Brighton Mary and Curzon Howe Road

The spotlight was on the Portsmouth authorities when a prostitute known as Brighton Mary was murdered in the inappropriately named Blossom Alley. Vivid descriptions of this poor woman’s wretched lifestyle hit both national and local headlines and galvanised the council into action. Slum clearance removed the dark, dangerous alleyways and in 1910 the first council housing in Portsmouth was opened in Curzon Howe Road, Portsea. The accommodation was of a high standard consisting of three bedrooms (one for the parents and one for children of each sex), a large front room, kitchen, scullery and bath. They had the luxury of hot water and an outside lavatory. These houses have stood the test of time, surviving the blitz, and can still be seen near the entrance to the dockyard. Portsmouth Record Office holds the original plans to these houses. http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=portsmouth+records+office&aq=0&aqi=g1g-v2&aql=&oq=portsmouth+records+off