In Days Gone By with John Dowling

COMPARATIVELY few people saw the fleet of Continental aeroplanes fly over Bexhill on Monday morning. Those who are in the habit of rising early and those who left their beds before the accustomed hour in anticipation of seeing some of the competitors in the great aerial race were rewarded with the thrilling and wonderful spectacle of seven aeroplanes in full flight passing rapidly over the town, some a few hundred feet overhead, heralding their approach with the whirr of propeller and buzz of engine, while other, passing at a higher altitude, could be seen but not heard.

BEXHILL experiences many invasions in the course of a year, but it is seldom indeed that so much pleasure is crowded into an afternoon’s trip as was enjoyed by some 50 inmates of the Battle Workhouse on Monday. The delight of these veterans, many of whom have left the allotted three score years and ten far behind, was many times expressed during their flying visit.

1961

THE Town Council sub-committee appointed to investigate possible economies at the De La Warr Pavilion following the £20,000 entertainments and lettings deficit in the last financial year have already made several recommendations which will come before the Council for confirmation on July 26.

UNDER the initiative of the Chamber of Commerce, a great effort is being made to field the strongest possible team this winter to compete in Southern Television’s ‘Beat Your Neighbour’ quiz.

1971

IT is understood that the permission for housing development, given this week, on the perimeter of the course could enable Highwoods Golf Club to reach the £60,000 it needs to buy the course from Redlands Brick Co., owners of the land, which expires in 1977.

THE suggestion by the Association of Municipal Corporations that public houses should be allowed to stay open from 9.a.m. until 2a.m. the following morning has been greeted with unanimous opposition by local licensees.

1981

COODEN Convalescent Home faces the threat of the bulldozer. Rother council has received two planning applications for the site, put forward by estate agents Staines and Company on behalf of a mystery company. It is understood South East Thames Regional Health Authority has submitted planning applications to test the value of the site.

IN a flurry of Shakespearian quotations, a mid-summer’s dream became reality for Bexhill Amateur Theatrical Society – a home of its own at last. Out of adversity has come triumph for the BATS. When the lease ran out on its old basement room and a new headquarters could not be found the outlook seemed black.

1991

ROTHER tax payers might have to foot the bill after an £850,000 council investment was frozen among the massive amount of cash in the controversial Bank of Credit and Commerce International collapse. About 30 local authorities are believed to have cash frozen in investments with the international bank.

BEXHILL-based South East Thames Regional Health Authority says it has “scored a major success” in reducing its waiting lists. By targeting money to specialties in districts with particular problems, it has reduced by almost two thirds the numbers of patients waiting for more than two years for treatment in those specialties.

2001

THE threat of renewed drainage work hangs over Bexhill Down. Southern Water confirmed that engineers are currently at the preliminary stages of planning flood defence measures which could lead to the town’s much-loved and much-needed open space and sports area being dug up again. The news sent a shock-wave through Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club and Community Association.

BEXHILL councillors on the newly-elected East Sussex County Council have already pressured the highways department to take action over roads and footpaths in the town. They are concerned that many are in sore need of attention and are concerned about the elderly tripping and injuring themselves.