James Gray: From the east showing the car rails partly on the beach and on a very narrow Madeira Drive. No Madeira Terrace to be seen. Period probably late 1880s. jgc_05_099
James Gray: An interesting photograph showing the Chain Pier, Aquarium, Madeira Drive and construction of the Palace Pier. The period would be early in the 1890s. When work on the new Pier ceased soon afterwards, this ugly hoarding was left for some years, screening the skeleton of the Pier from view. jgc_04_055
2020: The rather indistinct James Gray image taken from an upper window of the Royal Albion Hotel looking east is likely to have been taken in 1891-92, shortly after work started on the Palace Pier and three to four years before the much sharper image jgc_04_147 (see below) was taken looking in the reverse direction.
James Gray: View looking west down Madeira Drive, showing the entrance to the Chain Pier. Additional Information: Palace Pier under construction. Volks Railway. Caption reads ‘Madeira Road’. jgc_04_147
James Gray: Items of special interest on this photograph are the chains supporting the Chain Pier crossing Madeira Road and the downward gradient of Volk’s Electric Railway to take it under the Pier. Note also the construction of the Palace Pier in its early stages and the general condition of the roadway. jgc_06_028
James Gray: This view is of the 1900s, by which time the Palace Pier and Volks Railway had been constructed. Both views show the bandstand and concert stage at the extreme eastern end. jgc_04_151
James Gray: Marine Drive looking west. jgc_04_153
James Gray: This photograph is an amateur’s view from Marine Parade, taken in the early 1950s. The only comment worth making is the scarcity of traffic, apart from the line of motor coaches. jgc_05_154
2020: The view is still recognisable although many of the buildings have either been modified or entirely disappeared, most notably the Chain Pier. New landmarks have been added in recent years including the white conical tower of the Brighton Zip (a 300m long zipwire) close to the Palace Pier and the tall tower of the British Airways i360 observation platform in the centre distance. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Further extensions [to the Palace Pier] are now apparent. The bandstand and Winter Garden (later the Palace of Fun) were erected in 1911, and the theatre was remodelled. The glass-fronted structure over the theatre entrance also dates from about this time. A canopy led from the roadway to the entrance to the pier. jgc_04_078
2020: The entrance and steps down to the Aquarium (later Sea Life Brighton) can be seen on the far right of Gray’s image. This view is blocked today. The kiosk at the entrance to the pier is still there, minus the flagpole. The Winter Garden now houses an amusement arcade. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: About 25 years separate these [jgc_04_150 and 151] photographs. The one above [shown here], which is a copy, dates from the 1870s as it shows the all wooden railings on Marine Parade, which were replaced in 1880. jgc_04_150
2020: This modern image offers a sorry sight. The area was redeveloped in the early 2000s but is being redeveloped again. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Two photographs [see also jgc_04_169 on the Marine Parade (1A) page] taken within a year of each other. The view of the Aquarium and central island [jgc_04_169] is dated 1926. At this period Southdown buses terminated in Madeira Drive alongside the Aquarium where they caused considerable traffic congestion until moved to Pool Valley in 1929. The No. 8 bus ran up Montpelier Road and finished at Seven Dials.
James Gray: The old aquarium was opened in 1872. At first it prospered, but its fortunes declined and it was sold to the Corporation for £30,000 in 1901. As the years passed it fell into greater dilapidation and was demolished in 1927. Rebuilding commenced the next year, and the present Aquarium was opened in June 1929. At this period, the eastern end of the Aquarium was the terminus of the Southdown buses, two of which, with solid tyres, are shown below.
James Gray: No comment. jgc_04_173
2020: The Volk’s Electric Railway is still in operation over 100 years later although the sea no longer comes quite as close to either the railway or Madeira Drive. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Note that at about 1913 there was a bandstand on the Aquarium Terrace. jgc_04_174
2020: Both the bandstand and terrace have disappeared though the view remains recognisable. Two notable recent additions are the i360 (the tall pole in the distance) and the white zip line tower close to the Palace Pier. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: This photograph shows the Ex-Service Men’s Club in place of the bandstand. jgc_04_175
2020: See above. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Commencement of the demolition at the eastern end, in the early part of 1927. The building just below the crowd of spectators was the Ex-Service Men’s Club. jgc_04_179
2020: The 1927 photograph is one of the few images looking west past the aquarium to the Royal Albion Hotel and beyond. The beach huts on the left (south) of Madeira Drive have long since disappeared.
James Gray: 21 February 1929. The suspension chains of the old Chain Pier passed beneath the eight small arches, 54 feet into the cliff below Marine Parade, where they were secured by an iron plate weighing nearly 3 tons. jgc_04_184
James Gray: Another view [see also jgc_05_122 and 124] of the Old Chain Pier buildings which were removed in 1927. The large house in the centre was originally used as a Saloon or reading room, and became very popular during the early days of the Pier. Later, for many years prior to the Pier’s destruction, it was known as Snelling’s Bazaar. Mr Snelling was Secretary of the Pier Company for nearly 30 years. The first Pier Master occupied the cottage west of the Saloon, known later on as Beach Lodge. jgc_05_123
James Gray: In 1930, the year after the reconstruction building was opened, other ancillary attractions were introduced. One of these was the Tom Thumb Golf Course installed on what was later to be the Sun Terrace. The photograph shows the opening; the Mayor, Councillor H. Wilfred Aldrich, is standing facing the camera with his right hand in his pocket, with the Town Clerk, Mr. J H Rothwell, on his immediate right. Additional Information: Aquarium Garage now flats. jgc_04_186
James Gray: Two photographs of August 1902, showing all these three buildings. On the left the old Pier Master’s cottage, Beach Lodge, and on the right, the Bazaar and the toll-keeper’s cottage. jgc_05_076
James Gray: [See caption above.] The occasion was Edward VII’s Coronation celebration. In the Carnival procession, the John Whittingham Lifeboat Car. jgc_05_077
James Gray: A photograph which must date from the early 1890s, showing the three piers, the Chain Pier, West Pier and Palace Pier under construction. Soon afterwards work was halted on this pier for several years. Volk’s Railway line was then almost on the roadway. jgc_05_176
2019: Much remains recognisable, even though the Chain Pier has long gone. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: At this period Madeira Road was very narrow and the Terrace had not been built. There is no sign of Volk’s Railway, constructed in 1883. jgc_05_090
James Gray: Looking westwards from a point about opposite Lower Rock Gardens. Period unknown but most likely about 1888-90. In the distance, the West Pier, Grand Hotel and St Paul’s Church. Note the gas lamps and the unguarded lines of Volk’s Electric Railway. jgc_06_074
2020: Today the Palace Pier dominates the view though the remains of the West Pier are just visible on the skyline. Pedestrians are now well protected from the lines of Volk’s Electric Railway. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: No comment. jgc_05_091
2020: Gone is the Chain Pier, destroyed by a storm in 1896, as are the two tall poles visible in the distance. On the north side, the chevron ramp rises in the foreground through the point from which the original photograph was taken. The columns of The Colonnade, built in the late 1920s as part of the expansion of the aquarium, stretch ahead. (Photographer: Robert Edwards)
James Gray: Two years after the destruction of the Pier these remains were still there. The two toll houses and entrance gates. One was then used for the sale of sweets. The level of Volk’s Railway had been raised and the incline done away with. jgc_05_120
2020: The earlier image shows the two distinctive kiosks (or toll houses) on Madeira Drive which marked the entrance to the Chain Pier before its destruction in December 1896. At some time after Gray’s image was taken, the kiosks were incorporated into the Palace Pier, in front of the Grand Ballroom and Winter Garden, and remain there to this day. The tall white tower to the right is the entry to Brighton Zip, a recent addition to the Brighton seascape. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Between the old Aquarium and the Chain Pier Cottages was a collection of nondescript single storey buildings, put to a variety of uses chiefly in the summer months. This photograph of 1898 shows one selling greens and fruit. All these buildings went when the cottages were removed in 1927, prior to the rebuilding of the Aquarium. jgc_05_133
2020: The buildings referred to by James Gray were replaced as part of the rebuilding and expansion of the aquarium by The Colonnade which houses a motley collection of retail outlets. The buildings on Marine Parade can be seen behind. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Madeira Drive and Volk’s Railway supported on wooden piles. Period not known but probably about 1910. jgc_05_134
2019: Madeira Drive, although still entirely recognisable at this point, was considerably busier on 24 March 2019 than it was when the James Gray image was taken as it coincided with the Sunbeam Motorcycle Club’s annual Pioneer Run which has operated since 1930 and is widely regarded as the premier event for pre-1915 veteran motorcycles. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Rough seas breaking over the newly constructed Aquarium wall. This was built much further out towards the sea than the old Chain Pier Esplanade, which it replaced. The blocks of stone used for this wall came from Blackfriars Bridge in London. jgc_05_135
2020: Rough seas still batter the seafront from time to time but not on this sunny day in 2020. An accumulation of shingle over the past 150 years has resulted in the level of the beach being raised and a parade of shops now graces a lower promenade from which a slope leads up to Madeira Drive.
James Gray: An excellent, clear photograph of the eastern seafront, taken not long after Madeira Drive came into being, though not differing in many respects from other photographs of the period. This would be between 1871 (building of the Aquarium) and 1880 (removal of the all-wooden parapet railings). The West Pier stands out prominently in the distance. jgc_05_140
James Gray: These two photographs [jgc_05_150 and, on the Brighton East Seafront: images on the beach (1) page, jgc_05_149] need little comment as their location is quite obvious. In fact the doubt is when were they taken. There is no obvious sign of Volk’s Railway (1883) but the present teak and iron railings (1880) are there which suggests that they date from between these years. jgc_05_150
2020: The same perspective today is dominated by the east end of the Colonnade which partially obscures much of the flight of steps featured in the James Gray image. The middle level terracing extending from the aquarium forms a roof over the lower half of the steps. (Photographer: Robert Edwards)
James Gray: This photograph appears to have been taken from the unfinished Madeira Terrace, which had been built from Paston Place to Royal Crescent by 1890. The steps shown are those opposite Royal Crescent. Between the Chain Pier and West Pier can be seen the initial piles of the Palace Pier. jgc_05_151
James Gray: Three photographs [jgc_06_098 and jgc_06_099 and 100 on the Marine Parade (2) page] taken by the De Smidt brothers of Brighton College at some time during the 1890s. No descriptions are needed. jgc_06_098
James Gray: In this photograph, dating from about 1892, can be seen the chains from the pier, passing through the house on their way to their anchorage under Marine Parade. The way to the beach lay over the footbridge across Volk’s Railway. jgc_05_152
2020: Much has changed since the original image was taken. Terraces and a colonnaded arcade now hide the sea wall. The Chain Pier is gone but Volk’s electric railway is still in operation. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: This photograph dates from the period 1890-97. Note that only part of the Terrace had been constructed. The Hall and Lift were opened in May 1890. The extension of the Terrace westwards for the full length of 2836 feet was completed in 1897. jgc_05_155
2020: Madeira Terrace is currently closed as it is unsafe. The elegant structure housing the lift referred to by James Gray can be seen in the distance in both images. (Photographer: Simon Copper)
James Gray: This photograph was probably taken about 1897. The railway line was shifted from the roadway, nearer to the sea, soon after Madeira Drive was widened in 1898. jgc_05_156
2020: Madeira Drive now needs to accommodate cars and cyclists as well as pedestrians. Volk’s railway is still in operation. The track can be seen between the railings and the beach. Madeira Terrace is sadly cordoned off and in need of restoration. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: The procession of decorated floats and commercial vehicles headed west during the Brighton Carnival, which took place from Wednesday to Saturday 13-16 June, 1923. Additional Information: ©Philippe Garner. jgc_05_159
2019: The original image is impossible to replicate because large parts of Madeira Terrace are cordoned off, as mentioned above.
James Gray: Four-in-hand wagonette, at rest and facing west, outside Chain Pier Cottages period 1893-96. jgc_05_160
James Gray: Above is yet another of the many photographs of the Chain Pier Cottages, taken in the 1920s. jgc_06_101
2020: The Chain Pier Cottages were removed in 1927. This new image is close to where they stood. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Bath Chair and attendant on Madeira Drive adjoining the Chain Pier, about 1890. The lady passenger was Madame Sidney Pratten, a well known guitarist. jgc_05_059
James Gray: This photograph is said to date from 1890. jgc_05_139 Additional Information: Carriage and groom, with two ladies seated, in front of Chain Pier.
James Gray: The motor speed trials on Madeira Drive, started in 1905, had by the 1930s attained a degree of sophistication, though the cars to our eyes look rather strange. A good assembled crowd saw the trials on 17 September 1932. jgc_05_161
2020: Madeira Drive is still used for popular events including the Pioneer Run and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run which takes place in November each year. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: This view taken much earlier, probably before the 1st World War. It shows the motor speed trials in operation. jgc_05_164
2020: See captions for jgc_05_155 and 161 above. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Looking eastwards to Black Rock. The Paston Place, or Banjo Groyne was built in 1877, and in 1895, Madeira Drive which until then ended there, was extended from Banjo Groyne to Black Rock. Note the cluster of motor coaches at the foot of Duke’s Mound, then the parking place for the coaches. The bowling greens disappeared after the 1939-1945 War, during which they were mined and wired off. jgc_05_175
2020: The view is still recognisable, despite the traffic. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Three photographs [jgc_05_178, 179 and 180] of Madeira Drive, which have one thing in common – they date from the period 1900-14. Additional Information: Miss Dorothy Levitt racing on the Brighton Motor Track. jgc_05_178
2020: A view of the eastern end of Madeira Drive with Brighton Marina in the distance. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_05_178 above.] View looking west from Kemptown. jgc_05_179
2020: It is much busier and more developed. Volk’s Electric Railway now has a new shed and beside it there is a miniature golf course and a children’s playground. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_05_178 above.] jgc_05_180
2019: The scene is still recognisable over a century later although the lines of Volk’s railway (not visible in the contemporary image) are no longer unprotected. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: More photographs [jgc_05_184 and 185] at the start of the Brighton Motor Trials, July 1905, from the same position on Madeira Drive as seen in previous photographs [see jgc_05_181, 182 and 183]. jgc_05_184
2020: The extreme eastern end of Madeira Drive is now a rather desolate spot used as a parking lot by visitor coaches and marred by the concrete structure supporting the road from Brighton Marina.
Still extant, however, is the classically-proportioned Temple designed by William Kendall at the eastern end of the Esplanade, originally an integral part of Thomas Read Kemp’s estate and a place for residents of the estate to sit and shelter from the sea breeze. It is not to be confused with the home of Thomas Read Kemp, also known as The Temple and now part of Brighton Girls, an independent school in Montpelier Road, Brighton. In 1902, after much legal wrangling, the entire Esplanade was sold to Brighton Corporation and remains a public walking and cycling route to Brighton Marina, bordered by shrubs and plants maintained by Brighton and Hove City Council. There are plans to convert the Temple into a café as part of the Black Rock rejuvenation project. The white buildings on the left of the image are in Arundel Terrace. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: [Middle left.] Photographs of the motor trials in July 1905. They were taken at the top of the slope leading down to Madeira Drive, just opposite where Black Rock swimming pool is now. In this view can be seen the houses of Riflebutt Road. jgc_05_181
James Gray: [Middle right.] Photographs of the motor trials in July 1905. They were taken at the top of the slope leading down to Madeira Drive, just opposite where Black Rock swimming pool is now. The house seen on the left in this view is 1 Madeira Terrace, removed in 1932. jgc_05_182
James Gray: [Bottom left.] Photographs of the motor trials in July 1905. They were taken at the top of the slope leading down to Madeira Drive, just opposite where Black Rock swimming pool is now. jgc_05_183
James Gray: [Bottom right.] More photographs at the start of the Brighton Motor Trials, July 1905, from the same position on Madeira Drive as seen in previous photographs. jgc_05_185
James Gray: Looking west along a quiet and deserted Marine Parade. In the distance, and at a lower level, can be seen Brighton Aquarium, opened in 1872, which suggests this is yet another of the 1870s photographs of this area. No signs yet of Volk’s railway, opened in 1883. jgc_06_044
2020: The Chain Pier has gone and the once quiet road is now busy with traffic. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Here can be seen the completed first stage in the widening of Madeira Drive and the pavement, by a distance of 30 feet. Note the new Aquarium opened the previous year. jgc_06_056
2020: The view is still recognisable although Madeira Drive is now busy with traffic. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: One of the most interesting photographs in my entire collection. Taken from Marine Parade, looking west, about 1867, it provides the clearest view I have seen of the huge mounds of chalk used to buttress the Marine Parade retaining wall and shows how close the sea approached to that wall. Additional Information: Chain Pier and bathing machines. jgc_06_068
James Gray: A later photograph [than jgc_06_068] of unknown date, showing the early days of Madeira Drive. No sign of Volk’s Railway, so it must have been before 1883. jgc_06_069
James Gray: The grim appearance of the same area [see jgc_06_056 above] with beaches mined, pavements and railway wired off and breaks in the centres of both piers, as anti-invasion measures. jgc_06_057
2020: The view remains much the same. Fortunately the barbed wire is no longer needed. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: This view, 60 years later [than jgc_06_070 on the Marine Parade (1) page], shows how extensive groyning and accumulation of beach made it possible to construct the lower road on land largely reclaimed from the sea. jgc_06_071
2020: The view is still recognisable although Madeira Drive is now an even more popular entertainment and meeting point. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Two photographs, in the summer of 1922, showing the eastern bandstand and the enclosure of Jack Sheppard’s Entertainers. This was a popular summer feature in the years just before and after the 1914-18 War. If only the streets were as free of traffic today. jgc_06_092 and jgc_06_093
2020: Gone are the eastern bandstand and Jack Sheppard’s Entertainers, replaced by attractions of a different hue. The Palace Pier, however, remains as does the lift to Marine Parade seen on the right of both images. Note also the tower of the British Airways i360 observation platform on the right in the distance. Traffic remains an issue on Madeira Drive! (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Above is a decorated float of Smithers Brewery standing on Madeira Drive prior to the competitive procession during the Brighton Carnival in 1922 or 1923. Additional Information: Photographer: Fuller & Clayton, Marlborough Place, Brighton. jgc_06_096
2020: The same spot is far less attractive today. Note the advertisement for Sussex Homeless Support. Homelessness is a significant issue in 21st century Britain and Brighton has one of the highest number of street sleepers in the country. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: This was taken in the summer of 1939, when war was already trembling on the horizon. The scene is not much changed today apart from the area south of the road, where Peter Pan’s playground has replaced the huts, bandstand and bowling greens. We are now threatened with a heliport on this site! jgc_06_097
2020: The scene remains much the same today though far busier. Thankfully, the heliport did not materialise! (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Compare this photograph with that on the previous page [jgc_06_070 on the Marine Parade (1) page], because they were taken from almost the same spot. Quite a lot happened during the six years from 1865 to 1871. The West Pier had been completed, a very narrow Madeira Drive commenced, the Aquarium had been started and diagonal struts fitted to the kerbside railings. Note also the changed appearance of those fine mansions 80/83, Marine Parade. In these six years they had been stripped of the ornamental latticework over the first floor balconies. jgc_06_072
James Gray: All three photographs [jgc_06_102, 103 and 104] date from within a few years of each other, about 1900. This view of Marine Parade is the oldest, being taken in 1896. jgc_06_102
2020: The Chain Pier has long gone and the fully extended Madeira Drive, closed to vehicular traffic when this photograph was taken, now dominates the scene. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Madeira Drive looking west. jgc_06_103
2020: The eastern bandstand seen on the left in the James Gray image has gone although Madeira Terrace and the lift to Marine Parade seen on the right remain. Sadly, this part of Madeira Drive has become something of a parking lot. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Looking east. jgc_06_104
2020: The scene remains recognisable although Madeira Drive is now often full of parked vehicles. Note the lift to Marine Parade in the centre of both images and the outer barrier to and the high-rise dwellings within Brighton Marina in the centre distance. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: The Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) being driven down Dukes Mound during his visit in 1896. jgc_06_120
2020: Where Edward VII was once driven by carriage, there was on this day a solitary motorcyclist. Brighton Marina and some recently-built blocks of flats can be seen on the right. The marina was constructed in the 1970s although developments within it have continued ever since. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: Looking westwards to the Piers. Madeira Drive was constructed in the early 1870s and remained in the rough condition here shown for very many years. Extensive groyning caused the beach to accumulate with the result that the bowling lawns were laid in 1889. jgc_05_174
2019: Madeira Drive is now a busy thoroughfare and favoured parking area for those visiting the seafront. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: A later photograph [than jgc_05_015], probably about 1872-1873. By now, the Aquarium had been built, on the site of the esplanade, and the few hesitant steps towards the construction of Madeira Drive had commenced. Note the long line of sapling trees and the ladies’ bathing machines. Both [jgc_05_015 and 016] are, of course, recent copies of old stereoscopic photographs. Photographer: Philippe Garner. jgc_05_016
2020: View looking west. The Royal Albion Hotel is just visible in the far distance on the right. Today Madeira Drive has been fully developed and only the Palace Pier, opened in 1899, remains. The ruins of the West Pier can be seen in the distance. Recent additions to the skyline include the Brighton Zip and the British Airways i360 observation tower. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: View east to Banjo Groyne, about 1895, before the construction of the Marine Electric Railway. Madeira Drive then ended at the Banjo Groyne. jgc_06_086
James Gray: A panoramic view from the beach in the year 1922. Note how at that period Volk’s Railway ran along a wooden breastwork from Paston Place to the Bungalow Terminus, further east than the present one. jgc_06_126
2019: This is no longer a quiet corner of Brighton. The beachfront is heavily developed west of Banjo Groyne. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: All one can say about this photograph is that it was taken in the 1880s. The wood and iron railings, the state of the West Pier and the rails of Volk’s Railway, are proof of this. This photograph gives another good view of how, in those days, the sea came much higher up the beach than it does today. jgc_05_147
James Gray: This view was taken several years later [than jgc_06_020 of Marine Parade], at some time between 1884 and 1890. jgc_06_021
2020: The general view is recognisable, though many of the buildings have changed. The Chain Pier has been demolished and replaced by the Palace Pier. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)
James Gray: [Top left] These two photographs [see also jgc_05_126 below] provide a good view of Beach Lodge, in which lived the first Pier Master of the Chain Pier. jgc_05_125
James Gray: Three photographs of the last links with the Chain Pier. When the one above [top right] was taken in the early 1890s the Pier was still standing. jgc_05_127
James Gray: A parade of the Home Defence Volunteers in front of the [Chain Pier] cottages, in 1916. jgc_05_129
James Gray: Two of the numerous photographs of the Chain Pier Cottages, one being worthy of reproduction as a postcard. The buildings seem empty so it is likely they date from late 1927, when awaiting demolition before the rebuilding of the Aquarium. It will be noted that the long flight of steps leading up to the Marine Parade appear in all three [jgc_05_129?] of the photographs. jgc_05_130 and jgc_05_131
James Gray: [Duplicate of jgc_05_127 above.] There seems to be only one set of chains in this photograph and, if so, this means that it dates from 1897, the year after the destruction of the pier. If all the chains were intact however I would put the period at a few years earlier. jgc_05_138
James Gray: These two photographs [see also jgc_05_125 above] provide a good view of Beach Lodge, in which lived the first Pier Master of the Chain Pier. jgc_05_126
James Gray: This view is much later, possibly about 1920. [Exactly the same as jgc_05_126] jgc_05_128
James Gray: This photograph, showing the descent of Dukes Mound, is of the 1920s period, probably 1927 or 1928 when charabancs were parked here. Paston Place beach was then one of the most popular in Brighton. jgc_05_163