Hastings Forum

Sparked by a recent thread (excuse the pun), I have briefly looked into the history of the fire stations that were in Hastings & St Leonards area. If anyone knows of any more, or can add dates or info then please do.

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Old Town Hall Museum, High Street, Hastings, East Sussex
In service 1861-1891
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Middle Street, Hastings, East Sussex
In service ??? (now demolished)
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Bourne Street (now The Bourne), Hastings, East Sussex
In service ??? (now demolished)
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Mount Road/Grove Road, Clive Vale, Hastings, East Sussex
In service ??? (now demolished)
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Salisbury Road, Bohemia, Hastings, East Sussex
In service ???
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Baptist Chapel, Wellington Square, Hastings, East Sussex
In service ???
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T Breed's yard, High Street, Hastings, East Sussex
In service 1892-1899
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Ellis Bros Yard, Battle Road, St Leonards, East Sussex
In service ??? (now demolished)
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Undercliff, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
In service ????
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17 Mercatoria, St Leonards, East Sussex
In service ??? (now demolished) (moved to Shepherd Street)
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3 Shepherd Street, St Leonards, East Sussex
In service ??? (moved from Mercatoria)
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Bexhill Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
In service ??-1905
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Seaside Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
In service 1905-?? (demolished 1972)
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38 Kings Road, St Leonards-On-Sea, East Sussex
In service ??-1908
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Priory Road, Halton, Hastings, East Sussex
In service ??-1977 (now demolished)
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The Ridge, Hastings, East Sussex
In service 1977 to present day

Reference - mainly Hastings Chronicle:

1861 July 3 - The Hastings Fire Brigade was set up following a public meeting in the town hall, because of criticism of the Council’s semi-voluntary service. It is believed to have been the first volunteer brigade in the country.
The brigade had three sections, of 13 men each. It was founded by William Glenister, who was the captain until 1889.
It also boasted a surgeon and 3 lieutenants, with a staff of 70 men, divided into nine sections, the principal station being in Middle street. There are six 'manuals', one 'steamer' and five 'escapes', one in the High street, one at the Central cricket ground, Queen’s road, one at Undercliff, St. Leonards, one in Mount road, Clive vale, and one in Corporation yard, West Marina; nine hose reels and six fire pumps, and one 'escape and reel' combined; the residences of the firemen being connected by telephone and electric bells with the principal station, they can all, in case of fire, be summoned immediately.

Hopefully this establishes some of the earliest dates for sites in Geoff's list.

Fantastic info, thanks Richard