Black Rock (Brighton and Hove)

Black Rock is an area of beach and promenade located to the west of Brighton Marina and south of Sussex Square in Kemptown in the city of Brighton and Hove. It is has one of the terminus stations of the Volk's railway, hosts a 200-year-old living wall, designated as a local wildlife site and including ninety plants such as Euonymus japonicus,[1] and has area of vegetated shingle on the beach, recreated using plants such as Crambe maritima (sea kale), Glaucium flavum (yellow-horned poppy) and Solanum dulcamara (bittersweet) under the guidance of horticulturalists at Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank.[2]

Black Rock from Brighton Marina sea wall.

History

It is not known where origin of the name Black Rock arose, but it has been suggested that the name derives from black coal stains on the beach and white chalk cliffs. Apparently, when Brighton Council introduced charges for landing coal on the beaches within their remit, colliers (vessels carrying coal) landed the "black rock" on the beach just outside their boundary, at Black Rock.

From at least the early 19th century, Black Rock was the site of an inn and a few houses overlooking cliffs to the east of the then town of Brighton.[3]

In 1922, Ralph Seymour, signal officer for Admiral David Beatty during WWI, committed suicide at Black Rock by jumping into the sea.[4]

Black Rock Pool, Brighton, 1961
Black Rock Pool, 1961
Black Rock Pool, Brighton, 1961
Black Rock Pool, 1961

In 1936 an Art Deco lido was constructed at beach level, but this was closed in 1978 and demolished in 1979.[5][6][7]

The area is served by an extension of the Volk's Electric Railway, which has remained in use thanks to the proximity of the marina, although the line was shortened when the marina and associated coastal defences were built in the early 1970s.[8] The cliff-top houses were also lost to allow for the marina's approach roads. A new Black Rock railway terminus station for the Volk's Railway was constructed in the 1990s, controversially slightly off-centre when compared with the terraces behind it which lead up to Lewes Crescent, Kemp Town.

Future

Brighton and Hove City Council have plans to develop the site with a predominantly leisure use.[9] From 2007 there have been plans to construct a multi-purpose sports arena with adjacent ice rink, however in July 2012 the Council considered those plans were no longer viable and has since sought a new development partner.[10][2]

See also

References
  1. "Workers who hacked back Brighton's historic green wall were following council orders". Brighton and Hove News. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  2. "Black Rock rejuvenation". www.brighton-hove.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  3. "CoastView - Black Rock, Kemp Town (Brighton Marina)". www.sussex.ac.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  4. Gordon, Andrew (2000). The Rules of the Game: Jutland and British Naval Command. Naval Institute Press. p. 93-4.
  5. Trimingham, Adam (18 July 2011). "No cash to splash". The Argus. Retrieved 1 February 2018. It was a bad day at Black Rock when the famous open-air swimming pool closed in 1978 ... It was built in 1936 ...
  6. "Rekindling love for the Lido". BBC. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2018. Brighton Black Rock Lido: Built 1936. Closed 1978.
  7. "Category:Black Rock Pool". The Brighton Toy and Model Index. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  8. "A short history of the Volks Railway". www.brighton-hove.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  9. "Black Rock proposal". Brighton & Hove City Council. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  10. "The Policy & Resources Committee Black Rock report" (PDF). Brighton & Hove City Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 September 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  11. "SSSI Citation — Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs" (PDF). Natural England. Retrieved 28 May 2008. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

50°48′53″N 0°06′02″W

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