Hove Street (3)

James Gray: This is a copy of an old newspaper photograph which is why it is somewhat blurred. It shows the demolition of two ancient cottages, at the corner of Princes Avenue, in 1936. These were said to be even older than the Manor House, which they faced across Hove Street, and they were one of the last links with the old days when Hove was a fishing village. After their removal in 1936, the site was left empty for nearly 20 years before the two handsome modern detached houses were built in 1955. jgc_12_144

James Gray: The two photographs [jgc_12_148 and 149] are so dark and full of detail that the exact position wants some identifying. The circus is headed north in Hove Street, almost at the junction with Church Road. The row of houses whose backs can be seen is Connaught Road. The houses on the north side of Church Road between Sackville Road and Connaught Road had yet to be built. Photograph taken 12 August 1891. jgc_12_148

James Gray: [See caption for jgc_12_148 above.] jgc_12_149

2018: See caption for jgc_12_148 above. (Photographer: David Sears)

James Gray: This photograph could have been taken anywhere on the stretch of ground fronting New Church Road from the south, as this was the favourite site of circuses at this period. Additional Information: Llamas. jgc_12_150

2018: See caption for jgc_12_148 above. (Photographer: David Sears)

James Gray: When these two old photographs [see also jgc_13_155 of Sackville Road] passed into my possession there was no information as to where they were taken, although the dates were written beneath them. The public house, Connaught Hotel, provides an easy clue to this one. The site is at the north west corner of Hove Street and New Church Road, then almost unbuilt on. Land between Hove Street and the Aldrington boundary was often used by the circus at the turn of the century. Date of the photograph 10 August 1892. Additional Information: Elephants. Sign offers Vallance Estate land for sale.  jgc_13_154

James Gray: Two photographs of the upper part of the street. A good view of Hove Cottage and its adjoining farm building. In the distance, the backs of the shop premises in Church Road and the entrance to Sackville Road. jgc_12_158 and  jgc_13_068 [identical image]

2018: Hove Cottage, also shown in jgc_12_154 from the south-west across the long garden behind the flint wall on the left, was demolished in 1914-1915 as part of the widening and straightening of Hove Street.

James Gray: The patriotic spirit of the times can be seen by the chicken farm and vegetable cultivation on wasteland behind Church Road and on the east side of Hove Street. This view shows the backs of the houses of Lewes Terrace, Church Road and houses in Vallance Road. jgc_12_163

2018: This is one of three images [12_163, 164 and 165] taken in 1917 of land in wartime use on the corners of Vallance Road and Hove Street, opposite the Connaught Hotel, now the Connaught Pub & Kitchen. The original image, looking due east across Hove Street, was taken from a first-floor room, now in use as one of its kitchens.

James Gray: The view westwards to the Connaught Hotel and Aymer Road, showing one of the many barns still then to be found in Hove Street. jgc_12_164

2018: Today’s view looking due west towards the backs of the houses of Aymer Road. The barn, not clearly visible (if at all) in the original image, has long since gone.

James Gray: Yet another of the 1917 photographs of the wartime allotment on waste ground at the junction of Vallance Road. Hove Sorting Office now stands on this site. jgc_12_165

2018: Vallance Road was declared a public highway in 1927. This view looking north-west cannot now be replicated as the waste land shown in the foreground is covered by Vallance Hall, formerly the Post Office Sorting Office and now the offices of Engleharts Solicitors. 

James Gray: Cattle and barns at the west side of Hove Street, a few yards to the south of the Connaught Hotel. Beyond the field can be seen 1 and 3, Aymer Road, which were built in 1906. To the right of these are houses in New Church Road. jgc_12_184

2018: This relaxed pastoral image can no longer be replicated in Hove Street or, indeed, anywhere in its immediate surroundings. The few remaining spaces are, as here, being steadily infilled. 

James Gray: Two of the pioneer petrol motor buses photographed outside the Connaught Hotel in Hove Street. jgc_14_136

2018: The Connaught is now the Connaught Pub & Kitchen.  (Photographer: Steve Agace)

James Gray: Unusual tiles found in the old tithe barn, Hove Street. This formerly stood to the north of the ancient Prebend house, on ground roughly covered by the present Vallance Road. The end of this barn faced into Church Road, opposite Connaught Road, and it was removed when this part of Church Road was widened early in the century. jgc_12_141