Unsolved Mysteries of BHASVIC

A view south across the BHASVIC site

by Esther Butterworth

Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College – otherwise known as BHASVIC – houses many unsolved mysteries. Some are painted on its walls and others are buried underground. Still others seem to link our world to one full of spirits…

The StoryWorks society at BHASVIC is slowly unpicking these puzzles. At the same time, we try to make sure what we do know is not forgotten, through free events such as the Everyday Histories Open Morning on the 20th of September. These events allow us to share our knowledge with the public and raise donations to preserve the historic site.

If you want to learn about local history, you should definitely come along. The free tours we’re running will give you plenty of facts (and questions) to think about. Hopefully this post can give you an idea of which tours you’d like to book!

The Main Building viewed from the gates

Mysteries from the Past & Present Tour

1.      Hidden faces in the Main Hall mural

The well-known murals that line the Main Hall were painted from 1913-1939 by Louis Ginnett, an ex-pupil from BHASVIC’s grammar school days.  The series of paintings are called the ‘History of Sussex’ and depict the county’s story, from the stone age to the 1920s. A lesser-known fact is that Ginnett added some teachers and peers into these scenes. While we know which man depicts the headmaster Thomas Read, the identity of the other figures remains a mystery. But when you look up at the faces on the open morning, you can safely say that some of them walked the same halls as you.

2.      The whereabouts of a bomb shelter

Although BHASVIC closed to become a military hospital during the First World War, it remained open during the Second World War. Of course, for the safety of its students, a bomb shelter had to be constructed. But no records remain of its exact location. Somewhere under the changes made to the site after 1945 lies an old shelter, which would have seen the students through some dark and scary times. While we think it is buried somewhere under the field, its true location remains a mystery.

3.      The unknown crest on BHASVIC’s gate

BHASVIC’s grand front gates were constructed in the 1950s. 4 different emblems adorn them, each representing something different. The crests of Brighton, Hove and Sussex are recognisable. The fourth crest, however, continues to be puzzled over. It depicts some Tudor roses and stripes, set over a white background. The stripe-like symbol is theorised to be related to the Masons, who helped to fund the movement of the school to its current site, as well as the building of the gates. It could also be the crest of William Baron, who the gates were made in memory of. A final theory, popular amongst StoryWorks members, is that it was a crest for the Grammar School. However, we may never truly know.

Visitors on the Ghost Tour in March

Mysteries from the Ghost Tour

1.      Who Matron really was

College House (Marshall House before 1975) used to be the home for the site’s Grammar School boarders. Today it is the hub for much of BHASVIC’s paranormal activity. We think we can trace it back to one of two women: Mrs Nelly Read, the first matron of College House OR Miss Clements, who was matron to the boys through 1930s & 40s. Nelly tragically died (possibly from sepsis) 48 hours after dressing a wound from one of the boys with a cut finger. But the rest of her life is still unknown. Meanwhile, tragedy may also have stalked Miss Clements: the StoryWorks society have uncovered mentions of a Mr Clements, who died from a heart attack following a Second World War air raid. It seems likely he suffered a panic attack, triggered by his experiences of being gassed in the First World War. We can assume these two figures are connected, possibly as husband and wife, but we cannot say for sure.

2.      The presence of other spirits at BHASVIC

Many deaths have occurred in these halls: whether it be Mr Clements, or the lost lives of wounded soldiers in BHASVIC’s Main Hall. It seems likely that some spirits other than matron may have clung onto their last resting place. So, when we use the dowsing rods to commune with spirits on our Ghost Tour, who are we really speaking to? Is it just Miss Clements or Nelly Read? Or do other spirits want to talk with us? If you want to do some digging, make sure to book our Ghost Tour, where visitors will have the chance to ask the spirits some questions.

3.      The strange instances around College House

Now, we have our fair share of sceptics. But believer or not, many staff who work around College House have experienced strange things. Caretakers have reported the sound of bells, despite College House’s doorbell being disconnected a long time ago. Teachers have also reported the swinging open of a small door at the top of a classroom  – we do not yet know where it leads or why it was put there. On calm days it will regularly creak open. In the past teachers have even kept a pole handy to shut it when this happens. More recently, a new member of staff – unfamiliar to our research – described a ghostly figure she had seen. Her description matched perfectly to our understanding of matron.

Evidently, despite the hard work and regular research of the StoryWorks society, BHASVIC still has many secrets to yield. So, if you want to put your two cents in, see some of these mysteries for yourself or learn about the many facts we have uncovered, make sure to turn up to the Everyday Histories morning on the 20th of September and book onto a tour if you’d like. While these amazing opportunities are free, any donations you can make would be greatly appreciated, and will go straight towards our Heritage Restoration Fund.