James Gray: [See caption for jgc_20_115 below.] The house just visible on the right is the old farmhouse of Harrington Farm, while that at the centre is also seen on the previous page. jgc_20_116
James Gray: Six years after the photographs [jgc_20_113 and 114] on the previous page were taken, the [Roedale] Nurseries were in this overgrown condition. 29 October 1967. Before long, however, the ground will be cleared for the building of yet another estate of Brighton Corporation houses. jgc_20_115
2018: Much of the nurseries have now been developed as the Hollingdean estate. As Gray later admits (in jgc_20_121 below), the building to the right of his photograph cannot be Harrington Farmhouse which would have been behind the photographer. (Photographer: Max Page)
James Gray: Entrance way to the old Nurseries, photographed on the same date. The houses on the right are modern Council houses that replaced old farm cottages some years ago. The iron gate pillars, bearing the date 1877 are those previously at the south end of the Level and removed here in 1923. There is a photograph of these pillars in their original location in the Ditchling Road volume. [Some confusion. Ed.] jgc_20_117
James Gray: All this ground was part of Harrington Farm, the farmhouse of which can be seen in the background of this photograph. Although the Corporation moved their Nurseries here from Lewes Road in 1923, part of Harrington Farm remained until nearly 1930. For details of the large cottage below see the succeeding page. jgc_20_119
2018: These cottages have been replaced but are still called Lower Roedale Cottages. (Photographer: Max Page)
James Gray: Two more photographs of 21 January 1968 [jgc_20_120 and 121]. From just inside the main entrance gate looking up the path leading to the self-build development on the crest. The Council housing scheme will be away to the left, up the long valley behind the cottage. jgc_20_120
2018: The Hollingdean estate has been developed. (Photographer: Max Page)
James Gray: Two more photographs of 21 January 1968. Close up view of the cottage, the last occupant of which was Mr P Harwood, foreman of the Nurseries until he retired. When first built they were two separate houses for workers on Harrington farm but made into one when the Corporation took over. Demolished during 1968. CORRECTION. Although these Nurseries may have been on part of Harrington Farm, any reference to Harrington farmhouse should be ignored. This farmhouse stood more to the south-east, on the site of Hertford Road School, and was demolished about 1927. I have never seen a photograph of this. The other building was probably at Lower Roedale where there was also a separate farm. jgc_20_121
James Gray: Four photographs of the late 1950s [jgc_20_122 and 124 on the Golf Drive page, jgc_20_123 on this page and jgc_20_125 on the Burstead Close page] which show in greater detail some of the buildings which were occupied by the Corporation’s Parks Department. No further comment necessary. jgc_20_123
2018: The old red telephone box has been replaced by a newer version, but otherwise the scene is almost unchanged. (Photographer: Max Page)
James Gray: A photograph of the late 1950s which show in greater detail some of the buildings which were occupied by the Corporation’s Parks Department. No further comment necessary. jgc_20_125
2019: It is no longer possible to gain an overall ground level perspective on the landscape seen in the original photograph. This image captures the transformation following the development of Burstead Close. (Source: Google Earth)