I unearthed some old images from 2012 when cleaning up my computer and they show St Bartholomew’s church in Brighton during the demolition of the old open market. It shows the big church a different view that has since disappeared again. I also dimly recall that there was a pink marble bollard at the Level […]
St Bartholomews and the Open Market site, Brighton in 2012 Read More »
It could almost be a parody: “London based arts chief takes seaside town to task for being too much like a seaside town.” (I know we’re a city now…) But it’s real. Read it all here. Julian Caddy is the MD of the Brighton Fringe Festival and he thinks Brighton needs a better class of
He hates the Palace Pier and Julian Caddy just doesn’t love Brighton and Hove Read More »
The latest from my postcard collection. I reckon it’s hardly changed.
Hove Seafront in the 1960s Read More »
A recent addition to my small but growing Brighton and Hove postcard collection is this. It says it’s the Crescent House Convalescent Home. Where was that it? Or is it there still?
Brightoniana: Crescent House, Brighton postcard Read More »
I have a modest but growing collection of Brighton and Hove ephemera that includes documents, postcards and now a stereo card. It was an inexpensive purchase on eBay and I must confess to being slightly unsure it is Brighton at all. What do you reckon? (Click to embiggen.) Some facts. There are no marks on
Brightoniana: Is this Brighton? Read More »
Last year, as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival, submissions for short stories were sought on the theme ‘Brighton: past, present and future.” Selected stories would be read to an audience by actors. Here’s my submission, and it was most gratifying to hear it read. Pier Review The West Pier spangled brand new in the
Short story: Pier Review Read More »
I remember the great storm of 1987. The letter box rattled all night and my mum decided we had to go to school. Oh innocent days. No internet or text messages. We’d listened to the radio, listing all the schools that were shut, and St Luke’s wasn’t mentioned. So off we went. It was chaos
After the 1987 storm, Queen’s Park in Brighton Read More »
After my last post grumbling about Brighton Holiday Homes, I have been musing on what positive steps could be taken to improve the situation for the city’s permanent residents and encourage greater neighbourliness. My suggestions are informed by a few key thoughts. Firstly, that Brighton is a tourist resort and tourists are critical to the
Brighton holiday lets: thoughts on regulation and neighbourliness Read More »
Watching the tweets from the Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce Big Debate on the motion “this house believes that Brighton’s night time economy is tarnishing the city’s brand” was interesting. But I was very surprised to see people praising “responsible” firm Brighton Holiday Homes, represented on the night by Managing Partner Michelle Stonehill. Apparently
Brighton Holiday Homes: a neighbour reflects… Read More »
A young man walks into a pub. He’s from faraway, his English isn’t the best, but he’s trying hard. The barmaid couldn’t be less helpful. Him: A beer please. Her: Ale or lager? Him: Yes, a large beer. Her: What beer? Him: Normal beer. Her: (quickly) Carling, Grolsch or Coors Light? Him: (pausing) Yes. Her:
HOVErheard* A man walks into a pub… Read More »
Two very reasonable parents discuss the tattoo their student son has just got on his arm. You get the sense the parents have had some wild days themselves and are hardly prudish. Mother is doing most of the talking. Mum: It is very big though, isn’t it? Boy: No, it’s not. Mum: And well, it
HOVErheard*: The Tattoo Read More »
Plenty has been written about the astonishing tale of the wounded Indian soldiers who were cared for in Brighton, often at the Pavilion, during the First World War. It was a gesture recognised by the Indians themselves and in this week 90 years ago (October 26th 1921), the Indian Gate at the Brighton Pavilion was
Brighton’s Indian Gate at the Pavilion and the Wounded Soldiers Read More »
I tramped across a cornfield to take a proper look at something I’ve travelled over countless times. The beautiful and stately Ouse Valley Viaduct, just outside Balcombe, is largely unknown by the people who use it every day. Many a London/Brighton commuter will tell you how lovely the view is from the Ouse Valley Viaduct,
A bridge below: the Ouse Valley Viaduct at Balcombe Read More »
My friend Sue writes at London Cemeteries and described her visit to Epping Forest Burial Park recently and how it changed her view of burial. Like her, I previously favoured cremation (or even burial at sea, in my more eccentric moments) until I visited a natural burial site. Cremation strangely felt less gruesome. I felt
The peaceful, natural burial ground at Clayton Wood Read More »