Hastings & St. Leonards Society’s one-year long project to research the history and heritage of the West Hill area of Hastings is coming to an end, and a 72-page illustrated booklet is about to be published. A limited number of copies of the booklet will be available free of charge to the Society’s members and the community. To reserve a copy, e-mail hstlsoc@gmail.com and a pick-up point will be advised.
The project has also included the production of an exhibition on the history of the West Hill area, recording of oral history, and a community festival which took place over the weekend of 20–22 September last year. Hastings & St. Leonards Society received a grant of £8,500 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the entire project. The Society has been very pleased with the interest shown by the community, with several persons coming forward to make contributions and assist with the research. The exhibition will be displayed again during this year’s Heritage open Days in September, and is also available on loan to suitable venues for other dates by applying to the above e-mail address.
At the end of the project, an archive of the research work will be donated to Hastings Public Library. We will continue to do oral history recordings. Home visits can be arranged for this. Anyone willing to make a recording of reminiscences can arrange this by e-mail.
