Railways Drainage Rows and Revival. Brighton 1840-1870

Name: Railways Drainage Rows and Revival. Brighton 1840-1870
Start: 2024-12-03T14:30:00+00:00
Location: Friends Meeting House Ship Street Brighton

Schedule

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024 at 02:30 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

Friends Meeting House Ship Street Brighton | Brighton, EN

December 3rd 2024: 'Railways, Drainage Rows and revival - Brighton and Hove during the early Victorian period 1840-1870'
- an illustrated talk by Dr Sue Berry
Part of the Tuesday series at the Friend's Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AF. Phone 01273 770258, [email protected]
Time 2.30-3.30pm. Admission 2.30pm. Just turn up.
At first, Brighton opposed the railway. Then an economic downturn helped to change the mind of people who had felt that the railway would cause harm to their holiday trade because it would lower the 'social tone'. But as a depression which began in the late 1820s refused to lift, Brighton became an advocate for the railway. With its arrival, expectations were high. But the national depression had to lift because most people only spend money on holidays once they feel they can afford it.
By the mid 1840s Brighton was growing again and investment was worthwhile. More homes, most sold in this period as buy to lets, more shops, updated gardens, and new churches and chapels. But, a health report about its poverty stricken areas which hit headlines, followed by a long debate about what to do, particularly about better drainage and fresh water. The resort suffered from a network of wells and cesspits, the latter contaminating the former.
The town's population was mostly squeezed into the parish of Brighton and needed new homes in the surrounding parishes such as Preston, Patcham and Hove (where Cliftonville developed). By 1870, this was one of the most densely populated towns in England. In 1869, development began on the Stanford Estate in Preston and Hove which helped to relieve the pressure.
Some new leisure facilities such as the West Pier were built during this period and new shops appeared. Brighton caught up with the new expectations of visitors.
Images - West Pier, Brighton from Chain Pier - which was functioning during this period, Museum - Brighton a leading town re museum open for public use paid for from rates. The town bought the Pavilion too. The Steine gardens were redigned in 1840s and the fountain added - paid for by public subscription.