In Days Gone By with John Dowling

THE Bexhill Engineers introduced a novelty into the annual prize distribution, held at the York Hall on Tuesday evening. This was in the nature of a lantern “lecture” illustrating camp conditions at Chattenden, near Strood, in Kent, where they undertook their fortnight’s training early in August. Every phase of life was represented, the camera even invading the “bathroom,” and a number of well-known Bexhill “terriers” were seen enjoying their tub.

ARRANGEMENTS for the making of the new road to Sidley have proceeded so far that plans and estimates are now prepared and an application to the Local Government Board for the purchase of the land is to be made forthwith. – Report on the planning of London Road.

1961

NOWHERE did an hour and three-quarters on Sunday slip by faster than in the Main Hall of the De La Warr Pavilion. The reason was the well-balanced and thoroughly enjoyable programme of carols presented by the Choral Society. The programme, the society’s eighth, was Christmas Carols for Choir and Orchestra.

1971

ANY Bexhillians returning to the town after a few years’ absence could be forgiven for not recognising the scene – so drastically has the area of the London Road – Belle Hill (now King Offa Way) junction altered since the closure of the West Station railway line. Away went the line, the familiar Down Arch, the embankment and the goods yard. In their place is a new vista of wide open spaces, now being created by council employees.

IT now looks certain that the Bexhill Indoor Bowls Association will get the financial aid they need to go ahead with the long-awaited improvement to the Egerton Park Pavilion. The Town Council agreed on Monday to back the scheme, which needs a £2,500 grant and a loan of £12,500 in their capital expenditure programme for 1972-1973.

1981

CARS laden with steaming roast turkey and Christmas pudding, the Meals on Wheels bandwagon took to the road. Three times every week the Women’s Voluntary Service’s wheels are set in motion, but Monday was a special occasion. Packed into whatever little space was left in the cars were brightly-wrapped Christmas presents, and the meals came with the compliments of the WRVS – the usual charge of 55p being waived.

1991