Looking through an old book 'Brighton in Retrospect' one of the East Sussex County Library Local History Series, printed in 1974, I saw on page 10 the above picture titled 'Rope-houses on the beach in 1880'.

I am supposed to be related to an old fishing family in Brighton.  I am related to the Gillams but don't know how when your kids you don't take much in.  When you are interested, everybody who knows has passed away.  I would be most grateful for any info.  My Nan's maiden name was Martha Allen, her husband George White, both born 1890s.

I come from an old fishing family in Brighton and I would like any information about my father's boat. Her name was Our Lassie and her number S M 564. I would like any news. Thank you.

Likewise, my gran has passed away and I'm trying to track her relatives. She was Edith Mary Redman (1909-2003), one of 9 children, and she always said that her family was well respected fishermen in the Brighton area. She however chose to work at Lyon's tea rooms. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and you can contact me at blackspaven@hotmail.com. Thank you.

Regarding the Thwaites family - and connections:
The Thwaites lived at Hereford Street, Kemp Town. Harry Thwaites was married to Kit from the Trott family and "Jumbo" George Isaac Trott, a very large figure of a man with an imposing manner and matching loud voice, lived with them for most of his life. Nearby in Hereford Street there also lived George Spicer with his family. Both plied their boats from the Brighton beach off Kemp Town although Harry Thwaites also became involved with a wholesale butchers - Thwaites Butchers. Harry's wife, Kit, had a sister, Liz Spicer, at 34 Newick Road, North Moulsecoomb, where she lived with husband John, brother to George at Hereford Street. Her family suffered two child deaths as well as enduring quite poor circumstances during her lifetime, poor in relation to most of her neighbours who were also considered poor!  Another relative living in the Kemp Town area was Jack (either Thwaites, Trott or Spicer) who plied his boats from the beach, mixing his activities of either fishing or sea tripping from the beach in "all aboard the Skylark" fashion.  During WWII the Kemp Town area received its share of German bombing and the Thwaites, as well as another of the Trotts, Arthur Trott and his family were bombed out, the latter being taken in for some time by the Spicers at 34 Newick Road until suitable accommodation could be found. A photograph of the time showed Jumbo Trott in bed with the front of the house blown out, waiting for rescue.  The Thwaites were the most well-off family and Kit, a large imposing figure of a woman with a loud voice that equalled the presence of Jumbo, had a habit of keeping loose small silver change under an upturned cup for tipping purposes!  It must be possible for people to remember these individuals, making up as they did a quite characteristic flavour to the general area.

My Father's family originated in Brighton and were fishermen. The name was PIERCE or PEARCE (there were an awful lot of George Pierces). I would be so very grateful to receive any information or memories.

My family (Humphrey) were also fishermen in Brighton, but I haven't found any information of any boats or locations, only home addresses. If Peter above would like to get in touch, perhaps we are related.

In response to Sue Goodwright, please get in touch (tinashepcott@hotmail.co.uk), I have done a lot of research on the Pierces of Brighton, and may be able to help.