in Days Gone By with John Dowling

(in Days Gone By 01/07/11)

1911

BEXHILL was not disappointed in looking for something of special interest in the Coronation Honours. The conferment of an earldom on the Borough’s most distinguished ex-Mayor, Lord Brassey, has given the greatest satisfaction and pleasure to the residents of this town, who entertain the deepest respect and affection for his lordship, and admire the splendid services which he has rendered for so many years to his country.

THE centre attraction for musical Bexhill this week has been Herr Keller’s Hungarian Band at the Kursaal. Two performances have been given daily, and, on Sunday evening last, Mr. Albert Crouch, baritone, appeared as the vocalist with much success. The band consists of six instrumentalists, conducted by Herr Keller in person, and the popular programmes submitted have met with universal praise.

1961

OFFICIAL concern has been expressed this week at the heavy increase in water consumption in the borough due to the use of hosepipes for garden watering. The normal daily consumption is some one and a half million gallons, but last weekend there was a record two million gallons.

A FIREMAN’S life in hot weather is no sinecure, and this week Bexhill Fire Brigade have attended no fewer than 14 outbreaks, many being grass fires.

1971

BEXHILL is to lose its postal independence as part of a nationwide concentration of services which, it is hoped, will lead to “economy and increased efficiency while maintaining services to the public.’ Although the post of Head Postmaster of Bexhill will be abolished, a Postmaster will be appointed to take charge of the services locally and to deal with any enquiries from the public.

PROFESSIONAL commitments prevented Cyril Fletcher attending All Saints’ Church Fete at Sidley last Saturday, but his wife, under her stage name of Betty Astell, deputised and brought with her a chic glamour which would have been lacking in the presence of a mere male.

1981

IF your Sunday afternoon nap is disrupted by cops chasing a robber through town tomorrow, don’t panic. It’s all a put-up job. Bexhill police are staging a training operation and the “robber” is a plain-clothes police officer.

AN exploding boiler tore down tons of brickwork, a chimney and part of the roof at Earl’s Bakery, Turkey Road on Sunday. The blast happened just before the bakery’s night shift were due to come on duty.

...just another Mom?: Lord De La Warr

In fourth grade I can remember going to the auditorium to watch a movie. This movie was about Jamestown and the settling of the East Coast colonies. As I sat and watched (as much as any fourth grader paid attention) I saw this man. This name is Thomas West. As soon as I saw him, I knew that we were related. I don't know if it was inspiration or childish vanity. I just knew that his last name was the same as my mother's maiden name and I felt like we were related. I went home that day and told my mother about it. This man's formal name was Lord De La Warr. I remember my mother calling and talking to my Grandma West, although it could have had nothing to do with this movie or ancestor, but I imagined that she was calling to let Grandma West know that I had learned something for her about family history. The humorous thing about this particular time in my life was when we were living in Wilmington, Delaware. The roots of education are bitter, the fruits are sweet. - Aristotle What America needs is Spiritual renewal and reconciliation -- first, man with God, and then man with man." - Ronald Regan 1976 To be able to fill leisure (time) intelligently is the last product of civilization, and at present very few people have reached this level.

Thomas West, Lord de La Warr

The Magazine of American history with notes and queries

A biographical peerage of the empire of Great Britain, in which are memoirs and characters of the most celebrated persons of each family--

Virginia, 1492-1892, a brief review of the discovery of the continent of North America, with a history of the executives of the colony and of the commonwealth of Virginia ...

The history of the Church of England in the colonies and foreign dependencies of the British Empire