Teenager in 'frightening' mods and rockers clashes

The Brighton disturbances in May 1964 were immortalised in the film Quadrophenia

It is exactly 60 years since violence erupted on beaches on the south coast of England with infamous clashes between mods and rockers.

Bill Ward, who was 17 at the time, said it was "very frightening" getting caught up in the tribal showdown in Brighton.

More than 1,000 youths fought each over between 16 to 18 May 1964 in Brighton, in scenes which were later immortalised in the cult film Quadrophenia.

Large groups of teenagers also committed mayhem on the rain-swept streets of resorts including Margate, Brighton, Clacton and Bournemouth.

Mr Ward, from East Farleigh, Kent, said the mods were "very violent, throwing stones at anyone on the beach".

He said he and his friends were "in the midst of large stones being hurled around" and made their escape in his 1933 Austin 10.

The teenagers, who were having a first holiday without parents, were staying in a bed and breakfast in the seaside city.

He described it as "quite an experience" getting caught up in the violence.

Clashes in Margate resulted in 64 arrests

An estimated 1,000 youths were involved in the Brighton disturbances with 76 arrests.

In Margate there were around 400 young people involved, with 64 arrests.

The mods wore designer suits protected by Parka jackets and were often armed with coshes and flick-knives.

They rode Vespa and Lambretta scooters bedecked with mirrors and mascots and listened to Ska music and The Who.

Rockers rode motorbikes, wore leathers and listened to the likes of Elvis and Gene Vincent.

Mods and rockers will be coming together in the city on Saturday to commemorate what became known as the “Battle of Brighton”.

They will shake hands, join together and serve up food and supplies to the city's homeless.

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