Ian Gosling
21.12.2006

When I was a child my maternal grandparents lived in Hollington and we would visit every summer from Somerset. Hastings always seemed like a very magical place to me. I can still remember getting a glimpse of the sea from the window of the number eleven trolley heading down London Road towards Warrior Square Station in the early 1950's. I remember bottle alley, the pier, White Rock Pavilion, the "sky scraper", the windmill at Silverhill, the East Hill, the fish market and Beachy Head off in the distance. It all ended in 1957, when I was eight years old, as my Dad decided he wanted to move to Canada. By 1969 my grandparents were both gone. My memories of this wonderful place are still very much alive. One day if I ever have more money I would love to return. Until then, I'll be there often but in spirit only.

Ian Gosling from near Toronto, Canada

Mohamed Alarfy
11.12.2006

I am currently atending HND course in hasting collage  and I really love hasting too much and the sea front aswell
also life under water is really very fantastic

Mohamed Alarfy from Benghazi, Libya

Gill Johnstone
10.12.2006

At this time of year, Hastings is in the forefront of my  thoughts. My Aunts had a B&B at  18 Cambridge Gdns. (1950 till - not sure of dates, but I think they left around 1960) Christmases in Hastings were wonderful! George Street was my favourite-any one remember the dolls hospital? the shop is still there & the original "nurse" but her wand was'nt moving the last time I saw her! What about the White Rock(is the model village still there?),Bottle Alley & Alexandra Park. At present we are living in a very beautiful area in Turkey, the weather at the moment is wonderful - but believe it or not, I'd love to walk alond the prom., listen to the waves & to hear the wretched Sea Gulls! Seasons Greetings as a child in the 50's I used to lay in bed on Christmas Eve. & as I dropped off I listened to the clock in the centre of town chiming & anticipated Santa's arrival. I LOVE HASTINGS

Gill Johnstone from Turkey

Linda Louise Haines
08.12.2006

Never been to UK, but much of my Quaker family is from Northamptonshire area, some 20 generations ago.  A friend will be visiting his hometown, Hastings soon, and he referred me to your webpage.  I loved it, especially the focus on the history, since I am reminded I have "1066" history in your area as well.  Congratulations on honoring your history.  Looks like a truly beatiful area.  Bravo for keeping it so special!

Linda Louise Haines from Northern California, USA

Peta Stevens
20.11.2006

I lived in Hastings for a few years, i now live in Aberdeen and miss Hastings alot, Hastings will always be classed as home. i'll be back some day though x

Peta Stevens from Aberdeen, Scotland

Elizabeth McNally
04.11.2006

Fantastic site - we are delighted to be living here - and it's great to be able to access so much information. The site is as friendly as the people - both at the Council and in shops and out walking

Elizabeth McNally from St Leonards, UK

Balázs
31.10.2006

I spent a marvellous 3 weeks in this enchanting smart town in this summer! I had fortunate in having a really good family in the St. Helens Road to whom I am sending my regards! ( perhaps they read it..) Our school "Shane Global" was worth the money, and I think that I succeeded in improving my English knowlidge...The point is I had the opportunity to made friends from around the world and get a little acquainted myself with the British culture..Apart from some inconvenciences this language travel to Hastings was at my profit and I hope I will have the opportunity to return back in the future!

P.S. When do the authorities reopen again the pier?It is said to be one of the sight of the promenade, but it is neglected..

Best Wishes,
Balazs

Balázs from Zenta (Senta), Serbia

Beverly Howard
20.10.2006

Wonderful web site - so good to read about 'home' all those years ago !  The roads around where we lived - seem to be short distances now (going back to 1950's)

Still trying to find out what happened to Gensing Gardens/near Anglesea Terrace St Leonards

Beverly Howard from South Australia

Colin Surman
19.10.2006

My grandparents owned a guest house in the 40s/50s/60s It was called York House and was located at 1, Royal Terrace, Warrior Square, St Leonards.  I would spend my holidays there as a child.  I lived with my grandparents there from Jan - July 1965 ( I was 11 ) and went to Christ Church Junior & Infant  School in London Road.  The Headmaster was a Mr Eric Apps. My grandparents sold up and we moved back to Birmingham that summer.  I revisited last in 1994 and was saddened to see how run down the area had become.  I had such happy memories and they were all shattered by what I saw.  Still, time marches on doesn't it?  I'm glad to see that there are plans afoot to regenerate the area

I haven't visited.

Colin Surman from Birmingham, UK

David Buelow
17.10.2006

I will be comming to visit in January, I have a friend that lives in Hasting's, I look foward to visiting.

David Buelow from New Berlin, Wisconsin, United States of America

Patrick Benjamin
13.10.2006

I consider Hastings & St. Leonards to be my second home. I shall be visiting early next year. If it is possible could you say hello to my Niece Rebecca who co-owns the Appollo Travel sited at 377 London Road. Wish her well I will se her soon.

This site keeps me in contact with people I have come to know and, do I say it, miss.

Thanks for everything!

Patrick Benjamin from Georgetown, Ascension Island

Trine Kanstad
11.10.2006

Hello!

I was in Hastings in summmer 98.. I will never forget it, and have alot of great memories.. Visited this page to look at pictures and see if the town have changed alot through the years.. I will return some day!
Have a nice day!

Trine Kanstad from Tromsoe, Norway

Ivan Darch
02.10.2006

A great site with lots of nice people answering questions for residents and non-residents alike.

Keep up the good work!

Ivan Darch from St Leonards, UK

Ted Watson
09.09.2006

It was good to see the pictures and read the storys ...
I lived in tin town.. fellows rd. and clement hill rd.
came to oz in 1972...only been back once..and sorry to say hastings looked so dirty...or maybe i just remember a far better place....so many storys one could tell about growing up in hastings....good times thay were,,i was about 22 when i came to oz...and hastings is home....but oz is a great place to be.....
see you all..bye

Ted Watson from Melbourne, Australia

Danny
07.09.2006

Hello everyone
I love Hastings and i'd like to come back one day.

Thanks for everything.

Danny from Los Roques, Venezuela

Nuria
25.08.2006

I was in Hastings six weeks, and i had a great time. I met a lot of friend people and I improve my level of english. Is a lovely city and the people is very friendly. I'd like to return soon.

Silvia Serventi from Madrid, España

David Saunby
23.08.2006

I returned to St.Leonards and Hastings last week for a day to have a look at the place where i spent a year of my childhood in 1957, living at my grandmothers house at 16, Warrior Gardens, St.leonards, with my mother.

I retraced my steps which i remembered as a child, leaving my car at Bexhill and catching the train to Warrior Square St.Leonards,and then walking around the corner to look at the house where i lived. It is a pity that no-one from the 50s and 60s still live in the road, who may remember my Gran.

From there we walked down through the gardens, across the road, and on the underpass along side the beach towards the pier. It is a shame that the pier is closed and i hope that money is found to repair this piece of Hastings history. From there we walked to The Stade passing the remains of the swimming baths and rode on the miniture railway, which i remember riding on as a child, passing the boating lake which used to have motor boats, and getting off by the wooden net driers. We looked around The Stade including the lifeboat station, we were fortunate to see a fishing boat being launched, but i think they should clean up the area where the fishing boats are kept on the beach, its like a scrap yard.

We then went up West Cliff on the lift and visited the castle, where i have never been before and found it very interesting. From there we went to the White Rock Gardens where in the 1950s a Guiness Clock stood, which facinated me as a child.

Before returning to the station i once again took a look at the house where i lived.

I was glad i returned,to retrace my childhood memories, but may never return again. I have taken lots of pictures to keep, when my memories will surely fade as i get older.

David Saunby from Falmouth, Cornwall, UK

Silvia Serventi
24.07.2006

I been in Hastings in the 1994 abd I lived there for 2 years, moved in London and lived for 10 years. Now i'm back in Italy but I have very nice memories from whene I was there... beautifull pictures... beautifull places

Silvia Serventi from Bircherasio, Torino, Italy

Martina
13.07.2006

Thank you for your web site, it gaves me a lot of important information that I will need next week, because I am going to go to Hastings for my holiday.

Martina from Czech Republic

Elke Aschentrupp
22.06.2006

Alle Brav angucken. Be nice to your English teacher. Gogogo Hastings forever!!!!!

Elke Aschentrupp from Schweri, Germany

Anna
17.06.2006

I went to st vincents open air  school in st.leonards in 1962 and have very fond memories of st leonards and hastings. We used to go for walks to 'church in the woods' and bluebell wood your photo gallery brings back fond memories.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the school, it was up the hill from railway station in st leonards. 

I also remember seeing a copy of the bayeaux tapestry in hastings in 1966. We used the open air pool in st leonards as well. 

Lovely memories

Anna from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK