Elm Grove

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: On the corner of Islingword Road at the bottom of Elm Grove. jgc_27_105

2018: Little has changed although subsequent plant growth makes this equivalent picture difficult to capture. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)

James Gray: Facing on to the Lewes Road. jgc_27_106

2018: New road junction to accommodate higher traffic levels. Shrubs obscure the almshouses. (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: A photograph of Elm Grove School in 1905. This was built in 1894. jgc_27_127

2018: Little has changed except the loss of the trees. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)

James Gray: At the main entrance to the Workhouse, in Elm Grove, the master and mistress in 1905. jgc_27_128

2018: This photograph was taken at the main entrance of the workhouse, now Brighton General Hospital. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)

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: [See caption for jgc_27_145 above.] jgc_27_146

2018: No change – the block remains in good condition. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)

James Gray: Two photographs of the early days of the trams at the top of Elm Grove. This one seems to have been taken on a Race Day, judging by the crowds. jgc_27_149

2018: Some of the old workhouse buildings facing Elm Grove were demolished in about 2010. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)

James Gray: Two photographs [see above] of the early days of the trams at the top of Elm Grove. jgc_27_150

2018: The trams have been replaced by buses and parked cars now line this part of the street. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)