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Photographed c1910

George Street, Brighton, c1910
Scanned with permission from the private collection of David Burgess

Comments about this page

  • I lived on this street at 5a George Street, above Pullinger’s shoe shop, for 21 years. The rest of our family also lived there, my grandparents were at Little George St. and various aunts and uncles further up the street. My first job in the summer hoildays was at No.6, The Left Handed Whelk. I used to love getting huge tips from all the knocker boys when they came falling out of the pubs in the afternoon. The street had a great sense of community spirit. Some lovely characters.

    By Alan Purton (30/05/2006)
  • If the barber shop is on the corner of Edward Street, then it is still a hairdressers, ‘Jimmy’s’ is run by my neice’s husband.

    By Eric Feast (21/06/2006)
  • I remember getting the No 46 bus from Beaconsfield Road to the Old Steine to visit my great aunt who owned a sweet/grocery shop in George Street. She was an elderly spinster called Emily Scrace – she passed away in 1965 I think. She always gave me a lollipop when it was time to go home.

    By Martin Scrace (23/10/2006)
  • My grandparents, Godfrey and Nellie Smith (nee Grace), and my Dad lived at 27 George Street in 1933.

    By Maralyn Eden (26/02/2007)
  • Does anyone have any memories of a little hippie/alternative shop called The Wraggle Taggle Workshop that once was in George Street in the early seventies? I often used to go in there and buy the odd little thing, mainly joss sticks. They had some interesting craft items. One in particular always struck me – a cabinet having a ying/yang symbol carved on its door that opened down the middle of the symbol when the doors were pulled. Brighton was rather a hippie town at the time. I believe they also stocked The Brighton Voice, a community magazine.

    By Edward (03/05/2007)
  • Yes. I remember the Wraggle Taggle Workshop from my first years in Brighton (around 1970/1). My friend and I made some dresses to sell in the shop but I can’t remember ever making any money from them!

    By Jan Hill (05/09/2007)
  • Thanks Jan. I was starting to think I was the only one who remembered the place. I did not think that the shop made any money generally in fact. I think that at least a few of the inhabitants of the shop were students at the time.

    By Edward (16/10/2007)
  • Alice Florence Spicer, also named Jolly Alice in Blackpool lived at 29 George Street, Brighton 1920s to 1950 when she died.

    By Diane (25/11/2007)
  • I remember the shop. Later there was also a vegetarian restaurant there. What was it called? I helped with the Brighton Voice for a while. Are there any other people around who did?

    By Cintia (24/01/2008)
  • Cintia, I remember Brighton Voice well and still have a few copies. I believe The Public House Bookshop was one of its outlets. However I had nothing to do with it other than buying the odd copy. Elsewhere on this site I have read that the Brighton History Centre has a few for inspection.

    By Edward (18/02/2008)
  • There was a veggie restaurant in George Street in the early 80’s called Saxons. I remember a very striking woman of the same name who ran the place. Eventually moved the operation to Western Road above a shop, where it did not prosper. She was ahead of her time!

    By Adam Campbell (19/02/2008)
  • I remember walking with my Mother on Saturday mornings from Park Road Terrace – by the Red Lion Pub down to George St, always stopping at the Winkle Lady’s house to buy a pint of Winkles when they were in season for my Father. He would sit in front of the TV watching the football results shelling winkles and dipping them into malt vinegar before eating them, hoping he had won the Pools.

    By Edwina Zander nee Turner (26/03/2008)
  • I well remember the winkle lady in George Street, her name was Mrs Kelly and she lived in George Street Gardens. I lived at 4 George Street Gardens and my younger sister, Kathleen Scrase (nee Wickham), could always be fouind at Mrs Kelly’s whenever she went missing. Mrs Kelly had three sons and tended to favour my sister and I’m sure she would have liked to keep her. One of her sons, Trevor, emigrated to Australia where he did very well and made his fortune.

    By Mrs J Bradbury (nee Wickham) (26/04/2008)
  • I too remember a sweet shop down George Street. When my sister Joan and I never had any sweet coupons left, we used to buy nippets from there. I also remember Mrs Kelly very well and fetching my sister from there. My Mum always bought our shoes at Mr Pullinger’s. It was a great place to live years ago. Lovely people who all helped one another.

    By Ann Roberts nee Wickham (12/06/2008)
  • I live on George Street now, its wicked!

    By Steph (30/06/2008)
  • Ah, old ma Kelly, I remember her well. She lived a few doors away from us, always had a huge roll up hanging out of her mouth while talking to you, what a character. A pretty young girl called Edwina used to sit on her steps.

    By Alan Purton (25/08/2008)
  • Barry the shoe who runs Pullinger’s Shoe Shop is a diamond and it’s the place to get your shoes repaired in Brighton. Also, I used to be involved in Solstice Bookshop in Trafalgar Street in the late 70s to the early 80s, and sold Brighton Voice and had our windows broken for our efforts. the local fascists hated us. We were pals with the veggie shop in George St but I don’t remember the name except was there a Barry there too? I now run Bonett’s in St George’s Road. Other great places in George Street are the Jog Shop, Freedom Bikes and Figaro’s Cafe.

    By Paul Bonett (25/10/2008)
  • Could anyone please tell me where George Street Gardens, Brighton is please? I can’t find it on a map, my great grandad lived there in 1915.

    By Zoe Ellis (03/11/2008)
  • My mother’s great-great-grandfather, Walter Flinn [b1799], and family lived on George Street in the 1860s. He was a dyer, on whose trade was founded the firm of Flinn & Son Dyers and Cleaners that later had the big works in Portslade. He one child, Joseph [b1850], who in turn had four children and the two boys, Joseph Walter [b1872] and Frederick [b1875] went on to manage and develop the firm until WW2.Joseph [b1850] was apprenticed to George Salter, dyer, of 67 Western Road Hove in 1866. My grandfather Joseph Bennett [b1900], the son of Joseph Walter, was works manager until 1960 when he retired after declining to move to the Bootle HQ of Johnsons of Liverpool who owned the firm. Some on here may remember him. He lived at St Keyna’s Ave, Hove from the late 20s. Walter had emigrated from Dublin in the early decades of the 19th century where the family had been silk dyers since the early 18th century at least, possibly longer. The family probably arrived in Ireland from northern Europe in the 17th century as they were Huguenots [Protestant] who left France or the Low Countries, fleeing Catholic persecution. I think Walter must have been the “Flinn” and Joseph the “son” in Flinn & Son.

    By Nick Fleischmann (24/11/2008)
  • We lived at Flat 3, 40 George Street, over the top of a storage unit that had the machines and gear taken off the Palace Pier during the war. We went to Park Street Seniors until late 1943/44 when my Dad moved to Whitehawk. I used to go to Boys Club further up Edward Street. I remember the British Restaurant near Chapel Street and the Pie Shop on the other corner.

    By Arthur Dalby (28/11/2008)
  • I lived at 5a George Street, above Pullingers shoe shop, when Jimmy Pullinger owned it. The access to our flat was the alley way that was between the greengrocers (Hardwicks) Jojo and Julie’s grandad’s; and Dan the barbers (a whack round the head with the brush if you moved your head). The alley way came out between old Ma Kelly’s house and the Queens Arms – I think it was called George Street Gardens. Little George Street was just further up on the same side, my family lived there also for many years.

    By Alan Purton (17/01/2009)
  • I remember that alleyway well, walking down it to deliver a Valentines card to the boy who lived above Pullingers – many, many years ago.

    By Edwina Zander (nee Turner) (27/01/2009)
  • My ancestors, surnamed Howell, lived in Little George Street: they show in the 1841, 1851, 1861 census rolls. Where was Little George Street relative to George Street? I take it it is just a small alley way off to one side of George Street? On George Street, how do the house numbers progress, lowest to highest, relative to Edward and St James Streets? I assume Edward Street was the northern end and St James’s Street the southern. I have never been to Brighton, just looking at a modern map and trying to figure things out. I live in Las Vegas and hope to visit this area someday.

    Editor’s note: The Message Board is the best place to ask a question.  It is monitored by our local historians and others who have a wide knowledge of Brighton and  Hove. Best of luck with your research.

    By Wayne Stoker (21/04/2009)
  • I was born in William Street ,which is just down the road from George Street. There was a pub called the Dog Tray on the corner of an alleyway called Sun Street. I spent many an hour standing outside there waithing for dad to come out, happy days. I knew Ol Ma Kelly and her sons Trevor and Frank and also the Rolfes that lived in George Street. Does anyone remember old Spider mMtchell who used to push a wheelbarrow up to the saturday market?

    By Duffy (15/05/2009)
  • Does anybody know what happend to the Rolfe family. Mickey Rolfe was one of my best mates, along with Tony, and Danny.

    By Duffy (16/05/2009)
  • Jimmy Pullinger, my Uncle, is now 97 years. My mother was born in the bedroom above the shop (who sadly only passed away recently), when my Grandfather owned it, and where whose own mother, my Great Grandma Louise Pullinger repaired shoes in her day.

    By David Silcock (10/06/2009)
  • I now live at number 57 George Street. Does anyone know any history of the property?

    By Hamilton Jarvis (15/08/2009)
  • I am the grandaughter of Alice Spicer who lived at number 29 George Street for many years. I lived my first 4 years at 29 George street along with my parents and my twin brother. Alice had three sons, my father Albert, an older brother Alf and a younger brother Pat who is still alive and living in London. There were also two sisters, Gladys who sadly past away some years ago and Barbara who is still alive who lives in Kent. Alf was well known on the Brighton jazz scene.

    By Chris Youldon (nee Spicer) (30/08/2009)
  • Duffy, Mickey, Tony and Danny Rolfe are my Nan’s (Sheila Wheatland’s) nephews. Their parents were Florence (Florrie) and “Shrimp”. To our knowledge they still live down there. They all married too.

    By Shelley (24/09/2009)
  • Thank-you for letting me know that my old Cyprus and don’t get an oportunity to get back. Please give them all my best, and tell them that I always think about the old days, also that iIremember all the good people that we grew up with.

    By Duffy (11/10/2009)
  • Hi, I now work in Bom-Bane’s cafe at no 24 George St, and live above it. Does anyone have any memories of the bike shop, or Andy’s all-day breakfast cafe – or anything or anyone else who lived and worked at no 24? Thanks

    By Jane Bom-Bane (11/01/2010)
  • Micky Rolf here. I was born in George Street in 1944. My three brothers are still in the Brighton area. Good to see Duffy is still about and Alan Purton, I remember you. Well, I hope you are both OK.

    By Micky Rolf (31/01/2010)
  • I was born in William Street and lived in Mighell Street just up the road from George Street. I went to St John’s School and remember Uncle Jack the school board man. Does anyone remember the Douglas family?

    By Tina Douglas (06/02/2010)
  • Hello Tina. I don’t think you would know me but I was born in William Street as well at number 10. Our family name is Newman. If you ask older persons in your family I’m sure that they will know me, I was a friend of Mickey and his sisters Pat/Linda/Sharon, and also Terry, Linda’s mum would make toffee apples for us kids and always had some left over bits for us as well. Please ask Linda as I’ve heard that she runs a pub in town, write back and let me know??

    By Duffy (08/02/2010)
  • Didn’t fancy the whelks and cockles Gerry used to keep at the back of his shop, Al, did you? Smelled a bit off to me?

    By steve barnard (25/03/2010)
  • My grandfather was Albert Hussey who was the picture framer in George Street. The shop front and awning are visible in the picture.He died in 1973 and his wife, Win, fifteen years later. My mother, Barbara, is alive and is 85 and lives in a nursing home in West Wickham, Kent. The shop is now The Brighton Gallery so there has been a framing shop on that site for over 130 years. Great to read about the street on here.

    By Ian Pettyfer (18/04/2010)
  • Micky Rolfe, yes I remember you well, and obviously Shrimpy with his tight grey hair, he always reminded me off a lovable spiv – but then I suppose with all the knocker boys around the area, that was bound to be the look. Tina Douglas, well I was at the same schools, slightly younger, and in Kevin’s year. I used to watch Albert Hussey making the picture frames.  What patience he had, I used to nearly fall asleep just watching, a slow process indeed. The cockles and whelks smelling Barnie? I always thought that eminated from your socks.

    By alan purton (13/05/2010)
  • My Mum went to school with Aunt Flo Rolfe, that is what we used to call her. Shrimp always stood on the corner just at the bottom of George Street gardens opposite the Thurlow pub. My oldest brother used to be friends with Derek Rolfe, another friend of his was a boy we used to call Monkey, he was a Newington. Mum, whose single name was Rose Dove, lived in William Street. Her Dad was a coster monger and sold fish in Lewis with one of his brothers. Mum said they would walk with their barrow all the way to Lewis, then visit every pub on the way back. Other of my Mum’s friends were Flo Saunders nee Tidy & Violet Townsend nee Lamper. Aunt Flo’s people were fishermen and Aunt Violet used to make up watercress bundles. I went to St Johns, Terry Douglas, Freddy Bean were all in my class, I used to be scared of them. Terry now lives in Kingston I think. He was a knocker boy, we used to see him at a bakers up Ditchling Road.

    By Ann Roberts (Wickham) (Queensland, Australia) (27/07/2010)
  • I loved reading these comments especially about Pearl Kelly, the winkle lady. She was my Nan. Unfortunately she passed away when I was young in a fire in George street. It’s amazing how many people knew her.

    By Debs Weir (28/01/2011)
  • I have just read this page about George street and its bought tears to my eyes. It brings back so many memoires. Alan Purton’s mum, dad and brother lived in our house no 37 at the top of George street. I remember his family very well, also the Rolfe family, Douglas and the other people. I have been trying to contact Duffy on Friends reunited, I now live in Turkey but will always think of Brighton as home. Does anyone remember Riding School Lane were the paint factory and the stables were? Where’s Chris Alan?

    By kathleen catt [neecornford] (30/01/2011)
  • Me again – Kathy Cornford as I was known in them days (married Catt). All these things the boys are talking about I remember so well. Aunt Flo Rolfe used to look after me a lot when I was a kid. Someone is asking where George street gardens was – it was on the opposite side to George street in Edward street. Mrs Kelly used to live there, the houses had their gardens at the front of the house across from the houses. Jimmy’s the hairdressers is still on the the corner of George street – it must have been there about40 years or more.

    By Kathleen Catt (30/01/2011)
  • The cul de sac in George Street near bottom (St James Street end) was called Little George Street. There were about eight cottages one side and four houses the other side. Alan Purton’s grandmother lived there. I called her aunt Tilly. I remember her well, she pierced my ears with a darning needle and threaded cotton through them because I didn’t have any earings. I was about seven years old. Oh what memories this site is bringing back.

    By Kathleen Catt (31/01/2011)
  • There were two other small alleyways of off George Street. I remember the one at the top of the street (Edward Street end) lead into Dorset Street which is where the car park for Morrisons is. The other one was at the bottom end of the street which you could go in down the side of the Queen’s Arms public house and come out by Dan’s the barbers shop. The alleyway was where the back entrances were to the shops at the bottom end of George Street. Alan Purton lived also in George Street. There was a garage called Bakers. The family who owned it lived opposite Pat and her brother used to do puppet shows for us and charge us for it. I remember the Argus came once and took a photo of us all watching it. I think we were only about 9 or10. My house no 37 oppisite the Thurlow’s was one of three houses that were the same. They were three stories high and also had a basement. We had electric lights but no sockets also no bathroom or hot water. We got the hot water by boilng up water on the gas cooker and the toilet was outside in the yard (how cold was that in winter?) Young people today don’t know how lucky they are, but they were still good times.

    By Kathleen Catt nee Cornford (31/01/2011)
  • Every time I read about George Street it brings back more old memories. I remember a family whose name was Davis. I think she was related to the Spicer family, she used to stand at her basement steps watching us play. She always wore one of those cross over aprons like a dress with no sleeves, I don’t think you can buy them now. She lived at number 32 George Street.

    By Kathleen Catt (05/03/2011)
  • Its me again – more memories. I remember that in George Street there was a block of two storey flats that had a workshop underneath at street level. You had to go up a flight of stairs to them. If my memory serves me right they belonged to the Palace Pier and people who worked on the pier lived in them. There was a Mr Holden he was I think one of the bosses, also there was another flat next door to there with a workshop and a lady lived above there. She had a rather steep lot of stairs to go up. We all called her Auntie Daisy, I can’t remember her surname.

    By Kathleen Catt nee Cornford (06/03/2011)
  • I remember all these things as well Cathy, I know you know me.

    By Duffy Watkins (07/03/2011)
  • There are 2 things that come to mind when I think of George Street. First was the shop on the corner of St James’s Street and George Street. This was the shop that dressed me in fashionable clothes for the late 60’s, the shop was Silver’s. My dad bought me my first pair of Levi 501s in Silver’s and for the next few years I brought my Levi STA-PREST trousers and Ben Sherman shirts there. Those are iconic labels of the late 60’s, if you coupled them with a pair of loafer shoes and a Harrington jacket – you would really look the part. The second image that comes to mind was a hardboard cut-out of a hairdresser standing outside of the shop, written on the cut-out was ‘Haircut sir’. I seem to remember the hairdresser’s name was Dan. I think the cut-out hairdresser was still there in the 80’s, but I can’t remember when Silver’s ceased trading.

    By Michael Brittain (09/03/2011)
  • Yes, I remember you too Duffy. Do you remember when we were at St John’s School when we were changing classes one day and you were running on the stairs and knocked me over and I ended up at the Sussex County? That’s going back some years – it was the old hospital then on Eastern Road. Things have changed a lot around that area from what it was like when we were kids – no police station, no Amex, no Job Centre, only a lot of waste ground. It would be nice to hear from you. Have you any old school photos you could put on this site?

    By Kathleen Catt (nee Cornford) (11/03/2011)
  • Lovely to hear from you Cathy. I certainly do remember St Johns and the incident you mention and also all the waste ground where we all played. Our friends were the Douglas, Weaver. Ancells. O’Donnels, Newintons. Ah – too many to name. What about Barnes the wastepaper yard in Henry Street? Full of rats. I’m sorry that I haven’t any old pics as I’ve given them to my niece for her to research into the family history.

    By Duffy Watkins (11/03/2011)
  • lovely to hear from you Cathy – contact me on my e/mail.

    By duffy watkins (18/03/2011)
  • Hi Duffy, I remember the pub that Linda had with her husband. It was called the Basket Makers in Cheltenham place, but that was a few years back now. From what I hear Linda lives at Rottingdean now. I see Brenda Wilmshurst when I’m in England, she use to live at the top of George Street Gardens in the pub which was called the Italian Arms. Do you remember her? Have you looked at the group school photos of St Johns? I picked out some of the girls but could only recognize a couple of the boys. I’m sure I must in them but I don’t recognize myself. 

    By kathleen catt (18/03/2011)
  • Glad to hear from you Duffy, like to keep in touch but haven’t got your e.mail address. Mine is kathleencatt@yahoo co.uk. Do you remember Peter Leach? He use to live on Carlton Hill – he is still involved with fishing. The fish market that use to be at the bottom of Carlton Hill is now in Portslade on the seafront. 

    By kathleen catt (19/03/2011)
  • Well thanks to Duffy and your site I have been in touch with family I didn’t know I had half way across the world and also a dear old friend who I haven’t seen in years and who is great friends with relatives I didn’t know I had, and also old friends from George St. We have been talking about William Street, the creache park in Sussex Street- oh what fun we used to have all of us .There was another friend who we spoke about who I would like to be in contact with- Sheila Cork. If you are around Sheila my e.mail address is kathleencatt@yahoo.co.uk. I’d love to hear from you.

    By Kathleen Catt [nee Cornford] (25/03/2011)
  • I’m so glad that Kathy has had the great news of which she has been searching for a very long time. I only played a small part in it, must be wonderfull for her.

    By Duffy Watkins (18/04/2011)
  • Today I met up with a dear old friend who I havn’t seen for years and we talked about our childhood living in and around Edward Street and what fun we had. One of our close school friends still lives in, I think it was called Steine Street. It was the street before Princess Street at the bottom of Edward Street. Also Duffy who puts comments on your site was also one of our group of friends. Its changed so much around that area, so we have all got a lot to thank your site for, for bringing back the memories.

    By Kathleen Catt [nee Cornford] (19/04/2011)
  • Cintia and Adam: It was indeed called Saxons and the owner was known as simply Saxon. I knew her quite well and went in for lunch everyday as I worked in the remainder bookshop called the The Bookshop in East street. Saxon was indeed very striking in fact I’d say she was very beautiful and was as you said very ahead of her time and knocked socks off the vegetarian cafe competition like Ceres near the town hall. Her food was great so great in fact the restaurant attracted many followers of the Guru Marahji ji followers who were based in Brighton. This maybe although I’m not totally sure, was the reason for her moving to Western Road. Cheers and thanks for the memories Mike.

    By Mike Peckett (03/07/2011)
  • I now live on George Street, number 36 and we used to be part of the Thurlow Arms, as was. In answer to a comment above as to whether the Pub is a listed building I can answer that – YES it is grade 1 listed. Though strangely our house isn’t, nor do the dates tally – which is why I have found this site, as I am trying to find info on the history of our house, as despite once being part of the pub, it doesn’t date from the same time as the pub – curious. I’ll be following the forum link above in the hope of finding an answer.

    By Lynette Tate (01/09/2011)
  • Is it true that there was talk of demolishing George Street some years ago now?

    By Johny (10/09/2011)
  • Reading all the comments about George Street. Living around the corner in St.James Street in 1946 us children loved the Barrow Boys. Sold all the veges and fruit etc.They were of course working the barrows illegally. When the cops turned up the lads would just lift the barrows up and just stand there. Then they were untouchable by the cops. The police would then be on their way and it was business as usual. I had a Raleigh bike for my 12th birthday 1948 and that was purchased second hand for 10 shillings from the bike shop in George Street. Have fond memories of George Street in the 40s and early 50s. Remember the gypsies selling flowers (possibly flogged from the other side of town) and the clothes pegs.

    By Jennifer Goddard nee Norrell (29/03/2012)
  • Wonderful memories on this page from you all, but I would like to ask a question if I may? Are the Rolfes and the Rolfs one in the same or is it just the way the name is said, like my name is Collings but when tracing my tree have found lots of Collins’ gets very confusing.

    By Peter David Collings (01/04/2012)
  • Hi Peter. Before the 20th century, a large proportion of the population were illiterate. At an event where a name was formally documented, such as a birth, marriage, death, or census return, many were recorded phonetically by the presiding official (ie: they wrote down what they believed they had heard). Thus, Collings might have become Collins, Rolfe became Rolf, Read became Reed, etc etc. A regional accent from someone from another part of the country would introduce even more significant variations – in my wife’s family Dunning became Denney.

    By Andy Grant (02/04/2012)
  • Hi Lynette, I don’t know where you got the information about the Thurlow Arms, but it is incorrect. Brighton Council’s own website has a list of all listed buildings and the Thurlow Arms is grade II listed (not grade I), with other properties in George Street numbered 1-8 on the western side being similarly listed. If you wish to know about the history of your house and the Thurlow Arms, please post a message on the message board and I’ll endeavour to find out about it.

    By Andy Grant (02/04/2012)
  • Andy, thanks for solving the question of Rolf’s etc. I had thought it would come down to the way it would be translated to officials for them to write down and record for posterity.

    By Peter David Collings (02/04/2012)
  • I was at school with Micky Douglas. That was St. Johns school in Carlton Hill in the late 40s and early 50s.

    By Danny Rolf (11/04/2012)
  • I lived at Flat 3, 40 George St. In 1943/48 I went to Park St seniors and started work at Brighton Loco Works in 1945. Moved to Portslade after getting married and then Shoreham. Now living in Redcar, North Yorks. Last time I saw Goerge St. it was much the same apart from the Edward St. end. Have not been back for some years now.

    By Arthur Dalby (24/05/2012)
  • My Great Gramps Herbert Collis moved from 4 North Road Cottages to 5 Little George Street somewhere between 1891 and 1901. He remained there with my Great Nan Martha Ann Collis until he died in 1921. Martha committed suicide by slitting her own throat with a razor a few months after he died. The coroner’s report describes Herbert as an undertaker’s coachman. Their daughter Maud married James David Rolf, a fish hawker, in 1909 and lived at 3 Little George Street. I found this information on census data for this period. Their son’s name was Wilfrid James Rolf named after Maud’s brother Wilfrid Fitch Collis. Wilfrid Collis named his daughter Maud so I like to think their sibling relationship was strong. I have a photograph of Maud around the 1930s. I love to see the circa 1910 photograph at the top of the page as it fits in with the period I’ve been checking up on. Thank you David Burgess for letting the scan be added.

    By J Collis (10/09/2012)
  • Reading this page brought back many memories for me. My dad, Bill Hardwick had a greengrocer’s shop, with Johnny Beadle, in George Street for many years. We lived above Jimmy’s at the corner of Edward Street and George Street, then we moved to Flat 6, 40 George Street. My twin sister and I (Julie) went to St John’s school, Carlton Hill. Julie used to work for Gerry in the Left Handed Whelk, at weekends and I used to help our dad out in the greengrocers. Gerry was a close family friend, right up until his death earlier this year. Julie and I remember Alan Purton, Tina Douglas, Shrimp Rolfe, Jim Pullinger and his wife Eileen. Also Pat Cornford, Winkle Kelly and many others. Jo Sharp.

    By Jo Jo Sharp (nee Hardwick) (18/09/2012)
  • As my twin Jo Jo commented above I worked for Gerry at the Left Handed Whelk when I was still at school and I must say Gerry really looked after me and the tips from the knocker boys wern’t bad either! I can still visualise my mum Joan Hardwick walking down George St to have her hair set in Patricia the Hairdressers every Saturday ready for her night out with my Dad Bill. Me and Jo often went into Stan and Ricky’s Fish and Chip shop in George St for a bag of scraps after swimming at North Road Baths. The people we mixed with at the time were Cherry Kemsley and David Newman. I have nothing but fond memories of my time growing up in the area. Julie Smith (nee Hardwick).

    By Julie Smith (20/09/2012)
  • I live at 5a now, above Pullinger’s. It’s great to read so much history of the street and the characters that lived here over the years. Reading of someone giving birth to a child a hundred years ago in the bedroom I’m in at the moment is nice to know.

    By Laurie Hilton-Ash (29/09/2012)
  • Hello Jo. Don’t know if you remember me but I remember you and your sister and your grandad’s little shop.  At the bottom of the street there used to be an alleyway that went down the side of the Queen’s Arms and came out at the bottom of the street by your grandad’s shop – the back entrances to the little shops in the street were there, and also a yard where your grandad stored his stock. I’m not sure if it had a name. You have said you remembered Pat Cornford. It would be nice to be in contact with you (kathleencatt@yahoo.co.uk).

    By Kathleen Catt (Cornford) (14/10/2012)
  • Sorry Jo – I put that Bill was your grandad when in fact he was your dad. Old age creeping in!

    By Kathleen Catt (Cornford) (15/10/2012)
  • I grew up in George Street at number 37. I walked down the street last week- it hasn’t really change a lot. I would love to go in to the house where I lived to see how that has been changed. We didn’t have any electric sockets, every thing was run off the light- no hot water or bathroom toilet outside in the yard but we had good times. We played in the street postman’s knock, hide and seek- games of the past. It seems to be all computers and i pods now.

    By Kathleen Catt [nee Cornford] (06/11/2012)
  • Hi, my great grandmother was jolly Alice Spicer. If anyone has any memories of her, I’d love to hear from you. Many thanks.

    By Kate (20/05/2013)
  • I’ve just been reading through these comments and realise that Chris Youldon would be my second cousin! I know it was a while ago that she commented on here, but is there any way of putting us in contact? Many thanks.

    By Kate Ameech (20/05/2013)
  • My grandfather was Laurence Charles Hallett and lived in a little cul de sac called Sun something. He left around 1920 and never went back, ending up in New Zealand. We know nothing about the rest of his family but he had a niece called Margaret who married a German pastor. Does this family ring any bells for anyone? He would never tell us anything about his family and we have always been curious.

    By Amanda Pink (nee Hallett) (04/09/2013)
  • Hello, I was really exited when I found this page. I have a few old oil paintings in G. F. HUSSEY frames and would be really interested to find out the history of them and the frames if anyone knows anything please.

    By Meegan (05/02/2016)
  • Hi Meegan, George Frederick Hussey (1865-1948) took over the picture framing business of Harry Noakes at 4, George Street Brighton around 1901. As you will note from the photograph of around 1910 at the top of the page, his shop can be seen with a barrow outside. As regards the paintings, without seeing them it is impossible to say anything about them. Regards, Andy.

    By Andy Grant (06/02/2016)
  • Just wanted to say ‘hello’ to Jo Jo and Julie (nee Hardwick) my twin sis Vanessa and I went to Elm Grove school with you both. I remember coming to tea with you and seeing you dad’s shop. You introduced us to the Beano Pie shop which was a revelation!(we lived in Buckingham Road). I also remember going with you to the ‘Five bob’ shop in St James Street. I bought a few mini skirts and blouses from there over the years. Hope you and your families are all well.

    By Belinda Lumsden (07/02/2016)
  • I have recently learnt that my grandfather, Sidney Herbert Fippard, was recorded as occupying 46, George Street in 1924. This would seem to confirm what I was led to believe, that he had a Hardware shop in Brighton. My grandfather had three sons and my father was the youngest and was only 14 years old when my grandfather died in 1927. Does anyone have any information to confirm that there was a hardware shop at number 46 and what it was called?

    By Allan Fippard (26/07/2016)
  • I have a Pikes Directory 1925; no.46 George St was occupied by Mrs Loop, there is no hardware store listed for that number, but at 49-50 there is W.Shrivell ironmonger. Across the road at no.10 was W.Bishop hardware stores.

    By Geoffrey Mead (27/07/2016)
  • Hi Alan. Your grandfather was indeed listed as a Coal Dealer at 46 and 46A, George Street, Brighton, having taken over the premises from A. Sayers around 1915 and remaining there until 1925. His residential address was at 19, The Crescent, Moulsecoomb. Regards, Andy

    By Andy Grant (28/07/2016)
  • Hi Andy, many thanks for your response. The reference to coal dealer triggered a distant memory of a vague comment from my father about coal! My father didn’t talk much about his early life and when I was younger I didn’t think to ask (how often has that been the case!) so it is nice to get these family history points confirmed, also, I did know of the Moulsecoomb address but nice to get that confirmed, thanks again. Regards, Allan

    By Allan Fippard (30/07/2016)
  • Hi Shelley, is Sheila Wheatland the mother to Ron Wheatland?

    By Maria Layley (16/08/2016)
  • Lynette Tate, I know your comment regarding No. 36 was posted years ago now, but that was the house my great, great, great grandmother lived and worked in during the 1860’s. Her name was Caroline Matthewman (nee Collings) and she was a laundress who operated from the shop on the ground floor. She lived and worked with another family and between them all there were 14 people living in the house, 11 of them children!  I’m not sure what became of No. 36 after that, by the 1870’s she’d moved to Victoria Cottages.

    By Emma Collins (11/09/2016)
  • Hello from New Zealand.  I came across this page by accident and was amazed to see information about Alice Florence Spicer, who was my father’s half-sister. My father was Albert James Arthur, the son of Albert Edward Arthur and Elizabeth Beal.  He emigrated to New Zealand at 19 and died in 1999 at 87. I was intrigued about the comment re Alf and jazz because my father was a musician, composer and writer. We are having a family reunion in 2017 and would love to make contact with our English family if they are interested.

    By Wendy Zerjal (30/09/2016)
  • Message for Jan Hill. Please make contact as I believe you are my long lost cousin.

    By Lynda Duhigg (04/11/2016)
  • My grandfather Ernest Frank Pullinger was from Brighton and ended up running the Half Moon Inn in Warninglid until his death, but his father, I believe, may have been involved with Pullinger’s shoes in Brighton. My grandmother’s name was also Louisa Pullinger – any info?

    By Peter Pullinger (11/11/2017)
  • I often used to see Brenda Willmshurst whose parents ran  the pub – we were good friends. My name is Jean Baker and my sister was Mary Baker and we went to St John school together. I remember riding school lady where the lady lived at the corner where everyone used to visit. Wow I would love to hear from you, Brenda. Jean Baker, 5 Richmond Hill, just off of Carlton Hill above the school on the left as you went up. Please if you can get in touchxxx Jean Baker (Marchant in Australia). I went to St John’s infants and seniors. Do you remember the creech? Wow, please get in touch

    By Jean Marchant (04/04/2018)
  • Hi Emma Collins,  Thanks so much for the information about my great great grandmother, Caroline Matthewman, nee Collings. I would love to know why her son Charlie adopted her surname.Philip Pearson (Collins being my mother Stella’s maiden name). 

    By Philip Pearson (18/07/2018)
  • Great page,thank you all.My grand mother,was an only child.Do not know her parents name’s.She was Jessie Rolf,orginally with a ‘e’.Correspondence from trenchs during ww1,for obvious reasons the “e”was dropped.I know of her living in Bosses Gardens and marrying Jim(James)Avery.They ended up living at Norwich Drive Bevendean.She had a lot of cousins all involved in the fishing trade.As a widower her mother remarried an Austin and lived in Islingword Road area. happy to chat 07754591474.

    By Troy Avery (19/06/2020)
  • I didn’t know this page existed!! My nan Alice Spicer, 29 George Street lived there till 1950. Those that lived in “the street” must remember her as she was “larger than life”. Also nobody has mentioned the donkeys that lived up the alley. They provided the donkey rides on the beach. Joan Davies of 32 married my uncle. Alice’s daughter Gladys is my mum.

    By Sue Dixon (28/01/2021)
  • Sue, Barbara, Gladys’ sister is my grandmother!

    By Kate meech (31/01/2021)
  • Hello, do you remember the FAT LADY -Alice Florence Spicer of 28 George Street, Brighton?

    She used to have a show in Blackpool as a fat lady (38 stone). The family also had the first royal charter to have donkeys on the beach in Brighton.

    My Dad is Patrick Spicer dob 29/3/1935. siblings are Gladys. Albert/Bert (champion swimmer), Alf, Barbara (Offspring of Alice Spicer)

    Does anyone remember a Donovan family in Brighton too as I think I am related to them.
    Patrick Donovan may be my grandfather and his brother is Cornelius Donovan (son – Ronald Spicer dob 1932)
    I think Patrick and Cornelius and siblings resided at William street.

    The Donovan family, my possible Grandad Patrick M Donovan with his father John and Mum Charlotte had a greengrocers.

    I would love to hear from anyone that has any information.
    Lisa Spicee
    07507 987712
    Lisa.spice@hotmail.co.uk

    By Lisa Spicer (08/02/2021)
  • I have been researching my family history for some years and recently was led to this great site when I googled Frederick Simmons. He was my great grandfather and the 1911 Census tells me that he lived at The Lodge, Moulsecoombe with his two daughters and wife Emily. My dad told me that Frederick was a head gardener and I have found photos of him gardening.
    When my dad died I found a beautiful old leather photo album but none of the photos had any information. I recognised some of my grandmother ( Frederick’s daughter) Eva.
    There is a photo of a confectionary shop, F Simmons and can see the number 21. It looks as if the two girls standing outside could be Eva and her sister Mary Elizabeth.
    I know from another photo that I found on line that there was an F Simmons shop in George Street in 1911. Does anyone have any information about the shop and could it be related to my photo?

    By Angie Ness (27/02/2021)
  • Hello Jan Hill, would you by any chance be related to Thomas Maurice Hill, born 1881 at No 9 Devonshire Place, also lived at No 30 Claremont
    Row until 1919, or to his brother John who lived at 33b Henry Street?

    By Geoff Wells (25/03/2022)
  • I too worked at the Left Handed Whelk for Gerry. Smashing bloke who smoked cafe crème cigars. Always paid well if I remember right and the tips were good from the regulars who came in for a pair of kippers or smoked haddock and poached egg, the standard breakfast washed down with proper strong tea or coffee.

    By Rex (07/12/2023)
  • I am Gerry’s nephew and godson. He passed away January 2012 in Liverpool aged 85.

    I would stay with him and help him out during school holidays, in The Left Handed Whelk, during summers of early to mid 1970’s. We would go to the British Legion of a night for a game of snooker. I remember standing behind the coffee/tea counter reading a Beatles paperback one afternoon when George Harrison came in. Other visitors included Lawrence Olivier, Millicent Martin and Dora Bryan. They were great times.

    I remember very well his good friends Billy (the fruiterer, from a few doors down) and Joan Hardwick and their daughters Julie and JoJo. Julie and JoJo visited Gerry in Liverpool after he returned home. Julie kindly came up here for Gerry’s funeral, which was very much appreciated.

    My uncle Pat had the Aquarium Shellfish Bar under the Palace Pier and my aunty Mary had the Oyster Bar (facing the dodgems) on the pier.

    I would appreciate copies of any photos people could share with me of The Left Handed Whelk, the Fruif Stall, Aquarium Shellfish Bar or Palace Pier Oyster Bar.

    I loved my days in Brighton and continue to visit.

    By Kevin (23/02/2024)

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