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| copyright © J.Middleton Richardson Road was photographed on a fine day in February 2021 |
What’s in a Name?
It has been assumed that the road was named after Samuel Richardson (1689-1761) who is regarded as one of the chief founders of the modern novel. His famous works were Pamela and Clarissa published to great acclaim in several volumes, although there were some complaints about the length. At the height of his fame Richardson was acquainted with such people as Dr Samuel Johnson, and when Johnson completed his famous Dictionary, it was noted that he cited Richardson’s works more than any other author.
However, in view of the fact that neighbouring roads rejoice in the names of artists such as Hogarth, Lawrence, Reynolds, Titian, and Raphael, it may be that the name-chooser had in mind Jonathan Richardson (1665-1745) a London portrait painter, who also wrote about art.
Development
In 1900 the road was still no more than a rough track, although Lion Mews was already well established. By 1912 Richardson Road had been developed enough for Hove Council to declare it a public highway.
In 1927 Hove Council accepted the tender of Messrs Wrapson & Denyer of 4 Richardson Road to supply horses, carts and drivers for the corporation.
Fine Wines
In July 1990 John Ford, who ran an independent wine business in the road, was nominated for the Decanter/Pol Roget Young Wine Merchant of the Year Award. The business had been established for four years, and Ford had built up an imaginative selection of no less than 600 wines. All the important wines had type-written labels by Ford giving additional information about the wines and the vineyards, plus his own assessment on the contents.
Fellingham Heating & Electrical
In October 1993 there was general surprise and dismay at the news that the firm bad called in the receivers. Fellingham’s had been in business since 1899, and was founded by the grand-father of the current owner, David Fellingham. The firm specialised in commercial and domestic heating. There were no less than 64 people employed at the Richardson Road premises, and some of them were taken on by Toomeys in Preston Road, Brighton.
Post Office
In the Argus (31 May 1995) there was a photo of an angry crowd gathered in front of the Post Office in Richardson Road to protest against the threatened closure. Sub-postmaster Eddie Warner’s contract had been terminated by the Post Office, and protesters feared it was a back-door attempt to shut down the business for good. There was a petition with 1,500 signatures calling for Mr Warner to be re-instated, and for the Post Office to remain open.
Champion Fund-Raiser
In January 2001 it was stated that Mrs Marguerite Marsh had raised the staggering sum of more than £29,000 for cancer charities by holding table-top sales at her property; the money was split between Macmillan Cancer Relief, and the Martlets Hospice. Her charitable work became so well-known locally that people would drop off books and bric-a-brac at her house. Indeed, she received a special award from Esther Rantzen in a TV programme celebrating Champions in the Community. But when she reached the age of 74, Mrs Marsh decided it was time to call it a day.
No Closure After All
In August 2020 it transpired that Brighton & Hove City Council had suddenly decided access to Richardson Road from New Church Road should be closed off as a ‘hospitality and physical distancing measure’. Residents were horrified – there had been no consultation, no information, and they only heard about the news in a local magazine. It seems it was just one of those ill-thought out pandemic decisions. However, the residents were not about to let such a ridiculous thing happen, and soon every trader in Richardson Road and Lion Mews had signed a petition against the measure. At least the council was listening this time, and in September 2020 it was announced that the council would not now proceed with the idea.
Hove Planning Approvals
1898 – H. V. C. Smith on behalf of Mr Moy, one house near Lion Mews
1902 – G. M. Nye for J. Wrapson, three houses and stabling by Lion Mews
1905 – E. Holsworth, stable on the east side
1905 – Burstow & Sons for C. Y. Smith, seven houses and shops on the east side
1906 – C. Y. Smith, one house and shop on the east side
Lion Mews
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| copyright © J.Middleton The entrance to Lions Mews on the west side of Richardson Road |
Lion Mews is located north of St Philip’s Church in New Church Road, and west off Richardson Road. It is interesting to note that Lion Mews was on its own for several years. It was not marked in the Ordnance Survey Map of 1876 but it was definitely in place when a conveyance of land was made in 1887 and Lion Mews is marked; this conveyance was made in order that Aldrington Church of England School could be built in what was later called Portland Road. The 1891 Census recorded that there were some 47 souls living in this comparatively small space at Lion Mews.
1891 Census
1. Henry Rook, aged 35, gardener, his wife, three sons and one daughter
3. John Sheppard, coachman, his wife, one daughter and two sons
4. James Lewes, coachman, aged 43, his wife, three sons, three daughters, one nephew
5. Thomas Sturt, aged 26. cab-man / groom, his wife, his sister, one son, one daughter
6. George Heath, aged 37, coachman, his wife, three sons, three daughters, one nephew
8. Occupied by a groom
9. Thomas Willshire, aged 45, coachman / groom, his wife, two sons, two daughters, one lodger
10. Charlie Godden, aged 31, coachman / his wife, two daughters
11. John Funnell, aged 62, blacksmith, his wife, one grandson, one grand-daughter
Further Development
By 1889 J. Funnell’s shoeing forge was still in operation, while in 1899 Lion Mews was also home to a laundress.
In 1895 Mr Lewis was in correspondence with Hove Commissioners about the drainage. It was agreed that a 6-in sewer would be constructed, but before work could begin Mr Lewis would have to stump up the sum of £100.
In December 1895 Mr Lewis and Revd J. Morgan were asking that the lamp already in position opposite Lion Mews, should be lit by the authorities. The Town Surveyor considered this to be a reasonable request, and he stated that there were between 70 and 80 people living in Lion Mews, and all the stabling was occupied.
In 1903 Charles Williams of 10 Lion Mews was granted a 1st class hackney carriage licence, and Harry Beach of 2 Lion Mews was granted a 2nd class hackney carriage licence.
Lion Garage
In 1947 Brian Parnell started work as an apprentice at Lion Garage, the same year as petrol pumps were installed. In 1971 he took over as manager of the petrol station. In September 1995 Mr Parnell, by then aged 62, announced that he would have to cease trading petrol. This was because new EC rules would come into force on 1 October 1995 meaning that petrol could only be sold in metric measures. He said it would cost something like £30,000 to convert his pumps, and his trade was far too modest to justify such an outlay. However, the garage workshop would continue.
Amplicon Electronics
In 1972 three electronic engineers founded this firm, which imported American electrical equipment. By 1979 the three men – Jim Hicks, Clive Reed, and Frank Miles – were directors, and turnover had grown into £1million a year, and it was based in Lion Mews. But by this time there were some 30 staff members and the place had become too cramped, and therefore in 1979 the firm moved to Brighton where they occupied the old Cox’s pill factory.
Sources
Argus (17/8/20 / 12/9/20)
Encyclopaedia of Hove and Portslade
Hove Council Minutes
Copyright ©
J.Middleton 2021
page layout by D.Sharp