Another meander through the streets of Secret Sussex and we find ourselves on the coast or do we? Dr. Geoffrey Mead is our guide to Newhaven and we begin in the now quiet High Street, quiet in part because of what's known locally as the noose!
Oct 17, 2012•6 min
An ancient name for the newest part of town, Ropetackle is now an area of wine bars and modern apartment living. A drastic makeover from the Shoreham of twenty years ago and as Dr. Geoffrey Mead explains, a great example of counter urbanisation!
Aug 28, 2012•9 min
Away from the High Street we find ourselves on the Riverside with local historian Dr. Geoffrey Mead. Boats and trains became home to a vibrant theatre set on the south coast in Bungalow Town, discover more about life just off the High Street.
Aug 21, 2012
The geography of Brighton made the building of the railway to London a little tricky and it was Shoreham that saved the day, as local historical geographer Geoffrey Mead explains.
Jul 30, 2012•7 min
A visit to Shoreham gets you about as close to Northern Europe as the bus can take you and this is reflected in the wonderful St Mary de Haura Church. A vast building, even with two thirds missing, we fill in the gaps.
Jul 30, 2012•8 min
If you stood on Shoreham High Street five hundred years ago the river would have been in a different place, local historian Geoffrey Mead explains what happened and why was Shoreham such a rotten borough?
Jul 23, 2012•8 min
We continue to uncover the secrets of Lewes and find ourselves in the beautiful gardens of Southover Grange, once dwarfed by a building bigger than Westminster Abbey. Then, it's a deep breath with local historian Geoffrey Mead, as we tackle Keere Street.
Jul 09, 2012•9 min
Eight miles from Brighton by bus and our tour of Lewes continues, it's another world where the past is clearly visible in the 21st Century. Local historian Geoffrey Mead has more on this independently minded town.
Jun 13, 2012•10 min
A great day out going round in circles, well actually one big circle, on board a luxury coach taking in the delights of London's orbital motorway. Wildlife, amazing scenery, wonderful architecture and more than a few facts and figures too.
May 17, 2012•14 min
Standing on Lewes Bridge we're on a divide that goes back over a thousand years, the separation of Lewes and the area known as The Cliffe. More tales of Secret Sussex now with local historian Geoffrey Mead.
May 11, 2012•10 min
Now the sensible home of Lewes District Council, Lewes House was once home to a very colourful Boston socialite. Geoffrey Mead reveals some of this amazing building's past scandals and tells us how a pile of gorse gave the house its wonderful look.
Apr 27, 2012•7 min
This time local historian Geoffrey Mead guides us through some of Brighton's amazing seafront buildings. We start in a loo that's now a restaurant, take in a few Grand secrets and finish in the 1930's at the most westerly building in Brighton.
Apr 20, 2012•16 min
From Lewes Castle we head down towards Lewes High Street, via a wonderful complex of antique and craft shops. With Cliffe Hill in the distance local historian Geoffrey Mead guides us through some of the beautiful and historic buildings on each side.
Apr 20, 2012•8 min
This time a walk with local historian Geoffrey Mead from Lewes High Street towards Lewes Castle. We find out why the castle was moved from its original position, discover the origins of the name Lewes and what is mathematical tiling?
Apr 20, 2012•8 min
Built on the Clyde almost a century and a half ago the West Pier is one of the most photographed buildings in Brighton. Local historian Geoffrey Mead, once a pier tour guide himself, is very well placed to reveal some of her best kept secrets.
Mar 30, 2012•8 min
Sir charles Barry won a competition to design the parish church of St Peter's in York Place, Brighton and went on to design the Houses of Parliament. Local historical geographer Geoffrey Mead tells us more.
Mar 28, 2012
This time we start our walk with local historian Geoffrey Mead outside the Brighton Fishing Museum. Records show that fishing was a part of Brighton life over a thousand years ago and today it's back after a 1970's blip.
Mar 05, 2012•10 min
The son of a Welsh millwright, who became one of the top architects of the time, Nash was hired by the Prince Regent who wanted to build his palace by the sea. The Pavilion has now been restored to it's original design but at the time Nash left Brighton u
Feb 23, 2012
Today Pool Valley is the resting place for coaches, but not so long ago it was horses you would have seen, after emerging from a dip in the ocean that it. Local historian Geoffrey Mead tells us more about the changing places and faces of the city.
Feb 16, 2012•8 min
Born in Brighton, Eric Gill later moved to Ditchling where he headed up a community of artists. A religious man, who lead a very bohemian life, definitely kept tongues wagging. A sculptor and famous for the Gill Sans typeface still used today.
Feb 13, 2012
Local historian Geoffrey Mead takes a walk along the non-toll road, just moments from the 56 bus stop at Copperus Gap. In days gone by ships arrived from all over the world and today a short bus ride still reveals much of this areas wonderful past.
Jan 12, 2012•8 min
You never quite know what your stepping on when you take a walk with local historian Geoffrey Mead. This time we hop off bus number 1 and discover more about the fascinating history of the once industrial Portslade beneath our feet.
Jan 12, 2012•9 min
This time we're in the North Street area of Portslade, once a bustling centre of coastal activity and an area home to one of the most famous sailors of all time. If you remember Players cigarettes you may have worked it out already!
Dec 19, 2011
Famous for his amazing stories that often culminated in a very unexpected end, Phil Starr died suddenly after his last performance in 2005. A tireless charity worker and, as fellow entertainer Dave Lynn reveals, one of the best in the business.
Nov 26, 2011•2 min
This time local historian Geoffrey Mead takes us for a geology lesson along the under cliff walk between Rottingdean and Saltdean. We find evidence of the largest living things ever and discover how Welsh miners stopped the coast falling into the sea.
Nov 25, 2011
The journey along the coast is stunning, especially from the top deck. Home to some wonderful architecture, including the Lido and Ocean Hotel, Saltdean started life with just a couple of coastguard cottages. Local historian Geoffrey Mead tells us more.
Nov 25, 2011•10 min
Two hundred years ago peace and quiet were the main selling points of Rottingdean and today not much has changed. This time we spend time on the beach with local historian Geoffrey Mead, turnover a few stones and uncover a little more of Secret Brighton.
Nov 21, 2011•13 min
Meet the lady, who apart from being very lovely, runs her department with military precision. Sergeant Rosemary spent fifteen years in the army, which makes her perfectly placed to look after all her drivers and keep them in order!
Nov 10, 2011•7 min
Once again we join local historian Geoffrey Mead to uncover more of Secret Brighton. This time we start our journey close to the magnificent St Peter's Church on what was Richmond Green.
Oct 26, 2011•14 min
This time we start our journey with local historian Geoffrey Mead on the corner of North Road and Vine Street in Brighton, and move through time from farming to foundries.
Oct 12, 2011•9 min