In Days Gone By with John Dowling
1912
BEXHILL’S centenarian, its oldest man, its grand old man, Mr. John Rogers, died last Sunday evening. Thus, a link with the George III period, and with the Battle of Waterloo, is broken. While the deceased was a little boy it was the common gossip of the children and the grave fears of the older people that Napoleon intended to land on the shores of England. “Buonaparte is coming” was the haunting cry continually. Mr. Rogers had vivid recollections of the rejoicing after the Battle of Waterloo, when Napoleon’s reputation in the eyes of the world was for ever lowered by the British.
THE appointment of Mr. Amos Winborn as Beach Inspector was approved by the Town Council at the meeting on Monday afternoon. The Pleasure Grounds and General Purposes Committee reported to the Council that the sub-committee appointed to consider the appointment of the Beach Inspector reported that it was not desirable to constitute the Beach Inspector a Special Constable on account of the very limited authority that could be vested in him under the powers authorising the appointment.
1962
DURING the 16 years from 1945 to the end of last year, the Town Council built 742 homes and another 16 were under construction. Private builders erected a further 2,060 homes and had 330 in hand. The number of houses completed by housing associations was four, with none under construction.
WATCH must be kept that Bexhill’s own needs are not still further sacrificed at the ’Lewes altar.’ This was the opinion of the Hotels Association chairman (Mr. E.J. Burman), when he referred to the proposed 11d. county rate increase at the association’s annual dinner and dance at the Granville Hotel.
1972
POWER cuts of three hours will become more likely each day the coal strike continues but as Seeboard attempts to eke out supplies while maintaining a maximum service, cuts will be shared throughout the South East on a rota basis.
THE bandstand in the park is to be demolished. After making a spirited defence of the thatched structure in Town Council on Monday, Cllr Morgan said he was moving no amendment to an Amenities Committee recommendation that the bandstand be removed.
1982
Public pressure has forced Rother Council to abandon the controversial £2m Thrift House purchase plan – first revealed exclusively in the Observer. After an hour-long secret discussion on Monday, members voted by a hair’s breadth – 19 votes to 17 – to reject the proposal.
ANGRY parents, worried swimmers and sympathetic supporters have been rallying to a call by the 18 year-old chairman of the junior section of the Swimming Club. Even before David Pollard’s letter to the Observer, we were being bombarded with phone calls and letters. A similar campaign is being aimed at Rother councillors. The campaigners’ aim? To save Egerton Park swimming pool from the threat of closure.
1992
NORTHEYE jail, due to close in October, may become a detention centre for illegal immigrants. Governor David Godfrey on Wednesday confirmed a report that the men from the ministry had been down to inspect the Category C low security prison for this purpose. But he emphasised: “No decision has yet been taken.”
2002
A “FIGHTBACK” invitation was offered to the community when the town’s police chief met traders at Sidley. The Ninfield Road board room of Tres Bon catering was crammed to the doors when sector commander Inspector Max Mosley accepted Stuart Cowley-Wenham’s offer for him to meet worried residents and fellow traders for a question-and-answer session. The Inspector used the occasion to launch the Sidley initiative he has planned with the Crime and Disorder Partnership.
GLYNE Gap roundabout is to be tidied up before the start of the summer season. A design of rocks, wood and pebbles will represent the cliffs, sea and beach at one of the town’s major gateways. The self-contained design will reduce the amount of maintenance at one of the town’s largest and busiest roundabouts.
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
