
James Gray: The Flying Dutchman Inn, at the corner of Howard Road, photographed on 17 May 1970. The Elm Grove Estate, in this area, was laid out in 1853-54 and straight away the Inn was built. It is listed in the Brighton Directory for 1855. However, soon after the photograph was taken, and with a licensed life of 115 years, the building was delicensed, and it has since been a private dwelling. jgc_27_002
James Gray: The rear view of the Almshouses from Islingword Road, with a glimpse of Park Crescent across the way. Year, 1964. There is talk of removing these very old houses, some dating from 1796 and redeveloping what is now a valuable site. jgc_20_046
2018: The almshouses survived and have been updated since 1964. The main change since then has been the provision of kitchen and bathroom facilities. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: The Admiral Napier Inn, 4 Elm Grove, in 1934, shortly before being rebuilt. This was not a very old building, dating from the early 1860s. jgc_27_107
2018: The style suggests the pub (currently called The Admiral) was rebuilt in the 1930s. The size and frontage suggest much of the original structure was retained but with the façade rebuilt. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Removing the original Elm trees, work in progress. Planting of these trees started in March 1852. They were the gift of the Earl of Chichester, who also provided the large trees surrounding the Level. I am not sure of the year of their removal, though, from memory, I think it was 1938 or 1939. The present trees date from after the 1939/1945 war. The scene is outside Elm Grove School. jgc_27_130
2018: No significant changes. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Two photographs of 19 May 1985. Church and foundation stone. This church, in Elm Grove, replaced an earlier iron church often referred to as “the church on the cabbage patch”. When it was opened on 25 August 1901, it had been built on waste ground at the corner of Whippingham Road. The present building was completed in 1933 and continued in use until 1980, the last service being held on 27 April. The cause of its closure was said to be danger from blue asbestos ceiling. Unused for many years thereafter, it has now undergone reconstruction and is likely to be converted to residential flats. jgc_27_145
James Gray: Laying the tram rails at the junction with Queens Park Road, in 1901. To the right can be seen the workhouse, now the General Hospital. The row of houses to the left is St Helens Road and beyond can be seen Race Hill Mill. jgc_27_151
James Gray: A photograph of 1901, very similar to the previous one [see jgc_27_151 above], and probably taken within a few minutes of it. jgc_27_152
2018: The tram lines have been removed. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)