The Francis Frith Collection.
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Hailsham

Hailsham photos (42 available)

Old photo of Hailsham

Hailsham maps (2 available)

Old map of Hailsham

Hailsham books (20 available)

Hailsham memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in East Sussex below.

East Sussex memories

When My Children Were Young.

We lived in Eastbourne at this time and would always come out to Pevensey Bay on summer days and spend time on the beach. It was so peacefull and there was very little traffic. There were many privately owned small shops and Pevensey Bay had a wonderfull village atmoshere. There was the Butchers shop, Greengrocers,Hairdressers,Do-It Yourself shop, who also sold wood e.t.c
Coast Road was rarely used by traffic, except to go to Normans Bay. The children used to love calling in to the Pet shop, who stocked Chinchilla, Rabbits, birds and other animals. We now live in the Bay and after all these years still loveit, although it has sadly changed,--- like most lovely ...read more here
A memory of Pevensey Bay contributed by Vera Otto

Our first home together.

Eastbourne, All Souls Church 1890

In September 2007 my partner Alan and I moved into a first floor flat on Tideswell Road directly opposite the church. The fact that the lounge windows overlook the church was the clincher for me when I was viewing the flat for rental. I love the fact that we are not overlooked by other properties which is very unusual for a town centre property. The church itself is a very attractive building and a great piece of architecture. The gardens are smart and well maintained, although small boys sometimes get told off for playing football on the grass. There are now some trees on the pavement around the church which were really pretty when we moved in, dark green and covered ...read more here
A memory of Eastbourne contributed by angela green

Proposal

Eastbourne, from the Wish Tower 1901

This is where Alan asked me to marry him on a beautiful moonlit evening in January. The weather was mild and the moonlight was shining on the sea making it all silvery. There weren't many people around, just the odd jogger and dog walker as it was a Monday night.

I guessed what was happening as he was so nervous, but due to some advice from my friend Simone I kept quiet for once. He took my hands in his and gave a lovely speech about the year we have  spent together and then got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.. and of course I said yes. The mischievous side of me was dying ...read more here
A memory of Eastbourne contributed by angela green

Eastbourne flower gardens

My Grandad was foreman of the Carpet Gardens on Eastbourne seafront. He took over from his elder brother who had taken over from their father. They had, as a family, looked after the Carpet Gardens for over a century.

The family name was Cottington. Grampy always told us that when digging over the flower beds they uncovered Roman mosaics. As a tribute to them they copied the design in the flowers.

Just a simple family memory from long ago.
A memory of Eastbourne contributed by yana askaroff

Extracts From Hailsham & East Sussex books

Hailsham, High Street 1900

Hailsham, an old market town, lies about seven miles north of Eastbourne. For about 200 years its main industry was rope making, which was started by Thomas Burfield; his shop was in the High Street. In the late 19th century over a hundred people were working in the industry, and a central warehouse was also located in the High Street.
An extract from from"Sussex Revisited Photographic Memories".

Hailsham, High Street 1900

Now past the North Street junction, Frith’s photographer is looking north past the covered wagon with its load of barrels and sacks towards the pedimented gable of the 1868 Wesleyan church on the right; the police station and court house of 1861 are beyond. All the buildings in this view survive, although the shop fronts have been renewed, while the building on the left is boarded up and looking sorry for itself (January 2004).
An extract from from"Hailsham Photographic Memories".

Hailsham, Market Square looking into George Street 1899

Looking along George Street from Market Square, the timber-framed building and Ellis’s were replaced in 1910 in Jacobean style by Market Chambers and a bank. This view captures the flavour of old Hailsham, nicknamed The String Town for its Victorian industries of sack, rope and twine manufacture.
An extract from from"Eastbourne Photographic Memories".

Hailsham, Western Road 1900

The railway originally ended at Terminus Place (which is hardly surprising), and housing was laid out along the old lane onto the common: this became Western Road, with Summer Heath Road a turning off in the distance of this view. All the houses on the right, apart from the one in the middle distance with two hipped- roofed bay windows, have since been demolished. The 1960s library, together with modern housing estates, have replaced them. The survivor is now a Citizens Advice Bureau and a working men’s club. The recreation ground is on the left.
An extract from from"Hailsham Photographic Memories".

Hailsham, the Church 1900

One of the earliest references to the church in Hailsham is in 1229, some thirty years before Henry II granted the already existing town a market charter. However, the town was served originally by a chapel-of-ease from Hellingly parish, which may explain why Hailsham’s church is built behind the High Street rather than within it. This view, from the south east near Vicarage Road, shows a heavily Victorianised medieval church; it further suffered in 1943 when a bomb blast destroyed all its stained glass.
An extract from from"Hailsham Photographic Memories".