Hove Park

James Gray: This formed part of an ancient footpath leading from the Chalybeate at Wick, over the railway and across the Old Shoreham Road, through farmland later Hove Park and ending at West Blatchington. For many years this stretch west of the park was enclosed between high hedges but was fenced when the Greyhound Stadium was built in 1928. The footpath was photographed in both directions on 14 June 1964. jgc_36_004

James Gray: The Public Opening of Hove Park by the Mayor, Alderman Bruce Morison, 24 May 1906. The scene is of course on Old Shoreham Road. The heavy iron railings were removed in July 1938 and the distant wooden fence that enclosed the park went four years earlier, in 1934. jgc_17_038

James Gray: The contrasting scene [with jgc_17_038] 62 years later. Looking across Old Shoreham Road to where the old entrance gates had been. Only two of the brick pillars remain, the others having gone with the railings in 1938. The difference in the size of the trees makes an interesting contrast. Date of photograph – 28 July 1968. jgc_17_039

James Gray: Four early photographs of Hove Recreation Ground and Hove Park. Three of these date from before 1910, while the fourth is probably of the 1920s. Additional Information: The Enclosure, Hove Park. jgc_17_042

James Gray: The opening of the Park in 1906. jgc_17_043

2018: Things have changed! The houses on Goldstone Crescent have been rebuilt. The houses south of Old Shoreham Road largely remain. On the extreme right is now Burger King.

James Gray: Another view. jgc_17_045.

2019: Hove Park covers 40 acres and is a mix of open grass, now left to grow longer, trees and sports facilities including tennis and bowls. There are also now 12 orienteering courses, a basketball court and a popular Saturday morning 5 km Parkrun. Many flower beds have been grassed over as the council can no longer afford to use formal bedding plants which need changing annually. Informal perennial planting is now preferred.

James Gray: This photograph was taken in 1921 when an exhibition of cars and other motor vehicles was held in the Park. The promoters of this were Hartley and Midgeley Ltd. of Preston Road, Brighton the predecessors of the Endeavour Motors. The site can easily be identified today nearly 50 years afterwards. jgc_17_046

James Gray: This photograph, from an unknown year prior to the 1914-18 war, shows the original fountain that stood just inside the entrance gate from the Old Shoreham Road not far from the present rose garden. I do not know when the fountain was removed but it was many years ago. jgc_17_047

2019: The rose garden is no longer present. The railings are hidden in the hedge. Further north in the park a labyrinth is set in the turf. (Photographer: Jane Cheema)

James Gray: Two photographs (jgc_17_049 and jgc_17_050) which show the majestic trees, which encircled the park, before the disastrous Great Storm of October 1987. Very few of these now remain, though extensive replanting is taking place. Looking south-east, beyond the refreshment building, to the junction of Goldstone Crescent and Old Shoreham Road, in the winter of 1966-67, which accounts for the absence of many people. jgc_17_049

2019: This popular cafe was built in 1925. There are plans to demolish it and replace it with a larger, Japanese inspired building, complete with pizza oven. (Photographer: Jane Cheema)

James Gray: Another winter view, this time in March 1970, looking south to Old Shoreham Road and the Albion F.C. ground, with Park View Road at the right. Had these photographs been taken in the summer the full effects of the loss would have been enhanced. jgc_17_050

2018: About two-thirds of the trees in the park were toppled in the storm of October 1987. Major replanting was undertaken so this is still a pleasant path. Old Shoreham Road is no longer visible from this point in Hove Park. The park building and surrounding greenery have gone. The park bench to the right of the main path appears to have survived. On the extreme right in both photos is the only detached house in Park View Road, Warwick House, No 15, which I have been told was erected by the builder for his own occupation. It stands in a double width plot alongside pairs of semi-detached houses. The sign on the left by the railings points the way to Hove Park Cafe. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)  

James Gray: This geological sarsen stone formerly stood for many years at farmland at Goldstone Bottom, probably where the railway goods yard is today. About 1834 Farmer Rigden, annoyed by repeated visits to his land by archaeologists, had it buried. At the end of last century there was a local agitation for it to be recovered but only one man, a Mr Hollamby then a very old man, could remember where it had been buried. After some searching, it was brought to light on 29 September 1900. Since 1906 it has been in its present position in Hove Park. jgc_17_052

James Gray: The history of the Goldstone is too well known to need retelling. After its discovery by William Hollamby in 1900 it was moved to its present position in Hove Park, in time for the opening on May 24 1906.  jgc_17_053

2018: The Goldstone weighs about 18 tonnes and is roughly 4 metres long, 2.7 meters high and 1.7 metres wide. It is set in a ring of smaller stones which are still partially buried, probably to protect them. (Photographer: Jane Cheema) 

James Gray: This and the following photograph are probably of this period and show the wooden fence which for many years enclosed the park. jgc_17_054

2018: View of the Goldstone looking north west to Park View Road. (Photographer: Jane Cheema)

James Gray: This postcard, postmarked 1919 was doubtless taken during that year. jgc_17_055

2018: The Goldstone is still in the same place, surrounded by a circle of low railings, but the stones around it are still partially buried. The park building, which was behind the farthest bench in the distance in the 1919 photo, has gone.

James Gray: A photograph of the arrival of the tank “Hova” in Hove Park, on 23 September 1919. Technically known as a Mark 1V Female, it was in action at Messines and Arras, and was presented to the town by the Army Council. It stayed in the Park for eighteen years, being disposed of as scrap metal in 1937. jgc_17_059

2018: Hove Park has changed a good deal since 1919. Many of the trees were felled during the Great Storm of October 1987 so it is difficult to find the location of the 1919 image.