Do you remember when?

A look back through the archives of the Bexhill Observer

1908

ONE of the most interesting features that will mark the celebration of the municipal New Year could be that of the foundation stone-laying of the Town Hall Extension. It is expected that this ceremony will take place in the first week of February and the foundation stone will be laid by the little Lord Buckhurst, heir to the De La Warr Estate, and grandson of our esteemed Mayor, Lord Brassey. The occasion should be a memorable one, and no doubt will form an unique function.

IT was an exceedingly jolly time that members of the Bexhill Working Men's Club spent on Monday evening, at their headquarters, 76 Station Road, when a Christmas entertainment was given. The club rooms were prettily decorated with ferns and flowers, lent by Mr. Bance, of Amherst Road, holly and other greens, and presented a most attractive appearance. About 8 o'clock, fifty men sat down to a substantial meat tea.

1958

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A JOYFUL musical prelude to Christmas was provided by Bexhill Choral Society when they presented their annual concert of carols for choir and audience at the De La Warr Pavilion on Sunday afternoon. More than 700 attended and were voluble in their appreciation.

SEVERAL instances of people posting mail without the full address have been reported by the Assistant Postmaster (Mr. A. Skinner). Some items received for delivery gave a name and just a flat number in roads where there are several blocks of flats! All were correctly delivered.

1968

"1967 was a year few of us will wish to remember. Nor will many of us look at 1968 with confidence and enthusiasm. At the most difficult time since I have had the privilege of representing the Rye Division, my wife and I appreciate this opportunity once again to send our good wishes to all who live in it." New Year message from Tory MP Bryant Godman Irvine.

AUDIENCES have been delighted this week with the Penguin Players' grand comedy pantomime, 'Mother Goose,' the final performances of which are staged today at the De La Warr Pavilion. The lead role is put across cheerily and cheekily by Oliver Fisher, making a resounding comeback after an illness which kept him off the stage for a long period.

1978

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BEXHILL milkmen are fed up playing God because they cannot get enough bread to meet all their customers' orders. The onus has been on the roundsmen to decide who gets a loaf during the shortage caused by the bakers' overtime ban. On Tuesday the men from Unigate's Terminus Road depot held a union meeting and decided to impose a ban on bread deliveries.

BEXHILL will have to wait at least three months for the new Sackville Road railway bridge. Although the bridge is completed, British Rail will not be able to move it into position before April 28. Work on completion has been delayed by an industrial dispute at British Oxygen, leading to a shortage of cutting equipment gases.

1988

THE New Year may bring changes to ensure there is never a repetition of the strange affair of the sale of Bexhill Down. County representative Cllr Ivor Brampton asked the District Audit Service to investigate the purchase by East Sussex County Council of 13 acres of the Down, owned by Earl De La Warr and vested by the 1895 Act of Parliament in the control of Rother Council.

THERE was little festive cheer at Barby Keel's animal sanctuary this year. A stray ferret slaughtered 18 chickens and one duck at the Freezeland Lane sanctuary on Christmas Eve. The ferret climbed into the chicken house through a hole in the roof.

1998

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HUNDREDS of insulin-dependent diabetics in the town risk breaking the law because of a little-publicised driving licence change. New restrictions on the type of vehicle they are allowed to drive came into force on New Year's Day. But to many they come as a shock.

BEXHILL has suffered one of its largest invasions by illegally -camped "travellers" for several months. The first caravans began arriving at Beeching Road lorry park on Saturday afternoon. For Sussex Police, Sergeant Bob Carron said after a site visit on Monday morning: "There must be between 25 and 30 caravans in there."

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