between New England Road and Dyke Road
James Gray: Two photographs (this and following) of the same house, though divided by no less than 66 years. At the left, in 1910, then numbered 9, it was occupied by Mr D Coles, boot maker, his wife and his small son. jgc_10a_158
James Gray: Two photographs (this and previous) of the same house, though divided by no less than 66 years. By the time this photograph was taken on 25 April 1976 the number was 19, and the small boy stands with his sister. jgc_10a_159
2018: Two further photographs of this building taken 42 years later. The property, which long ago ceased to be a boot maker’s, is now painted dark blue and the external shutters have been removed, replaced by similar internal blinds. Posts have been installed in the pavement to prevent parking on the kerb. (Photographer: Bill Kocher)
James Gray: The purpose of these photographs is to show the Bridge Inn and the adjoining buildings in New England Road and also the rear view in Old Shoreham Road. After the final extension to the large railway bridge in 1864, building operations began on what had been Pegg’s New England Farm and the line of houses running up to York Grove were erected. The Inn, which took its name from the bridge, was built in 1871. It had a life of 100 years, being demolished with the adjoining house, No 30, early in 1971. Date of these photographs 22 March 1970. jgc_10a_157
2018: The 1970 photograph shows the rear of the Bridge Inn and the back yard of the adjoining building. They were all demolished in 1971 to make way for an enlarged junction between the Old Shoreham and New England Roads. The New England Road view of the Bridge Inn to which James Gray refers can be viewed on that page at jgc_10a_156. (Photographer: Nick Eastham)
James Gray: The main entrance gates to the school just around the corner in Old Shoreham Road. At the right can be seen the backs of houses in Chatsworth Road. These photographs [jgc_26_110 and 111] provide good views of the fairly large gardens. Additional Information: Now B.P.A.S. jgc_26_110
James Gray: View of the house and gardens from the east. The photograph was taken from the Old Shoreham Road showing also the south side of Chatsworth Road. Date of both photographs – 19 June 1966. Additional Information: Now B.P.A.S. jgc_26_111
James Gray: Photograph of the 1914-18 War, showing this area. Soldiers marching down Dyke Road and crossing the Old Shoreham Road, 12 October 1915. Note the double sets of tram lines and think of the contrast with this busy crossing today in 1974. jgc_26_112
James Gray: Dyke Road, north of Old Shoreham Road, was built to a greater width than the older stretch of road near Seven Dials. This photograph of July 1958 shows the narrow part which has long been a hindrance to traffic and which, before long, Brighton Corporation will have to widen. The removal of Westcombe with its attendant trees provides the opportunity, but the grounds of the school, now in Hove Villa, will have to be curtailed in the process. jgc_26_123
James Gray: See caption for jgc_26_123 above. jgc_26_127
2019: This view is of the Dyke Road junction with Old Shoreham Road looking towards Seven Dials. The aspect is slightly different from the mid-1950s image, as Dyke Road in front of Westcombe was widened when that house, built on a triangular corner plot, was demolished in 1959.
James Gray: An enlarged copy of a very old photograph probably taken in the 1870s or early 1880s. it shows, at the left, the full length of these recently built houses (built 1867-68), the entrance to Hamilton Road and the three houses of Hamilton Terrace, of which only one remains. Approaching the Railway the road narrowed considerably, much more so than today. The cause was the extent of the gardens of New England Farmhouse, hidden behind the trees which also conceal from view the small cottages which still stand leading up to York Grove. Fortunately the house has been preserved. At the right was empty land as the houses of Lancaster Villas were built many years later. All houses, on both sides, are now part of Old Shoreham Road. jgc_26_119
James Gray: Let into the old wall at the junction of Old Shoreham Road with Prestonville Road, was this old Brighton – Hove boundary stone. As mentioned on another page, a triangular area of land now in Brighton, was until 1928, part of Hove. The house and garden of 12 Prestonville Road were in Brighton but the extensive grounds of Hove Villa were in Hove. As this area developed in the 1860s it is probable that the stone had been there for about 100 years. Both photographs [jgc_26_120 and 121] were taken on 16 October 1960. jgc_26_120
James Gray: In 1960, that part of the Old Shoreham Road facing the new flats on the Westcombe site was widened, leaving a narrow strip between Buxton and Stanford Roads. Note the high walls enclosing the grounds of Hove Villa. These were demolished, and the widening of the Old Shoreham Road completed in 1964. On 23 January that year I got possession of the old boundary stone and removed it to my own garden. Both photographs [jgc_26_120 and 121] were taken on 16 October 1960. jgc_26_121
2018: On the left, the view from Chatsworth Road along Old Shoreham Road in 2018 is much as it was in 1960, as is the block of flats called Westcombe just visible on the extreme right. St Luke’s Church, Prestonville, is clear in both images. (Photographer: Jane Southern)