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[Brighton] Big fire at Blatchington Mill school



halbpro

Well-known member
Jan 25, 2012
2,902
Brighton
When I was at Hove Grammar there was a bomb scare and we were all told we had to leave our lessons and assemble on the field at 11.45 because according to a warning that had been received, the alleged device was due to explode at noon. As midday approached 500 or so devout prayers were being said, imploring the Almighty to blow the place to smithereens. Sadly, noon came and went without incident and we all traipsed back in. It seems those intent on destroying places of learning are willing to go a little further these days.
You've reminded me of some superb snippets from the live reporting of the fire

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PILTDOWN MAN

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Sep 15, 2004
19,595
Hurst Green
Think about all that homework done on time and put safely in lockers ready to submit to the teacher. All lost in the fire, shocking, poor kids.
 








Jack Straw

I look nothing like him!
Jul 7, 2003
7,108
Brighton. NOT KEMPTOWN!
My lad goes to Blatch. He has a day at home today which he was delighted about until I told him that they would be learning online today Pandemic style
About the Gun-powder plot?
 






marlowe

Well-known member
Dec 13, 2015
4,295
I worked in the North with a guy who did major time for torching his school. He was bullied from 5 to 16. The day he could leave he did. He returned with a can of petrol and poured it in through a window, flicked in a match and then sat down to watch it burn. Thankfully no one was hurt. Afterwards that was all he was concerned about.

He got closure and did a stretch. Very likeable and smart lad.
The girl in question in this case has now been sectioned...

 


Harry Wilson's tackle

Harry Wilson's Tackle
NSC Patron
Oct 8, 2003
56,103
Faversham
My Dad went to Hove Grammar. I always thought it was the same site.
It is. I was being silly when I said 'near by'. HGSB changed its name to Blatchington Mill in 79 merging with the two secondary moderns to become a comp. It apparently has no sixth form according to Wiki, now, but it also lists Jack Pizzy as an alumnus of Blatchington Mill rather than HGSB. Jack, as an ex pupil, gave a talk to the boys when I was there in around 74. And Peter Brackley has also mysteriously been fast forwarded decades similarly. There is a separate section for HGSB old boys which is where they should be listed. Bloody Wikipedia!

 
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Cheshire Cat

The most curious thing..
The Neville building was a 1960s shithole. The Grammar side was ok but a bit dated even when I was there 50 years ago. No idea about the rest as I never set foot in place after I left.
 


chaileyjem

#BarberIn
NSC Patron
Jun 27, 2012
14,612
My Dad went to Hove Grammar. I always thought it was the same site.
Duplicate. (see above) - but had popped into say as well that yes, same site. The Nevill and HCGSFB were two neighbouring sites which merged to become Blatchington Mill in 1979. I was there 1977-82.
 


Green Cross Code Man

Wunt be druv
Mar 30, 2006
20,740
Eastbourne
Merry Xmas Ned painted on the roof was as bad as it got when I was there :wink:
I was at Seaford Head in the late 70' to early 80's. I remember a morning when a large crowd gathered in the playground before school opened as someone had put a large banner on the roof saying 'Cash has warts' referring to a less than popular English teacher named Cash. I was never taught by him but enjoyed it nonetheless.
 




PeterT

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2017
2,308
Hove
I can't tell from the photos which part of the buildings caught fire, the old Grammar School or what used to be Nevill. Does anyone know?
It definitely looks like the old Nevill buildings to me.

They always looked a bit like an Eastern European architect’s dream to me, the Hove Grammar buildings were a much nicer design from a previous era. I was there at the time it merged to become Blatchington Mill. The buildings were separate for ages and then they built something in between them to effectively join them together, I think it’s where the old tennis courts used to be.

They painted over the mural on the stairs, can’t remember what with. Peter Brackley’s mum, Gwen, worked there when I was there.
 


Harry Wilson's tackle

Harry Wilson's Tackle
NSC Patron
Oct 8, 2003
56,103
Faversham
The Neville building was a 1960s shithole. The Grammar side was ok but a bit dated even when I was there 50 years ago. No idea about the rest as I never set foot in place after I left.
When did you leave? I left in 76 (after A levels).
 




pwlr1966

Active member
Aug 7, 2011
272
Hove Grammar School for Boys was located nearby. According to my memories of my school days.

I hope the mural with Tabritt and other cane-wielding psychos is intact. Or burned to dust. One or the other. Fence.
The mural is still intact (minus a few compass digs) cannot wait for the day the paint flakes off the walls into dust
 




PeterT

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2017
2,308
Hove
The mural is still intact (minus a few compass digs) cannot wait for the day the paint flakes off the walls into dust
Maybe that’s another mural to the one I’m thinking of on the stairs by the main entrance to the old Grammar school building, which was definitely painted over in the 80s.
 


WATFORD zero

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 10, 2003
27,766
Maybe that’s another mural to the one I’m thinking of on the stairs by the main entrance to the old Grammar school building, which was definitely painted over in the 80s.

I remember that one over the main staircase (that we were never allowed to use, only side staircases) and what I assumed to be an attempt at the Sistine Chapel on the ceiling of the art room (1971-76) :wink:
 
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