Part 1

Visiting Foster's Grandma

May 23 2026

Two School Friends

It must have been late 1943 when I befriended a boy named Foster. We both went to St. Peter's Infants School in Portslade. He lived on North Street, and I lived just a block away on George Street. Foster was six, and I was five years old, but we were in the same class at school.

An Unexpected Journey

As we walked home, he asked me to visit his grandma with him. "It's not far away," he told me. Well, I went home to tell my mum, but she wasn't in, and I had not learned to write then. Foster urged me on, telling me that it wasn't far away, so off we went — two little boys and a town alive with soldiers from all over the world.

Well, we walked up Station Road and along New Church Road, heading eastwards to Brighton. At the bottom of George Street, a policeman standing in the doorway of Shaw's stores asked us where we were going. Up piped Foster, "To visit my grandma." The policeman calmly said, "Get along, it will be dark soon."

Grandma's Shop and the Search

Off we went, turning up Queen's Road, down the first turning on the right. There was Grandma's shop, a second-hand shop which is still there, selling the same clothes.

My poor mum had been scouring the streets, going frantic, looking for me. It was well dark when we got back, having been given the fares home by Grandma.

— Hon. Alderman Bob Carden, now 88 years old

Learning the Trades

May 25 2026

I did learn a number of skills during my time at the Building School, as it was known — among them, bricklaying and carpentry.

However, what I enjoyed the most was going to the Technical Institute at Preston Drove. Here, I learnt how to file a piece of metal to shape and, later on, got to operate a basic machine tool. Basic use of measuring equipment was to stand me in good stead when getting my first job of work.

Mr Tester's Lesson

I still remember the teacher, Mr Tester, and my lasting memories of him were, "Right oh chaps, tools away, work away, and brush down, please." Followed by, "Three steel rules still missing."

Interviewed at the CVA

I didn't think that would land me my first job, but it did. I wrote to two: the Power Station and the CVA, Portland Road. I failed on the Power Station but got the CVA one.

At the Power Station, my father showed them my reports, which were rubbish, and that was that. I went on my own to CVA, leaving my reports at home, and I was interviewed by George Blacklaws, Works Superintendent.

He produced a 0 to 1 micrometre, asking me to tell him what it was set at. Clever me — thanks, Mr Tester — I got my first job, where I was to stay for the next 30 years

First Day and Safety Talks

May 26 2026

At last, in September 1954, I started work at CVA No. 1 factory, Portland Road. I wasn't in a smart warehouse coat like most, but in one of my dad's cut-downs as usual.

The first talk was on safety, given by Mr Beddard, and his topic was: if you drop something, let it go — the main thing is not to hurt yourself. The Training School being at the end of E Block, we were then introduced to the instructors: John, Mr Adfield, and his assistant, Mr Fred Peters.

Becoming an Auto Setter

I was pleased to receive my first pay cheque of a little over £3. Whilst doing my time at the school, I was one day a week seconded to the Auto Tryout section to make cams. So commenced my career as an Auto Setter.

I was then moved to work at No. 5 factory, to work on the assembly of the world-famous CVA No. 8 Auto. I spent the rest of my career, including a spell in the Cam and Tool Design Office, becoming a specialist on this world-famous product.

— Hon. Alderman Bob Carden (I have my indentures somewhere)

Marrying the Lovely Merle Maile

May 27 2026

Meeting at the Swiss Cottage

As I normally did on Saturday night, I went out for a drink with my best pal, Norman Medlock. With some other friends, we found ourselves at the Swiss Cottage in Shoreham. Here, we met up with a group of young ladies from Central Brighton. At the end of the evening, I was the odd one out as usual, going home on my own.

A few days later, I met up with Norman, and he said that Merle didn't like that guy who took her home. "Would you be interested?" I thought, as I am on my own, I might as well.

The Ultimatum and Engagement

We courted for about two years and I got an ultimatum: either we get married, or I am going on the cruise ships as a stewardess. We got engaged with a little party at the Beehive, Trafalgar Street, Brighton.

The Struggle for a Mortgage

Then was the house-hunting bit. My dear mother was an invalid, and we lived at Valley Road at the time. She spotted new houses for sale at Mile Oak in the Argus. I went down on Saturday morning and they had all been sold. However, I was asked if I would go on standby if anyone dropped out.

As luck would have it for us, they did. Then, as first-timers, we had to get a mortgage. After crying into the tea of my Works Manager, Jock Cranston, I did get a rise in salary. It was an almighty struggle, but we made it: £2,450 and £80 a year leasehold. This is yet another occasion where my name has carried me through, but we will leave it there.

A New Home

We were married on the 26th of October, but the house wasn't ready until the following April. This my mother enjoyed, as Merle would lay on the bed next to her, reading to her.

I will stop for a while as I have a builder here working.

— Hon. Alderman Bob Carden

Our Last Move Was 1977

May 28 2026

The Brighton Bypass Campaign

We moved from the middle of Mile Oak to the edge — a nice little bungalow with excellent views, just right to retire to. However, what they forgot to tell us was what they were just about to announce: the proposed route of the Brighton Bypass.

Well, the Anti-Brighton Bypass Association was formed and I was appointed its deputy chairman. A cut-and-cover was proposed for Southwick Hill. This we argued strongly against, and eventually, a tunnel was proposed and finally constructed.

Family Loss and New Friendships

I had a noise machine installed at my house by the council to record the noise levels as they were working at night. When the digging finished, the council arranged for the recorder to be removed one morning.

However, whilst waiting for them, I received a phone call from my stepmother in Melrose Avenue to tell me my dad had just passed away. I was due to take him to Whitehawk to visit his brother Charles. It was during that period I met and made a very good friend of Adam Trimingham of the Evening Argus.

With the building of the bypass, I was introduced to the life of politics.

— Hon. Alderman Bob Carden

Councillor Bob

May 29 2026

Following in Father's Footsteps

My father had been a Portslade Labour Councillor in the fifties, and I was well over the moon to follow in his footsteps. I was extremely lucky to have a very good friend in Leslie Hamilton Junior to lead me in the right direction. I was asked to be the last Mayor of Hove before we joined with Brighton.

Being still employed, I asked Maurice Pound, MD at Le Carbone where I worked, how he felt about it, and I was given a definite "No."

Buckingham Palace and the Planning Committee

However, I did get my first visit to a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Free ice creams and coffee — wonderful. Policemen on the roof with rifles, public toilets in huge tents with Buckingham Palace-style furniture. What an experience, my first of three to the Palace.

Serving on the Planning Committee

I always seem to, for some reason, wind up on the Planning Committee, and did so for my entire councillor career. I was on the committee that gave permission for the Goldstone Ground to be developed.

Combining with Brighton

We move on another step when we combine with Brighton. From this move, I had more opportunity of advancement: more Labour councillors, so more chances of a good position. I was back on the Planning Committee, with Police and Public Safety as well.

This got me into Brighton Police Station and to become a prison visitor as well. I also had a fast police car drive to a problem in Western Road.

Back to the Planning Committee, I chaired the meeting that approved permission for the new football stadium at Falmer.