Category Archives: Blog

‘Our shops at Christmastide’: St Leonards on Sea, Christmas 1875

This post consists of a lengthy extract from the 25 December 1875 issue of the Hastings and St Leonards Observer. A long article titled ‘Our shops at Christmastide’ consisted of descriptions of their seasonal decorations, and what goods they offered, street by street. The shops must have been quite a sight. South Colonnade no longer […]

Christopher Maxwell-Stewart, late Chair of the Burtons’ St Leonards Society

At the funeral of Christopher Maxwell-Stewart on the 28 November, at St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, the eulogy was read out by his son Hamish, but was written by Prue, his wife. Here is the complete eulogy. Christopher was born at Buxted, near Uckfield. In February 1936, the sixth of the seven […]

William Mantell Eldridge, St Leonards brewer and public house owner

In the 9 May 1848 issue of the Sussex Advertiser there was a report on magistrates hearing an application for a liquor license. This was by Louisa Barnett, single woman, for the license of the Tivoli Inn, recently held by Richard Harman. She was represented by her lawyer, Mr Baker. The Tivoli was situated on […]