Dolphin Lamp Standards

Brighton's cast-iron dolphin lamp standards are somewhat reminiscent of those to be seen along the Thames which were designed by George Vuillamy and are still in resplendent working order. Although Brighton's are smaller, they have three entwined dolphins compared with London's two, which face opposite ways along the Embankment. Brighton's are more designed to be viewed through 360 degrees and seem equally deserving of admiration as works of Victorian art.


There comparisons end. In their decapitated state Brighton's standards look sad and neglected and have done for decades. It is probably too much to expect them ever to be restored to full working order, but surely the City could afford to fit them with some kind of finial, which would at least restore something of their aesthetic integrity. A simple globe, about 7" in diameter would be OK, certainly better than nothing; but to go one step better, Brighton is full of artistic talent both student and professional, could not the Council, or perhaps the Regency Society, sponsor a competition for a specially designed finial.

The photo above left is at Preston Park where there are six standards in all.
Above right is on the Embankment, London.

The photo to the left  is at the Level where there are two standards at the south end. I do not know the significance of the numbering. 

Hove vicar criticises clergy over church schools

From a Brighton & Hove News report:- Hove vicar criticises clergy over church schools

"Mr Terry, who has been a parish priest for 35 years and chairman of the governors at church and council-run schools, added: “The current legal position, which allows faith schools cynically to work the system, is a nonsense both ethically and morally, and urgently needs reform.""

Albion Hill revisited

This is a recap on the earlier post Albion Hill, September 1940.

September 1940:-

September 2010, looking towards the corner of Belgrave Street:-

The church is now in the same alignment relative to the distant skyline. The nearest house to the corner is no.16. It appears house numbers 17, 18, 19 Albion Hill were never rebuilt; part of the space being taken up with a planted area. There has been redevelopment across the bottom of the hill and the lower part of St. Bartholomews is obscured by the Phoenix building in Richmond Place. 

St. Nicholas Churchyard

 70 years ago St.Nicholas churchyard was  crammed with a century's worth of stone memorials of every shape and size, which must have made maintenance difficult, and certainly, during the war years, it became completely overgrown. At least it was enjoyed by the neighbourhood children for whom it became a jungle paradise  in which paths could be blazed and camps made.

Then in 1951 Brighton Council cleared most of the memorials away, stacking tombstones against the churchyard walls and retaining in position only those deemed of special local interest. This resulted in the garden space we enjoy now. The research into the tombs was, however, probably fairly cursory at the time.

There had also been an earlier clearance in the 1870's, so with the passage of time the details and stories of many of those interred at the site had been lost. In recent years work has been undertaken to rediscover information about those commemorated and the tales which accompany them. Gratifyingly the results of this work can now be followed in a new online gazetteer, The Brighton Mortiquarian.

The Pepperpot

The remaining survivor from the Attree Villa grounds is the grade II listed Pepperpot, also designed by Charles Barry, most likely as a water tower in the days before main supply. It has 4 internal floors some of which are unsafe. It is currently unused but has its own website, 'The Pepperpot'; and Facebook group, 'Friends of the Pepperpot', dedicated to securing its maintenance and long term future.

Also shown in the photo, taken from Queens Park Road, is one of the two grade II listed tram shelters in Brighton.