James Gray: Looking north-west across the open ground to the west of Devil’s Dyke Road, 15 January 1939. The land in the valley, to the left, was at one time part of Blatchington Court Farm. Now, the Hove section of the Brighton by-pass runs through it. jgc_26_022
James Gray: January 1952 – the end of it all! A stretch of the old permanent way just north-east of Hangleton Farm. Now almost restored to its natural state, with only the ballast and fence left to remind it of its former glory. jgc_37_122
2019: The track has been tarmacked over and is used by dog walkers, cyclists, runners and joggers. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)
James Gray: Ploughing the triangular piece of ground adjoining the Brighton and Hove Golf Club House, now part of Golf Farm. Period mid-1920s. By the old Ford car is Devil’s Dyke Road while the Dyke Railway line is off the picture, to the left. jgc_37_124
2019: One of the few James Gray Collection images that has not changed. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)
James Gray: The Club House of the Brighton and Hove Ladies Golf Club, in 1907. This was on the other side of Devil’s Dyke Road, near the present Dyke Golf Club. It can be seen in the distance in the previous photograph [jgc_37_124], just to the left of the tractor. jgc_37_125
2019: The nine hole Brighton and Hove Ladies Golf Club was founded in 1892 but closed during the Second World War. Today, the South Downs Way passes by the site where the club house stood. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)
James Gray: Tea gardens at Dennett’s Corner, the Dyke, with the buildings of the Dyke Station in the Valley. Period unknown, but certainly before 1914. Before the coming of the motor buses a good trade was done here as all passengers and the railway had to pass here to and from the Dyke. Trade dwindled during the 1920s as buses took people straight to the Dyke Hotel and the tea rooms closed before the railway finished. Additional Information: Pot of tea, with bread & butter and cake, 6p. jgc_37_129
James Gray: The overgrown site of Golf Club Halt, in 1967. The position of the platform can be determined. Now, some 14 years later, nature has almost obliterated any trace of the railway at this spot. Compare this with the 1938 view of the halt in use [jgc_37_118]. jgc_37_141
2019: Golf Club Halt is now overgrown and there is no public access. Recent photos on the internet indicate some of the brick platform visible in the James Gray photo still remains. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: September 1945 – The grass covered site of the former Dyke Station. Less than 7 years had elapsed since the last train ran, but few traces remain to show that this had once been a station. Compare these with the previous views of the same area. jgc_37_151
2019: Where the original Devil’s Dyke railway terminus buildings once stood (not visible in either photo) now stand the farm buildings of Devil’s Dyke Farm. The grassed over railway rack is now a farm track. Various items of farm equipment are visible in the 2019 photo as is a new house. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: Scenes in the neighbourhood of the Dyke all being of the period prior to 1914. jgc_37_158
2019: A turning circle has been created for the 77 Breeze up to the Downs bus service from Brighton Palace Pier. It costs £5 return. The two white posts either side of the bridleway, each possibly topped with the figure of a wild boar, have long disappeared (see also jgc_37_170 below). (Photographer: Jane Cheema)
James Gray: Both the period and the place are unknown. I hope eventually to be able to locate the street in which this was taken, but unfortunately there is no clue. The wagonette was called ‘SAINFOIN’ and Mr. F. Mantell may have been the owner. Note the licence plate, No. 38. Numbers 1-50 were reserved for wagonettes. The journey started from a spot on the sea front between the Aquarium and the Alhambra Theatre. The route from the front was up Montpelier Road. At Old Shoreham Road, a third horse was attached to the hook at the front of the trace, for the long pull up Dyke Road, as far as the Three Cornered Copse. A halt for refreshment was made at Dyke Road Hotel. The journey from the Front to Devil’s Dyke took one and a half hours. jgc_37_156
James Gray: This old photograph circa 1910, shows the variety of sideshows assembled at the Dyke for the amusement of the visitors of those days. A trip to the Dyke, by wagonette or by train, was then a day out in the country and visitors used these diversions to while away the time until the return journey. jgc_37_170
2019: Visitors of all ages come not only to enjoy the views but for walking, paragliding, hang-gliding, kite and model airplane flying, photography, bird watching and to visit the pub and restaurant. This is part of the South Downs Dark Sky Reserve and stargazing events are held here. (Photographer: Jane Cheema)
James Gray: Other days, other habits! With the coming of the car and motor coach it became the fashion to make just a brief stop at the Dyke, admire the view and move on elsewhere. Most of these structures went with the 1914-1918 war and the acquisition of the Dyke by Brighton Corporation completed the process. This photograph shows only the trees in the same position. Even the footpath is almost gone. jgc_37_171
2019: The trees have matured and the footpath to the Devil’s Dyke valley (on the right) is well used. (Photographer: Jane Cheema)
James Gray: The photograph above [right] shows clearly the fork of the Saddlescombe and Devils Dyke Road, the chief differences from the present day being the complete absence of traffic. The signposts stand in almost the same position today and the roadways about a foot or two wider. The year of this photograph was 1903 and the grassy surface was as yet unsullied by the incursions of the cars which have worn away the grass to a chalky mess. jgc_33_215
James Gray: A fine clear photograph easily identified as the junction of the Saddlescombe and Devil’s Dyke Roads. Said to have been taken in the spring of 1938. Little changed now. jgc_37_179
2019: The road to the Devil’s Dyke has been widened and straightened to suit modern traffic. (Photographer: Jane Cheema)