Hove in the Past: Wordsworth Street, Hove.

Judy Middleton 2003 (revised 2022)

Wordsworth Street was photographed in March 2022

Background

Unlike the long-forgotten poet Robert Montgomery (1807-1855) after whom the neighbouring street was named, William Wordsworth (1770-1850) will be familiar to many people today. Not that long ago, few children would have left school without becoming acquainted with the first line of a famous poem I wandered lonely as a cloud. It conjures up a tranquil scene of wild daffodils beside the lake. It is not certain whether or not Wordsworth actually saw the flowers because he might have found his inspiration from a peek at his sister Dorothy’s diary.

However, like Montgomery Street, Wordsworth Street too was constructed to accommodate the working classes, and was laid out on land belonging to the Vallance Estate. Thomas Lainson was surveyor to the Vallance Estate, and so his name crops up in some planning applications. It is also interesting to note that Lainson was the architect of Brooker Hall (now Hove Museum) where Major Vallance and his family lived. Wordsworth Street began to be developed in the early 1880s. By 1884 seven houses had been built.

It is pleasant to record that Hove Commissioners were determined not to have any shoddy buildings within their boundaries, and their surveyor kept a close eye on the builders at work in Wordsworth Street. It is apparent that some were trying to cut corners, but when they infringed stringent bye-laws, the matter was reported to the authorities who at once ordered the defects to be rectified.

Bye-law Infringement

On 17 September 1881 the Hove surveyor reported that James Spinney, builder, had contravened bye-law 32 by providing rooms of insufficient height in ten houses on plots 60 to 69 inclusive.

Mr Spinney was again in trouble the following year because on 7 January 1882 the Hove surveyor was on his heels once more. This time he reported that on the north side of the road there were two houses with east, south and west walls, plus a party wall, that had not been properly built with mortar. However, the surveyor conceded that the two piers were sound.

The surveyor must have had a busy time in early 1882 because it seems that other builders had been ignoring bye-laws as well. The surveyor had the following list to report to Hove Commissioners on 28 January 1882, both of them having provided a slip-room of insufficient height:

Benjamin Marston constructing two houses east of St Patrick’s Road

Thomas Chesil constructing the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth houses east of St Patrick’s Road

Perhaps the builders had got the message because there was a lull in adverse reporting with the next one not produced until 6 June 1889. Then it was the turn of Alfred Moy who was building two houses on the south side of the road. The surveyor stated that the off-room (sic) on the ground floor of each house had been constructed with a height less than that required by bye-laws, that is their height was 7-ft 5in instead of the stipulated 8-ft. It seems that the builder had already been given notice of the defect when only a portion of the floor had been laid, but had chosen to ignore it. Furthermore, when the houses had been completed, he failed to notify the authorities. The commissioners were not amused, and instructed solicitors to undertake proceedings.

No Water in the Privies

It was not such a bad problem in this street as it appeared to be in some other Hove roads. But the following were reported.

January 1889 - number 59

May 1890 – numbers 17 and 31

July 1892 – number 41

Public Highway

As was the usual custom, the road became a public highway in stages.

October 1885 – the part west of Sackville Road to the east side of St Patrick’s Road (385-ft)

May 1891 – the rest of Wordsworth Street followed suit.

Re-numbering

In November 1894 it was decided to re-number the houses west of Westbourne Street.

Ice-Skating Star

Her professional name was Pamela Gaye but she was born Pamela Steer on 25 March 1931 at 115 Wordsworth Street to Mr and Mrs Bernard Leonard Steer. Pamela embarked on her career at an early age by taking lessons in ballet and ice-skating. She landed her first professional job aged thirteen in the chorus line of an ice show, and as soon as she left school, she joined Tom Arnold’s Productions. She had blonde hair and was popularly nick-named ‘Marilyn Monroe on ice’. Pamela starred in Rose Marie on Ice from 1953 to 1954, and during the 1950s she toured the world with Holiday on Ice.

A rumour went around that she was engaged to King Farouk of Egypt. But in reality she retired to bring up her three children – Shaun, Shani and Stephenos. There was a three-year period when she worked for the Evening Argus.

In 1984 Pamela set up the Rose Marie Rest Home at Hove, having been inspired to do this after taking into her home a pensioner and her dog over Christmas. Pamela died of cancer aged 70 on 8 April 2001. Her daughter Shani paid tribute to her mother and commented ‘She loved the thrill of the ice. It was in her blood.’

House Notes

Number 1 – In 1889 Mrs Mott lived here, earning her living as a laundress and clear starcher,

Number 4 – It is interesting to note that J. R. Lidbetter lived in this house from the early days when it was numbered as two. He was involved in the development of the street, and he was still there in 1897.

Number 10 – Madame Coot, dressmaker, lived here in 1897.

Number 12 – In 1910 J. Simmons, bootmaker, lived in this house. In the same year there was another man in the same trade living at number 79.

Number 18 – Mrs Dougtrey, a laundress, lived in this house in 1897, and in the same year Mr Povey of number 82 was also taking in laundry. It is interesting to note that there were several people involved in laundry work in Montgomery Street.

Number 37

This house was once a shop, and today its exterior is different from neighbouring houses

In 1889 William Joy lived in this house, and was still there in 1891. Originally, he traded as a tobacconist, but then became a general dealer. By 1897 the premises were occupied Richard Bartholomew, a hairdresser, who was still plying his trade there in 1910.

Number 38 – In 1897 Frederick J. Wells, a baker, occupied this house, and he was still there in 1897. But by 1910 the baker was the aptly named F. R. Whitbread; he was also a confectioner.

Numbers 39 / 41 – In 1897 Frederick W. Blackman ran a grocery in these premises.

Number 40 – In 1891 Henry Barton, greengrocer, lived here but by 1897 Francis Lakey was the greengrocer, and he was still there in 1910.

Number 49 – This was one of the earliest houses to be built in the street when it was included in the 1884 Directory. J. Brill, carpet beater lived here.

Number 50 – In 1891 Mrs Ellis, dressmaker, lived here.

Number 51 – Mrs Archer, dressmaker, lived here in 1910.

Number 60 – In 1910 Mrs Lewonski lived in this house. It is such an unusual surname that she must be connected with the famous Mr Lewonski who had multiple business interests in Hove and once ran the cinema in George Street.

Number 67 – In 1897 Walter Pennieard lived in this house and offered his services as a ‘practical chimney sweep’.

Number 72 – This house was listed in the 1884 Directory and was one of only seven in existence at that stage. It was occupied by William Joy, a general dealer. Either Joy moved or the numbering changed because by 1889 he was to be found at number 37, still being described as a general dealer. He was still there in 1891.

Number 79 – in 1910 Moses Kinch, bootmaker, lived here. (See also number 31).

Number 82 – H. E. Povey at this address took in laundry in 1897 and he was still there in 1910. (see also number 18).

Number 88 - Like Mr Povey, his near neighbour, Henry Marsh also took in laundry.

Number 90

Violet Craven ran a confectioner’s here, and it is easy to imagine children peering through the window at the sweets on offer

In 1897 a plumber, Frederick Spender, lived here. But in 1910 A. E. Pomphrey, a newsagent, was in residence. By 1923 a confectioner occupied the house, and she had the lovely name of Violet Craven.

Number 98 – Henry Maulson a bathing machine owner on Hove Beach lived at this address in the 1890s

Number 111 - In 1897 William Purdy, a bootmaker, lived here. In 1910 bootmakers were also to be found at numbers 12 and 79.

Number 113 – In 1897 William Skinner, gardener, lived here.

Number 126 – Albert King ‘The Man from the Pru’ (Prudential) lived in this house in 1910, and he was still there in 1923.

Wordsworth Street and the First World War

Its is remarkable and very sad that so many men from a relatively short road should have lost their lives in the First World War. All these names listed below are on Hove’s First World War Roll of Honour in the foyer of Hove Library, apart from the two names which are marked by an asterisk.

Number 10 – Lance Corporal George Frederick Hollingdale of the 197^th Company, The Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) formerly the Middlesex Regiment was killed in action at Arras on the 30 April 1917, aged 35. He was the son of Thomas and Annie Hollingdale of Brighton and husband of Mrs Annie Hollingdale of 10, Wordsworth Street. He was born in Brighton and enlisted in Hove.

Number 13 – Reginald John Hansford of the 2^nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, was killed in action at Richebourg L’Avoue on the 9 May 1915 aged 22, he was the son of John and Emily Hansford.

Number 32 – *Private George Rogers of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps at the 15^th Veterinary Hospital, Salonika. He was the son of Benjamin and Fanny Rogers of Brighton and the husband of Mrs C. Rogers of 32, Wordsworth Street, Hove. Born and enlisted in Brighton and is buried in Lambet Road Military Cemetery, Salonika, Greece. *(George Rogers’ name is not listed on Hove’s or Brighton’s War Memorials).

Number 45 – Private George Burchell of the 7^th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment (12^th Division). He died at home on the 10 November 1916 of wounds received in France, he was 22 years old and was buried in Hove Cemetery.

Number 50 – *Private. Frank William Brooker of the 1^st Battalion. Grenadier Guards was killed in action near Hulluch 17th October 1917, Aged 22. He was the son of George & Sarah Brooker. He was born at Hove and enlisted in Brighton. *(Frank Brooker’s name is commemorated in St Peters Memorial Book, St. Lukes Parish Church Memorial, Brighton’s War Memorial and on the Loos Memorial in France).

Number 63 – Private William Rowland of the 1^st / 4^th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment (34^th Division) was killed in action at Grand Rozoy 29 July 1918, aged 23. He was the son of William & Lilian Rowland and was buried in the Raparie British Cemetery, Villemontoire.

Number 98 – Private Alfred William Percy Burden of the 7^th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment was killed in action at Ovillers on the 7 July 1916, aged 21. He was the son of Mr & Mrs Richard Burden. He was born and enlisted in Hove and is commemorated on The Thiepval Memorial.

Number 102

A soldier of the First World War lived in this house

Bernard John Blaber was born in Worthing, but by 1914 he was living in this house with his parents Stephen and Martha Blaber; young Blaber earned his living as a carter for a local farm. In February 1916 he enlisted in the 11^th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. He was killed in action on 19 October 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele. It was a dreadful battle conducted in a sea of mud under heavy artillery bombardment.

Number 103 – Private Percy Albert Lake of the 7^th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment (12^thDivision). He was killed in action at Cambrai 30 November 1917. He was the son of Eli & Clara Lake. He was born and enlisted in Hove, his name commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial.

Number 114 – Private. George Reginald Wilcox of the 2^nd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment, (1^st Division). He was killed in action at Richebourg L’Avoue on the 9 May 1915, aged 18. He was the son of Harry & Elizabeth Wilcox, Born and enlisted in Hove, George is buried in Woburn Abbey Cemetery, Cuinchy, Pas de Calais.

Number 119 – Private George Henry John Maslin of the 13^th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment (39^thDivision). He was killed in action at St. Julien on the 31 July 1917, aged 18. He was born in Hove the son of George & Alice Maslin. His name is commemorated on The Menin Gate Memorial Ypres, Belgium.

Hove Planning Approvals

1881 – Thomas Lainson for Davey Brothers, twenty-five houses, south side

1881 - Thomas Lainson for Davey Brothers, six houses, north side

1881 – Thomas Lainson for J. R. Lidbetter, eighteen houses, south side

1881 – Lainson & Son for Davey Brothers, two shops and houses

1881 – Lainson & Son for J. R. Lidbetter, two shops, plots 19 & 20

1882 – Lainson & Son, twelve houses

1888 – Thomas Lainson, three houses, south side

1890 - Mr Blandford, five houses, south side, adjacent to western boundary

1894 – C. Field, four houses, numbers 110, 112, 114, 116

1894 – C, Blandford, two houses (deferred because they projected beyond the line of frontage)

1916 – F. C. Axel for C. R. Smith & Sons, bake-house and ovens at number 38

Sources

Encyclopaedia of Hove and Portslade

Hove Council Minute Books

Middleton, J. Hove and Portslade in the Great War (2014)

30 August 2022

Wordsworth Street, Hove.