James Gray: The rural scene from Woodbine Cottage, about 1904. At the foot of the newly made Natal Road were the toll-keeper’s and policeman’s cottages, also seen on other pages. Until 1923 the Brighton – Preston boundary ran down by the fence on the right, across the Lewes Road and continued over the hill as can be seen in this photograph. The land in the left distance then formed part of Harrington Farm and later became the North Brighton allotments. The houses of Hollingdean Estate now cover it. Note the forerunner of Allen West’s premises and beyond, part of the old Cavalry Barracks. jgc_28_117
James Gray: A photograph of 1956/7 looking down Natal Road showing the old Allen West’s building, the north entrance to the Barracks, the Railway cutting and beyond, early development of the Hollingdean Council estate. The pre-1923 Brighton-Preston boundary could still be made out, running up from Lewes Road to the distant horizon. jgc_28_107
2018: The barracks site is now being completely demolished. All that remains of the Allen West buildings is Mithras House, built in 1966 as an administrative and design office on land between the Lewes Road and Dewe Road. The railings of the Mithras House car park can be seen on the south side of Natal Road in the 2018 photograph. The railway embankment and Hollingdean are now completely hidden by trees. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: This modern photograph of 1955 is included so as to show the site of the old cottage. It stood where 1, The Highway is, at the corner of Natal Road. The wooden fence around Woodbine Cottage can still be seen at the top of the road. Compare this photograph of Woodbine Cottage with those on the next page (jgc_28_110 and 111). jgc_28_109
2018: The view looks remarkably similar despite the passing of over 60 years. Woodbine Cottage at the very top of Natal Road has since been replaced though. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: These two photographs (jgc_28_110 and 111) were taken in 1902, just after the house had been built. It then stood remote on the hill above Lewes Road, as the neighbouring Dewe and Redvers Roads had yet to be built. Natal road, as its name suggests, was named from the Boer War. jgc_28_110
2018: Woodbine Cottage was demolished in the late 1950s and from the original photos and description it was difficult to work out where exactly it stood.
James Gray: See jgc_28_110 for text. jgc_28_111
2018: Seer jgc_28_110 above for text. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: This bungalow on the high ground above Nesbitt Road, stood in a large field which could be seen as an open space from many parts of Brighton. I am told it was built early in the 1914/18 War, but I doubt this as it had all the features of a post war building and it was first listed in Brighton Directories in 1929. The photograph was taken from Natal Road in October 1957. Many years ago, towards the end of the last century, a Fair was held regularly at the foot of Bear Road. I am told that an elephant died whilst the fair was there and disposal of the carcass presented quite a problem. Eventually it was buried in a deep pit somewhere beneath the building on the left (now a laundry). This for the benefit of any future archaeologist who may, centuries hence, dig up some remains! jgc_28_114
James Gray: By the time of these photographs (this one and jgc_28_116), 2 March 1958, the bungalow presented a desolate appearance, as it was in course of demolition. The extent of the large field can be seen here. For some years it was used as a market garden, the produce being sold at a shop in Coombe Road. Behind the bungalow are the houses of Canfield Road. This site is now laid out for building. jgc_28_115
2018: The site once occupied by the bungalow is now completely covered by housing – the original building itself being demolished in the late 50s. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: See jgc_28_115 for text. jgc_28_116
2018: See jgc_28_115 above for text. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: This cottage, formerly the toll-keepers cottage, stood in the Lewes Road, approximately where the corner of Natal Road is. In the garden was the pound, a circular enclosure, in which were kept stray sheep and cattle from the area of Steyning Rural Council, the cottage being then outside the boundaries of Brighton Borough. The house was demolished in 1921 when the building of the South Moulsecoomb council estate commenced. On the hill in the background can be seen the wooden fence surrounding the site of Woodbine Cottage. jgc_28_108