Topographical Prints at Hastings History House
VERA BELL
This unique exhibition is accompanied by a beautifully produced catalogue/booklet, designed by Annie Lawson, in which this picture caught my eye. Pelham Arcade was built between 1823 and 1825 by Joseph Kay, at 1–12 Pelham Crescent. It is believed to be one of the UK’s oldest shopping arcades, and was intended to mimic the style of Burlington Arcade in London, in particular, with the use of arches between shops. The Arcade and the Crescent are named after Thomas Pelham, 2nd Earl of Chichester, who built terraced houses in the area in the early 19th century, and also owned Hastings Castle.
At that time, the arcade contained around 30 shops, including coffee shops, cigar shops, a library, French china shops, jewellery shops and shops selling foreign wines. The arcade also contained assembly rooms, and had evening performances for one shilling.
A fantasy, perhaps, but I like to think of Hastings and St Leonards as they were then – elegant and sedate small seaside towns with fishing and markets. There’s a lovely tinted engraving of Hastings Castle as well, and views of a serene Wellington Square, and Marine Parade from across the water. There’s Hollington church, standing alone in a little glade, and Old London Road with a view of All Saints’ Church where people are actually walking down the middle of the street, arm-in-arm, to enter Hastings. And depicting the sea, an engraving of a dramatic Turner painting of a shipwreck just off a cliff that has probably since eroded into the sea.
Well worth checking out.
Exhibition runs at Hastings History House, 21 Courthouse Street TN34 3AU, 10-19 April. Opening hours 11am to 4pm, Thursday to Saturday.
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“…Old London Road with a view of All Saints’ Church where people are actually walking down the middle of the street, arm-in-arm, to enter Hastings.”
Before cars took over.