James Gray: This is an unusual view of the Manor House, taken from the rear, on the site of the present Vallance Gardens. The photograph dates from the early days of the present century. Vallance Gardens, named after the first owner of the Manor House, was driven through land on which previously stood Ivy Lodge, in the grounds of which were conducted early experiments in cinematography. jgc_12_085
James Gray: This photograph of the rear of the Manor House and its extensive garden was taken from a window in 19 Vallance Gardens, on the opposite side of the road in 1930. At this period, the houses on the west side did not extend beyond No. 20. When the Manor House was demolished in 1936 the garden area was sold and five houses now stand there fronting the Vallance Gardens. A comparison of this photograph with the previous one [jgc_12_085] shows that attic rooms had been constructed, and an extension to the south carried out, since 1900. jgc_12_136
James Gray: Mr & Mrs Oliver and Miss Oliver, with hounds and the huntsman outside the Manor House in 1867. Perhaps it would be more accurate to describe this as “site of Vallance Gardens”, because of course it is the rear or east façade which is seen, and the scene is the extensive garden at the back of this fine old house. Compare this with the two previous photographs. jgc_12_140
James Gray: When the original photograph, of which this is a copy, came into my possession, it took me several months of patient investigation to identify this house. It proved to be Vine Cottage, built on Balchin’s Nurseries, south of Church Road, Hove, on the site of the present Vallance gardens. The view here is from the rear of 36 and 38 St Aubyns, looking due west over the meadows of Aldrington. The roof and chimneys of Hove manor House in Hove Street, can be seen above the trees on the left. Between Vine Cottage and Manor House was the garden of another large house, Ivy Lodge.
James Gray: This is the only photograph I have ever seen of Ivy Lodge, and it is a pity that so little of the building is shown. It was in the grounds of this house that James Williamson (1855-1933) made one of the first cinematograph films. This was ‘Attack on a Chinese Mission’, made in 1901, and this photograph was taken during the filming. Williamson lived at 144 Church Road, over his Chemist’s shop, before moving to 55 Western Road. Ivy Lodge stood where Vallance Gardens are now, just south of Vine Cottage, the outline of which can just be seen in the background. It was a fairly large bow-fronted building. I have no certain knowledge of when it was removed (it was not listed in Directories), but I think, with Vine Cottage, about 1908. jgc_12-188