In 1904, the new Manor House was acquired by the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, a Catholic Order of nuns, and renamed St Marye’s Convent. The nuns cared for women with learning difficulties and mental health problems, providing them with dormitories to sleep in and work in St Marye’s laundry. The nuns left in 1996 and the manor house was bought by Sussex Emmaus.

During the 1950s, the old Norman Manor House was listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade II listed building, after which work to tidy up the old Manor site was carried out.  

Foredown Isolation Hospital had opened in 1883 admitting patients with infectious diseases, including smallpox for which there was a serious outbreak in the Brighton area during the 1950s. It was later converted to a hospital for disabled children and closed in 1988. 

In 1902 the Industrial School in Mile Oak was established for “poor and neglected boys”, mainly from the London area. It was later called Mike Oak Approved School. The buildings were demolished in 1977 and housing now occupies the site. 

Victoria Recreation Ground opened in 1902, which coincided with the celebration of King Edward VII’s Coronation. In 1931, Portslade Council purchased a field belonging to Whychote House, which is now the village green. Easthill House and its grounds  were purchased by Portslade Council in 1947 and Easthill Park opened to the public in 1948. The War Memorial in the park was erected in 1954. 

Many businesses and establishments opened in Portslade in the 20th century, including the National Telephone Company exchange (1903), a fire station in Church Road (1909), Fryco, manufacturer of mineral water and fruit cordials, (1930), Ronuk polish factory (1902) and Kayser Bondor (1949). The Tate dynasty flourished in the 20th century, evolving from a laundry business into a well-known motor business. 

Portslade had its first cinema in 1911 when the Picturedrome/Imperial Picture House opened in North Street. In 1934 the Rothbury Cinema in Franklin Road also opened. The Rothbury was converted to a bingo hall in 1964 and from 1982 housed local radio stations. 

After changing hands several times, brewing ceased in Portslade village in 1930. The site was then occupied by Shepherd’s Industries, who manufactured high quality shirts. The factory was occupied by the army during WW2 and Le Carbone then moved in in 1947. They closed their doors in 2015, and the site has since been developed for housing.  

A reorganisation of schools took place in Portslade during the 20th century, which also saw the opening of several new schools, including Portslade Secondary Modern School for Girls in 1947 (now Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA)), Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Denis RC Church (1912) and St Mary’s Primary School (1914). 

Portslade saw plenty of action during the first and second World Wars. During WW1 (1914-18), the army occupied various sites in Portslade and soldiers extended the height of the flint walls around St Nicolas Church and the Manor grounds. During WW2 (1939-1945), Portslade Gas Works was frequently targeted by enemy bombing raids. An anti-aircraft gun and air raid siren were installed on top of the brewery premises, which was also used to manufacture shells and bullets and provide accommodation for the Army and Portslade Home Guard. There is a Roll of Honour of the men from the parish who fell during the World Wars in the Chancel of St Nicolas Church.

Researched & written by Gerri Curran