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Boyces Street

Then and now photos

19th century view
What a difference! These old cottages were demolished in 1875, to make room for an extension to Middle Street school. You can just make out the building at the end of the street. It was a large private house, later taken over by the Hippodrome, and still standing today.

20th century view
Jellied eels, oysters, and fish are on sale instead of Thai food. The white building at the end of the street is now part of the old Hippodrome. The building on the left was part of Middle Street school. The building has been demolished, and the school's playground is now on the site. The driveway entrance still exists.

21st century view
This shot shows Boyces Street in The Lanes, which runs between West Street and Middle Street. As you travel back in time, keep an eye on the white building at the end of the street. Also, compare the Thai restaurant in today's street with the eating establishments of earlier times.

19th century view

Image reproduced with permission from Brighton History Centre

20th century view

From the private collection of Bert Clayton

21st century view

Photograph by Tricia Leonard

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments about this page

The old Middle Street Primary School was a robust Victorian red brick pile. The arched entrance gate on the left with the child barrier in front was never opened - we went in and out through a gate further down on the left, next to the tree. The tall gabled hall was used for morning assembly and Friday afternoon 'Country Dancing' which all the boys hated as it was too embarrassing to dance with little girls!

By Adrian Baron (25/01/2007)

I read with interest the article by Adrian Baron, unfortunately the school was opened in 1805, 30 years before Victoria. It was a date that none of us forgot owing to the Battle Of Trafalgar. I was one of the boys who hated Country Dancing on a Friday, so much so that George Eacott and myself got ourselves made ink and stationary monitors to avoid it.

By Bob Wells (01/06/2007)

Thanks Bob. What I meant was that the extension (seen in the 20th Century photograph) that replaced the two old flint cottages (in the 19th Century photograph) was Victorian - yes, the school was founded well before Victoria came to the throne. I like the way you subverted the system to avoid Country Dancing - wish I had thought of that.

By Adrian Baron (25/08/2007)

I used to go to this school. I can still remember the smell of it and the stone steps leading up to the next floor and also a vague memory of the canteen, where dinner was served.

By Caroline (27/01/2008)