My Brighton Festival Day Ends with a Mystery!

Mosaic Mystery Library
Mobile Phone Photo, by Peter Groves

Sunday 14th May

We had friends over from Worthing for the day and I had pre-booked a number of Brighton Festival events.  The day was fully occupied with Open Houses, Fringe events and more, and ended with a mystery!

WWII Air Raid Shelters

This morning we went to the WWII Air Raid Shelters under the playground of Downs Junior School.  I first did this tour in 1995; however it has advanced since then with the use of modern technology, visual displays and effects.  I would fully recommend this event, its especially educational for children.

Open Houses

Next before lunch we went to a few Open Houses, they were all very interesting, but most impressive was the artwork on display by Cecil Rice. After lunch we continued with the Open Houses and visited St. Michael & All Angel’s Church.  The stained glass by William Morris is stunning, however we moved on to visit Middle Street Synagogue and found the stained glass here to be almost equal to that of William Morris.

Bethnal Green Tube Disaster

I had booked the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster at Sweet Waterfront for 4.20, it was an hour show.  I was aware that the Albion celebrations would start close by at 5.00, and assumed that it would have passed by the time we came out.  Fortunately the start of their parade was delayed by 30 minutes, so soon after our show ended we were able to watch the Albion players on their celebration.

Homewood Library

It was a busy day, but we all felt elated that we had had such a memorable and pleasant time.  During the walk home I came across the mosaic seen in my Mystery Photo, although close to where I live, I had never noticed it until now!  I searched the net to see if I could find out anything about it, without success.  I then searched mybrightonandhove; lots of posts by Carol Homewood, but nothing about Homewood Library. Although I know where it is, I have no idea of its background, the mystery is “where is it and what is the history”?

Comments about this page

  • Peter – have a look at this site of Carol Homewood’s, it tells you a little of that property in Dyke Road Brighton: http://throughtheeyesofabrightongirl.yolasite.com/peep-into-the-past.php

    By Marion Goodwin (15/05/2017)
  • Marion – Thank you for solving this so quickly! Dyke Road extends quite a long way, so I thought it might help to say that the mosaic pictured is at the entrance to 102 Dyke Road (a private residence apparently) and 100 Dyke Road, which is a shop called “Tinkers Hardware Ltd”, situated next to Ashtons Pharmacy.

    These properties are in the parade of shops immediately south of Seven Dials, between Buckingham Place and Bath Street (southern section).

    Regards, Alan Hobden.

    By Alan Hobden (15/05/2017)
  • I did a paper round for Homewoods in 56/57, it then was run by a Mr Hunter who lived further up Dyke Rd, north of Highcroft Villas, it did have a library at the back of the shop but was a mainly a sweet and paper shop.

    By Terry Hyde (16/05/2017)
  • Thanks Marion and Alan, you are both correct re the location, any idea of its history?

    I guess the building was constructed around 1850-1860, I know that “reading rooms and libraries” were popular in the town centre, but probably the main popularity was some 100 years earlier!

    By Peter Groves (16/05/2017)
  • Hi, I am booked to see The Bethnal Green show at a future fringe event, and wondered what you’re thoughts were on the show. Thanks.

    By Gary Yallop (18/05/2017)
  • Yes it was good, and well supported by a packed house.  I knew the story before, but the two man show did it well, playing many different characters by just changing hats/coats!

    By Peter Groves (18/05/2017)
  • Peter,

    In 1871 Frederic (Frank) Stanbridge Homewood and his wife, Elizabeth, started a Stationer’s at 1, Dyke Road. Within a couple of years this was renumbered to 45, Dyke Road and was also a Post Office and Bookseller. Frank died in 1886, leaving Elizabeth to run  the business. I believe Elizabeth died in 1902, but the firm continued through the two wars (it was renumbered to #102 after WW2) and into the 1970s. It would appear to have closed its doors by 1981.

    Regards, Andy.

    By Andy Grant (20/05/2017)

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