They've contributed to
a page on this site.

Guestbook 2009-10

some entries have been 'adjusted' to retain correct information

Name:

Steve Fairbairn

Email:

 

Subject:

Graphics

Dates:

1966 - 1970

Date:

21 December, 2010

Season's Greetings to all those who remember me and even to those who may prefer not to! And if Wendy McLerie is reading this, please empty your mailbox, Wendy. Your e-mail server says it's full.

Name:

Clive Blake

Email:

 

Subject:

re Marguerite Blake

Dates:

1953-56

Date:

19 December, 2010

Comments

My mother, Marguerite Blake, worked as a "life" model at Corsham Court in the period 1953 to 1956. She would have been approx. 38 years old at the time.
During this time she made friends with many of the students, some even visited our house in Corsham.
I am currently researching my family history and would be fascinated to know if any of the former students (a) remember her and/or (b) might still have paintings of her.

Name:

Mark Kelly

Email:

  no email submitted

Subject:

Foundation Course

Dates:

Sept 79 - July 80

Date:

29 November, 2010

Comments

I only came to art college to join a band....

Name:

Brian Dunce

Email:

 

Subject:

Head of Graphics

Dates:

1980 - 1985

Date:

14 November, 2010

Comments

Coming to Corsham was like being invited to live in Camelot. After the compact studio spaces at Chelsea, it was a luxury to be able to utilize so much space.

There were very good relations with the other two Heads of Departments, and the Principal commanded love and respect. The first three years were a wonderful opportunity to develop the course; but 1984-5 were full of worry about closure, amalgamation and cuts. This led me to resign before the move back into Bath. Much more troubled, with the threat of closure and cutting those things which had been built.

I have a showreel of student work which includes some site images which would be of interest to students and staff of that time. There is also a fashion shoot which was done with Angela Williams using the Court and grounds as locations.

Name:

Nigel Kinglake-Jones

Email:

 

Subject:

Graphics

Dates:

1974 to 1977

Date:

28 October, 2010

Comments

There's a mistake on the list of names: I was at Corsham from '74 to '77, not '75 to '78!

Name:

Michael O'Donnell

Email:

 

Subject:

Painting, print, sculpture

Dates:

1964 to 1967

Date:

17 October, 2010

Comments

Hello All,
Just a note to submit to the Corsham community!

My next Forthcoming Exhibition of paintings will be at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall.
This will take place at Easter 2011 and (of course) all are welcome to come to see it.

‘The Cross’ is an art exhibition of the work of Michael O’Donnell exploring the colour and symbolism of the cross. Sunday 24 April to Tuesday 24 May 2011, 10-5pm daily. Free entry.

Name:

Paul Sproll

Email:

 

Subject:

Painting/Printmaking/Education

Dates:

1963-66

Date:

08 October, 2010

Comments

John Miles and I were at Corsham at the same time the 60s and indeed at one time were  both teaching art in Hertfordshire schools.

His recent visit to the States and a side visit to Providence provided us with some time to reminisce about our Corsham days. 
However, John has been somewhat generous in his description of my position at the Rhode 
Island School of Design (RISD). I am not responsible for all post-graduate work, but am Head of Teaching + Learning in Art + Design. I oversee RISD's Master of Arts in Teaching Program (equivalent to a PGCE in the UK) and an MA in Art in Design Education program that has an emphasis on Museum Education and Community Arts Education.

I would be delighted to hear from fellow 1963-66 students.

Name:

John Miles

Email:

 

Subject:

Painting/Sculpture

Dates:

1965-69

Date:

08 October, 2010

Comments

I remember hearing stories of students having their film confiscated by security guards when taking landscape photographs near Beechfield. There were rumours about the underground storage system around Corsham and the people who worked in these establishments would not talk about what work they did there. It's now been confirmed that we were next to underground emergency headquarters which would have been used by the Government in the event of a nuclear war. The thought of all of us Anarchist Artists next to such a place is quite 
Surreal.
You can visit YouTube and watch the following:- BBC Inside out West: Tunnel Visions. Spring Quarry Corsham. Nettleden Underground. plus several other films on the topic. There was even a railway line from Box Tunnel into one of the bunkers. Does anyone remember having their film or camera confiscated???

On a happier note I've just returned from the States where I visited Paul Sproll in Rhode Island. Dr Sproll is Professor in charge of Post Graduate Studies at RISD the biggest and premier Art School in the States. It has over 2000 students and the facilities are jaw-droppingly amazing - an Art Gallery bigger than most UK provincial Galleries, a shop/gallery where former students can sell their work, enormous specialist studios throughout downtown Providence.
These Corshamites certainly get around.

Name:

nigel coke

Email:

 

Subject:

1yr pre Dip. 3yr DipAD Graphics

Dates:

1967 - 1971

Date:

17 September, 2010

Comments

What a great Site! So neatly put together... effortless to access etc etc...whoever it was who designed it*obviously went to an inspirational Art college...

Memories still cascading through my mind as I write - the place itself - and all those faces...
in some boxes I have several photographs of Corsham '67-'71 that should come out of hiding and join the others - like pieces from some long-lost favourite jigsaw...
I'll scan and send some of them when they have been extricated / excavated ....

Earlier this summer - by what now seems like a happy chance (?) - Debbie Morrell somehow found my phone number got in touch with me. She told me of John Furnival's London exhibition and of the June Reunion by the Lake...unfortunately I could not attend either...really annoying.......But, at least, because of her call, I have found the Site...maybe (certainly) next year i'll be there...

(*the fiver's in the post - Gerry)

Name:

Anthea Ryan

Email:

 

Subject:

Pre-Diploma

Dates:

1963/4

Date:

21 August, 2010

Comments

I did a pre Dip course from 1963/4. I was thrown out after that by Clifford Ellis who had been told that I was spotted after 10pm leaving Ethelred House without permission!! It was a case of mistaken identity - no really! - but I was not re-instated.
However I was not a very diligent student and do remember on one occasion getting rather drunk in Bath at lunchtime with Barry Stone and not getting much work done in the afternoon. This was at Gillian Ayres painting class, but she was kind enough to be quite complimentary about my painting!

Name:

Dai Jenkins

Email:

 

Subject:

Painting-sculpture/pretty women

Dates:

1958-62

Date:

02 August, 2010

Comments

It's not usual for me to look backwards, but at the age of 70 I thought I'd have a look for some memories of Corsham. Quite happy for anyone to get in touch. I've lived here on the 'Welsh Riviera' for the last 40 years and write poetry.

Name:

Heather James

Email:

 

Subject:

 

Dates:

 

Date:

11 July, 2010

Comments

This is to let anyone know who hasn't already heard that Louise Wardle who studied Graphics at Corsham from 1976 to 1979, died on Thursday 8 July.
She had been suffering from Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (also known as LAM) for many years.
Donations can be made to LAM Action and her funeral is at West Norwood Crematorium on Monday 19 July at 11.30 am.

Name:

Carol Jenkyns (now Carrie Hill)

Email:

 

Subject:

Pre-dip

Dates:

1964-65

Date:

07 July, 2010

Comments

Recently moved back near Corsham, where I keep meeting ex-students....

I studied with Sally James, Erica Grice, Simon Farrell, Aggie...
Many coffees at Farmer Giles Cafe... 
Lived at 4, Church Street and Ethelred House... 
I remember Charlie 'the lecher etcher', Mike?, screen printing tutor who asked me out one evening.... Henry Cliffe, and an inspirational American part-time lecturer... Serge Stauffer - typography.... Clifford and Rosemary waving like royalty as they drove past in their land rover....

Name:

Joyce Park

Email:

  contact via the site email

Subject:

"good times together"

Dates:

re 68-69

Date:

07 June, 2010

Comments

While my late husband Peter Park was the Curate at St Bartholomew's Corsham in 1968-69, we entertained students from the Art School in our home on Sunday evenings and had good times together.
I cannot remember the names of the students, alas (put it down to old age!) but I do have a black and white (litho or linocut?) of a stylized cockerel, signed SAR, that one of the students gave me as a farewell present in 1969. I've often wished I knew who the artist was. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could find out!
I would like to pass on this message and possibly reach some other students who may remember my husband and me.
I see there is a reunion on June 26th this year for alumni in Corsham, I send them greetings from me, Joyce Park, Toronto, Canada.

Name:

Veronica King

Email:

   no email submitted

Subject:

Painting

Dates:

83-86

Date:

03 June, 2010

Comments

I lost touch with Michele, Nalini, Guy, Adam, Rose, anyway, be good to get in touch again, I'm still in Cornwall even if you sent a letter to my old address I'd still get it!
love V x

Name:

Sue Hambleton (Lucking)

Email:

   no email submitted

Subject:

Graphic Design

Dates:

1975 - 78

Date:

25 May, 2010

Comments

I remember Wanda "High Life in the Low Countries" or something like that was one of your pieces. It seems a life time ago. I remember the 'green hitlers' that adorned parts of Beechfield.
I didn't keep in touch with anyone from my years but am curious to see them all in their mid fifties.
Good to see John Furnival still exhibiting though.
I feel able to reconnect with these times now I have a daughter at Uni studying Graphics. It's fun to see that she still does much of the same stuff that we did.

Name:

Brian Popay

Email:

  

Subject:

Fine Art

Dates:

1966-69

Date:

14 May, 2010

Comments

Hello All 66-69'ers. I am still alive and twitching.

See my website www.fineartistes.com to update my news. Fine Artistes are so-called in honour of the short-lived company formed by Jim Parker and Clive Barron in the early 1970s.

Will try to make the Reunion on June 26 2010 if I survive the next four weeks working for the UK Pavilion in Shanghai....

2003 entry

Name:

John Furnival

Email:

  

Subject:

 

Dates:

 

Date:

09 May, 2010

Comments

John Furnival exhibition in London at England & Co Gallery from 8 May - 5 June 2010
Private View Thursday 13 May 6 - 8.30 pm

JOHN FURNIVAL 
somewhere between poetry and painting

A survey of prints, drawings and collaborations
from the 1960s to today

Name:

helen simmonds

Email:

  

Subject:

sculpture

Dates:

82/85

Date:

01 May, 2010

Comments

There is an exhibition on at Corsham Court from 5th May - 11th June, 2010. It features the work of members of staff at the University and staff of the former Bath Academy of Art.

Amongst the Artists showing are: Colin Crumplin, Ron George, Maria Lilac, John Law, Michael Pennie, Malcolm Ross White, Jack Shirreff, Michael Simpson, Howard Hodgkin, and Gillian Ayres open to the public 5th May - 11th June, 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday. With the Peter Randall Page now in place on the front lawn and the Armitage in the grounds at the rear it’s worth the trip over.

There is no parking at the Court for the University so best to leave your cars in one of the pay and display car parks in town and stroll over. There are now a number of students and staff working in the studios at the court. You may bump into one of them and get a nostalgia blast!!

Name:

Pat McGrath (now Craddock)

Email:

  

Subject:

Photography, Painting, Education

Dates:

1960-62

Date:

27 April, 2010

Comments

Thank you Peter Tuck for posting the photo of Group B from 1960. It was a great thrill to see us all there as if it were yesterday. Thank you also for your photo with your study in complimentary colours. I remember doing that exercise! I don't remember your wedding because I left before it happened but I do remember you getting engaged to Sue Burgess. Thanks also for the 1960 prospectus. Very interesting to see what they expected of us! I sadly disappointed them, I'm afraid! I wish I had some photos to post but sadly I have only my memories. I have put some of them up on the anecdotes page.

Name:

Wanda Srebro

Email:

   no email submitted

Subject:

Visual Communication

Dates:

1975-1978

Date:

18 April, 2010

Comments

I was at BAA between 1975-78, studying Graphic Design.

The first year I lived at Rudloe Park estate in a rented room of a very nice family who kept me warm and indulged my burning the midnight oil trying to design a typeface or write a silly poem.
During year 2&3 I lived in a bungalow in the newer Corsham section, whose address I don't remember. I shared the space with Ann (Hughes? Lewis?) who was in Ceramics. She was a tiny terribly serious woman who meditated a few times a day, and fussed about glazes and such. I also was friends with Louise Block also in Ceramics (there were 2 Jewish students who could be counted on one hand, probably), and with a weird colour-blind film maker guy who studied Fine Art. I remember Benno Zehnder then dept. head, Julia Garrat the registrar, who taught complimentary studies, Eng.Lit., and gave me a commendation for my essay on V.Woolf's visual imagination, the wonderful Adrian Hicken who taught Art History, who gave me a kiss (it's declassified now) but not a commendation, his violin and his bicycle...
Sadly I have not kept touch with people who studied with me - most of this group seemed to be pretty alienated from each other, indeed lost in their own stuff, as did most of our tutors. Still, I have fond memories of this wonderful quaint place which seemed to me, as a foreign student with a complicated personal history and a big chip of life experience on my 22-year old shoulders, to be a veritable "paradise regained".

I would like to attend the reunion, please anyone help me with info...

BAA Reunion 26 June 2010 [pdf]

Name:

linda markwick-smith

Email:

   no email submitted

Subject:

painting

Dates:

1967-1970

Date:

15 April, 2010

Comments

where are you now?
Dave Spittal, Angela Norman, Juliet Gorman, Michael Graves, Leslie Harcourt, David Spurring, Andre Bardeger, Janina Mintoff Chiz, Andrew Mitchner, Tom Coyle, Pete Town, Su Yen, Mike Smith, Dave Coleman, Bob Waddell, Jeff Lauren, Bev Rooker, Bruce Grove and Vicky from South America?, John Headlam, Nick Ridiof....... spellings for some most probably incorrect!
would love to find you!

Name:

tessa newcomb

Email:

  

Subject:

painting

Dates:

73 to 76

Date:

10 April, 2010

Comments

anyone remember me?

Name:

Martin Clarke

Email:

via contact above  

Subject:

re Carole Vincent

Dates:

1956-57

Date:

20 March, 2010

Comments

Carole Vincent at Corsham 1956 and for many years sculptor/teacher in Boscastle now has her own website.

Name:

Heather James

Email:

Subject:

Graphic Design (Vis Comm)

Dates:

1976-79

Date:

05 March, 2010

Comments

There is an interesting exhibition on at the moment at Nature in Art of original artwork by Clifford and Rosemary Ellis [pdf].
It is a collection of book jackets designed by them from the 1940s until Clifford's death in the mid 1980s for the New Naturalists series published by Collins.
The designs are highly competent and the illustrations very imaginative and I'm glad I had the chance to see them.
Nature in Art is a few miles north of Gloucester. 

Name:

Lynda Price

Email:

no email submitted

Subject:

 

Dates:

 

Date:

26 February, 2010

Comments

6th person in the photo here (sitting wearing floral and with crossed hands in a chair!) is Janet Rowlands, she did Painting from 1972-76 and was also president of the year at the Union so she did a 4 year stint at Corsham. I was not at Corsham, but did my Foundation at Manchester with Janet and Janina Cebertovich.

Where is Janet Rowlands now?, she was my best friend on Foundation. 

Name:

Tony Ashton

Email:

Subject:

Graphics/Illustration

Dates:

1977-81

Date:

10 February, 2010

Comments

Best days of our lives! I miss the fun with Simon (Stinker) Thompson, (Kevin (Dogshit!) Ancient (sorry Kev) and Roger etc.
In the second term I moved into 'The Optician's' flat with the lovely Sue (Fin) McMorran - I think the lovely Hamish was there too and another guy from 2nd year Graphics (who had a great stereo and was lovely). Sue made great marionettes - one of an old man we used to take out to the pub. Later Kevin Ancient moved in and still later Ant Parker. Ah! Happy days! I had the police around looking for me twice, so I must have had some fun. Too many daft memories to mention so I'll shut up.
FINALLY - Does anyone know the whereabouts of Simon Thompson?. Been trying to track him down for years. He married mad (but lovely!) Maria Rempoulis. Love to get in touch with him again.
Cheers.
Tony Ashton (Annoying Welsh git)

Name:

Christine Smith née Matson

Email:

Subject:

Painting, Printing, Education

Dates:

1964-1967

Date:

28 January, 2010

Hi there, I have just spent the last few hours looking at the Guestbooks and generally reminiscing.
It's now 42 years since I left Corsham, but the happy memories of those special times and friends will always remain. I remember thinking how lucky I was to have had the chance to study at such an amazing place.
Remember Charlie Ware, etching tutor who asked us 'Any of you reached the age of consent without consenting?' Took me a while to work out what he was on about! Must have been mighty innocent. He used to pack nearly the whole group of 'girlies' into his Citroen and whizz us down to the Court. Dear Stephen Russ in the screen printing studio at Monks, and Shadow Puppetry with Helen Binyon, must admit to being a little scared of her. Adaptive colouration with Patricia McCormack, all those beautiful meadow blue butterflies!
And the Parties WOW! Thank you Corsham for three unforgettable years.

Name:

Peter Juerges

Email:

Subject:

Graphics

Dates:

67-71

Date:

27 December, 2009

Another year has slipped away...and to my horror that makes it a tad short of fourty years since I left the haven that was BAA...I just want to pass on best wishes to every one who remembers...and if you don't ... I'll just presume you had a good time...the seasons best to you all and the finest of New Years, Cheers.

Name:

Tim Loe

Email:

Subject:

C & R Ellis published works

Dates:

 

Date:

23 December, 2009

Comments

I have come to you via the Corsham site and wonder if you can help me or point me the direction of someone who can.
I am compiling a list of all the Ellis’s “published” works including dust jackets, posters, illustrations in books and exhibition catalogues and lithographic prints.
Do you know if someone has already done this?
I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards
Tim

LOEBOOKS
Fine books and Prints
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
exhibition of original New Naturalist artwork
by Clifford & Rosemary Ellis and Robert Gillmor at Nature in Art during March 2010.

Name:

Pam Mitchell

Email:

Subject:

Cert Ed Graphics

Dates:

1962-1964

Date:

14 December, 2009

Comments

Amazed to read that Corsham Court is to be used again for students. Not sure whether art is too be studied there. I was a student for 3 years in the 60's. An unforgettable experience. Would love to revisit the inside of the buildings purely for nostalgia sake.

Name:

Marion Draper née Spencer

Email:

Subject:

ceramics

Dates:

1985-88

Date:

09 December, 2009

Comments

I was lucky enough to catch the last year before we got shipped to Sion Hill. Throwing clay in those old stables was pretty chilly but what great place for an art college. Lost contact with everyone except Hiro... Steph where are You?? everyone called me Mars back then....those were the days. I will dig out my photos and see what I can find.

Name:

Alex Smith

Email:

Subject:

re Sheila Chapman

Dates:

60-64?

Date:

23 November, 2009

Comments

Apologies for intruding, but I was looking through the collection of photographs on the website taken at the BAA. Does anyone know or remember Sheila Chapman who was at BAA, I think, 1960/1 - 1963/4?

Name:

Richard Dewar

Email:

Subject:

ceramics

Dates:

1966-70

Date:

13 October, 2009

Comments

I remember all the Corsham Court Christmas parties up to about eleven o'clock and then it all became somewhat vague!!
I recall the famous 1967 bash with Clifford Ellis serving out an amazingly powerful 'fruit' punch from a table next to the main stairs and saying as he filled your glass "Its quite innocuous my dear boy, nothing really alcoholic in it". Later I attempted to find the dancing in the barn and ended up on my front somewhere in the walled garden amongst the leeks and cabbages.
The theme that year was Silver and Gold and I remember us all meeting up beforehand in the lounge of the Oak and seeing the stunning Pam Green sprayed from head to toe in silver, and Jim Parker wearing a skirt made of 18 carrots.

Name:

Marion Parish

Email:

Subject:

Peter Lanyon

Dates:

1950-1957

Date:

02 October, 2009

Comments

Apologies for invading your cyberspace!

I am researching Peter Lanyon for my Phd at Plymouth University. I would love to hear any anecdotes or memories of Peter Lanyon 1950 - 1957 at Corsham.
What was he like as a teacher, what was the college like then, and how did it, its landscapes etc., become part of the process?
(it's a geography Phd - I'm most interested in landscapes and biography).
Were the staff and their own practice an inspiration or completely separate from the students lives?
Anyone with any information can email me, it will be very much appreciated.

Name:

Fiona Green

Email:

Subject:

Teaching Course : Painting

Dates:

1961 - 1964

Date:

26 September, 2009

Remembered NAMES at College
Students: Terry Pope, Alan Miller, Jean Campbell, Diana Dean, Vicky Field, Linden Turner, Ken Warburton, Max Blond, Chris Sear, Josh Partridge, Gwyneth Kaye, Roger Fleet, Tim Threlfall, John Grainger, Niven McNichol, Adele ?, Tony ?, Raymond ?, Melvin ?, Charles Ewart, Spencer Davis, Sue Messenger, Jeremy Jessel, Randall Lewis, Janna Drake, Pam Coleman, Stephen Collingbourne, Tommy Roe, Jenny Sutcliffe, Diana Reeves, Judy Trim, Ivor Heal, Liz Jewitt, Polly Stringer, Ivor & Bobbie Cox, Donn Evans, John Gridley, Bruce Kent, Albert Helloco, John Eaves, Jasper Jewitt, Maureen Aune, Jacquie Godfrey, Pixie White, Barbara Robinson, Renee Evans, Bill Cook, Frances Johnston, Costas Yodkin.
Tutors: William Crozier, Howard Hodgkin, Maurice Agis, Raymond Burton, Peter Stringer, Malcolm Hughes, Martin Froy, Gillian Ayres, Henry Mundy, Adrian Heath, Robyn Denny, Andrew Wilson, Gwyther Irwin, John Hoskin, Michael Pennie, John Eaves, Stephen Russ, Helen Binyon, John Ernest.

Name:

Viv Lewis

Email:

Subject:

Teaching/Painting/Ceramics

Dates:

1958-1960

Date:

15 September, 2009

Comments

First a big thanks to Gerry.

This year managed to clock up the big '70'. Because of ill health never thought I would make sixty. Repeat medication can work wonders. My family got together for a big party and presented me with an amazing iMac. Never having been a computer enthusiast have never done much. Now making up for lost time. Hit the BAA button and Wow! why didn't I do it earlier. Even a photograph of me in the collective on page six.
Quick flash - they must all look like me now '70' - can't believe it. There they all are as though it were yesterday. All the lads and girls that made this period the richest of my life. What a preparation it was for what was to come. Seven years secondary teaching, followed by Lectureship of 24 yrs building a department of Fine Art and Design. Early retirement imposed in 1992 because of cardiac problems that had been with me since I was thirty five. All my working life in Oxfordshire - even had a long service award from the authority. Now living in a lovely Cotswold village - have been since !983.

Wonderful to read about and see you all again. Perhaps there will be more?

Name:

Stephen Fairbairn

Email:

Subject:

Graphics

Dates:

66-70

Date:

27 August, 2009

So sorry to see that Malti has gone. She was a great character with some firm political views which were based on her experience of Ian Smith's regime in her native Rhodesia. I remember she used to put on a magnificent silk sari for special occasions. Wowed us all. Clever at photography too. May the gods laugh with her.

Name:

Lucy (Manning) Davies

Email:

Subject:

Fine Art Painting

Dates:

75 - 76

Date:

27 August, 2009

Comments

What an amazing site! And there's a photo of me (on Paul Badgers page). I wish now I hadn't always leapt out the way of any oncoming camera - its not a good look.

Name:

Judy Bishop (Mary Bishop's daughter)

Email:

Subject:

"what happened to 'her girls' ...?"

Dates:

late 60's

Date:

26 August, 2009

Comments

I am particularly looking for Janice Jeavons and Margaret McEwen who both used to come to our house when my mum Mary Bishop worked as a cleaner at the big house in the High Street (no 40 or 44?). I remember staying at the house when the warden was away.

I loved all you students making the town so exciting. Place is half dead now. Anyway, just wanted to say, if anyone remembers Mary that she is still alive (85 now) and often talks about those days and wonders what happened to 'her girls'. it would be lovely to bring her some news.

Also, if anybody remembers Malti Kidia, who studied at BAA in the late 60's, I am sorry to have to tell you that she passed away 2 years ago from cancer, having never gone back to South Africa. Sadly, we didn't get the news until too late for us to find her.

So anybody who remembers my mum, please contact me on the email address I've left.

thanks.

Name:

Graham Knight

Email:

Subject:

Fine Art - Painting

Dates:

1965-68

Date:

22 August, 2009

Comments

What an unexpected burst of memories and nostalgia - and a really well designed site.
A belated hello again to anyone who painted in B11/12 in the late sixties- did no-one then have a camera?
P.S. Was there really a swimming pool back then - I don't remember it at all!
Still painting, still making no money from it.

Name:

Bill Carnell

Email:

Subject:

sculpture

Dates:

1964-1967

Date:

31 July, 2009

Comments

I remember people such as Liz Knott, Tony Eastman, Janna Drake, Kate Graham-Cummings, Ivor Heal, Pam Coleman, Steve Lowndes, Sarah Padget, Lucy Cross, Paul Deacon, Mike Wools, Greg Mitchell, Bernadette Kelly, Judy Wilkinson etc.

Love to hear any news...will be 65 next...married to Allison from Bridgeton NJ USA and live in Hanbury Staffs. Now retired.

Name:

Jude Collins now Bonnot

Email:

Subject:

education

Dates:

63/66

Date:

06 July, 2009

Comments

Remember feeding Clifford's tortoises, Rosemary driving like a bat out of hell, the huts at Monk's Park and old Mrs Lewis doing the rounds every morning with a fag hanging out of her mouth, standing in the doorway and yelling "Anybody dyin?" She was definitely not nurse Nightingale! Absolutely HATED being made to major in photography. On the walk from the Court back to Beechfield...that long backlane with the stinky brussels sprout gardens!!!

09 July 2009
OMG...it's all starting to come back...
...old Lord Methuen always wearing a Mandarin robe, regardless of the party theme at Christmas...downing schooners of sherry on Friday lunchtimes in Bath, and being almost unable to stagger back to the studios....falling asleep on the wet floor in the darkroom while waiting for gigantic exhibition prints to process...film nights in the barn, followed by the long hike back to Monks Park and the eerie sound of the damned cows coughing the entire length of the drive.
I remember those calligraphic "O"s...that old fella would correct a compass-drawn circle, and the old bugger would be right!
The weekend food packets for those of us living at Monks...brown paper bags with one egg, a sausage, a couple of slices of white bread, and a piece of fruit...talk about spartan!

I'm still building tutus and theatrical costumes in St Louis, and my 23-year-old daughter is in the business now as an ASM...my mother would have turned over in her grave...the theatre wasn't a respectable career!

16 August 2009
Accurate memory adjustment!
The fag-ash-Lil who was the resident 'nurse' at Monks Park was MRS MINER. The Canadian guy who taught dance was RUSS DAWSON. Who else remembers passing Derek Sowden's glass eye around in a dark lecture? The girl who sat on her stanley knife was BARBARA CARR (forever thereafter known as Arsenic).

Name:

Mike Marsden

Email:

Subject:

Sculpture

Dates:

1965-69

Date:

28 June, 2009

Hello Pete Juerges - after reading your guestbook entry here's an old face wandering in, enjoying some of the memories you touched upon. Especially the first Bath Rock Festival, do you realise it's exactly forty years ago today (28 June) that all those bluesy sounds filled the spa air in Bath . . . Led Zeppelin were on late afternoon, and Ten Years After and Fleetwood Mac (with Peter Green) closed the day as a large pale orange full moon hung low over the two stages, other acts I remember were John Mayall, Chicken Shack, Blodwyn Pig, John Hisemann's Coliseum plus the Liverpool Scene with the clever Adrian Henry looning about, I think it was about a pound to get in and the sun shone all day, and a couple of guys at the front were head-banging all day.
1968 and the summer sit-ins, allegedly Clifford thought we were ungrateful and had nothing to complain about, a group of students from Hornsey, where it all started, came down and talked with us one evening about tactics etc . . . yes the mesmerising Frank Zappa concert at the Colston Hall in Bristol using a coach paid for by our new Students' Union . . . and you had Henry Cliff for lithography, fortunately we Fine Arters had the incomparable and enthusing Ian Lawson, do you remember he would often turn up in one of his classic cars, and John Furnival and friends delivering a Dada music session in the music room in The Court and marking a very expensive sheet of brass (from the sculpture school) . . . the chemists in Corsham not understanding why they sold out of Benilyn cough mixture so quickly, and gentle occasional cream cake fights in the court dinning room on Saturday tea-times, when inaccuracy led to Thomas Gainsborough turning in his grave.
You mention the swimming pool Pete, I remember peacocks would perch on a metal bar above one corner and appear to take pleasure shitting in the pool. For some reason I didn't make that Christmas Party in '68, sounded good . . .
Like you I'm still in touch with one or two people . . . anyway Pete thank you again for prompting my memory, and I guess many others who won't necessarily reply.
Take care and let it be . . . regards

Name:

Rose (Thomas) & Adam Sangster

Email:

Subject:

Painting

Dates:

83-86

Date:

26 June, 2009

Comments

Here we both are 23 years later, together. Thanks for the introduction Bath. Adam is father of four and teaching Fine Art at Yeovil College. I'm pretty busy with those teenagers and painting when i can. Would love to hear from anyone who might have known us.

Name:

Maggi Swallow

Email:

Subject:

Ceramics

Dates:

83 to 86

Date:

9 June, 2009

Comments

Dear All!

Where are you! Would love to hear from all & find out where you are/what you're up to!
Nalini do get in touch.. Maggi

Name:

Peter Juerges

Email:

Subject:

Graphics

Dates:

68 - 72

Date:

30 May, 2009

Its been a while since I last sent greetings into the ether via this site...so long in fact that without noticing I've slipped into that time frame when I am now looking to pick up my bus pass.
Apart from the odd correspondence with Bruce Grove, Ray Sylvester, the Fairbairns and Roger Deakins I haven't really had any contact with any ex Corshamites... I've passed through Corsham a good few times but the ghosts have gone and the place has only a few corners that prick the memories "...you can try to tell the family but you can see they only half believe..." This website is now really the last bastion of the romance that was BAA...and its good to see that it is still ticking over...still plenty of old faces wandering in.
So to those that take the time to share I say a warm hello and to those that read from a distance but don't put finger to keyboard I can only say come on - remember.
Remember the Christmas Party 1968...the court stairwell was dressed in fir tree branches & the dining room hosted a mediaeval feast; the sit-ins during the summer of 68; the trips into bath to produce trajan "O"s for Andrew Wilson, the superb Scots gentleman who wore galoshes come winter. The lardy cake that made those visits into Bath bearable. Dave Spurling...remember the bet re the principles secretary?
Remember the Beechfield house washing machines dripping in every colour of dye. The segregated hostels with those cleaners that saw nothing and knew nothing... the Bath Rock Festival...that must have been 69, you could hear Zeppelin in Corsham: there were those hours of art history...Julia Garrett and screen printing with John Furnival & Dom Hudard....and Rosemary E watching the antics by the pool in disbelief and ...and young Harry Cliffe wielding a lithographic ink roller almost the same size as himself; who could wear a jacket like Del Renzio; north/sarf drinking contests; going into Bristol to see Muddy Waters sing blues or Frank Zappa; coach parties to do the alehouses of Swanage; confrontations with squadies in the Royal Oak or scrumpy and blackcurrant over the road...it just goes on...
So I send love and greetings to those that remember... whilst looking forward to hearing what folks are up to now.

Name:

Des ...again, who else ...? 

Email:

Subject:

graphics

Dates:

early '70s

Date:

26 May, 2009

Comments

Hi, thanks for the answer to my previous question.

Me-thinks I should change my choice of beer!!... as this DosXX Ambar seems to induce some serious memory recall !!.... no Irish priests yet, so i think I'm ok !?!? (I'm Irish). ......
 
Anyway, re-page 3 of 'Corsham Town' photos.... photo #4 Ultra Warm... Didn't live above Ultra Warm (it was called something else in the early '70s ... I lived on Bences Lane - Priory Cottage?) ...... but seem to remember that there was a women's hostel above that store which had a large large room with a beamed ceiling which was a major ad-hoc party room. It was here that some of us more down to earth types, less p.c. arty-types (not the 'pseuds' or 'pseudos' as we called them in the '70s !! !! think we stole that from 'Private Eye') would end up after the 'Pack' etc closed ... and would invariably end-up climbing and swinging from the beams, accompanied, of course, by the ubiquitous the local 'Eddy', who had a papal sense of smell when it came to sniffing-out a party !! It's just a guess, but, I think, if you were to search that building, you would find a lot of long lost and long forgotten cherries !!

Comments welcome.... not George dubb-ya (who's that !!), but still Des... somewhere in Southern Arizona.....

28 May, 2009
Sorry about my previous post, no offense intended, but still trying to provoke some repost ... be it negative or positive ... not just nostalgia, but, I seem to remember Corsham-ite(?) students as being very opinionated !!? (if somewhat cynical), what's happened, have we all gone to seed ? !!!?
lets get some conversation going here on current events and issues !!!!! let's make this a lively forum..... if that's not permitted, let me know. I've got my shovel ready, and believe me, here in the desert Southwest there's a lot of dry dirt I can heap on the grave !!!!?
You could be the 'last man standing' Des ...so good luck in 'raising the dead' - Gerry

08 June, 2009
Hi again.
Just a casual query.... but, what's the ' sheep head avatar/image in the corner of my 'then & now' photo ? ?..... I hope this isn't another spurious slur like the 'J.P. and the frozen chicken' incident of the late '60s / early '70s !!??!! - typing & larfing, Des
just by way of clarification.... 'the casual query' mentioned above .... is the question, not me !!!

12 June, 2009
Anyone remember the 'inertia reel' fire escape in Ethelred House, and how much fun it was to bounce of the wall on the way down, trying not to put a boot thru' a window, (or arouse the ire of 'shellshock' and other neighbours across the street) !!!??

10 December 2009
Hi, long time ... no words !!! just got back back from a month in my homeland of Ireland.... Now I know why I live in the arid desert of southern Arizona - the only monkeys I saw in good old Erin were screaming in very high voices !!!!
That's besides the point .... having ranted about no response from Corshamites from the early '70s, I just got an email from a fellow hedonist of the said period. Like myself, he has sought out more comfortable climes.... he is also the subject of some negatives I have, and if he permits, I will forward them to the BAA site.
Meanwhile, despite State Gov. bankruptcy, life here is pretty good. 75f today , so I don't have to break out my only pair of long trousers yet!!! Anyway, I don't know which faith you subscribe to, but, HAPPY HOLIDAYS to EVERYONE !!! ...... and if you are, like me, a devout, card carrying aetheist, you can use that saved subscription to buy a six-pack or bottle of wine and raise a toast to the select few who had the privilege to live and study at BATH ACADEMY OF ART AT CORSHAM in its short but vibrant life. .........................
Well, I'll finish now, but tomorrow is another day, and probably another bottle of wine ... so who knows what memories may surface !!!? - Des

Name:

Des Crabbe

Email:

Subject:

Graphics

Dates:

early '70s

Date:

07 May, 2009

Comments

Hi Ken, hope your 'keks' are holding up and your getting enough 'scran'. ... 
At last someone from the early '70s..... I thought I was the only one still alive!, and I was having a 'Dallas' moment, Corsham never happened, and I had just woken up after a DosXX episode!!! - 
Not quite in Mexico yet, but living in Southern Arizona for the past 17 years or so, with the illegal immigrants, etc. it sometimes seems that the border has crept past me without me noticing !!! plus down here it's like the 'hippies' equivalent of the 'elephants' graveyard' !!! - Good to hear from you, best wishes to you & Margaret (?), be in touch soon, 
Des

Name:

Paddy Goff

Email:

Subject:

fine art painting

Dates:

1967 - 70

Date:

03 May, 2009

Nice to see the site is still developing, if not as busily as it once did.

I am still grateful to Corsham (Adrian, Michael and Willy Tilly who I met recently and to my surprise remembered me) for the skills it gave me.
Now using photography more and more as I develop my writing about hotels illustrated with my own imagery. My new website is worth visiting and anyone who might be still alive and want to get in touch can find my contact details there.
I am still going strong although a diagnosis of cancer recently scared the shit out of me - happily the doc has backed off and settled for diabetes (diet controlled) so I look forward to another thirty years at least... 

Name:

Fran Colley (now Hanley)

Email:

Subject:

Ceramics

Dates:

81-84

Date:

26 April, 2009

Comments

Great site Carl, you probably won't remember me as I was a lowly potter, brought back a load of great memories.

Name:

Ruth Charlton

Email:

Subject:

Ceramics

Dates:

1977-80

Date:

21 April, 2009

Have spent the last hour looking at all the photos and comments on the website when I should have been working!
I've been living in the Lake District since the early '80s with Kevin O'Connor (painter) and our four children (now all towering over me). I'm still making things in clay, mostly figurative work.
If anyone wants to get in touch, I'd love to hear what you've been up to.

Name:

Jane Turner

Email:

Subject:

sculpture/printmaking

Dates:

1976-1979

Date:

10 April, 2009

Comments

thanks Gerry.
It's great to hear what everyone is doing. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Corsham - seems like a long time ago now.

Name:

Nalini Mistry

Email:

not submitted

Subject:

painting - fine arts

Dates:

1983 - 86

Date:

09 April, 2009

Comments

Where are the students from 1983-86, before the last year that Bath Academy moved to Bath?, please let me know. Also if Michael Simpson and other tutors from my time at Corsham are still teaching. Also i would like to make contact with anyone who was on the fine arts - painting, sculpture and who remembers me from that time. I had the most extraordinary, magical and happy time of my life.
Best wishes
Nalini Mistry

Name:

Clare Thompson

Email:

Subject:

Visual Communication

Dates:

1982-85

Date:

04 April, 2009

What a lovely website! I have so many memories of BAA and living at 44 high street. It really was a magical existence but a huge shock to leave for the outside world!

I lost touch with a lot of people when I went to live in California for 5 years. My particular friends were Bea Willey, Alison James and Sarah Brookes also on my course. Does anyone remember two laddish characters called John and Wayne who always said they would go into business together? Andy McIntyre ended up being on the same PGCE as me at Reading Uni 1989-90. I remember Axel who is really well known now obviously. There doesn't seem to be much information from people in my era so I hope more people discover the site.

I now live near Brighton which is brilliant, I have 3 children and am head of art at a nearby school. I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers me.

Name:

Ken Robertson

Email:

Subject:

graphics

Dates:

70-74

Date:

25 March, 2009

Comments

Hello Des.
Do I take it from the last communication you stumbled into Mexico? I stumbled across an ex student here in Cornwall who pointed me at the website. Brilliant! As I was going through I was looking for names I could remember like yours, Randy's, Lynne's, Tony's, Spanyol's etc. And there were lots that looked familiar but I couldn't put a face to them. And the picture place doesn't have a very good representation of our years.
Anyway I think I need to go to the anectdotes page to dig up my memories. I'll do that now. 

Name:

Jacqui Boyd

Email:

Subject:

painting

Dates:

1977-80

Date:

23 March, 2009

If you are part of Facebook and would like to connect to other students from your years and theirs, visit us at Bath Academy of Art before 1985 alumni group. You have to be a facebook member to become part of the group. Once you have signed up, just press to join this group. We are a small band but all good things come in little packages, lol.
Great photos from Ray Brooking, looking back at all the photos on this site, is amazing.
Thank you, Gerry, for keeping it going.

Name:

Sally Pinfield

Email:

Subject:

Graphics

Dates:

1972 - 1976

Date:

11 March, 2009

Comments

We had 18 on foundation course, most went up in smoke. Keep in touch with Liz and Mick Bramhall, in Yorkshire, Beccy Morris, Annie Bedford, Brian Barton and Marion Barton. I did keep in contact with Bob Grieg for a while and Mick Downs whilst moving back up north again. I am now godfather and some are godmothers etc., etc., etc.
Hello Geoff......... 

Name:

Anna Lambert

Email:

not submitted

Subject:

Ceramics

Dates:

77 - 80

Date:

4 February, 2009

Comments

I've often have wondered what became of everyone. Now living in North Yorkshire and still making pots, working with David Ashby (ceramics 86-88?) and good friends with Chris Murray (painting 81-84?). We get everywhere.

Name:

Jeremy Pugh

Email:

not submitted

Subject:

graphics

Dates:

1980 - 1983

Date:

30 January, 2009

Comments

God I so often dream of Corsham. Great website.

Now living in Normandy, studio opening in summer hopefully. Will offer something to ex students as I'm so sentimental these days.
Perhaps you may remember when I rode my white vespa around the life studio at a party?
Is Kate Luck-Hammond still around Chippers?
Sad to hear about John Vince, the man the LEGEND.

Name:

Hazel Abrenovice (now Shaw)

Email:

 reinstated by request 22.01.13

Subject:

Painting

Dates:

1951 - '53

Date:

11 January, 2009

Comments

Hi,
Just stumbled across this site ...anyone out there from my time?

Here I am, back in Corsham, still painting, but on an etching course now. I was here in 1951 with Bruce Kent, Derek Pope, John Eaves, Albert Horel and would love to hear from anyone who is still alive! Especially if they are interested in etching and know where I can get a second-hand printing press.

Look forward to hearing from anyone out there.

07 February, 2009
I have decided to take out a loan and buy a press! (from Great Art - the Abig 500mm). If anyone knows anything about it, good or bad, please, please, let me know, because it will probably take until the end of my life to pay for it.

Also, the blankets required for this press are in excess of £60!! I can't believe it. There must be a clever art teacher out there who can guide me to a better source??

I would love to find my special college mate Albert Horel (later changed his name to Helleco). He taught at Dartington school for many years, and was a Frenchman.

Name:

Des Crabbe

Email:

Subject:

beer & teenage angst !!

Dates:

Early '70s

Date:

27 December, 2008

Comments