Happy memories of Brighton from the 1960s

Recently we caught up with Quantity Surveying alum Clive Stone about his time studying with us and playing on the rugby team

Clive, now living in Devon, has such fond memories of his Brighton days – both the quality of the education he received and how his time in the rugby team forged lifelong friendships.  

He also recalls attending Club 66, which at the time was situated on the mezzanine floor of the Cockroft building. 

Happy memories of Brighton 

“I live in Devon now but have returned to Brighton several times since graduating. I have very fond memories of my time there, particularly my rugby days.  

“My years at Brighton were 1966-1970 with a year out (1968 to 1969) in the construction industry, spent with the construction company Gilbert Ash, who have recently completed the new buildings at Moulsecoomb, such as Elm House.  

“I don’t think any of us realised or appreciated that our lecturer at that time was such an internationally recognised figure in the world of surveying, Lt. Col. J S O Jelly, whose surveying journal obituary mentioned his time at Brighton Polytechnic.  

“What l think was a technical college before we arrived, a College of Technology when we started, and then a Polytechnic, opened by Princess Margaret by the time we graduated – and now is now a very well-respected university. 

“I also remember that whilst I was there, Harvey Goldsmith CBE was also studying and founded the very popular Club 66 – a live music venue which most of my peers from that era recall warmly.”  

“I also have memories of the Rag Week raft race in 1966/67 – our raft made the front page of The Argus but unfortunately the race was called off due to rough seas.” 

Rugby, lifelong friendships and reunions 

“In my time there was a very successful rugby club running three teams and we were regularly featured in the Daily Telegraph’s sports results pages and the local press. 

“There were two groups, Quantity Surveyors and Builders and we formed lasting friendships. We were together on several of our common subjects and were all on a residential land surveying week at Shorncliffe Army Barracks in Kent. ”

“There was a rather large group photo taken on what with all the College’s rugby players in 1967. I have met up recently with several of the players in the photo below, in which I’m back row second from left, in the days when I had need of a barber.”

“Lasting friendships between rugby players also resulted and a few years ago l organised a reunion in The Cricketers in The Lanes, Brighton – ironically with fifteen former team players. 

“In 2016 we met up and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the start of our time at Brighton and due to covid we delayed meeting up for the 50th anniversary of our graduation until 2022. 

“We had a great weekend in York in the October and l know several of us still keep in touch outside of reunions.” 

If you studied or played rugby with Clive and would like to get in touch, please contact us at alumni@brighton.ac.uk.  We’re always happy to help host reunions at the University of Brighton, please get in touch if you are keen on revisiting your former academic school or have any photos you want to share with us.