I remember the Old Match Lady in London Road - she used to stand on the corner of Ann Street opposite Oxford Street. I think there was a greengrocer stall on the same corner, and a pedestrian crossing over to Oxford Street controlled each day by a policeman standing in the middle of London Road.

I remember the Match Lady. She always used to be along London Road and in the market. She'd ask for the pennies and then moan at you if you took matches. I loved that part of Brighton - it was so lively and the shops were great.

Does anyone remember the Blind man's stall in the Open Market ? It was a one time the only place to buy penny bangers all year round .

Does anyone remember 'Sunshine Joe' who used to draw pictures on the foot path just to the side of Palace Pier. He would also talk to the waves, and people on the Palace Pier would throw over coins and 'Sunshine Joe' would run into the water before the waves could wash it out to sea.

Hi Mary,
So glad somebody remembered Sunshine Joe. l was beginning to think l lived in another world, no one remembered him. He always had a crowd round him.
Here is another event from my memory bank.
I remember my parents taking me into Hove, (I think it was Hove Lawns). When a Big Whale was washed up in Local Waters, it was on large trailers on show to the Public. I was only little but it has stuck in my mind, l know l did not dream it. Does any one else remember this?
Sheila

Yes I remember the 'Blind Mans Stall' in the market, I think it was on the corner. He used to sit there with a pretending knife (I think) stuck in his hat. I used to love looking for things to buy for my sixpence!

In the 60s I was a beach photographer, a deckchair seller and I looked after the paddling pool for one season. The 60s seafront was a mecca for characters. Poor old Sunshine Joe was once arrested for obscene exposure, due a pair of pants torn in the wrong place. He was also a fairly awful pavement artist. Another couple of characters were the Laird and his Lady who strolled the front from time to time he in full Scottish regalia and his Lady in a crinoline dress. Around the streets you would also see Gentleman Jim the totter in tails, waistcoat, striped pants, shiny black shoes and spats, pushing his barrow. There was seldom a dull day on the seafront.

I remember the match lady. In my memory she stood outside Rosalinds the store or Bellmans another store, both of them in London Road.

Yes I remember " Sunshine Joe " and when he wanted too he could draw a rather swell chalk picture on the pavement at the Old Steine, many thought he was a strange old fool but if you took the time to talk to him you would find he was dumb like a fox. Any one remember O' Hagens hot dogs on the front? and my second home The Tudor Bar, the 1960s were good times.

I used to see Sunshine Joe every Sunday in the summer; Mum and Dad would dress up, I would be shoved into a dress, and we would promenade, starting from the Palace Pier, taking in the Guiness clock, and I would give Joe a halfpenny, and he would give me a halfpenny Cadbury's chocolate bar. I thought he was lovely, but then I was only 6 or 7 at the time!

I remember the old match lady in London Rd. How many remember Ma Kelly the winkle woman and her son? They used to push a little handcart selling winkles.

I remember Ma Kelly coming around the streets on a Sunday morning and her son Trevor who went to Australia. where he made a fortune. He used to walk around with his mum and his guitar singing "winkle rock, winkle roll" to get people to come out and buy the winkles. Old mum Kelly got attacked one time by seagulls and was bad from it. It was not long after that she stopped selling winkles, and not long after that she caught fire from her oilstove and died.

For my memories of Sunshine Joe, please visit www.coughtrey.me.uk/linda.htm

Hi Sheila, I also remember holding my dad's hand as we walked round the whale on display. Love to get a date to go with this experience. I'm sure someone out there will provide the details.