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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Sussex => Topic started by: lashmar on Thursday 06 April 06 11:11 BST (UK)

Title: Wedges Camp
Post by: lashmar on Thursday 06 April 06 11:11 BST (UK)
During the early part of 1940 my sister was sent to a place called Wedges Camp Farm, we think it was in Sussex and that it was mainly for undernorished children.   Does anyone know what the place was for and exactly where it was?

Many thanks in advance

Kay
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Little Nell on Thursday 06 April 06 13:52 BST (UK)
Hi Kay,

It was in Itchingfield in Sussex and it would appear that West Sussex Record Office hold the records for the school (ref. E/113A).

Quote
A special school for the provision of education under open air conditions for children whose physical condition required it. Established by the West Sussex and Hampshire County Councils 1946; closed in 1956. The school was on a National Camps Corporation Site.

Nell
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: lashmar on Thursday 06 April 06 15:30 BST (UK)
Hi Nell

Many thanks for that information.

Regards
Kay
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Maggie-B on Tuesday 29 August 06 08:58 BST (UK)
Hello Kay,
Saw your note about Wedges. I was a pupil there in 1949 and 1950. The headmaster was Mr Pearmain. The girls had three dormatories - Lister, Fry and Nightingale. I was in Nightingale. The housemistresses were Miss Littlewood (who was 6' tall!!) and Miss Swaine. Would your sister remember Mrs Gardener who was a teacher there. A very kind man.
It was compulsory to do cross country runs every week - no matter what the weather. Country dancing on the playground as well.
Fond memories of the lumpy porridge - but we had fun and I loved it.
Have recently visited the site and it now is an upmarket housing estate.
Let me know if this helps.
Maggie-B.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: lashmar on Tuesday 29 August 06 18:38 BST (UK)
Hi Maggie,  thanks for the Wedges info.  Unfortunately my sister is in hospital at present up in the North.  But next time I see or speak to her I will ask her about the people you mention.

Regards
Kay
Title: Re: Wedges Camp Sussex
Post by: Tilda Mary on Sunday 20 November 11 11:39 GMT (UK)
My brother and I spent a term at Wedges Camp School in 1948 and 1949. I loved it .  I think I was in Lister House. The only boarder I remember is Margaret Clarke who was my age 10 or 11 years old and I think she lived near Hayling Island.

I would love to hear from anyone who went to Wedges.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: lashmar on Monday 21 November 11 15:57 GMT (UK)
Hi Tilda,

My sister was Shirley Cheal - I sent for details of Wedges from the Record Office and her name was on the register.  My other sister and I weren't old enough to go but I do have memories of visiting the farm.  Also of the song that everyone sang "Here  we are at Wedges Farm, far, far away etc etc!

Regards
Kay
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Tilda Mary on Tuesday 22 November 11 09:07 GMT (UK)
Hi Kay,

Thanks for getting in touch.

I will get in touch with the West Sussex Records Office and  try to get more information.  I do not remember a great deal about my time there except I loved it and the bits I do remember is all good.

 I lived in Horndean and remember my mother taking me to Havant to catch a coach that took a bus load of children to Wedges.  I remember a large playing field, a wood where I loved to play and going for long walks.  I do not think I was ever home-sick but loved receiving letters from home.  I think my mother used to visit once a month which was a long bus journey for her from Horndean.

Do you remember anymore verses of the Wedges song?

Thank you Maggie B for your memories.  We may have been there at the same time.

Regards,

Tilda
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: lashmar on Thursday 09 August 12 16:06 BST (UK)
Hi Tilda
I know it's a bit late in coming but after scratching the head and talking to my other sister this is what we came up with on the Camp song:
All we get is bread and scraps 3 times a day,
Mum and Dad we never see
get no sugar in our tea
we are the Jubilee
far far way

Mummy, Daddy take me home from this convelesant  home
I've been here a week or two
now  I want to be with you
Good bye Mr Permain,
good bye teachers too
Good bye ??????? and  a jolly good riddance to you!

Does that bring back further memories!?
Regards
Kay
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Tilda Mary on Friday 10 August 12 09:15 BST (UK)


Thanks Kay,

Yes, it  stirred up old memories, all very good.

Has there ever been a reunion?

Keep the memories alive,

With thanks,

Mary Tilda
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: lashmar on Sunday 12 August 12 17:32 BST (UK)
Hi Mary
No reunion or at least not to my knowledge!!
regards
Kay
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Acorn Cottage on Sunday 16 September 12 10:26 BST (UK)
My husband was at Wedges for the Spring Term of 1956.  His brother had previously been there in 1953.  He remembers that several children absconded but were brought back either by their parents, or the police!  The records also indicate that children were sent home for bed-wetting, which seems to defeat the object of the school. He had good memories of the place - school work in the mornings, and outdoor activities in the afternoons.  He also recalls that the actor, Leo Genn, came to the school and read stories to the children.  He also remembers the country dancing, but especially the cricket matches which they usually won.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Nick100 on Sunday 24 November 13 15:10 GMT (UK)
My mother was a teacher at Wedges, Miss Jean Devonport. She taught gym for a long time and cookery. She also did Christmas/Easter activities and Easter and also produced musicals. She remember Betty Miller, Vera Kelly, Freda Swaine and Morris Chalk ('Chalky'). She was there from 1948 - 1955, and met her future husband there (Mr Wood). Mr Les Bolton also was there.

She also remembers the head - very well dressed - who was the head at Itchinfield, who always used to walk around with her dog under her arm.

She would like to hear from anyone who remembers her.

Nick
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: lashmar on Monday 25 November 13 14:37 GMT (UK)
Hi Nick
Sorry I can't be of any help, I was too young to go but my elder sister was there.  Unfortunately she is no longer with us.
Regards
Kay
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: john_golden12000x on Thursday 09 January 14 00:05 GMT (UK)
I Was A Pupil At Wedges Camp School In 1952 .. The Headmaster`s Name Was Mr Booth .. He Also Wrote A Nature Page For The EAGLE COMIC .. School Song :- .. Here We Are At Wedges Camp Far Far Away, All We Get Is Bread And Scrape Three Times A Day, Ham And Eggs We Never See Get No Sugar In Our Tea, We Are The Jubilee Fading Away, Goodbye All The Pupils And The Teachers To .. Goodbye Mr Booth And Blooming Good Luck To You .. :)

    John
               Philippines
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: john_golden12000x on Thursday 09 January 14 00:14 GMT (UK)
Oh Yes !!!! .. I Remember The Master .. " Bully Bolton " .. And Visiting The TUCK SHOP In Barnes Green ..
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: mojo2007 on Sunday 26 January 14 20:03 GMT (UK)
I was there for two terms, following repeated poor health. When I left I took the 11+ at my old school , so must have been 10, thus 1951. I remember the head's name as Ollershaw but may be wrong. The school song brings back memories, spot on. I had my first crush there,  on a girl of about 14 called Janet Hogsflesh ( an uncommon Sussex name ). An older friend has a photo of the wooden huts. Like everybody else, all my memories are good, after I got over being deserted by my mother.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Geoffrey Chesher on Sunday 01 June 14 22:41 BST (UK)
Re:- Wedges School
I was at wedges from 1950 to 1953, Had a great time in the top class throughout, the head master Mr Ollerinshaw also presented on the BBC Children's Hour, we used to go to his bungalow to watch the results on TV, He would say that the items were made in carpentry class by by a lad called Chalky, we all new this was the woodwork master.  We used to go cross country running twice a week, I also learnt to swim in the open air pool which we had to clean at the start of summer term, it was then filled with cold water via a fire hose and took about another week to warm up. I became the school cricket umpire in my last year. My Mom & Dad only visited on one open day each term & I was allowed one shilling & sixpence for the tuck shop each week,
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: mojo2007 on Sunday 08 June 14 23:54 BST (UK)
Mr Ollerinshaw  was always the name I remembered. You must have been one of the big kids. My love of the countryside has never left me, I also still recall the fun of dancing outdoors in the summer . The only name I recall was Janet Hogsflesh, a couple of years older than me, on who I had my first crush.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: silverdreamer on Sunday 22 June 14 20:53 BST (UK)
I was at Wedges in 1949, I stayed in Nightingale dormitory, I remember a couple of girls names and they were Joyce Kemp-Knight, and Kay ?.  I was there with my friend Gillian we were both aged 10.  I have a photo of our class having a lesson in the open air, not sure if allowed to post on this site??  Our dorm teacher was Miss Swain.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: malcolmg16 on Thursday 09 July 15 14:29 BST (UK)


Re Wedges camp. I was there for two terms, summer and autumn of 1951 and remember several of the names of teachers mentioned by other contributors. In particular Mr Olerenshaw the headmaster, the two superintendents of the Lister bunkhouse/dormitory, Mr Chalk and Mr Gardiner. Everyone had to belong to a so-called "club" for evening activities. The first term I belonged to an adventure club which taught us all sorts of scouting techniques; we went on extended walks in the local countryside. The second term I joined a theatre club, where we had to recite poetry and learn how to act; as a rather shy boy I hated it. At the weekends we were let out to roam the locality and would walk to Toat Hill, Five Oaks or Barns Green or even as far as Christ's Hospital school, all through the wonderful surrounding forests or country lanes and farmers' fields. At Christmas there was a dance and fancy dress competition which I won when, as a red-headed boy, one of the teachers dressed me in a brown sack and stuck some bush branches on my head and dubbed me Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer, which was the name of a popular song of the time. In all, I had a wonderful time at Wedges.
Title: Wedges Camp
Post by: IrenePilgrim on Tuesday 15 November 16 18:31 GMT (UK)
Is there anyone out there that remembers me Irene Pilgrim  from Wedges  School in Sussex  I would love to hear from you! Please if u read this please share thank u. I was there in 1952 and my head teacher was mr. Ollerinshaw. Then it was mr. Booth. I remember a girl called Christine Caldry who gave me a pair of brown wedges, which were my favourite shoes. I had a big crush on William Stevens who we called steve. I also loved the social evenings and when we danced and the tuck shop. I used to play with Patience Freeborn, a girl called Stella and a boy with the surname chance.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: mojo2007 on Wednesday 16 November 16 15:21 GMT (UK)
I regret that I do not remember you , but  do recall several incidents. Am I right in thinking a girl was expelled for getting pregnant ? I had my first pet, a white rat.  For the only time in my life I cried when my mother left me in  my first term. The Head must have been a progressive teacher. Do you remember a film about ballet, which opened  my eyes as to how tough male ballet dancers have to be .  I have an older friend who was there about 10 years before me. Are there any schools like it today ? John
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: IrenePilgrim on Thursday 17 November 16 17:58 GMT (UK)
Hi john nice of u to reply  I don't remember the film  u mentioned I am sure we never had that one I remember one called Urika stock ade we had that every term I was there I don't remember a girl being pregnant not when I was there John What year were u there ? I loved it at Wedges I had my last term there as I was 15 and we. left school at that age I remember I cried all the way home John I realley have no idea if there is another school like it or has been 
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: IrenePilgrim on Friday 31 March 17 18:52 BST (UK)
Wedgescampschool
Is there anyone out there that remembers me Irene Pilgrim  from Wedges  School in Sussex  I would love to hear from you! Please if u read this please share thank u. I was there in 1952 and my head teacher was mr. Ollerinshaw. Then it was mr. Booth. I remember a girl called Christine Caldry who gave me a pair of brown wedges, which were my favourite shoes. I had a big crush on William Stevens who we called steve. I also loved the social evenings and when we danced and the tuck shop. I used to play with Patience Freeborn, a girl called Stella and a boy with the surname chance.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: malcolmg16 on Sunday 16 July 17 13:35 BST (UK)
Does anyone have any photographs of Wedges School? Are there any digitalized archives one can search for such photos that others know of?

malcolmg
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: mojo2007 on Thursday 20 July 17 09:57 BST (UK)
I do not know of anywhere else  but I was given a couple of pictures, moderate quality, which I am happy to share. Please give me a contact either post or email.
John Clark

john.h.clark@btinternet.com


Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Annie Edge on Wednesday 21 February 18 18:15 GMT (UK)
My mum Margaret Gilham has wonderful memories from the Wedges camp in 1954/55. She's keen to trace anyone else who was there around that time. She mentioned comforting a girl in a thunderstorm and also a school song based around the acronym of CHRISTMAS. She'd be keen on a reunion, I'm sure.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Mr Nostalgic on Tuesday 29 May 18 12:02 BST (UK)
Hi. Not sure when you posted text for info for wedges school but if still interested I have many photos and official book of camp and paper reports. Terry.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: malcolmg16 on Tuesday 29 May 18 16:45 BST (UK)
To Mr Nostalgic

I would be very interested to see your photos and other memorabilia of the Wedges camp school. I was there for only two terms, autumn and winter 1950/51 or maybe a year later - I cannot remember exactly now.

Malcolm G Hill 
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Mr Nostalgic on Tuesday 29 May 18 17:45 BST (UK)
Hi again .Thanks for getting in touch. I was there for 3 terms. Sept.1951 to August 1952. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have as I said Many prints of old postcards. The official council book with many pictures. Newspaper cuttings and schedules etc for when I was there. I can print them all out and forward them to you. It will be no worry Terry.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Tuffet on Sunday 15 July 18 17:53 BST (UK)
Hi I was at Wedges Camp in 1947, I remember the camp songs too. I'd love to hear from anyone who was at the camp around the same time as me. I was from Sarisbury Green and I remember playing football with boys from Woolston. Ted
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: alison s on Wednesday 19 September 18 11:03 BST (UK)
My mother, Paula, is now 95 and taught at Wedges. Her surname then would have been Benbow. She met my father there, John Grainger, and they married in 1947. I don't know when they first started teaching there. About a year ago I found information about Wedges and comments from people who had been students there. I printed it for her and she has it with her. She lives in a care home now and my sister and I do our best to help her with her memories. I have a lovely photograph of her running an outdoor class - all students with arms outstretched and looking about to jump in the air.

If anyone remembers John or Paula it would be lovely to hear from you. Alison
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Mr Nostalgic on Wednesday 19 September 18 21:18 BST (UK)
Naturally being a young boy when I was there in 1951 I cannot remember her. I was there for a year and have happy memories of Wedges. I have a load of cuttings and official programme and photographs of the camp . Terry.
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Irene pilgrim on Saturday 22 September 18 20:34 BST (UK)
Hello every one from wedges enjoying reading all the feeds and memories of wedges school I had great memories of the school and would love it if anyone had any pictures they could share with me ( via my grandson) please feel free to email him on  *
I was there in 1952 till 1953 and would love to know if any one remembers me or if you don't remember me would still love to talk to people who went ....
If possible I would love to arrange some sort of reunion
I currently live in southampton so please feel free to contact me im not 100% on the computer .... hence my grandsons help

 * Moderator comment: personal e-mail address removed in accordance with RootsChat general practice to prevent others spamming or abusing it.  Please use the personal message system to exchange e-mail addresses or other personal details.  New members need to make 2 or 3 posts in order to access this system.  Many thanks


Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Thomny on Monday 04 March 19 20:57 GMT (UK)
I too attended Wedges School for six consecutive terms starting with the last term of 1953. I also have a class photo with Mr. Felstead the teacher in the pic. A cook was leaving and took the picture on her last day and sent a copy for all the students in class. I also will never forget what someone referred to as "Bully Bolton". One morning I never heard the breakfast bell as I was in the forest down by the lower field with the swings. When I realized I was late and charged up to the dining room all out of breath, Mr. Bolton smashed his hand against my head and sent me flying across the floor. It took a little while before I could stand up. Apart from that I did enjoy the school as there were some very good teachers there. How about Mr. Matthews who taught woodwork and "Old pop Wheeler" whom Mrs. Wood made a song about: "Old pop Wheeler's got a puncture in his tire and he mended it with chewing gum". Would like to hear from anyone who was at Wedges during any of the six terms that I was there. I was in Dormitory 5 for 2-3 terms and Dormitory 6 for the rest of them.
Thomny
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: sarah on Tuesday 05 March 19 09:31 GMT (UK)
There are quite a few new members with only 1 post. Will members please remember that new members can not access the pm function or the chat room until they have made a couple of posts. As long the the information in not too sensitive please post your messages via the topic.

Regards

Sarah
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Thomny on Tuesday 05 March 19 23:49 GMT (UK)
One unique feature of Wedges was their education system. The day after arrival, all the pupils would sit for the same exam in order to find out their education level. Then the following day they were placed in classrooms according to their marks. This would mean that younger students would be combined with older ones in almost every class. It had to be done this way as neither the school nor the pupil knew whether they would be coming back for another term, let alone another year.
So, after spending two years at Wedges, I was in a completely different zone after returning to my regular school. It took another two full years for me to catch up and come near the top of the class.
What many of us enjoyed was the Saturday evening film night, sometimes there was a film in a series, each one being complete with a little girl called Angela as the star. Another program was the Sunday night TV show Mr. Left & Mr. Right. There were two white gloves on a black back ground showing us how to make origami models. After each one, everyone wanted to try their hands out at making them. This was a very different type of TV. It was a box that projected the film onto a screen.
Mr. Stanley was the art teacher, he also taught pottery. I remember one boy made a beautiful swan in his pottery. His hands seemed to put it into shape effortlessly.
I also remember people saying that Mr. Booth wrote nature articles for the “Eagle” comic. I was never in a position to see any of these and all of the searches for even the magazine on Google have been fruitless. I had seen it in the newsagent as a child but never had the money to buy it. So, if anyone has even one copy of Mr. Booth’s nature articles – it would be a pleasure to read.

Thomny
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Thomny on Thursday 07 March 19 04:08 GMT (UK)
Some more reflections on my stay at Wedges: Mr. Chalk (Chalky) kept canaries in a caged in section of the front veranda of dorm 6, he brought them and took them away again at the end of each term.

During my first term I remember going on a walk to Five Oaks and getting lost on the way back again. When I did get back, the entire school had finished their evening meal and were in watching the film. The teacher who discovered me wandering back said they were just about to send out a search party for me. The thing is, where I lived in Portsmouth we didn't have a lot of opportunity to see so much woods and forests and Wedges presented many opportunities to do a little exploring. Some of the hikes we went on were really exhilarating. One teacher (name forgotten) would tell us  stories he experienced whilst travelling in Europe to places like Mount Vesuvius & Rome. He knew a fair bit about volcanoes.

Thomny

Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Thomny on Sunday 10 March 19 21:02 GMT (UK)
Here is a list of teachers from the time I was there:
Headmaster Mr. William Booth; Deputy Headmaster Mr. Wood; Mrs. Wood; Mr. Matthews; Mr. Morris Chalk; Mr. Wheeler; Mr. Stanley; Mr. Felstead; Miss Shoreland; Mr. Les Bolton, (Bully Bolton); Mrs. Bolton; Mrs. Campbell; Miss Dixon, Mr. Banyard.

Thomny
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: jim234j on Sunday 10 March 19 22:34 GMT (UK)
There is a article on the BBC site about peoples memories of WW2 and one talks of the  Wedges camp school for about a few paragraphs of her memories if anyone is interested
www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/03/a9900003.shtml
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: SportyJ on Thursday 11 July 19 22:38 BST (UK)
So great to hear about Wedges, never forgot it.

To Paula’s daughter Alison,
I remember your mother as Miss Benbow. I was up there in 1945 with my older brother Gordon (now deceased), I was Jean Taylor, the next year my sister Freda went with Gordon. I loved it and so did Gordon, not sure about Freda and she cannot remember your mum. I remember the name of Grainger. Your mum was the P.E teacher, I was not in her dormitory as I was in Nightingale. But we used to look out the window to the swimming pool seat where 2 people sat and talked. Fortunatly, we were never got caught.
 I doubt if your mother will remember me but I learnt to swim in that old pool, played tennis and all sports. I never forgotten the great time I personally had at Wedges.
I hope your mother is happy and well as can be expected at ones respected ages.
Jean
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Amanda3 on Wednesday 13 November 19 13:04 GMT (UK)
Hello All,
I've read all your posts about Wedges Camp School with interest. I recently moved into a property in what was part of Wedges Camp and was researching the Council archives to find out some history about my house. It mentions that the stable block and barn (my house now) was used as living accommodation for domestic staff of the Camp School. Do you have any recollection of the staff living here and the farm buildings? Was it still a working farm when the school was operating?

It would be so interesting to know if anyone recalls, the barn and the other farm buildings.
Many thanks  :)       
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Scharles on Wednesday 22 January 20 18:43 GMT (UK)
I remember Wedges very fondly.  I was sent to Wedges School in 1952/53, from a children’s home called Hollybrook House in Southampton. My Maiden name was Spence (first name Sylvia).  One friend I remember was Stella Timbers from Littlehampton.  I would love to hear from anyone who was at the school around those dates...
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Scharles on Wednesday 22 January 20 18:46 GMT (UK)
If any one has any photos of their time at Wedges school, I would love to see these. Sylvia
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: Scharles on Wednesday 22 January 20 18:51 GMT (UK)
Does anyone remember the dancing lessons and the socials? And the fancy dress and end of term play was the ‘Pirates of Penzance’ with Mrs Woods on the piano? Sylvia
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: JackyA on Friday 27 May 22 20:38 BST (UK)
I was a pupil at Wedges School I think in about 1952. The Headmaster was a Mr Olerinshaw ?(spelling) I remember the song we sang very well.  Would love to chat to anyone wh was there at that time.  JackyA
Title: Re: Wedges Camp
Post by: JackyA on Friday 27 May 22 21:12 BST (UK)
I Also remember the school play was the Pirates of Penzance.    I loved it there, but not sure why I went??? I think as it was post-war and my Mum was worried that I was very thin, although I don't remember not  eating well.  I had what they called "growing pains" in my legs and the doctor thought that I would benefit from a few months at a Health School.  I am now almost 82 so it was a long time ago!!  JackyA