James Gray: Three photographs taken in 1959 during the extensive clearance of this large area. They show New England Street almost completely cleared. Also, top right, can be seen to the right the backs of some of the hovels of Elder Row. In the lower photographs the empty houses seen on the right were those on the east side of Elder Street, then about to be demolished. One photograph provides a view of a steam engine on the viaduct, even then a very rare thing. jgc_10a_171
James Gray: Two more photographs of the clearance of Elder Street in 1959, but this time in a southerly direction. The lower one shows New England Street completely cleared. Between this and Elder Street was Elder Row, also demolished. The six houses shown were numbered 72 to 77, the last one being the general shop of J E Baldock. This large site is now occupied by the industrial building, New England House. Additional Information: The former Chichester Diocesan Training College for Schoolmistresses can be seen on the far left. jgc_10a_174
James Gray: In the year 1850, not long after the coming of the railway. Building commenced on arable land between London Road and the railway. The houses, intended primarily for railway workers, were built with little regard to density per acre, the chief object seemingly being to build as many houses in a small a space as possible. A century later this area was designated clearance Area No 1 by Brighton Corporation, for slum clearance. This photograph was taken in June 1954, is from the south end of Boston Street, with a glimpse of New England Road and the Viaduct. jgc_10a_176
James Gray: In the year 1850, not long after the coming of the railway. Building commenced on arable land between London Road and the railway. The houses, intended primarily for railway workers, were built with little regard to density per acre, the chief object seemingly being to build as many houses in a small a space as possible. A century later this area was designated clearance Area No 1 by Brighton Corporation, for slum clearance. This photograph, dating from October 1955, is a view of Cross Street looking up the gaunt pillars supporting the railway works. On the opposite corner was the Merrie Harriers public house. It was previously known by the odd name, The Hippopotamus, but this was changed in 1906. jgc_10a_177
James Gray: The demolition of Elder Street in progress, 1959. The west side of the street had been cleared away, as well as Elder Row when this photograph was taken. Together they show the stark simplicity of mid-Victorian working class houses, the builders’ chief object seemingly being to cram as many dwellings as possible in a given space. In the photograph the houses seen, from left to right, were those numbered consecutively Nos 48 to 66 with the long blank wall the rear of Wilmhurst’s premises in Elder Place. Both photographs look toward New England Road and the Viaduct. jgc_10a_178
James Gray: See caption for jgc_10a_178 above. jgc_10a_179