THE joy of youth is vivid in this selection of photos. Taken from a random folder in our archive, they were mainly taken in the 1950s – a time when Britain was emerging out of post-war austerity and rationing.

Whether optimism was generally in the air or these snaps just capture isolated moments of vibrancy, we could all use a dose of the happiness seen on the faces of these kids. We can only guess why some of the children shown above are posing with a penguin – some kind of PR stunt for Brighton aquarium, perhaps?

The pictures were taken on the seafront, possibly close to what we now know as the Sea Life Centre. If you can enlighten us as to the reason behind these cute snaps, do get in touch. Elsewhere, families celebrate the Queen’s centenary in the customary fashion – by hosting a street party.

If you can identity yourself, or Our furry friend on display again A merry parade even if you remember taking part in a similar shindig in the 1950s, please contact us. In another photograph, children are transfixed by something happening out of shot. Bar one attention seeker who is staring at the camera, everyone’s eyes are faced toward some kind of spectacle. Any parent will know how difficult it can be to hold a child’s attention, so what is it that has captivated these youngsters? Our photographer snapped a group of children gathered around a “no ball games” sign.

We suspect the kids are quite tempted to disregard the instruction, but we’re not sure why the shot was taken, or where. Likewise with the young bucks sitting on a long swing. Can you help us out? As ever, we are keen to hear from our readers and learn of your experiences in Sussex through the ages.

On This Day: Sussex the ages

Five Years Ago

ALBION boss Gus Poyet said he was proud of his players despite having their play-off hopes hit by a second successive draw. The Seagulls had to come from behind twice in a 2-2 stalemate against promotion rivals Cardiff at The Amex. The result, hot on the heels of a deadlock at bottom club Doncaster Rovers, left Albion just outside the play-off zone in seventh place.

But Poyet was pleased with the way his players adapted to Cardiff’s stifling tactics. He said: “We are very disappointed we didn’t win but proud of the way we played our football. “We were patient, we passed, we tried. Even the best teams in this league would find it very difficult to beat Cardiff the way they played.”

Ten Years Ago

NEW gay rights laws would trump Christian beliefs on issues such as adoption, the Government confirmed. Following a year of heated debate, Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly published the Sexual Orientation Regulations, which aimed to bring Britain in line with Europe on protecting homosexuals from discrimination.

For example, they will stop hoteliers barring gay couples from double rooms. However, Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups protested that the rules will force them to overturn long-held beliefs. Roman Catholic leaders in particular warned that they would rather shut down their adoption agencies than allow gay couples to adopt children - one condition of the regulations.

The protests provoked a full-scale Cabinet row, with staunch Roman Catholic Miss Kelly and Tony Blair saying Catholics should still be allowed to put children up for adoption with heterosexual couples only.

Fifteen Years Ago

OPERATIONS were being cancelled and patients left on trolleys because a hospital reached bursting point. More than 85 non-emergency operations had been cancelled at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton over ten days following an unexpected rise in emergency cases.

Patients were kept overnight on hospital trolleys in the accident and emergency department because there were no beds available. Many urgent cancer operations were cancelled.

Quiz

1/ What is the name of Hastings’ renowned gallery?

2/ In what year did it open?

3/ Which former Prime Minister attended prep school in Brunswick Road, Hove, for two years?

4/ What is the population of Crawley?

5/ In what century was Portslade Manor built?