Anyone who saw the BBC’s fascinating Secret History of our Streets series earlier this year will know just how much we can learn about the past from the buildings and neighbourhoods around us. That series focused on London, but the … Continued
Yet again, a news report from the past to remind us that the issues making the papers today are by no means new. On 25 May 1871, in the midst of a smallpox epidemic, the Brighton Gazette published a short … Continued
Brighton now thins apace, but should the Princes Adolphus and Augustus visit the Prince of Wales there, as the London Papers assert ’tis their intentionto do, most of the company now there, will no doubt be detained during the stay … Continued
The Prince of Wales, we are informed, has lately purchased from Mr Weltjie, the pavilion, at Brighton. From The Sussex Weekly Advertiser, 1794 Note: although the paper claimed that the purchase had been completed, it had in fact failed and Weltjie withdrew from … Continued
The masquerade at Brighton on Wednesday night, proved not to be so attractive to the gay and fashionable circles at that place as might have been expected for the number of masks did not exceed 120. The Prince of Wales … Continued
Talking about the weather is a cliché, but it is something we do a great deal of in the UK. When we aren’t lamenting the passing of yet another disappointing summer, we are discussing the impact – locally and globally – of … Continued
Samuel Johnson, the writer, lexicographer and wit, was born on 18 September 1709. Johnson visited Brighton on several occasions in the late eighteenth century, as his friends Henry and Hester Thrale owned a house at the bottom of West Street. … Continued
Zippos Circus has opened on Hove Lawns this week, and is part of a long tradition of circuses visiting Brighton and Hove during August. Back in August 1939, on the eve of World War Two, Brighton was treated to the … Continued
Stylish, flamboyant and fun, Brighton has evolved over hundreds of years from a tiny fishing community into a vibrant, modern ‘city by the sea’. Today, Brighton is identified with many things – its festival, universities and fine Regency architecture among … Continued
In March 1928, a Mr. Burdett opened a Sun-Ray Lamp studio above Benham’s the chemist at 6a Queen’s Road, Brighton. One of his adverts stated that the ‘Clarion Call to Health & Healing has been heard in the South East’ … Continued
With the 2012 Olympics opening tomorrow, it is interesting to note that Brighton can claim several connections with the Olympic Games of 1948 – the last time London was the host city. Jean Caplin took part in the Women’s 200 metre … Continued
In 2008, during the summer holidays at King’s College London, I was lucky enough to gain an internship at The British Museum identifying and cataloguing the High Weald hoard. The hoard, discovered in East Sussex with the aid of a … Continued
The Chain Pier was 350 yards long and thirteen feet wide. It was basically a bridge between the cliff wall and four towers. The towers were made of huge slabs of cast iron. They were held out of the water, … Continued
Ninety years ago, on 24 June 1922, Brighton initiated its first carnival. It was the inspiration of Captain Arthur Applin who regarded the festivities as an opportunity to bring prosperity to Brighton at a time when the resort was experiencing … Continued
The First Waterproof Wig! Here’s a puzzler for you. It’s possible to get your hair wet – yet still keep it dry – while in the briny for a lovely lazy-daisy dip. How? It’s simple. Buy yourself a “pompadour” wig-style … Continued
When the Revolution hits Brighton there will be no more estate agents, no more luxury holiday flats, and homelessness will be a thing of the past. Empty lots will become free adventure playgrounds, the seafront’s amusement arcades will be bulldozed and … Continued
References to the Olympics seem to be everywhere at the moment, some cropping up in the unlikeliest places! Searching recently for an exhibition catalogue from the 1950s, I discovered details of an Olympic Games Philatelic Exhibition held here at Brighton … Continued
As the September term began last year, pupils returning to Falmer High School saw a great change to their school site from when they left in July. A large part of the school had been demolished. This was in readiness … Continued
For many, this weekend will be dominated by celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. These anniversaries have long been marked by the people of Brighton & Hove, but they have not always been celebrated by street parties. Back in 1935, … Continued
Brighton Aquarium was conceived and designed by Eugenius Birch, the architect responsible for the West Pier. Work began in 1869 and the building opened in 1872. The project cost £133,000 (equivalent to around £5.5 million today). The Aquarium proved an … Continued
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