Friday, 11 January 2019

Old Bathing Site. in West St Leonards.

West Marina Partnership (residents' group) have circulated the following e-petition regarding the former West Marina bathing pool site:

We the undersigned petition the council to to request: (A) that the Council does not proceed with proposals to erect 152 dwellings on its land at Seaside Road; and (B) that the Council actively and fully engages with the local community and other existing and potential recreational users of the site to develop an agreed plan for its future use.

More information on the Petition page  

Petition @:

Thursday, 3 January 2019

MP’s petition against plans for solar panels in country park

At a meeting on Monday (January 7), councillors will be asked to consider whether to move ahead with the project to build solar farms at three sites in Crowhurst and Fairlight.

 The report


and, the accompanying business case

In particular look at page 12 of the business case to see the location for the solar arrays.

Anyone wanting to sign Ms Rudd’s petition should click here.

Read more at: https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/environment/hastings-and-rye-mp-s-petition-against-plans-for-solar-panels-in-country-park-1-8756997

Saturday, 22 December 2018

New Stories from the Cemetery

  • Boucher, Thomas - “a many sided local celebrity” greengrocer, theatrical agent, actor, fireman,swimmer, stuntman………


  • Graves Family - moved from Kent to become a ‘local’ family



  • Trimming Family - two generations, with connections to Ebenezer Chapel, in two graves. Son John built in Clive Vale and later emigrated to Canada with some of his family.

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

Carol Service,Fishermen's Museum, 2018

Join us for our free annual Carol Service with Reverend Luke Irvine-Capel.

Carols are accompanied on the keyboard by Robert Connelly.

 Please arrive at 6.30 for a 7pm start. 

Mince Pies, mulled wine (or a soft drink) will be available for a donation.

Seating is limited but you are welcome to bring your own chair. 

 An audience participation event - (Please sing!)

Wednesday, 28 November 2018

Sock (and underwear) Appeal 2018


 The bin is in the foyer of the History House, 21 Courthouse Street, open Thursday - Sunday, 11am - 4pm
Thank You


Sunday, 25 November 2018

World War 1 Remembrance -- Large screen slide show

As well as the poster exhibition there is an interesting and relevant slide show, with local stories and illustrations,


Friday, 23 November 2018

Family History Research–and Friends of Hastings Cemetery– case history


M’Clelland, John and Sophia Swaine
- a very busy man, spent most of his life in India. He was a surgeon with wide ranging interests, including metallurgy,  geology and biology.  Sophia was his widower, and although remarried, was buried with him.

Inscription on grave clearly reads McClelland, though this could be an error by the mason. Sophie’s name also is variously given elsewhere as Sophy and Sophia.

mcclellandcover1  Note: This involved a lot of research amongst records variously giving the name Sir John McClelland (Wikipedia) John McLelland, John McClelland, and his name as given by him on his publications, John M’Clelland.  All later records record it as John McClelland, but whether he changed this himself on his coming to England is uncertain, as I haven’t seen any original census records.  Another problem was Sir Joseph Hooker’s assertion “John McClelland, “a persevering Scotchman,  without  much  ability,  or  power  of  perception”.  Other records, correctly, show him as born in Ireland.  Birth and death dates also vary!  Initially it was thought two people had been conflated, as it seemed unlikely one man could have achieved so much.

This idea was put to rest when coming across the following:

“Dr. M'Clelland forgets that he holds, or did then hold, three offices,  Namely Deputy Apothecary; Assistant Opium Examiner and Secretary to the Coal and Iron Committee - all salaried appointments; - a short time before this discussion he was Curator to the Museum also, to which he had no objection to be re-appointed [sic].  The first of appointments above requires actual attendance at office from eleven to four daily. ….”  Books on Google Play - Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Volume 8, Asiatic Society, 1840

Thursday, 15 November 2018

The Observer Building - new hope!

Hastings developer reveals plans for former Observer building

A neighbourhood developer has vowed to turn the former Observer building into a community asset after its offer to purchase the building was accepted. White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures – the owner of neighbouring Rock House – secured the purchase of the empty Cambridge Road site on Monday (November 12).



Read more at: https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/business/hastings-developer-reveals-plans-for-former-observer-building-1-8705646

Friday, 26 October 2018

New Story

  


Exhibition

From 1st November there will be an exhibition at the History House, 21 Courthouse Street, -
Remembrance - “How We Bury Our Heroes”
Exploring some of the history and mysteries of the cemetery during the First World War and after, including the input of the Imperial War Graves Commission (Now Commonwealth War Graves Commission.)


Monday, 22 October 2018

Friends of Hastings Cemetery Update


Database of extant memorials in A - G, based on the work
 done by R A Longley.
 (For an explanation of some anomalies, see 

Converted to a searchable pdf file by Alan Jeffries (to 
whom many thanks)

To arrange a Cemetery Walk

email Anne Scott

Tuesday, 14 August 2018


'The Hastings Show' 
Visitor Centre on Hastings Pier
9th - 23rd September, 
open every day 10am - 5pm.

Entry is free and accessible. Suitable for all ages but children must be supervised at all times. 
Everyone is welcome 

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On display will be a collection of unique decorative mirrors, all inspired by the town of Hastings.  Many of these mirrors are created using wood and metal salvaged during the refurbishment of Hastings Pier following the devastating fire of 2010, breathing new life into these pieces of history which would otherwise have been lost forever.


Each one has been individually designed to reflect the imagery, atmosphere and colourful history of the Pier, from crumbling Victorian ironwork and evocative 1930's lighting to the modern post-fire refurbishments.

Also featured will be work from John Cole, official photographer for the Pier restorations, and Stewart Walton, watercolour artist and creator of much of the wooden furniture on the Pier.


There will be a programme of associated talks, workshops and a 'Creation Station' where you can get involved by drawing pictures, taking photos, writing stories and poetry about Hastings. These will be put on display and there will be prizes for the best ones!


Friday, 10 August 2018

Monday, 23 July 2018

West Street Party

As part of the year-long project to research and celebrate West Street, a new, free publication the ‘West Street Chronicle’ will be launched at the  street party on Sunday 29th July from 2-5pm.

The road will be closed to traffic and West Street will be celebrating with a range of activities, open studios, children’s workshops, refreshments and games.  It will feature live music from Thomas Truax.

Everything is free and everyone is welcome.

Monday, 2 July 2018

Hastings Country Park

HASTINGS COUNTRY PARK – Going up – Hastings Independent Press
www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/news/hastings-country-park-going-up/
4 days ago - Straw Bale Build to Start in August at Inflated Cost. Building of the long planned “Interpretive Centre” at Hastings Country Park is hoped to start ...
HASTINGS COUNTRY PARK – Going Nowhere – Hastings
www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/news/hastings-country-park-going-nowhere/
3 days ago - No Current Plan to Reinstate Ecclesbourne Glen Footpath. As many readers will know, the main walking route into Hastings Country Park from ...