Nostalgic memories of Hastings's local history

Share your own memories of Hastings 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 25 in total

I was born and grew up in 10 North Street and I remember this as the dairy at the end of the street.It was owned and run by a lovely old spinster and her deaf brother. My Mum and Nan were friends with her ( I can't remember her name ),and I have fond memories of her giving me a bottle of orange juice often when I was playing out.
Are you sure that's right? I lived in St Leonards (next door to Hastings) for several years, from about 1945 to 1955 and the front was always called the Promenade. But perhaps it was different back in 1925?? We lived in Blomfield Road, with a public garden opposite that was a wonderful place for us kids. When I went back down Memory Lane in the early 2000s I was sad to discover the park had been replaced by housing. Thank you for the information - now corrected. Ed
My father, Albert Victor Catt, known as Vic, worked for Mr Gower for many years either side of WW2. My father had a curvature of the spine which prevented him for joining the forces so he was employed to produce food during the war years. For a short period during the war he was employed to repair houses damaged by bombing in the Romney Marsh area. Otherwise he worked on the field at St ...see more
I lived in Hastings from birth until the mid fifties. Each year there was a carnival week and one memorable year my music teacher was to conduct the Chippenham Police Choir in Alexandra Park. He and the choir would be on one side of a large pond and the audience on the other. My music teacher from the Grammar School, Mr Batts, with baton akimbo, turned his back on the audience to face the choir for ...see more
In the 1940s and 1950s as a young lad and then teenager, I used to spend my summer holidays with my grand parents who lived at 171 St. Helens Road Hastings. I have very fond memories of Hastings in general and in particular of Alexander Park. I used to love the firework display staged around the boating lake and walking the whole length of the park from my grand parents' home to the Queens Road end. I also ...see more
Does anyone remember Gower's the florist 148 Queens rd I lived there from 1946 to 1954 it was a family business my father carried on from his parents. My best friend was Patsy Woodcock. Does anyone remember. Norma Gower Mechaly
I was a boarder at Sandrock Hall Convent, on the Ridge in Hastings and later when I had my own children I moved back there from London so that they could enjoy the seaside life while they were young. My son and daughter used to pack themselves a picnic and go off for the day to Alexander Park and spend the whole day out there. In fact it was the very first place I ever saw a black swan. Now I live in Australia and of course we only have black swans... no white ones at all.
I used to spend my summer holidays at my grandmother's house in Middle Street and remember spending many hours in the Olympia amusement arcade at the top of the road that led into the old town. There was a juke box which played he latest Elvis, Everley Brothers and Connie Francis records. There were dodgem cars and slot machines and even a "What the Butler Saw" machine. Next to the Olympia were stairs ...see more
I remember staying with my gran, late 50's to mid 60's. She lived on Bohemia Road,106 I think the number was, sadly its no longer there. It was knocked down in the 70's. During the summer holidays I spent many a happy time there. On fine days I would climb out of a window & sit on the toilet roof with an old army telescope that came off an old ww2 anti-aircraft gun sight, and watch ...see more
My father decided that living near London was unsafe in 1940 so I was evacuated to my aunt in Hastings. I remember the trip well, the train stopped en-route as the trains coming from the coast were full of soldiers being evacuated from Dunkirk. On arrival in Hastings I was to live in Elphinstone Avenue. My only firm memory there was being machine gunned by an ME 109 on my way to school. This happened quite often I ...see more