James Gray: Until comparatively recent times, this was a fairly narrow road, with few houses. In 1928, when the east side was incorporated in Brighton, there were only 12 houses beyond Hazleden’s Nursery, while across the road the last house was Tongdean, with the farm beyond. Some widening was carried out in the 1930s and to other stretches at different times in the 1950s as more houses were built. This photograph of 1958, shows in the distance the last portion of the old narrow road which then existed for about 100 yards, but which has since been widened. The widening was all on the south side. jgc_26_003
2018: Very little has changed except the road has been widened and the trees are much larger.
James Gray: See caption to jgc_26_ 003 above. jgc_26_004
2018: The wall on the right (Brighton) side has been removed and there is a landscaped area before the bungalows of The Beeches and houses of Hazledene Meads on the former Hazleden’s Nurseries site. On the left (Hove) side the wall protects the back gardens of the houses in Chalfont Drive, formerly the site of Dr Barnardo’s Home. Behind the parked blue VW Golf is one of the older houses, Stanton Lodge, now about 100 years old but heavily modernised. Behind the beige mobile phone mast is the northern entrance to Chalfont Drive. (Photographer: Hugh Robinson)
James Gray: These two photographs, of 1965, show the extent of the long frontage to the Nurseries. Note the absence of traffic in this quiet and select road, quite different from the mass of vehicles which now use it as a short cut to the Brighton by-pass. jgc_26_031
2018: The 1965 photo shows the monkey puzzle tree in front of the Hazelden’s bungalow, Fairhaven is behind the sign, with the Den to the right.
James Gray: These two photographs, of 1965, show the extent of the long frontage to the Nurseries. Note the absence of traffic in this quiet and select road, quite different from the mass of vehicles which now use it as a short cut to the Brighton by-pass. jgc_26_032
2018: The 1965 photo shows the monkey puzzle tree in front of the Hazelden’s Bungalow, the large tree at the entrance. The large house is Tagdown 24 Dyke Road Avenue and the tall monkey puzzle tree is in the front garden of No 26.
James Gray: I have my doubts about this photograph. It is said to be a photograph of Dyke Road Avenue, about 1900, looking south-east towards Tivoli Crescent. This could well be, with the long wooden fence enclosing the extensive gardens of the Den (see later pages), but I do not vouch for this. jgc_26_038
James Gray: This photograph dates from 1912. This road has now changed out of all recognition but it seems that the view is towards the walled-in Hazleden’s Nurseries with the footway on the Brighton side of the road. jgc_26_039
2018: The entrance to Hazeldene Meads is a few yards ahead on the old garden of The Den. In the distance on the right can be seen the front garden walls of 22, 24 and 26 Dyke Road Avenue. The whole of the left side has been built on now. The last big development in Chalfont Drive and Ash Close, just past the big tree by the traffic island in the middle of the road, was by Buntings in the 1960s. (Photographer: Hugh Robinson)
James Gray: The flower seller stands in Dyke Road, at its junction with Withdean Avenue. Period unknown, but could be either just before or soon after the 1914-1918 War. Until April 1928, this was just outside the Brighton boundary and Dyke Road Avenue was narrow and largely undeveloped. The terminus of the Dyke Road tramway was a few yards to the south-east. Note the old style pillar letterbox against the fence to the right of the gas lamp. jgc_26_057
2018: The spot at which the woman is standing is exactly on the then boundary between Brighton and Steyning East Rural District.
James Gray: These photographs [see also jgc_17_119 and 120 below] showing the extensive area occupied by this house and grounds were taken in 1963, just before demolition of the buildings commenced. There is some doubt about the date of this house. It is first mentioned in the 1897 Directories, but at one time it had the old entrance gates of Chain Pier esplanade, removed in 1871, so the house may have dated from about that period. For many years before its removal, Dr. Barnado’s Homes occupied it. The estate is now being developed with smaller detached houses. jgc_17_118
James Gray: See caption for jgc_17_118 above. jgc_17_119
2020: In this case the James Gray image looks north towards the main entrance to Furze Court. Note the front entrance canopy on the right, facing east towards towards Dyke Road Avenue. The 2020 photograph again shows from left to right 11, 9 and 7 Chalfont Drive. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)
James Gray: See caption for jgc_17_118 above, jgc_17_120
2020: The 1963 image of Furze Court looks west towards the top entrance near Dyke Road Avenue. The 2020 photograph also looks west across Dyke Road Avenue from its junction with The Beeches towards the walled rear gardens of from left to right 1, 3 and 5 Chalfont Drive. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)
James Gray: Two large houses which almost faced each other across this road. This photograph shows Furze Court on the Hove side, April 1963. Later removed and developed by Buntings with expensive, detached houses. jgc_26_023
James Gray: The large house Furze Court, photographed in the 1960s. Since demolished and replaced by the houses of Bunting Estate. jgc_26_025
2018: Another view of the back of houses in Chalfont Drive, behind the brick wall in Dyke Road Avenue. (Photographer: Hugh Robinson)