Name:

Elizabeth(Biddy) Smith

Email:

 

Subject:

Fine Arts/Teacher Training

Dates:

53-56

Date:

28 August, 2021

Comments

I would love to hear from anyone who knew me when I was at college in Corsham. I was there from 1953 (at 18 years) to 1956 and started on the Fine Arts course, then transferred to the Teacher Training course which also ran at Corsham. I was always known as Biddy back then.

Please use my daughter's email address above to contact me.

Name:

Vivien Steele (nee Harris)

Email:

 

Subject:

Painting, printmaking, shadow puppetry

Dates:

63-66

Date:

19 June, 2021

Comments

At Corsham I worked at Monks Park and studied painting, printmaking and shadow puppetry.

After BAA I worked as an art teacher in Redbridge until 1972 when I emigrated to Canada to head an art department in a private girls school. I lived in British Columbia until I moved to Crete, eleven years ago.

We have been in lockdown for many months hence my searching the internet for something to do, when I looked into websites about Bath Academy of Art.

Best wishes ...Vivien

Name:

David Kimbell

Email:

 

Subject:

Looking for John Colbeck

Dates:

N/A

Date:

10 May, 2021

Comments

I am trying to make contact with John Colbeck (I'm assuming he is still alive), with whom I was at school in Canterbury in the late 50's. Our friendship was for several years a close one. After our school years we went off in different directions, but were still regularly in touch during university/college years. Thereafter (I had gone to Scotland to teach music) we lost touch. I should very much like to make contact with him before it is too late, and if anyone reading this was able to give me an address or email address for him I should be most grateful.
Thank you for any help you can give me.

David Kimbell

Name:

Ant Parker

Email:

 

Subject:

Sculpture - Graphics

Dates:

77-81/2

Date:

1 February, 2021

Comments

I was at Corsham 77-81/2 initially in sculpture then transferred to visual communications.
I have been given some photos of all the graphics students and tutors/technicians at that time standing outside Beechfield house.

I thought they were taken by the then secretary to Brian Dunce.. Angela Adams, but I notice she is in the photo so can’t be!
*Claire Palmer has added more names and is pretty sure the photo tech Steve Woolford took the photo.
Thanks also to Carola Rush for adding and correcting some more names.

Name:

Richard Lewis

Email:

 

Subject:

'Mystery involving a sketchbook'

Dates:

65-66

Date:

10 January, 2021

Comments

I am trying to do a bit of research and solve a mystery as to who they belong to.
When my Nan passed away many years ago now, there was a house clearance, during that time we came across this book addressed to my Nan. These pictures were drawn in Aug 1965 - 27th Feb 1966, mainly in the Bath area, not sure where Lindfield Common is? Drawings of Pete Coleman? Pictures from Sydney Place, Bath. There are comments on the back of most pictures, Beechfield Corsham?

The front cover of the sketchbook has:-
22nd Aug 1965 - 27th Feb 1966
Ian Warburton
To Mary, from Ian for the New Year

It may not be the Ian Warburton of BAA Corsham, but during this time, he was a very good artist and most of these drawings are in Bath/Corsham. My Nan was living in Sompting Lancing in West Sussex. I am not sure he (Ian) would have any connections there.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.

Name:

Phil Hemmings

Email:

 

Subject:

Foundation - Graphics

Dates:

1979-83

Date:

14 July, 2019

Comments

I was a student at BAA from 1979 (Foundation at Monks Park) to 1983. I designed the poster for the 1979 foundation show (I still have a copy) and did all the pre-press work on the 1983 degree magazine for the graphics course.
As a mature student, I was able to form closer relationships with some of the staff, such as John Vince, Jack Shirreff, Mike Grey, Harry Cliffe, John Furnival, Graham Day and others.
I have fond memories of my time there, so I'm glad that someone has started [June 2001 - Gerry] a web page devoted to it.
I still have a portfolio with a 'Keep Bath Academy in Corsham' sticker on it!

Happy days. Cheers!
Phil Hemmings

Name:

Bryan Maycock

Email:

 

Subject:

Painting/Photo/Edu

Dates:

1962-65

Date:

13 July, 2019

Comments

Greetings from Nova Scotia.
I am hoping that somewhere out there, there will be a (some) 1965 grads who will respond.

It’s late May 2019. Almost fifty-four years ago, I and all other would-be graduates of the Bath Academy of Art (Corsham), were preparing for our final exhibitions.

But that was then. Fifty four years, where did the time go?

The opportunity to bridge the years came when I booked a trip to England that included a side trip to Cornwall, a county that I never visited while living in England.

Why this particular side trip?

Eric Berry, the other male member of Rosemary Ellis’s photography group at Corsham (1962-5), and I had reconnected via email and liked the idea of getting together. Unlike me, Eric had stayed close to home so invited me to come for a visit.

Our first task was to complete the ‘where are they now list’ of our Corsham photography group, a discussion that Eric and I had begun but not ratified via email. With a hundred and fifty years of aging, unreliable memory between us (what did we come upstairs to get?), it does seem that the important stuff really does take hold. First, I have to admit that I was wrong about the size of the group. My memory held that, throughout our study, Eric and I were in the company of fourteen young women. As we put together a list of names, it turned out that Eric was correct. There were twelve women. Each group comprised two men and twelve women.

So, who were the twelve that were stuck with Eric and me for three years?

First names came easily, last names not so much. In alphabetical order they are: Anne (King?), Audrey Redden, Barbara Topping, Christine Wheeler, Hillary Brown, Jennifer Stevens, Jill (?), Nicole (Rigden?), Salima (Faiz) Hashmi, Sandra (?), Simone (?) and Veronica Trett.

If, when you read this, you know more of the group, I would be pleased to hear from you at bmaycock@eastlink.ca. Also, if you would like to read a more complete account of the Cornish encounter, go to https://www.bryanmaycock.com/50-eric--me.html

Name:

Peter Coleman

Email:

 

Subject:

Ceramics

Dates:

1975-78

Date:

29 January, 2019

Comments

I'm potting again albeit as a retirement pastime to help with the beer money.
My website is www.peterlcoleman.com or the dubious 'going2pot.com'.

Still in regular touch with Wez West who is now retired and a full on grandfather, his wife Amanda McPhail as was whose now involved in ceramics. Sasha Wardell who is taking over the ceramics world and I've just got back in touch with Geoff Pickett after 40 years. Roy Alexander and Neil Adcock stay in touch all through social media and this website.
Time Flies.

PS I do wish I could remember the Mr October Calendar episode, it's a complete blank which is probably best.

Name:

Rosemary Knight

Email:

 

Subject:

Painting

Dates:

1960-62

Date:

18 January, 2018

Comments

First of all, a big congratulations and thanks for all the hard work you’ve put into this very impressive site. I came across it only a few days ago and have spent the time since reminiscing. It was so good to see places and faces from my time there. I can’t believe that 55 years have passed since I left after those life changing 2 years. 

However, on my second visit, I found a photo of me on Steve Collingbourne’s entry and, on scrolling down, a description that I found a little upsetting. I think anyone reading it would envisage a lazy, aloof and unpopular person which I don’t think I can pass over even though so many years have passed and it is only an opinion. 

I was lazy after the Intermediate exams. I did spend too much time at the pool and I deserved to be sent down. However, I was not given any warning of this at the time as I would have given to my students. There was only a phone call to my father during the summer holidays offering a reference to any school of my choice. I was gutted. 

As for cold; I think the description of photos pinned up for selection says a lot about attitudes in those days. I had come from a rather strict background with a female only, very intellectual education since the age of eight. No brothers. So meeting boys who set light to their farts was eye opening! I made friends and was soon giving haircuts to the boys for a pint in the cellar. I don’t remember having turned down any offer that year except one from a well known art critic after the Thursday lecture. We all knew what that meant so I, a virgin, refused. I had occasion to be thankful later when one of my friends found herself pregnant by a visiting tutor and was given the money for an abortion. All are dead now so no names. Added to having come from a more humble social background than many, I think bewilderment and nervousness were my feelings not aloofness. 

I wasn’t unpopular with the people who I went around with. I never felt either popular or unpopular. I kept in touch with a few afterwards. I visited afterwards. Then life took over with my new college. I met up with some from Corsham on ATD and they didn’t shun me! 

I suppose all of this is written for Steve but I couldn’t find any way of writing to him. (his address has been sent to you in an email - Gerry)

I’d like to end on a positive note.

I learned my lesson and worked hard later!
I remember spending a fascinating time with Lord Methuen when I wandered into the orchid house one day. He showed me some beautiful specimens and explained some features. 
I lived in the Warden’s House and walked through the avenue to the Court. The green of the new lime tree leaves was breathtaking in springtime. 
Breakfast in the amazing dining room. The toast was thick and usually cold which meant that you could put loads of butter on before the marmalade. Delicious. Ive never been able to reproduce it. 
The impressive panels in the Chinese room where I had my interview.
The wonderful setting that means I’ve always after chosen country places to live.

I’m now in southern Spain in the mountains in a small village. I’m still working myself and giving voluntary sessions to the local children in the tiny school here. I’m using all my accumulated art materials that won’t be needed. 

I’d be happy to get news from contemporaries so my email is available. 

Thank you once again

Rosie x 

Name:

Angus Davis

Email:

 

Subject:

Graphic Design

Dates:

1965-68

Date:

09 September, 2017

Comments

Am still alive and living in New Zealand. It was a significant 3 years. (Pre-Dip in London).
I do have many memories of 'Dip AD' at Corsham, even one or two photos am happy to share if I can figure my way through this strange machine.

Another Graphics student Steve Lowndes lives not ten miles from here today, currently he is Acting Chairman of ‘Environment Canterbury’ so don’t think he has much time to go to his comfortable painting studio (Banks Peninsula/NZ); his flat mate at Corsham, Derick Sowden still lives near Bristol and visited here some years ago with his Wife. Ian Lawson still alive in Herefordshire (Aymestrey). William Bradley was in Australia last time I heard, always a total incompetent he gave me an incorrect e-mail address so have lost touch.

I noted the folder from John Furnival containing our ‘concrete poetry’ the cover was designed & printed by me (I still have it). Will copy images from Concrete Poetry Project in the next few days, I have complete set of 15 plus information sheet - a limited edition of 30 mine is #25. Also worked on the Jim Dine project but nothing left from that one.

In my trundling around the planet at odd times bumped into ex Corshamites. If someone gets in touch would be happy to contribute some memories, I have plenty of yarns. Already heard back from Gordon Thompson, not bad after 50 years!

Rosemary Ellis was a beast but my partner Victoria & I visited them in Urchfont several times on trips from the USA, after she & Clifford retired, we mended the bridges.

When I left I went to collect my deposit, the Warden at Beechfield, John Vince had levied a five shilling fine, for my having 'broken curfew. We were allowed 2 weekends per term out, and had class half day on Saturday, until it was discovered that a 5½ day week was not allowed.

This photo taken by our group photo instructor from Switzerland, Marlen Gruber.
click for enlargements

Name:

Judy Neve (Portway)

Email:

 

Subject:

NDD Course

Dates:

1959-61

Date:

15 January, 2017

Comments

Just found your site via a look at the Clifford and Rosemary Ellis sale today, which happily sent me in the direction of photos of my year! I have some photos too and will unearth them!
My name was Judy Neve, I am now Judy Portway and still in touch with Chris Rose.

In the summer I went back to Corsham and went round the state rooms and came away amazed that I had forgotten the wonderful paintings - apart from the allegorical painting of Elizabeth l.

Name:

Doreen Page (Foster)

Email:

 

Subject:

NDD Course

Dates:

1948-50

Date:

15 January, 2017

Comments

I was one of the first students to be chosen to attend the Bath Academy of Art when it opened in Corsham in 1948, I was 18 years of age. I am a coalminers daughter and one of the few working class girls to be accepted plus the only Northerner.
My life was changed completely by my experience and sent me on a very interesting career in varied branches of education.
I am now 88, have no email but can be contacted by letter via the sites email.

Name:

Jenny Price

Email:

 

Subject:

on Stephen Russ

Dates:

1972-75

Date:

10 June, 2016

Comments

I was at BAA from 1972 - 75 on the 3D-design ceramics course.

Name:

Jeremy Pugh

Email:

 

Subject:

A Lord Methuen encounter!

Dates:

1980-83

Date:

23 April, 2016

Comments

Name:

Cyril Sealy

Email:

 

Subject:

My father at Corsham

Dates:

1947-51

Date:

26 September, 2015

Comments

I noticed on the website that my father's name does not appear on the list of ex-students of Corsham Court and I'd dearly love to put that right.

When my father, Cyril Clifford Sealy, left the RAF at the end of WWII he enrolled for a three-year ( 1947 - 1950 ) course at Corsham and then, at the end of that course, he stayed for the Supplementary Course until the summer of 1951.
After that he started his career in education, teaching Art and Music in various secondary schools until his retirement; he died at the age of 80 in 2003. I'm attaching a copy of his Pass Certificate, dated 7th July 1950, which also includes the names of all the other students who were successful that year. You can also see the certificate that he and four other students received at the end of the Supplementary Course, together with the covering letter that he received in Sept.1951.

One of the people with whom my father became friendly during those years was Henry Cliffe, later to become a member of staff at BAA and an artist in his own right. After my father played the organ for Henry's wedding, Henry presented my father with a small painting which is now in the possession of my daughter who has subsequently collected other works by Cliffe. Looking on Google, I see that Cliffe exhibited fairly widely and that his paintings have commanded reasonable prices when they have appeared at auction.

I'm not sure whether any of this information is of interest to you but it would be lovely to see Cyril Sealy's name on your website's list of ex-students.

Name:

Tommy Rowe

Email:

 

Subject:

Sculpture with John Hoskins

Dates:

1960-63

Date:

30 March, 2015

Comments