REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 267889 NEWSLETTER NO. 30 MARCH 2019 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 267889

ASSOCIATION CONTACTS

You can telephone Jim Gowans on 01273 325185. You can also contact us through our website: www.montpelierandcliftonhill.org The MCHA Newsletter is published three times a year by the Montpelier and Clifton Hill Association. It is printed by The Printhouse, 26-28 St John’s Rd, Hove BN3 2FB The Montpelier and Clifton Hill Association was established in 1971 and is registered with the Charity Commission (Reg. Charity No. 267889). The MCHA executive committee consists of; Jim Gowans, Chairman Chris Jackson, Honorary Treasurer Corinne Attwood, Honorary Secretary Jack Tyson

The co-opted members are: Duncan Cameron; Carol Dyhouse; Janice Johnson; Brian Morris; Jane Osler and Ninka Willcock. Gabi Tubbs is the conservation awards co-ordinator. Additional pictures by Carol Dyhouse, Gabi Tubbs, Stephanie Pain and Constance Lawrence MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS

Single membership is £10, couples £15 19 Montpelier Place and corporate £30. Subscriptions are due on the 1st April The cover page is the Montpelier Road entrance to the Brighton and Hove High School. The each year. school’s main building, known as “the Temple” (see article on page 3) celebrates 200 years FOR YOUR DIARY since it was built for the man who in the early 19th century developed the fashionable estate east of Brighton which today bears his name: “Kemp Town”. The Pevsner Guide describes the Spring Lecture columns on the ground floor of the Temple as of “bizarre form, engaged and tapering with Friday 3rd May (see flyer) turned capitals like stoppers but carrying normal round arches…” whilst the 1960s classroom Geoffrey Mead Walks block to the right is dismissed as “drab”. Not itself a listed building, No 19 Montpelier Place May-June (see flyer) (above picture) stands next to a grade II* building (the former St Stephen’s Church and now AGM and Summer Lecture First Base Day Centre), nevertheless it can be considered an example of what the area’s Friday 7th June (see flyer) character statement calls “high quality unlisted properties”. The statement (written by council Summer Party heritage officers in 2005) also refers to “the strong vertical emphasis to the street frontages, Saturday 13th July (see flyer) enhanced by the architectural detailing to the front elevations and tall trees planted outside in Autumn Lecture the street”. It seems likely that No.s 18 and 19 Montpelier Place were built as a free standing Friday 18th October (see flyer) pair in the 1860s. The street directories of the time indicate that the first occupants were medical professionals. JG 200th Anniversary of “The Temple” Road would later be built to the left of the cornfield and Montpelier Road runs across the print, in front of the Temple. The steel engraving by H A Ogg from the early 1830s, shows some of the alterations such as the addition of four chimneys and extension of the first floor which subsumed the classical pediment. It is a view from the Dyke Road where today it is met by Clifton Road, the latter not being laid out until the 1840s and the coming of the railway. The engraving, which was no doubt coloured sometime after first publication, shows traffic on Montpelier Road (or today’s Denmark The Temple today from Temple Gardens Terrace) seemingly keeping to a 20 mph speed limit! The carriage is drawn The building which has housed the to the upper storeys. Its name “The by a single horse which may well have Brighton and Hove High School Temple” is based on the belief that the struggled to climb the hill from the since the 1880s was erected for dimensions were those of the Temple sea front; it is passing in front of the Thomas Read Kemp, most probably of King Solomon which is plausible flint wall with its massive pepper-pot by the architects Amon and Amon given Kemp’s position as a prominent domed piers at each corner and four Henry Wilds whose designs have freemason. In the foreground is the pairs of gate pillars whose appearance greatly influenced the character of trackway that became Clifton Hill, is virtually unchanged today. It must our area today. Although the upper and left of that is the cornfield on be pointed out that the large domed floors are now much altered since which Powis Square and Powis Villas structure shown on the left margin 1819 many original features remain were built some 23 years later. The is not the High School’s proposed recognizable. The aquatint engraving fencing that surrounded Vine’s Mill can “bio-dome” which, since a planning by William Daniell was published in also be seen. The couple in the left application five years ago, seems to 1823 and shows Kemp’s new house foreground is probably the young Mr have fallen foul of global belt tightening! in Montpelier Road before alterations and Mrs T R Kemp, with their butler in It was, however, a bio-dome of sorts. attendance, walking Constructed of glass and cast iron ribs back to their home just before the engraving was published, built on what was the “Anthaeum” (from the Greek word then an isolated for a flower) was a conservatory of spot just four vast proportions intended to house years before this a tropical garden and measuring 50 print. The natural meters across and 20 meters high. It inlet of Shoreham was bigger than the dome of St Paul’s Harbour is seen in Cathedral but unlike St Paul’s it failed to the distance. With stand the test of time; in fact it failed to the artist standing stand the test of being officially opened, on the highest collapsing in spectacular fashion two point in the area, days before the inaugural ceremony! near the much The photograph taken in 2019 is the Steel engraving by H A Ogg later site of the old view today from Temple Gardens Royal Alexandra looking over the flint and brick wall Children’s Hospital seen in the two engravings. Also visible on Dyke Road, this is the ground floor colonnade with 1823 view covers its unusually shaped coupled pilasters much of the land on reminiscent perhaps of ancient Egyptian which the Clifton, temples, although not it seems copies Montpelier and of those in the Powis roads were Temple of Solomon. The dome was built. The cornfield unfortunately removed in 1911 and being harvested in replaced with the rather over scaled the middle distance mansard roof which is just glimpsed is now the site in this shot. In the background can be of Powis Square, seen the façade of Denmark Terrace Powis Road and St. built in the 1860s. The prints are Michael’s Place. The courtesy of the “Society of Brighton Aquatint engraving by William Daniell present Victoria Print Collectors” JG City Council Field Officers and Heritage PRotection A new service has been fully in order to deliver co- occupation. In the Montpelier operational since December ordinated, fast and effective and Clifton Hill area there is which aims to work closely enforcement and inspection concern at the harm caused to with communities and partners work across a number of listed building by, for example, council services. Apart from the unauthorised use of plastic planning enforcement, these window frames as in the case of include environmental health, this property in Powis Square. It housing, community safety, is a criminal offence not to seek seafront services and parks. listed building consent for all The field officer team has works of demolition, alteration already been engaged in or extension to a listed building our neighbouring West Hill that affect its character as a conservation area ensuring building of special architectural that the regulation which or historic interest and not governs estate agents’ board is knowing a building is listed is adhered to and monitoring the not a defence against criminal Powis Square position of houses in multiple proceedings. JG 50 Years Since Our City’s Blue Plaque for First Conservation Areas Suffragette Whilst Montpelier and Clifton Hill were not A blue plaque was unveiled last November at 13 designated as conservation areas until 1973, the Victoria Road to commemorate Minnie Turner who areas of Brunswick Town and Cliftonville in Hove lived in the house known as “Sea View” from 1910. were designated by the then Hove Borough Council Turner ran her boarding house as both holiday in 1969. Today there are 34 conservation areas resort and refuge for suffragettes recovering from in the City of Brighton and Hove whose special imprisonment, hunger strikes and forcible feeding, character and appearance are considered worthy advertising in suffragette newspapers, where she of preservation and indeed enhancement. The idea offered rest cures, home-made bread and “meals of a conservation area was pioneered, strangely served in the garden”. Guests included notable enough, in the United States before the Second suffragettes such as Emmeline Pankhurst and World War and it was not until 1966 that a bill, Emily Davison who, less than a year after her stay which later became the Civic Amenities Act 1967, with at Sea View, was killed at the Epsom Derby was introduced in the British Parliament by Duncan after running in front of the King’s horse. The Sandys MP who was president of the Civic Trust plaque unveiling was attended by the Deputy Lord (now Civic Voice) and incidentally a son-in law of Lieutenant and the Mayor whilst the address was Winston Churchill. In the same year the Georgian delivered by Professor Carol Dyhouse of Sussex town of Stamford in Lincolnshire became the first University who is both a local resident and MCHA of what are now over eight thousand conservation committee member. A further plaque is planned in areas in England. The photograph is of the Old our area for Elizabeth Robins the American actress, Market in Brunswick Town which opened in 1828 playwright and suffragette who lived in Montpelier and was a market which unlike the squares and Crescent. JG terraces it was intended to serve did not prove a commercial success and became a riding school in the 1840s. JG

The Old Market Brunswick Town Blue Plaque Victoria Road 11 Montpelier Villas is awarded the 2018 MCHA Conservation Plate After a first planning application (to which the MCHA had objected) was refused in 2013 the owners had discussions with the Association and submitted revised plans which were approved in February 2014. The work of demolishing the 20th century annex to this Grade II listed semi- detached house which dates from about 1845 and of reconstructing it to provide a third residential unit, took over four years to complete. The architect John Whiting has taken pains to include appropriate

11 Montpelier Villas

period detail, particularly in the of the project with pictures of link between the annex and the the interior will be provided by original house, which had been an the MCHA Conservation Awards unattractive feature of the existing coordinator Gabi Tubbs in the next 2018 Plate by Jill Pryke structure. A more detailed account newsletter. JG 8 Clifton Road to have commendation and blue plaque The MCHA trustees have Victorian England producing commended the works the illustrations to Lewis carried out by Association Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” members living in this Grade in 1865 and “Alice through II listed house built in about the Looking Glass” in 1871 1830. The picture shows the as well as collaborating with restored front elevation. The such household names as render, which had previously Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John deteriorated, was removed Everett Millais, and Frederic and replaced and the valance Leighton. The Brighton and to the ground floor window Hove Commemorative Plaque restored. Cast iron features Panel recently approved the such as the railings, the application for a blue plaque balcony balustrade and the to record the association of fringe to the first floor canopy the Dalziel family with the with its anthemion ornament house and so at 11:45 am on of radiating petals can now Friday 26th April the unveiling be fully appreciated. It has will take place in the presence recently come to light that the of the Mayor of Brighton and house was once occupied by Hove and researchers from members of the Dalziel family, the University of Sussex. All who had the most substantial are welcome to attend the 8 Clifton Road wood engraving business in ceremony. JG OFFICES TO RESIDENTIAL AT MONTPELIER thing for the area because the developers are also intending to HOUSE AND CROWN HOUSE improve the external appearance of this unlovely building which is in Montpelier Road next to the locally listed First Church of Christ Scientist and dates from the 1960s. Alterations to the external appearance will, however, require planning permission in due course. Meanwhile the planning application to add an additional storey to Crown House in Upper North Street has been refused although “prior approval” has been given for the existing offices to be converted to 149no flats; a proposal which is causing considerable concern to local residents. The MCHA had objected to the additional storey and is pleased to note that planning officers agreed that it would cause harm to the setting of the conservation Montpelier House area and to the setting of St What is termed “prior approval” making a “planning application” it Nicholas’ church and Rest is being sought for the conversion being a much simpler process for Gardens adding that the existing of the Montpelier House offices to developers. On the face of it this block already caused harm to 12no flats. This is not the same as change of use would be a good these heritage assets.JG 1 Clifton Road commended 32 Hampton Place A few doors commended away from No.8 The third commendation is for the front steps the owners restored at No. 32 Hampton Place an early 19th of this end century property next door to Billie’s Café. It is of terraced listed Grade II together with No.34. The list entry house (part specifically mentions the spearhead finials to the of a set with railings, a feature shared with No1 Clifton Road No.s 2 to 4) which also has chequerboard tiling to its front steps have also been although the Hampton Place tiling is set as a diagonal commended pattern whereas the Clifton Road pattern is not. JG for the works carried out last year. These include the renovation of the front elevation although mainly comprise the thoughtful rebuilding of the rear non-original extension. Whilst being of the same period (circa 1830) and 1 Clifton Road again Grade II listed, the façade offers different features to No. 8. The bay windows are segmental rather than canted and the valance to the first floor, the balustrade and other iron work are of a different design. JG 32 Hampton Place Celebrating beyond the grave? One of Brighton’s most colourful might now be celebrating her be admitted, could be of epic characters and imaginative 250th wedding anniversary. proportions in the 18th century story tellers, whose Grade II In 1769 (the exact year, like especially if taking place beyond listed tomb stone is pictured much of her story, may not be the pale. After seventeen years’ (in St Nicholas’ churchyard) confirmed) Phoebe Hessell (nee service she apparently revealed Smith) married William Hessell. her female identity to the wife of The story she related later in the commanding officer and was life was that some forty years discharged, eventually moving to before marrying Hessell she Brighton after Golding’s death. In had fallen in love with a soldier 1808 she was granted a pension William Golding and disguised by the Prince of Wales and, in as a man, she had managed to 1814, as the oldest inhabitant enlist in the Fifth Regiment of in the town, she was invited to Foot in order to remain with him sit beside the vicar at a dinner when he was posted abroad. on the Level to mark the peace In 1745 she claimed that she and Napoleon’s abdication. was wounded in the arm at the She lived to be 108 years of Battle of Fontenoy (in modern age and whilst some may cast day Belgium). However her doubt on her military record regiment was stationed in Ireland it was nevertheless enough at the time so it is possible to convince the successor that she confused this battle, regiment of the Fifth of Foot, which involved over a hundred the Northumberland Fusiliers, thousand troops from several who, acknowledging her as one European countries, with an of their own, paid to restore her Phoebe Hessel’s Grave Irish pub brawl, which, it must grave in the 1970s JG View towards the west from Xmas Party 2018 Members and their guests once again Clifton Hill. enjoyed the setting of St Nicholas Church and the seasonal music of its director of music Dominic Desouza whilst enjoying wines from the south west of France and canapes served very efficiently by catering students from City College (now called Greater Brighton Metropolitain College). A healthy surplus was made thanks largely to raffle prizes of fine wine and a home baked Xmas cake kindly donated by our member (and no doubt future “Bake Off champion) James Bowyer. JG

View west from Clifton Hill This view from Clifton Hill towards enhance the view of the distant the west may be affected by South Downs. The proposal planning application BH2018/01738 includes four residential blocks of to redevelop land at Lyon Close up to ten storeys which is higher Hove. At present this plot, which than the P&H building and which is next to builder’s merchants would stand above the locally listed Wickes, is occupied by Graham Montefiore Hospital (formerly the Plumbers Merchants, Toolstation Hannington’s Depository) which and Howdens Joinery and is behind is visible here behind the branches the P&H office building whose stark of the trees lining Windlesham red brick walls do not themselves Avenue. JG Xmas Party 2018 WELLINGTON’S 250TH BIRTHDAY AND NAPOLEON’S! however, be more stark; the brass plate being built into the step leading from the Chancel into the Lady Chapel and really only visible by getting down on one’s hands and knees! The stone memorial has a Latin inscription around its pedestal which reads in translation as “In memory of the great Duke of Wellington, this sacred building in which, in his youth he worshipped God, is restored”. The memorial is in the style of an Eleanor Cross with elaborate canopies featuring St George at its apex and Wellington’s military achievements recorded on the central column: Assaye (in India); Torres Vedras (in Portugal); Vitoria (in Spain) and of course Waterloo. There is no reference, however, to his significant but somewhat Wellington by Thomas Lawrence chequered political career. Whilst a long fear of mob rule and social professional soldier he was elected unrest being possibly a result of Member of Parliament for Rye in having found himself on a Saturday 1806, subsequently holding senior night West Street in the 1780s! It political posts in government and is an irony that he was born on even serving as prime minister May Day given his disdain for the to George IV in 1828. Whether lower orders of society, (he once Wellington’s early years in Brighton referred to his recruits as “the influenced his political views in scum of the earth”). Although born Wellington Memorial in St Nicholas later life is hard to say; his life- into a family of Protestant Anglo- Born on the 1st May 1769 Irish aristocracy and otherwise Arthur Wellesley, later Duke opposed to democratic reform, of Wellington, worshipped as a he nevertheless introduced the boy in St Nicholas Church whilst Catholic Emancipation Act of attending an “Academy for Young 1829 which helped avoid major Gentlemen” presided over by the civil disturbance in England vicar Henry Michell, grandfather and probably open rebellion in of Henry Michell Wagner. H.M. Ireland. He also believed that by Wagner was responsible for the his setting a good example and major restoration of the church in showing concern for the welfare 1853 and he decided to dedicate of his troops the “scum of the this restoration to the victor earth” could be transformed of Waterloo who had died the into “fine fellows” in the service previous year. This restoration of the crown. Rewarded with reduced the seating capacity of his dukedom, a large sum of the church from 1400 to 900 and money and a country estate in was the design of the architect Hampshire he died in his official Richard Cromwell Carpenter who residence of Walmer Castle at was also the architect responsible Deal in Kent, having added Lord for St Paul’s West Street and the Warden of the Cinque Ports Woodard schools at Lancing and to his other titles. Meanwhile Hurstpierpoint. The contrast Napoleon, who was born on 15th between Wellington’s imposing August 1769, had died 31 years stone memorial and the very previously in exile on the wet and modest brass plate acknowledging windswept island of St Helena in Carpenter’s work could not, Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David the south Atlantic. JG