Brighton West Seafront : Images on the beach (2)
between Cannon Place and West Street
James Gray: I had this enlargement made [of stereoscopic photograph next] but what has been gained in size has been lost in clarity. Note the upturned boat against the wall used for storage of nets etc. jgc_01_199
2020: No fishing boats remain on the beach today, only people enjoying the sunshine. In the distance, the Palace Pier, built almost 40 years after the 1860 image. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: See previous photograph [jgc_01_199 above]. jgc_01_200
James Gray: These photographs [jgc_01_201 and 202] are of the early 1880s and it is interesting to note that there were then no arches under this part of King’s Road. At this period there were three distinct fishing fleets. The main fleet by the Fish Market, the Russell Street boats and the ‘East-Enders’ whose boats were beached by the Banjo Groyne. jgc_01_201
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_01_201 above.] jgc_01_202
Jamed Gray: These [jgc_01_203 and jgc_01_204] are copies of very old and faded photographs taken by William Cornish, a Victorian photographer, about 1860 though this date can only be guessed at. Not a great deal is known of Mr Cornish except that he lived with his father, also William Cornish chemist and druggist, at 109 King’s Road long before the Metropole Hotel was there. The scene is the beach at the foot of Russell Street showing the half upturned boat used for the storage of nets and other tackle. At this period there was a sizeable fishing fleet at this end of the beach. jgc_01_203
James Gray: See caption for jgc_01_203 above. jgc_01_204
2020: It is difficult to ascertain the precise location of the boat in the earlier image, which appears to be the same as the one in jgc_01_199 and 200. Most of the fishermen, boats, nets and capstans recorded in the James Gray collection have long since vanished. A few can still be found in front of the Fishing Museum on the lower promenade, opposite the end of Ship Street. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Fifty years after the previous old photograph [jgc_02_124] of 1858 was taken, this arena was to be found on the beach almost directly in front of where the West Battery had stood. The beach entertainers were at first styled ‘The Highwaymen’ but by the time of the 1914-18 War the troupe was known as ‘Ellison’s Entertainers’ and they remained under this title until 1929, when the site was given up and the arena removed. This photograph of uncertain period, shows few paying patrons, a common feature, which is confirmed by the study of the amateur’s snap taken in 1925. jgc_02_125
James Gray: Fifty years after the removal of the Battery, this arena was to be found on the beach almost directly in front of where the West Battery had stood. The beach entertainers were at first styled ‘The Highwaymen’ but by the time of the 1914-18 War the troupe was known as ‘Ellison’s Entertainers’ and they remained under this title until 1929, when the site was given up and the arena removed. jgc_02_126
2019: The beach arena has long gone, and today there is a basketball court and a beach volleyball court in the same area on the lower promenade. The railings, with the distinctive dolphins in the centre of each diagonal cross, are largely unchanged. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)
James Gray: Concert Party on the beach opposite the foot of Cannon Place. Exact year not known but obviously prior to the 1914-18 War. This particular pitch continued to be used for Entertainers until 1929. jgc_02_180
2019: The ramp on the extreme left from lower to upper promenade is still there, along with the lamp post (now green and cream) with the three small arches to its right. The double set of steps in the centre is unchanged, and the tall building at the bottom of West Street is now the white-painted Harbour Hotel.
James Gray: View of the beach at about the same area as the previous photograph but in the summer of 1898. The Palace Pier was then almost finished and was to be opened in the following year. Note the reference to the Bethel Arch Mission Station, which was located in an arch bearing the number 139 King’s Road Arches. jgc_01_159
2020: Gray’s image shows a Pierrot troupe in the foreground, with the Shelter Hall in the background. The building is now close to a total rebuild after becoming derelict. The shape of the rotunda has been preserved and the site redesigned as a multi-functional workspace. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Three photographs [see also jgc_01_191 and 193] of the beaches, just to the east of the West Pier. Period, the late 1890s. Nothing to call for special comment. [See the separate pages for King’s Road (2) and Brighton West Seafront: Images on the beach (1) for jgc_01_191 and 193 respectively.] jgc_01_192
James Gray: Metropole Hotel and Grand Hotel from West Pier, 1890s. jgc_01_197
James Gray: Three photographs [jgc_01_195 and 196 and, on the West Pier (3) page, jgc_01_194] of the beach, just to the east of the West Pier, in the period shortly before the First World War. The work of Hove photographer Thomas Wiles, they are probably taken between 1910 and 1914. jgc_01_195
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_01_195 above.] jgc_01_196
James Gray: This photograph provides a view of the beach from roughly opposite the bottom of West Street to the Pier. At this period there was no lower promenade, just a rough gravel path. The tall flagstaff marks the site of the West Battery, removed in 1858. The all-wooden railings were replaced by the present railings in 1886. I should think this photograph dates from about 1884 as the first covered seats on the promenade were introduced in 1883. jgc_01_198
James Gray: King’s Road, the Promenade, the beach and West Pier, period unknown. If the work at the land end of the pier was that of repairing the damage caused by the debris of the Chain Pier then it could be 1897 but I have my doubts. jgc_02_206
James Gray: As can be seen overleaf [refers to reverse of print] this is a copy of a photograph by Alexander Henderson, taken in May 1890. The only comment to make is that seldom are crowds of this size seen on Brighton beach today. Additional Information: Bowler hats. jgc_01_160
James Gray: Close-up views of the bathing chalets which were popular and well patronised because very little undressing was allowed on these beaches at this period, strictly controlled by the bye-laws. As to the pencilled remarks I can make no comment. jgc_01_075
James Gray: No comment. jgc_01_207
James Gray: No comment. jgc_01_208
James Gray: No comment. jgc_01_209
James Gray: No comment. Additional Information: Barrel balancing. jgc_01_205
James Gray: No comment. Additional Information: Ornate goat cart – Coronation model! jgc_01_206
James Gray: Views [jgc_02_160 and 161] of the front and beach, from the Grand Hotel. Though of the same spot, they must have been taken at different periods. This photograph probably dates from about 1865. jgc_02_160
James Gray: This photograph shows a much wider pavement than the previous picture [jgc_02_160], and upright posts are at the kerbside – period about 1870. jgc_02_161