The Montpelier and Clifton Hill Association

Three lamp posts, which are locally listed heritage assets, have at last been appropriately restored by the City Council. The posts with their swan neck upper section now boast an attractive lantern featuring a period glass bulb and cover. Re-painting should be possible when the weather improves.  These purpose-built electric lighting columns were erected in the 1920s and 30s after the founding of the Brighton Lighting and Electrical Engineering Company which had the contract to modernise street lighting in Brighton and Hove. “BLEECO” designed the swan neck lanterns although they were often made by J Every of Lewes. The MCHA has thanked  the City Council for bringing some light into our lives in these gloomy times!

In 2009 Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, the hero of the battle of Navarino, an event which paved the way for Greek independence, was commemorated by a blue plaque, unveiled by the Greek Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Last week the plaque was removed on instruction from the freeholder of 140 Western Road whose agents say it was unintentionally destroyed in the process. The freeholder had received a letter from the Brighton and Hove City Council asking for the “appropriateness of the plaque to be reconsidered”.

The agents for the freeholder have said that “the safety of the residents, and protection of our client’s property was uppermost in our minds”. The MCHA, which part funded the plaque together with members of the Greek community, cannot understand why the authorities offered no help or reassurance to the property owners or residents and why no consultation has taken place with the Council’s own Commemorative Plaque Panel which approved the plaque in the first place.

For a third season flowers will enhance our conservation area thanks to the MCHA’s successful bid to the Co-op Community Fund.

Whilst the picture shows a previous year’s display the baskets now in place will soon develop into a similar spectacular display which can be enjoyed by residents, visitors and those now returning to work in the area, many of whom enjoy their breaks on the green of Montpelier Terrace opposite.

After heavy rain and strong winds, a retaining garden wall collapsed at the corner of Dyke Road and Vine Place.

The wall, of attractive flint cobbles, appeared to be in good condition but may have lacked enough drain holes to cope with the exceptional volume of water combined with gale force gusts of wind.

It is a timely reminder to all of us with flint and “bungaroosh” walls to ensure that they are properly maintained and inspected for any signs of weakness, particularly if tree roots have undermined them.

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