More than 1,200 people have now joined our new nostalgia Facebook group, called “We grew up in Brighton”, and many have taken the opportunity to share their memories of what they recall from their childhood and youth in the city – or the town, as it was then for most.

We asked our members to finish a sentence for us when the group launched: You know you grew up in Brighton when you remember...

We had nearly 400 responses and these were the some of them:

Why not join our community and share your memories and pictures of Brighton through the years? 

You can find the group here: Facebook Group - We Grew Up in Brighton 

I loved shopping in Hanningtons

Dubbed the Harrods of Brighton, Hanningtons employed more than 200 staff across 70 departments and dominated North Street for nearly 200 years.

It was the most prestigious shopping address in Brighton, synonymous with quality, elegance and glamour.

But in the 1980s the vast department store was well past its prime and found itself stuck in a time warp.

Competition from out-of-town rivals, with lower prices and free parking, heaped on more pressure and it was eventually sold for more than £20 million in September 2000.

Lots of our readers have many happy memories of shopping in Hanningtons, with many fondly remembering the Christmas grottos.

Michelle Morley said: “I loved going in the ‘lift’ and remember being so excited. “Pretty sure looking back now it was just a rolling picture on the door opposite to make it look like you were going down for ages to the grotto.”

>> SEE ALSO: Looking back at Hanningtons department store through the years

Kelly Holdstock said: “I always talk about this. Made it seem like you were travelling to a secret location.

"The way Hanningtons was made it fully believable.”

Bev Curly said: “Hanningtons did the best Christmas scenes ever.”

Paddling pool was just perfect

The paddling pool near the West Pier was a popular attraction on the seafront for years.

This picture from 1970 shows scores of children playing in it.

It was deep enough for children to undertake a few strokes and many learned to swim there.

The pool was demolished 20 years ago for development next to a restored West Pier, but the scheme was abandoned for financial reasons. Lots of readers have fond memories from the pool.

Sharon Fuller said: “Used to like sitting by the inlet so the water would woosh over me.”

Christine Millar said: “The best summer days spent here. We went and then we took our kids.

Sadly went gradually into decline and the council did nothing to save it.”

And Catherine Auburn said: “How could we ever forget the paddling pool. Spent hours here and by the amusements... Broken rock from shop above.”

Leona Ellis remembered: “Had many summers in this pool. The middle of the pool used to come up waist high as a toddler.”

Jane Hitchings wrote: “Spent time there as a child, loved it. Great memories.”

Pauline Young said: “Spent every day in summer holidays with my boys here... they loved it and felt so safe.”

What a great carnival

The Brighton Lions club used to hold an annual carnival. Secretary Bruce Nunn said the event, which ran for 38 years, used to draw up to 25,000 people.

The club pulled the plug on it in 2001 when it raised just £4,000 for local charities, a fraction of previous amounts.

Christine Millar remembered: “I remember the Brighton Lions carnival every year – the best floats and a big fairground in Preston park. We loved watching it go past.”

Nick Watkins said: “The carnival used to be fantastic. “Look at the distance it used to cover – then ending up at Preston Park for the fair.

“Marvellous times.” Sarah Fernell said: “I loved watching the floats going along London Road towards Preston Park.

“I can remember a local band singing on one of them.

“I think it was The Piranhas and they were singing Zambezi.”

>> SEE ALSO: Carnival parade called off

Michelle Morley said simply: “I used to love the carnival.”

I miss the Astoria 

The Astoria was one of Brighton’s smartest and largest cinemas at the time, specialising in showing big pictures. It was opened in 1938 and could hold 1,800 people.

But it closed in 1977 and became a bingo hall for the next 20 years.

Lots of people have fond memories of the cinema.

Linda Turner said: “I remember Saturday morning pictures at the Astoria, going out for the evening as a teenager and going to the pie shop on the way home.”

Derrick Walton said: “I remember the stall where you could buy a pea shooter and go around the corner and get a big bag of chick peas ready to take to the Astoria ABC London Road matinee where we had so much fun with the pea shooter. And not to forget to pick your badge up at the door. Bet there are a few out there who remembers the Sat at the Astoria.”

Rob Nye said: “Saturday kids cinema at the Astoria cinema.”

Jill Adams said: “Saturday morning the Astoria, minors of the ABC. And the cold swimming baths at North Road.

>> See what the cinema is now

Party time with Fatboy Slim

Brighton and Hove’s adopted son Norman Cook hosted a series of Big Beach Boutique events as well as a huge bash at The Amex – and lots of you remember them.

A total of 40,000 people attended Fatboy Slim’s first Big Beach Boutique in 2001, followed by more than five times that number for 2002’s sequel, which literally brought the city to a standstill.

The Big beach in 2002

The 2007 New Year’s Day gig followed, when the big beat DJ suffered a series of electric shocks from his rain-drenched equipment.

Then in 2008 he held his fourth open-air show in Brighton.

Big Beach Boutique 5 was held at The Amex, with two gigs on consecutive nights in June 2012. Ellie Wells said: “I remember the 2002 gig. It was so much fun.”

Kerry Manzi said: “I was there too but I was squashed near the steps. Completely mental. I will never forget the opening tune.”

Leah Holly Ruddock said: “I remember how packed it was.”

And Nicola Harrison said: “I went to some. They were so busy. Brilliant memories.”

Tea dances at the end of the pier

The Grand Old Lady of Brighton is often said to be the most photographed structure in the United Kingdom.

The West Pier certainly has enduring appeal. It opened in 1866 during a boom in pleasure pier building and closed in 1975, later falling into disrepair. Large sections of it collapsed in 2002 and two fires in 2003 destroyed the majority of it.

But before that, the pier was the source of many happy memories.

Anne Tate told us: “I remember The West Pier where my nana and mum would take me and they would have tea dances at the far end of the pier.”

Ann Richardson said: “I used to walk on the West Pier and go to the paddling pool and picnic with my mum, happy child hood memories.” Paul Dwyer remembered the annual pier to pier swimming race when you could jump off the West Pier to start.

And Gina Newbold said: “I fondly remember the glass animal man in Queen’s Road and playing on the Victorian slot machines on the West Pier.” Phyllis Nunn said: “I used to sit near the fountain near the pier eating ice cream with Mum and sisters as Aunty and Uncle came to visit from London.”

Some other responses included:

• Bank holiday mods and rocker seafront fights 
• Dolphins in the aquarium
• Local legend Disco Pete (pictured below)
• Punch and Judy on the beach
• The milkman having to pull the shutters down over his float, delivering milk in Moulsecoomb
• Walking through Stanmer woods before there was a bypass
• The No 17 open-topped bus
• The Open Market as it was back in the 1960s
• Meeting friends at the Wishing Well
• Going to Potters in London Road for school trousers
• Pips ice cream parlour
• Peter and the test tube babies gigs

We want the group to be a place for you to discuss what you loved most about the area and somewhere for people to see how the area has changed, if they’ve just moved here.

You can find the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/brightonnostalgia.

Or click here.