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Life was grim for many people in the early 1980s; unemployment rose dramatically as did inflation. Individuals responding to Directives from the Mass Observation Project (which had started again in 1981) spoke of their worries about job security and the necessity to forgo holidays
In Brighton too, unemployment soared and the local council (Conservative always before 1986) was criticised for lack of action to 'stop the rot'
However, Rob's own memories are of a more stable period in his life. During the 1970s, Rob had a succession of jobs which he left when they became boring. By 1977/8 the job situation was changing, and it was less easy to find work. He considers himself very fortunate, and lucky, to find the job at Brighton Polytechnic in 1978. Although he was on a relatively low salary,by the early 1980s he felt quite comfortably off and in 1983 he and his first wife bought the house in Upper Lewes Road.
Evening Argus in July 1985 - in an article entitled 'Decline at the Seaside' reports on decline of Brighton shopping centre, too many cars for the infra-structure, and high rents and rates
I quite like communities. Even in Norfolk Terrace I felt I lived in a small village centred around 7 Dials, you can use your local shops and its the same here. I like being in what feels like a village.
After moving to Upper Lewes Road he gradually became aware of being part of another 'village' - Round Hill LINK TO Bla3
Rob still shops locally, and day to day though rarely uses the supermarket,
Sainsburys which was built at the Vogue Gyratory (minutes from his house),
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