Buy anything - anytime
Clifton Hill shops
Clifton Hill shops
You can buy anything, anytime
These are the local shops and Post Office, actually opposite our house, just up from The Crescent pub on the right-hand side, where you can purchase any thing at any time.
There have always been shops here
The shops are on the rounded corner that leads round from Clifton Hill into Powis Road and these have always been shops.
Shopkeepers of the 1850s
In the street directories in the early 1850s, at the very beginning of Clifton Hill’s development, there was Fred Wright’s chemist shop, a book-seller, a wool shop and a green-grocer, together with Mrs Russell who was a laundress.
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Whilst you can still buy almost anything at any time, sadly the Post Office no longer remains.
Round about 1950 (when I was five and living in Powis Square) there was a grocer’s shop run by a Mr. Tethewey (spelling ?), a newsagents and a glass-cutting shop. It was always a windy place, with the tall buildings funneling the wind that blew in from the sea, up the hills. I saw TV for the first time, nearby (about 1954/5). There was an “Esso” garage further up the hill on the left and I can remember getting my inflamed tonsils checked, at the red-brick childrens’ hospital (Princess Alexandra ?) right at the top of the hill (ca. 1951)
I lived in Powis Road for 13 years until 1962. I worked as a delivery boy (on bicycle) for Mrs Newing who owned the greengrocers on the Powis Road / Clifton Hill corner. If memory serves me there was a butchers on the Clifton Hill side and a grocers on the other.
I came back to see Brighton again in August 2009 and was so pleased to see how relatively unaltered the area near to the Crescent pub on Clifton Hill / Powis Road was. I lived at No.18 Powis Square (top of the house) from birth in 1945 until 1952 – the Square still looks pretty much how I knew it as a boy! The red Anglo-Cathloic brick church of St. Michaels and All Angels is still the imposing and dominating feature of the immediate surroundings. The wall and waste ground between this church and the nearest row of houses on Powis Road (where I would climb over and run through down to St. Michael’s Place) has now an outbuilding and garden constructed on it and I was amazed to find that they served a delicious cooked breakfast inside – a regular happening on most Saturday mornings it seems, and an excellent way of promoting the sense of local community! The Royal Alexandra hospital referred to in the paragraph two above, looks rather sad and empty – at least the building is still there and I was glad that there seems to be a plan to preserve it! The large, khaki green / grey coloured Congregational Church (at the other end of Clifton Road from “The Crescent”) – which was demolished (ca. 1971) now has sheltered housing on the site. This church had rooms adjacent to it which was where my preparatory school, rather pretentiously named “Clifton College”, was located. Here I started school in 1949 and continued until 1956. It was rather a sad shock to find this gone – actually on an earlier visit in the 70s - but, coming back again now to the UK and finding so much relatively unchanged in this my childhood area of Brighton and remembered from the years of the post-war period, is a most uplifting experience. Clifton Terrace feels much the same as ever – still a pleasure to walk along as always, past the ornate frontage of those stately houses – especially in the sunshine, with the fresh Brighton breeze! The exhibition in the Brighton Museum covering so many topics of life in Brighton is commendable! So many exhibits, and presented so well! Brighton residents are indeed fortunate to have so much available – the sea front, access to so many open spaces and nearby points of interest and, of course, the cultural and historical heritage … also the social, entertainment and educational possibilities … just to make a start on the list! Thanks also to the organizers of this website – for providing a place to hang some thoughts!
I remember Stuart Leggett well. I wonder if he remembers Jaqueline Higginbottom, Mary Salmon, Peter Tewkesbury, Robert Etteridge to name just a few.
In the 70s and 80s, the shop / post office shown here was run by Indians who originated from Gujarat. It was my pleasure to serve them as a milkman, and I remember every one of the lovely family.
Mr Munro and others might be interested in some further thoughts about “Clifton College” from the 50s (this was the preparatory school in Clifton Road, referred to above …15/11/09). I’m afraid that most of the pupils mentioned by Bob are only just vaguely familar names to me. I can’t recall faces. Those who I do recall better were John Parkington, Ian Itter, Geraldine Davis, Jill Caley, Carol Tester, Anne Burnett, Zoe Morgan (?), Paul Annets, Sandra Kennedy, John Masterson, another Ian (whose parents ran a pub in Freshfield Road), Tony Stenning (whose parents ran the Dog Tray Inn in the Old Steine), Andrea Jacobs. Amongst the teachers were Mrs Foster, Miss Prescott, Mrs Hardy, the Revd. Heaven, Mrs Dyke and of course, the indomitable Mrs. E. V. Stanley who ran the school during my time there. Now the memories are flooding back-the Christmas stage presentation when “Land of Hope and Glory” was sung gustily by the audience – the music being just belted out on the auditorium’s piano.”Health and Beauty” classes given for adults in an adjacent church room – we schoolboys used to peep through the cracks in the door at wonders never before experienced, thick snow gathering on the entrance steps and wall in Clifton Road, overlooked by the large windows of the downstairs classrooms. The wooden boards in the front entrance showing names of distinguished pupils in gold lettering. The smell of the hardware shop on the corner, immediately across the road, the poky little cupboard in Mrs Stanley’s classroom where the school stationery was kept – and careful rationed out (I know as I was cupboard monitor for a while). The large, airy space of this room with its strategically placed poles (to hold up the ceiling?), Friday afternoon trips to a gym near to Palmeira Sq. (opposite to the Baptist Church) – where we all walked to and from, along the pavements in a long crocodile. The sycamore trees that used to flourish in the spaces at the back of the buildings. Hmm! The minor details that stick in the mind after all these years. When the school closed, I wondered if it might have been incorporated with any other institution in the Brighton area? Since writing the account above (in 2009), I had the lucky chance to visit Seaford, the Cuckmere valley and the cliffs of the Seven Sisters. I thought that one was so fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow up on the Sussex coast with its great open expanses of seascapes and cloudscapes, together with the marvellous natural beauty of its landscapes.
I would just like to add a name to the list of former schoolchildren (in the above paragraphs) who attended Clifton College from the mid-50s. Lee Tipton was a thoughtful girl who showed a little extra patience to a 10 year-old boy, one who was probably rather annoying to most girls in that age. She acknowledged that I was a pest (or “gnat” as her term was) but I appreciated her kindness and rather wished that I had known better about how to reciprocate. I was just a shy kid in short pants and if you ever read this, Lee – thank you.
Anyone remember Mary Salmon who’s family owned the newsagents in Patcham, Jauline Higginbottom (who I loved dearly) and Mrs Tewkesbury who taught the infants?
The glass cutting and glazier’s shops in Powis Road were run by Grey & Whites Ltd. They were well known for making leaded light windows and I worked there for a short while.
Speaking about the staff at Clifton College, does anyone remember Miss Markham, the teacher who had long platts which were wound round her ears like radio speakers?
This is so good finding references to Clifton College. I attended there in 1946. On the December report it has my age as 5 yrs 4 mths, I was actually 4 years & 4 mths. I asked my mother if this was a mistake and she said that the school was told that I was a year older than I was otherwise they would not have enrolled me. Apparently I used to cry because I wanted to go to school. I left the school when we emigrated to Australia in 1948.
My parents owned the grocery shop/PO, but have sadly passed away now. Joe (Reid) it’s so nice to know you’re well and we all have fond memories of you too. Miss our days and friends in Brighton. We’ve all moved to the North now.
I am thrilled to read your comment, Beena. I really liked your family, and feel sadness reading about the passing of your parents. I always felt that, to Doshi Kanti, I was a bit more than a milkman.
Beena (Doshi). As an old man, I often think of times past, and I am pleased once again to say that memories of your family, though relatively trivial, give me pleasure. Your dad told me that muesli is good for me. Until he told me, I had never heard of it. I bought some that week, and have eaten it for breakfast every day of my life since then. I am now seventy seven, and I cannot recall the last time I was ill. Tell Tushar that I smile now when I remember his ‘thanks dad’, accompanied by a look of disgust when your dad told me that his name means ‘dewdrop’.
I started school at Clifton College in 1951 and Ian Itter was in my class as was Carol Clifton, Zena Walker, Lindy James, Martin Jacobs I also remember Lee Tipton. Mrs. Foster was very good to my younger brother, giving him extra lessons. I remember Mrs. Tewkesbury, she was my infant teacher. Happy Days. I and my two brothers moved to Dorset in 1955.
Having delved into my memory a little more, I have come up with some more names from the past. Victor Forte, Valerie Christmas, Ann Crease (we started on the same day and as she was crying, my mother told me to go and speak to her). Her father was a bus conductor and a member of the Salvation Army. Then there was Stuart Lucks and his sister Carol. I remember Sandra and Trevor Jordon who’s parents had the dance school on the premises and badgered my parents to go. I only went once and decided it wasn’t for me. Carol Clifton had a sister, Frances. I have fond memories of Brighton as my father was an Old Brightonion and I visit as often as I can. Things have come full circle as my grandson now lives in Hove and works in Brighton. My maiden name was Manton.
Lots of good memories there (C. Bilyard). I was at Clifton College from 1949-1956 and remember Ian Itter and Lee Tipton so well. Zena and Mrs. Foster are a little less distinct, but they are there. If you would care to scroll upwards to my posting in 2011 – then there are some other names – also from some other contributors. Do they ring a bell at all? I walked around in this area last summer and, as usual on these visits, one gets a real buzz from the familiar streets and the associations of more than 60 years back.
Joe, so sorry I only just read your last comment today. I will let Tush know. He has a 19 year old daughter and 17 year old son now. I’m sure they will love that story! Mira has a nine year old girl and I’m expecting twin boys in October! Glad your health is good and you’re taking care of yourself. My parents were very fond of you too and really loved living on Clifton Hill with such friendly people around them. Joe how can I get your email to stay in touch?
Hi Beena, I have just come across your delightful and interesting post. Congratulations on the twins who may have arrived by now. It is amazing how much one may learn about babies inside the womb. Though I have little of interest to say, you are very welcome to contact me at reid257@hotmail.com.
I address this to Stuart Leggett and anyone else who attended Clifton College during the fifties. I have learned that my brother-in-law, Gordon Austin, was there, but I do not know the dates. Anybody remember?
Does anyone remember Susan, Linda and Jane Macdonald we lived in the pub down New England Road, The Bridge Inn? I do remember the names mentioned above and we all live locally if anyone would like to keep in touch our email is bridgeinn31@gmail.com
Hi Beena, Mira and Tushar
You may remember me, I used to live on Compton Avenue and spent most days at your home. Your parents and you all fed me and escorted me back home every evening.
I moved away to Rome and now back in the UK. I now own the building and Would love to hear from you all.
Hi Jayshree, sorry I’ve only just seen this message (5 years later). Lovely to hear you’re doing well and have settled back in Brighton. Would be lovely to catch up with you. My email is bnanorthwest@gmail.com
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