Wednesday, 30 December 2015

Developers given the go-ahead to use the old Observer building as an arts space.

Flint Development Group submitted a retrospective planning application to Hastings Borough Council to use the sub basement, ground floor and first floor as a temporary venue for an art gallery and artist studio spaces, bar, cafe and entertainment and cinema area at the Cambridge Road building.
http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/temporary-use-of-observer-building-as-arts-venue-1-7137688

Monday, 14 December 2015

Annual Carol Service will be Friday 18th December at 7pm

Come and join us with All Saints School Choir and Fr. Featherstone. As usual you will be able to indulge in a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.


Sunday, 13 December 2015

Developers wanting to convert the old Observer building have unveiled revised plans for the Hastings landmark.

Flint Development Group is aiming to provide accommodation for 230 students, an art-house cinema and a shop/restaurant for Sussex food and produce at the site in Cambridge Road.

Mr Kirby also announced a public park would be added the roof of the proposed building and committed to maintaining the ground floor as a popular community space, with plans for a farmer’s market and restaurant.
He said: “To make this project work economically and be a real success for the town, we have had to go up. But we’ve listened to the community and have dramatically reduced the height from our original plans.
On the roof there will now be mirror panels that reflect the seaside sky line as well a public park which will become a new venue for Hastings, overlooking the sea and town below.

Developers await a decision on the scheme, which will be decided by Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee at a later date

Read more: http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/revised-plans-for-old-observer-building-unveiled-1-7110162#ixzz3u1TqRzAE

Friday, 11 December 2015

Route 1066 - looking for people in Hastings with Norman Ancestry!

See the Blog at https://iamanorman.wordpress.com/

Following are the 18 names of those recorded to have accompanied William into battle at Senlac hill.
Robert De Beaumont                              Eustace, Count of Boulogne
William, Count of Evreaux                       Geoffrey of Mortagne
William FitzOsbern                                 Ameri,Viscount of Thouars
Walter Giffard                                          Hugh De Montfort
Ralph De Tosny                                       Hugh de Grandmesnil
William De Warenne                               William Malet
Odo Bishop of Bayeux                            Turstin FitzRolf
Engenulf De Laigle                                  Geoffrey de Mowbray
Robert, Count of Mortain                       Goubert D’Auffay

These are the understood modern derivations of those names:
Beaumont                                            Boleyn
Devereaux                                          Mort
 Osborne                                              Thairs
 Gifford                                                Montfort
Tosny/Barclay                                    Grandmesnil
 Warren                                               Mallet
 Bayeux                                               FitzRolf
 Daigle                                                Mowbray
 Morton                                              Duffey

We look forward to meeting the modern Normans!

Friday, 4 December 2015

Do you recognise any of these people?

Many years ago a father of a local resident used to take  photos of Old Town Folk.  The resident found these photos and thought that the family may like to have them.  They are being held in Hastings History House 21 Courthouse Street, if anyone would like to claim them.

image

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

The Observer Building

Final designs - save the date:
Tuesday 8th December, 6pm

Following dialogue with local people, other stakeholders and Hastings Borough Council the design proposals for the Observer Building have been revised.  Flint Development Group are unveiling the new designs on the evening of Tuesday 8th December, at the Observer Building.
Please save the date.

Monday, 30 November 2015

Action needed to save nationally important gothic revival chapel

Two societies have put their weight behind calls to save a deserted chapel in St Leonards.

The Victorian Society and the Pugin Society want Hastings Borough Council to take action to prevent further damage to St Michael’s chapel in the former convent of the Holy Child Jesus.

The 1868 former Convent of the Holy Child in St Leonards East Sussex is a major work by the Victorian architect Edward Welby Pugin, and also contains work by his two architect brothers Peter-Paul and Cuthbert. It is especially notable for the intactness of its fittings in what English Heritage described as “an intact High Victorian Gothic interior of outstanding quality”. Historic England is currently considering adding the chapel to their Heritage at Risk Register. 

http://www.victoriansociety.org.uk/news/action-needed-to-save-nationally-important-gothic-revival-chapel-in-sussex/

Read more: http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/fresh-calls-to-save-st-leonards-chapel-1-7092598#ixzz3szfUzTsr

Former convent of Holy Child Jesus

Friday, 27 November 2015

A £300k bid to ‘re-model’ and ‘revitalise’ the promenade at White Rock has been backed by councillors.

Members of Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee gave the proposals unanimous approval at their meeting yesterday (Wednesday, November 25).

Cllr Judy Rogers said: “This is really good to see. With the opening of the skatepark next year, it will liven up the seafront. I have been working very closely with the White Rock business group to bring a whole new lease of life to this area.

“Together with the opening of our wonderful pier in March next year, this will make the whole area lovely and part of the Hastings scene.”

The council first unveiled the proposals, which affect the promenade from Hastings Pier to the Robertson Street junction at White Rock, in June.

They include planting eight mature palm trees along White Rock and revamping the existing water feature.

There will also be a projecting viewing platform, as well as the promenade being re-paved.

At the junction of the promenade and pedestrian crossing from Robertson Street there will be a kiosk and terrace.

A pergola is also included in the proposals, which will be located west of the Grade-II listed Boer War memorial.

Read more: http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/hastings-promenade-plans-are-given-green-light-1-7086442#ixzz3sbooH5mi

Thursday, 26 November 2015

Rocklands Private Caravan Park, in Rocklands Lane, will be stating its case at a hearing in January.

Rocklands holiday home which has been refused planning permission by Hastings Borough Council.  Photo by Surface2Air Media

The owners of a caravan park are appealing against a council decision ordering them to tear down a controversial holiday home.

Historic England has also written to the council recommending Rocklands’ fresh retrospective application for solar panels be turned down.

It said an offence appeared to have been committed under the Ancient Monuments And Archeological Areas Act when some of the panels were installed. The site is next to and partly overlaps the Iron Age cliff castle on the East Hill.

Read more: http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/public-concern-remains-high-on-rocklands-1-7086630#ixzz3sbn7Bcsi

Friday, 20 November 2015

Robertson Street and White Rock

Council bosses’ plans to re-model and revitalise the promenade at White Rock will come under discussion on Wednesday (November 25).

The authority first unveiled the proposals in June, which include planting mature palm trees along White Rock and revamping the existing water feature with a water cascade and a stage for licensed buskers.

The council said the proposals are designed to make the promenade from the pier to the junction with Robertson Street and White Rock more attractive for visitors, as well as complementing the reopening of Hastings Pier next March and the revamp of the disused White Rock Baths into a BMX and skateboarding park.

image
Read more:
http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/hastings-promenade-plans-on-agenda-1-7071836#ixzz3rr8xcnvw

Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Developers have submitted proposals for up to 208 dwellings, to be built on land to the south of Holmhurst St Mary, off The Ridge.

The site where the homes would be built is more than 13 hectares in size. Part of the land was formerly part of the Holmhurst St Mary estate.

The land has open fields with densely wooded areas, elements of a former formal garden, old outbuildings and classrooms, old tennis courts, a graveyard and a statue of Queen Anne which is Grade II* listed.

Objectors’ concerns include possible traffic generation and congestion, road safety, insufficient parking, impacts of the Bexhill to Hastings Link Road (BHLR) on The Ridge, impacts on heritage including the gardens and statue, impact on the environment and harm to ancient woodland.

Read more: http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/plans-for-200-new-homes-in-st-leonards-1-7072501#ixzz3rr6KPTao

Monday, 16 November 2015

Hastings Cemetery Update

Updated:

  • Devey, George - Architect & unacknowledged Father of the Arts & Crafts Movement - evidence of his connection with William Morris

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Save Ecclesbourne Glen’s AGM - Sunday, 15th November from 3pm to 5pm at the White Rock Hotel

Don’t forget that Save Ecclesbourne Glen’s AGM takes place this Sunday, 15th November from 3pm to 5pm at the White Rock Hotel.

There will be a public meeting first with news, updates and an opportunity to ask questions, followed by the AGM itself. The SEG committee have been working extremely hard behind the scenes and all the issues are still very acute, so public support is still vital and very much appreciated.

The public hearing concerning Rocklands will take place on 20th January, 2016 and we will send you details of that in due course.

Please note the following retrospective application from Rocklands Caravan Park re solar panels which have been installed without planning consent:
http://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_HSTBC_DCAPR_102723

Saturday, 7 November 2015

Boost for Hastings Prince Albert statue campaign

The Prince Albert statue

Campaigners have scored a victory in their bid to have an historic statue placed in a prominent position in the town centre.

A project to have the statue of Prince Albert erected outside the town hall in Queen’s Square, Priory Meadow, has been given approval by the Planning Inspectorate.
…………………………………………
……………………………………………….

“Now that the community group has the planning inspectorate’s approval for having the statue relocated to alongside the town hall, it is hoped the council, which owns the land where the statue is to be erected, will be happy to let the project to go ahead without any further complications.

“As soon as the council confirms this to the community group, fundraising for the project will start.

Read more: http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/boost-for-hastings-prince-albert-statue-campaign-1-7053406#ixzz3qon3Gey4

Friday, 6 November 2015

Pier Talk 13th November - Amendment

This talk will not be presented by John Hodges as previously advertised, but by volunteers from the Hastings Pier Charity

Just to remind you:

History House, 13th November, 7PM
Admission £2 – free to Friends of the Country Park.

image

http://hastingspeerlesspier.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=motion

Literary Connections Exhibition Back Up in the History House

image There is also a list of writers buried in the Cemetery on The Ridge at
http://friendsofhastingscemetery.org.uk/writers.html

Many of these are writers of non-fiction, autobiography, travel, biography, poetry etc.

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Rider Haggard – A talk - 7th November

Dr Elizabeth Allen

image

History House, 21 Courthouse Street

Tickets available - £3  - refreshments available

Friday, 23 October 2015

Friends of Hastings Cemetery

NEW:

  • Boase, Frederic - lawyer and biographer, (Modern English Biography, in 6 volumes) died in St Leonards.
  • Slade, William & Mary Ann - lived many years in Hastings.  Mary Ann formed the Bourne Mission for Fishermen and was a schoolteacher.

Updated:

  • Yeates, Victor Maslin - author of 'Winged Victory', died in Fairlight Sanitorium of an illness due to World War One, (WW1).

Recent:

Friday, 16 October 2015

Monday, 12 October 2015

1066 Harold's Way - Talk by David Clarke

Events Leading up to October 14th 1066

Friday October 16th - 5.30PM
Hastings History House, 21 Courthouse Street
Tickets £3 including refreshments
Tickets can be reserved.

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

Hastings History House - 11th October, 4 PM

Image result for "rattlebag players" napoleon


Napoleon and the Fishwives
Presented by Rattlebag Players

A musical play told by three saucy fishwives.

Donations to OHPS and Hastings Week

Monday, 5 October 2015

FoHC - latest



NEW:
  • Strickland Family - Corn merchants, actually an update but included here because of close relationship (including inter-marriage) with Slades.

Updated:
  • The Bowerman Family, William, Edith (later Chibnall) & Elsie - Edith and Elsie, who survived the Titanic disaster, were strong in the suffragette movement.
  • Alfred Hassam - a portrait painter and stained glass designer who worked mainly in Birmingham
  • Arthur Foord Hughes - son of Arthur Hughes, painter associated with the Pre-Raphaelites, Arthur junior was a painter in the same mould and lived for many years in the area.Lindridge, George  -organist at St Mary in the Castle, Professor of Music, composer, Owner - pianoforte, harmonium & music warehouse, no.44 Robertson St.
  • Lindridge, George  - organist at St Mary in the Castle, Professor of Music, composer, Owner -

Saturday, 26 September 2015

Hastings in top five English ‘heritage assets’–Bring back the Hastings Embroidery and we may rank higher!

The report found Hastings to be in the top one per cent for industrial heritage and parks and open spaces, as well as the top five per cent for landscape and natural heritage and for ‘cultures and memories’.

“The heritage of the town is marked and celebrated through some of the largest number of Heritage Open Days and blue plaques in the country,” the RSA report says.

Hastings ranks in the top nine per cent for museums, archives and artefacts and for ‘historic built environment’, the town is in the top 12 per cent.

Hastings has been named in the top five English ‘heritage assets’ – above Oxford and other historic locations.

The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) released a report into the country’s heritage on Wednesday (September 23).

The RSA define heritage as, “anything inherited from the past that helps us, collectively or individually, to understand the present, and create a better future.”

www.thersa.org/discover/publications-and-articles/reports/seven-themes-from-the-heritage-index.

Wednesday, 9 September 2015

Stories from Hastings Borough Cemetery

NEW:

  • Alfred Hassam - a portrait painter and stained glass designer who worked mainly in Birmingham
  • Lindridge, George  - organist at St Mary in the Castle, Professor of Music, composer, Owner -pianoforte, harmonium & music warehouse, no.44 Robertson St.

Updated:

Sunday, 2 August 2015

OTCW– Linco Lingo Wednesday 11AM–1PM

Come along to play Bruce Nichol’s famous game – with new (still Hastings related) subjects.  Prizes!  There is a charge to play.

It is great fun, and more fun if there are more people.

Friday, 31 July 2015

New Book compiled, with additional material, by Dennis Collins - £2.50

image

Available form Hastings History House
21 Courthouse Street

Hastings council to work with university for lottery bid

The University of Brighton is working with Hastings Borough Council to develop a major bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

At the centre will be improvements to the interpretation of Hastings Castle, but the bid will be for much more than that, the council said.

we have commissioned the University of Brighton to help us develop a new approach to the history and legacy of 1066, and how it relates to our town. And we also want to tell the bigger story that explains our rich heritage, and traces its impact through to the present day.

“This will help us develop a new bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the resources to tell our story, including the development of Hastings Castle as a modern visitor attraction.

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/hastings-council-to-work-with-university-for-lottery-bid-1-6873582

Hastings Castle

Thursday, 30 July 2015

Observer Building redevelopment

Latest iteration of the design

http://observerbuildinghastingsconsultation.com/

Latest plans from Hassell Architects can be found by clicking here or on the image above. Please take a look at the presentation, which shows the progression of the designs to this point. Please also fill in our survey to let us know what you think.

The old Observer building is being redeveloped by Flint Development Group: a new force in the real estate world that puts people first. Revitalised and repurposed, it will provide student housing and much more:

  • An exciting new concept shop / restaurant for Sussex food and produce
  • A homegrown art-house cinema
  • Activating the alley behind Claremont bringing an abandoned part of the Town Centre to life
  • Public access viewing platform and cafe with breath-taking views

“We are rescuing one of Hastings’ most loved buildings, re-animating the America Ground and bringing students from all over the country and the world to Hastings.

Tuesday, 28 July 2015

Hastings Literary Connections

To coincide with the Hastings Literary Connections display in Hastings History House (from Saturday) a list has been compiled of the writers so far identified who are buried in the cemetery.

Many of the works are non-fiction, travel, scientific, religious, medical and autobiographies.  There are also poets  and playwrights.

  • Moore, Frank Frankfort - a poet, dramatist, biographer, novelist, lived in St Leonards. [Author]
  • Moore, Dr. George & Jane – Lived in Hastings at various times, and retired here.  Wrote poems and medical works. [Author]
  • Shipton, Anna - In the years between 1855 and 1890 Anna Shipton published over twenty books on religious subjects, several running into two or more editions on both sides of the Atlantic.  She lived for some years in St. Leonards. [Author]

Sunday, 26 July 2015

Priscilla MacBean–her story–DVD

 

£5 (P & P extra)  The proceeds will go towards insuring and maintaining the ‘Priscilla’.

From Hastings History House, 21 courthouse Street.

Don’t forget to look out her as you come down the Old London Road (on the left) or going up, look to the right.

image

Friday, 24 July 2015

The Story of the Hastings’ May Queen Pageants – 1934 - 2015

image

83 years is a long time and society has changed in many ways.
The May Queen Pageants of Hastings reflect the changes in culture and attitude, but have maintained the joy of youth.

The origins and evolution of May Queens, Maypoles and Garlands are explored along with the notable characters associated with the day.

Profusely illustrated: Crowns & Shillings £9.99

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Planning permission for Queensway Gateway withdrawn

Monday 22 June 2015

Council bosses have quashed permission for the £15m Queensway Gateway road to be built, it has been announced today (Monday, June 22).

A judicial review into the original permission, which was granted by the authority in February, was due to be heard on Thursday and Friday this week at the High Court in London.

Kevin Boorman, spokesman for Hastings Borough Council, said: “The High Court has already ruled that the majority of Mr Carlyle’s arguments are misconceived.

“However, we do accept that the report which went to our planning committee in respect of the Queensway Gateway road did not draw committee members’ attention to the policy regarding air quality. It should have done, and we apologise for this omission.

“We do not think that it is in the interests of local council taxpayers for us to continue lengthy and potentially costly legal debate and so we have agreed to reconsider the scheme again at a further planning committee meeting.

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/planning-permission-for-queensway-gateway-withdrawn-1-6810969

Friday, 19 June 2015

To celebrate the bi-centenary of the Battle of Waterloo ……

There is a display in the History House (21 Courthouse Street) with an accompanying slide show.

The Duke of Wellington was posted to Hastings in 1806 in order to take command of the brigade of infantry. His troop was based locally and he stayed at 54 High Street, using this as his headquarters.
The Swan Inn (situated opposite 54 High Street) was used for a public dinner in his honour in April 1806.
Wellesley then travelled back to his place of birth in Dublin and married Catherine Lady Pakenham, bringing her back to Hastings, where they lived at Hastings House, a beautiful Palladian Mansion at the North end of Tackleway. The plot where Hastings House and gardens once stood is now occupied by Old Humphrey Avenue.

H023_Hastings_House

Thursday, 18 June 2015

East Hill ‘Bunker Protest Picnic’.

There is to be another ‘Bunker Protest Picnic’.   The event will be on Sunday 28 June, from 1p.m – 4pm on the East Hill, just to the west of the Bunker.  (The site is a short walk from the top of the East Hill funicular railway in Rock-a-Nore, Hastings Old Town.)

The Picnic will be a fun occasion – open to all – to let HBC know how much those present (and those unable to make it) care about the desecration of Hastings Country Park and the threats it remains subject to, such as unauthorised treefelling and severe administrative carelessness.

Back in March, the Planning Committee of Hastings Borough Council (HBC) refused another retrospective application. The Vice-Chair of the Committee, Cllr Michael Wincott, said at that meeting:

“As some of you know, I proposed refusing the retrospective application in June of last year, and I’m very very pleased this has been recommended for refusal.  It’s long overdue.  Take it down.” [Applause]

Subsequently, an Enforcement Order was issued, ordering the owners (Rocklands Caravan Park) to demolish the building.

Game over?  No — anything but.

Detailed discussion of the case includes the Bahcheli Report for HBC, and itsAddendum. Responses included the Save Ecclesbourne Glen critique and theDetailed Comments. The Landslip was discussed in the Coffey Report and itsAppendices. The geotechnical experts have done a sequel — as yet unpublished.

The Country Park remains at risk of permanent blight.   For more information on the event, contact Save Ecclesbourne Glen (SEG).

From  http://hastingsonlinetimes.co.uk/hottie/hot-topics/home-ground/country-park-bunker-protest-picnic

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Judicial review into Queensway Gateway road

A judicial review of the decision by Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee to grant permission for the £15 million Queensway Gateway road will be heard in the High Court on June 25 and 26.

The legal challenge claims that the authority should not have granted planning permission for the project as the road would breach national and EU laws on air pollution.

Developers were ordered to stop work on the Queensway Gateway road after the High Court agreed the judicial review could go ahead.

More at http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/judicial-review-into-queensway-gateway-road-1-6798541

Thursday, 11 June 2015

OHPS 2015 AGM

Friday 12th June 2015
7 PM for 7.30

21 Courthouse Street, Hastings

Refreshments will be available after the meeting

Followed by
OHPS Projects : Past & Future
by Anne Scott

Friday, 15 May 2015

Friday, 17 April 2015

George MacDonald – official unveiling of new plaque

Wellington Square
Saturday 2nd May, 2.30 PM

Edward Preston will be conducting a walk at the end of the ceremony.

George MacDonald came to Hastings in 1857 for health reasons and lived at 27 Tackleway in the Old Town. Whilst there he wrote his first prose book entitled "Phantastes". This work was later to inspire the likes of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

George MacDonald and family left Hastings for London in 1858. They were to return some ten years later with a somewhat larger family, now including 11 children. The family lived at Holloway House off Old London Road. Whilst at Holloway House MacDonald completed his book "At the Back of the North Wind"

He took an active interest in local activities and was founder of the Hastings & St Leonards Philosophical Society which was started in 1858 and gave lectures at the Public Hall in Hastings and the Assembly Rooms in St Leonards.

Fantasy
Realistic fiction
David Elginbrod (1863; republished as The Tutor's First Love), originally published in three volumes
  • Alec Forbes of Howglen (1865; republished as The Maiden's Bequest)
  • Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood (1867)
  • Guild Court: A London Story (1868)
  • Robert Falconer (1868; republished as The Musician's Quest)
  • The Seaboard Parish (1869), a sequel to Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood
  • Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood (1871)
  • Wilfrid Cumbermede (1871–72)
  • The Vicar's Daughter (1871–72), a sequel to Annals of a Quiet Neighborhood and The Seaboard Parish
  • The History of Gutta Percha Willie, the Working Genius (1873), usually called simply Gutta Percha Willie
  • Malcolm (1875)
  • St. George and St. Michael (1876)
  • Thomas Wingfold, Curate (1876; republished as The Curate's Awakening)
  • The Marquis of Lossie (1877; republished as The Marquis' Secret), the second book of Malcolm
  • Paul Faber, Surgeon (1879; republished as The Lady's Confession), a sequel to Thomas Wingfold, Curate
  • Sir Gibbie (1879; republished as The Baronet's Song)
  • Mary Marston (1881; republished as A Daughter's Devotion)
  • Warlock o' Glenwarlock (1881; republished as Castle Warlock and The Laird's Inheritance)
  • Weighed and Wanting (1882; republished as A Gentlewoman's Choice)
  • Donal Grant (1883; republished as The Shepherd's Castle), a sequel to Sir Gibbie
  • What's Mine's Mine (1886; republished as The Highlander's Last Song)
  • Home Again: A Tale (1887; republished as The Poet's Homecoming)
  • The Elect Lady (1888; republished as The Landlady's Master)
  • A Rough Shaking (1891)
  • There and Back (1891; republished as The Baron's Apprenticeship), a sequel to Thomas Wingfold, Curate and Paul Faber, Surgeon
  • Heather and Snow (1893; republished as The Peasant Girl's Dream)
  • Salted with Fire (1896; republished as The Minister's Restoration)
  • Far Above Rubies (1898)
Poetry
  • Twelve of the Spiritual Songs of Novalis (1851), privately printed translation of the poetry of Novalis
  • Within and Without: A Dramatic Poem (1855)
  • Poems (1857)
  • "A Hidden Life" and Other Poems (1864)
  • "The Disciple" and Other Poems (1867)
  • Exotics: A Translation of the Spiritual Songs of Novalis, the Hymn-book of Luther, and Other Poems from the German and Italian (1876)
  • Dramatic and Miscellaneous Poems (1876)
  • A Book of Strife, in the Form of the Diary of an Old Soul (1880), privately printed
  • The Threefold Cord: Poems by Three Friends (1883), privately printed, with Greville Matheson and John Hill MacDonald
  • Poems (1887)
  • The Poetical Works of George MacDonald, 2 Volumes (1893)
  • Scotch Songs and Ballads (1893)
  • Rampolli: Growths from a Long-planted Root (1897)
Nonfiction
  • Unspoken Sermons (1867)
  • England's Antiphon (1868, 1874)
  • The Miracles of Our Lord (1870)
  • Cheerful Words from the Writing of George MacDonald (1880), compiled by E. E. Brown
  • Orts: Chiefly Papers on the Imagination, and on Shakespeare (1882)
  • "Preface" (1884) to Letters from Hell (1866) by Valdemar Adolph Thisted
  • The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: A Study With the Test of the Folio of 1623 (1885)
  • Unspoken Sermons, Second Series (1885)
  • Unspoken Sermons, Third Series (1889)
  • A Cabinet of Gems, Cut and Polished by Sir Philip Sidney; Now, for the More Radiance, Presented Without Their Setting by George MacDonald (1891)
  • The Hope of the Gospel (1892)
  • A Dish of Orts (1893)
  • Beautiful Thoughts from George MacDonald (1894), compiled by Elizabeth Dougall

Thursday, 16 April 2015

Pier Opens 21st March 2016 – 950th Anniversary of Battle of Hastings

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/hastings-pier-to-open-in-march-2016-1-6692437

Hastings Pier will not be opening this year as planned, it was announced this morning (Thursday).

Simon Opie, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Hastings Pier Charity, said the attraction will open for business on March 21, 2016.

“Almost all the work will be finished this year but not completed in time to open the pier during any of the traditional seaside trading months.”

The charity has ruled out opening the pier in the winter.

Completion is expected around October this year.

An architect's impression on how Hastings Pier will look after the opening

Sunday, 12 April 2015

Hastings Borough Cemetery Exhibition

History House
21 Courthouse Street

Come and be inspired by some of the people buried in our cemetery – you may have some surprises!

A small sample:

AH B23 Sir John Kincaid 1787-1862 Fought in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo with the Rifle Brigade; author, and the likely model for Bernard Cornwell’s character Richard Sharpe.

AH L02 George Elphinstone Dalrymple 1826-76 Explorer, settler of N. Queensland, where many places are named after him. Read his story & many others at www.friendsofhastingscemetery.org.uk

AI E26 Tilden Tolhurst sentenced to ten years transportation for stealing a sheep in 1839, he spent the time on a prison hulk Leviathan, at Portsea Town. He also ran a beer shop the ‘Prince of Wales’ in Waterloo Passage.

AJ K22 Mortimer Achill Graf von Schlippenbach was wounded in the Prussian wars 1870-71. He lived in West Hill Road. A most unusual memorial with a life extinguished represented by a downward pointing torch.

AK A24 Rev Charles Lutwidge & family An uncle, aunt & cousin of Lewis Carroll are buried here. Carroll frequently stayed in Hastings with his aunts

BE L02 George Devey 1820 - 1886 He took drawing classes under John Sell Cotman. An introduction to Lord de L'Isle started his career as a country house architect, he worked for the Rothschilds at Mentmore. He designed Fairlight Church. By 1881 he was living at 12 Pelham Crescent where he died.

BF A22 John Harper Narbeth, 1863-1944 Naval Architect Designer of the Dreadnought class battle ship among others. Buried at Cheltenham commemorated on his wife’s memorial here. They lived at 65 Sedlescombe Road South.

CC B1-5 Corry Family Edward and his wife Sarah came from Ireland. He was a ‘Russia’ merchant dealing in iron and copper. Their daughter Mayflower died at the Convent of Our Lady of the Missions in Old London Road Hastings in 1863. Sons - Alfred James was an engineer & Edward junior a barrister. Edward sen. died at 67 Marina, his daughter Sarah died at Fairfield, Boscobel Road. The Alfred Corry Museum, Southwold houses the lifeboat that Alfred endowed.

DB W34-5 Anna M. Whistler 1804-81 Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, married Major George Washington Whistler. In 1842 Tsar Nicholas I appointed him chief engineer for the St Petersburg to Moscow railway, the family moved to Russia where George died. Son James entered West Point while William studied medicine. James, dismissed from West Point in 1854, became an artist. 1862 Anna came to England as housekeeper and agent for him. William followed and sett up practice in London. Anna retired to St Mary’s Terrace, Hastings. William and his wife Helen Ionides are also buried in Hastings cemetery.

DE T39 William Montague Glenister 1828-1894 Chief Constable of Hastings for 37 years, with Tutt he founded the Volunteer Fire Brigade. He invented a first aid tricycle for firemen to use in rescues. A much respected man, his memorial, with Masonic symbolism, was paid for by fellow townsfolk.

DF A52 Charles Sheldon Pearce Woodruffe 1839-1906 Capt RN. Served in the Crimea and against pirates in the South China Sea. He was decorated for his work as a coastguard at Kessingland. He lived at Old Roar House and commanded the local coastguards.

EB G16 & 17 Fishermen’s Plot 1886 Purchased by the Fishermen's Widows and Orphans Fund following the loss of life when the RX 3 “James and Elizabeth” went down in a storm off Dungeness in 1886. Several other fishermen who died tragically are also remembered here.

See more at http://friendsofhastingscemetery.org.uk/

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Muriel Matters at St Mary in the Castle

Thursday 16th April
6:00pm

Film Screening: 'Muriel Matters!'
Pay what you can!
Donations to help towards the upkeep of the St. Mary in the Castle are welcome.

Monday, 6 April 2015

Driven Dedication – new book for sale in the History House

by Mrs Gillian Mary Webb (Author), Mr Tom Newton Webb (Editor) - £5.00

image

Dorothy came from a long line of Blackmans, strong minded, indomitable Sussex men and women who once they set their mind to anything went on until they achieved it. Family always came first. She was a Vicar's wife, mother of three and grandmother of seven. Dorothy was a natural writer with a sharp, enquiring mind. With stubbornness and determination in equal quantities she could move mountains. She led an archaeological dig for over twenty years. She founded the Village Museum and the Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire. She was a truly inspirational person to all who met her.

Friday, 3 April 2015

Historic Hastings – Mainwaring Baines

Second edition - Copy available for sale in the History House - £25

image

Move fast, won’t last long!

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

A Date for your diary?

‘Muriel Matters!’ at St Mary in the Castle on Thursday 16 April from 6.00pm

More information to follow………

Image result for 7 pelham crescent hastings muriel          image