Hastings Chronicle

Eagle Killed 03/01/1850

An eagle was shot under the East Cliff near Pett; it weighed 8½ pounds, was three feet long and had a wingspan of 6½ feet.

Gas Monopoly From the Hastings News of 01/02/1850

The price of gas was to be reduced from eight shillings to six shillings per cu ft in 1851.

Fishing Port From the Hastings News of 01/02/1850

The Customs staff was cut to one chief officer, and Hastings was reduced from being a ‘port’ to a creek.

Crown Lands 08/02/1850

The ceremony of ‘walking in’ the Crown lands was performed.

Belmont From the Hastings News of 01/03/1850

The sale was taking place of the Belmont Estate [the area around what became Belmont Road in Clive Vale]; nine acres of building land and two Italian villas were on offer.

Crime From the Hastings News of 08/03/1850

Counterfeit 2/6d coins were reported circulating in the town.

Farncomb Visit 10/04/1850

Visit of Lord Mayor of London Thomas Farncomb (a former prominent Hastings businessman).

St Clements Church 05/05/1850

Reopening of St Clements Church after the completion of its renovation.

Royal Victoria Hotel From the Hastings News of 14/06/1850

The Duke and Duchess of Saxe Coburg and Gotha were staying at the [Royal] Victoria Hotel.

Start of Robertson Street 24/06/1850

The first foundation stone is laid for the first permanent building to go up on the 'Priory ground', the former America Ground that had been cleared of all buildings in 1836 when the Crown took possession of it. Wealthy London ... (more...)

Railway Excursion 23/07/1850

The Hastings benefit societies organised a non-profit day-out excursion to Brighton and Shoreham, with 1,247 passengers aboard a 37-carriage train, hauled by two engines.

All Saints Street From the Hastings News of 09/08/1850

All Saints Street was to be macadamised.

Chartists From the Hastings News of 30/08/1850

A Chartist political meeting was held at the fishmarket.

Waterworks From the Hastings News of 27/09/1850

Eversfield waterworks was to be enlarged and the water rate reduced from 9d to 6d in the £1.

Rockanore Groyne 11/10/1850

Hastings Council decided to heighten and lengthen the easternmost groyne, at Rockanore.

Building Society From the Hastings News of 11/10/1850

The first AGM of the Rape of Hastings Permanent Benefit Building Society was held.

Priory Butcher From the Hastings News of 11/10/1850

The first shop opened in new buildings on the Priory Ground: pork butcher Mr H Polhill.

Railways: Ore Tunnel 28/10/1850

The Lord Mayor of London Thomas Farncomb laid the final brick in the Ore railway tunnel [the Bopeep-Ashford line opened February 13 1851].