Hastings Storytelling Festival : 6th–12th November

http://hastingsstoryfest.org.uk/

Friends of Hastings Cemetery Update

New Stories

• Hilder, William Roland - Engineer of the Cyril & Lillian Bishop, killed in the Swan Inn Bombing.
• Jempson, Charles - Shipwright, innkeeper, Workouse resident, unmarked grave.
• Lewns, Carleton James - Auctioneer, Bailiff etc. Member of the Fire Brigade; vocalist.

The Story of “RX Boy Billie 61” and those lost with her:

• Joseph David Coussens
• John Edward (Ned) Muggridge – Coxswain, Cyril & Lillian Bishop
• Charles Page

Recent Stories

• Barnes, Janet Keith - amongst other Christian bequests left money to the schools of Christ Church, St Leonards.  Ornamented memorial seems to have a quartet of otters at the top of the upright of the cross.

• Robison, Agnes Rose - Widow of the late William Cowper Robison, Formerly widow of the late James Wren Carlile Napier, New Zealand

• Wilson, Eliza & Charles - Charles late of Sydney NSW, little else known, recorded because of state of memorial.

The brothers behind the Source Park have been shortlisted for a national award celebrating those who rescue historic buildings.

Before the Moore brothers took on the renovation project the building had been vacant and was falling in to a state of disrepair. As a result Hastings Borough Council had begun seeking quotes to fill it with concrete to protect the road above from collapse.

See more at https://historicengland.org.uk/get-involved/angel-awards/best-rescue-of-a-historic-building/source-park/ where you can also cast your vote; scroll down to bottom of article.

Hastings Week–Free Talk

My Hastings

with

Cllr. Peter Chowney

Leader of Hastings Borough Council

Friday 13th October at 5.30

At Hastings History House

Tickets Free – but please book

Hastings Week Exhibition

Bayeux  Tapestry

- and on screen presentation -

from Harold’s point of view

at The Battle of Hastings

on 14th October, 1066

This exhibition will be in place until 19th October, after which

Lost Heritage of Hastings – gone but not forgotten

will return

Hello Albert!

A long-neglected statue of Prince Albert (consort to Queen Victoria) has been installed outside Hastings Town Hall, due to the considerable efforts of a group of local heritage enthusiasts.

The life-size statue of Prince Albert, sculpted in Portland stone by Edwin Stirling (1819–67) at his Liverpool studio, was formerly part of the ‘Albert Memorial Clock Tower’, which was the centrepiece of Hastings Town Centre from when it was erected in 1864 until demolished in 1973. 

The statue was saved for the Town by local resident Miss Edith Skelton, who purchased it from the demolition firm for £50.  When the original intention to ship the statue out to Canada to a former Hastings resident was aborted, the statue was given a home a greenhouse operating as the ‘mini floral hall’ at Alexandra Park.  This attraction closed in the 1990s, and the statue was left neglected in the unused greenhouse.

There had long been calls from the public to have the statue put back on display.  In a report to the local Museums Association in 2010, Hastings Borough Council agreed that the statue should be remounted in the public domain, and that it was necessary for a community group to come forward to achieve this objective.  A group of local heritage enthusiasts held a public consultation event in July 2014, and there was emphatic support for the proposal to bring the statue back to Hastings’ town centre.  It was then agreed with the Council to put in planning applications for installing the statue alongside the Town Hall, behind the ramped access to the Community Contact Centre.  There was a surprise when the local authority’s planning
committee refused permission in February 2015.  However, the go-ahead for the project came when an appeal to the Government’s planning inspectorate was announced as successful in November 2015.

A new local heritage group, the Albert Statue Group, was formed early in 2016 to raise funds for the project.  Hastings Lions Club came forward with a very generous donation for purchasing and installing the new Portland Stone pedestal on which the statue is now erected.  There have also been donations from members of the public keen to see the local heritage asset back on display.

Roger Wilcock of A. C. Towner Ltd (monumental masons) advised on the project and did some of the preparatory work free of charge, as this is a community project without financial support of the Local Council.  The new Hastings and St. Leonards (Civic) Society has contributed to the project, and
Hastings Local History Group provided £500, which had been bequeathed to the Group by the late Ron Fellows for use in a local heritage project. 

Westoaks Builders Ltd. has done the installation work, with the assistance of a specialist lifting contractor (Coppards). Dean Edgeworth of Westoaks stated that he has been pleased to be associated with this community project, as he has lived all his life in the Borough and is well aware of the great affection long-standing residents have for the lost Albert Memorial.

An information board, giving a concise history of the statue, has also been installed. This has been funded by Kelly Stirling, who lives in California and is the great, great grand-daughter of the statue’s sculptor. Kelly has made a couple of visits to Hastings to view the statue, and will be coming over again to see the new installation alongside the Town Hall before too long.

The Albert Statue Group is endeavouring to raise funds for repair work to the Statue. For information on how to donate e-mail: albertstatue@outlook.com

HASTINGS & ST. LEONARDS SOCIETY HERITAGE OPEN DAYS, GUIDED WALKS

(Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th September)
Supported by East Sussex Health Walks (TCV)
Thursday 7 th September: The Stade to the Pier
Architectural walk led by Anne Scott from Old Hastings Preservation Society,
concluding with an introduction to the Pier with volunteer archivist Kevin Atkins.
Start time: 10.30 a.m. Meet at The Stade Open Space.

* * *

Friday 8 th September: The West Hill of Hastings
Join Steven Whitford, from the Hastings & St. Leonards Society, for a
stroll across the West Hill, and hear the history of this interesting location.
Note: Steep walk up to Ladies Parlour, otherwise mainly on level.
Start time: 11.00 a.m. Meet outside the top station of the West
Hill lift.

* * *

Saturday 9 th September: Linton Gardens
Steven Whitford tells the history of this secluded public green space with special
guest, Owen Johnson, identifying the trees.
Note: Steep slope on this walk.
Start time: 11.00 a.m. Meet at lower entrance to Linton Gardens
on Braybrooke Terrace.

* * *

Sunday 10 th September: Burtons’ St. Leonards
Looking at the main points of interest in the conservation areas of Burtons’ St.
Leonards, including St. Leonards Gardens, with Christine Francis (Burtons’ St.
Leonards Society).
Note: Moderate slope in St. Leonards Gardens
Start time: 11.00 a.m. Meet outside front entrance of Royal
Victoria Hotel
The walks last for between 1 and 1½ hours. Walks are free, but
donations to the Societies leading the walks welcome. Booking not
available. For further information e-mail: hstlsoc@gmail.com

The Stade to The Pier Architectural Walk

A Heritage Open Days’ walk on Thursday 7th September 2017.

Led by Anne Scott of the OHPS.  A volunteer Archivist from the Pier, Kevin Atkins, will introduce the Memories Room and offer some salient facts.

Meet on the Stade Open Space at 10.30am

Tickets available from History House, John the Cobbler’s, & The Yard [Note vegetarian option now available]

Old Town Carnival Week Exhibition

+History House – 21 Courthouse Street

Cemetery Update

New Stories

The Job Family - watchmakers, silversmiths, clock & watch repairers

• Joseph & Charlotte Job & son Adam Pentecost Job
• Susannah, James Hadden Job and daughter Susan son of James Hadden
• Joseph Hadden & Maria Job - son of Joseph
• Rebecca & Kerenhappuch Job - daughters of Joseph
• Schmalz, Gustave & Margaret - retired German consul and merchant, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  Parents of artist John Wilson [Carmichael] Schmalz

Recent Stories

The Bray Family:

• John & Elizabeth Bray et al– Local baker
• Bertram Bray - their son, organist at St Peter’s, St Leonards

• John & Agnes Bray - et al Bertram’s brother (& employer) Aldermn/Auctioneer, Estate Agent

• Cicely Evelyn Garrod, née Bray - daughter of John & Agnes, decorated nurse, WW1.

OHPS OTC Walks & Talks

Every year disappointed people are turned away from walks and / or talks, because they have not booked.

Tickets can be booked over the phone 01424424744, by email

ohpscontact[at]gmail.com

or by visiting the History House, 21 /courthouse Street.

Nearly On The Beach Concert Paraphernalia

Available from  Hastings History House (and other places) 21, Courthouse Street

Blessing of the Sea–14th June–6PM

Postcards from the Seaside - £15

Edwardian Views of Hastings & St Leonards photographed by J.Lévy, Sons & Co. Paris

Available from Hastings History House, 21 Courthouse Street, 01424424744

Cranbrook anyone?

HASTINGS & ST. LEONARDS SOCIETY

Group outings, 2017

Our next Heritage-focused group outing is to Cranbrook, with hosts Cranbrook Museum, on Thursday 6 July.

Agenda to include visit to Museum (with optional guided tour), visit to St. Dunstan’s Church, visit to Union Windmill and guided walk around Cranbrook.

Cost of the outing is £13 per person. There are no admittance charges to any of the venues, but Individuals are requested to make appropriate donations.

Pick ups in Ore Village, Hastings Old Town, Hastings Town Centre, Warrior Square and Silverhill. Times to be confirmed. (Due at Cranbrook for 11 a m; depart 4 p m.)

To book or for further information e-mail: hstlsoc@gmail.com

New Exhibition–Cinque Ports–Hastings History House

Stade Saturdays - 2017

Free Event–St Mary in the Castle–7th June

 

Rocklands again!

http://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=_HSTBC_DCAPR_104641

Erection of 13 ground based solar panels | Rocklands Private Caravan Park, Rocklands Lane, Hastings

Two great walks, one great town

Advance Warning - May Day starts in April!

May Day falls on Monday 1st May.  So Jack-in-the-Green weekend starts in April.
Morris dancers will be in town April 28th - 30th and the procession will be on 1st May.

The Morris Dance Eucharist will be in St Clements, 10am, Sunday April 30th.

Old Town Carnival Week

Event Entry Forms available now in the Parish News or from Hastings History House.

They should be available online shortly

More walk booklets from David Clarke

Available from Hastings History House, 21 Courthouse Street, Hastings, TN34 3AU

No. 6 - Pub Walks.... £3.99

No. 7 - 1066 William's Way .... £3.00

New Cemetery Stories

I was recently in Barley, doing a bit of historical research, and discovered that the one time rector, Dr. Samuel Lee, a fascinating man - http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/lee_scholar/lee_scholar.htm
and Dr. Vores (see Recent Stories, below)  were brothers-in-law .  “And her brother-in-law, the Reverend Thomas Vores, then of Park Chapel, Chelsea, and afterwards of St Mary's, Hastings, thus expressed himself:--'Dr Lee is confessedly the first Orientalist in England, probably in  Europe. He has unwearyingly devoted his wondrous attainments to the defence of the great and blessed truths of God's pure Word, and God has called you, dear sister, to the honourable office of being a helpmeet to such a man.'”

• Beck, Samuel - "Prisoners' Friend" Quaker, responsible for building of Halton Mission Hall, and his daughter, Susannah Rickamn Beck, who was trainin to be a minister in India when she died, and granddaughter,Agnes Beck.
• Jenkins, Brigadier General Noble Fleming -"In a time of peace he had died a soldier's death, so they gave him a soldier's funeral"
• Pelham, James (Great church and municipal worker) & Maria (A Loss to the Poor of St Leonards)

Recent Stories

• Bridges, Ada & Henry, of whom little is known, and their son Eric, who died in action on 29th January, 1917 

• Vores, Rev. Thomas & Elisabeth Plomley - for 33 years incumbent at St Mary-in-the-Castle

New Book - Making History in Pevensey by Alan J Starr

£7.99 (plus p&p if applicable)
Available from Hastings History House, 21, Courthouse Street, Hastings TN34 3AU

A Pier Without Peer by Steve Peak

Includes history of St Leonards Pier
Available at the History House, 21 Courthouse Street, Hastings, TN34 3AU

£14.99 Paperback edition

Petition - Ensure the British fishing waters are returned to the UK post Brexit

Please note:  We are not political and are not promoting this; as it so nearly concerns Hastings we are advising you of the opportunity to sign if you are so inclined.

In the 1970s Edward Heath betrayed our fisherman and our coastal communities with the Common Fisheries Policy. A leaked report now shows that the EU wants to retain control over the fish stocks in British waters. 

We call on Parliament to ensure these waters and fish stocks return to Britain

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/185827

Group visit by coach to Hythe Organized by Hastings & St. Leonards Society in association with Hythe Civic Society.

Date: Wednesday 19 April

Cost per seat on coach: £12 (Number of places restricted to 28 persons.)

To book contact Steven by e-mail (pompress@hotmail.co.uk)

Payment instructions will be given when booking received.

Pick ups from 8.45 – 9.15 a.m.: Silverhill, Warrior Square, Hastings Town Centre, Hastings Old Town, Ore Village.

Arrive in Hythe for 10.45 a.m.
Depart Hythe at 4.00 p.m.

Itinerary (provided by Hythe Civic Society):

10.45 a.m. -  Arrive at Town Hall for tea/coffee and biscuits
Introductory talk on Hythe Civic Society, Cinque Ports and Town Hall building

11.30 a.m. - Depart for short walk to St. Leonard’s Church for tour of Church and Crypt (visit to Crypt incurs charge of £1 per person)

12.20 p.m. - Lunch break (bring packed lunch or use one of the several restaurants/pubs in Hythe town centre).

2.00 p.m. - Meet at Town Hall for guided walk around Old Hythe

3.30 p.m. - Walk ends. Time at leisure until depart at 4.00 p.m.

All welcome.

 

All change!

Help Save the Cyril & Lillian Bishop, and enjoy yourself at the same time!

Tourist Infomration, 20th January – St Mary in the Castle - £8.50 tickets from Muriel Matters’ House

Council offices renamed Muriel Matters House

http://www.hastings.gov.uk/press_media/archive/2016/pr_20161219/

Hastings Borough Council offices on Hastings seafront have been renamed Muriel Matters House.

The building formerly known as Aquila House has undergone massive refurbishment over the last 18 months creating bright, new, modern offices and a welcoming Tourist Information Centre. Not only has the building had a top to toe makeover the council has also recently purchased the building, saving money on future rental outgoings.

The council now receives an additional income of £135,000 p.a. from renting out parts of the town hall and Muriel Matters House. In addition, the council is making a net saving of £75,000 p.a. from purchasing the building rather than paying rent. The total of £210,000 p.a. will help to meet the massive funding reductions the council is experiencing and assist in protecting the services it delivers.

To mark the fresh start the council have renamed the building Muriel Matters House.

Calls for 2017 to be the ‘Year of the Village Green’

The Open Spaces Society, Britain’s oldest national conservation body, has called on local authorities and developers throughout England to make 2017 the Year of the Village Green, by voluntary registering their land as greens.

The society urges developers to include registered village greens within their sites so that local people have a guaranteed green space for recreation which is preserved for ever. It also urges local authorities to register their own land so that even if it is sold, it is protected.

Kate Ashbrook, the society’s general secretary, said: “The registration process is simple; the only requirements are to provide proof of ownership, obtain the consent of any leaseholder or chargeholder, complete a form and send it to the commons registration authority (county or unitary council).

“Once the land is registered as a town or village green, it is protected by nineteenth-century laws from development or encroachment, and local people have rights of informal recreation there. “So if a planning authority considers that a developer should offer a mitigating benefit to the neighbourhood, it can insist that the developer registers part of its site as a village green.

Read more at: http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/calls-for-2017-to-be-the-year-of-the-village-green-1-7754338