Brighton Central Seafront: Images on the beach (2)
between West Street and East Street: general views of the beach and lower promenade
James Gray: A selection of snapshot photos taken by a French visitor to Brighton in 1933 and 1934. The Fish Market beach seems to have had a special attraction for him as, with one exception, they all show the beach. An interested crowd on the promenade watch the pulling-up of boats by the old wooden capstans and poles. jgc_03_087
James Gray: Pierrots performing on the beach, a little to the west. The exact year is not known but it is thought to date from the late 1890s. jgc_03_002
James Gray: Donkey rides. jgc_03_006
James Gray: In this view can be seen the large ornamental drinking fountain, provided by Mr. C. W. Catt, and opened by unveiling on 19 August 1890. jgc_03_007
James Gray: Beachcombers hoping for a lucky find, late 1930s. During the depression years of the Thirties, this was a common site but the Welfare State of later years seems to have done away with all this. jgc_03_008
2020: The modern image of a metal detectorist at work on a sunny morning on an otherwise deserted beach. The background is now the Brighton Palace Pier, rather than the derelict West Pier. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: A view of the same beach, but looking in the opposite way, in the summer of 1919. Note the number of the old wooden seats, which were still in use. jgc_03_009
James Gray: Why is the beach so bare and devoid of people? For the benefit of posterity this is one of the rare wartime photographs, taken between 1940 and 1945. The beach was mined and wired as anti-invasion measures while the gap, which was cut in the West Pier deck, can clearly be seen. jgc_03_010
James Gray: [View from the West Pier] No comment. jgc_01_151
James Gray: The long stretch of beach between the Grand Hotel and East Street has been without groynes for as long as one can remember, if in fact there have ever been any here. This led to continued erosion that reached a climax during the autumn gales in October 1967. At this time the beach was so swept away as to reveal parts of the foundations of the lower promenade and of the arches by which King’s Road was successfully widened. These three photographs of 27 October 1967 [see also jgc_03_022 and 023 on the Brighton Central Seafront: images on the beach (1) page] show the extent of the erosion, which resulted in several of the arches being flooded by seawater at high tide. As a result, Brighton Corporation decided to erect three wooden groynes along this unprotected beach and this work is now being carried out. jgc_03_021
2020: Gray’s image is one of several photographs taken in 1967 to illustrate concerns over beach erosion and flooding. More recently, the lower promenade has been developed into a series of recreational and eating areas. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: This group of little girls are seen on the sands, at low tide, in 1900. jgc_03_034
James Gray: A group on the beach by J Campbell’s bathing machines. These stood facing the bottom of West Street. Period late 1880s. Photographed by Thomas Foulkes, 174 Kings Road Arches, Brighton. jgc_03_012
James Gray: Beach scene of the 1890s showing the Brighton Lifeboat of that period. jgc_03_049
James Gray: View of the beach from the West Pier to the Chain Pier. Note the complete absence of groynes. jgc_03_070
James Gray: View of the beach and Palace Pier. Despite the postmark dates on the cards I think the photographs were taken about 1910. Additional Information: Postcard to Mrs Smith, Grand Theatre, Coventry, from her father. jgc_03_077
2020: The more recent image shows the lower promenade considerably developed, with space for relaxation, entertainment and exercise. The green object visible in the background is the modern sculpture on the East Street Groyne. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: No comment. jgc_03_090
James Gray: [One of a series of] views on the Central beach. Summer 1933 and 1934. jgc_03_096
James Gray: Views on the Central beach. Summer 1933 and 1934. jgc_03_098
2020: Although the capstans have long gone, there are some clues as to where they were. There is still an embedded concrete circle in front of the white painted structures supporting the promenade. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Another of George Ruff Junior’s little cameos of working class children at play. He took many such photographs during the period 1900-1904. The scene is on the lower promenade at the foot of the long slope down from the front opposite Black Lion Street [see jgc_03_197 below]. The iron post, supporting the railings, bearing the date 1886, is clearly seen in both photographs. jgc_03_200
2020: The arches have been opened up to form the entrance to a nightclub but the iron post (dated 1885 not 1886) remains in place. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: [Left-hand side] No comment. jgc_04_004
James Gray: These photographs [jgc_04_008 and 009] are not as old as their faded appearance may suggest. As both the Hotel Metropole and the Chain Pier are shown, they must date from between 1891 and 1896. Judging by the elevation they must certainly have been taken from the skeleton of the Palace Pier. jgc_04_008
James Gray: No comment. jgc_03_196
2020: The original 1900-1910 image shows a fine panoramic view at high tide on a stormy day, with the crowds gathering to watch the rolling waves crash onto the beach. For a contrasting perspective, see jgc_03_197 below. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: No comment. jgc_03_197
2020: In Gray’s image the tide is going out and some of the men and boys appear to have moved down to the water’s edge to beachcomb for the treasures left behind. Today, the sea still holds the same fascination on a warm and peaceful sunny morning at low tide. The main addition to the skyline is the British Airways i360 Viewing Tower, further along the beach. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: A very much later photograph [than jgc_04_005 on the King’s Road (5) page] looking west along the beach and King’s Road. The year is not known, but the bathing machines and the profusion of fishing boats, particularly those opposite Russell Street, suggest a period before the 1914-18 War and possibly as far back as the late 1890s. jgc_04_007
2020: This image looks west along the King’s Road seafront. The various buildings now comprising the Old Ship Hotel can be seen on the right (east).
James Gray: Slightly further to the east these two photographs [see also jgc_03_156 on the Brighton Central Seafront: images on the beach (1) page] were taken on the beach opposite Black Lion Street and Market Street. The upturned boats used for storage of fishing gear prior to the later building of King’s Road Arches. jgc_03_157
James Gray: Recent copies of two stereoscopic photographs, the originals of which date from the 1860s. This view has been authenticated as having been taken in 1864. The only comment needed is to remark on the clarity of this picture, taken more than 115 [in 1979] years ago. Additional Information: ©Philippe Garner. jgc_03_149
James Gray: No comment. jgc_03_089
2020: There are many images in this collection of the fishermen and their boats on the beach between Little East Street and Black Lion Street. Pictures of the men working on the capstans were always popular. In this image the fishermen have finished their work and three young boys, dressed for work or school, are enjoying the sunshine. The modern image is equally relaxed on another fine summer’s day. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Looking east from the bottom of West Street to the recently completed Palace Pier. Note the large number of wooden capstans. jgc_03_078
2020: See caption for jgc_03_077 above. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Beach scenes in 1919 [see also jgc_03_042 below]. Note the long line of capstans on which the horse, seen in the next view, toiled to draw up the boats. jgc_03_041
2020: One hundred years after the original image was taken, the fishing boats, capstans and horses have all gone and the West Pier lies in ruins. During a temporary easing of COVID-19 restrictions there is plenty of space for everyone provided they adhere to ‘social distancing’ guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. On a sunny morning in June, the cares of the world seem far away. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: A view out to sea, with sailing boats. jgc_03_029
James Gray: Beach scenes in 1919 [see also jgc_03_041 above]. Note the long line of capstans on which the horse, seen in the next view, toiled to draw up the boats. jgc_03_042
James Gray: The beach eastwards from West Street to the Chain Pier. jgc_03_146
James Gray: The ever-popular Punch and Judy show on the central beach, looking seawards in 1935. Lest it be thought that the name Prof. P Carcass was just a joke, it must be said that in the Brighton Directories of the mid 1930s No 17 Artillery Street is shown as occupied by a Professor P Car-Cass, so this seems to be a genuine name. jgc_03_080
James Gray: ‘Pitch and Toss’ on the Lower Promenade, with a marbles enthusiast beyond. Note the contrast between the old brickwork of the arches and the new bricks supporting the iron and teak railings fitted in 1886. This part of the beach has hardly altered in the past 70 years. jgc_03_145