The Martha Gunn Blog Page.
13th October, 2026.
The Martha Gunn Trust were interviewed by Latest TV covering recent research on where Martha Gunn actually lived and an update on where we are as a Trust, our year so far and our plans for next year. We met early evening and were racing against the daylight but always a good opportunity to visit the pub in-between!
25th September, 2026.
Back in Spring we were contacted by the BBC, asking us if we'd like to appear on Bargain Hunt, talking about Martha Gunn. Of course we jumped at the opportunity. We filmed it at the Fishing Museum. Our collection of Martha Gunn toby jugs made a special appearance. We had great fun and Eric Knowles and his team at Bargain Hunt were lovely to work with.
20th September, 2026.
Brighton Dome Heritage Day.
We had a great afternoon at the Dome on their Heritage Open Day. We had John Freeland and his family who are descendants of Martha Gunn come along to say hello. Two brass bells in the form of Martha Gunn were donated by David Higgins. Support in the form of Carey Chrisoforou, who popped in before his shift at the Pavilion. Lovely to see you all and thank you for your support and a big thank you to all at the Dome!
The Martha Gunn Trust is two years old!
WE ARE TWO YEARS OLD… SO WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
The Martha Gunn Trust is nearly 2 years old and we have over 330 supporters as well many interested groups and businesses working with us. We have lots of family members joining us! What has the trust achieved?
It took some months to agree a constitution and set up a bank account as well as our social media. The next step was to start raising money and build awareness. We have had market and fete stalls spreading the word. We started by writing articles in our local magazines and interviews with Latest TV. Latest TV have made films featuring us! We held meetups in the Sussex Pub [which includes Martha’s last home] We then moved on to more concrete projects
Over the last year we have completed a project with Brighton University’s Arts and Media faculty. We were contacted by BBC Bargain Hunt and they are airing a film on Martha Gunn on September 25th we helped with. Our historian Carol has been interviewed by Deutsche Radio about dippers!. We have given talks at the Friends Meeting House, to the Seaside Heritage Network and for the Cameo community group, as well as more articles in the Hovarian and Brightonian. We have organised regular meetups as well as tours. We have worked with the Fishing Museum and have provided an information Board as part of the museum’s permanent display.
Martha lived all her life in, or close to ,East Street Brighton. To commemorate this connection the trust is in the process of agreeing with the council to place an artwork next to No34 which was where she was living the year before she died in 1815. We have made a proposal to the blue plaque committee to put a plaque on 11 East street where she lived for many years.
To commemorate her fully we have started to discuss with the council how this can be achieved. The Trust would like to see the area in front of the Sussex pub given the honorific title of Martha Gunn Square. It would together with East Street form a destination within the Lanes. A memorial possibly a specially designed bench would be placed in the square.
The Kemp Town Garden Party
Sussex Square
5th September, 2026.
Saturday 5th September saw 3 of our esteemed trustees literally set out their stall at this year’s Kemptown Garden Party.
Yes , the famous Martha Gun table can often be found at many of the local community gatherings around town,
and this was no exception.
You’ll always spot us with our bold banner( check out the photos) and smiling faces,particularly when the sun is out , which it definitely was on Saturday!
With plenty of local history books for sale and badges and leaflets to hand out , some very interesting conversations were had and questions about what we were about answered.
We received some generous donations ,
raising £60 and as the attendees increased during the afternoon so did the visits over to our table.
It was also a treat to have our own Martha Gunn present to bring history alive. Thanks Glenys Horton.
(see pic).
All in all a productive day spreading the word.
Ian B.
18th June, 2026
Today John Wingham gave a talk about Martha Gunn and her world at the Bishop Hannington's church in Hove.
10th June, 2026.
This evening the Brighton University Art Department held an exhibition of the students art-work based on a talk we gave them about Martha Gunn.
Their task was to create a trail, aimed at adults or children, which would take them on a walking tour around Brighton looking at the world in which Martha Gunn lived in.
We absolutely loved the results and hope that the students enjoyed learning about Martha Gunn and some of our local history.
Here's some photos of the event and some of the students amazing artwork.
18th May, 2026
The previous week, I visited Woodvale Cemetery in Brighton in search of the grave of Stephen Gunn, grandson of Martha Gunn. It took some time to locate, but the following week we returned with the intention of cleaning the grave as thoroughly as possible. Members of the Martha Gunn Trust, together with Anne Price and her husband, arrived equipped with brushes and tools, and set to work. The task did not take long, and we were pleased with the improvement.
Stephen Gunn chose a different path from the generations of fishermen before him, becoming a lawyer’s clerk rather than entering the fishing trade. He was regarded as a respected and valued resident of Brighton, and it felt fitting to honour his memory. Having Anne, his three‑times‑great‑granddaughter, and Debbie Wallis, his three‑times‑great‑niece, present made the occasion especially meaningful. Alongside Stephen is his wife Ruth who passed away five years after him.
17th May, 2026.
The Mackerel Fayre at the Fishing Museum.
The Blessing of the Nets at Brighton is an historic May tradition that marks the opening of the mackerel season and celebrates the town’s longstanding relationship with its fishing community. This year’s event featured a spirited appearance by Martha Gunn and her brother‑in‑law, Smoaker Miles, brought to life with great energy and humour by performers Karen Antoni and Rhys Bloys.
The Mackerel Fayre, held at Brighton’s Fishing Museum, was hosted by Brian Ogilvie, the museum’s treasurer, and attended by the Mayor, Amanda Grimshaw.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion, honouring both the traditions of Brighton’s fishing past and the people who continue to keep those stories alive.
2nd May 2026.
The 211th Anniversary of the death of Martha Gunn.
It is wonderful to see this becoming an annual pilgrimage to Martha Gunn’s grave, where we gather to pay our respects. The event was attended by members of the Martha Gunn Trust as well as descendants of Martha herself.
A particularly touching moment came when Martha’s seventh great‑grandson, aged just eight, laid flowers and a card at her grave. He then decided she also needed a flower made from Lego — a gesture as sweet as it was heartfelt. We hope that, as he grows, he will continue to share in our mission to honour and commemorate the remarkable legacy of Martha Gunn.
8th March, 2026.
We did some exciting filming for the BBC at the Fishing Museum. Unfortunately there is an embargo on showing any photographs or giving out details until the show has been aired on television. It was a fun afternoon but most importantly, as always, it gives our Martha much needed publicity.
Here's some Martha Toby Jugs until we can update with photos from the day!
7th March 2026.
Celebrating the installation of our Martha Gunn history board into the Fishing Museum.
Today we installed our first commemorative piece honouring Martha Gunn — a dedicated history board celebrating her life and the legacy of Brighton’s bathing women — at the wonderful Brighton Fishing Museum. The occasion became a full afternoon’s event, complete with members of our group dressed as Martha Gunn herself, and an official unveiling led by the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Amanda Grimshaw.
Brian Ogilvie, Treasurer of the Fishing Museum, delivered an engaging and informative talk on Brighton’s historic fishing industry. The atmosphere was further enriched by sea shanties performed by The Wreckers, a Seaford‑based band whose music brought an authentic maritime spirit to the day.
Latest TV attended to film the proceedings, with Teodoro Falchetta reporting, and the talented Francis Lennon serving as our chief photographer.
The event was warmly attended by friends, supporters, and descendants of Martha Gunn. It was a meaningful opportunity to honour those who came before us and helped shape Brighton into the town we know and cherish today.
7th March 2026.
Joining us on our Fun Day at the Fishing Museum were these wonderful puppets of Martha Gunn and her friend George IV. Created by Philip Sugg of the Puppet Theatre, next door to the Fishing Museum. If you're walking along there, do pop in, it's a beautiful place.
28th June, 2025.
Annual Charity & Community Day
Pavilion Gardens.
The Martha Gunn Trustees were out in force on the 28th June at the Annual Charity & Community Day in the Royal Pavilion Gardens.
This event was originally started many years ago by garden cafe proprietor David Sewell, just one of several events he runs for the benefit of the community.
We thought it would be a good opportunity for us to take our place alongside the other community groups and charities and promote our Martha Gunn project.
It was a chilly and overcast day but that didn’t stop our dynamic and engaging trustees from enjoying the day.
We had a great response and there was much interest and many conversations about Martha Gunn and the other folk who helped shaped Brighton into what it has become today.
We were also delighted to have the Mayor make a point of coming over to say hello and offer words of support and encouragement.
A great band ‘Unkempt’ and a Ukrainian Choir kept us entertained through the day.
All in all it was a very successful day for us, we raised £231 through book selling and donations, but we also got some incredible feedback and support.
Keep a lookout for further events as we have exciting plans for the next 12 months. You may even want to come and help or just say hello, either way we’d love to see you. Check our contact details.
You can’t miss us, we now have a lovely new banner! (see pic).
Ian Barnett
2nd May, 2025
210th Anniversary of the death of Martha Gunn.
Paying our respects to Martha Gunn at her place of rest St Nicholas Church, Brighton.
Attended by us, the Martha Gunn Trust and relatives and supporters.
28th June, 2024.
St Nicholas Church, Brighton.
Paying our respects to Martha Gunn and her family.
Present were three of the Martha Gunn Trustees, John Wingham, Gaynor Wingham and Carol Homewood. Also Charlie Homewood, 8th Great grand nephew of Martha Gunn.
Flowers from Gunn's the Florist at Castle Square, Brighton, direct descendants of Martha Gunn.
