La Boxe

Carpentier manager 1921

Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF

TO MEET AT EXHIBITION BOUT
AT BRIGHTON

“Georges Carpentier and his manager, François Dechamps, are coming to England to take part in the annual boxing programme promoted by Brighton’s most popular townsman, Mr Harry Preston.

On this occasion Deschamps will don the gloves with the genial Harry, who, in his prime was a great boxer.  Georges will be in his manager’s corner, while another world-famous fighter will second Mr. Preston.” 

PALL MALL GAZETTE 14 Oct 1921 Continue reading

Joseph Marie Quero

During her research for the Fabrica Gallery on ‘The Boys on the Plaque’, Lyn Turpin found a rather curious name: Quero.  Lyn’s research shows that, following death of both his parents, at the age of 12 Joseph Marie (or William) Query became an apprentice hairdresser in a prestigious Parisian salon.  Ten years later he set off for England, married Brighton girl, Bessie, and set up his hairdressing business at 32 Ship Street.  Joseph Marie was not just a run-of-the-mill hairdresser.  He was a coiffeur pour dames and a perruquier [wig-make].  Joseph did not retire from the Ship Street salon until 1950.

As the family grew, the Queros moved their home to 66 Hallyburton Road in Hove.  Nostalgia must have kicked in as Brittany-born Joseph give his house a Breton name Ker Armor [villa near the sea].

For a  more detailed account of Joseph’s life and some terrific photos, go to Lyn’s article.

Much more information is available from ‘The Boys of the Plaque” WW1 project.

Christmas 1915

© Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove

On Saturday 25 December 1915, the ‘Brighton Herald and Hove Chronicle’ published this small advertisement placed by the French Protestant Church in Queensbury Mews Brighton. 

On the same days were several small adds from refugee French and Belgian citizens offering various forms of tuition. 

On the Palace Pier, you could watch a highly interesting film illustrating the “Manufacture of Guns in France”.  At the Florence Road Baptist Church, Captain G. M. Rice (Chaplain to HM Forces) was to give an account of his work in France.  In an upstairs corridor of the Brighton Library you could go to view an exhibition of ‘war relics’ which included a large collection of the debris of the battlefield – German helmets, French kepis Turkish fezes (and) fragments of every kind of shell,  whereas Estelle’s (The Dainty Blouse Shop) in Preston Street was advertising Dents celebrated French Kid gloves at a bargain price of 1/11¾ (one shilling and eleven pence three farthings – a snip at the price).

 

The French Honorary Consul (1)

Consul François Jean (left) and John Loveridge.
(c) Cercle Français de Brighton et Hove

Sunday 23 April 2017 will be an important days for French nationals in Brighton.  Under the aegis of the French Honorary Consul, Captain François Jean, they will be going to vote in the first round (premier tour) of the French presidential elections.  Their ballot boxes (urnes) will be at the Mercure Hotel in Brighton. Continue reading