to the supposedly harsh life far from home in a floating prison with lots of weird older people around who one had to be wary of. Much easier than Mayfield College!
Finally, I remember chip night very well... was that Saturday evening? Prefects always served, headed by Head Boy Webster, a hard nut and no mistake, so that as a junior one got 5 chips, whilst the prefects awarded themselves a pile on their plate so huge they could hardly carry it to their place! And what did one do when one became a prefect? The very same to the poor snivelling new boys!
Hi Old Boys!
I have been browsing, trying to find out about one of the monks that was at Mayfield College all his life. Alfred Baldwin, an orphan, entered the College as a 9 year old, in 1881. He never left the institute, choosing to become a monk and died in 1964. I understand he is buried in the cemetry there.
Does anyone out there remember this man at all, or have a photograph of him?
You can private message me on Facebook - Kathy Moore - or email me kathy@seam.co.uk.
Peter Mann, I'd be happy to correspond, particularly regarding going from years at Mayfield to years in Merchant Navy. Please email me at doug@tpaa.com.au Doug Howick (1944-1951)
It's been almost 50 years and I still remember Br Kieran and Br Plunkett with horror.
Is there any way to contact a correspondent member directly?
This comment submitted by me, John Narborough, attended Spring 1972 (2nd form) through to Summer 1977 (6th form):
Speaking as a non-RC day-boy (placed at Mayfield part way through 2nd Year by the Education Authority following bad experience at a local Comprehensive) I personally experienced my own arrival at Mayfield as both a relief and a privilege! I recall with gratitude my first introduction to people from other countries and cultures; also with great affection some excellent teachers, both of Exam. subjects and of extra-curricular activities. Top of my list from the mid-1970s:
Brother Henry - for Physics (and for his invincible determination to improvise practical demonstrations out of hoarded junk - pretty much a definition of my own subsequent career in Electricity Supply and Museums);
Mr. Walters ('Bonk') - for Maths (and for leading our working-party to build the new 5th-form Common-Room and workshop);
Brother Damian - for Latin (and for his enthusiasm for Archaeology);
Mr Rees - for Chemistry (and for good humour - including sometimes risqué performances at school Music events);
Mr Bloxsom - for leading regular coach-trips to the Festival Hall, including a last chance to see Sir Adrian Boult conducting.
Beyond my own study timetable, the eccentricities of Brother Osmund were legendary: the improvised contraptions with bowls and buckets; the 'Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases' campaigns; the doggerel verses; lurid blackboard illustrations and absurd mnemonics for lists of exports from foreign countries. I well recall his public-address announcement made to the entire school (the single p/a microphone being in the headmaster's office): "Attention Please! Will whoever has stolen the key to Brother Dominic's office kindly return it at once - as I wish to make an announcement!"
Sadly, it is apparent that throughout the life of the College some boys (especially boarders) found themselves seriously let-down by 'the system'. In any human institution the experience of each individual can only be as good as the personal relationships established (or avoided, where necessary) with those 'in power' - whether this be formally-appointed or 'dark' power - wielded out of 'official' sight. Mayfield itself may now be gone; but human nature (and its potential behaviour towards vulnerable people) is still very much with us. Anyone with an elderly relative in long-term hospital or nursing-home care today will easily recognise the influence of good leadership and 'people skills'; or the inevitable effects of their absence...
Brother Kieran would be over 100 years old by now, according to my partner, Keith Robinson (1955 to 1959)
Br. Leo sent my partner, Keith Robinson, to be beaten by Br. Alphonsus rather than beating hom himself. He feels he deserved his punishments and remembers Br. Leo as a basically kindly man - it is Alphonsus he remembers as a rabidly insane Scot who continued to beat him after the proscribed number of lashes until Keith turned his head to look at him and could see he was in some sort of sexual ecstasy and took the stick off him, saying "That's enough!"
He left Alphonsus standing there with a glazed look on his face. Keith is 71 now and has never managed to shake off the memories.
My partner, Keith Robinson, remembers Br. Ambrose from his time there 1955 to '59 but doesn't remember the other two. Keith was in Campion House.
My partner, Keith Robinson, MC 77, Campion House, 1955 to '59 sends his heartfelt sympathy for all that you suffered. He was only ever beaten excessively by Br. Alphonsus and a couple of others but he remembers boys being taken out of the dormitory at night to the brothers' quarters.
My partner, Keith Robinson, MC 77, Campion House, 1955 to '59 sends his heartfelt sympathy for all that you suffered. He was only ever beaten excessively by Br. Alphonsus and a couple of others but he remembers boys being taken out of the dormitory at night to the brothers' quarters.
Keith Robinson, MC 77, Campion House, 1955 to 1959 agrees with you. He was regularly brutally flogged on the flimsiest of pretexts by Br. Alphonsus who seemed to be sexually excited by administering such harsh physical beatings.
Keith 'Robbie' Robinson, MC 77, Campion House, 1955 to 1959, also remembers an American, Brother Pacificus, who was anything but pacific and not only beat him but also punched him in the face and appeared to hate him. Pacificus replaced an equally violent American 'exchange' monk. He doesn't remember that ones name.
Keith Robinson, MC 77 remembers you so well! He can see your face, he ssys and can't believe this is really happening after all these years! In addition to sharing many if your memories, he has mentioned the terrible stench of boiled vegetables in the refectory and Br. Alphonsus on the dais ridiculing anyone who dared complain. He says that in his dotage (he was 71 on 21st October) he thrills to the thought that Alphonsus must be dead by now...
Keith Robinson, MC 77 remembers you so well! He can see your face, he ssys and can't believe this is really happening after all these years! In addition to sharing many if your memories, he has mentioned the terrible stench of boiled vegetables in the refectory and Br. Alphonsus on the dais ridiculing anyone who dared complain. He says that in his dotage (he was 71 on 21st October) he thrills to the thought that Alphonsus must be dead by now...
Keith 'Robbie' Robinson, MC 77, Campion House, 1955 to 1959, also remembers an American, Brother Pacificus, who was anything but pacific and not only beat him but also punched him in the face and appeared to hate him. Pacificus replaced an equally violent American 'exchange' monk. He doesn't remember that ones name.
Keith Robinson, MC 77, Campion House, 1955 to 1959 agrees with you. He was regularly brutally flogged on the flimsiest of pretexts by Br. Alphonsus who seemed to be sexually excited by administering such harsh physical beatings.
Many of us have many memories!
I was a border (MC70) from 1942-1950 and like Doug Howick still remember the names of people (such as Squidge Wellington, Killin, Henry Daniels, David Barraud whose son visited us in Ottawa, etc) in form 1V in 1949. I have many conflicting memories of life at Mayfield. My twin brother was good at sports, came first in the annual cross-country run, beat the hell out of me in the mandatory annual boxing tournament etc. while I was probably known as a 'swot' I was in Plunkett House and my brother in More. I well remember an Old Boy landing his plane on the cricket pitches in front of the college. I fondly remember Bro. Aiden who introduced me to Agatha Christie, and Bro. Henry who visited us here in Canada where I've lived for the last 60 years. Pleasant memories of waiting during summer cricket for our turn to run down to the swimming pool in the valley below. I would imagine that a good 50% of us are now 'pushing the daisies up". Catholicism I gave up soon after emmigrating but at the time liked the chapel, organ music, plain chant, smell of incense and other aspects of religion. I think 1950 was the last year of the old Oxford school cert. which I managed to scrape through with 6 passes before leaving to do an apprenticeship with an engineering company in London. Before leaving for Canada I went to the Challoner Club on Pont St, Knightsbridge where I would regularly see Joe Modro propping up the bar. Although there was plenty of bullying and we lived a spartan existence with its war time rations compared to today's norms and heard about the sexual predators, thank heavens I wasn't involved. With 150 males and one woman (the matron) it isn't surprising that in that celibate surroundings something of that sort was bound to happen. All in all though I think i liked my 8 years at Mayfield
Interesting post Mr Anonymous. I think I can guess who you are. Would you like to send me a private email to see if I'm right? Kind regards & best wishes.
My name is Frank Apicella, I was at Mayfield College from 1973 - 1976 (MC38) for those that remember me. Myt best mates were Stephen Bes and Dominic Pybis (scouse) for any that also remember them. Also Evans (MC1) lol. It was a huge learning curve for all the young 11 year olds at that time.
Does anyone remember a Tom Webster who attended MC in the early 1950s and subsequently became head boy. He died in 2010 aged 71 in South Africa
0p
Hello, MC33 here; (according to my laundry marks.... )
Was there from 1962-1966. Crazy place. Had a relatively "eventful" experience. Dropped off by my parents as being either incorrigible, insane, or just a bad person... and, as it turned out..., just in need of the occasional good beating (LOL!!!). Was it bad..? or was it good? In retrospect... It was a survival exercise, with good academics which stood in good stead for my future academic endeavors..
Let's deal with the good. Leo, Steven, Laffin, et. al., etc., and some that I just do not recall. I learned very fast that Leo was not a happy person if my writing, latin, french, math sums etc., from the previous day did not meet expectations. That chair rung was not a good thing. Steven, Laffin, et.al., were quite helpful, and by the time I left, I was in quite good stead when I returned to the "home country..".
It is still likely that I hold the record for Alphonsus' canings. "Six of the Best" times three, in succession.. A long and interesting story, to be sure.. but I can say after my
crimes" when my father was "summoned" and my mother did her dramatics, on my latest transgression... I was in no position (LOL!!) to argue. Another story, another time, LOL!!!. Short version was it was 18 strokes from that cane, with Dad watching and Mum in tears (it was always where she had done wrong, LOL!!). I was just a bad kid, and MC simply beat it out of me!!! Actually7 the exam answer was either don't get caught... or cooperate and graduate; the latter looked good an I went on to be an upstanding, educated citizen...
Mayfield was "flawed", to be sure. But... it was not all that bad. If one paid attention, learned to avoid the idiots, and did the due dilligence to the academics, then one would succeeed. I can attest to that when I returned to the USA. After some "placement" exams, I found myself graduating from a US "High School" at the age of 16. Socially... not so good, but academically stood very well later.
Oh well.. Seeing this website, at first I was alarmed. But, going back and thinking, I can say that there was quite alot of "bully' activity, and certain staff instructors who were not good people. I do NOT wish to think ill of the deceased, but it appears that a nummber of the staff, students, etc., were either the perpetrators, or in most cases, the victims of sexual abuse.
I can relate to these allegations, and can provide "details", but this is not the venue. Those who wish to discuss these circumstances, should contact me.
Withe kind regards to all,
Well, having read these comments, it has stirred mixed feelings and reminiscences.
I attended from 71-72 and maybe 73 MC247.
I did not get on at the school. The grounds were my saviour, I would spend every spare minute there. Looking at the doddle bug remains (out of bounds), or down by the river, or around the swimming pool. I still remember dragging a dead badger out of there, it’s legs having been tied with plastic. I remember with fondness my friends and companions which looking back, makes me think we may have been the runt pack staying out of the way, who I left behind without telling them I would not be returning. Only I don't remember their names too well - Pershing (American, had a problem with his tongue), the Hewlett brothers (parents in Saudi maybe), a guy whose family had a house nearby but worked in Saudi. A guy from Persia (Iran) who introduced me to pistachio nuts, still a favourite to this day.
I don't recall many of the teachers –
Mr Walters - lived at the end of my dorm, took me out in the famous Alfa one Saturday.
Bro. Ambrose – evening walks and rigorous thinking/argument a 1 2 3 man if I remember rightly.
Bro. XXXX – Art teacher and Calligrapher extraordinary, very nice man
Hamilton – the Archer and serial abuser, even managed to track me to home and was sent packing by my Mum.
Bro. Dominic – still remember wondering why I had 6 of the best – still remember walking through the building trying not to cry…
And Latin lessons still with me today and a block of lead from the chemistry lesson that I tried to melt in the woods – the rest left no impression which I think says volumes.
Would love to hear from anyone of that era – and must plan visit, can you still go down to the woods?
I attended Mayfield from 1982 -1987 I took my wife back to see school it was in transitional time before it became apartments I remember my time with such fondness and affection but after stumbling across this blogsite I am not naive to the fact that there was bullying I was from east London and maybe a slightly different background to most other borders maybe all the fresh air and countryside affected my brain I was never the greatest academic but the life experiences I learnt have stayed with me I remember running back from village after managing to procure a couple of pints and jumping in the bushes as cars came down the road wow I must have been fit then as I couldn't even make it up the hill now I also remember mr Simmonds and Madame Alfred both of whom I remember being inspiring teachers would love to hear from some of our old classmates such as Andrew kirsopp ngoshe mwananshiku Oliver porter lee Hughes
Also if anyone is still in touch with Kieran Leslie please reply
got myself expelled-m and d never believed what went on-bro Plunkett-how is HELL-Bro Duff-likewise-how does it feel to ruin childrens lives-i made it through this catastrophy called life-married Marianne who saved me but anyone who suffers still go to the Police and nail any of these Bastards still alive. To my friends charlie offredi David Forshaw I hope life gave you everything you wished.MC27 1966
Trevor Hunter
Taught PE at MC 76-79, first teaching post. Great to hear from anyone.
Hugh Froggatt, MC64, 1960-65.
Mayfield was an experience that overall served me reasonably well. Went back several times and was always welcomed by the brothers who apart from Bros Leo & Francis were mainly ordinary people doing their best. Bros Leo & Francis were weirdos who got their kicks from caning defenceless kids (Forms 1 & 2), after Form 2 the canings got less and less no doubt because we may have retaliated. I never heard or came across any sexual abuse at Mayfield, if it did happen it was a well kept secret and no one to my knowledge has ever outed a Brother with an observed experience. Many brave people have brought the abuses in the Catholic church to the public but no one from Mayfield, I wonder why? If anything did happen to you and you are able go to the police some of the alleged perpetrators may still be around. P.s. Anyone heard from Barry Shevlin c. 1959-65?
Hugh Froggatt, MC64, 1960-65.
Mayfield was an experience that overall served me reasonably well. Went back several times and was always welcomed by the brothers who apart from Bros Leo & Francis were mainly ordinary people doing their best. Bros Leo & Francis were weirdos who got their kicks from caning defenceless kids (Forms 1 & 2), after Form 2 the canings got less and less no doubt because we may have retaliated. I never heard or came across any sexual abuse at Mayfield, if it did happen it was a well kept secret and no one to my knowledge has ever outed a Brother with an observed experience. Many brave people have brought the abuses in the Catholic church to the public but no one from Mayfield, I wonder why? If anything did happen to you and you are able go to the police some of the alleged perpetrators may still be around. P.s. Anyone heard from Barry Shevlin c. 1959-65?
Hugh Froggatt, MC64, 1960-65.
Mayfield was an experience that overall served me reasonably well. Went back several times and was always welcomed by the brothers who apart from Bros Leo & Francis were mainly ordinary people doing their best. Bros Leo & Francis were weirdos who got their kicks from caning defenceless kids (Forms 1 & 2), after Form 2 the canings got less and less no doubt because we may have retaliated. I never heard or came across any sexual abuse at Mayfield, if it did happen it was a well kept secret and no one to my knowledge has ever outed a Brother with an observed experience. Many brave people have brought the abuses in the Catholic church to the public but no one from Mayfield, I wonder why? If anything did happen to you and you are able go to the police some of the alleged perpetrators may still be around. P.s. Anyone heard from Barry Shevlin c. 1959-65?
Hugh Froggatt, MC64, 1960-65.
Mayfield was an experience that overall served me reasonably well. Went back several times and was always welcomed by the brothers who apart from Bros Leo & Francis were mainly ordinary people doing their best. Bros Leo & Francis were weirdos who got their kicks from caning defenceless kids (Forms 1 & 2), after Form 2 the canings got less and less no doubt because we may have retaliated. I never heard or came across any sexual abuse at Mayfield, if it did happen it was a well kept secret and no one to my knowledge has ever outed a Brother with an observed experience. Many brave people have brought the abuses in the Catholic church to the public but no one from Mayfield, I wonder why? If anything did happen to you and you are able go to the police some of the alleged perpetrators may still be around. P.s. Anyone heard from Barry Shevlin c. 1959-65?
Barry Shevlin,
If you read this get in touch via Facebook, Paul Lukas and I meet regularly for the rugby and have oftened wondered where you are. Go well Hugh F
Hi, stumbled across this site and would be good if you could get in touch, also be great to hear from Lee Hughes as we were best mates at school but unfortunately lost touch over the years. I remember the expeditions to the local pubs, accross fields and jumping into ditches. Worth it for a pint, some fags and escape castle colditz!!! Drop me an email to get in tiuch andkirsopp@hotmail.com... Andrew Kirsopp
Brother Qeeran would be more apt!!!
From my recent research about the last days of Mayfield College and the demise of the Xaverian Order in England it became obvious that "it was out of time" "outmoded" and outdated. It had not moved with the educational times that required much more than the old methods like the cane, the strap etc which were banned in the UK in 1972.All those Brothers" who worked in places like Mayfield- Clapham and Manchester have now, it would appear have retired permantly under six feet of earth.In its time I am sure the Congregation did a great deal of good but it outlived its usefulness and like The Catholic Church in general has moved too slowly relying on the adage "We have eternity.
I have just learned that Brother Sylvester who taught at Mayfield and Clapham College, passed away in the USA he must have been one of the last. A dedicated scholastic I gather from friends like his former mentor Br. Aiden.I am told.
Hi, Olly here. Left Mayfield in 1959 and the best memories were the few friends I made and Br.Conrad -Francis Toohey - one of the kindest people I have ever known. It's a true saying that we remember the kindest teachers. God Bless 'Tin Ribs', the best of them all.
J.O
Dear Old boys
Please could you help me? Does anyone remember David Ramsbottom and John Allen, who left 1977.
My brother Andre Panszczyk also attended this school, now I understand why he refused to return.
Would like to contact them as I have an apology to make to John Allen. We knew each other for 2 years whilst I attended Legat ballet school in Mark Cross.
I remember fondly what lovely young men you were.
My email is michelepanszczyk@hotmail.com
Kindest regards
Michele
please read the above thank you
Hi Everyone
My name is Chris Jam, but everyone called me "Shui" which is part of my Chinese name. I was a border between 1979 to 1981 (MC317). I was with Plunkett House with Mulligan during Form 2 and then with Fisher with Bonk for Form 3. Lots of memories, good and bad ones but still have a soft spot for the old college.
Feel free to contact me at jamsbc@gmail.com
For those Old Mayfield students who read this and comments it has just come tomy attention that Br. Kieran died two years ago from cancer of the throat and Brother Sylvester Phillpot died in the usa last year of altzemeirs and they were the last living Brothers of the Mayfield College era.
Hi All,
My grandfather attended this college back in the 1930's, I don't suppose there's any way of finding old school records/pictures. A total long shot I know.
Thank you
Jessica
Please try looking at the facebook page - mayfield college alumni
Mr. Trevor Hunter! Carl Raccah here. How are you? Remember you fondly as I do my time at Mayfield. Please get in touch if you get this...
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don't know who you are but definitely you're going to a famous blogger if you are not already ;) Cheers!
Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anyplace, when i read this post i thought i could also make comment due to this good piece of writing.
i have just returned fro doing a stint in Lilongwe Malawi. I went with a friend to the funeral of a Xaverian Brother Francis who as a former student at the Brother's School in Harlepool I had been taught by him. A member that the Community there told me that Br. Francis had taught at Mayfield College prior to Hartlepool and then a Brother Matthias who was the Xaverian Provincial at the time asked Francis to go to Africa to set up the school there, where he remained until his death but he kept in touch with some of his former colleagues, Bros Sylvester, Leo, Conrad, and Cajetan until their deaths. According to the Brother Felix who told me this, he said that Br. Francis hated
Mayfield and referred to at as a suitable substitute for Wormwood Scrubbs because of the cold and draughty corridors.
Claudette I was surprised to find your piston the Mayfield page. I’m sorry to hear that Howard has died. Eleven years ago (time flies) Howard was a great guy I remember his coin business in High Street Kensington and I remember how happily you were together. I trust you are in good health as am I. The memories of Mayfield are quite shocking
He was known by the boys as ‘Bloody Bob’ on account of his bright red face which blushed even brighter when he turned to the congregation to sing in Latin. In the whole five years I was at Mayfield he never once gave a sermon. Going to confession he was non communitive a bit of a failure but seemingly a harmless man.
Alex Gill I remember your cross-country trimming skills and competitive spirit. I continued to run as a sport when I did National Service and represented my Garrison in Holland. I still attempt to run distance but without much success. Wishing you well Alex regards Terry The lockdown reminds me of rained off Sunday sports days at Mayfield when we would be contained in the teaching areas with nothing much to occupy us.
I was caned by Alfie, he wa apologetic and to my surprise he implored me to improve my behaviour as he was fed up with having to punish me. The trick was to bend down close to the office wall not giving him sufficient room to swing the cane. Still a horrible experience and one that taught me to lie about the reasons I had been sent for the stick.
I joined the Mayfield elite in 1951 and was relieved to be out of London into the countryside of Sussex Many of the names of your class mates are familiar and were of course have been seniors in my first year. I gained a lot from what I would call a classical education. The teachers were amature not rained but, I always thought had a live of their subject. Not all the brothers were predatory the ones I remember as being ‘safe’ were Conrad Felix Nathaniel Dennis Bonaventure Antonines Henry They made all the difference for the rest it was good to be on your guard and ready to defend yourself. Luckily I was an inner London child with no respect for those that hid behind the cloth.
Glad you did well at Mayfield it was a free for all as is most of life so in that way a good preparation. I remember Joe Modro. I wonder what happened to Joe when the Challoner closed.
I remember him He excelled at most things he did A good all rounder
Brother Aiden was my last form master 1955 and I’m told he never taught again. 1955 just about Mark’s the beginning of the teenage revolution that began with the Beat Ic movement and with movie Rebel without a cause Shamefully he was disrespected in general by the whole class an was too feeble to maintain the tight discipline that the College was known for.
There were some good teachers that’s for sure and I see they suffered along with the rest of us. Shame about the rotten apples
The building was a Victorian orphanage not really built for comfortable and no amount of tweaking could change it
i remember Brother Aiden well a wondrful teacher but in his later years when he was at Clapham College had was incarcerated in Springfield Hospital with some form of dementia
and upon his release after his cure a Brother Francis offered him a retirement post in Africa where Brother Francis was Principal/Superior but Br. Aiden would not go to Africa and passed away peacefully in London and subsequently Brother Francis who had taught at Mayfield College and hated it was transferred to Hartlepol and then to Nyasaland and died there very recently
I was told by a friend a Mayfield Old Boy who attended the funeral.
I was in Londaon last week and was talking to a priest who had been a former student at Mayfield in the 50/60s he told me that although Mayfield was difficult it was manageable he later transferred to St. Mark's Seminary at Frant. He told me one incident that he remembered pf one of the boys he could not remember the boy's name being caned, for attempting to burn down the place by setting fire to waste paper bins but was caught in the act. he also said that many of the canings were justified because the students did misbehave especially, in the washrooms. What a place it must have been especially if you were caught.
Mayfield College memories. I WAS IN dublin last week and met an Oratorian priest who attended Mayfield COLLEGE IN 1952/3.4.over an adult beverage in The Royal Dublin Hotel he regaled me with a number of stories about that Victorian palace ass he called it and in particular he remembered an incident concerning some fellow named Bauder who was caned by a Br. Francis for throwing a large lump of soap at another boy during wash time. Bauder it appears ran away to his father in London who was some form of diplomat . the father arrived at Mayfield to bring the boy back and complain. Br. Alphonsus met the father and told him no boy's bottom had diplomatic immunity and threatened not to allow the boy back again. Fr. Lucas, my Oratorian friend was told this story many years later by a Br. Conrad. I i told my friend Fr. Lucas he should have attended my school Mount Melleray Seminary Cappoquin wher the strap ruled supreme never mind the cane.
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Bill Jackson was at Mayfield 1953-1958 in Plunket House, and wants to contact the following - if they're still alive - some were senior to him, others junior:
Michael & John Hunt, Robert Smith, David Ketterer, Peter Wells, Irvine Bailey, David King, Paul Hallam, Barry Smith.
It’s in the entrance for
The lift Mc127 Hurst
As someone who has no relation to Mayfield whatsoever, but I was horrified of the stories of Br Kiaian and others as well as the fact he died a free man. I have an interest in the memories of the Brothers, teachers, pupils and the general history of the place- please get in touch on my email kitchater@gmail.com
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