137 Edward Street

This little property on the corner of Devonshire Place never fails to catch my eye. It is sad to see it shuttered-up. It seems to date from 1893 which is consistent with the style. In that year the number 137 disappears from the street directory and the greengrocer J. Marchant who had been operating from the site had transferred to 138. By 1896 it had become a surgery. Later in the 20thC it became a tailor's.

In June 2000 a planning application for change of use to residential was approved. In Feb this year a planning application BH2014/00345 was filed and is still under consideration. This application details external alterations to front elevation including installation of new timber double glazed window and surrounding wall. 

Built into a corner with no outside area it is probably not ideal for living accommodation but it will be a relief to see it sensitively renovated and returned to full use. I wonder if it is too much to hope that the exposed wall of 26 Devonshire Place will be given a coat of paint at the same time?

Thomas Simpson plaque appeal

Thomas Simpson was a remarkable local architect whose work helped to transform education in Brighton & Hove in the 19th century and much of which continues to usefully adorn the City to this day. One outstanding example is the Connaught School in Hove which, as a result of a Brighton Society campaign culminating in 2009. was the last of the Simpson schools to be listed by English Heritage 

Some of Simpson's other buildings which may still be seen around the City are:- Belgrave Street Congregational Chapel and School 1862; Preston road Board Schools 1880; Finsbury Road Board Schools 1881; York Place Higher Grade Schools 1884; Central National Infants' School , Upper Gardner Street, 1887;

Ditchling Road Board Schools 1890; Elm Grove Board Schools 1890;

Stanford Road Board Schools1894; School for Afflicted Children and Cookery School,  now part of City College; St.Luke's Board Schools 1903.

On account of his outstanding portfolio of work the Brighton Society have long considered that Simpson deserves permanent recognition in the City, and have proposed to the City's Commemorative Plaque Panel that a commemorative plaque be sited on the western façade of the Connaught School.

The plaque as illustrated will be executed in high endurance glazed ceramic as approved by English Heritage and the cost will be about £1000, including installation.

Donations towards the cost are invited and will be warmly welcomed. They should be made payable to 'The Brighton Society' and sent to the Society's Treasurer: Lyn Lynch-White, 4 The Barn, Church Hill, Brighton, BN1 8YE.

The John Howard Cottages

Sir John Howard

These cottages, opened in 1922, were provided from the estate of Brighton philanthropist and engineer Sir John Howard as homes for convalescent nurses. They show the persistence into the 20th century of the distinctive Art & Craft style with a finesse that is somehow missing from later Tudorbethan efforts. Continuing the tradition of almshouses each home is a small miracle of comfort and compactness. Inside, solid oak furnishings continue the Art & Craft style, 'built-in' before the expression was heard of.

The cottages are unlisted, not visible from the public highway, and it is fortunate they have survived. In 2008 the Royal College of Nurses, who were the trustees, considered selling them but, after a successful campaign to save them,  trusteeship was transferred to the Vicar and Churchwardens of St. George's Church. 

They continue to provide 24 age-exclusive comfortable secluded homes for former nurses and carers.

Sir John Howard, who died in 1917, lived at Preston Place (now demolished). Sir John is buried in the Jewish Cemetery, Florence Place.

A plaque to Henry Solomon.

At Brighton Town Hall 

Cr. Brian Fitch today performed his first duty as City Mayor by unveiling a blue plaque to Henry Solomon. Henry Solomon was a colourful character who started his career as a London watchmaker and segued to Chair of the Brighton Watch Committee. Other posts he held were Inspector of Weights & Measures and Inspector of Nuisances.

He was attacked with a poker by one John Lawrence, who had been arrested for stealing a carpet in St. James's Street, and died the next day in hospital. John Lawrence was subsequently hung for murder at Horsham

The plaque was financed by members of the Brighton Jewish Community and the Police Association.

2A Regency Mews

1890

1961

1985

2011

Number 2A Regency Mews which backs on to 24 Castle Street has gone through many changes over the last 120 years yet remarkably seems to have retained the same wooden doors. Evidently, at some time before 1961, windows into the ground floor were cheaply provided by the simple expedient of cutting out triangular sections between the doors' cross-bracings.

However the life of these doors may now be coming to an end if application BH2014/00642 is approved. This proposes conversion of the premises, described as vacant offices into two 3-bedroom houses. "Modest" alterations to the front elevation and fenestrations are called for as illustrated below.