in Days Gone By with John Dowling

1910

AN important and decisive step was taken at a special meeting of the Town Council held last evening with regard to the town acquiring the East Parade, motor track, gardens and beach. There was a large attendance of members, over whom the Mayor (Alderman J.A. Paton, J.P.), presided. The Mayor introduced the report of the Council in Committee of the 18th November on the deputation of Council appointed to meet representatives of the De La Warr Estate with respect to the proposed acquisition of East Parade.

A SPEED limit of ten miles an hour is in force for Barnhorn-lane as far west as the borough boundary, and application has now been made by the East Sussex County Council for a speed limit to be fixed for other parts of the lane extending from the Bexhill boundary to the Lamb Inn, Sewers Bridge. This road is quite as narrow as Barnhorn-lane, although in parts it is more open. An inquiry was held at the Lamb Inn on behalf of the Local Government Board, when evidence was given for and against the proposed speed limit.

1960

NEXT week the entire contents of the Sackville Hotel will be sold by public auction, without reserve, on the premises, and during the six-day sale 3,294 lots will be offered. Yesterday was the first of the viewing days, and from the time the doors opened there was a constant stream of people through the 150-befdroomed hotel.

A YEAR of satisfactory progress in which much had been accomplished was reported by the Headmaster (Mr. F.C. Smith) at St. Richard’s Roman Catholic Secondary School Prizegiving on Wednesday. The school will complete its second year of foundation in January. Then there were 190 pupils; now there are 285. A small pioneer fifth year form will form the first candidates for G.C.E. in July 1961.

1970

IN a move to ensure that Bexhill’s shopping centre is not left at a disadvantage, the Chamber of Commerce has written to the Town Council asking for the repeal of a 20 year-old bye-law limiting trade to five and a half days a week. The letter comes as a result of a questionnaire circulated among the chamber’s members and which indicated considerable support for six-day trading.

A £290,000 housing scheme for 1971-1972 will be put before the Town Council for approval on December 14. The scheme includes 79 old people’s flats and 163 three-bedroomed council houses, the estimated expenditure during the coming financial year being part of a programme which will have cost £893,000 by completion.

1980

“BOTTLE banks” at the De La Warr Pavilion car park and at Pebsham civic amenity tip become operative on December 1. They will play their part in a countrywide project which it is hoped will salvage 60 million bottles and jars a year. The county council had for some time considered the possibility of a bottle bank scheme, but close examination had showed that it could not be economically viable.

1990

HE came. He saw. He admired. But he made no promises other than to pass on the word to others. Arts Council chairman Peter Palumbo flew in by helicopter for last Friday’s fact-finding visit to the De La Warr Pavilion. He did so as the luncheon guest of the De La Warr Pavilion Trust, established to see the Grade One Listed building restored to its Thirties glory.

2000

COUNCILLORS are backing the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Event – but they are concerned about its organisation. The chamber is seeking £2,500 from Rother towards the Saturday, December 9 event. Members of the regeneration and tourism committee on Monday evening were worried that at such a late stage the chamber submission detailing its plans was qualified so often by the term “hopefully.”

DEMORALISED teachers and the public criticism of the profession have resulted in the current crisis in attracting and keeping good teachers, a Bexhill principal has said. The teaching profession was blamed for the shortcomings of the education system and even society itself. Speaking at the annual prize evening at St Richard’s Catholic College, Tony Campbell said perceptions raised by Chris Woodhead, the chief schools inspector who has just resigned, “knocked a profession for falling standards, failing schools and the moral decline of young men and women.”