96 Trafalgar Street

These terraced houses with shops were grade ll listed in 1999. Built of brick, now painted, they date from the mid-C19 with C20 shop fronts.  The upper floors have curved and slightly recessed 'blanked windows', seemingly a favourite way of turning a corner at that time. Except for canted bays to the first floor windows on Trafalgar Street, the windows have brick camber arches ; one sash-window of original design remains on the second floor in Trafalgar Street. The building forms a group with houses on the corner of Pelham Square, opposite, and Trafalgar Street, also listed.

Brighton in 3 minutes.

Filmed  with a rate of 15 fps and over 30,000 photos by Ash Lomas.
www.designedinbrighton.com

Open Day at the Engineerium

Boiler room

For the first time for several years the Engineerium held an Open Day on Sunday. All entrance fees were donated to the Chestnut Tree Children's Hospice. It seems to have been very well-attended and have given visitors the chance to view the extensive refurbishment and development work in progress.

The Engineerium and its contents were saved a from auction and dispersal a few years ago by local entrepreneur Mr Mike Holland, seen above in conversation with 'Thomas Hawksley', victorian designer of the pumping station, who had kindly reincarnated to provide visitors with guided tours. They are seen in what was the coal store, converted to an exhibition hall in the 1970's and now destined to become a restaurant and bar.

N0.2 Pumping Engine

The boilers were in steam and the no.2 Pumping Engine, in beautiful condition, was  demonstrating its stately, intricate actions.

The new brick work blends seamlessly with the original.

A new skylight to what will become a new Exhibition Hall

The Engineerium across Hove Park

It is intended to open the Engineerium every Sunday throughout the winter.

Crown Gardens

Looking north along Crown Gardens

30 Crown Gardens looking south

Crown Gardens is one of Brighton's famous twittens running between North Road and Church Street, and lying parallel to Queen's Road, which it probably predates. According to the Encyclopaedia of Brighton it was built in the 1820's for employees of the Royal Pavilion and Stables.  To the left of the twitten in the top photo, the original bow-windowed cottages have been replaced by a modern terrace backing on to Kew Street. However on the right hand side several original houses still remain including no.30 and an old length of walling.

Most of the old properties appear in good conditon and occupied but no. 30 has been allowed to fall into disrepair and the inevitable application to demolish has been filed; see planning application BH2012/02601. This calls for the replacement of no.30, and its 'back' yard, with a terrace of 3 modern terraced houses. The ancient wall will disappear. 

So the sanitisation of old Brighton moves inexorably on . . .

Atheist Street Preacher

Another Brighton first?
http://www.simonclare.co.uk/site/