As Fabrica is celebrating its 25th year, we as a research group reflect on other significant anniversaries of the building itself.

In 1926, the Holy Trinity celebrated its 100th year. Trinity was under Campbell at the time who also combined celebrations with a time to develop and fundraise for the purchase and rebuilt of Robertson Hall. A three-day fundraising pageant and hall was held in the Dome and Corn Exchange.

“Robertson Memorial Hall Fund. Today’s Pageant at Brighton. Brighton Oct 25. Saturday’s rehearsal of the Elizabethan fair and pageant to be held in the Dome and Corn Exchange, Brighton, to-morrow, on Wednesday, and on Thursday, gave striking foretaste of the picturesque spectacle which has been arranged in aid of the Robertson Memorial Hall Fun, a movement in which the Rev. R.J. Campbell, vicar of Holy Trinity, Brighton is playing a prominent part. The Dome was transformed into an Elizabethan village, with Windsor Castle and the Thames admirable depicted, whole all the stall-holders wore costumes of the period.. Six orchestras are to the in the Dome and Corn Exchange over three days” The Times.

A scroll of signed patrons to the Memorial Hall Fund resides in The Keep, these were gathered at the event.

Our researcher John has found out some information about some of the donors – Phillipps Brooks who lived from 1835 to 1893, was a very famous Evangelical Preacher from Boston Mass. He was known as a powerful orator, and stood 6 foot 4 inch , and weighed 300 lbs. Bernhard Baron was from Belarus , and made his considerable wealth in the USA , by inventing a cigarette making machine. He moved to England , and became involved with philanthropic ventures .He died in Brighton 1929 leaving an estate worth 5 million. Sir Gerald Francis Stewkley Shuckburgh was the 11th Baronet Shuckburgh, mother was Ida Florence Geraldine Robertson, daughter of Frederick Robertson. Sir Oliver Lodge frs, 1851 to 1940, British physicist. radio pioneer, one of the first men to transmit a message via radio waves. The Bishop of Durham in 1926 was Hensley Henson 1863-1947 The Bishop of Lewes in 1926 was Henry Kemble Southwell cmg, 1860-1937.

We believe we can spot the Bishop of London, Arthur Winnington-Ingram and Bishop Russell Wakefield in the above procession.