I lived at no.66 from 1950(when I was born) until 1964 when we left for OZ. There were a lot less vehicles in the road than in the above. So much so that when the Brighton Races were on coaches returning home to London had enough space to race up the road and overtake each other, I would like to see them do that these days! When that "race" was on Hollingbury Road was left under a thick black blanket of smoke, thanks to the not so green ego friendly diesel engines that were around back then. As with a lot of streets back in the fifties, Hollingbury Road was no exception. It was safe, friendly and us kids had lots of "aunties and uncles" in the road where we could visit have a "pit stop" get refreshed and get back out into the street. Because that was our playground and that's what we did! We the "gang" which included from the top Terry Michell, Chris Cager, yours truly, Peter Vine (who later became a building inspector for the Brighton Council) Nigel and Melvin Wootton, Malcolm Oliver. And from Roedale Road Michael Knight and Robert Virgo had some great and not so great times in the neighbourhood. If any of you should happen to read this I hope you are happy and in good health. One of our past times as a group was "book and skate" racing !(Pre skate board) That is grabbing your current Beano, Dandy, or Eagle annual placing it onto one of your roller skates, sitting on it at the top of Hollingbury Road (eastern side) and when the word is given push off with your hands as hard and as fast as you could, not forgetting to lean back to reduce wind resistance, and pity any poor unsuspecting neighbour who should be leaving via their front gate! The knee high flash of boy book and skate would if skilful enough terminate in a pile up of kit against the wall of Quicks Fish and Chip Shop in Upper Hollingdean Road. I think that's enough of the effect that "races" had upon Hollingbury Road. More in my next comment.

My first job, at just turned 14, was at the "Smith's" factory in Hollingbury road, in January, 1937, only then it was an old wooden building at the back of the houses on the west side, near the top, and was called Pullar's Instruments. Instruments such as barometers were made there, with "innards" imported from Germany and Czechoslovakia. The preferred way to get from our house at the top of Freshfield Road to the Pullars factory was to walk, taking about half an hour each way. I had been pushed out of St Luke's Senior Boys School, educated or not, after attaining my 14th birthday in the previous November, though I signed on for further education (mechanical engineering) at nightschool, in the Intermediate school building opposite St. Peter's Church. At Pullars I was taught how to sweep up, how to smoke cigarettes, who was Cab Calloway, and what was scat singing. I also learned how to cut thick wire with a hacksaw and how to make a thread on the cut end. In February however, my mother decided I was not going to learn anything worthwhile and she took me out to the Southdown bus overhaul facility on Victoria Road, Portslade, where she signed me up as an "apprentice" to learn engine fitting. Like Pullars, this job paid two pence (tuppence or 2d) an hour, for a 48-hour week, so that I ended up with seven shillings and tenpence a week, tuppence having beeen deducted for unemployment insurance. I often wondered what happened to all those tuppences. When I gave my pay packet to my mother she opened it and gave me back two shillings for myself, the rest being retained for my "keep."

I too lived in Hollingbury Road (No.7) from 1955 until 1957, when we moved around the corner to 15a Upper Hollingdean Road. 7 Hollingbury Road was the home of my nan and grandad, George and Dolly Budd, and my mum, dad and me and my brother Paul lived there with them. I remember how quiet the road was and how well kept all the front gardens were. Cars were a rare sight then.  Chalks grocers shop was on the corner (later Formula One) and further up Hollingbury Road was Doubles grocers shop. These were lovely old fashioned shops. I remember there was Miss Chalk, rather a stern 'spinster' lady, and her little old mum who used to sit in the back room of the shop by an old paraffin stove with a kettle on it.  Doubles was run by Mr and Mrs Double. Mr Double always wore an immaculate white overall. I liked watching him slice the ham and bacon on a big slicing machine. My nan used to give them a list of shopping and Mr Double would walk down the road and bring it to the house. When we moved round the corner, we were in a basement flat belonging to the Hollman family and we stayed there until I was 11.