Madeira Arches
I’m lucky to have been born here as my parents came to live in Brighton the day they were married – to a small dark basement flat in Wykeham Terrace. But what a spot!
My dad had been studying at Sussex University and had a job lecturing at Brighton Technical College.
This photo I think was taken on this stretch of beach by my uncle Rob visiting from Nottingham.
It had so much going on especially when I was little. It was very much the source of excitement! Starting with the Aquarium (then dolphinarium – so sorry dolphins we loved you so much and didn’t know it was cruel), Peter Pan’s Fairground with it’s long waving slide, Volks Railway! I remember my dad taking me out for the afternoon to the trampolines and I had a big go on them after a huge drink of the bright orange squash that would have a paddle stirring it round all day. Yes I was ill afterwards! When we were allowed to go to the beach on our own – we’d walk down from home in a straight line across Queens Park and be on there all day – having been packed up with a sandwich. We loved it. There was a little arcade and we loved the bingo in there where you sat around the edge on a stool and flipped across the cover for the numbers as they were called and occasionally won a prize!
The nudist beach came along later. I have never taken my notice of it. Apparently I went to the Black Rock pool before it closed (right at the end by the Marina – which came along later). I was too small to remember. I do have lots of happy memories of the open air pool at Rottingdean though – when my Grandparents and Uncle visited us.
I love it very much still. I helped sell raffle tickets for the Grade 2 listed Madeira Terraces and we raised enough to restore three arches (there are 151). I hope they can be saved without changing them completely. The country’s oldest green wall is just beyond it (and the gem that is Volk’s workshop). I was one of the many volunteers who helped to replant some of it when they were restoring it.
I’ve been going to this section of beach before work for a walk …and then the walk turned into a beach clean when I saw the plastic on there. Someone on Freegle kindly gave me some grabbers. It’s a great reason to get to the water’s edge when everyone else is rushing about getting to work. Last week’s beach clean was my 40th! It’s glorious. I love it there.
Chloe, 2022
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