The Map of Old Portslade & Canal (1910–1920) by Alf Langrish

"This remarkable map, painted by Alf Langrish from his clifftop home at Rushey Hill, serves as a visual memoir of Portslade between 1910 and 1920. Having grown up at 55 Church Road, Alf’s intimate knowledge of the local labour—from the soot of the Gas Works to the quiet work of the Downland shepherd—is captured here with incredible precision. Each medallion serves as a window into the daily lives of our ancestors in this corner of Sussex."

The Map of Old Portslade & Canal (1910–1920)

This map was drawn and painted by Alf Langrish while living in a caravan on the Rushey Hill site, perched on the clifftops east of Brighton. Having grown up at 55 Church Road, Alf possessed an intimate knowledge of the area’s labour and history.

It depicts a bird’s-eye view of Portslade’s most prominent features, with a particular focus on the industrial centre of the canal. The map is peppered with notations of familiar landmarks, providing a unique snapshot of the town’s character. Encircling the landscape are detailed vignettes showing local trades from a pre-industrial era—honouring the shepherds, smiths, and milkmen who were once a common sight in our neighbourhood.

 

The Key to Occupations (from the left scroll):

• A - Shepherd: (Top left medallion) Shown with his crook and sheep on the Downs.

• B - Smithy: (The blacksmith) Likely referring to the forge that would have been a centre of village life.

• C - Woodman: (Top right medallion) Depicting the traditional labour of managing the local timber and woodlands.

• D - Windmiller: A nod to the iconic mills that once stood on the Sussex ridges.

• E - Shepherd: (There appears to be a second shepherd entry or a sub-category).

• F - Carter: The men who drove the heavy horse-drawn wagons through the neighbourhood.

• G - Well-sinker: A vital trade in the days before modern mains water.

• H - Milkman: (Bottom right medallion) Shown with his traditional churns and hand-cart.

The Medallions on the Right:

If you look at the circular illustrations on the right, you can see these trades brought to life:

1. Top Left: The Shepherd on the hills.

2. Top Right: The Woodman (or perhaps a Hedger) at work.

3. Middle Left: A Washerwoman or someone engaged in domestic cottage industry.

4. Middle Right: A Carter with a horse and wagon.

5. Bottom Left: A Blacksmith (Smithy) at his anvil.

6. Bottom Right: The Milkman making his rounds.

1. The Medallions: Honoured Trades of Sussex

Encircling the map are detailed vignettes that serve as a tribute to the traditional labour of the pre-industrial era. Alf has meticulously illustrated the figures that once defined the neighbourhood, such as the Downland Shepherd with his crook and the Blacksmith working at his glowing forge. These circles capture the "doorstep economy" Alf remembered so fondly, featuring the Milkman with his heavy churns and the Carter leading horse-drawn wagons. Each illustration is a window into the manual skills that sustained Portslade before the machine age, reflecting Alf’s deep respect for the working men of his childhood.

2. The Heraldry: A County’s Pride

At the base of the map, Alf has grounded his work in the deep roots of Sussex history through beautifully rendered heraldry. The Sussex Crest is prominently displayed, featuring the six gold martlets on a blue field—a symbol representing the six traditional "Rapes" of the county. Alongside the Royal Arms, these emblems transform the map from a simple sketch into a formal historical document. The inclusion of the ornate Compass Rose and the Falcon perched to the left further emphasises the nautical and natural heritage of the coast, showing that Alf saw Portslade not just as a town, but as a vital part of a much older landscape.

3. The Landscape: A Bird's-Eye Perspective

The overall composition uses a sweeping "bird's-eye" vantage point, a perspective likely inspired by Alf’s later years living on the clifftops at Rushey Hill. From this elevated view, he captures the fascinating transition where the bustling industrial centre of the canal meets the quiet, open fields of the South Downs. The map illustrates how the town was stitched together by flint walls and footpaths, long before the heavy expansion of the mid-20th century. By painting from memory while overlooking the sea towards Brighton, Alf managed to balance the grit of the timber yards with the natural beauty of the Sussex hills, creating a complete portrait of his home.

• 4. The Industrial Heart: The Canal & Wharves

  Alf’s depiction of the canal is a masterclass in local industrial history. You can see the Gas Works dominating the eastern end, complete with the coal hoists where Alf’s grandfather worked. Further along, he meticulously labels the commercial hubs like Free Wharf, Pilsons, and Butts Wharf. This area was the centre of Portslade’s economy, where the constant arrival of barges brought in timber and coal, fueling the local labour force. Notice the small details of the sailing vessels and steamships, capturing the transition in maritime technology between 1910 and 1920.

  5. The Old Village & Residential Life

  Moving inland, the map transitions from the grit of the canal to the established community of the Old Village. You can clearly identify the Portslade Brewery (Smithers) and the Maltings, which provided work for many in the neighbourhood. Alf has carefully rendered the streets he knew as a boy, including the area around Church Road. The inclusion of the St. Nicolas Church spire and the surrounding flint walls shows his eye for the architectural heritage that defined the village before modern expansion.

  6. The Eastern Boundary: The "Mystery Towers"

  A fascinating historical "Easter egg" in Alf’s painting is the inclusion of the Mystery Towers (the giant Admiralty M-N towers) near the harbour entrance. Built during WWI to defend the English Channel, their presence on the map provides a very specific timeframe for this bird's-eye view. This section highlights how Portslade was not just a quiet corner of Sussex, but a vital part of the coastal defence and shipping network during a pivotal decade in British history.
  
  

  About the Artist: Alf Langrish

  This map is more than just a geographical record; it is a labour of love by a man who spent his life woven into the fabric of Portslade. Born and raised at 55 Church Road, Alf’s early years were spent in the heart of the community he later immortalised. He eventually moved to a caravan on the Rushey Hill site, perched on the clifftops east of Brighton. It was from this vantage point—looking out over the sea and back towards his old neighbourhood—that he meticulously painted these scenes from memory. Alf passed away in the late 1980s, leaving behind this vivid window into a Portslade that has now largely vanished, preserved forever through his artist’s eye and his deep affection for his hometown.
  
  

  Knowing her name makes that image of them huddled together in the caravan even more personal. It’s incredible to think of Alf and Marg perched on that clifftop, surviving such a legendary storm in a home that must have felt very fragile against those winds.

  Here is the corrected version for your blog, ensuring Marg is properly recognized in their shared history:

  The Great Storm of 1987

  Alf’s life at the Rushey Hill caravan site was not always as peaceful as the vistas he painted. In October 1987, Alf and his partner Marg famously weathered the "Great Storm" from their clifftop home. As 100mph winds battered the coast, their caravan was lifted and rocked by the force of the gale. Alf recalled the terrifying experience of the "hurricane," describing how he and Marg huddled together as nature unleashed its full power on the clifftop. Remarkably, despite the devastation across the neighbourhood and the destruction of so many trees in the Sussex woods, Alf and Marg survived the night, a testament to their resilience on the edge of the sea.

  
  “To learn more about Alf’s early life and his memories of growing up in the heart of our neighbourhood, visit the [Childhood at 55 Church Road] page. You can also read more about his later years and his experience during the Great Storm of 1987 on the [My Brighton & Hove] archive.” 
  
  
  

  Further Reading & Exploration

• Portslade History Trail: 1,000 Years in a One-Mile Walk A fantastic community-led project that takes you through the Old Village, covering the Norman Manor, the brewery, and the ancient pubs Alf painted.

• The Story of the Portslade Gas Works A deep dive into the industrial history of the canal, including the coal ships and the hard labour Alf’s grandfather would have experienced.

• The Portslade Brewery (Dudney & Mews) Discover the history of the massive yellow-brick building that dominates the Old Village skyline and Alf's map.

• Memories of the Great Storm of 1987 While Alf and Marg were huddling in their caravan at Peacehaven, the rest of Sussex was feeling the force of the "hurricane." This archive from Friends of Queens Park captures the local scale of the night.

• Interactive Historical Maps of Portslade (1910–1920) Use the National Library of Scotland’s map viewer to compare Alf’s artistic "bird's-eye" view with the official Ordnance Survey maps from exactly the same era.
  
  

  Have a Memory to Share?

  I am always looking to expand the history of our neighbourhood. If you have any personal memories of Alf Langrish, lived near 55 Church Road, or have your own stories about the old Portslade wharves and trades, I would love to hear from you!

  How to get in touch:

  • Leave a Comment: Please use the comment box at the bottom of this page to share your thoughts—I read and reply to every one!

  • Email: You can reach me directly at ray.hamblett (@)gmail.com (simply copy and paste this into your email).