Category Archives: Churchyard

Corporal Staines – The Musical

A soldier returned injured from war, unable to get work and settle into civilian life, makes for himself a home an a bit of wasteland next to the local graveyard, and ekes out a living dependent upon the kindness of … Continue reading

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Life Before Death and the Final Status Update

Many aspects of life have been touched by technology and changed irrevocably, and it seems reasonable that this should also hold for aspects of death. If the life of Sake Deen Mahomed (for example) had coincided with the advent social … Continue reading

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The Girl Soldier, The Poet and the Highwaymans Mother

  Pheobe was born in Stepney in 1713.  At just 15 years of age, she enlisted herself into the Fifth Regiment of Foot (Now the Northumberland Fusiliers) so as to remain with her lover Samuel Golding who also served with … Continue reading

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John Walters – The Man Who Worked Too Hard

It is said that one cannot serve both God and Mammon – architect John Walters made a fairly good go of it though, starting with Mammon, in the shape of the Auction Mart on Bartholomew Lane The extent of trade … Continue reading

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Colonel Trickey and the End Of Time

in 1783, when the Prince of Wales first came to Brighton he was a supporter of the Whig party, and the political face of the town adopted his politics as they adopted the Prince. Although, when in 1811 – as … Continue reading

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Richard Pahl and the Baby Blitz

TUESDAY APRIL 19 1944 THE last attack of the Baby Blitz, a renewed offensive against London in the spring of 1944, occurred on this particular night. Taking part was twenty four year old Oberleutnant Richard Pahl in a Messerschmitt 410A-1 … Continue reading

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Mary Coupland and the Wall of Death

In November 1800, 19 year old Mary Coupland was on her way along Church Street heading to St Nicholas Church where she was due to perform bridesmaid duties at a wedding. Sadly a wall near the old stables fell upon … Continue reading

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Hard Times at Brighton – A Matchmans’ Tale

Born in 1756, John Standing commenced  working life as a bricklayer in his native Hurstpierpoint. Misfortune struck in his 30’s when he fell from a scaffold, severely injuring his spine. His thumb was also broken and reversed and he lost … Continue reading

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Edward Colman and the ‘Job for Life’

Edward Colman held the post of Serjeant at Arms at the House of Commons from 1775 to 1805. Before getting this position he had also been Clerk of the Robes and Wardrobes and  Usher of the Privy Chamber, but Serjeant … Continue reading

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Martha Gunn and the Kings Evil

Martha Gunn was the most celebrated bather of Brighton, and remains one of the most celebrated occupants of the ancient ground.  The bathing business and Madam Gunn’s particular position as ‘Queen of the Dippers’ is well covered elsewhere (here, here … Continue reading

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