In Days Gone By with John Dowling

THE Bexhill Engineers introduced a novelty into the annual prize distribution, held at the York Hall on Tuesday evening. This was in the nature of a lantern “lecture” illustrating camp conditions at Chattenden, near Strood, in Kent, where they undertook their fortnight’s training early in August. Every phase of life was represented, the camera even invading the “bathroom,” and a number of well-known Bexhill “terriers” were seen enjoying their tub.

ARRANGEMENTS for the making of the new road to Sidley have proceeded so far that plans and estimates are now prepared and an application to the Local Government Board for the purchase of the land is to be made forthwith. – Report on the planning of London Road.

1961

NOWHERE did an hour and three-quarters on Sunday slip by faster than in the Main Hall of the De La Warr Pavilion. The reason was the well-balanced and thoroughly enjoyable programme of carols presented by the Choral Society. The programme, the society’s eighth, was Christmas Carols for Choir and Orchestra.

1971

ANY Bexhillians returning to the town after a few years’ absence could be forgiven for not recognising the scene – so drastically has the area of the London Road – Belle Hill (now King Offa Way) junction altered since the closure of the West Station railway line. Away went the line, the familiar Down Arch, the embankment and the goods yard. In their place is a new vista of wide open spaces, now being created by council employees.

IT now looks certain that the Bexhill Indoor Bowls Association will get the financial aid they need to go ahead with the long-awaited improvement to the Egerton Park Pavilion. The Town Council agreed on Monday to back the scheme, which needs a £2,500 grant and a loan of £12,500 in their capital expenditure programme for 1972-1973.

1981

CARS laden with steaming roast turkey and Christmas pudding, the Meals on Wheels bandwagon took to the road. Three times every week the Women’s Voluntary Service’s wheels are set in motion, but Monday was a special occasion. Packed into whatever little space was left in the cars were brightly-wrapped Christmas presents, and the meals came with the compliments of the WRVS – the usual charge of 55p being waived.

1991

THOUSANDS of motorists could start the new year with fines of up to £1,000 – because their car tyres are illegal. A new law comes into force on January 1 making it compulsory for all tyres, including the spare, to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm.

HOUSEHOLDERS will be notified which of the eight bandings their homes fall into for Council Tax purposes as soon as the Valuation Officer’s department supplies the figures. The undertaking was given by Rother council last week as work started on putting a valuation on the homes of Rother’s 85,000 population which is spread over a 200 square mile district.

2001

ROTHER District Council’s cabinet is to recommend next year’s Council Tax rises by almost 27 per cent. Band D households could be paying an extra £21.32 more in 2002/2003 if the scrutiny committees and full council agree the increase in February. This equates to £1.71 a month for Rother’s contribution, which is around 10 per cent of the total charge.

BARGAIN-hunters had an early start to the January sales in Bexhill when several shops slashed prices pre-Christmas. Police warned shoppers and traders to be on the look-out for forged £10 notes after “numerous” reports. Typically, attempts are being made to pass the laser copies in situations where the light is poor.