Mike Marsden has discovered "Corsham
memorabilia while sifting the contents of many loft-based dust covered
cardboard boxes". These three photos from 1966 - '69
represent some of the more memorable times he had when at college. "...for
me it was an extraordinary experience in the 60's".
"We worked hard and played hard",
and with the notoriety of the Newcastle
Brown Club... probably drank a little! |
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The first photo was taken
in the 'old' Sculpture School in the gatehouses of the Court.
It was photographed by Liz Martin, a graphics student from '66-70.
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Work Hard |
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Dip A.D. Sculpture 1966 - '69
L to R:- Bill Watson : Mike
Marsden : Jim Parker : Bob Panton : Gareth Ball
: Pete Bailey
Is it a 'sculpted sphere'?... nah, more
likely a football.
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Play Hard |
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BAA Football Team 1968 - '69 (second
season)
Front L to R:- Chad : Gareth
Ball : Jim Parker : Mike Marsden : Rick Dewar
Back row:- ? : Pete Bailey : Kit ? : Tom Coyle
: Bill
Bolton : Dave Boal
The football strips were sky blue shirts
with dark blue stripes.
Mike started the Academy football team in 1968
and called it Praxiteles.
"We played the local navy team (Royal Arthur), West of England and
Cardiff Art Colleges and always had a keen female following."
Well that's not surprising looking at those short shorts! They obviously had
good organisational skills too because everyone has
the same designer kit on!!
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Recreational
Activities |
Click on
this photo for a larger version with some names displayed.
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North v South
Drinking Competition - summer 1969
Located at Beechfield near the
painting huts.
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The Newcastle Brown Club present a
10-a-side competition between those
hardened boozers from the North (surely
not 'just past Watford') and the South.
The
North won with something like 98 bottles to 93 with only the
'Brown
Stuff' being permitted.
[Liz Martin says the other side won!]
If you can identify anyone else in the
photo, please let us know.
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from Marion Manheimer - North Versus South Beer Drinking
Competition, Beechfield 1969
Alan Hext, Rick Dewar, Mike Marsden and Jim Parker recognisable - mouseover
the photo to zoom in closer
photo was probably taken by Jay-Jonathan Smith. |
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On celebrities who visited the
college...
"In
1968 (or was it '69) Jasper Johns paid an unofficial visit to Beechfield....
in '67 Claus Oldenburg gave a talk in the barn at the Court, he had a
big exhibition at the Tate and only gave three talks in England, one at
the Royal College, one at Chelsea and the other at Corsham.... Jim Dine
did a series of etchings at the College in '68.... in '68 (I think) John
Martyn (singer extraordinaire) was hired by the Students Union to
perform upstairs in the back room at the Royal Oak, hardly anyone turned
up, and the rest is history as they say."
...and
of personal experiences at Corsham.
"I really
have a whole range of responses to the memories it stirs, some
cherished, others full of regret, one or two so special, many
embarrassing. And then the secret ones where one developed spy-like
skills in order to maintain them as such, whilst all the time living and
working in a very closed community. I am sure most ex-Corshamites
recognise this mix."
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...more photos from Marion Manheimer 67-69 |

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Tim Nevitt |
Heini Schneebeli |
Hans Knuchel |
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first 4 photos
have
larger versions |

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Dave Boal |
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Clive Adams & Tony Stokes
at No 8 |
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