The talk will begin at 3pm sharp on Sunday 3rd May, 2026, in the Burton Room of the Royal Victoria Hotel, TN38 0BD. Members free, non members £5. Doors open 2.30pm. No reservations.
A talk given by Hastings historian Ken Brooks, entitled ‘The White Rock Story’
This illustrated talk will follow the history of a local area in Hastings known as the White Rock. Early paintings of this site and the America Ground will be included.
In 1835 a large outcrop of sandstone that separated Hastings from St. Leonards was blown up with gunpowder. An infirmary was then built on the site, later to be replaced by a hospital. In 1927 the White Rock Pavilion was opened here by Edward, the Prince of Wales. Since that time many famous entertainers have appeared in the theatre.
About Ken Brooks: After twenty years as a schoolteacher, Ken Brooks moved into adult education as a tutor specialising in history and geology.
Then followed study tours in Egypt, Greece, Mexico and Peru to gather material for his lectures. In 1992 Ken’s enthusiasm for earth sciences led to the formation of the Hastings and District Geological Society, and he was later awarded the Halsted Medal by the Geologists’ Association.
Ken published The Geology and Fossils of the Hastings Area in 2001, followed by two local history books.