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From the earliest days of the development of the Meads area in Eastbourne, many private schools were to be found, some streets being host to as many as eight.
With his background in education, author Chris Neighbour was fascinated by how the town attracted such a honeypot of schools and colleges over the latter part of the 19th century and through to the Second World War. What were the schools like and how did they change the face of the Meads community?
In the book Meads: an educational heartland, Chris uses his extensive research to build a picture of schools, large and small, the adults and children who worked in them, their comings and goings, their challenges and achievements.
Sources include rarely seen reports by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Schools based on school visits which reveal details of day-to-day life for staff and pupils. Additionally, archived newspaper reports from around the country provide some fascinating glimpses of special moments in the lives of these schools.
From schools established in residential villas to those which provided education in purpose-built premises, many thousands of pupils developed their lives in and among the streets of Meads, and left the area with a unique legacy. This is their story.
Chris’s talk will dip into a variety of fascinating aspects based on the research he carried out for his book.
The talk is fully illustrated.
The event starts at 3.45pm with tea and posh sandwiches and cake in the foyer of the Birley Centre before we go into the auditorium and Chris takes us into a lost world of educational mystery.
Please let John Thornley know if you wish to join us (jt@eastbourne-college.co.uk or 01323 452314).
Pay on the day: £5 cash. Chris will have copies of his book for sale (£20 cash). Please bring cash with you.
John Thornley: jt@eastbourne-college.co.uk or 01323 452314