Davigdor Road

Notes and queries: Spitfire House
Posted by Ian Bromage

Can anyone help with the history of the office block, Spitfire House, in Davigdor Road? In particular why the building is called Spitfire? Now occupied by Syntegra, it has a plaque outside that says it was opened by Nurdin and Peacock with a picture of a Spitfire plane on it.

Response 1:Posted by Jasper Stevens on 17/08/2001:

"During the war a Spitfire crashlanded on a wall at the junction of Holland Road (west side) and Lyndhurst Road, just round the corner from the present Spitfire House. If you look really carefully at the wall round the front garden of the house where it crashed you can just about trace where the newer brickwork was built to repair the crash damage."

Response 2:Posted by Martin Hassett on 20/08/2001:

"The story I heard was that the MD of Newey & Eyre (or whatever the name of the first occupants was!) actually flew Spitfires during the war and, being so enamoured with Supermarine's flying icon, decided that Spitfire House would be just the name for his flashy, new company HQ (well, it was then!). Of course, this story does not necessarily preclude the other!"

08/08/2001
This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments:

Nurdin & Peacock owned the whole site on which now stands Spitfire House and Wickes. It operated as a cash and carry behind Spitfire House for some years after Spitfire was built, but was eventually knocked down and redeveloped. The original tenants of the building were Fireman's Fund Systems Enterprises, who morphed into Telecom ACT and then Syntegra who have now moved out.
By Andrew Mills (06/03/2003)
I work at Legal and General on the corner of Montefiore Road and I would like to know what the building was before the wonderful company I work for took it over. Any Ideas?
By Kelly (06/05/2005)
The Legal and General building was formerly Hanningtons Furniture Depository.
By Trevor Harvey (29/12/2005)
Does anyone remember the church that used to be on the corner of Davigdor Road and Holland Road which is now flats I think? I seem to remember it had a tall spire - I used to go to Sunbeam Play Nursery there back in the late 60's. Come to think of it...does anyone have photos of this church or even Davigdor Infants School that used to be opposite it?
By Giles Allsop (05/01/2006)
My mother remembers the name of this church, it was St Cuthberts Presbyterian Church and was demolished in 1984.
By Giles Allsop (19/01/2006)

I attended St Cuthbert's Presbyterian Church Sunday School from about the age of 5 to the age of 15. It was a great family atmosphere and was like a second family. We won Sunday school prizes for good attendance. I still have my leather bound bible from St Cuthbert's. Attendances fell and the church was bought by I think a Michael Mendoza who tried to run events there. Unfortunately, the locals complained which led to it being demolished in the 80s. This I think was a real crime as it was such a beautiful building, both inside and out. Many great buildings in Brighton and Hove have been needlessly demolished.

By Sue Boxell (19/10/2006)

It wasn't a Spitfire that crashed at the junction of Holland and Lyndhurst Roads and its wasn't WWII. It happened in the 1930s and I believe it was a bi-plane. The pilot escaped the plane and parachuted to land safely on the Dyke Road.

By Peter Groves (28/10/2006)

A single-seater Bristol fighter crashed here on January 24th1938. The pilot landed by parachute in Beaconsfield Road, his only injuries being bruises and a cut tongue.

By Brian Churchill (20/10/2007)

I lived in Farm Road and went to Davigdor Infants. The main thing I remember was the ice factory just down in Holland Road and I remember a Miss Austin. I was always in trouble with her. I then went to George Street, Hove.

By george pickett (28/02/2008)

I attended Davigdor Secondary Modern School for Girls in Davigdor Road (long since demolished) between September 1968 and October 1970 when I moved to Uckfield. Does anyone remember those days (or me?)

By Ann Sellers (née Ritchie) (01/05/2008)

Wasn't the junction with Davigdor Road and Holland Road called 'ation corner'?  This was because there was education (the school), salvation (the church) and damnation (the pub).  Was there another establisment with ation on the end? I've always wondered.
In reply to Ann Ritchie - I remember you very well, would love to hear from you.

By Celia Proud (12/08/2008)