On Friday 25 May, 32 Society members and guests enjoyed a beautiful sunny visit to old Hastings and to Burton's St Leonards. Volunteers from the Old Hastings Preservation Society took us on a guided tour starting at the early 15th-century All Saints Church with the Doom over the chancel arch, rediscovered in 1870. Members were delighted by the wide variety of beautiful historic buildings on All Saints Street.
We had refreshments at the History House, base of the Preservation Society, and saw their fascinating display, and then went on to visit the new Jerwood Gallery where we had an introductory talk. It was the first visit for many of the group and it was generally agreed that the gallery offers a wonderful exhibition space with views over Old Hastings and the Stade, and has a very interesting art collection.
We had lunch at the Royal Victoria Hotel in Burtons' St Leonards and a talk and tour of the old town conducted by a representative of Burtons' St Leonards Society. It is the first example of a planned Regency seaside town, developed by James Burton in late Georgian times and continued by his son Decimus. Again, it was the first time many of the group had seen this area and we could not have had a better day to appreciate it.
Many thanks to the Old Hastings Preservation Society and to Burtons' St Leonards Society for their warm welcome.
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