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Particularly pleasant

I think Hanover Street is particularly pleasant. The houses are only quite small, but they vary in design, and there are some very pretty front gardens. And then there’s the rather historic little twitten (I think it dates from the 1820s) which links Hanover Street to Hanover Terrace. Or is it a cat-creep?

Hanover Street
Photo by Jack Latimer

Comments about this page

  • Back in 1926, one of my relatives used to live in Hanover Street. His name was Samuel Jones. He lived at number 78. If anyone has any details of his family or life, please contact me through this website.

    By Sarah Paul (03/02/2003)
  • My Internet is bringing memories back to me. I lived in Hanover Street, from the age of about 4 until I was 18. Our house was about halfway down the street, just before the ‘Hollow’. So many memories. I married a guy from the Terrace and am still married to him. Did you know there was a pub just by the ‘Hollow’ called Little Fox? Many years ago our house at 29 used also to be a pub – I’ve forgotten the name right now. I have lived in Australia since 1971. I had a trip back some five and a half years ago and thought Hanover Street didn’t look the same. I saw that the Co-op garages and Tamplin’s had gone. So sad.

    By Brenda Bassett (Smith) (06/11/2003)
  • Yes, I am sure Number 29 was a pub. I feel it was The Duke of something. Also feel that info would be in Brighton Museum. I remember a section there where one can find those sort of things, but of course you would know where to get it, what you need. Many years ago, as we kids were growing up, between the two front windows there was a thick piece of maybe wood, stretching from side to side of the windows. Over the years, as paint went on, you still could almost see the name, which had been boldly painted on. I do believe that wood has gone, maybe my Mum had it removed when new windows where put in.

    By Brenda Bassett (15/11/2003)
  • The pub at 29 Hanover Street was The Duke of Edinburgh, run by John Westgate.

    By Jack (18/11/2003)
  • Me and my family used to live at 24 Hanover Street.

    By Keir (24/10/2004)
  • My great grandmother, Charlotte Martha Leach, was born at 97 Hanover Street on 7th Match 1854. Her mother was Catherine Leach, father unknown. Any information about the above gratefully received.

    By Mrs J A Franklin (23/01/2005)
  • Who knows anything about this house – it’s reputed to be the oldest in the street? We are thinking of buying it – what we would we want to know?

    By Wayne Jackman (25/04/2005)
  • My Nan’s sister, ‘Granny’ Tanner, lived at number 13 Hanover St. I used to visit with my Mum in the 70s. In her will she left strict instructions for the roses in her front garden to be well kept by whoever bought the house. I would love to see if they are still being looked after. It would mean so much to me. Please contact me if anyone lives at 13 now, babyspam@onetel.com

    By Sally Mitchell (21/09/2005)
  • We live at 22, Hanover Street next to the hollow. It also used to be a small pub, The Litte Fox. We discovered that the hall flooring was made from cut up wooden beer crates and when the floor collaspsed in the front bar room, we found a large quantity of beer bottle tops.

    By Emma Fooks (08/04/2006)
  • Thank you all for this page. A small bit of info regarding 22 Hanover Street: My great great grandfather, Charles Cox, was found guilty of stealing a pair of half boots from Edward Bond, ‘dealer in beer’ (who lived at 22 Hanover St.), out of his tap room on Tues night, 3rd Nov. 1846. Charles was sentenced to 8 calendar month’s hard labour (1st week, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th months and last week in solitary confinement). I guess you would think twice about stealing boots again!

    By Adele Maloney (14/06/2006)
  • Good picture showing changes from when I went to school in Hanover Terrace, 1952-55, and we used to walk through this street most lunch times going to and from The Level where on the path between the trees we kicked a tennis ball about for half an hour. No cars or yellow lines then. Do I recall a laundry on the downhill corner with Southover Street?

    By John Hancock (08/11/2006)
  • I seem to remember you John (John Hancock 8/11/2006) at the Brighton Secondary Technical School in Hanover Terrace in the 1950’s. I used to catch the Horsham Flyer steam train from Portslade to Brighton, then walk to the Hanover Terrace school.  The stink from the old Phoenix Brewery nearby was a regular experience on the journey. I still remember most of the teachers’ names. We had no playing fields there and had to bus all the way to East Brighton Park for football and cricket. You mention the Level where we went for the lunch time breaks, but I and my mates were always wary there and on the look out as the lads from nearby (Pelham, was it?) school would seek out us Technical School boys for a fight.

    By Roger Bateman (29/11/2006)
  • I lived at number 41 Hanover Street in the late 60’s early 70’s. I remember “Bob Grover” from the band The Pirahnas playing his guitar outside his house on Hanover Street, I was very small at the time and Bob was in his teens then before the band. I remember the Co-op as well.
    I also remember a family story that there was a terrible smell in the house and the floorboards were ripped up to discover rats. I think we moved out not long after that. Not sure if our house was the only one affected or not.

    By Fiona (23/03/2007)
  • I have only just returned to this site Roger – how time flies! I regret I have not a single photo of the school and only a few of our prefects Industrial Tour Parfitt took us on around Bristol which was brilliant. Steel works, docks, Vespa factory, Frys, Bath to look at rolled lead roofing etc. Yes I too recall the Phoenix (KempTown?) Brewery smell as well as all the teachers by name. A certain aging (then young) Colewell (maths) still lives nearby to me in Patcham. The Headmaster was ‘Goofy’ (he certainly wasn’t – and he knew every boy by name) Downing ; the massive framed tippy toeing Ben Chappel (Tech drawing & owner of a Black belt!); ‘Popeye’ Pope,(History and French); ‘Barrel’ Walsh (English); Joe Huddart (Geography and divinity); McKinley(Art); (do you recall the full-sized ‘stained glass’ window made by his combined art classes for a festival at the dome – Matthew was miss pelt with one ‘t’?) Alec Hargreaves (brickwork building and Brighton Boys soccer); ‘Garse’ (he came from Bristol) Parfitt (Plumbing); (under his skills I took and obtained the first (AEB) GCE introduced for that particular trade); ‘Tin Tummy’ Mitchell (Painting and Decorating); Spud Taylor (woodwork); Beyar (French); Bullock (Science); Hobden (Maths & Football) Weedle (ex Navy I think) PTI and Rugby – it was certainly a great little school. I walked by the site recently and it seemed to me a surreal experience, the school having disappeared without trace – morphing into a row of houses that whilst admittedly looking more recently constructed than the rest of the street upon close inspection, would to the casual observer appear to be originals. Appropriate workmanship really! I converse from time to time with my close pal of those days ‘Split’ Waterman, (he is now in Essex,) and I discover he too recalls all the staff and many of the student names. Clearly it may have been a back street location but it made a lasting contribution and impact on many boys of its era. And yes, fights did occur at the Level but I never got involved – too busy chasing a ball! Yet we can have little doubt ‘They started it Mr!’ I did also box for the school (albeit not particularly successfully) and would regularly suffer a sore nose when matched with a certain Johnny Swaysland as I boxed in tournaments at such as Queens Park and Stanmer Schools! However boxing allowed a certain confidence in walking over the hill to EastBrightonPark for Games through the Whitehawk estate of that era! I do recall many pupils travelled in by train from outlying districts – Wilcox, Phillips, Mepham, Osbourne, amongst them. The school Captain in my final year was a Rob (I think) Walker. Great memories and I seem to recall you too.

    By John Hancock (30/04/2007)
  • I lived at number 35 Hanover Street from 1947 to 1968 when I got married. I would like to hear from anyone who remembers me. I now live in Kent.

    By Michael Wray (28/05/2007)
  • My grandfather, Jesse Stevenson, was a lodger at 51 Hanover Street in 1901. He was a general labourer, aged 20. He lived with the Pattenden family. Gertrude Tester, aged 19, was a boarder.

    By Mary Day (27/06/2007)
  • Michael Wray, I somewhat remember you, more so your Mum and Dad. I lived just a very few houses down from your house. I say somewhat remember, as I do believe you would be some few years my junior. I now live in Australia, and have been for 36 yrs now

    By Aussie (17/07/2007)
  • About ‘boring’ Bob Grover from the band ‘The Piranhas’ playing his guitar outside his house in Hanover Street. The pub round the corner, The Greys, was owned/run from around 1985 until last year by Mike Lance also from ‘The Piranhas’. He was the drummer/percussionist and Mr Grover was often seen playing in The Greys with either Mike Roberts or a band called ‘Girls Behind Bars’. ‘The Piranhas’ wrote the (now) popular football chant inspiring tune Tom Hark. I believe Bob Grovers ghost is till seen to haunt these parts!

    By Neil Moss (30/08/2007)
  • I was in the same class as Bob Grover from Piranhas and he was weird, very quiet and spooky, not a bit interested in girls only his music.  I lived at 37 Hanover Terrace from 1956 till 1972. Opal electric was on the corner with very sloping wall which we all used to sit on at night. Just round corner was a grocery shop – it had rats!  The lady was a kind old soul and would sell one egg! We used to play in the hollow and use the steps for our games. As we got older we would innocently kiss and cuddle there before we had to go in.

    By Val Harber (nee Hall) (02/09/2007)
  • I have been researching my ancestry and have discovered that my maternal grandfather’s family, the Collins family, lived at 62 Hanover Street. On digging a bit deeper I discovered that the house was shared with a division of the Molton family, who were relatives on his grandmother’s side of the family. It was really lovely to see the picture of Hanover Street on this website and I hope to personally get to Brighton again to take a few pics of my own to store with the family tree. A great pity that Carlyle Street is not listed as well. My grandmother’s family, the Maynards, lived at No 5 Carlyle. Is anyone out there related to the families Collins, Molton and Maynard?
    Kind regards from Cape Town, South Africa.

    By Joan Booysen (19/09/2007)
  • What a find. Thank you so much for posting this pic. My paternal grandmother was born at 40 Hanover Street in 1892. So it is so good to see the location.

    By Angi (27/10/2007)
  • My Gt Gt Grandmother Eliza Robinson lived at 64 Hanover Street with four of her children and also lodgers according to the 1891 & 1901 census. She was working as a launderess and shown as head of the house, not as a widow. Where could spouse Edward be? – in with the soap suds???

    By Judi Swinsco (26/11/2007)
  • My mother Peggy Reed (nee Funnell) lived at no 48 from 1928 to 1941. My father William Reed lived at no 49 from the early 1930s and it was the family home until his fathers death in the mid-sixties. Does anyone remember them or my grand-parents Ivy Carter (nee Funnell), Reg Carter, William and Agnes Reed?

    By Sue Reed (03/02/2008)
  • My grandparents Fred and Dolly Weeden lived in Hanover Street from 1932 -1962. My mother was born there in 1937. My Great Grandmother on my father’s side was also born there in 1884 and I supsect other Brighton Relatives lived there. I myself lived there as a small child in the late 50’s, early 60s and later as an adult lived in Southover Street in the 80’s/90’s

    By Philip Wood (29/02/2008)
  • Angi: In 1889 a Florence Frances Stunell was born at 40 Hanover Steet. So she may well have lived in the same house at the same time as your grandmother. Florence is related to me. In the 1881 census my great great great grandfather Richard George Jefferies was living at 39 Hanover Street. He was 88 and died aged 90 in April / May / June 1883 possibly at this address. He was from Swanage, Dorset.

    By Adam Dennis (29/03/2008)
  • Roger Bateman mentions the boys from the “nearby school” possibly looking for a lunchtime punch up at the Level with the boys from the Secondary Tech in Hanover Terrace. Since senior schools never (in those days anyway  would consider it fair to pick on “little kiddies” the likely opponent would have been another secondary school, probably the Fawcett school before they moved from near London Road and became Patcham Fawcett. Any former pugilists from the Secondary Tech care to comment?

    By Adrian Baron (05/08/2008)
  • Philip Wood: I went to school with your mother Maureen. She also worked at CVA where she met you father John. I lived in Hanover Terrace in the 50’s. Now I live in Ontario Canada but return to Brighton twice a year. Say ‘hi’ to her for me.

    By Violet Hammond (12/08/2008)
  • Philip Wood, I remember your grandparents very well, only as Mr & Mrs of course, they seemed so sweet. Also Maureen, your Mum, her and I were rather friendly, and I remember you being born. Violet Hammond, I remember you also from the Terrace. I lived in the Street not far from Mr & Mrs Weeden.

    By Aussie Girl (01/09/2008)
  • I lived at 40 Hanover Street from 1940 until 1962. I have a brother David and John who sadly passed away and sisters Norah and Iris. I grew up with Gwen, Brenda, Teddy Smith. I also knew Moureen Weeden and her parents and knew of the Coop garages where we all played as children with the Tillman family. My surname was Burchell. I went to Elm Grove School. I also knew Mr and Mrs Wray and their son Michael who was a small lad when we were children. I also knew Ivy Leonard who lived at the same house with her parents who lived below Mr and Mrs Wray. Gwenny Smith was my friend as was Ivy. My brother David was Teddy Smith’s friend along with Leslie Tillman. I hope that some one out there will remember myself and my family and even remember our street party May 1945. I shall never forget my childhood in Hanover Street and all the lovely friends and their parents etc as it was such a close community. Brenda Bassett should remember me and my family. as I remember Mabel who is her sister in law.

    By Doris Ellen Smith (08/11/2008)
  • Doris Ellen Smith, goodness me of course I remember you and your family very well. Yes – Ted was a friend to David for many years, he does often talk of David and wonders if he still lives in Hollingbury. Mabel is my sister in law, I think Norah was more my age and you were Gwen and Mabel’s age group. What fun days they were, playing in the garages as kids, I remember all the names rather well, and also the street party. Yes we all were a close community in those days weren’t we? Such happy memories we all share. Regards to your family Doris.

    By Brenda (15/11/2008)
  • Hello Brenda, so pleased to hear from you especially with all those years in between. It was purely by accident that I came across your e mail. I was browsing at Hanover Street and scrolled down reading all the messages and saw yours. I said to my husband that I knew you and all your family. I was amazed really to know that you are living in Aussie. My family wish to be remembered to you. Please would you give my regards to Gwen and Ted. So lovely that you read my e mail.  Kindest regards to you and family.

    By Doris Ellen Smith (22/11/2008)
  • Doris, it doesn’t seem right to continue into any more conversation on this really wonderful page, so I’ll put my email address for you: hba34100@bigpond.net.au

    By Brenda Bassett (28/11/2008)
  • Violet, I spoke to my mum, said of course she remembered you. My Dad said you came to their flat in Black Rock and baby sat me! Dad said he remembered you and your husband Derek. I take it you worked at Coombe Road CVA, as you may know though the building is still there ,but the building has gone through many uses currently storage place. CVA died on its feet in the 80s, my dad was made redundant in 1972.
    Aussie Girl, my mum would like to know who you are?
    My Grandad Fred apparently used to keep all the footballs that landed in his front garden in a cupboard, which I could believe. He lived to a good age (92) in good physical health, but unfortunately his mental health went. Nan also lived to a good age (87), but she suffered from arthritis, they both lived at Rottingdean to their death, which they thought was a great step up from Hanover Street, but I am sure the community spirit was better in Hanover. My Mum I think to this day would prefer to live in the town close to the shops. My mum’s brother Colin died about 12 years ago.
    My mum doesn’t seem to have any memories of the war – too young maybe. My Grandmother told me that when the Germans blew up London Road Viaduct, she was worried about her mother, who I think was living in Peter Street the other side of London Road near the enormous St Bart’s Church. She died shortly thereafter from natural causes. I think they also hit the School Clinic in Morley street. Any reminiscences from anybody?
    I lived in Hanover Street as a very small child in the very late 50s and early 60s, I don’t have very many memories. I have pictures of me soaking up the sun in my pushchair outside no 17 or 18. We lived in a small flat with my Grandmother’s neighbour of 30 years, Mrs Kemish (I think Mr Kemish died at about that time) in what I remember as a very old fashioned house, I think the Kemishes had lived there many years. I don’t remember their sons very well called John and Sid. Mrs Kemish died in the late 70s. John Kemish lived in Brighton, but his brother Sid worked on the Atlantic Liners with his wife.
    My mum also spoke about her neighbours the other side the Capps, in particular Pat, does anybody remember them?

    By Philip Wood (07/12/2008)
  • Philip Wood, maybe you would like to tell your Mum that Aussie girl is Brenda Smith who used to live at No.29, we were rather friendly for many years. Yes, I remember the flat your Mum and Dad had when they first married, the house next to your Nan, I do believe your Mum and Dad where very proud to have that flat in those days. I do somewhat remember the Capps (Pat) – I think there were two girls in the house, don’t know very much about them though. Do remember Mrs Kemish though, sweet lady? And I remember your Nan having arthritis, she too was a sweet lady, I might add!

    By Brenda Bassett (08/12/2008)
  • To Philip Wood. You were asking does anyone remember Pat Capp? My mother knew Mr and Mrs Capp. As children we used to play with Pat at her house or she would come to our house to play, as my mother and Pat’s mother used to work together. I lived at 40 Hanover Street and knew your mother and her family very well.

    By Doris Ellen Smith (20/12/2008)
  • Hi Philip. Can you tell me if the Kemish family had any relatives called Grace and Rose? Grace lived with her mum in Holland Street when I was born in 1941, and Rose who was married and lived in Ewart Street. I see Violet mentioned – I have written to her on Friends Reunited and I must get back to her. Did you go to Finsbury Road or are you a young ‘un?

    By Pamela (01/02/2009)
  • My nan, Emma Richardson, was born at number 17 Hanover Street in 1897. Her brother George started the scrape metal merchants and the family are still in business in Brighton. In 1915 she married from Islingwood Road where she lived at the time to Charles Nutley.

    By Anne Glow (09/02/2009)
  • Recently tracking a few ancestors I found that Samuel Cowdery and his wife Christiana (nee Longhurst) lived at number 20 Hanover Street in the 1880’s. Both were employed by a mineral water factory. I’m mostly interested in the Longhursts and wonder if anyone local might be related. Christiana’s father was called Richard and her mother was Miriam, I can’t find her maiden name anywhere. I think the Longhursts were involved in brewing.

    By Katharine H (14/07/2009)
  • I came on this site by chance and have some great memories of Hanover Street. My grand-parents lived at number 55 for many years. I have a picture of myself and my mother as page and bridesmaid, outside the house ready to attend my aunt’s wedding in 1947. In the early 1950s I followed Grandad to the door when the landlord called for his rent. Grandad asked if there was any chance of him putting in an indoor toilet and hot water. The landlord said he could not afford it, but grandad could buy the house himself for £500 and install his own facilites. Grandad said he couldn’t afford that. I wonder how much that would be today

    By Ray Williams (29/07/2009)
  • My name is Trevor Jackman and I lived at number 55 Hanover Street. I grew up with Bob Grover. Hanover Street was a great place to grow up - we had some fun including having a drink in the London Unity, my first when I was 13. At the time they were installing North Sea gas in the road and Bob’s mum Dot told the landlord our age because she was afraid we would fall down the holes.
    I believe it was me that went out with Theresa, Bob, it’s all that booze in your middle room that’s clouded your mind mate! (Did we ever go to school?) All the people in Hanover loved us when we played in our band in your house (remember the brick through your window?).

    By Trevor Jackman (14/10/2009)
  • Wow what memories. I was born at 15 Hanover Street in 1947. My grandparents, Harry and Eva Stapleton, lived there for many years before it was condemned and they were moved to Hereford Street. I seem to remember a laundry at one end.

    By Les Bryant (14/11/2009)
  • Les Bryant, I remember your grandparents well, and yes you are right, there was a laundry at one end of Hanover Street. It was Southover Street end as it happens.

    By Brenda Bassett (20/11/2009)
  • I am interested to know if anyone has a memory of an Ellen Leppard who lived at 13 Hanover Street in the 70’s. I used to visit her there as a child, she was my Nans’ sister.

    By Sally (21/01/2010)
  • Does anybody remember the Berry family of Hanover Terrace, Ron and Win, also a brother Charlie, also Renee Jones and her sons.

    By Patricia Downer (09/03/2010)
  • Patricia Downer: yes, I remember Ron Berry and his sister well, not so sure about Charlie though. Ron was a real handyman in the area. He did many jobs at my parents’ house in the street, their house was almost in line with the “Hollow” wasn’t it?

    By Brenda (21/03/2010)
  • I live in the row of flats 79-82 Hanover Street. I think these date from around 1900, slightly younger than the rest of the street. Anyone know any history about this building and why it was vacant land initially?

    By Beth (29/03/2010)
  • My Great, Great Grandparents Henry Ellis and Naomi Funnell lived at 28 Hanover Street. Henry was a Blacksmith at Brighton Railways works. Sadly Henry died there in 1861 from Phthisis, which I believe is TB.

    By Linda Penn (10/09/2010)
  • What a small world. I lived in Lewes Street till 1968 and went to Elm Grove with Bob Grover and Val Hall, along with my twin brother Vernon. I then moved to Nesbitt Road and went to Westlain with (near neighbour) Philip Wood. I recall many happy days of my childhood in the Hanover area eg playing all kinds of games in the street (traffic much lighter then), the boxing club run by Mr Buxton at the house at /near the corner with Islingworth and Hanover Street – do you remember that anyone? His sons were older than me, Kenny and Clive – would be late 50’s now. Other memories of playing down the Level including the ‘boating lakes’, getting orchard fruit sweets at Lightbowns the newsagents. I also recall Bob Grover having a war time relic (a German helmet) - do you have it now Bob? He was also a very talented artist. Wonderful site and memories.

    By Viv Street (03/11/2010)
  • Hi to Ann Glow, I have looked at your comment with interest because my grandfather lived at no 88 Hanover St. He was Fred Cobb and he was married to Alice Richardson on September 1892. I think she would have been 29 at that time and they had, as far as I know,. nine children Wow, I wonder if she was related to you. Best wishes to you, M Cobb, Woodingdean.

    By Michael Cobb (28/11/2010)
  • Hello Brian Clout, I knew you and your nephew Robert Ashford, we all grew up together in Round Hill Crescent, my name is Peter Upton from No 38. I remember your brother Tommy, and your dad who I think had a wooden leg from WW1. Other names in my head are Ian and Micheal Nunn, David and Peter Foreman (whose father had the only car in the street), Kenny and Allan Welfare, Johny Cheeseman opposite you, David Markwick and sister who lived opposite the “woods”, do you have any news on any of them? I think you worked for Claude Neon signs. I have been living in Melbourne, Australia since 1969 but still miss Brighton. I have been back a couple of times. RHC I’m sure has changed.

    By Peter Upton (21/01/2011)
  • Philip and Brenda, I hope you are still following the site – Mrs Kemish was my great-Aunt Emmy; she was very sweet and the house was old-fashioned along with her manners for visitors. She was my grandmother’s sister and the house fascinated us – although we lived in Normanton Street and I went to the Secondary Technical School (School Captain in 1971-2) we probably only visited once a year at Christmas! I can’t remember ever making it beyond the best front room on any of these visits, where visitors were received and tea was provided. This sense of propriety was maintained by the lace curtain that was draped half way down the entrance hallway from the ornamental ceiling joist that is frequently found at this point – my house in Hackney has a similar feature – and that shielded the everyday living area from view. Aunt Emmy’s front room was stuffed with ornaments, especially coloured glass vases, souvenirs from holidays (Folkestone?) and, if I recall, mementos from the Western Front – bullets and the cigarette boxes that were typical bric-a-brac at that time. I didn’t know Mr Kemish, as you call him and don’t know his name, although I met John and his wife at my Grandmother’s funeral in 1988. Does anyone know the number of the Kemish’s house? It had an original Regency front door if I recall.

    By David Blundell (20/08/2012)
  • David Blundell 20/8/2012, I think the house number you seek could well be 18 or 19.

    By Brenda (25/08/2012)
  • Thanks Brenda – does the house still have the same door and do you know anything about John Kemish?

    By David Blundell (08/09/2012)
  • David Blundell, I don’t know anything about the front door of the house in question, I haven’t seen it for many many years due to the fact I moved out of the street in 1952 but Hanover St holds many memories dear to my heart as my childhood was spent there.

    By Brenda (10/09/2012)
  • Can anyone remember my parents Jim and Edna Jackman at number 55 Hanover Street; and my brother Terry,my sister Christina, or me. My grandad Syd Williams lived there too.

    By Trevor Jackman (13/10/2012)
  • Trevor, I remember your Mum and Dad rather well, Mum was a cheerful person, very pleasant, don’t really remember your Grandad though. I had the upstairs flat in the first house in Hanover for a while. I would also remember you three children.

    By Brenda (15/10/2012)
  • My great grandfather Henry Havelock Cornell lived at 38 Hanover Street and would have been there as a small boy in about 1893. Would anyone know the name of a school he probably would have attended?

    By Lauren Staton (19/05/2014)
  • Hi Lauren. Please see my response to your query on the Carlton Row page. Regards Paul

    By Paul (20/05/2014)
  • Hello David Blundell.
    Sorry I am two years late. I have vague memories of your great aunt Emily Kemish. My parents, and I as a small child, lived in the basement of her house at 18 Hanover Street. I have a vague memory of an old fashioned leather settee. We moved from there I think in 1962; her husband Henry died in 1959. I checked her date of death which was 1979. I can remember my grandparents, Mr and Mrs Fred Weedon, going to her funeral, they were her neighbours for nearly 30 years. I think they were fairly friendly, but I got the impression from my father that she was a rather retiring lady. Their house was flat-fronted and my grandmother’s house had a bay window which apparently meant you had to pay more rent. My grandmother was always rather proud that she moved from Hanover Street to Rottingdean, but the irony is that Hanover Street is now more expensive than Rottingdean! I lived in Southover Street in the 80s and 90s and wished I still had the house. I am interested in family history and checked your great aunt’s maiden name which was Toynbee, which is a more unusual name than Kemish, the only one I know is the journalist on the Guardian newspaper. Her son John died in 1991, her other son Sid worked on the trans-Atlantic liners including the original Queen Elizabeth and Mary. I think he and his wife emigrated to the US. If you want to get my attention by all means email me on woodphilip119@gmail.com (Philip is one L). Best wishes

    By Philip Wood (20/07/2014)
  • My great grandparents, James Reed and Jane Bailey both gave their address as 25 Hanover Street when they married at St Nicholas Church in 1868. They were both aged 21 and the witnesses were two more people who lived at the same address. I would love to know how large the house is!

    By Judy Stone (17/09/2014)
  • Hi Judy. It was a very small terraced tenement. Why not look at it on google street view (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.8305125,-0.1300844,3a,42.3y,132.78h,89.46t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sXNdPSDz3_5OeLPs-TGdQOQ!2e0). I don’t believe it has changed a lot. Regards, Andy

    By Andy Grant (18/09/2014)
  • My family move to Hanover Street in 1944, I was 4 at the time . Our house had been a shop, no 21 next to the little twitten to Hanover Terrace. We were one side and the pub called the Little Fox the other. We lived there until 1951 when we moved to the new estate at Hollingbury – 6, Fernhurst Crescent. 

    By William McWhirter (12/02/2015)
  • This site is wonderful for waking memories. When we moved into Hanover Street there was no electricity. We had gas lighting – the street lamp outside our home was also gas. I remember a man coming to light it. Also the toilet was outside – we had a big tin bath that hung on the wall. I think it was filled from the copper in what we call the scullery.

    By William McWhirter (22/02/2015)
  • Message for Trevor Jackman; I know all your family worked and grew up with Christine. I lived at 35 – Linda Wray as was, I now live in Kent moved to be nearer my Brother Michael.

    By Linda Choat (29/03/2015)
  • Hi Linda, I think I remember you and your brother and mum and dad. Didn’t your dad work for Pickfords or as a long distance lorry driver? Living in Hanover St was like the 60s; if you remember it you weren’t there. You were friends with my sister I think. I hope all ok with you, good to talk to you.

    By Trevor Jackman (17/08/2015)
  • Not sure if anyone can help (I am very new to this!)…?  I am trying to locate a baker who lived on Hanover Street around 1947. His name was Brian Stanning. Would anyone please be able to point me in the right direction? Many thanks

    By Graham Stretton (19/10/2015)
  • I lived at number 45 for many years in the 70s. Dad lived there before he met mum and they were close friends with Edna and Jim Jackman. I’ve got an old pic of Jim and Dad fixing Dad’s Mini. Lot’s of happy childhood memories 

    By Lisa Spencer (15/04/2016)
  • I am Lisa’s sister who commented above. She neglected to say that our family name is Fallows. We remember Bob Grover, nanny Glover, the Tyhurst family, the Saunders and the Ivorys. We grew up there in the 70s to mid 80s. The dairy had a milk float garage along the road and there was a glaziers at the end of the street. 

    By Nicola Fallows (15/05/2016)
  • Greetings, I am requesting if anyone knows the family of Charles William Kemish whom married a daisy Margaret Fowler in Dartmouth 1924. Many thanks from NZ

    By Charlie McAlister (17/11/2017)
  • Hello all. My Grandad and Nan lived in 34 Hanover Street from the 1920’s to 1980’s. They were Fred and Dorothy Glover. Fred was born in Bond Street Row number 5. His mum died not long after his birth and so he ended up living with his four brothers and father in the small one room down and one room up house. He was later sent to live with his aunt and uncle who already had three daughters so you can imagine the house was very cramped. Fred died in 1979 through an unknown virus and was badly riddled with arthritus from head to toe; Doris died of cancer in 1989. They experienced a lot in that house including bomb explosions on the brewery in Southover Street and nearly being killed by a Stuka shooting bullets up the street. Nan knew a lot of people in the street. Their house still had an outside loo when I was a kid right up to the day Nan died. Also the bath was in the kitchen with a sheet of wood over it acting as a kitchen bench. They still had their old coal stove and coal hole under the stairs where one day me and my niece found an Edwardian Girl’s Dress. I remember seeing an old mangle which was used right up to the 1970’s. The hallway on the ground floor had leathery embossed wallpaper and a dado dividing it. Most of the furniture was 1930’s period for many years with a solid oak dining table and dresser. In summer the small front garden would have colorful roses and fuscia flowers with the smell of lavender and mint wafting from plants near the front door. My family still remember Hanover Street very well. Ever so often I see how the place is doing when I take a short cut through the area to get to the other side of Brighton to avoid the busy Lewes Road and The Level.

    By Peter Bourne (30/01/2018)
  • Hi Trevor, I remember you and your family, you were born 5th Jan the same day as my sister Theresa I was a bridesmaid for Christine when she married Dave, your mum would take us all to the paddling pool at the bottom of West street and Blackrock pool during summer holidays. I used to live at no. 24 Hanover street.

    By SYLVIA CLARK (04/06/2018)
  • Hi Peter Bourne,

    I live close to 34 Hanover St and was in there recently – the dado in the hallway is still there! As are some of the roses in the front garden. It’s a rented property now (the front living room is used as a bedroom), with a loft conversion.

    By Ana (26/10/2018)
  • Hi Sylvia and Nicola. I only just stumbled back on this site after years. I remember you both from the street. Yes Sylvia, your sister was born on the same day as me it was a Sunday. I remember your mum and dad and I spent loads of time in your house. Nicola, I remember your mum and dad too. Do you remember my dad bent the lamp post over outside your house. When I was directing him back when he was driving his lorry? I spent loads of time annoying your dad helping him work on cars and bikes in the street. Sylvia how is Theresa, haven’t seen her for years. Time has flown – I’m 61 going on 16 now, and still live in the area. I visited Hanover Street a while back and it looks all posh now.

    By Trevor Jackman (21/10/2019)
  • My 3rd great grandparents, James Cousens and Lydia nee Price lived at 39 Hanover Street. They are listed in the 1841 census (no house number) with their daughter Ellen and the 1851 census at no. 39. Their daughter, my 2nd great grandmother, Maria came to Van Diemen’s Land, Australia on the ship Strathfieldsaye in 1834. If anyone has any information about James and Lydia I would be very pleased to hear from them. Thank you for providing this website.

    By Betty Howes (11/06/2021)

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