Preston Park (B)

James Gray: A view of the carriage drive within the old railings. Period about 1912. jgc_18_049

2018: This photograph appears to have been taken from about what is now the south west corner of the Rose Garden opened in 1929. The garden hedges completely block this view. The modern photograph is taken from the north west corner of the Rose Garden. The Clock Tower is still visible. (Photographer: Helen Glass)

James Gray: This panoramic view, taken from a spot near Inwood Crescent, dates from about 1897. Across the park can be seen Preston Park Avenue, Beaconsfield Villas, Havelock Road & Waldegrave Road, all in course of building. The end two houses of Beaconsfield Villas, the backs of which can be seen, appear to be the present Nos 71 & 73. Additional information: Sunlight Laundry. jgc_18_051

James Gray: Looking south along the main carriageway, in 1897. Compare this view of the young trees with the 1922 photograph of the same trees on another page. jgc_18_060

2018: No comment. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: The small municipal bowling green – period the early 1920s. This was situated roughly where the Rose Garden is now and it disappeared when alterations to the layout of the park took place in 1928 – 1929. The house just visible beyond the trees was the Park Superintendent’s house, which is seen in several other photographs. jgc_18_062

2018: The Rose Garden replaced the bowling green.

James Gray: A rather unusual view from inside the park, looking south towards the middle gates in Preston Park, opposite Lovers Walk. It is not often that the iron railings were seen from the inside. Taken on 24 April 1908 in the snow. jgc_18_064

2018: The railings are now on the left hand side. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: This triangular clump was to be found just inside the park gates, roughly where the Rose Garden is now. jgc_18_065

2018: The Rose Garden and Rotunda cafe now dominate this section of the park. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: View of Preston Park, the period being the early years of the present century. Additional Information: Clocktower. jgc_18_066

2018: Long grass in the foreground has replaced the formal flowerbeds. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Clock Tower, in Preston Park, on 13 August 1891, in the presence of the Mayor, Alderman Sir J Ewart. The park had been opened on 10 September 1883.

The terracotta tower and clock was presented by Councillor Edward White, J P and was handed over to the town in 1892. Additional Information: An array of whiskers! and formal clothes. jgc_18_073

James Gray: These two photographs [jgc_18_078 and jgc_18_079 below] are said to date from 1896, and there is little to be seen to prove or disprove this. In this photograph the gaps in the houses of Highcroft Villas can be seen, and the few houses at the north end of Stanford Road known as Park View Terrace. There is no sign of Stanford Road Schools. jgc_18_078

2018: The cricket field shown in Gray’s image is now known as Preston Park Velodrome.  (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: This photograph is said to date from 1896. Certainly the primitive goal posts and the appearance of the players suggests the 19th century. jgc_18_080

2018: Football is still very popular. The area in the foreground of the picture is now used for children’s football matches. The hill on the horizon is now well within the built up area of Brighton. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: A view showing the mature elms and the snaking ride through. jgc_18_081

2018: Long grass has replaced the formal beds. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: In this photograph, the small building, (The Tile House) behind the canvas screening places The Brighton Corporation Tramways Band roughly in the centre of the park. The date is 27 August 1908.  jgc_18_083

2018: The Tile House (in the background of the 1908 photo) is still in place but is due for some maintenance. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: The Geneva Sports Inter House tug of war, held on the cricket ground; Preston Drove in the background. jgc_18_084

2018: The cricket ground is now known as the Preston Park Velodrome. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: A peaceful scene in the eastern side of Preston Park, with the houses of Preston Park Avenue in the background. The exact year is not known, but it was between 1900 and 1904. When the park was first laid out an imposing carriage drive traversed the entire inner perimeter, but while the north and west parts of this still remain, the drive seen here has been grassed over. I have not been able to find out when this was done, but it must have been many years ago. jgc_18_074

2018: The dry weather in 2018 exposed the line of the grassed over drive. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: These photographs [jgc_18_085, 086 and 087] were taken during the Preston Park Horse and Dog Show, in May 1930. This was styled “A Pageant of Hunting”, though little evidence of this is apparent. Additional Information: Local people dressed up. jgc_18_085

James Gray: Another similar view; four men dressed in smocks and top hats! Additional Information: Local people dressed up. jgc_18_086

2019: See caption for jgc_18_085 above. (Photographer: Jane Southern)

James Gray: See caption for jgc_18_085 above. jgc_18_087

2019: See caption for jgc_18_085 above. (Photographer: Jane Southern)