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
Saturday, 7 October 2017
Friday, 6 October 2017
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
Friday, 29 September 2017
Hello Albert!
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
Friday, 1 September 2017
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
Monday, 31 July 2017
Saturday, 29 July 2017
Friday, 21 July 2017
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.
Sunday, 16 July 2017
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.
Friday, 14 July 2017
Nearly On The Beach Concert Paraphernalia
Available from Hastings History House (and other places) 21, Courthouse Street
Friday, 9 June 2017
Thursday, 8 June 2017
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
Tuesday, 6 June 2017
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
Saturday, 3 June 2017
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