First: brilliant site. Many thanks

Second, in the Oral History section, you have my near-neighbour, the venerable Vic Chalcraft talking about his dad drinking in Bohemia’s North Star. In fact it was his grandfather (Vic’s dad, didn’t drink alcohol, apparently).

Anyway, Vic, who doesn’t have the interwebby, was told about your replaying of his
recollections in a phone-call from a relative… in Canada!!

I have some concern about the refurbishment of the Havelock in Robertson St. Are the Victorian tiles being protected ? David’s book says they are Royal Doulton ? Are the council aware of this ?

Hi I am looking for some old pictures of the Fountain Pub in St Leonards for a 65th birthday present.My friend’s parents ran the pub and I would love to find some old pictures of it from the 60s if possible.Does anyone have any ideas where I could start ?

Hi David
I purchased your book a couple of years ago from a muched visited tea shop / BB in Hastings. I have visited Hastings on so many occasions and still do. To the point of seriously looking to relocate to the area. My Great, Great, Great Great Grand parents where William and Sarah Nabbs. I have been researching my family history over the years and still get very excited when I come acrossed anything Nabbs related. Finding this website and even a piture of The Pilot has made my weekend. Thank you for the time and effort in researching all the information. I would be very interest in purhasing any photos you may have.

Does anyone have any information about what’s planned for this pub? I notice the missing letters have been replaced, the “For Sale” sign’s gone and the shuttering has been removed. There was also a light on in there a few days ago, but it hasn’t (as yet) reopened. Hopefully it won’t become yet another trendy “Non Pub,” fast food joint, fish and chip shop or an overpriced block of flats.

After the War,when I was about 2 years old, my Family moved into premises above the family business, Rix Jewelers, in Albert road where we lived until about 1955 so I knew the pub and cinema well. In later years I used the Pub sometimes and knew the Publicans described in the early 1960s,however, I can remember the Pub being open at a much later date, the late 1960s. I left the UK and moved to Australia in 1969. I returned for a visit in 1975 but can’t remember if it was closed then.

The old Clifton Tavern, Stainsby Street on the north side of Warrior Square station now closed is to have a plaque commemorating the pub erected on it’s front wall.

It closed 1991-2 but a photo taken since then on the Southwater Community website shows the name ‘Clifton’ and ‘Free House’ painted on the front. It was formerly tied to Watneys/Pheonix so it was definately not a ‘Free House’. Did someone paint this sign with the intention of reopening the pub ?? Anyone have any answers ??

Denny Gower was landlord of the Warriors Gate, St Leonards from 1977-1980. He was also one of the best darts players in the town, if not the best and led the Warriors Gate team during those years. He also captained the Nags Head team I believe, before this ??

Anyone know of his whereabouts today or have information of the leagues, matches and players from those times ??
One picture of him is in the Licensees Register with Welsh international Leighton Rees in 1976. The picture below was submitted by Patrick Chaplin (see links) and is of Denny as runner up in the Marlborough championships in 1979. So thanks Patrick.

There must be hundreds of locals who played with him or watched him play in the 1970s-80s. Comments welcome.

Steppin’ Out at the Cutter in 1977.

The interest in ‘Stallion’ suggests that ‘Pub Rock’ is the missing section from this website ?
An excellent source of information can be found in the weekly column in the Hastings Observer by Stephen Turner published through the 1970s. His column was called ‘Group Scene’ where he wrote about the towns groups and gigs.

An example: In July 1977 he wrote about ‘Old Towns mini rock circuit’ based on the Cutter and several other pubs. “ The vanguard of Old Town Rock” he said was a new group called ‘Steppin Out’ with singer Tich Turner.

A who’s who of local rock at the time. Any memories anyone ??

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