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Credits: Photographs, research and writing by Alan Griffiths |
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Hastings East Sussex, England
Introduction to Hastings Hastings has its part in British history due to the aspirations of Duke William of Normandy for the throne of England back in 1066. If you want to know more about that you should consult the history books.
Just two points about that turning point in our history, the battle didn't take place in Hastings. It took place six miles inland in the place that is now called Battle. Descriptive of what went on there nearly 1000 years ago, but not very imaginative. The second point is that Duke William was not French. He was a Norman, descended from the Norsemen who settled that part of France and so was in some way a Viking. Poor old Harold was fighting them on two fronts in the end and came up with a 1-1 draw. He still lost when he got that arrow in his eye (allegedly), but that's all in the past, on to today. Hastings has been a popular seaside destination for Londoners for many years. Just 80 miles south of the capital it's always been within easy reach for the day-trippers. It's local industry was once based around its fishing fleet, which like many other British based fleets has seen a sad decline, although the town still boasts the largest beach launched fishing fleet in Europe. With the decline of the fish and the increase of tourism the town changed. The Old town, the oldest part, was built between the East and West hills and much survives intact to the present time. In the late fifties the A259 was driven through the centre of the Old Town and divided the community. There is still debate over whether it was necessary but the road is there and the old buildings gone forever, you can find out more on this aspect of the Old Town in the Old Town Museum in the High Street, next door to the Jenny Lind pub. The eastern side of the Old Town, All Saints Street and Tackleway, is mainly residential and was once the fishermen's village and by al accounts a bit of a slum. Nearly falling victim to the same developers who bulldozed through the main road it was fortunately saved for posterity by incommers to the town who bought up the cottages and turned them back into decent houses again. Today this side of the town boasts some of the most expensive, desirable and quaintly attractive properties in the town. Very few fishermen and their families live there now. The High Street side of the Old Town was
the business district and although all the banks have been moved to the
new town the High Street is still a busy working community with a good
proportion of the shop owners still living above or close to their businesses.
It was once the main road in and out of the town and there was two-way
traffic and trams all along. Today it is one way only and relatively quiet.
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