03
James Gray: This photograph at the corner of Arundel Terrace shows a good margin of safety between the houses of Black Rock and the cliff edge. This was in 1906. Note the large front garden of the French Convalescent Home which was greatly curtailed by later road widening. Additional Information: Cast iron gate posts and lamp posts. jgc_23_136
James Gray: Very little needs to be said about these 1955 photographs [jgc_23_137 and 138], except to wish that Marine Drive was as traffic-free now as it was 35 years ago. Marine Gate flats are prominent features and trolley buses used this spot as a turning point. jgc_23_137
2019: The background of Gray’s 1955 picture – including the west wing of the Marine Gate apartment block – is little changed but, in the foreground, what was once Black Rock’s shingly beach is now the Asda Superstore car park. (Photographer: David Jackson)
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_23_137 above.] jgc_23_138
2019: Marine Gate in the background is little changed from 1955 when the original picture was taken. However, much in the foreground has been altered by the construction of the Marina Access Road. Part of the southern end of Arundel Street appears to have disappeared during the ensuing years. (Photographer: David Jackson)
James Gray: The old road to Rottingdean continued to follow the line of Marine Parade and the Terraces and ran close to the cliff edge, passing in front of the buildings shown in these photographs. Constant erosion of the sea led to great falls of chalk from the cliffs which so imperilled the road that it was closed in 1897. The new road (the present Roedean Road) was then formed much further inland to link up with the old road further east. The Corporation bought these houses and adjacent land in 1928 with a view to their early demolition. jgc_23_144
James Gray: View of the Abergavenny Arms and the Cliff Creamery about 1925. By making a purchase at this shop, one was allowed to pass through the shop to cliffs beyond. This saved a walk a full length of Rifle Butt Road and back, a detour of about 400 yards. Remains of the original road can be seen beyond the shop. Additional Information: Roedean School. jgc_23_146
James Gray: Views from the other side of the buildings [see jgc_23_146] looking west. The line of the old road can be clearly discerned. At the foot of the clump of bushes, was the original terminus of Volk’s Electric Railway, and the old builders’ yard, used for the fashioning of concrete blocks. This was removed in 1928 and is now the site of the Bathing Pool. jgc_23_147
James Gray: No comment. Additional Information: 1920s dresses of women on cliff top, unfenced cliff. jgc_23_148
2020: A close-up and more interestingly detailed version of jgc_23_147 above. The sign ‘Cliff Creamery’, the smartly dressed man, the schoolboy, the young women posing riskily close to the unfenced cliff top and, indeed, the Volk’s Railway Black Rock Station, known as the Bungalow Station, all hint that this part of Black Rock was something of a visitor destination in the 1920s.
James Gray: View of Black Rock House and the Abergavenny Arms 1932. The house is seen empty and it was demolished later in that year. Additional Information: Beards Lewes Ales jgc_23_157
2019: The Abergavenny Arms was demolished in 1935, according to Clifford Musgrave in ‘Life in Brighton’ published in 1981. (Photographer: Mary Allison)
James Gray: Four photographs [see also jgc 23_160, 161 and 163] covering the period from 1913 to 1933. All show the area eroded by the sea and the Old Rottingdean Road, which has now been completely obliterated. This view shows two girls, one with a tennis racquet, possibly from Roedean School. jgc_23_162
James Gray: [See caption above.] jgc_23_163
2019: A cycle lane and footpath run along the top of the cliffs and the A259 is the main coast road between Brighton and Rottingdean. (Photographer: Mary Allison)
James Gray: Marine Gate Flats nearing completion, and traffic on Marine Drive in 1937. A good view also of the old road to Rottingdean, closed before the turn of the century. jgc_23_182
2019: The old road to Rottingdean is no longer visible. A footpath and cycle track have been constructed south of a grass verge, which runs alongside the A259 to Rottingdean. (Photographer: Mary Allison)
James Gray: View of the Black Rock area – period about 1912/14. Sea View Terrace, of three houses, can be seen as well as the backs of the houses in Rifle Butt Road. jgc_23_181
James Gray: The same scene but several years later, about 1925. Erosion by the sea has eaten into the Sea View Terrace. jgc_23_183
2019: This image shows the immense amount of civil engineering that has gone on in the last 110 years at the base of the cliffs.
James Gray: Two of the numerous photographs taken of Black Rock over the years. This one, a particularly good photograph from the cliff adjoining the Abergavenny Arms, probably dates from 1930, just before work started on the Undercliff Walk. jgc_23_184
2019: See captions for jgc_23_81 and 182 above. (Photographer: Mary Allison)
James Gray: These ‘dragon’s teeth’ concrete pillars have excited some comment and speculation in recent years. They were sunk as the foundations of an intended block of flats to be similar to, though smaller than, Marine Gate. The 1939/1945 war prevented the building of the flats and for many years the site remained empty. The three photographs were taken in January 1957 and during 1958 a large garage and motor showroom was built there. jgc_23_187
James Gray: Another view [image identical to jgc_23_187]. jgc_23_189
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_23_187 above.] jgc_23_188
2019: The ‘dragon’s teeth’ concrete pillars have disappeared into the void that is Marina Way. (Photographer: Mary Allison)
James Gray: In this photograph, the building with six windows was at one time a private house, known as the The Old House, occupied by a Gas Company official, while the adjoining house was known as The Wing. They can be seen as private houses in the aerial photograph [jgc_23_191] on the next page. jgc_23_190
James Gray: This photograph must have been taken soon after the construction of Marine Drive. To me the particular interest is that it affords a glimpse of Black Rock Cottages, just behind the Abergavenny Arms and facing the houses of Riflebutt Road. The road running to the left of the gasometers is Boundary Road, until 1928 the eastern boundary of Brighton Borough. The gas works were established here in 1823 just outside the Brighton boundary so as to avoid the duty which was then levied on all coal entering the town. Below the cliff can be seen the works of the contractors engaged on the construction of the Undercliff Walk. Many of the massive blocks of the sea wall were made here. jgc_23_191
James Gray: Work proceeding on the Brighton approach to the new road which cut straight through the houses in Rifle Butt Road. Meanwhile, the old coast road still led to the Abergavenny Arms, the only remaining building at the cliff edge. Additional Information: Milkman with hand cart. jgc_23_200
James Gray: [Top right] The construction of Marine Drive. Brighton Corporation having decided to re-site the Rottingdean Road, opportunity was taken to construct an entirely new road to connect Rottingdean Road with Madeira Drive. This involved sweeping away the old Abergavenny Arms and many of the houses in Rifle Butt Road as can be seen in this photograph. jgc_23_201
James Gray: [Second row, left] The new Marine Drive strides boldly through the gap. Nine houses in Rifle Butt Road have been removed: Nos 22/30 and No 21 presents a forlorn appearance. Beyond, 1 Madeira Terrace has been demolished but 2 and 3 still remain. The manhole cover in the right foreground is now directly opposite the main entrance to Marine Gate Flats. jgc_23_202
James Gray: [Second row, right] Now completely isolated by the removal of neighbouring buildings, and with the cliff edge only a few feet away, it [the Abergavenny Arms] still stands stubbornly facing the old road to Rottingdean now almost destroyed by erosion. Dating from about 1880, it had a short life, being removed in 1935, when the licence was transferred to the newly erected Whitehawk Inn. Additional Information: A policeman at the rear. jgc_23_203
James Gray: [Third row, left] The new road in 1933. 1 Madeira Terrace formerly stood on the vacant plot in the foreground but was removed in 1932 for road widening. Additional Information: Cars. jgc_23_204
James Gray: Three stages of construction of Marine Drive during 1932. The backs of the houses in Rifle Butt Road can be seen. Additional Information: note single gauge railway line used for construction purposes. jgc_23_207
James Gray: Another view. The backs of the houses in Rifle Butt Road can be seen. jgc_23_210
James Gray: These [tea gardens] were immediately at the rear of the Cliff Creamery, 30 Rifle Butt Road. Access was through the shop after making a purchase. Period of this photograph, between 1925 and 1928. Additional Information: Hugh D. Row was the proprietor. jgc_23_212
2020: Rifle Butt Road was demolished (the part nearest the sea where the creamery was located) to make way for Marine Gate in the 1930s, and the remainder as part of the Marina development 40 years later. The site is now a popular walk along the cliffs above the Marina. (Photographer: Mary McKean)
James Gray: The original extent of the grounds of the French Convalescent home – about 1929. Black Rock house in the distance is seen almost on the cliff edge. jgc_33_001
2020: Between 1986 and 1994 the home was registered as a care and nursing home run by the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres. The trustees sold the building to Bovis (now Vistry Group) in 1999. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: Widening the roadway and setting back the pavement in front of the Convalescent Home. A considerable area of the grounds was given up. jgc_33_002
2020: Fortunately, Grade II listing was achieved in time to prevent demolition and the building was converted into flats. There has been much building around the site since the 1930s, making it difficult to replicate Gray’s image today. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)