This year’s Burning of the Clocks will be held tomorrow, Tuesday 21 December. This is a contemporary British folk tradition of Brighton, which originated in 1993. A magical winter white lantern festival, it takes the form of a street procession with thousands of performers, … Continued
One of the most famous figures in Sussex history is the doctor and geologist Gideon Algernon Mantell (1790-1852). He was born and bred in Lewes, and from an early age developed an interest and passion for the many different types … Continued
A tradition of the British festive season is to remark on whether the occasion feels ‘Christmassy’ or not. This slightly torturous colloquialism may seem like a recent invention, but according to the Oxford English Dictionary it dates back to at … Continued
With the opening of the ice rink at the Royal Pavilion in November, it may come as a surprise to many to learn that the first ice rink in Brighton opened in 1897. The rink was in Middle Street but … Continued
[slideshow] The Monument Fellowship is a Museums Association scheme which is aimed at capturing collections knowledge held by experienced individuals who have retired from museums. As part of this scheme I have been working alongside the recently retired assistant Keeper, Jeremy Adams, … Continued
‘Smith’s Cuttings’ are a fascinating collection of ephemera relating to all aspects of Brighton life. The volumes are divided into themes (Amusements, Elections, Fisheries), buildings (Churches, Chapels, Hotels, Pavilion, Chain Pier, Aquarium), and areas (The Coast West, The Coast East, … Continued
One hundred years ago this week, the Duke of York’s Cinema in Brighton opened its doors for the first time. One of the great Edwardian picture palaces, it was designed by local architects Charles Clayton and Ernest Black, and the opening day, … Continued
This photograph shows Circus Street School, Brighton, in the late 1930s. It was taken shortly before the area was redeveloped in 1937. But this photograph is not merely a record of a vanished school; more surprisingly, it shows how the Spanish Civil … Continued
Before there were all-seater stadiums there were stands; before there were stands, football supporters simply stood at the edge of the pitch. As Brighton & Hove Albion fans look forward to the new stadium in Falmer, this postcard is a … Continued
At the end of March, we opened a new room on the Royal Pavilion visitor route – what I call ‘a small room with a big story’. Here, visitors who turn off their audio guides and step away from tales … Continued
I have been volunteering at Brighton Museum in the costume collection for a couple of months now and having a really good time. My favourite part is when we need to get something out of the storage cases. It always … Continued
As a volunteer for Royal Pavilion & Museums within the costume collection, I am privileged to be able to have a good look around within the dress collection. They seem to me to be brimming over with a thousand stories; … Continued
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