Bevendean History Project
News and Events
A MYSTERY
We have received two queries about Bevendean during the war and soon after relating to an aerial photograph taken by the RAF in Bevendean. Can you help to solve the mystery?
NEW
The cross is restored to the roof of St Mary Magdalen Church at Coldean in December 2018.
Steve Hazell memories of Bevendean, he was born on 11 August 1951 in Hornby Road, Lower Bevendean.
Additional photographs have been added to the page of photographs of Moulsecoomb Place.
Bob Wakelin was born in West Street, Brighton, and moved to Bevendean in 1948, he lived at No. 7 Norwich Drive. Plus a comment from Geoff Lindfield added September 2018.
The Bevendean Farms during World War 2. Who was living at Bevendean in 1939 with information from Norman Allcorn plus photographs of Bevendean from local newspapers during the war. Norman's father was also a member of the Home Guard.
John Funnell who worked for Brighton Sheetmetal Company for 44 years writes about his memories of working there, following the closure of the company in March 2018. See the Estate Factories section.
In January 1947 Brighton Council drew up plans to build 13 blocks of flats in Heath Hill Avenue. They were never built and the land was used for a row of self-build bungalows once the pre-fabs had been demolished.
Information from Beverley Webster, nee Feast, whose father Len was the chairman of the Apex Self-Builders in Heath Hill Avenue.
The Bates Estate was built on land formerly used as a Nursery by members of the Bates family, including plans and photographs from 1953 to 2018.
Geoffrey Fitch asks, "Where is Juggs Lane?"
Photographs of the Wild Park from Clare the owner of the Wild Park Cafe.
Brett Marchant's grandfather, William Marchant is in a photo dated the 4th September 1953, where men are laying new roads on the Bevendean Estate.
Aerial Views of the Avenue
Photographs of the Avenue were taken from an aeroplane in December 1932.
Bevendean Hotel - The Bevy
Why was the Bevendean Hotel not called the Moulsecoomb Hotel?
More photographs of the Bevy including the 80th Anniversary Celebrations.
Higher Bevendean
30 Acres of land was sold to Braybon Builders to build 384 houses at Higher Bevendean in 1930.
Ownership of Bevendean Farm
The pre-1945 estate page now has more information on the ownership of Bevendean Farm from 1698 and a link to the Auction Sale Catalogue for the Upper and Lower Bevendean Estates in 1912.
Aircraft Lands on the Avenue Green
On the 16 May 1939 an aircraft made an emergency landing just before midnight as it was running out of petrol.
Plan to build Prefabs on the Avenue Green
Added to the page in the estate section on the prefabs, plans also added to the Maps page.
Bevendean Newspaper Stories from the 1940s and 1950s
Mr Toppings Newspaper Boys - Newsagents at no. 10 Upper Bevendean Avenue.
Boys make a Cricket Ground on the Avenue Green about 1946/47.
Doctors Surgery in Heath Hill Ave
Surgery closed in 2016 plus photographs and plans.
Self Build Bungalows in Heath Hill Avenue
Two different Self Build Associations constructed 50 semi-detached bungalows on the either side of Heath Hill Avenue including photographs taken during the work.
Revised Layout
The Recipes can be found in the Farm section and the Original Press Release is now at the bottom of the news page.
The section Bevendean in the 21st century will contain information on Bevendean from the year 2000.
Beyond Bevendean now contains information on the Parish of Falmer since Bevendean was in the Parish of Falmer until 1931.
The Bevendean History Booklet was published in 2014
A copy of the booklet is available for a small donation from the LECCA Cafe in Leybourne Road, Lower Bevendean. http://leccacafe.co.uk
Alternatively you can use the contact form on the website.
John Funnell who worked for Brighton Sheetmetal Company for 44 years writes about his memories of working there, following the closure of the company in March 2018. See the Estate Factories section.
In January 1947 Brighton Council drew up plans to build 13 blocks of flats in Heath Hill Avenue. They were never built and the land was used for a row of self-build bungalows once the pre-fabs had been demolished.
Information from Beverley Webster, nee Feast, whose father Len was the chairman of the Apex Self-Builders in Heath Hill Avenue.
The Bates Estate was built on land formerly used as a Nursery by members of the Bates family, including plans and photographs from 1953 to 2018.
Geoffrey Fitch asks, "Where is Juggs Lane?"
Photographs of the Wild Park from Clare the owner of the Wild Park Cafe.
Brett Marchant's grandfather, William Marchant is in a photo dated the 4th September 1953, where men are laying new roads on the Bevendean Estate.
Aerial Views of the Avenue
Photographs of the Avenue were taken from an aeroplane in December 1932.
Bevendean Hotel - The Bevy
Why was the Bevendean Hotel not called the Moulsecoomb Hotel?
More photographs of the Bevy including the 80th Anniversary Celebrations.
Higher Bevendean
30 Acres of land was sold to Braybon Builders to build 384 houses at Higher Bevendean in 1930.
Ownership of Bevendean Farm
The pre-1945 estate page now has more information on the ownership of Bevendean Farm from 1698 and a link to the Auction Sale Catalogue for the Upper and Lower Bevendean Estates in 1912.
Aircraft Lands on the Avenue Green
On the 16 May 1939 an aircraft made an emergency landing just before midnight as it was running out of petrol.
Plan to build Prefabs on the Avenue Green
Added to the page in the estate section on the prefabs, plans also added to the Maps page.
Bevendean Newspaper Stories from the 1940s and 1950s
Mr Toppings Newspaper Boys - Newsagents at no. 10 Upper Bevendean Avenue.
Boys make a Cricket Ground on the Avenue Green about 1946/47.
Doctors Surgery in Heath Hill Ave
Surgery closed in 2016 plus photographs and plans.
Self Build Bungalows in Heath Hill Avenue
Two different Self Build Associations constructed 50 semi-detached bungalows on the either side of Heath Hill Avenue including photographs taken during the work.
Revised Layout
The Recipes can be found in the Farm section and the Original Press Release is now at the bottom of the news page.
The section Bevendean in the 21st century will contain information on Bevendean from the year 2000.
Beyond Bevendean now contains information on the Parish of Falmer since Bevendean was in the Parish of Falmer until 1931.
The Bevendean History Booklet was published in 2014
A copy of the booklet is available for a small donation from the LECCA Cafe in Leybourne Road, Lower Bevendean. http://leccacafe.co.uk
Alternatively you can use the contact form on the website.
Press release: Action for Bevendean Community - ABC, wins £10,000 Heritage Lottery Fund support for local History Project!