I don't think its Brighton or Hove, the buildings in the background don't look right! It can't be Brighton, because there is no prom wall behind the beach. No lawns behind and too close/steep for Hove. Also too steep in the background, for Worthing or Seaford. Puzzled Peter!

Hi Pat, At the time you mention the Brighton Deep Sea Anglers' Club was at 139, King's Road Arches and the Hon. Sec. was B. Potter of 67, Sackville Road, Hove. There was also a Hove Deep Sea Anglers' Club at the Western Esplanade, Hove. Regards, Andy.

Possibly Hastings?

I think it must be Brighton as King's Road Arches would be right Andy. Thanks for that. Isn't it the Metropole roof in the background? The prom would be obscured behind the boat.

No the sea wall is too high by the Metropole, its just not right for Brighton!

Hi Pat, I'm pretty sure you're right about it being the Metropole in the background. The roof-line matches perfectly, as does the adjacent building, and the flags correspond with those along the front. The beach was relatively shallow and the sea wall fairly low at that point, but annoyingly the camera angle is low and the group cunningly arranged to obscure most of the background. I have a picture taken from almost the same spot in the 1890's which virtually matches the background of your picture.

I know that spot Peter. There is no reason why my father would be with this group in any other town. After all, he had to get home for lunch! I have checked old photos of the Metropole. They show those features. The height of the promenade could quite easily be obscured from this angle. Please note that in my introduction at the top of this page I was questioning the date not the location. My father told me this was Brighton beach.

Hi Andy and Pat. I looked at the James Grey website for a similar view of the Metropole, plenty from the oposite angle, but can't find one from the east side looking west. I drive past most days on my way home from work, I'll have a look tonight, then perhaps get my camera.

Hi again Pat and Andy, I could have "egg on my face", you could well be right! As I drove past last night I took a look, big changes there since the 1950's. The view of the building and roofline is much different today, unrecognisable. When you look at the Metropole now, at a glance its not apparant, but look closely and there have been big changes. It looks like a huge wing has been added to the east side since the photo. This completely oblitarates the side buildings seen in the photo, however one small thing has dashed my view, the 2 tall chimineys at the rear, I think they are still there today, hidden behind the extension! I'm out of the country next week, probably get a chance the week after to take a photo from the same angle. Let me have your email address and I'll send the photo! Really I would like a better look, but I think I should start my apology now!

Peter. Thanks for that. If you contact the website they will forward it to me.

Hi Pat and Andy, Some of the faces look familiar, but sadly I can’t put a name to any except Tommy the boatman, he’d be the one in the peaked cap by the stern of the boat - no idea what his other name was. Some of the names I can remember were Bill Budd, Tommy Sewell and Albert Smith. It might be my grandfather, Bert (short for Hughbert) Potter standing next to Tommy the boatman. Yes, the clubhouse was one of the arches between the two piers and the outboard motors, oars and other equipment were kept in (what I can only call) a half arch on the Hove side that was situated on the stepless side of the steps to the upper prom. There was a snooker table back behind the bar and at the very back, tables and chairs where they used to play cards etc. You could go upstairs to a sort of lounge area where you had a view of the piers, beach and sea. I would love to know how you know Bert Potter.

Great to have some names, Pieter. Thank you. I think Andy will have taken the name B. Potter from an entry for the anglers at that time in the local directory. My later Kelly's for 1958 shows J. Knight as the hon. sec.. Perhaps he took over from your grandfather.

Hi. Upon the passing of my father-in-law, Mr R Elphick, in June of this year, an amount of paperwork has come to light that you may find interesting. Having been for a time the Secretary of The Brighton Deep Sea Anglers Club, he retained Commitee meeting minutes as well as detailed accounts and competition results from as far back as 1947... featuring the names of messrs Budd and Potter. If you would like to see what we have please e mail me denallen65@hotmail.co.uk regards

My dad (Jack Bryant) was a member of the Brighton angling club, and the club house was at the arches, he often took me to the club house, and when they went out in the boats, I used to sit upstairs in the club house and watch the boats go out to sea through the binoculars. They used to tie the boats together in a long line, and then they would separate when they reached thier destination for the duration of the fishing time they had. I did go out with my dad once, and I remember that I caught more mackerel than he did, perhaps that's why he only took me the once. My dad died in 1959. I just wonder if there is anyone who would remember him. Smashing dad, good memories, he did so want a son, but got four daughters, and we loved him to bits.

Regarding the photo I believe it was earlier than1950. I have been associated with the Alllen West Angling Club since 1951. The boatman was Tommy Markwick,both he and his wife Ivy were fisherfolk, she was the only female fisher I can recall who put to sea on her own, netting herring. Regarding Ron Elphick he and I sat on the AW committee for many years and he was Secretary of the Festival Committee who held their meetings at the Deep Sea Club. Each club had two representatives on this committee- the other rep was Jim Mant. I remember Billl Budd as being a member but in later years the names of Stuart Holt and Alan Roscoe were synonymous with the Deep Sea Anglers.

Thanks for that Geoff. We have got one definite name now. Pieter de Lang also identifies Tommy, the boatman in the peaked cap, and you have given his surname. Pieter also suggests it is possibly Bert Potter next to him. Hopefully with these leads we will manage to name a few more faces in time.