St George’s Road

James Gray: Another photograph, which is difficult to date, despite the names of the shopkeepers. White, the greengrocer, is the greatest help. He was long established and was at Number 3 before the 1914/18 War. He is listed in Brighton Directories until 1930, so it dates from before then. Probably mid-1920s. jgc_22_011

James Gray: These two photographs, printed from waxed paper negatives, date from between 1855 and 1860. Both feature St George’s Church built in 1824/5. This one shows the splendid mansion, Portland House, and as far as I know this is the only surviving photograph of this building. The original house begun in May 1824 was destroyed by fire in September 1825. Rebuilt in the same form but split into three separate houses, it was reconstructed soon after this photograph was taken. See following [jgc_22_036], for much more familiar views of the now, well known building. jgc_22_035

James Gray: St George’s church looking east – 1901. jgc_22_125

2018: The metal railings to the top of the boundary wall on the west and south boundaries of site have been removed, the trees abutting the wall have matured. The height of the boundary wall is lower, probably owing to resurfacing of the road and pavements. (Photographer: April Wright)

James Gray: This photograph looks from the garden of St George’s Church into Seymour Street and at the brewery premises. Date of all three photographs – 12 February 1967. [See also jgc_22_137 and 138 of Kemp Town Brewery on the Sutherland Road page.]  jgc_22_139

2019: View south from St George’s churchyard, across St George’s Road.

James Gray: West House, Portland Place, formerly the home of the late Mr G W Willett, was bought by the Grocers’ Federation and presented to Sir Arthur Pearson for use as a training centre for those blinded in the 1914-1918 War. It became known as St Dunstan’s. In 1967, it was decided to reconstruct and enlarge the premises. This photograph, taken on 21 July 1968, shows the house in its original form, the next [jgc_22_141] of August 1975 shows it rebuilt. Additional Information: Now Sussex House, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. jgc_22_140

James Gray: A view of St Dunstan’s in its rebuilt form in August 1975. Additional Information: Now Sussex House, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.  jgc_22_141

2019: Gray’s view is more or less unchanged since 1975. (Photographer: Jayne Paulin)