Contribute


How to contribute

Cromwell Road

Photo:The Four 'Ation' Corners

The Four 'Ation' Corners

Photographed by Bill Maskell 24-03-03.

The Four 'Ation' Corners
Information sent to the website by Dudley R. Seifert by e-mail on 18-02-03

Lest this piece of local humour be forgotten!

My mother, Gertrude Seifert (neé Elliott, born in Hove in 1904) informed me that the intersection of Holland, Davigdor and Cromwell Roads, Hove, was known as the FOUR 'ATION' CORNERS:

EDUCATION: A school was located on the S.E. Corner
SALVATION: A church was on the S.W. corner
ILLUMINATION: An electric company was on the N.E. corner
DAMNATION: A public house was on the N.W. corner

Possibly there is a message in the fact that only the pub has survived?"

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments:

I also went to Davigdor School,and it was certainly known as the worst school in Brighton and Hove - but I found it fun! I also left in 1975 to go to the Nevill. Does anyone remember the haunted library?
By Louise Yates (Burt) (20/01/2004)
Well I went to Davigdor School when they changed building to Somerhill Road, and I have to say that I thought it was a wonderful place to start my education. I was there for 3 years before moving to Somerhill Junior school, which carried on the fantastic support and learning until I went on to 'Big' school in 1995. I believe Davigdor is now one of the most sought after schools in Brighton and as far as I'm concerned, that is well deserved.
By Kelly (09/05/2005)
The electricity building had the air raid siren on top. Even though I was born in the early 1970s it was still there until they pulled the building down. I had the chance to recover the "Davigdor" of the Davigor road sign which was a large ceramic tile, but I didn't take it from the rubble, which I sort of regret. Inside the building was a gantry type crane which they old removed when the rest of the building came down. Also in my life time there was still the entrance to the coal yard between the road up to the bridge and the Electricity building. The brick pillar to the right of the traffic light and lamp post in the photo is the remaining gate post. In fact the last part of the old church (where I went to nursery school) is the gate post at the southern end of the block of flats. I went to Davigdor School while it was still here and indeed my brother did too. The "big girls" were still there when I started, but moved out during my years. We then were allowed into the "top playground". The last time I was there the site of the old school still had not be redeveloped. I must dig out my old photos. I have lots of this area as it was very interesting photographically.
By Trevor Sharp (23/10/2005)
Was anyone there when Mrs Dunster and Mrs Bowen were there? They were frightening!
By Beverley Armstrong (nee Richards) (13/07/2006)

Does anybody remember Jacky Wilson and Rachel Dowell at Davigdor from 1955 - 1961. We'd love to hear from you.

By Jacky Pope and Rachel Dowell (30/10/2007)

I used to live in the basement flat of 2 Cromwell Road with my wonderful bohemian grandmother from 1965 - 1978. Does anyone remember Willit's Wood Yard (may have the name wrong at the back of dairy) - long gone I know but there were some wonderful old carpenters that worked there that always had time to talk to me and the wonderful aroma of wood. And whenever I encounter the smell of wood it envokes wonderful memories. Also I remember there being the Southwick Hill Farm Dairy behind the house, is that still there? I remember the kindly milkmen that worked there who always spoke to me as I played down the alley beside the house (entrance to dairy) I have some wonderful childhood memories of that amazing Victorian House. I would often sit on the gatepost reading. I remember crying bitterly when I had to leave my childhood home to move to London, I never got over it. I often think of those wonderful carefree times running wild and free up and down Cromwell Road, they were some of the happiest days of my life.

By Sophie Fox (25/06/2008)

I went to Davigdor Infants (1976-1980) when it was in Davigdor Road and I have fond memories of it. I loved being the milk monitor.
I remember the thrill of being allowed to play in the top playgroup which backed on to the old Unigate dairy (I think).
But there was a teacher in my last year who scared me to death, a Mrs Hyde.
As for the church that was opposite, I used to belong to the dance classes that were held in the basement (Doris Issacs School of Dancing). Happy days.

By Maria Lanigan (07/11/2008)

Add a comment





Protected by FormShield