James Gray: From Preston Drove in 1912, looking towards the houses in Gordon Road and in the distance those in Loder Road. On the skyline the trees of Hollingbury Court. jgc_20_136
2018: The foreground view is little changed, apart from the cars; now in the distance are Varndean School and houses in Friar Road. (Photographer: Max Page)
James Gray: There have been great changes in this area during the past 40 years. Balfour Road, named after the Prime Minister, was projected in 1901 and built up as far as No 148 on the east side, by 1914. These photographs [jgc_20_137 and 138] were taken from the window of No 134 in 1921, and the road remained in this rough condition for a few more years. By 1927, the road, still in rough condition, had been carried through to Ditchling Road (Varndean Girls School was built in 1926) and three more houses had been built. All the present houses had been built and the road made up by 1934. The ground within the wooden fence was then the playing field of York Place School. Balfour Road School was built on the adjoining field in 1925. To the left can be seen the buildings and ricks of Varndean Farm then farmed by Jesse Hobden. Surrenden Road is on the skyline, with the solitary house, Maycroft, nowadays screened by trees. Varndean Boys School was built in the meadow below this house, in 1932. To the right note the small trees flanking Ditchling Road, the farm buildings where Friar Road is now, and the Hollingbury Court Estate with the roof of the house just visible among the trees. jgc_20_137
James Gray: A continuation of the view from the window of 134 Balfour Road. [See caption for jgc_20_137 above.] jgc_20_138
2019: See caption for jgc_20_137 above. (Photographer: Andrew Renaut)
James Gray: Way back in 1923, high up on the South Downs beyond Surrenden Road, this house was built for the late Mr. Jesse Hobden, who was then farming at Varndean. The area around the house was known as Upper Varndean Farm to distinguish it from the main Varndean Farm, down by Loder Road. Just how remote this house was at that time can be judged by photograph [jgc_20_209] on [another] page.