...186718681869...

Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

St Leonards Church From the Hastings News of 03/01/1868

Mr Murray, of Marina, fixed a new church clock in St Leonards Church in time to strike in the New Year.

St Leonards Schoolrooms From the Hastings News of 31/01/1868

The site for proposed British Schools at St Leonards, in a triangle at the junction of London Road and Gensing Station Road [Kings Road], was purchased for £700. To be three schoolrooms. Alfred Vidler jnr’s tender of £2,224 was accepted.

Historic Sea Defences From the Hastings News of 07/02/1868

In drainage excavations, between the Prince Albert Tavern and Tamarisk Steps in Rock-a-Nore Road, the workmen came across some immense timber work, at a depth of about 20 ft from the surface. The work seems to have been in the ... (more...)

Trade Unions Promoted From the Hastings News of 14/02/1868

A well-attended lecture on trade unions was given in the Castle Hotel Assembly Rooms on 11 February by George Potter, President of the London Working Men’s Association and reputed editor of the trade union paper Beehive.

Preacher Dies 16/02/1868

Death at White Rock Place of Henry Beck, in 85th year. For more than 50 years he was highly respected in Hastings, being a leading member of the Wesleyan-Methodist church and the first preacher of doctrines of that body in ... (more...)

Shipwreck Rescue From the Hastings News of 21/02/1868

For getting shipwrecked men ashore from the Liverpool vessel Startled Fawn, in collision 12 miles off Hastings on December 20, ‘Tuppy’ Stonham and his crew on Little Polly were given a £7 reward.

Boy Gamblers From the Hastings News of 21/02/1868

John Ball, aged 12, was fined 6d plus 4/6 costs for tossing coins in the streets. PC Dabson saw him toss two halfpence in Tackleway. Supt Glenister said there was enormous gambling among boys, especially on Sundays.

Railway Monopoly From the Hastings News of 28/02/1868

A special Council meeting opposed the proposed amalgamation of SE Railway with the LBSC Railway as “likely to prove most injurious to the public interest and convenience, and especially in creating a vast monopoly in the hands of parties whose ... (more...)

Councillor Dies From the Hastings News of 13/03/1868

Cllr Anthony Harvey, aged 67, died on 9 March. He was Board of Guardians superintendent registrar for the district, and in the 1830s took a leading part in the old Commissioners meetings.

All Saints Church From the Hastings News of 27/03/1868

All Saints Church vestry: A proposed restoration committee was appointed. The vestry also sent protests to charity trustees that Parker’s School was not being administered properly.

Drain Roadworks From the Hastings News of 10/04/1868

Drainage works through Pelham Place and Breeds Place, meant that "only one line of vehicles can pass at a time. Supt Glenister had brought into requisition the plan used on the railway. The police officers on duty at each end ... (more...)

Fishing Boat Burnt From the Hastings News of 10/04/1868

The fishing boat John and James, owner Mrs Page of Bourne Street, ran ashore at Bulverhythe, accidentally caught fire from the stove, and burned out. It was 10 tons, nearly new, and valued at £150.

St Johns Consecrated 29/04/1868

St Johns Church, Hollington, was consecrated by the Bishop of Chichester. Designed by Mr EA Wyon; the builder was John Howell, for £3,342.

Train Delays From the Hastings News of 01/05/1868

Horses and carriages would no longer be forwarded from Gensing [Warrior Square] Station but only from Hastings, where platforms would be longer, because of the delay in coupling on and off trains.

Land Sale From the Hastings News of 22/05/1868

Fairlight Hall, land at Bentinck Place and a portion of Clive Vale Estate were up for sale.

Woman Jailed From the Hastings News of 29/05/1868

Mrs Harriet Relf of Ore was committed to Lewes Prison for 14 days for stealing a pair of cotton stockings from the counter of Pearch and Simmons.

New Council Offices 01/06/1868

The new Council offices on the corner of Bank Buildings and Middle Street were opened, and the office at 86 High Street abandoned. Mr Smith was the architect, John Howell the builder.

Fish Catches From the Hastings News of 05/06/1868

The large fishing boats had returned from the western coasts, but had not paid their working expenses. Mackerel were very plentiful in kettlenets on Bulverhythe beach – ‘Busy’ Foord on June 1 got 17,000 (£100) and 6-7,000 on June 2. ... (more...)

First Australian Cricket From the Hastings News of 26/06/1868

The first Australian cricket team to come to England played at Hastings. But this was a team of Aborigines, not whites. The Aborigines scored 119 + 185, Hastings 152 + 113 for 4. Afterwards there was a display of the ... (more...)

Hastings House for Sale 02/07/1868

Hastings House, with its noble entrance hall and approach by a carriage drive, was put up for sale by auction at the Castle Hotel.

New Drains Completed From the Hastings News of 03/07/1868

There was a dinner for John Howell, the contractor, when the new drainage was completed, but there were unfavourable comments in London papers on the health of the town. Nearly £30,000 had been spent. On 17 July the News had ... (more...)

Thunder Storms From the Hastings News of 17/07/1868

After 3 months of drought, there were terrific thunder storms on 10/11 July, but little damage to the town itself.

Hot Regatta From the Hastings News of 24/07/1868

The annual regatta was held in hot weather, some days 85-90 degrees in the shade, 120-130 in the sun. Most shops closed early in the afternoon, with flags and streamers out. The final event was eight entries in the tub-boat ... (more...)

New Boundary Stones From the Hastings News of 14/08/1868

New town boundary stones: 41 were to be ordered from Alderton and Shrewsbury, at 22s each. They were iron with a shield of arms and HPB (Hastings Parliamentary Body) on them.

Dirty Fountain From the Hastings News of 14/08/1868

There were complaints that the Waldegrave drinking fountain was dirty, but the Board of Health could do nothing because it was not their property and it stood on the ground of Holy Trinity Church.

Pub For Sale From the Hastings News of 21/08/1868

The newly-erected pub The Wellington, in Wellington Road, Tivoli [now Duke Road, Silverhill], was up for sale. The district was increasing.

Archery Off Target From the Hastings News of 21/08/1868

St Leonards Archers held their 35th annual meeting in the Archery Grounds in Archery Road. Support for the grounds, which opened in 1833, was now falling, with fewer members, and the grounds leased to florists. Societies elsewhere were flourishing.

New St Pauls Church 27/08/1868

The new St Pauls Church on the corner of Church Road and Ellenslea Road opened. It cost over £20,000 and the spire for the tower still had to come. William Gilliat Esq of East Hoathly and Warrior Square was the ... (more...)

Tourist Invasion 06/09/1868

A railway excursion organised by the National Sunday League brought four trains, with 80 carriages and nearly 3,000 people to Hastings. For central and eastern parts of town it was like a holiday.

Planning Meeting From the Hastings News of 11/09/1868

A Council meeting gave planning permission for a new Post Office, Excise Office and Tax Office; plus stables and a coach house in Dorset Place for Wastel Brisco; and six houses with shops in Tower Road.

Brewery Burnt Down From the Hastings News of 18/09/1868

The Eagle Brewery in Courthouse Street, owned by Mills and Sons, was burned down on 15 September. It was next to Burfields Phoenix Brewery. Three engines of the Voluntary Fire Brigade were helped by fishermen and Coastguards.

St Leonards Turnpike From the Hastings News of 02/10/1868

There was a new turnpike gate at St Leonards Green; the one at North Gate had given up and moved. A drive through Hollington Park was now subject to toll. Gates only continued from year to year until up to ... (more...)

Martello Demolition From the Hastings News of 09/10/1868

The dismantling of a Martello Tower at Bulverhythe began on 7 October.

Silverhill Development From the Hastings News of 09/10/1868

The sale would take place soon of building land at Silverhill, including a pottery with kiln and six small cottages.

Odd Strawberries From the Hastings News of 16/10/1868

Ripe strawberries from gardens on the old Priory Farm were available, out of season.

Prince of Prussia From the Hastings News of 23/10/1868

HRH the Crown Prince of Prussia and family were at the Royal Victoria Hotel.

Castle Hotel for Sale From the Hastings News of 30/10/1868

For sale was the Castle Hotel in Wellington Square and adjoining premises to Meadow Road [Queens Road], with 31 bedrooms etc, being the estate of the late Thomas Farncomb. But at the auction it did not meet its reserve of ... (more...)

Labourers’ Dwellings 06/11/1868

A Council meeting gave permission for a block of labourers dwellings, in one building, to accommodate 24 men.

Herring Success 11/11/1868

The annual herring voyage had been successful, with 40 tons despatched by rail today alone.

Highway Robber From the Hastings News of 13/11/1868

A report in the Daily Telegraph said that former Hastings surgeon's assistant Horace Wright, aka John Williams, aka Captain Jinks, was under arrest at Henley-on-Thames for highway robbery. His mare was stolen from Mr Williard of the Swan Stables in ... (more...)

Beach Cottages Fire 19/11/1868

No7 Beach Cottages was destroyed by a fire started at night by a paraffin lamp. No 6 was badly damaged.

Hastings Votes Liberal From the Hastings News of 20/11/1868

The first general election had been held under the new Reform Act. Nomination day was November 16, at the hustings on the Central Cricket Ground. The Liberals were on the south side, Conservatives on the north. There was a show ... (more...)

New Schools 23/11/1868

The St Leonards British Schools opened.

Election Challenged From the Hastings News of 11/12/1868

The Conservatives petitioned against the result of the general election, alleging bribery. But their case was later found to be unprovable.

Osbourne House Sold From the Hastings News of 18/12/1868

Osbourne House was sold at Castle auction rooms for £2,050.

All Saints Church Restoration From the Hastings News of 25/12/1868

The All Saints Church restoration fund opened. It aimed to replace box pews with open pewing, uncover the roof timbers, insert heat, take down both galleries and open up the western arch. The Countess of Waldegrave and the rector GA ... (more...)