Introduction to the group

There is no doubt that Local History is a subject that commands the interest of a great many people of all ages. In recognition of this, the East Brighton Bygones Local History Society has been formed.

Something for everyone
The society has been going for almost a year and our members are very keen to tell everyone about the enjoyable gatherings that we have all shared from the start. Each time we meet, there is always some subject about the local history of our city that evokes great interest in everyone present.

New members welcome
The society, which meets at The Valley Social Centre, Whitehawk Way, on the second Wednesday of every month, always welcomes new members. The meetings start at 2pm and anyone that comes along will be made most welcome: just come along. If you are one of those many people with an interest in local history, you will enjoy Bygones.

Initially financed by the proceeds of the book Holy Oak, A History of Whitehawk and Manor Farm, the group has since received funding from EB4U Community Chest.

Local and social history
Being based in East Brighton, a great deal of the society’s activities have revolved around local and social history subjects about Whitehawk and Manor Farm, Moulsecoomb, Bates and Saunders Park Estates as well as other areas of our city that have had influence on these areas. Of course, we are keen to concern our society with the origins and the historical past of Brighton and Hove in general and, as we develop our group more and more, that’s what we will do.

Friendly group
With a history as rich as ours in East Brighton and beyond, there is no doubt at all that Bygones has a great future. The membership that we have now are a really good and friendly group who are brought together by their interest in local history and a desire to learn.

New members always welcome!
Regular meetings at 2pm,
Second Wednesday of every month
The Valley Social Centre, Whitehawk Way

Comments about this page

  • I need information quickly about Boundary Lane and the boundary wall which runs to the west of the gasworks. There are plans to knock the wall down. I think it was built around 1818 by inmates of the old workhouse but I would be grateful for any information you have about this.

    By Fiona Belden (16/11/2004)
  • I do not know when the wall was built, or by whom. I would suggest that it was not connected with the workhouse because (a) Boundary Road was not a public highway and was therefore not likely to have access to the public administration, and (b) the flint wall surrounded the whole of the gas works via the lane from St. Mark’s School to Rifle Butt Road, and the right hand side of Rifle Butt Road to the cottages and bakery at its southern end. My assumption would be that the wall was developed with the installation of the four(?) gasometers, by the gas company.

    By Edward Brooke (13/06/2005)
  • I am doing reasearch into Military Hospitals in Brighton during the 1914-18 conflict. I was wondering if anyone could help on information on these places.

    By Sean Hall (09/02/2007)
  • I am trying to find information on the history of buildings in Finsbury Road. Wonder if you could help?

    By Rod Goodchild (29/09/2009)
  • Hi there, can anyone please help me with a mystery. I know my family (Edwards) moved from Mile End, London and lived in Brighton:1881 census, 70 Southampton Street. 1891 census, 2 Lincoln Street and finally they ended up in Oxford where my family have remained ever since. I’m fed up with family members keep telling me that there was a famous Edwards in Brighton. Apparently there is a pillar with a lion on top and there is a plaque with this famous family member on it, it might not even be an Edwards it could be a Clarke or who ever. I have been to Brighton four times this year and I can’t find anything. As for the year I would say 1800 on. Also my great grandfarther William Edwards joined the army November the 30th 1883 in Brighton. Are there any detailed records of this? PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME. Many thanks, Clyde.

    By Clyde Edwards (21/06/2010)
  • To Vick Lander: you say that you lived at 25 Fletching Road – do you remember Hilda Chinock who lived at 28 Fletching and her children? I lived with my dad and Hilda when I was about 4 to 5 years old and would like to try to find my dad or any of the Chinock family to see what happened to him. His name was David Jackson.

    By Robert Jackson (16/08/2014)
  • I think you will find that Vic Lander sadly passed away in 2011.

    By Mick Peirson (18/08/2014)
  • Clyde, type in search, to workhouses, you may find something there. I lived in Elmore Road, and I’m sure there was an Edwards around that way.

    By Joyce Blackman (18/08/2014)
  • Hi Mick Person, thank you for the information about Vic Lander which was very sad to hear.

    By Bob Beeman (28/08/2014)
  • Hi everybody.  I now remember the names of the children of the Chinock family: Terry, Jimmy, Bobby and June. Anybody remember them?

    By Bob Beeman (30/08/2014)
  • Sorry,, I should have said that my dad’s name was Donald Jackson. He also used the name of David Ludon.

    By Bob Beeman (01/09/2014)
  • Hi everyone, I’m a director with a rural theatre which will be putting on a play this summer in the ‘lost villages’ of Balsdean and Stanmer. It’s part of a wider tour of lost villages in Sussex and Kent. We would love to speak to any local historians who might be able to give us more information on Balsdean and Stanmer’s status as lost villages. They were both used by the MOD during the Second World War, but beyond that there’s not much information available. It would also be great to speak to anyone who lived in either village at the time. If anyone can help, please do get in touch. Many thanks. Zoe Hinks, Artistic Director
    zoe@sabotagetheatre.com
      

    By Sabotage Theatre (01/05/2017)

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