brighton & hove people 1946-1959
Pictured through the lens of a Sussex Daily News photographer.
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This picture was known as the ‘blue shed’ which acted as a booth to give out baby products, situated in Beatty Avenue, opposite Coldean School, Brighton.
Many people on social media had memories of this being where the old doctor’s surgery used to be and apparently Coldean library is built on the spare land in front of the school.
One person posted: The NHS started in 1948 founded on the Beverage report in 1942. In Fairness, rationing was still in force up to 1955. So when the picture was taken times were hard. Pregnant women and new mothers received additional items to supplement their rations. Dried milk and Orange juice were part of this programme. Most of Coldean, north of what is now Rushlake Close was built as part of the post war house building programme and his parents moved into a new house in March 1951.
But the most exciting thing about the photo was that a Richard Szypulski recognised Doris Szypulski (his mother), and the little girl beside her was his sister – Margaret. In the pram was his elder brother - Stephen. This confirmed the date of the picture as 1952.
A reminder of summer on Brighton Beach 1953
Picture 89: Circa 1953
Lots of people on social media were reminiscent about this photograph. The memories of growing up as a child and going to a jumble sale with their parents etc. Nowadays, jumble sales have been replaced by the Internet and charity shops.
The Syd Dean Band performed at the Regent in the 40's although didn't become resident band until the 50's.
This picture looks historically incorrect, however the old cars are outside to promote what looks like the film Genevieve.
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This picture is thought to be a political march let by political activist Bessie Bradock who was part of the Coopertive Party movement.
Bessie is well known because of an exchange with Winston Churchill, whom she accused of being drunk.
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Vince Hill pictured with a ‘throng’ of girls outside the Whisky-a-Gogo Club, Queens Square, Brighton which was in the basement of the Blue Gardenia Club, owned by the infamous Harvey Holford.
Apparently, Vince (real name Maurice Holden) was David Bowie’s inspiration for Ziggy Stardust. His track ‘My brand new Cadillac’ was later immortalized and covered by the Clash.
Sadly, Vince fell into obscurity after the start of a promising career due to drugs and personal problems and died in 1991.
It was heartening to see a few people recognizing themselves in this picture which is Findon Close, off Steyning Avenue, Hove.
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The Argus Shop, North Street, Brighton. Pre 1980 the only real way to advertise anything was via a newspaper. The newspaper industry in the 1950s was a very lucrative business and the print unions starting to flex their muscles in terms of wages and a 'Closed' Shop in the production areas.
Post 1980 and other forms of advertising became widely available - Radio, TV and then the internet.
Western Road, Hove on the corner of Lansdowne Place south side.
One poster on social media remembered when the Circus arrived at Brighton Station & the animals walked past - the kids were just thrilled watching! In Brighton & Hove circus's were a regular ocurrence and animals travelled by train and walked to their destination.
People gather round a probable Bank Holiday game of 'Bat & Trap' at the Level, Brighton. This was popular game played in Sussex especially on Bank Holidays.
The Level was once a cricket ground and the pub opposite (the Bat and Ball) is evidence of this.
Bobby Lee of the Brighton Tigers Ice Hockey team seen shaking hands with Billy Laine (Brighton & Hove Albion manager at the time).
The Brighton Tigers who played at the SS Brighton Sports Stadium (now the Kingswest) were a sporting success story for many of their 30 seasons. At one point they were considered one of the finest ice hockey teams in the UK and Europe, made up of many Canadians who had remained after WW2.
There are some lovely comments of happy memories of many that can still remember the atmosphere and excitement at the SS Brighton.
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Men taking part in an impromptu football match in a photograph taken at the Level, in Brighton. There is no date attached to this photograph, but looking at the shoes of a couple of the men it looks likely it is in the early 1950s.
Again, it is an example of the skill and guile of a newspaper photographer who would have a limited number of shots available to him via a camera which used glass plates. Unlike today, when multiple digital shots could be taken in just a few seconds. Look at the expressions on the players faces in the picture. As one person pointed out on social media, it looks at least a guaranteed ‘red card’, if not, at least a VAR referral.
On a serious note, the types of clothes were discussed and in particular the trousers of these men. For example some are wearing braces etc.
This is thought to be 'Big' Bill Broonzy blues guitarist who visited Hove Town hall in 1952 on a tour from the US.
Billed by many venus in the UK as the 'King of the Blues'.
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This is likely to be a scene at the interval of a Brighton Tigers Ice Hockey game. They appear to be normal bicycles and I suspect they did not remain upright for very long!
Nissen huts were a common site in Sussex after the war. Some posters on social media recalled huts in Gatwick and Maresfield. In reality, this kind of accomodation was common place in Sussex during the early fifties as the UK came to terms with recovery after WW2.
One member on social media recalls the days on Brighton Beach in 1959 and a mix of rock'n'rollers and beatnicks skipping and jiving to the music.
Picture 111: Circa 1953
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This picture could be on any council estate in Brighton. A few theories int
In the 1950s, newspaper booths were a regular sight in Brighton & Hove, and this would be because of the amount of people that would read a newspaper or comic. This was obviously before the digital age of the 1990s which saw newspaper circulations start to plummet.
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A great atmospheric picture of a scene in a local school hall, somewhere in Sussex?
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Brighton Police Cadets being inspected on the lawns of the Royal Pavilion.
Brighton was the first force in England to appoint a female police officer in 1918, but in the main the police force remained a male domain until later.
Traffic had built up again since the end of the war and the middle 1950s saw the peak of coach traffic in the town. The highest post-war figure was reached on a day in June 1952 when 530 coaches visited Brighton.
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There seems to be some doubt about where this photograph was taken, but seems likely it could have been Arundel.
The one thing we do know, is that this is the Queen Mother.
One theory was that it was taken three years later and was the Queen Mother presenting the new colours to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment.
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Boy Scout collecting waste paper in a cart outside house in Nevil Avenue, Hove.
Withdean Stadium, Brighton. This place has been the home of numerous events over the years. Football, Rugby, American Football, athletics and much more.
This picture is most likely the completion of a celeberity football match.
East Street, Brighton. Sussex in History suggested this could be a funeral procession or 'pensioners protest'. Either way, it would be a brave man who stepped in the way!
People arriving at Brighton Station circa 1950. It is fascinating looking at the faces of the people arriving, presumably from London?
Each with their own story to tell!
Brighton based boxer Tommy Farr pictured outside what looks like a carriage of the Brighton Belle train.
Tommy once challenged Joe lewes for the heavyweight championship of the world in the USA and was narrowly beaten.
He ran once ran the Royal Standard pub in Queens Road Brighton and latterly lived in Shoreham Beach.
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I think the consensus of opinion is that this group shot has been taken outside the 'old' Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove.
It looks like some sort of works outing predominantly made up of women, possibly all employed at Hove Town Hall?