This post is a summary of a talk which I have just given at the exhibition ‘A journey through time: the development of West St Leonards’, organised by the WSL Community Team. To encourage those who listened to the talk to read this post I have added some extra material. Peter Jenkins was at the time […]
Monthly Archives: May 2026
WALKS in Burtons’ St Leonards: Join us on 1st & 3rd Thursdays from 18th June-24th September 2026, 11am sharp, from London Road seafront clock for 90 minutes. 45 minutes’ walking up 1:5 gradient hill, with 5 minute history bites as we tuck in to nine picturesque spots. If you are free – come for the […]
Humphrey Charles Holman – almost invariably cited in newspapers as H.C. Holman — was a very active auctioneer and estate agent, and also an important hotel proprietor. He was an energetic booster for St Leonards on Sea, and was particularly protective of Warrior Square Gardens. This was perhaps due to his company owning two hotels […]
I recently watched on YouTube ‘The flirtatious Regency balls of Pride and Prejudice: having a ball’, an amusing attempt to recreate Mr Bingley’s private ball at Netherfield in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Balls provided a rare way for young people to flirt, chat, and touch each other without close supervision while dancing. It made […]
The former Anchor pub is almost hidden up an alley from East Ascent, and is now numbered 5a East Ascent. As with the other buildings on the road, it is almost certainly a James Burton designed house. Access is either from an alley leading up from East Ascent or from its continuation, going forward from […]
Much on begging and efforts to stamp it out in this post. Also a letter of complaint about the high cost of bathing machines. 1 April 1851, Sussex Advertiser: John Mooney, late of the 36th Regiment, was brought up for begging. Constable Barnes deposed that on the previous day he found prisoner in the back […]