Nostalgic memories of Brighton's local history

Share your own memories of Brighton and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 18 in total

Hello All, I am researching my ancestry on my late fathers side. I have very little information to go on but do know he did at some point live in the area,he was buried in Lewes but to my knowledge only lived there for a few years before passing away in 2014. I believe he may have had some connection to the area before this time. Any time between 1950’s and 2014 If anyone should recognise his name it ...see more
I remember that the eastern part of the park was turned into allotments during the war. And a water-filled ditch was created for testing tanks' abilities to cross muddy/hilly terrain. And after the war there were often sheep dog trials and other events to attend (I lived in Lovers Walk opposite the park). I'd love to see any photos of the Park at any time
My mother and I had many happy summer days at Ovingdean in the 1960's. It was easy to catch a bus there from central Brighton, disembarking near St Dunstan's home, walking by underpass beneath the busy main road, then taking the stairs down to the Undercliff Walk. There was a kiosk and some beach huts there, and it was a very pleasant spot to enjoy a few hours by the sea.
My mother, Olive Mary (Mollie) Feasby was a student at the college in the 1930s. I am looking for information about her future sisters-in-law, Marion and Rene Walker, also students there.
My father was building the Power Station at Shoreham in the fifties and we had a tent here for many Summer months. The lads use to dare me to go to the Wardens control tower and say I was lost! They used to humour me and broadcast my name over the tanoy system on the high tower - they never tired of this game! I was watching a guy named Ralph hitting a golf ball on the grass and I stood too close behind his club and was ...see more
Actually, my memories of Brighton go back earlier than 1953 because I was born there in 1933. I do have a memory of being wheeled in my pram over a small area of ridged concrete outside the little shop at the end of our street, Bennett road, Kemp town. We were bombed out from there (number 35) in 1943 and I do remember that quite well. From then on we moved to Preston Drove which was still in an area which ...see more
In the early 1950s my uncle, William Grosvenor, was warden at this camp site. As a young girl I can remember visiting him and my aunt and helping or hindering with campers arrivals.
It was Uncle Bonnie's Chinese Jazz Club which ran all-night sessions on a Friday night, from 11pm to about 6am the next morning. All sorts of jazz was played, including trad jazz. There were singles and couples, I think drinks most of the night, and of course a smoky atmosphere from cigarettes. Great music and atmosphere, you all went home for breakfast unless you found an open cafe - what time did Joe ...see more
The Aquarium was the venue for the 'Chinese Jazz Club' which was run by a man in a straw hat called 'Bonnie'. I was a regular as a student and despite the name all I recall was R&B music from a range of bands and singers including Muddy Waters, Blind Lemon Jefferson (I think) , Long John Baldry and Rod Stewart - then known as Rod the Mod.