Category: Hastings Town

Notable Sussex Women

 By Helena Wojtczak

Local historian- Helena Wojtczak has released a new book this week. Notable Sussex Women is a richly illustrated collection of 580 short biographies of outstanding, eminent, eccentric, famous or rebellious women who were born, lived or died in Sussex. The book is in stock at Spike’s Cafe and Jacobin in Norman Road, at Salmon’s and Waterstone’s in the town centre, at Pomegranate Café in George St, the Fishermen’s Museum and the Shipwreck Centre in the Old Town and online at www.hastingspress.co.uk. Continue reading Notable Sussex Women

The Hastings Trolley Busses

80 Years Ago in Hastings
By Roland Jempson

On April 1st 1928 Hastings experienced a new type of public transport. The opening of the towns new Trolleybus system, it was inaugurated by four of the newly delivered GUY BTX 60 Trolleybuses Nos 1, 2, 3 and 4 with Christopher Dodson open top bodies, on the No 4 route, Hollington to the Fish Market via Bohemia Road and The Memorial, replacing the Trams on the part of the route to the Memorial (Trams did not operate to the Fish Market or Old Town). One of the Trolleybuses was even driven by Mr Vincent Edwards the Manager, The First four were decorated with Flags and Bunting, and had as passengers invited guests and Ex Servicemen. Continue reading The Hastings Trolley Busses

Hastings 80 years ago

The Story of the Trolley Bus

By Roland Jempson

On April 1st 1928 Hastings experienced a new type of public transport. The opening of the towns new Trolleybus system, it was inaugurated by four of the newly delivered GUY BTX 60 Trolleybuses Nos 1, 2, 3 and 4 with Christopher Dodson open top bodies, on the No 4 route, Hollinton to the Fish Market via Bohemia Road and The Memorial, replacing the Trams on the part of the route to the Memorial (Trams did not operate to the Fish Market or Old Town). Continue reading Hastings 80 years ago

How Dinosaurs Were Discovered in Hastings

By Jennie Ridd

In 1832 George Wooll, a lithographer who lived at 5 High Street, Hastings, and George Rubie, local schoolmaster, helped to found the Hastings Literary and Scientific Institute at Rubie’s rooms at 1 Burdett Place, George Street. They were well qualified for the task, since Wooll ran the Repository of Arts from Number 5 and sold the latest literary publications, and Rubie was “Professor of Mathematics, Astronomy, the Globe and Navigation”. Continue reading How Dinosaurs Were Discovered in Hastings

Hastings Pier- The Early Days

 

 Illustrated with pictures from Ion Castro’s collection

Hastings Pier was opened by the Earl of Granville, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports on the fifth of April 1872, which coincidentally was the country’s first ever Bank Holiday. Work had started on the pier on the 18th of December 1869 by the famous engineer Eugenius Birch and was modelled on Brighton’s West Pier with its timber deck supported on columns of cast iron screw piles in rows of three, the outer columns angled for greater stability. Continue reading Hastings Pier- The Early Days

Olde Pump House Hastings

One of the Best Known Meeting Places in Hastings

One of the features of Hastings Old Town is it’s famous Tavern, Ye Olde Pump House. It is situated at the heart of George Street and is the ‘local’ of many Old Town characters, who go a long way to enhance the special atmosphere of the Continue reading Olde Pump House Hastings

Of Hastings Pier

By Richard Holdsworth

It was a bright and sunny morning when the esteemed Lord Granville, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, announced, “I declare this pier open for all good citizens to enjoy.” It was 5 August, 1872, and thus started 134 years of pure joy and merriment for Hastings holidaymakers until that sorrowful day in 2006 when it all came to a juddering halt. Continue reading Of Hastings Pier

Jerwood Foundation Working with Hastings on New Art Gallery

By Amber Rudd

The Jerwood Foundation is to work with Hastings Borough Council to explore the opportunity and potential for a new gallery in Hastings which would house the main body of the Jerwood Art Collection and receive temporary exhibitions. Jerwood and Hastings are exploring the feasibility of the options and working closely with local partners to develop this exciting and important project. Continue reading Jerwood Foundation Working with Hastings on New Art Gallery

Looking Back

by Vivien Delaharpe

I came home recently, to the land of my birth, to visit my son and his family. And I looked back, to the time when I was a schoolgirl in Hastings. Continue reading Looking Back