James Gray: Threshing in the fields east of Toads Hole Road, part of Court farm, 6 August 1892. Most of these fields are now covered with the houses of Goldstone Valley, built by Cook Brighton Ltd. jgc_36_024
2019: Toads Hole Road is now King George VI Avenue. In the 2019 photo, looking north-east, the road can just be seen on the extreme left.
James Gray: These two photographs provide good views of the old road which linked Court Farm with Toads Hole. In the hollow by the tree can be seen the dried up bed of an old pond. This used to be full of toads so after a time this declevity came to be known as Toads Hole. The path to the left of the horses led to the downs. It is still there, asphalted, and gives access to Downland Drive. Lower down was a narrow lane to the right, which ran south-east and came out by the side of the farm bakehouse, as seen on another page. jgc_36_042
James Gray: This small photograph of Toads Hole Road dates from 1930. jgc_36_043
2018: The asphalted path referred to in the text accompanying the pre-1914 photo is still there, but out of shot in 2018.
James Gray: View of the narrow country lane that connected Toads Hole Road with the equally narrow Hangleton Road. In the valley are Toads Hole Cottages, so named after the farm pond at one time much frequented by toads. jgc_36_044
James Gray: The view from approximately the same spot, 39 years later. The wide King George IV Avenue has replaced Toads Hole Road, while the narrow lane has given way to a dual carriageway, lit by sodium lamps. The cottages still remain, however. jgc_36_045
2018: In April 2018, the buildings of Court Farm and Toads Hole Cottages have given way to the three large blocks of flats known as Goldstone Court. The entrance to the flats is from Windsor Close. To the right of the Goldstone Court flats are the houses in Goldstone Valley.
James Gray: The recently widened Toads Hole Road, renamed King George VI Avenue, and Toads Hole Cottages and farm buildings. Traces of the old road can be seen before and behind these buildings. jgc_36_105
2018: It is not possible, due to growth of trees and scrub, to take a present day photograph from the same viewpoint as in 1937. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)
James Gray: The Brighton Herald photographer Mr R Herrick took this photograph in September 1957. His telescopic lens has produced a grotesque effect, because the Co-operative Bakery in Portland Road pops up just behind Blatchington Church, while the sinister object in the background is the feeder of the new gas works beyond the canal.
James Gray: The completion of Goldstone Crescent in progress. The first section of this long, winding road, at the old Shoreham Road end, was laid out in 1927 and building proceeded slowly. It was not until more than 25 years later, in 1953, that it became fully built-up. jgc_36_136
2019: The 1953 photo looks east across the dual carriageway of Hangleton Road, close to the junction with Nevill Road, seen running just behind it. The gap in the low bushes on the central reservation allows pedestrians to cross from the path leading from the southern end of Downland Drive.
James Gray: Half a century has passed and what a change. Houses now cover the fields from which the former photograph was taken. In 1958/59 though some of the farm buildings still remained (left) and Toads Hole Cottages can be seen. The wide arterial road running uphill replaced the narrow Toads Hole Road, while (bottom right) is the present junction of the two country lanes seen in the former photograph. jgc_36_138
.James Gray: Toads Hole Valley from King George VI Avenue on 17 October 1965. The land in the foreground, previously part of Court Farm and lately farmed by Cooks, has been acquired by East Sussex County Council and will be converted to playing fields for several Hove schools. jgc_36_147
James Gray: Toads Hole Valley from King George VI Avenue on 17 October 1965. The land in the foreground, previously part of Court Farm and lately farmed by Cooks, has been acquired by East Sussex County Council and will be converted to playing fields for several Hove schools. jgc_36_148
James Gray: Junction of King George VI Avenue and Goldstone Crescent on the same day (17 October 1965). The vacant land was to have been developed years ago but in view of the heavy traffic Hove Corporation insisted that a way in must be found from Windsor Close. This was eventually accomplished and blocks of flats known as Goldstone Court have since been built here. jgc_36_149
James Gray: Building of the Goldstone Court flats in progress, March 1967. This was just about the end of the redevelopment of the former Toads Hole Farm though many more houses were later to be built on the distant high ground. Interesting to see the gradual build-up of this area. jgc_36_156