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Eaton Road

Closure of the CVA assembly factory

This photo shows the closure of the CVA assembly factory right by the entrance to Hove Cricket Ground in Eaton Road. Production was being moved to the new factory at Hollingbury and all the employees gathered for a last photo before the move, and the factory being pulled down. (I was an employee, though I'm not in the photo). CVA had used the factory since 1946 and previous to that I believe it had been an Army Drill Hall during WWII and prior to the war a Roller Skating arena. A large block of flats called "Ashdown" now stands on the site.

The factory's last day

Photo and text by Peter Groves (submitted to site 23-06-04)

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments:

I used to work at CVA located on James Street in Brighton from 1950 until my family left for Blandford in Dorset. I was an apprentice earning 19/- 6d a week and I remember cycling to CVA in Hove to make a delivery. I can not remember what it was but I do remember the factory was much larger than the one in James Street. Does anyone know if the factory in St James Sttreet still exists? I believe a Mr Aaron was one of the owners.

By David J Taylor (25/06/2007)

David - regarding your comments on CVA in St James's Street, no it is no longer there. In its place is a small housing delevopment, low rise, I believe called Lavender Court? I'll have to check that as I have the Evening Argus about the (in 1960's) proposed delelopment (in my loft), with artist impression. Also I have a photo of the development in 2007. Let me know your email address and I will send them to you! By the way, if you have any interesting info about CVA in St James's Street I would be very interested. I was an apprentice 20 years after you in 1970. The Portland Road site you mention was the foundry, heat treatment and big machine shop.

By Peter Groves (26/12/2007)

My Grandad was Norman Hayward, what year was this photo taken?

By Lorraine Field (12/06/2008)

The photo was taken ca 1968/9. Norman Hayward would certainly be in the photo, sadly due to the small size, I can't see him. Men from the electrical department are standing directly behind Bob Morris, to the right of center, these were his "electrical" pals, and he is almost sure to be standing with them!

By Peter Groves (17/06/2008)