Eastbourne Memories - online book

Of The Victorian Period 1845 To 1901
And Some Other Things Of Interest, Divers.
By George F Chambers F.R.A.S.
Published By V. T. Sumfield Station Street Eastbourne. Circa 1910



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I have often been urged to write a book such as the present, but it was the following editorial paragraph in the East-Bourne Chronicle of December 4, 1909, which "fixed up" the idea:- " As it never rains but it pours, the further letters of local Reininicsences published to-day, come almost as a matter of course. And a contribution in this connection from Mr. Chambers posseses naturally a special interest, for probably nobody has a greater fund of material to draw upon than that gentleman, who for a lengthy period has been closely identified with the public and social life of East-Bourne. We hope Mr. Chambers may find time to " materialise " the hint included in his letter, and record his recollections in a manner and on a scale to cover practically his life-long acquaintance with the town. Such a recital, produced from Mr. Chambers' inexhaustible resources and rendered in the readable style of which he is peculiarly capable, would be of more than passing interest, and be welcomed by a great many of the inhabitants." I have nothing to say in self-defence if I should be accused of presumption or vanity, and I will content myself by stating that I have endeavoured to avoid as far as possible mentioning anything which has already been treated of either in my well-known Hand-Book for East-Bourne, or in Mr. R. J. Graham's East-Bourne Recollections, published in 1888, or in Mr. J. C. Wright's By-gone East-Bourne, published in 1902.

In order to use the same page numbers in the book for the text I have had to move all the full page illustrations to the begining of the book.

Eastbourne Memories - Contents index
Deduct 100 from the page numbers given below to get the original book page numbers.
Frontispiece
Title Page
Dedication
Preface
Preface
Preface
Contents
Contents
Contents
Contents
Contents
List of illustrations
List of illustrations
Errata
The Author 1848 & 1855
TEA-HOUSE AT OLD RATTON
Rev. ALEXANDER BRODIE, D.D
Mills in the Mill-field,
THE "LAMB INN" AND THE CORNER SHOP
C D. GILBERT
THE 7th DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE
THE "TAPESTRY'' OR "KING'S BEDROOM" AT "COMPTON PLACE
Mr. AND LADY FANNY HOWARD
HOBBY BANK," MEADS ; AND ST. JOHNS CHURCH
MEADS AS IT WAS, FROM THE DOWNS
A TEAM OF OXEN PLOUGHING
THE "CHARLES" AT BEACHY HEAD
THE "SQUIRREL INN, GROVE ROAD
THE GROVE
DILAPIDATED HOUSE IN SOUTH STREET.
THE WISH TOWER, 1840
A HIGH TIDE AT "SPLASH POINT
THE "FIELD HOUSE" AND MARINE PARADE
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, EAST-BOURNE
GARDEN PARTY AT COMPTON PLACE, 1883
PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES, 1883
TOWER No. 71
OF THE 1st SUSSEX ENGINEER VOLUNTEERS
WRECK OF THE "NYMPHA AMERICANA
THE CONSERVATIVE "CABINET" IN THE EAST-BOURNE
EAST BOURNE PUBLIC MEN
SCREEN PLANNED AND EXECUTED BY G F. CHAMBERS
EAST-BOURNE BRANCH RAILWAY
MISS BRACEBRIDGE FISHING
INTERIOR OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY
REV. H R WHELPTON
FOUNDATION STONE OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH
FOUNDATION STONE OF ALL SOULS' CHURCH
EAST-BOURNE SCHOOLS EXTENSION BAZAAR
SCHOOLS EXTENSION BAZAAR, THIRD DAY
EASTBOURNE LOCAL BOARD
EASTBOURNE CORPORATION
FOUNDATION STONE OF THE TOWN HALL
OPENING OF THE MAIN SEWER OUTFALL
PRESENTATION OF THE MACE TO THE MAYOR
LANGNEY FORT, WRECKED BY THE SEA
Eastbourne Geology
EASTBOURNE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
HOLKER HALL,
DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE
BALLOON ASCENT
BEACHY HEAD
BEACHY HEAD
YACHT "CYGNET" AFLOAT
THE MILL-FIELD, LOOKINGS.
EMPRESS OF RUSSIA
INTRODUCTORY. The Author's origin and antiquity.—How to spell East-Bourne the wrong way.—William the Conqueror cited.—Ancestors.—The South Gloucester Militia in 1806 - 0101
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Old East-Bourne and Meads. Willingdon.—A tragic Picnic.— Ratton.—Entertainments there.—Mr. W. B. Thomas.—The Thomas Family.—Great Snow-storm.—A prehistoric Battle. —Skeletons.—The Cemetery.—The Gore.—Motcombe Pond.—Old Postal arrangements.—The old and the new Vicarages.—Compton Place Road.—The Gilbert Family.—Major Willard.—Compton Place.—Lady Fanny Howard.—Mr. R. B. Stone.—Meads.—Mr. Caldecott.—Holywell.—Two Picnics there.—The Countess De Noailles.—Lady Howard De Walden.—Tragedies at Beachy Head. —The Lamb Inn.—East-Bourne Fair.—Water Lane - 0105
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Central East-Bourne. Grove Road.— Bourne Stream.—Sir J. Leach.—Lord Thurlow.—Stocks Bank.—Town Hall.—The Squirrel.—Rose Cottage.—Elm Cottage.— Major Wilf ord.—Wesleyan Chapel.—Literary Institution.—New Inn. —South Street.— Performing Fleas.—The Brother Blacksmiths.— A Dilapidated House.— Larkfield House.—Mr. Rawdon.—The Terrace.—Old Residents.—Old Footpaths. —Prentice Street.—East-Bourne College.—The Wish.—Devonshire Park.— Cliff Cottage.—Proposed town of " Burlington. "—The first Earl of Burlington.— The Susans Farm.—The Graham Family.—Terminus Road.—Thomas Morris, cricketer.—Oak Cottage and Charles II.— - 0127
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The Sea Houses. Marine Parade.—Round House.—Field House.—Houses built during the Crimean War.—Gowland's Library.—Its antiquity and early tenants.—Captain L. K. Willard.—The Albion Hotel before it became an hotel.—The Earl of Ashbumham.—Anecdotes of.—Sea Beach House.—The Yacht Cygnet.—Abolished Coastguard Station.—War Department property.—The two Miss Gordons.—The Great Redoubt.—Royal Parade Sea Wall.—Grievances of the Fishermen.— Proposed Harbour.—Martello Towers.—Collier Ships - 0142
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Children of George III.—Foreign Princes and Princesses.—Visits by the Duke of Cambridge.—Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse.—Grand Duke and Duchess of Baden.—Princess Christian and the " Alice Hospital".—Opening of the Hospital by the Prince and Princess of Wales.—Street Decorations.— Tea Party at Compton Place.—Satirical publications respecting the visit.—Visit of the Marchioness of Lome.—Suppressed anecdote.—Visit of the Duchess of Albany.—Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales.—Distinguished Russian, Chinese, and French Visitors, and others.—Astronomical, Political, and Ecclesiastical Visitors, with notes and anecdotes as to some of them - 0152
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The Author's interest in military matters.—Anecdote of the first Duke of Cambridge.—Troops quartered at East-Bourne during the Crimean War.— Sussex Artillery Militia.—Norfolk Artillery Militia.—The De La Warr Family. —The Volunteer Movement.—The East-Bourne Rifles.—The Sussex Artillery Volunteers.—The Sussex Engineer Volunteers.—Visits of the second Duke of Cambridge for Artillery Experiments.—Anthony's Hill.—Lord Wolseley.— "Old Boney."—Shipwreck in 1849.—Loss of the Dalhousie in 1853.—Wreck of the Oannet in 1882.—Naval Reviews at Portsmouth - 0169
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Literary Institution.—Coal and Clothing Society.—Blanket Loan Society. —Coal Company.—Church Institute.—Mutual Improvement Society.—A celebrated Shakespeare Reading.—Charity Organisation Society.—East-Bourne Choral Society.—Purcell Glee Society.—Devonshire Club.—"House of Commons." —Its Sessional Dinners.—Reflections on its usefulness.—Regrtts at its discontinuance - 0186
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Police arrangements in 1851.—Names of the Magistrates.—Major N. Willard.—Mr. E. J. Graham.—Magistrates' Clerks.—Where Sittings were held.—The status of a Mayor.—The first Borough Bench.—Anecdote of a Golf Player.—High Constables and Parish Constables.—Modern Police.—Local Law suits.— Celebrated Crimes.—Crime rare in East-Bourne.—Local Medical Men-—Formerly few in number, with little to do.—Now numerous, but still with no. much to do.—Dr. D. J. Hall.—Mr. E. Colgate.—Dr. G. A. Jeffery. - 0202
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Local Newspapers.—Old East-Boume Guides.—Local Authors.—E M. Caldecott.—W. Brodie.—Lady Catherine Long.—Distinguished Visitors.— Astronomical Observatories.—Natural History Society.—Prominent members of the Society.—Loan Exhibitions.—Old Maps of the Parish.—Professor Huxley.—The Herschel Family.—J. H. Mortimer.—Arts and Industries Society.—Shakespearian and other Eeadings - 0211
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Travelling to East-Bourne in the "Forties."—The last Coach.—Opening of the Bailway to Lewes.—To Hastings.—To East-Bourne and Hailsham.— Eailway Stations.—The Market.—Proposed Eailway from Battle.—Proposed Eailways from London by Lewes and Brighton and their effect on East-Bourne. —New lines in the year 1864.—The " Ouse Valley" Line.—The "Surrey and Sussex" Line.—The " Tunbridge Wells and East-Bourne Line".—Obstruc­tive policy of the Brighton Company.—Mr. J. P. Knight.—The Willingdon Spur Line.—Mr. G. A. Wallis as a Eailway Promoter.—Proposed Line to Birling Gap and Seaford.—Eailway Accidents.—In Clayton Tunnel, 1861.— At Mayfield, 1897.—Through Trains from the North of England.—Bournemouth and Through Trains.—History of their introduction into East-Bourne.—The proposed Tramway to Pevensey.— A Sensational Train. - 0222
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Early Cricket at Easi>Bourne.—Cricket at Brighton.—Cricket at East-Bourne in the "Sixties".—Cricket at Compton Place.—Curious coincidences on a P. and O. Steamer.—Origin of the Devonshire Park.—Stool-Ball.—Point-to-Point Eaces.—Eaces at Beachy Head.—Fox Hounds.—Harriers.—First Eegatta.— Pedestrian Feat.—Golf.—"Spelling-Bees."—"Living Chess."— "Book-Teas." - 0244
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Church.—The Rev. H. B. Ottley's Vicariat.—Proposals for a new Parish Church.—Trinity Church.—Its enlargements.—Bishop S. Wilberforce's visit.— Clirist Church.—Services there for the Military.—Military Funeral.—St. Saviour's Church.—Circumstances which led to its erection.—Controversy afterwards.—Warning aga.nst Organists.—St. John's Church.—Remarkable growth of Meads.—St. Gregory's Chapel.—St. Anne's Church.—All Saints' Church.—Intended to replace an Iron Church.—Heart-burnings and litigation. —-All Souls' Church.—Lady Victoria Wellesley's munificence.—Difficulties owing to the soil.—Patronage.—Experiences of a Patron.—St. Peter's Church.—Replaced a temporary Church. - 0256
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Private Schools in 1851 and earlier.—Smock Frocks.—Mr. J. A. Bown. —Commissariat arrangements.—Private Schools in the new town.— Elementary Schools.—Great efforts made by the Church of England.—Very little done by Dissenters.—Unsuccessful attempts to force on a School Board. —Great Fancy Fair in 1895.—County and Borough Councils as Education Authorities, - 0289
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Sketch of the Local Government arrangements up till 1859.—The first Local Board.—The great epidemic of 1863.— First system of main drainage —Incorporation of the town in 1883.—Wanted a Town Hall.—Bickerings over a site.—Author a member of Local Board.— Steps taken to bring about Incorporation.—Proposed inclusion of Willingdon.—Guardians of the Poor.— Lady Guardians.—County Council Elections.—The danger of splitting votes.— Political Dissenters.—End of the Author's Career. - 0297
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The Caldecott Museum causes a Bill to be passed.—Encroachments of the Sea cause a Bill to be passed.— Mr. G. A. Wallis as Mayor.—His desire for more powers causes a Bill to be brought in and passed.—The ups ar.d downs of the said Bill.— The Salvation Army very unpopular.— Parliamentary controversy respecting its misconduct.—Proposed purchase of Water Works—Municipal Trading.—To what extent desirable. - 0306
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TOWN HALLS: PUBLIC PARKS. Encroachments of the Sea on the Sussex Coast.—The Sea-front before any wall was built.—The western extension of the wall.—Mr. James Berry. —Mr. M. Vidler.—High Tides in 1875 and 1877.—The Improvement Bill of the Duke of Devonshire.—Strong public opinion in favour of a Park in the Town.—Final settlement of negociations prolonged through many years.— Hampden Park, good in itself, but far away.—Hospitals - 0312
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Effect of the growth of population on the increase of the number of Voters.—East Sussex Polls from 1832 till 1880.—East-Bourne Division Polls from 1885 to 1910.—Notes on most of the Candidates during that period.— Election meetings in former days. - 0325
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Population statistics.—Guy Fawkes Day.—A Snow hut.—East-Bourne Postal arrangements in 1874.— Season Extension Movement. — The Guardian Newspaper and Mr. Disraeli.—A Sermon on Sheep-stealing.—Convicted of manslaughter for stealing a pair of breeches.—Russian prisoners at Lewes.— Unreformed Corporations—.Bradford or Bedford Well.—Ladies at Public Dinners.—An Old Style dinner.—A Drive in Derbyshire.—A visit to Holker Hall.—East-Bourne Printers.—Fire Engines.—Lord R. Churchill.—The Lanyon Family.— Bread the "Staff of Life," (sometimes.)—Weddings, 1846-1902.— Syllabub Parties.—A Garden Party at Compton Place.—How Fiction may become "History".—Pigs as Engineers.—Banks at East-Bourne.—Sussex Coaches in 1804.—Sea-Bathing.—East-Bourne in 1809.—East-Bourne in 1812.—East-Bourne Bathing in 1819.—A Fancy Dress Ball.—A China (not Chinese Story) —"The Story of a Clock.—Links with the Past.—Sunday League Excursions to East-Bourne.—A Ladies' Committee.—A "Liberal" Dinner at East-Bourne.—The Wreck of the Nympha Americana.—Extracts from old letters of Dr. Brodie.—The penalties attached to Authorship. - 0336
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Personal.— The Times Newspaper.—Changes in English manners and customs.—The "Hunt Sermon."—Mr. Gladstone and newspapers.— Deeds and legal documents.—A dog and cat story.—A Sabbath-breaking dog.—Debating Societies.—Practical v. unpractical Temperance Reform.—English and Welsh.—The Economy of Time.—Tick, Tick, Tick.—A Waterloo Myth.— A Waterloo Fact.—Visits to the Battle-field of Waterloo.—Unfamiliar Women's Christian Names - 0372
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