Brook Harrison

A wiry man with a wispy, continental style beard inspired from his days as an art student in Paris, Brook Harrison was a familiar sight in Shorehamby-Sea in the early years of the 20th Century.

With his sketchpad or canvas, easel and paints, he captured the landscapes and buildings of the area. In the garden studio of his home, Harrison completed at least 200 pastoral-style paintings using watercolour or oils. He depicted the Red Lion public house in vivid colour circa 1900. Other works recorded the tall sailing ships docked in the Aldrington Basin and the Salt Daisy Lake. The Royal Pavilion and Museum of Brighton and Hove now have this stunning watercolour scene in their collection. Brook Harrison also painted a watercolour of the famous Mystery Towers as they were being constructed in the harbour during World War I and this artwork is held by the Imperial War Museum in London. The old Norfolk Bridge, with its two elegant arches topped by a horse statue on one end and a lion on the other is a picturesque scene sadly lost to modern infrastructure. Similarly many of the thatched cottages of Old Shoreham that Harrison charmingly painted have since been demolished. The quiet lanes with their overhanging trees and plodding cattle are now suburban streets. A collection of his oil paintings captures the lost beauty of the Swiss Pleasure Gardens of 1911, an attraction that once brought day-trippers to Shoreham in their droves. The Swiss Gardens paintings are held by the Marlipins Museum and may have been among the many works found in a cupboard by Harrison’s daughter Nina after his death in 1930. Brook Harrison also made some items of furniture, re-using wood that had once been part of the old Buckingham House. Brooking Alfred Wrankmore Harrison was born on the 17th of May 1860. He was the only child of Brooking Baylay Harrison and his wife Victoria, whose mother Jane Butler came from Shoreham-By-Sea. Brooking senior was a draughtsman who was killed by being stuck by lighting. Brook Harrison studied at the Brighton Municipal School Of Art. Having been originally based at the Royal Pavilion it moved to Grand Parade in 1876. He then attended Julian’s Academy in Paris. He married Lucy Anne Hayes from Somerset on the 27th of June 1888, in Hove. They had four children and moved from 55 Blatchington Road, Hove to 67 Victoria Road, Shoreham. The eldest daughter was Lucie Emmeline (18891978) who emigrated to America in 1909 as a lady’s companion. In 1911 she married Cecil Abram Hoagland. The Harrisons’ eldest son was also called Brooking (1896-1918). He and their youngest son, Garland (1900-1918) were both members of the St Mary’s church choir and Shoreham scouts. Both were tragically killed in the First World War. The youngest daughter was Nina (1891-1963) who stayed living with her parents. Brook Harrison worked as a teacher, teaching still life at his old school in Brighton and was a founding member of the Brighton Art Club. He was also a founder of the Marlipins museum. The Marlipins hosted an exhibition of his works after his death in 1930 and again in 1998. Charles Morris of the Society Of Sussex Painters who was a friend of Brook Harrison, said of him, “He just loved painting.”

Judy Upton Source Marlipins Museum exhibition pamphlet

Photo: By Unknown author - Frederick Campbell Moffatt (1975), “The Breton Years of Arthur Wesley Dow”, in Archives of American Art Journal, volume 15, JSTOR 1556933, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50290163

Local Groups & Listings

Mindfulness Meditation

Every Monday at 12 noon in the Shoreham Yoga and Wellness Rooms: https://www.yogaandwellnessrooms.co.uk/ For further details, please

email Paul: pscowper@gmail.com Shoreham Book Club

We meet once a month. The last Tuesday of each Month at the Crabtree Pub at 7.30 in the snug Please email for more information ShorehamBySeaBookClub@gmail.com

nicolaharmanyoga.co.uk

Tuesday yoga 6pm Shoreham Centre Wednesday yoga online zoom 7:15pm. Saturday yoga online zoom 10am. All classes are 1 hour https://www.nicolaharmanyoga. co.uk 07844070448

Pilates at Southwick Christian Community Church Thursday 9.30-10.30am Lovely, friendly class. Beginners welcome. Also in Shoreham, Lancing & on zoom Contact Sharon 07969 610030 for more info & to book your place

Retirees Golf Society

Have you just retired, over 60 and and would like to play. Golf with like-minded people who don’t want to pay the expensive annual subscriptions and joining fees.

Southwick Trefoil:Girl Guiding for Adults

Girl Guiding for adults. New members always welcome & open to anyone over 18 years. No previous membership of Girl Guiding necessary. Meetings held on 2nd Monday of the month 19.15 - 21.15, usually at Southwick Community Centre. For further details please contact: Margaret 01273 966534 or Mary 01273 594753

Southwick Lace Club

Southwick Lace Class meets at the Southwick Community Centre on Tuesdays from 09.45 to 11.45 in term time. We welcome beginners to lacemaking as well as those with experience. For more information please contact the Tutor, Rosemary Brown, on 07900 191443 or rjbrownsw@virginmedia.com

Why not join my local retirees golf society? The Shoreham Chess Club

The Club has recently moved to Address: Sussex My name is Rob, I enjoy golf and live in Shoreham. Yacht Club; 85/89 Brighton Rd, Shoreham-byLooking for people to join who want to play for fun. Sea, BN43 6RF Hours: Wednesday: 7:30PM–We play every Monday morning, each month we 10:00PM. So- every Wednesday we play friendly play nine holes course or two eighteen holes cours- games and try to get a little better. The level ranges, all venues well be within half an hours drive from Shoreham, currently we have in excess of es from people who recently learned the rules to county standard. We are looking for more members so please visit our website to findout how twenty members but there is always room for more. to contact us and learn more. https://shorehamLadies are welcome.Should you be interested you chessclub.com. can contact me at: marsh-robert@sky.com Table Tennis for the Over 50s Sequence Dancing St Giles Church Hall, Upper Shoreham Rd Sequence dancing Wednesday afternoons 1.45 Shoreham. Thursdays 2.30-4.30 with - 4.15 pm at Quayside, Upper Kingston Lane, refreshments. Beginners welcome a very friendly group. £4 session paid monthly. Numbers are Southwick, BN42 4RE. For more info ring Clive limited MUST BOOK through:Pat on 07856 on 01273 410438 285078.

Southwick Trefoil

Welcomes new members. We meet on the second Monday of the month 19.15 - 21.15 at Southwick Community Centre. Have you ever noticed how much fun youth groups like Rainbows, Brownies & Guides have. Everyone can join today. We’re looking forward to welcoming you & sharing the fun that is Trefoil. For further information please contact Margaret 01273 966534 or Mary 01273 594753

UKESALOUD Ukulele lessons

UKULELE COURSE NEW 6-week Ukulele Course for Adult Beginners starting Saturday 17th September 2022 at the Crabtree Inn, Shoreham by Sea. Please Call: 07931 372694 or email: theresavcarey@hotmail.com for further details and to book your place on the course. No previous experience required. Booking essential.

Local Groups & Listings

Southwick Bowls Club St Nicolas Church

Southwick Recreation Ground. We welcome new and experienced bowlers to come along and take a look at our bowls club. Every Monday and Friday at 1.30pm we invite new bowlers to try out and will provide bowls, tuition, help and encouragement to get you started.For more information:- Website: southwickbowlsclub.com or phone John Southwick Bowls Club 07973149534

The Southern Electric Group

Railway Interest meetings are between 7.15 &10.pm in the Deall room at the Southwick Community Centre. The next two Southwick meetings of the above mentioned railway Interest group are.September 12th Film of steam-in action. With Derek Osborne October 10th. Southern and British Railway coaches by Mike King.A donation of £3, to help cover expenses is requested from visitors. We apologise if any late changes to the programme are made.Contact Peter Jones. 07938553364

The Southwick Art Club

We are a friendly club, mainly working on painting and drawing, of mixed abilities with the only qualification being a love of art We meet at Southwick Community Centre on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 in the Glebe Room apart from August and late days in December. We welcome new members and you are welcome to look in on one of our sessions without obligation. We follow a structured programme with an annual subscription of £75 which includes entry to all our sessions. Contact Secretary John Young 01273 885302 email johnryoungac@yahoo.co.uk or from the Community Centre notice board.

Southwick and Fishersgate Horticultural Society

St Nicolas Church, Old Shoreham. A warm welcome to anyone who would like to join us for Holy Communion on Sundays at 8:30am or 10:00am, Wednesday at 9:30am or Sung Evensong at 6:00pm on the 1st Sunday of every month. Why not come and try our popular monthly Coffee and Cakes on a Saturday morning, from 10:00am to 12:30pm. There will be a great selection of cakes, to eat in or take away, and also jams with a low carbon footprint as they are mainly made from local fruit. Normally 3rd Saturday of the month but for full details of dates see: www.saintnicolas.org. uk/events or St Nicolas Church facebook page

Art History Discussion Group

Starts September 2022. Monthly meetings in Shoreham.Mondays 2.30 - 4.00 For further information contact Tim.

tim.gwyther@btinternet.com Southwick Camera Club

Meets at the Southwick Community Centre, Southwick Street BN42 4TE at 7.30pm on Thursdays from September to May. Membership is open to anyone interested in photography at all levels from beginner to experienced. Anyone interested in joining will be welcomed at any of our meetings. For more details go to www.southwickcameraclub.co.uk or you can email us at southwickcameraclub@gmail.com

Cafe Church at St Giles Church Hall,

2nd Sunday of each month. Coffee and croissants at 9:45 followed by a short, interactive service. Church, but not as you know it!

The Fleet Air Arm Assoication South Downs Branch.

Comradship, Meet old Friends, social & Formal Events. 11.30am to 13.00pm. 4th Wednesday of each Month. Contact 07792609685

Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month at Southwick Community Centre from 2-4pm. No meetings in January and August. Annual membership is £5 single or £8 per couple.Afternoon meeting entry is £5. New members & visitors always welcome. Please contact Julie 01273 596707

Concert for our Princess - Songs for Peace

1830 Sat17 September St Nicolas Church Old Shoreham. More details and tickets https://www. wegottickets.com/event/552204