James Gray: The terrace of town houses 21-27, Wellington Road, photographed on 17 October 1965. For many years they had been the Headquarters of Brighton Borough Police, B Division, with flats for Police Officers above. They were about 100 years old when demolished at the turn of the year and Council flats are now being built here. jgc_27_108
James Gray: [See text for jgc_27_108 above.] jgc_27_109
2018: The area is now the site of several tower blocks – Morley Lodge is shown here. Prior to being part of the police station no 27 was the home of equestrian performer and circus proprietor John Frederick Ginnett (1825-1892). At the time of his death he owned The Hippodrome (later the Grand) Theatre in North Road, Brighton. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: View from the top of the iron staircase, looking across the Lewes Road valley to Roundhill Crescent and Richmond Road, on the same day. The high roof of St Martin’s Church is on the left. jgc_27_110
2018: James Gray’s description of the view possibly refers to the side of the Police station. This photograph was taken from the side of Morley Lodge. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: Built about 1860 this was one of the largest houses in this road of notably large villas. For most of its life it was in private occupation but during 1927, when known as Apsley House, it became the Northern Branch of Sussex Maternity and Women’s Hospital and remained so for upwards of twenty years. It finished its life as the Nurses’ Home of the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children. Photographed in January 1967, the houses have since been demolished and the empty site now awaits redevelopment. In its early years the road was called Wellington Road Villas. jgc_27_114
James Gray: [See text for jgc_27_114 above.] jgc_27_115
2018: See caption for jgc_27_114 above. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: Mid-Victorian villas, built on the northern edge of the town in a period of about 20 years from 1855. They have been put to a variety of uses, private schools, homes and institutions to mention only a few. This view is of No.11 photographed 4 June 1961, demolished in 1962 and replaced by Hanover Court. jgc_27_116
2018: Hanover court as it appears today. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: Nos. 29 and 31 photographed 6 December 1964 and removed the following year. No. 31 Norfolk House, was for many years, the Barclay Workshop for the Blind. jgc_27_117
2018: Napier House, one of several 1960s blocks of council flats which have now replaced some of the substantial 19th century villas which once lined Wellington Road. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: Photographed 6 December 1964. While taking photographs of houses in this road likely to be demolished, several of which appear on other pages, I included these two, 37 and 39, at this corner of Franklin Road. They escaped removal and remain to this day, little changed. jgc_27_119
2018: The two houses still remain although now (inevitably) subdivided into flats. The increased growth of the hedges and trees in the gardens has obscured much more of the view. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)