Landslips have occurred from time to time on the cliffs to the south of West Hill Road onto gardens and buildings on Caves Road and Marina. This post tells the tale of two such landslips in 1937 and 1939 as taken from contemporary newspapers. The image below is from a 25 inches to 1 mile […]
Author Archives: Stephen van Dulken
The Radical and Quaker MP John Bright (1811-89) used the 1861 census to charge that there were only 30,000 land-owners, and alleged that “fewer than one hundred and fifty men” owned “half the land in England,” and that it was a “practical monopoly on land “. Edward Henry Stanley (1826-93), the 15th Earl of Derby, […]
3 May 1841, Sussex Advertiser: HASTINGS AND ST LEONARD’S. ACCIDENT – On Saturday, as a boy about nine years old named Eldridge, was digging sand under the cliff, near St Leonard’s Caves, a large piece of rock, of about 100 weight, became detached from the rest, and fell upon the poor fellow, who was heard […]
Members of the Society enjoyed a garden party at 9 Maze Hill today. Many thanks to our generous host. Here are some stories connected with the address. Below is a photo of the house, with 1832 carved in stone at the top of the street facade. At first the house appears to have been rented […]
The Rye newspaper the South Eastern Advertiser, 26 September 1874, has the following article: NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING. – A female servant had a narrow escape from drowning on Sunday morning last, whilst bathing from the bathing machines at Warrior-square. Neglecting the warning of the attendant not to leave go of the rope, she did […]
The Intoxicating Liquors (Sale to Children) Act of 1901 provided, briefly, that: A landlord must not knowingly sell to children under 14 any liquor, except in sealed and corked bottles, and he cannot supply less than a reputed pint to such children; nor must he sell spirits to any person apparently under the age of […]
Newspapers frequently gave detailed accounts of summer day outings for the more substantial tradesmen, especially the builders, or for men in the same trade, such as cabbies or shop assistants. An outing for employees would typically set off from the workshop in long, open wagonettes or the smaller, also open breaks drawn by horses. It […]
By chance I came across the following entry in the 1921 census (taken on the 19 June) for a three-roomed dwelling at 2 Villa Road, St Leonards on Sea. Only in the 1911 and 1921 censuses are we told how many rooms a dwelling had. Grace Eliza Smith, 70 years 8 mos, S[ingle], born Surrey […]
The following references from the Hastings Watch Committee’s correspondence are taken from catalogue entries of documents at The Keep, Falmer. The date is followed by the document reference and then the full catalogue entry. I have not looked at the actual documents, but even with the brief quotations cited they tell a vivid story. I […]
The first story about the Hollington toll gate is rather long but is, I think, full of interest. However, I don’t know where it is. Can anyone comment ? 19 March 1840, Brighton Gazette [Sussex Lent Assizes] John Wood, labourer, 28, charged with having, 7 December, with others, assaulted Francis Pearson with intent to rob […]