We're embracing the New Year here at The Keep with an exciting programme of events. There's still time to book a place at our first talk, which takes place on 9 January and focuses on the fascinating history of insobriety in Brighton. Dr Richard Robinson, who has delved into our archives to research this subject, will discuss everything from the rise and fall of the temperance movement to the antics of drunken policemen. On the day, we'll also be displaying some original architectural plans and drawings of Brighton pubs, which can be viewed from 5pm. Later in the month, Brighton & Hove Albion historian Tim Carder will be back by popular demand to continue his exploration of the club's history; it promises to be another memorable evening for football fans and local historians alike. For more information and to reserve a place at either of these talks, please see the events pages of our website.

Pictured above: illustration from the Brighton and Hove Alcohol and Civic Life exhibition, 1931

Followers of our blog and social media channels will know
that towards the end of last year, East Sussex Record Office acquired a wonderful collection of lantern slides showing the construction of Beachy Head Lighthouse. The photographs, which date from 1900 -1902, are both wonderfully atmospheric and incredibly detailed, bringing to life the huge challenges of building at sea. The slides were bought at auction in Penzance thanks to the generosity of a number of funding bodies and private individuals, and we expect to receive them at The Keep within days. To find out more about this exciting acquisition, please see our recent blog update. We're planning an event to celebrate this great addition to our collections - watch this space!

More maritime history has been added to the archive through the papers of William Harold Sparshott, an employee of shipbrokers J H Bull and Company, based at Newhaven Harbour. It includes lovely photographs, plus material relating to the history of the port and the company itself. Find out more from archivist Anna Manthorpe's blog post.

Still on the subject of photography, we're delighted to be welcoming local historian and author Christopher Horlock back to The Keep on 8 February to share his knowledge of early photographs of Brighton. This illustrated talk will include images dating from the mid-19th century, showing how the old town and seafront looked at the time. Expect to see pics of the Chain and West Piers, along with other buildings that have since been lost, accompanied by an entertaining and informative commentary. Booking in advance is recommended; for more info and to reserve your place, please see the events page of our website, or call 01273 482349. 

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at The Keep? If so, now's your chance to find out! We are running free guided tours of the building on 31 January and 7 March. These will take you through our public Reference and Reading Rooms into the repositories, where all our original archive collections are stored. You'll also get the chance to visit staff areas, including the conservation studio where The Keep's conservator Melissa Williams and her team work on fragile documents in need of repair. This is where Melissa runs her popular bookbinding and conservation workshops, which are back this month too. To reserve a place on a tour or to find out more about conservation workshops, please see the events page of our website. Happy New Year!

Pictured above: conservator Melissa Williams working with a group of students in her studio