Nostalgic memories of Eastbourne's local history

Share your own memories of Eastbourne and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 16 in total

My grandmother appears as a cooks assistant at a school at Fairlea Meads ,Chesterfield Road in Eastbourne. Sadly I cannot find any photos of the building.Any help would be greatly appreciated.
In 1977 we bought our first house in Hampden Park. I was working as a nurse at Eastbourne DGH in Kings Drive. I remember walking through the park at the start and end of my shifts. In the spring the park was carpeted with crocus's which was the most beautiful site. I hope they are still there today.
We stayed in a Guest House in Bourne Street. Mr and Mrs Collignon ran it. Full board. She was an ex nurse and taught me how to make beds. Little did she know I would be a nurse. They were very friendly. Thought it was quite posh to have sinks in our rooms, but then had to share a bathroom. It was the time of the Pirate Radios.
During the years 1960 to 1967, aged 4 thru 11, this was my playground, as well as the Devonshire Park behind to the left. My parents ran the Devonshire Park Hotel during this time in Compton Street, an old Victorian Hotel full of character and style, but has since been knocked down and rebuilt, the old beautiful entrance staircase and enclosed entrance has disappeared and is now just a frontage ...see more
This is the road from Meads to the town centre. I grew up in Meads and so it is no exaggeration to say I have been down here a thousand times over the years. It looks remarkably similar today. The flint wall on the left is still there. There are less trees on the right, and there are certainly no trees across the junction to Blackwater Road as there are in this shot (look on the right, it is not that clear).
This park is about half a mile from where I grew up, my mum brought me here many times. I was four when this photo was taken, so I would have been here regularly around this time. When I started school my mum would bring me here after school to burn off any excess energy, before taking me home.
Born Southfields Nursing Home 12/01/47. Gladys May Haines (maternal grandmother) who owned The Queensborough Hotel on the sea front before the war. Parents, Madge Haines married Andrew Aitken, a survivor from the sinking of aircraft carrier - HMS Courageous - in Sept. 1939, 3 weeks into WWII. Paternal grandparents, Andrew and Mildred Aitken lived in a house in Arundel Road, now, I believe, a ...see more
We had many a happy holiday in Eastbourne, staying at Glyndley Manor, an old Elizabethan Manor house, between the years of 1961 and 1970.  It had a mounting block in front of the entrance that me and my three sisters used to love climbing on.  In the hallway there was a lovely old cabinet with mother-of-pearl inlay.  We used to love playing in the grounds.  The gong used to be banged when it was time for ...see more
I remember Bon Dolphis, it was a rather posh place that as children we used to dream of going through the door and sampling the lovely cakes and at Easter they had giant Easter eggs bigger than us.
Late 1940s vague recollection. Does the name Bon Dolphi ring a bell with anyone out there, as possibly a tea/cake shop, possibly down on sea-front ? I believe it was in Eastbourne but I was only a nipper at the time so could easily be mistaken.