Audio Overviews - The Brighton A Gas works

 Welcome to this digital collection of audio overviews exploring the industrial heritage of the Portslade Gasworks and the Power Station. This project aims to preserve the memory of "The Gassies"—the hundreds of workers who formed the backbone of local industry from the Victorian era through to the late 20th century.

The recordings on this page delve into the technical and social evolution of the site, covering:

• The Rise of Industry: The construction of the works in 1870–1871 and the operation of the 30-acre site near Aldrington Basin.

  Click Here The Portslade Gas Works - Brighton  "A"_
  
  

• Click Here The Toxic Legacy of the Gas Works
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• The Operational Legacy: Insights into the daily life of the works, including the delivery of coal via 800-ton colliers and the notorious "Portslade Pong" that once defined the local atmosphere.

• Transition and Closure: The demolition of the site in 1972 following nationalisation and the shift toward natural gas.

• Environmental Challenges: A factual look at the persistent environmental legacy of the site, including ongoing monitoring of soil and groundwater by the Shoreham Port Authority and the Environment Agency.

  
  

These summaries are designed as a "Study Guide" to help listeners connect with the gritty, fascinating history of the harbour and the enduring impact of its industrial labour.

Click Here The Portslade Gas Works - Brighton  "A"

• Click Here The Toxic Legacy of the Gas Works

A Technical Glossary for the Portslade Gasworks

To help you navigate our latest audio history, here are a few key terms explained:

• Retorts: These were the industrial "ovens" where coal was heated in the absence of air to produce gas. This process was the core labour of the "Gassies".

• Colliers: These were the small cargo ships—often carrying around 800 tons—that brought the essential coal into Shoreham Harbour to feed the plant.

• Gasholders (Gasometers): The iconic, large cylindrical structures used to store the coal gas before it was piped to homes and businesses across the centre of Brighton and Hove.

• Hydrocarbons & Coal Tar: Persistent byproducts of the gas-making process. These substances remain in the soil and groundwater today, occasionally leading to the "oily slicks" seen on Portslade Beach.

• The "Portslade Pong": A local term for the pungent atmospheric emissions that were a regular feature of life in West Hove for decades.