Brighton Central Seafront: Images on the beach (4)
between East Street and Palace Pier
James Gray: This is the view of the beach that would have been seen from Junction Houses [see jgc_04_030 on the Grand Junction Road page] in 1875. The Aquarium promenade groyne was built in the following year, 1876. jgc_04_031
2020: The view of the beach on this sunny day in 2020 is dominated by sunbathers. No boats are in sight. In the distance is the Palace Pier while the West Pier is just visible in the 1875 photograph. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: A boatman of the 1860s and his rowing boat with a number of bathing machines removed to the pavement for safety. The original photograph was so indistinct that the only clue to the location is the flight of wooden steps that I can find on another clearer view. The beach is that opposite the Palace Pier Hotel, then known as the Junction Houses. jgc_04_028
James Gray: The East Groyne and beyond, the West Pier. Period unknown. jgc_04_075
2020: The modern image shows the same scene at midday rather than sunset. The East Groyne has become the ‘Doughnut’ Groyne, named after the green sculpture seen sideways on here. In the background, the West Pier lies in ruins. A few brave souls venture into the water. The sun is shining in May but it’s still not very warm. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: No comment. jgc_04_087
2020: The Aquarium Promenade Groyne was built in 1876 and renamed the Albion Groyne in 1892. In December 2019 the groyne, now a Grade II listed structure, was badly damaged, and the end wall had to be replaced. On a calm day at low tide, it is difficult to image the storms which can batter this coast. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Another familiar figure at that time was the cockles and whelks stall, banished from the beach since the 1930s. jgc_04_021
2020: The original image shows a stall selling cockles and whelks at the shore end of what was then the Aquarium Promenade Groyne. Gray’s reference to these seafood sales being ‘banished from the beach’ is no longer true, as this updated image demonstrates. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: [This photograph] must date from the 1870 period, or thereabouts. The lady with the white dotted dress provides a vivid contrast with all the others more sombrely clad. jgc_04_015
James Gray: View from beach looking east. jgc_04_088
James Gray: No comment. jgc_04_023 and jgc_04_024
James Gray: No comment. Additional Information: A lot of litter, even then! jgc_04_025
James Gray: The motley crowd on the beach with their reach-me-downs and bare feet were working-class kids singing for pennies, and keeping a wary eye open for any policeman who might appear to disperse them. Photographer: Philippe Garner. Additional Information: Ruff. jgc_04_027
2020: See also jgc_04_026 on the Grand Junction Road page.
James Gray: Summer 1899, and the view of the newly opened pier from the East Street Promenade Groyne, itself built in 1867. jgc_04_068
2020: There are many images in this collection of or from the East Street Groyne, now nicknamed Doughnut Groyne after a modern sculpture of that shape was erected there in 1998. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Photographs [jgc_04_111, 112, 113 and 114] by George Ruff, Junior taken between 1900 and 1904. The children seen here were on the concrete hard, immediately to the east of the Palace Pier, the Tea Rooms adjoining the terminus of Volk’s [Railway]. jgc_04_111
James Gray: Photographs [jgc_04_111, 112, 113 and 114] by George Ruff, Junior taken between 1900 and 1904. Children on the steps leading down to the Aquarium Groyne. jgc_04_112
James Gray: These photographs [jgc_04_111, 112, 113 and 114] were the work of George Ruff, Junior who specialised in the photography of children, particularly those of the poorer classes as illustrated here. He took these photographs during the period 1900-1904. jgc_04_113 and jgc_04_114
James Gray: Urchins singing for pennies were a common sight in those days. Their principal pitch was just to the east of the Fish Market, as seen below, as from there were several easy escape routes when a policeman inevitably came into view. They reaped a regular harvest on summer evenings when visitors threw down pennies to watch the ensuing scramble for them. Other pitches were on the slope opposite East Street and the Palace Pier, but here they were more vulnerable to the Law. The Welfare State seems to have put an end to all this. jgc_04_020
James Gray: No comment. jgc_04_086
2020: Bathing costume fashions have moved on but there are still swimmers braving the chilly Brighton water. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: View looking east from the beach. jgc_05_082
James Gray: Two photographs of the Chain Pier, which emphasises the fragile nature of the structure. They make it seem that it was quite a hazardous feat just to walk along the flimsy decking. Period probably the early 1890s. jgc_05_083
James Gray: View looking east. jgc_05_085
James Gray: No comment. jgc_05_095
James Gray: No comment: jgc_05_096