Models made for the Exhibition of Famous Middle Street School ex-Pupils

	Model of John 'Little Wonder' Wisden, cricketer born in 1826

John Wisdon: Cricketer

Those interested in county cricket, will remember the name of John Wisden, the 'Little Wonder' - he was only 5ft. 4 1/2 in. high (and weighed only 7 stone)- who made his first appearance for Sussex in 1846.

In 1850 in the North v. South match, his off-break proved so effective that, in the second innings, he took the whole of the ten wickets, all clean bowled.

He shone as a batsman too, at times, for in the same year, 1850, he made100 runs against Kent at Tunbridge Wells, and in 1855, 148 against Yorkshire.

	Model of John 'Little Wonder' Wisden being made by Jem Ward, 2005, Middle Street School

Wisden became a pupil at the Union Schools in 1837, at the age of 11.

Wisden is still the only man in history to have achieved the feat of bowling out an entire team. Brighton bus number 863 is named after him, and he has also been commemorated on an Alderney stamp.

Tom Sayers: Prize Fighter

The famous prize fighter, Tom Sayers, whose renowned combat with the American, Heenan, is still remembered by present Middle Street pupils. Tom Sayers, who was then nine years of age, entered the school with his elder brother Robert in June, 1836.

	Model of Tom Sayers, famous prize-fighter born in 1827

The famous fight between Sayers and Heenan has been described as 'the first world championship boxing match' and was certainly one of the last great prize-fights without gloves. Tom Sayers was the English champion and had defended his title successfully four times. Heenan was a claimant to the American Heavyweight title.

It was the first real 'sporting event' to attract attention from England, France and America There were members of parliament present at the match, officers from the Navy and Army, and literary figures such as William Thackeray and Charles Dickens. According to a contemporary newspaper report:

"Sayers is only about 5ft. 8in.; his chest is not broad, nor are his arms powerful, and it is only in the strong muscles of the shoulders that one sees anything to account for his tremendous power of hitting. Sayer's lowest fighting weight was 10st. 10lb. The American towered above him."

	Model of Tom Sayer being made by Leili St Clair, 2005, Middle Street School

The fight was bloody from the beginning, and in the sixth round, Sayers broke his right arm blocking a punch. In the eighth, Heenan broke his left hand. Sayers then targeted Heenan’s eyes, and although the American dominated the fight, he was rapidly becoming blinded. In the 37th, Heenan held Sayers helpless against the ropes, which someone suddenly cut. The crowd surged inside the ring and the referee deserted, but the two bloody battlers continued for five rounds until the match ended in a draw.

The fight captured the imagination of the nation and both fighters were awarded commemorative belts and a public subscription raised over £3,000 for Sayers, awarded on condition that he would never enter the ring again. Sayers retired after the fight and died of tuberculosis and diabetes six years later. Heenan was recognized as 'World Boxing Champion'.

Models made for the Exhibition of Famous Middle Street School Stories

	Model of a teacher scared by bumble bees brought in from the marigold garden, 1850

The Garden of Marigold and Bees:

A Middle Street School pupil of the 19th century tells his story ...

In the yard of the School there was a bed of marigolds, there were always bees on the marigolds, and, with a fearful joy, we caught these and took them in to School to help the buzz and hum of the work.

The marigolds were, of course, yellow, and very often the indignant bee prisoner made his captor, or some other boy yell "Oh", and equally, of course, the yeller got the strap along with his other pain.

	Model of Teacher and bumble bees being made by Lucy McGeachin, 2005, Middle Street School

In Union Street Chapel, on Sundays, dear Mr. Goulty must have wondered where all the bees came from which buzzed about his grand old head while he was preaching; but nearly every boy had a clean handkerchief, and in it a clean, lusty bee which hied him straight for the window behind the pulpit as soon as he was freed.

Master Mr Ward Killed:

Mr. Ward lost his life on Easter Monday, 1873, through the reckless driving of one of his old pupils. A vehicle - a four-wheeled chaise - was being driven down North Street at the furious rate of some fifteen miles per hour, when it knocked down Mr. Ward, who was crossing the road at the time, and inflicted on him, such severe injuries that he expired three days after in the Sussex County Hospital, whither he had been removed.

The Coroner's jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against the driver, who was committed to the Assizes, where, being found not guilty, he was released, but only after a severe rebuke from the Judge for his careless driving. This was a sad end to a much respected old Schoolmaster.