eaw021594 ENGLAND (1949). St Thomas More Approved School for Boys and New Plantation, West Grinstead, 1949

ST THOMAS MORE SCHOOL WEST GRINSTEAD NR HORSHAM WEST SUSSEX - FACEBOOK GROUP SITE.



FACEBOOK Site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/496826967071793/

EMAIL US: kevin@st-thomas-more-school-west-grinstead.co.uk

TEL: 01792 896404



We purchased this image above and the rights to show it on our facebook site. Its not a copy of someones else's picture.



We have worked hard to get Great HQ Video and Pictures as evidenced by the image and video below..in most cases doing them inhouse (myself!).



You will not find these images on our facebook site anywhere else...



We have very HQ images and HQ Videos of the old St Thomas More School West Grinstead Nr Horsham.

I went there in 1964/5 and did not want to leave as I enjoyed nearly every single day as I am sure a lot of the others did too!.



I have tried to put together a collection of images and videos and people (Staff and teachers) who went to the school and bring it into one place so we can all chat & exchange memories and photos.



I have spoken to and met with the old Presentation brothers who started STM and the civilian staff who carried on after the brothers who left (1976). Many of the Civilian Staff still are in touch and supply us with videos and photos. If you want to say something or join come along you are welcome. If you want to just browse and view the historical pictures and videos you are also very welcome.



We have yearly reunions held at the old church on site at STM - held in what has now come to be called 'pilgrams way' that is in effect the covered building leading from the school to the side entrance of the church as in the picture above. I have attached a picture of the last Annual Reunion (also the 30th Anniversary of the school closure (1984) held on the 26th July in Pilgrams Way at STM School 2014.



Regards

Kevin Marchelak

Swansea UK





St Thomas More School was operated by the Presentation Brothers from early 1934. They educated the students, entertained them, kept them in order and pointed out what was right and wrong. They did an excellent and difficult job. They closed the doors and left after 43yrs in 1977. Most went on to pastures new, some retired some married some got ordained, but all can be proud of what they did. After they left the School was run by Civilian staff until it finally closed in 1984. This forum is for Former Students and Staff where you can find information on what has happened to the school and the Students and Staff.

You can also Contact each other and re establish friendships and make new ones with the Boys & Staff from STM. You can upload photos, docs, stories or just gossip. Every year there will be a Re-Union.

Welcome to you.



Should say that some ex staff or ex boys would like to remain anonymous for their own reasons, that is fine you are welcome to join and view the documents and pictures and videos as you see fit, or join in the conversations and chats or stories...

Remembered fondly as Tommy Mores, St Thomas More School was run by the Presentation Brothers from 1934 until 1977 before closing its doors in the early eighties.



The STM forum started in 2002 on FRIENDS REUNITED, and since early 2009 it has also established itself on FACEBOOK, TWITTER and CARELEAVERS REUNITED.



We have held reunions annually since 2010 and have contributed personal recollections and photographs to a local history group’s book, “When the School Bell Rang”.



We believe the school forum is one of the best of its kind as it was formed with a wealth of the best available photographs and historical information as well as its greatest asset, the members who regularly share stories, information and photographs.



It is a forum where former pupils (and staff alike) can renew friendships and establish links with their past.



It is the original STM forum and we think it’s the best – So, you're very welcome!



Simply follow this link to our ST THOMAS MORE SCHOOL, WEST GRINSTEAD, WEST SUSSEX group forum :



https://www.facebook.com/groups/37869561698/

The buildings that were eventually to become St Thomas More School were built towards the end of the 1880’s by the builders who had completed the Carthusian Monastery, St Hugh’s Charterhouse, Cowfold. There was formerly a small orphanage on the site known as St Dominic’s Priory, later to become St Mary’s Orphanage and then St Julian’s Priory.



In 1934, after the orphanage had been closed for about three years, the Southwark Catholic Children’s Society took it over and it became an approved school, and much later it was reorganized as a community home under the Children and Young Persons Act, 1969. From 1935 to 1977 the institution was staffed by Presentation Brothers until they relinquished their responsibility in 1977 to lay control until its closure in 1983/84.



Much later it became the Yago College; an establishment attended by Spanish students wishing to improve their English.



Finally, it was sold to a developer, who after demolishing the buildings in 1998, created the exclusive enclave of houses on what is now known as Caryll’s Meadow. The only part of the original site is the two cottages and a garage at the front (Steyning Road) and the other two cottages in Park Lane (“Station Road”). For some time it was thought that the wooded “back” area of the school would be developed along similar lines.



David Barker

29/08/2014