The talk will begin at 3pm sharp on Sunday 18th January, 2026, at Crown House, Marina, Hastings, Saint Leonards-on-sea TN38 l, l £5. Members free, non-members £5 entry. Doors open 2pm. Talk is 45 minutes.
‘The Hawkhurst Gang’ by Capt. James Bollinger.
‘My talk on the Hawkhurst gang tells the story of England’s first organised crime gang and how the gang came close to toppling the Government and making a regime change. The talk demonstrates to its audience how smuggling ended the term of Robert Walpole as Prime Minister and the smart legislation passed to combat smuggling.
About me: I enjoy researching local crime and punishment history of the 18th century. I also demonstrate the Carnyx and Viking war horns. This year I have had the privilege of speaking at Crawley Museum, Pevensey History Festival and Weymouth Pirate Festival’