Hastings Chronicle

Farm Fire From the Hastings News of 10/01/1851

Fire at Great Ridge Farm, Ore; buildings, crops and machinery destroyed.

Ashord Railway Opens 13/02/1851

The Bopeep-Ashford railway line was officially declared open, after more than three years construction, and at great expense; it connected with the Bopeep-Brighton line, giving Hastings indirect routes to London until the more direct line from Bopeep-Tonbridge opened in 1852.

Railway Dispute 14/02/1851

Blockade on railway lines at Bopeep and conflict at Hastings Station between South Eastern Railway (owners of the Bopeep-Ashford line) and London Brighton and South Coast Railway (users of the SER tunnels); court settlement.

Crystal Palace Exhibition 26/02/1851

An exhibition of items for the forthcoming 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition was held at Messrs Rock and Sons carriage showroom at White Rock on 26/7 February. Children of Hastings Union Workhouse were taken to Crystal Palace by train on July ... (more...)

Balloon Flight 31/03/1851

The Duke of Brunswick and Henry Green made a balloon journey to Neufchatel near Boulogne from a field near the gas works [where Morrisons is today]. Thousands of people watched as the balloon was inflated with gas and then took ... (more...)

Railway Party From the Hastings News of 25/04/1851

A dinner party was given by Newton Smith and Co, the railway contractors, for workers and friends at the Railway Terminus Inn.

Parade Sundial From the Hastings News of 30/05/1851

A sundial was erected at the east end of the Parade, made of Portland stone.

Early Closing 28/06/1851

The Hastings Early Closing Association was formed.

St Mary Magdalen Church From the Hastings News of 30/06/1851

Laying of the foundation stone of the new church of St Mary Magdalen, on the corner of Church Road and St Margarets Road; it was consecrated on 14 September 1852.

Ecclesbourne Reservoir From the Hastings News of 11/07/1851

A pipeline had been laid for the new water-supply reservoir [now called the Spoon] then under construction in upper Ecclesbourne Glen. The pipe connected it with the two reservoirs in Clive Vale. The reservoir started work in mid-1852.

Hastings Commissioners 04/08/1851

Last meeting of the Hastings Commissioners. They sold their fire engine to Hastings Council.

Public Health Act From the Hastings News of 15/08/1851

The Public Health Act came into force in Hastings, but not St Leonards.

St Andrews School From the Hastings News of 12/09/1851

A night school had been established at StAndrews Church.

Upper Lighthouse From the Hastings News of 24/10/1851

The old lighthouse (the Upper Light) in Hill Street had been superseded by a new structure on the West Hill close to the Caves entrance.

Priory Land From the Hastings News of 07/11/1851

A piece of land at the Priory, then an ashyard owned by Countess Waldegrave, was to be leased by Hastings Council; a new park was proposed.

Winter Fair From the Hastings News of 28/11/1851

At the Winter Fair at the Fishmaket 70 horses were auctioned from the railway works, being not then needed.

Gant Maps From the Hastings News of 12/12/1851

The first-ever large scale plans of the town were deposited at the Town Hall by council officer/surveyor Mr William J Gant; scale 1 inch to 44 ft. They were surveyed in order to implement the Public Health Act, and showed ... (more...)