Do you remember when?

1908

THE proposal to establish a Labour Yard for the unemployed in Bexhill has at last become an accomplished fact. The instigators, the Rev. E. Mortlock (Vicar of St. Barnabas') and the Rector (Canon T.T. Churton), are receiving every assistance from their brother clergymen, and on Monday morning the Labour Yard at Mr. W.H. Sanders' premises was opened.

THERE are treats and other gatherings for the young folks which are looked upon as being common to everyday life, but entertainments for the aged prove the exception to the rule, and "when found," in the words of Captain Cuttle, of Charles Dickens fame, they "should be made note on." The scene on Wednesday at the Artillery Drill Hall, Bexhill, was enough to make the heart of the biggest hypochondriac glad, for one could see nothing but the smiling faces of Bexhill's old folks.

1958

ANYONE with sufficient money, a fast enough car and no nerves can enter for an ordinary motor race. But some are strictly for the experts and entry is by invitation from the sponsors only - and those invitations are not given lightly. Three years ago Frank Nichols, proprietor of the Elva Engineering Company, in London-road, started making high-performance sports-racing cars. Now, after only two full seasons, racing invitations have been received for the 12-hour Grand Prix of Endurance at the Sebring circuit, Florida, and the 14-hours Le Mans in France.

1968

HUNDREDS of Sidley residents were still wondering this week why they were told to turn off their gas supplies at the mains for much of Saturday afternoon and evening. Police and South East Gas Board officials toured the streets for about a mile radius issuing a warning after flames leapt a foot high out of domestic appliances in the area. The emergency was preceded by a fire which left the Ninfield Road fish and chip shop smoke-blackened.

ON Monday the Town Council will be asked to approve in principle the idea of a town forum at which members of the public could submit questions to council members and chief officers.

1978

AN Englishman's home is his castle - and Rother council is lowering the drawbridge to admit more families to that privileged position. Over 3,000 of its sitting tenants are being offered the opportunity to buy their council houses.

BITTER arguments about Bexhill's parish status has ended in the town Charter Trustees climbing down over their power struggle on Wednesday night. The trustees, all members of Rother council, had been after the power enjoyed by their country colleagues, and at the very least, a legal right to be consulted on planning affairs.

1988

THE first Bexhill holiday guide for 20 years has just been published - in time for the 1988 summer season. The brochure is published by Bexhill Tourism Association as its first major project since it was formed in June last year.

NEWSPAPER boys and girls in the Pebsham area have been issued with emergency whistles following a series of attacks there.

1998

A LIST of five alleged Bexhill drugs pushers has been handed to the Observer. It follows last week's expose of the local drugs scene. One shock report revealed the extent of the drugs menace and how young children were acting as runners for their parents. The list of shame names men living in the Sidley and Pebsham areas and in some cases gives their full addresses.