Contrasting photographs of school life, of the middle classes, in Victorian times. This [1890] photograph shows a group of Roedean School Archery Club in the garden at Sussex Square in 1890. This was before the school moved to its present premises. Miss Millicent Lawrence, one of the Founders of the school, is the centre figure. Additional Information: Possibly not in Sussex Square, but St. Mary’s Hall sports ground, now built on. jgc_23_033
James Gray: 2-10, Bristol Gardens, on the south side, from the corner of Church Place, October 7 1962. These buildings were originally stables and coachmen’s quarters for the large mansions in Sussex Square. They were demolished in 1964 and a new terrace of houses was built there. jgc_23_055
2020: The replacement terrace of houses is still there on this now quiet residential street. (Photographer: Mary McKean)
James Gray: This Inn dates from 1871, at a time when this district was very sparsely populated, and was then used chiefly by the servants employed in the large mansions of Kemp Town. Bristol Gardens was then called Sussex Road, from its position to the rear of Sussex Square. The photograph was taken in 1927. In the following year the Inn was rebuilt and an extension to the west was built in 1930. jgc_23_078
James Gray: [Top left] This photograph shows the rear view from Anscombe’s Nurseries, also showing St Augustine’s Nursing Home. Additional Information: St Augustine’s Nursing Home was a convent for the Augustinian Sisters. It was built in 1906 and has a small chapel to the south. The house Robindene is just visible at the right-hand edge. jgc_23_073
James Gray: [Top right] The site was sold for building in 1959 and in the succeeding years the houses and flats of Prince Regent’s Close have been built here. Additional Information: Greenhouses. jgc_23_075
James Gray: [Middle right] These extensive nurseries, originally known as Bristol Nurseries, were established here in the 1850s and were taken over by the Anscombe family in 1894. To the north was the large Manor House with its extensive grounds and meadows, on which were later built the council houses in Manor Close, Manor Way and Manor Hill. jgc_23_074
James Gray: [Middle left] Looking north, period probably the 1930s, with this photograph taken a few years earlier than the next photograph. The council houses on the top skyline may be those of Whitehawk Crescent, and those at the lower level below, in Manor Hill. Additional Information: Greenhouses. jgc_23_076
James Gray: [Bottom right] A different view. Additional Information: Greenhouses. jgc_23_077