Likes and dislikes about Hastings

[Richard]

I like the amazing variety of places and experiences, some of the buskers and the laid back easy non-judgmental attitude of most of the locals and of course the sea and country views.
Being in a time-warp with Victorian features on buildings and the vintage vehicle and bike gatherings.
Fireworks, Pirates and the renovation of the Pier and general regeneration.

I dislike the areas that should be improved but continue to look an eyesore, example, the scruffy street-front of many shops below Pelham Crescent (which is a really stunning facade) and the ugly bins and bunker above.
Some of the (younger) women who are very vocal and incredibly assertive.
Lack of meaningful employment.

[Gerry Glyde]

On my rare visits, I like a long walk along the prom and perhaps up the East and West Hill. The East Hill was the games ground for Priory Rd school a more exposed place to torture boys in winter I can not think. So I did cross country running instead to get some wind protection through the glens.

I like having Huss (rock salmon) and chips. It is not served up here so that is a treat.
I partly agree that good quality employment is a problem and has been for many years. The London overspill programme brought some manufacturers that provided jobs for skilled and unskilled people. Central government relocation brought draughtsmen, IT and many admin jobs. Most are now long gone.
On the plus side the education sector brings new jobs.
The town has plus and minus factors but always good for a visit

[tcheerfool]

Talking about Pelham Crescent, what is the building with columns at the front and is it possible to get inside?

[Gerry Glyde]

The building is the former St Mary in the Castle Church. I understand that it is open for events from time to time.
Built around 1825. The first minister was Rev Wm Wallinger after whom the short alley by Castledown Ave, Wallinger's Walk. was named. At the top of the Walk on the right was Rev Wallinger's mansion. It had fallen into disrepair by the 1950s if not earlier.

[tcheerfool]

The building is the former St Mary in the Castle Church. I understand that it is open for events from time to time.
Built around 1825. The first minister was Rev Wm Wallinger after whom the short alley by Castledown Ave, Wallinger's Walk. was named. At the top of the Walk on the right was Rev Wallinger's mansion. It had fallen into disrepair by the 1950s if not earlier.

Thank you for the explanation

[Richard]

So if that was the remains of the old cemetry belonging to St. Mary's (in the Castle) along the 'Walk', now a garden area.
Then that makes sense to have been called a 'Walk' as it would have been contunually used by the Reverend to administer services down at the Church and subsequent burials at the upper cemetry.

Anyone know the route thay would have taken from Church to graveyard?

[Gerry Glyde]

Maybe they were hoisted up the secret caves at the back of the church to pop out some where on the hill and castle!

More likely along Breeds Place and up Castle Hill Road and to the main gate that was at the foot of the graveyard.

As an aside, I remember up until the early 1960s that houses in the street would have their curtains closed as a mark of respect when it was known that a hearse would pass down the road on the way to Emmanuel Church and or the cemetery.

A "Walk" is another name for an alley or twitten. I expect that it was given the name well after Revd Wallinger left his living.

[Gerry Glyde]

The gravestone inscriptions of St Mary I C including those at Wallinger's Walk have been transcribed at the 1066 site below

http://www.rootschat.com/history/hastin ... iew/51/28/

[Richard]

thanks Gerry,

I'm sure there would have been a short-cut for the Reverend.
I hadn't realised there was an underground cemetry in the 'Castle' Church itself.
Perhaps it was only for 'special' people and the upper cemetry was for 'lesser' folk or just as an overspill when it got too crowded in the Crypt.
Not sure how healthy it was to have bodies entombed below the main Church but it seems to have happened a lot elsewhere, (possibly not in Hastings) especially in Roman Catholic Churches.

[Gerry Glyde]

Hi Richard
'twas a little bit of 'humour' on my part to suggest raising bodies up a cave shute. Church naves are common places for bodies to be buried, as with our 'betters' the royals, general and others.

I have just found while idling my time away that Revd Wallinger was buried along with various of his family in the Walk graveyard site. Him in 1880 at the grand age of 85, having then been a prebendary of Chichester Cathedral. It seems likely that the walk may have been named after him then.

Anyone with time to look on maps post 1850' to try and pin it down to a date?

In the wilds of Holy Island Lindisfarne, in around 690 St Cuthbert was buried. Later when the Vikings were on a rape and pillaging the monks dug up poor Cuthbert and carted him (I expect it was a cart!) all the way to Chester Le Street about 70 miles and put him back in the earth, only to dig him up again a few years later and cart him to Durham where he was then said to rest, except that his relics were not all present some years later.