Century-old horseracing history surprise for builder

Peter Linskey, 58, of Bridge Road, was mid-way through rennovating a flat in Magdalene Road when he found the two programmes beside a cigarette card and a torn hunt card. "They were just lying there all dusty beneath some pipes," he said.

"I wonder whether someone used to collect them and dropped them by mistake. They must have fallen between the floorboards. "They've been there more than a hundred years."

The two programmes are the official cards for the point-to-point steeplechase racing that used to take place in Cooden. They date from 1906 and 1907.

As well as the starter, judge, and clerk of the course, they list among the stewards the Rt Hon Earl De La Warr. Both events featured the Bexhill Harriers, with the East Sussex Foxhounds turning up for 1907.

And it's not the first item of interest Peter has found. Working on a property in St Leonards, he unearthed a bundle of well-kept old newspapers and maps.

"They dated from 18-something, all written in beautiful italic script," he said. "They went to a museum I think in the end."

Peter has donated the items to Julian Porter, curator of Bexhill Museum, who said the Bexhill Harriers were a well-known team in their day. "Before the large resort went in, the Harriers were the only reason people of quality came to the area.

"Princess Victoria hunted here with them in her early days. It's very generous of Peter to donate his finds. This is how we have acquired the backbone of our collection over the years."

The Bexhill Harriers and the Cooden racetrack and kennels were run by Squire Arthur Brook, a key figure in local horseracing and foxhunting history.

Squire Brook's hunting horn, presented to him by Queen Victoria, can be seen in Bexhill Museum, on Egerton Road. Contact 01424 787950 for opening times.