Crowds watch charter re-enactment

One hundred years after the town came of age by gaining its Charter of Incorporation and celebrated the arrival of the document signed by King Edward VII, the scene was recreated.

Months of preparation were repaid by a spectacle which combined a strong element of civic pride, despite the fact Bexhill lost borough status more than 25 years ago.

Some of the atmosphere of the 1902 was conveyed by new Town Mayor Cllr Peter Fairhurst as he addressed Saturday's crowd.

"The Charter of Incorporation was delivered to the Town Hall where a huge crowd was assembled. There was great excitement and civic pride among the crowd, who listened intently as the charter was read out by the Acting Town Clerk."

"The Charter was collected from London by Mr Gaby, solicitor to the Incorporation Committee and others, and brought to Bexhill by train. The party was met at the newly-built Central Station by Provisional Mayor, Earl De La Warr."

Saturday's re-enactment began with a drive to the station where duty station manager Simon Allan duly handed over a replica Charter.

Members of Bexhill Amateur Theatrical Society and Rother Theatre Company joined Charter Trustees and others in authentic Edwardian costume.

"We earnestly hope some of the sense of optimism and civic pride that characterised the events of 1902 can be recaptured now, 100 years later," he added.