James Davidson has just been in touch, and here is his message - self explanatory of course!
Dear Mike Armitage,
I have just had the pleasure of viewing your BlogSpot site. We lived in Battle and I was a pupil at Hydneye for four terms, Spring 1957 to Summer 1958. It seems that we failed to overlap by just one term.
The Hydneye Magazine of 1957 in particular is a revelation of familiar names and doings. I note my own scrawl appearing at the bottom of the signature page. Among the teachers mentioned (as well as Gerald B., of course) I vividly remember Mr Morrish, Miss Plaxton, Com. Job, and Mr Jordan (our scoutmaster, smashing bloke). Various fellow-pupils’ names also ring bells, such as J Slade, S Fry, J A G Badenoch, P R D Davidson (no relation) and the Fancy brothers. (In those distant times the rule was surnames only, Christian names were taboo for some reason.) I also see (1961 Magazine page 28) that I attended an old boys’ reunion along with my brother Adrian.
I have dug out my childhood photo album and scanned those snaps that I possess relating to Hydneye, with captions transcribed. Summer half-term tea for parents on the lawn looks like fun. Also, various chums beside the famous pond. The one of me on the lawn also featuring someone’s knees was, I guess, supposed to suggest a spectacular contortion.
After leaving Hydneye I moved to Westminster School, which fact I suppose ought to be recorded on page 9 of the 1969 Magazine but unaccountably isn’t. Ah, well! You are most welcome to post any of this material that you wish on your page. I also attach Gerald Brodribb’s Times obituary from 1999, in case this is of interest.
With best wishes
James Davidson
Now as he said, I missed being at HHS with him back in 1958, but I knew his brother, Adrian very well, and we were firm chums! Sadly Adrian died eighteen months ago, but I remember him as a great friend, and was a popular chap to anyone, especially if you liked lizards!
Here are the pictures James sent me: -
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