WHILE Brighton is now known across the country as having the only constituency to boast a Green MP, things weren’t always this way.

Brighton was a Tory stronghold until 1986, however it was home to many socialists, including Labour councillor Stanley Deason, who many will remember working at the council from 1928 until his retirement in 1973.

Deason left behind quite a legacy, having helped restore the Royal Pavilion when millions of pounds were needed to restore the palace.

He was also passionately committed to better education in Brighton. In tribute to his efforts, a school in Wilson Avenue, east Brighton, was named after him.

After two name changes, the school finally closed but the nearby leisure centre still bears his name to this day.

In 1963, Mr Deason was elected mayor. He is seen in our spread today without his mayoral chains, suggesting he was not meeting Brigadier Glyn Hughes and a Mr Janner in an official capacity.

Do you know what they may have been doing or who the mysterious Mr Janner may be?

As part of his mayoral duties, Mr Deason greeted the winners of major races and events in the city, including the London to Brighton “barrow boys race” (as it is captioned in our archive). The winner in 1963 was Orry Ockmore, pictured here, but does anyone remember anything else about the race?

After his stint as mayor, Mr Deason would spend another ten years as a councillor, unveiling a picture in memory of Violet Harmer, the founder of Elm Grove Old People’s Club, in 1965.

After his retirement, he continued to serve as alderman in Brighton.

Our pictures today also include Dr Tony Whitehead in 1980 and a group of protesters in 1969.