One of the best-known buildings in Brighton celebrates its 75th birthday this month.

In October 1938, Blind Veterans UK, then St Dunstan’s, opened at Ovingdean as a centre offering specialist care for blind ex-Service men and women.

Blind Veterans UK’s centre in Brighton had every aspect of its construction specially designed for blind and partially-sighted users.

Shortly after its opening, the Architect and Building News praised the centre’s “magnificent views over the Downs and out to sea”, as well as the thought that had gone into making the building ideal for the blind.

Over the years additions have been made so it now has all the modern amenities blind veterans need, including an IT suite, art and craft workshop, gym and swimming pool.

Blind Veterans UK, formerly St Dunstan’s, was founded in London by Sir Arthur Pearson, owner of the Daily Express, who lost his sight when middle-aged.

The original name came from a lodge in London loaned to the charity during the First World War by a wealthy businessman.

Blind Veterans UK then moved to Brighton after the war, occupying buildings in Kemp Town which were hard to adapt.

After Sir Arthur died in 1921, the leading role was taken over by another blind man, Sir Ian Fraser, who remained in charge for more than 50 years.

The Blind Veterans UK building in Ovingdean was named after Sir Arthur Pearson and its foundation stone was laid in 1937 by his widow, Lady Pearson.

Designed by Francis Lorne on a prominent site, it was a modernist building and is now listed. It was extended in the 1980s.

The building has played host to a diverse range of public figures. The Queen visited in 1989 to open the new South Wing and still serves as Blind Veterans UK’s patron.

In 1948 the Queen Mother (then Queen) visited it and was given a typewriting demonstration by John Proctor, who was handless as well as blind.

The annual storywriting competition has attracted many well known names and was judged by Doctor Who star John Pertwee in 1995.

More recently, Waterloo Road actor Alec Newman and TV personality Johnny Ball have become celebrity ambassadors of Blind Veterans UK.

The centre has been home to veterans from nearly every major conflict of the past century, from the Second World War and Korea right up to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Perhaps the most famous resident was Henry Allingham, one of the last surviving veterans of the First World War.

Mr Allingham, who went blind in later life, was made a freeman of Brighton and Hove. For a few months before he died aged 113, he was the oldest man in the world.

Blind Veterans UK’s Brighton building has always had a special place in the hearts of local people, particularly those living nearby.

Current manager Lesley Garven says, “The centre’s 75th anniversary is a great opportunity for us to reflect on what Ovingdean has meant to its residents and visitors – a home, a community and a place where those who have served in our Armed Forces get the recognition they deserve.”

  • Blind Veterans UK will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a spectacular lighting up of the building in red, white and blue on the evenings of Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26