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.
Wednesday, 16 January 2019
Monday, 14 January 2019
Posted on the Cemetery Website
- Cemetery History 1916 from the Hastings & St Leonards Observer (“How we bury our heroes”)
- Brown, Private Hugh H W -
Born in St Leonards, enlisted in Canada. WW1 1918
- Proudfoot, James -
Canadian, died 1939, last person buried in Heroes’ Corner before the Second World War?
Saturday, 12 January 2019
Friday, 11 January 2019
Old Bathing Site. in West St Leonards.
Thursday, 3 January 2019
MP’s petition against plans for solar panels in country park
The reportand, the accompanying business caseIn 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………
- Broughton, Joshua & Harriet Mary Ann -
retired to Hastings, where their daughter Alice married Henry Blackman, of Upfield & Sons
- Graves Family -
moved from Kent to become a ‘local’ family
- Graves, Charles Atkins -
landscape artist & drawing master
- 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
Wednesday, 28 November 2018
Sock (and underwear) Appeal 2018
Sunday, 25 November 2018
World War 1 Remembrance -- Large screen slide show
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.
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!
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
- Hogg, Mary Louisa -
Suffragette, & seller of suffragette newspaper - in all weathers
Monday, 22 October 2018
Friends of Hastings Cemetery Update
email Anne Scott
Tuesday, 14 August 2018
9th - 23rd September,
open every day 10am - 5pm.
Everyone is welcome
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!