Old Hastings Preservation Society was founded in 1952 to promote the permanent preservation of buildings of beauty/historic interest, especially in Hastings & St. Leonards and foster an appreciation of the history of Hastings. We encourage and record research which supports our objectives. Good architecture, design and town planning is encouraged. In 1956 we founded the Hastings Fishermen’s Museum open daily in Rock-a-Nore Road and more recently Hastings History House.
Monday, 19 September 2016
Friday, 2 September 2016
Albert!
A satisfactory meeting re the Prince Albert Statue project was held. . Stone for the pedestal being ordered, work is to proceed on the foundations, and aiming for completion in October.
But there is a need to raise some more funds,
A fund-raising event (talk on statue and project, refreshments and raffle) will be held at West Hill Community Centre early October. (More details later.)
Donations of raffle prizes needed. These may be left at the History House, 21 Courthouse Street, Thursday – Sunday, 11am – - 4pm
Monday, 22 August 2016
The New Hastings Tapestry–apologies for late posting–you only have a week!
Celebrating the people of Hastings 2016. A new ‘tapestry’ of 950 panels is being commissioned to represent the people of Hastings. It will be displayed in St Clement’s Church in the Old Town to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings – and you can be a part of this inspirational project from St Clements.
Join in this unique new art work: you will dress your panel as yourself – and
together the panels will create a rich tapestry showing the people of
Hastings 2016. We are aiming to make 950 panels. Each completed
panel will form part of the sewn collage.
For more information contact 01424 422242, email office@oldtownparish.org.uk or see the Hastings 950 Tapestry Facebook page.
Tuesday, 16 August 2016
Cemetery Update
The next Cemetery Walk will be on 11th September, 2 PM, meet at the car park.
Why not rest, relax and reflect awhile, sitting on the OHPS / FoHC seat, located on EL, and take in the magnificent view.
Recent Stories:
- Brind, Frederick William & family - wine merchant & businessman, lived in St leonards for a number of years
- Brind, General Sir James G.C.B, R.A. - A much respected soldier in India, uncle of the above, lived in Upper Maze Hill for some years
- Kernot, Dr. George Charles & his wife Eliza - a very well known resident of Hastings, who died in Inverness. He had a large circle of admiring friends and was popular with all he came. into contact.
- Ransford, Annie Cash - for 14 years Matron of the Buchanan Hospital, died in a road accident.
- Rodwell, Rev. John Medows - a scholar and a linguist; lived in St Leonards for many years. Translated the Koran
Monday, 15 August 2016
St Mary in the Castle - ***EXHIBIT OPENING*** 1066: A Medieval Mosaic 13th August - 28th October 10am - 5pm
Please note the Cafe is currently open for coffee and drinks
1066: A Medieval Mosaic opens this Saturday in our Crypt Gallery.
Comprised of 3,000,000 pieces of spring steel the Medieval Mosaic holds the Guinness World Record as the largest steel mosaic. The artwork, measuring 64 metres in length and weighing 450 kg, is a complete re-creation of the Bayeux Tapestry and was created over 20 years by Michael Linton. In addition to the original scenes captured in the Bayeux Tapestry, father and daughter team Michael and Rachael Linton have combined their talents to create the untold stories of 1066. An 8 metre 'Finale' section, taking 5 years to research and complete, tells the story from the end of the Battle of Hastings to the crowning of William the Conqueror on Christmas Day 1066. The 22 metre insert, taking a further 8 years to complete, tells the story of the Battle of Fulford Gate and the Battle of Stamford Bridge which preceded the Battle of Hastings. This 33 year artistic odyssey has resulted in a truly unique masterpiece.
The exhibition will hang in our gallery until October 28th.
Entry is by donation.
Tuesday, 12 July 2016
Priory Meadow Cricketer Returns
The Spirit of Cricket statue has been returned to Priory Meadow, eight months after it was damaged by contractors.
The statue was first revealed in Queens Square when the shopping centre opened in 1997 and was put in place to mark the former Central Cricket Ground that the centre was built on.
Monday, 11 July 2016
Friends of Hastings Cemetery Update
Some of the recent stories have been looking at those who have no memorials, whose memorials have been lost, or whose ashes were scattered in The Garden of Remembrance.
Some of these stories have been explored because of an enquiry, sometimes from overseas.
New Stories:
- Bonar, Mary J / Chesney, Isabel / Menzies "Lady"Mary Anne nee Bonar - buried together (2 murder victims)
- Matters Porter, Muriel - born in South Australia, a suffragist who was the first woman to "speak" in the British Parliament
- Zamoyska, Maria - died aged one, prominent Polish family, memorial disappeared
- James, Laura Elizabeth - a much decorated New Zealand nurse, whose ashes were scattered in the Garden of Remembrance.
Saturday, 9 July 2016
Bayeux Tapestry as you've never seen it - and related talk (£)
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Friday, 8 July 2016
Saturday, 2 July 2016
Rocklands controversial holiday home will be allowed to stay, a planning inspector has ruled.
Chris Hurrell, spokesman for SEG, said: “Despite the massive unpopularity of the bunker with the public, the inspector has allowed the building to remain subject to a few cosmetic changes.
“The height of the roof will be reduced by 400mm and the balconies will be reduced in depth by 1,000mm. The rest of the building will be allowed to remain as is. “This is a very disappointing result.”
SEG said the building has destroyed the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
- Rocklands appealed against Hastings Borough Council’s enforcement notice to destroy the building overlooking Ecclesbourne Glen more than a year ago.
- In March last year it submitted a planning application asking for the retention of the holiday let, which was refused.
- In June 2014 the council unanimously threw out Rocklands’ retrospective planning application to make alterations to the controversial building. The original building itself was granted planning permission in 2012.
“Ecclesbourne Glen issues are not just about the bunker. Our objective was to protect the beautiful vistas across the country park and many issues remain unresolved.
“We are still very concerned about the landslip that has shut access from the East Hill and is a visual scar on the glen. We are pressing the council to carry out further investigations.”
http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/mobile/news/local/campaigners-anger-over-decision-on-hastings-holiday-let-1-7443089#ixzz4D9U98rM0
Friday, 1 July 2016
Sunday, 12 June 2016
Hastings Borough Council effectively lost their case against Rocklands’ appeal - the inspector’s decision was published this week.
No more news, currently. Will be updated when there is more information.
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
Dee-Day White and Tush Hamilton are on the verge of bringing (another) lost lifeboat back to Hastings again.
Following their restoration of the Priscilla MacBean lifeboat, which was discovered as a rotting hulk in Eastbourne and is now on permanent show in the Old Town.
Now they are set to bring home a former Hastings lifeboat which earned the legend ‘The Ghost of Dunkirk’
The Cyril and Lilian Bishop lifeboat, which saved 34 lives in Hastings during the 1930’s, spent four days and four nights rescuing British and French soldiers from the beaches during the evacuation of Dunkirk in World War 2.
“She is best known and earned her nickname ‘The Ghost of Dunkirk when in late May 1940 the Dunkirk evacuation needed shallow draught vessels to make their way to Dover and the RNLI was asked to send as many lifeboats as possible and coxswain George Moon quickly called a crew together consisting of Will Martin, Bodger Barton, Jumbo White, Bill Hilder and finally Freddie Button.
“On arrival at Dover George Moon tells us that all the lifeboats were commandeered by the Royal Navy and he and the rest of the crew travelled back to Hastings by train.
Tuesday, 7 June 2016
The statue of Prince Albert will be installed by the town hall
In February 2015, a bid put forward by campaigners was refused planning consent by Hastings Borough Council, going against officers’ recommendations.
Members said the statue’s condition was so poor it would not be suitable for display alongside the town hall, which is a Grade-II listed building.
Campaigners submitted an appeal to have the decision overturned, which was successful.
A new heritage group, the Albert Statue Group, was formed early this year to raise funds for the project.
Hastings Lions Club came forward with a generous donation for buying and installing the new Portland stone pedestal on which the statue is to be erected.
There have also been donations from members of the public who are keen to see the long-neglected statue back in the public domain.
Roger Wilcock, of A. C. Towner Ltd has been advising on the project, and he is doing some of the preparatory work free of charge, with consent from his employer Edward Towner, as this is a community project without financial support from the council.
The life-size statue of Prince Albert, sculpted in Portland stone by Edwin Stirling at his Liverpool studio, was saved for the town by Edith Skelton, who bought it from the demolition firm for £50.