Message archive
Archived guestbook entries
The messages below were received on our guestbook prior to 22/05/04.
"Just wanted to say a huge "Thank you". I have been researching my move to Brighton. Finding your site has been SO helpfull in reading up on the different areas. Now I know which ones are worth visiting and won't ahve to drive around them all. Thanks you SO much. Also I must say that the site looks so good, I really dig the pebbles. I would be delighted with any email communiaction with regards to my looming move. Ella age 28, Bristol."
Ella, 22/05/2004
"Great site. My family date back to living in Brighton from about 1850. I was born in Kemp Street, Brighton; as was my 2 sisters and father. I had an uncle who was born in New Dorset Street, and my grandfather was born in Church Street. There was a family business based at 4 New Road, near the Theatre Royal that manufactured wigs (the family trade since goodness knows when) and theatrical costumes - so I'm informed. My Great Great Grandfather moved to Brighton from the Holborn / Bayswater area of London and most of his family were wigmakers also. The business in New Road was run, I beleive, by Benjamin Walter Drury and maybe his brother Henry - I have some more work to do here. Keep up the good work - if anybody knows any more information about the above facts I would like to hear from them."
Mick Drury, 09/05/2004
"My g-grandfather, James Cooper, lived in Mackie Rd in the 50's, he would have been around 80 years old. When his (third) wife died, he moved in with his daughter Kate. As I'm in Australia I can only use the internet for research, does anyone have any ideas where I can get more information regarding his time in Brighton? Family history says that he ran for mayor at one stage, may have been Brighton or Patcham. Thanks Hilary "
Hilary, 02/05/2004
"does anyone have any pictures of the old churchill square?(in and around it) If anyone does, email me.."
Sam Cullen, 26/04/2004
"I visited Brighton in 1985 when I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford. "
Biff Pileon, 25/04/2004
"hello whitehawk! i was there last year and had so much fun although my friend was like a bear who has been shot in the ars like we finnish people use to say. anyway, i'm missing that place and promise to come back again some day! :) bye! greetings to all bus drivers driving line number 7! "
anna, 23/04/2004
"for Jacqueline Pollard, saw you aerial view of Hannover. Is this the only areal photo you have or do you have more? I have a personal collection of 300 taken 1990 and 1991."
Ian McKenzie, 23/04/2004
"Interesting site"
Mr. Clyde Framis, 20/04/2004
" Does the Tony Clevett's family have any connections with the Clevett family who lived in Brambledean Road Portslade in the 1930s?"
Eric Masters, 07/04/2004
"BORN&lived all my life (so far) in Portslade.Seen many changes.would love to answer any questions, if I can.Still love the Town."
Tony Clevett, 04/04/2004
"Only recently [couple of weeks]I found this superb web site of Brighton. I have in my possession a small paperback entitled "The Brighron Blitz" by David Rowland. Published in 1997 by S.B.Publications c/o 19 Grove Road Seaford, BN25 1TP. Price six pounds. It is a remarkable book and covers the period 1940 to 1944. It is a remarkable publication and well worth the effort if you can find a copy. "
John Wall, 31/03/2004
"Great site. My GGrandfather, had a greengrocers shop at 12 Shirley St., Hove 1895, I have pic of todays building, if interested. I was in the WAAF during the war, stationed at Hqtrs., Abbots Hotel, on the front. Also remember "Bumper Cars" on the Palace Pier, what fun!. I married one of the Canadians who were at Preston Park with their tanks, before they went to Italy All the Best from Ontario Canada "
Joan (Sparkes) Hamilton, 26/03/2004
"Hello there;-) Thank u very much for the site - I love it!! It recalls all my wonderful memories of places and great people from Brighton. I spent there only one year but hope to come back one day... missing the city a lot;-)Greetings from Poland;-)))"
Marta, 19/03/2004
"What a great site !! Loved the pictures of Patcham especially the view of Mackie Estate from the Downs. I grew up in Patcham then moved away only to return and find a By-Pass built - it was lovely to see the Patcham I remembered."
Sue, 14/03/2004
"Thank you for information very useful. Very user Friendly. Thanks, Mike Melbourne, Australia"
Mike, 13/03/2004
"Excelent site, looking foward to adding my thoughts and memories. Anyone looking at expanding their knowledge of the town, I have heaps of aerial views taken 1990 & 1991 and would like to expand my collection in exchange. (To the author of this site, I'll be happy to send you a CD full of these photos for you to use as required in enlarging this site)."
Ian McKenzie, 09/03/2004
"Realy impressed, thankyou. I now live in Sweden, yet miss my home town very much. Yet havent wonted to come back for 40 years now, silly realy, I was told that it had changed so much arfter the storm you had for so many years ago. Guess I was frightened of seeing too bigger changes. All those huge trees that lined the upper part of Dyke Rd, were I lived. Or Cherry woods at westdean stadium; a playground when younger. Again, thanks for your time and trouble in creating this weldesigned sight. Will come back."
Stephen Nicholas, 04/03/2004
"Thank you for all the very useful information. I shall check back soon."
Sam Fuzi, 03/03/2004
"I'm an ex-pat from Brighton. I lived there for 35 years and moved to Cardiff 5 yeas ago. The old home town will always have a special place with me. And I've learnt from your site that Dean is the old Saxon word for valley! Thanks for the education there :) "
Colin Elcome, 02/03/2004
"Nice website!"
Ron, 01/03/2004
"i was happy after visiting this beautiful site.pls keep it on"
SYLVA D TOM, 27/02/2004
"Hello! Thanks for a great site with lots of photos and information! I visited Brighton two summers as a backpacking student. It was by far my favorite stop in England and it is tied with Paris for my favorite stop in all of Europe. "
benny, 26/02/2004
"I was living in Preston Village during the war from 1942 to 1960. Can anyone remember Preston Park when it was used by the Military and testing the tanks and other vehicles were watertight by driving them into a huge resevoir. I and my brother and sisters used to hide in the hollow oak trees in what is now the scented garden."
Michael White, 26/02/2004
"Hi there. I was looking at some very old maps of Brighton dated 1900 & it shows a railway line going to kemp town. The line passes over the Girotery system & goes right long side Bonchurch Road then passes directly under Elm Grove & comes out by Queens park. I just want to try n find out the history of that line & also wounderd if the tunnel is still there. email me back & i will send u a picture of it & also a link to where i found it. Also your site is wicked. its nice see the history of this town. "
Andy Ross, 25/02/2004
"Great Site!"
Stephen, 25/02/2004
"I have just made an entry about The Dome but it was not The Dome it was the Regent! Sorry!"
Heather Wilson, 23/02/2004
"My late Mum's friend, Joan (nee Mumford) played the organ at The Regent Cinema. Her Mum was so proud but she hated it! She was a beautiful girl and although nearly 90 she is extremely active for her age. Does anyone remember her or my friend Poppy Margeret (nee Baxendale). She loved dancing there and is now nearly 87. It is amazing that she was such a good dancer as she suffered from Polio as a child and has a weak side. "
Heather Wilson, 23/02/2004
"Hi, what a great site. My hobby is family research and whilst reseaching I discovered that all my past relatives lived in Kemptown during the early 1900´s. Bute Street, Marine View, Paradise Street etc. are all places where the family lived. Several family members worked at the Tamplins brewery and I wondered if anyone out there has any old photos of the Brewery and its staff during the early 1900´s (1910-1940). Another interesting part of my research was the fact that my great-grandmother's maiden name was Lundberg. The name is a Swedish surname and I now live in Sweden and would love to find relatives here. If anyone reading this knows or knows of anyone with this surname in or around the Kemptown area (Brighton/Hove) could they please contact me? One last request, are there any bookshops in Brighton where one can buy books of local history? Have a nice day, greetings from Sweden."
Phillip Baker, 22/02/2004
"Chris Norris: Ah yes, those little pieces of aluminium. You certainly brought back a memory. Thanks."
Anonymous, 17/02/2004
""I used to live in Littlehampton and went to school in Brighton, at Xavarian College. I travelled by train Littlehampton to Brighton, then caught a "Trolley Bus" from the station to a place called the "Pepper Pot", and then to the school which I believe has now gone. On returning from school, we would sometimes end up in a Coffee Bar called "The Penny Farthing", which I seem to remember was in the "Lanes", playing Elvis or Lonnie Donegan records. Other times we would go along the seafront to Hove, and go swimming at the King Alfred baths, what ever time I got home to Littlehampton I'll never know. Some times I would have to change trains at Worthing Central, and on the winter evenings a porter would walk along the station with a long pole pulling down the chain to light the gas lights on the platform, while I would waste a penny punching out my name out on a piece of aluminium from a machine on the platform. I think that the "growing years" that I spent at school and latterly at Art College in Old Steine Brighton, were some of the happiest I have had."
Chris Norris, 16/02/2004
"this looks like a useful site...but there is no mention of its author!"
Pat Negin, 11/02/2004
"I spent many happy summer holidays at Brighton and Hove. My aunt and family lived at Wick Hall and a good friend at Embassy Court. There was also a school, Aryeh House, which I went to during the war when it was moved to Wales."
Chris McBrien, 01/02/2004
"Lovely bit of work -- evokes The Dreamtime, and not just in me, obviously."
Les Ashton, 17/01/2004
"My ancestors lived in Hove from the early 1900 to the 1940s.There names were HEWETT.Would welcome any info"
san, 04/01/2004
"My great grandfather worked in Hanningtons for many years around 1890 does anyone have any details of staff or photos? The family lived at 74 Round House Crescent."
Susan Hoskinson, 26/12/2003
"Would like to hear from anyone who remembers, or has ancestors who remember, the beaches during my grandfather, Chris Hatton's, time (mother Joan Hatton, Uncle's Jim, Les, Aunt Madge) Would like to locate pictures or historical items from the period just prior and after WW2."
Jacqueline, 21/12/2003
"Very interesting site. I live at 10 Nevill Court Hove from 1939- 1943 when i entered Royal Navy. Worked with Barclays bank Ltd at portslade & West Hove; returned to Goring Road West Wothing in 1946. To Barclays (Dominion, Colonial & Overseas) in 1949 when I went to Jamaica. Anyone there remember me? Besr regards and continued success.I now live on Bribie Island, Qld Australia. Reg"
Dr Reg Devenish, 17/12/2003
"Wonderful site! My grandfather was Chris Hatton who operated bathing beaches, along with his brother Jim prior to WW2. Interesting to see the note from Jack Waller of Canada whose grandfather also operated bathing beaches. I too live in Canada but visit relatives in the Brighton area."
Jacqueline Corcoran, 17/12/2003
"As a boy i used to sometimes go to work with Dad, To the Brighton Film Studio's,Once situated in Centurion Road, just above the Queens Road! anyone remember it? The owners The Wynne Bros, and Sam Wannamaker made quite a lot of good old fashoined films there,My Mum used run the canteen there and Dad was a fim set decorator, i used to play with the old film spools and be a general pest but i have good memories."
Chris Russell, 13/12/2003
"I used to work in Hove, in St Catherines lodge hotel. A very nice place. It was from 1998 to 2000, and I really miss this place. Thank you for your site. Very usefull for people like me to remember the good time. "
JL LOPEZ, 03/11/2003
"Lived in Seaford during early 70's, in Ashurst Road. Was married with a son, Gabriel.Worked for British Rail in Princess House as an accounts clerk. later lived in INholms Farm, in Albourne and attended West Sussex College of Design till 1977.Moved back to Malta in '77."
George Fava, 01/11/2003
"Hi I'm researching a book on the Biba fashion label/shops. I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers the Biba boutique in Brighton in the 1960s. If you have any memories of it (or the London shops), please email me."
Alwyn Turner, 26/10/2003
"Hi Rhodie--Great to see your picture and have the tour of Phoenix Community Estates. Uncle Ed"
Ed Snyder, 23/10/2003
" Very interesting Site, I lived in Brighton 1927 to 1955, would like to contact anyone who new the family inthe Upper lewes Rd area. during that time. Brighton was great before the war Thanks. "
Cyril L Pelham, 03/10/2003
"Does anyone remember my father, who was a teacher at the Brighton Jewish School in Hove, "Aryeh House"? He taught there around 1948 - 1949 after leaving his home in Ireland. His name was Kevin Kirby King, and had many fond memories of his time in Hove.He told us the other teachers at the Jewish school were very nice to him, told him about Masses across the street at a Catholic church. "