North Laine History

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Gardner Street today

Kensington Gardens

Linda Freedman

Remembering the 1950s

My parents moved down from Scotland in 1947, before I was born, and immediately settled in Kensington Gardens.  My father opened his bespoke tailor shop in Gardner Street, which boasted many small businesses and trades.  I clearly remember a large second hand furniture store in the street (the name of which was possibly Rosens, but I can't quite remember).

North Laine not 'trendy'

North Laine in the 1950s and 60s was certainly not 'trendy' and was similar to Camden Town before gentrification.  There was a weekly market in Bond Street, which was lined on either side with various stalls selling trimmings, soaps and the usual goods found in a street market.  In the summer my mother used to take me to the park behind the Dome, which really was a small park then, rather than the thoroughfare it has become. People sat on rows of deckchairs listening to the brass band and eating ice creams and refreshments from the kiosk.  I have vivid memories of flocks of pigeons and a large willow tree, which is still there, though heavily trimmed.

Saturday afternoons at the Brighton Museum

As a child, on Saturday afternoons I used to take myself off to Brighton Museum, which was housed in Church Street above the old Library.  I remember a huge dinosaur's skeleton strung up from the ceiling in the main hall.  There were various tanks of small tropical fish and Roman skeletal remains in numerous showcases.  For some reason I found the relics and treasures in the Museum and the musty smell from the Library quite fascinating and enticing - a contrast to the active outdoor life led by the seaside.

Speech Day concert at the Dome

As an older girl we used to hold our annual school Speech Day concert and prize giving at the Dome.

The bustling feel is still there

I think the North Laine now, though gentrified and trendy, retains the bustling feel of a shopping area of small traders, while still including the cultural centre of the city.

[Previously published in the North Laine Runner, No 187, July/August 2007]

Linda aged 8

Introduction

Why North Laine? Historical Development of North Laine North Laine at War, part 1 North Laine at War part 2 Beer in North Laine Living in North Laine in 1900 Schools in North Laine A Snapshot of North Laine in 1957

The Coronation Cinema Gloucester Rd Drill Hall Model  Dwellings Church St Drill Hall Swan Downer School The Post Office Sorting Building Carluccios and the Waggon and Horses 15-16 Trafalgar St The Canterbury  St Nicholas Memorial School

Kensington Place Foundry St Queens Gardens Upper Gardner Street Pelham Square Kensington  Gardens Tichborne  Street area Trafalgar Lane Cheltenham Place Bond Street Kemp St Gardner Street Tidy St Trafalgar St North Road Robert St Marlborough Place Blackman St Frederick Gardens Gloucester Rd Over St Frederick Street

Tom Sayers Peggy Ramsay William Moon Mary Belton Ken Fines The Murder of Violet Kaye Pat Lettres Denis Hobden Alice Reynolds A Penny for the Gas Violet Pumphrey John Barber Rita Buckrell Bill Butler Mr Butt Dorothy Cooke Yvonne Dedman Terry Etherton Linda Freedman Hokey Pokey Man EWrnie Longhurst Christiana the Chocolate Murderess Roy Fowler Muriel Hart Mina Violet Monger Cyril Mount Roy Moffatt Tex Mcleod Michael Trotobas

A Walk from Brighton Museum to North Rd From Kensington Gardens to  Brighton Station

How did North Laine become a Conservation Area? Building Regulations Why is North Laine a Conservation Area? Listed Buildings What do I need Planning Permission for?