James Gray: It is a pity that this photograph has faded because it would have revealed a rural scene in marked contrast with that of the present day. It shows the Lower Shoreham Road, or Kingsway as we now know it, just where Wharf Road leads off to Aldrington Basin. On the left can be seen the old Adur Inn, of which a large photograph appears on another page. Wish Meadow and small market gardens then separated Shoreham Road and New Church Road. Date of photograph – 27 June 1893. jgc_15_009
James Gray: The central path proved to be that which divides the two water areas of the Lagoon. The houses beyond are in Kingsway, between Norman Road and Tennis Road (left). The large house with the gable is the present 295 Kingsway, but since the War a house has been built on the corner which obscures the stack of chimneys. jgc_15_013
James Gray: Westwards from the Adur Hotel to Portslade –1924. In the far distance the houses in Errol Road. jgc_15_050
2018: The Adur Hotel, shown here advertising Smithers Ales, was built in 1859 and largely rebuilt in 1930. It retained its name until 1997 when it became known briefly as ‘330 Kingsway’, then the ‘Blue Lagoon’, and, from 2015, ‘The Gather Inn’.
James Gray: It was in the year 1923 that Hartley & Midgley Ltd of Preston Road, Brighton decided to open a garage on the lower road to Shoreham, and they chose this spot which was then considered to be out in the country. At this time one could stand on the lower road and see across the fields and market gardens to Green’s factory beyond Portland Road. In this view can be seen two lone houses, the present 155 and 157 New Church Road. On the right are the backs of the houses 2-8 Marine Avenue. Saxon Road did not then exist. jgc_15_069
James Gray: It was in the year 1923 that Hartley & Midgley Ltd of Preston Road, Brighton decided to open a garage on the lower road to Shoreham, and they chose this spot which was then considered to be out in the country. At this time one could stand on the lower road and see across the fields and market gardens to Green’s factory beyond Portland Road. Another view, showing building in progress. Additional Information: Two small children stand by stacks of bricks. jgc_15_070
James Gray: To the left of the hoarding one can see the two large houses on the west corner of Portland Avenue then known as 215-217 New Church Road, but now numbered 143-145. On the right, through the scaffolding, are the backs of the houses on the west side of Tandridge Road, also showing two of the bungalows on the east side. jgc_15_072
James Gray: The newly erected garage in 1923, before the petrol pumps were installed. Note the rough condition of the coast road at this period. Saxon Road, just to the east of the garage, had still to be built. jgc_15_073
James Gray: The garage scene in 1924 when the first petrol pumps were being installed. This photograph also shows the rough condition of the road and footway. jgc_15_074
James Gray: Later in the same year when all the pumps had all been fitted and kerbstones were about to be laid. Note the wide expanse of open ground between the garage and the houses of Erroll Road, seen in the distance. jgc_15_075
James Gray: Early photographs of Hartley & Midgley’s premises, between Roman Road and Saxon Road. In 1924 before the rough old country road was made up. jgc_15_088
James Gray: In 1926 showing the newly made-up road. Note the large expanse of empty ground beyond extending as far as Erroll Road. jgc_15_089
James Gray: August 2 Bank Holiday Monday 1926. By now the road had been made up and kerbing laid, leaving a double run-in to the pumps. Building on the vacant land to the west, however, did not start until 1928 when the extensive Miles Nursery came onto the market. jgc_15_076
2018: Today’s view, looking west along a very busy Kingsway from Saxon Road. (Photographer: Mark Stepehenson)
James Gray: An interesting comparison is seen here, between a photographic copy of a painting of the Lagoon area, and a photograph of Kingsway at almost the same spot, and in the same year – 1926. Additional Information: Photograph of a watercolour by K Carter of the Lagoon. jgc_15_077
James Gray: Looking across from Saxon Road to the old marshland (now Lagoon) and the Seaside Villas beyond. Note also the original Adur Hotel (RHS). Additional Information: Board reads: Hove Seaside Villas, to let, fully furnished. jgc_15_087
James Gray: Note the early style petrol pumps outside Hartley and Midgeley’s garage, and also the low Adur Hotel, demolished and rebuilt in 1930. This has been faithfully reproduced in the painting, which also shows the Custom House building seen in the following photograph. jgc_15_078
2018: The Adur pub has been rebuilt and renamed The Gather Inn. Saxon Court is on the site of the garage. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)
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James Gray: By no means an ancient building, the Adur Hotel was erected in the 1870s, soon after the establishment of the Gas Works at Portslade. Originally a Smithers House it was sold with others to Kemp Town Brewery in 1929, and was completely rebuilt in 1930. To the left can be seen a glimpse of the marshy overflow from Aldrington Basin, later converted into the Lagoon. Photograph taken in 1927. jgc_15_080
2018: The Adur Inn has been rebuilt and extended. It is currently The Gather Inn. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)
James Gray: On this, and the following page, appear photographs that need some explanation. During the early 1920s, between 1921 and 1926, some experiments were carried out, to test the efficiency of Smith’s Non-Splash Mudguards. Screens were erected at the side of wet muddy roads. Vehicles fitted with normal mudguards of the period were first driven past, badly marking the screen.
James Gray: In this view can be seen houses on the west side of Tandridge Road. jgc_15_082
2018: The former Adur pub on the south side of Kingsway has been demolished and replaced by another pub, called the Gather Inn.
James Gray: This view looks south to Hove Seaside Villas, with the canal on the right. jgc_15_083
James Gray: Three more photographs of the tests of Smiths Non Splash Mudguards, as described in previous photographs. Looking north along muddy Wharf Road towards Kingsway, with the Adur Hotel hidden behind the lorry. jgc_15_084
2018: This southeastern corner of Aldrington Basin is now the site of Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales, a wholesale and retail fish market serving a fleet of inshore fishing boats. Modern buildings now block the view of Hove Seaside Villas, usually known locally as Millionaires’ Row, the row of beachfront houses built in 1910 which are now among the most expensive properties in the city. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)
James Gray: The canal and gasworks, also the slope leading down to the canal from the bottom of Boundary Road. Note the landing stage of the cross canal ferry, then quite a popular feature. September 1911. jgc_38_014
2019: The peaceful look of the old image has now changed into an industrial and busy area, with major developments on both sides of the canal.