Brighton West Seafront: Images on the beach (3)
Western Esplanade and Bandstand
James Gray: East from the Western Bandstand, seems to have been taken prior to 1894 when the sea wall was built. jgc_01_082
James Gray: This photograph and the one following [jgc_01_069 on the King’s Road (1) page] were taken about 1907. Note the altered appearance of 143, 144 and 145 Kings Road, now the Salisbury Hotel. The publisher must have taken a liberty in naming this – Hove Parade – as it has always been in Brighton. jgc_01_068
James Gray: Nearly 40 years before the previous photograph, this was taken in 1898. jgc_01_071
James Gray: West from the Western Bandstand, with the sea wall built in 1894: quite a drop to the beach below. This photograph was taken in 1902. jgc_01_083
James Gray: These enclosures were, of course, in Brighton and not in Hove, as the photograph suggests. They were immediately to the west of the Bandstand and were replaced by the present sunken gardens in 1927. The statue of Peace on the Brighton-Hove boundary was set up in 1912. jgc_01_072
James Gray: Not many years separate this photograph and the previous [jgc_01_078] although the view has completely changed. The gardens were introduced after the building of the sea wall in 1894. The photograph is of the period 1918-1920. jgc_01_079
James Gray: In 1925 the gardens were supplanted by the existing boating pool, putting green and sunken garden, the outside walls being built on the concrete edge of the old sea wall. This photograph may have been taken either in 1925 or 1926. jgc_01_078
2020: This one is taken from the ramp leading to the Brighton Beach Club, formerly the Alfresco, built in 1951 for the Festival of Britain. The children’s play area and paddling pool are all locked and empty during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Putting on the enclosure. This was laid out in this form in 1884, when the bandstand was erected, and it was replaced by the present sunken garden in 1927. jgc_01_067
James Gray: A fine display of Bowler hats. jgc_01_014
2020: The lamp post in the centre of the garden in 1920 had been removed by 1922; only the ornamental base remains in the image of the putting green. A century later, this area is home to a large all-weather petanque terrain, in regular use by more informally attired but equally dedicated players of all ages.
In the background the elegant bandstand dating from 1884 has been fully restored and provides a popular location for public and private events. Behind it is the Shelter Hall, also now being restored; the road to the left [see jgc_01_073 below] provides temporary access for works traffic. In between is the 162m British Airways i360 observation tower opened in 2016 at the shore end of the West Pier. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Probably about 1920. jgc_01_073
2020: See caption for jgc_01_067 above. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Probably about 1920. In the distance this shows the two ‘Mystery Towers’, relics of the 1914–1918 war. jgc_01_074
2020: The area has now been redeveloped as a colourful and popular children’s playground and paddling pool. In the background is the bandstand, happily now restored to its original finery.
James Gray: Dating from the 1920s, this shows the King’s Road bandstand and its accompanying enclosures laid out in 1884 and remaining until replaced in 1925-28. Also seen are the bathing chalets operated by the Hatton brothers, Chris and Jim, and also a distant sight of the remaining ‘Mystery Tower’ finally removed in 1924. jgc_01_076
2020: See caption for jgc_01_074 above. The tower in the background is that of Shoreham Power Station. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Dating from the 1920s, this shows the King’s Road bandstand and its accompanying enclosures laid out in 1884 and remaining until replaced in 1925-28. Note the splendid original Abinger House, adjoining the Norfolk Hotel. jgc_01_077
2020: With the West Pier now in ruins, and with many additions to to the lower promenade, the original images cannot be fully replicated. This shows, in the same line from the West Pier, what is now the Brighton Beach Club.
James Gray: This photograph are two of the most important photographs in my entire collection. Copied from old photographs, which must have been taken before 1867, they show the south pavement of this part of Kings Road before it was walled and railed. A grassy bank then led down from the pavement to the beach below and at intervals there were small flights of steps. In this view look west to the corner of Brunswick Square and note the gap just behind Brunswick Terrace. This is the vacant plot on which was built 58, Brunswick Square, probably about 1873-74, many years after all the other houses in the Square were built. Additional Information: ©Philippe Garner. jgc_01_057 and and jgc_01_058
James Gray: 1/4. The open beach in 1890. The bandstand and accompanying enclosures, built in 1884, were then quite unprotected from the sea. jgc_01_062
James Gray: 2/4. 1901. The sea wall had been built in 1894, but at this period the front of the wall was very exposed. Additional Information: Titled “Hove Parade, Brighton”. jgc_01_063
James Gray: 3/4. About 1914. By now as a result of extensive groyning the beach had accumulated and was level with the top of the sea wall. jgc_01_064
James Gray: 4/4. 1927. The boating pool had been opened 2 years before, in 1925, the outside walls being built on the foundations of the old sea wall. jgc_01_065
2020: This set of four images chosen by James Gray shows the seafront along King’s Road taken from the West Pier between 1890 and 1927. Major buildings on the far side of King’s Road include the Norfolk Hotel, now the Mercure, the Kings Hotel, Burleigh Hall in Cavendish Place and the old Bedford Hotel.
James Gray: It is interesting to see the newly–built sea front block between First and Second Avenues but nothing between there and Cliftonville. jgc_01_150