Hangleton Way

James Gray: Said to be a photograph of oxen ploughing land between West Blatchington and Hangleton, just north of the old Hangleton Road (the site of the present Sunninghill Council Estate). Period between 1900 and 1910. I have not been able to verify either the location or the period. jgc_36_026

2019: The 1892 photo was taken on farmland which is now covered by the Sunninghill Estate. The 2019 photo was taken from Clarke Avenue, close to its junction with Bramber Avenue, looking north across the communal green to the houses in Henfield Way. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)

James Gray: These photographs [this one and jgc_37_001 on the Hangleton Link Road page], taken on 9 June 1890, show a part of the extensive Hangleton Farm which in those days extended from the church down to the Old Shoreham Road, and westwards to the ridge which is now Foredown Drive, Portslade. The land in the foreground is now part of the West Hove Golf Course. On the ridge can be seen a glimpse of Hangleton Mill, while the long hedge is there to this day. jgc_37_002

James Gray: North east from Sherbourne Road to Spencer Avenue and Poplar Avenue. jgc_37_060

2018: This view, take from St Helen’s Green, looks diagonally north-east across to Spencer Avenue and Poplar Avenue.

James Gray: At the period when these photographs were taken [see also jgc_37_017 on the Mile Oak Road page], Hangleton was just a country hamlet about one mile from the nearest built-up area. Only the first six houses on the west side of Hangleton Road had been built, whilst on the opposite corner was a rubbish tip, much frequented by rats.

James Gray: Ladies walking south towards Portslade along the rural Hangleton Road. Hangleton Manor Farm can be seen in the distance. Period is not known, but the picture obviously dates from before the 1914/18 War. jgc_37_040

2019: The built-up area of Hangleton now stretches for a mile to the north. In the foreground is Hove Park Lower School. It was formerly Knoll Secondary School for Girls. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: The Downs at Portslade. A distant view of Hangleton Farm. jgc_37_050

2019: In the foreground stands Hove Park Lower School. Behind that is housing and then Greenleas Park. The farm stood at the far end of the park. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: Apart from this house, which still stands, nearly all the other buildings have been removed. jgc_37_052

2019: The ground floor of the house is used as football changing rooms. The upstairs is occupied as a flat. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: Despite the encroachment of the housing tide throughout the 1930s the farm remained in use during the War and until 1954 when it was given up. Greenleas playing fields now cover part of this site. jgc_37_058

2019: In the foreground is Greenleas Park. In the middle ground are the playing fields of Hove Park Lower School. Behind that is Sainsburys supermarket. The allotments top left of the 1948 image are now covered by trees. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: Farm Cottages, Hangleton. When first built they must have been a mile from the nearest houses at Portslade. jgc_37_061

2019: The farm cottages replaced by the church hall. Part of the farm wall remains. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: Three photographs [jgc_37_082, 083 and 084] of the same area, the gate post being the common feature. March 1952. The derelict gate at the spot where the road from Hangleton crossed the old Dyke Railway. Formerly the railway lines ran just in front of these two posts, but were removed about 1940. jgc_37_082

2019: The road is now completely lined with buildings. The Downsman pub is being demolished to be replaced by flats. In July 2019, the pub sign can be seen above the builders’ fencing. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: Three photographs [jgc_37_082, 083 and 084] of the same area, the gate post being the common feature. April 1955. Three years later, the gate was still there but Hangleton Way had been extended and cut through land, formerly part of the Brighton and Hove Golf Course. The Hove Corporation acquired 22 acres of the course for housing purposes in 1952. On the vacant land behind the picket fence, archaeologists had recently uncovered remains of the mediaeval village of Hangleton. jgc_37_083

2019: The old gatepost in the original image has gone, and there are more houses. The Downsman public house on the left in the original images of this area has been demolished and new flats and houses are being built. (Photographer: Jan Sinkfield)

James Gray: March 1958. Another three years [after jgc_37_083] and the gate has gone, though one post still remains. The buildings to the left of the road were a private enterprise development and the Downsman Pub had been opened about a year earlier. jgc_37_084

2019: The gatepost in the original image has gone, and the Downsman pub, built in 1957, on the left of the original image, has been demolished. New houses and flats are being built here. (Photographer: Jan Sinkfield)

James Gray: Contrasting photographs [jgc_37_094 and 095 below]. In the 1920s, the country lane wending its way up to Hangleton Church (far distance). From just about the present entrance to Hangleton. jgc_37_094

2019: The country lane is now well within suburban Hangleton. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

James Gray: Two photographs [jgc_37_098 and jgc_37_099] of the vacant land in Hangleton Way on 20 January 1969. For many years after most of this road had been made up, this large frontage was left undeveloped. Probably with this in mind, that a range of shops would be required.

James Gray: Two photographs (jgc_37_098 and jgc_37_099) of the vacant land in Hangleton Way, on 20 January 1969. For many years after most of this road had been made up, this large frontage was left undeveloped. Probably with this in mind, that a range of shops would be required. Following the erection of many houses in the valley west and north of Hangleton Church these shops were built later in 1969.

James Gray:  Two of these scenes have changed out of all recognition during the last 15 years as many houses, a school and other buildings have been erected where were once these fields. Easily recognisable – Hangleton Church, the white house (still there) and the large barn, now demolished.  jgc_37_053

2019: See caption for jgc_37_056 and 057 below.

James Gray: The last train on the Dyke railway ran on 31 December 1938 and these photographs of the permanent way some thirty years afterwards. They were taken in January 1969. As can be seen they were in the vicinity of Buckley Close with houses on a private estate covering the fields to the south-west. If building is halted here, as is the present intention, then the scene may look the same in 50 years time, but having seen the tide of buildings sweep in one and a half miles from the Old Shoreham Road in the last 40 years I am not optimistic. jgc_37_148

2019: Trees now line the route of the Dyke Railway Trail, obscuring the buildings of Buckley Close on the right (east) and Honey Croft on the left. The tree line and buildings end when the Trail crosses the bypass. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)

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James Gray: See jgc_37_148 above for caption. jgc_37_149

2019: See caption above for jgc_37_148

James Gray: These photographs date from 7 June 1890, and show sheep shearing at the farm, and above, newly shorn sheep. jgc_37_003

James Gray: Sheep shearing in progress at Hangleton. Dated by the photographer himself as 7 June 1890. jgc_37_005

James Gray: Another view. jgc_37_006

James Gray: More scenes at the sheep shearing on 7 June 1890. jgc_37_007

James Gray: Another view. jgc_37_008

James Gray: Another view. jgc_37_009

James Gray: Fortunately for the historian, the photographer responsible for all these Hangleton Farm pictures dated each one of them. The sheep shearing was on 7 June 1890. jgc_37_010