James Gray: Four farming scenes (jgc_38_038 to jgc_38_041) dating from the time of the Second World War, and just before – the late 1930s. At this time, apart from a cluster of houses at Mile Oak (seen in the view jgc_38_039) there was little development beyond Portslade Village. The whole of this large area was given over to agriculture, so I cannot say much about the location of the photographs, except that they all look towards the Downs. The farm buildings seen here were of the Stonery then at the far end of North Road, but now demolished and built over. jgc_38_040
2019: As described above, the Stonery farm buildings have been demolished and completely built over. This image is taken from Mile Oak Road near the present day junction of Stonery Road. The only thing still recognisable is the skyline. (Photographer: Jeremy Knight)
James Gray: At the period when these photographs were taken Hangleton was just a country hamlet about 1 mile from the nearest built-up area. Only the first 6 houses on the west side of Hangleton Road had been built, whilst on the opposite corner was a rubbish tip, much frequented by rats. A narrow lane, flanked by hedges, led to Hangleton Farm and the church. The Isolation Hospital on the hill was erected in 1881, when it was never supposed that houses would reach this area. jgc_37_017
2021: The narrow lane mentioned in the old text is now Hangleton Valley Drive. The farmland and the adjoining countryside pictured in 1912 are now covered by housing, and a modern day photo is not feasible from the same viewpoint. The October 2021 photo was taken a short distance to the north-west, close to the Brighton Footgolf centre at Benfield Farm Barn, and looks west across the course.
On the skyline near the centre is the top of Foredown Tower, which was built in 1909 as the water tower for the nearby Isolation Hospital. In 2021, Foredown Tower houses one of only two camera obscuras in south-east England. All the other isolation hospital buildings were demolished in 1988/89, and houses in Crest Way now occupy the site. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)