Among the singers on that occasion were the brothers Richardson, who at that period were vocalists of considerable celebrity in the counties of Kent and Sussex. The weekly meetings of this Society continued until April 26th, when they closed for the summer months, to be re-opened on the 15th of November. They were always numerously attended, and in those days,when amusements were not as plentiful as blackberries, they afforded to the tradesmen and others of both towns an opportunity for social enjoyment.
I need hardly remind my readers that separated from the Swan by Swan lane is St. Clement's Church; and perhaps I have as little need to trouble them with the assurance that my reminiscences of that ancient edifice and some of its surroundings are somewhat copious. This would arise from my having spent a considerable portion of my boyhood within twenty years of its walls, and at a period when "Parson Whistler" was the rector, "Crier Cox" was the clerk, and "Old Tom Collins" was the sexton; when also, long ere the later grand improvements and restorations had been made, the graveyards were choked up to the ears, and it was almost impossible to walk through them in consequence of the rank weeds and nettles which rose above the tops of the walls and in some parts hid from view the tablet-memorials of the dead. To enter into these reminiscences would, however, take me back from the chronological course which I am endeavouring to follow, and I shall, therefore, confine myself to one or two occurrences of the year which is at present engaging my attention. At that period it was in contemplation to call upon the inhabitants generally, and the parishioners especially, to light the church with gas, but subscriptions for that purpose were objected to on the ground that the Rev. J. G. Foyster - who, as rector, held the united benefices of St. Clement's and All Saints - should first arrange for two Sunday services at both churches, instead of only one, as had theretofore been the custom. At the first blush, one seems hardly to realise the fact that when one came to man's estate there were only two Sunday services in the old part of the old town, three in the newer part, and two in the still newer district of St. Leonards; and that at the present time whilst one is still in full possession of his working powers, there are something like sixty or seventy Sunday services in the churches of the two towns, exclusive of those at the many Dissenters' places of worship. It is thus satisfactory to know that we have made great strides in the facilities for religious exercises as well as in other matters
But as concerns the gas in St. Clement's church, the arrangements were not completed for its introduction until about two years after the subject was first agitated, the church having been in the mean time renovated and supplied with a new gallery. It was then that the application of a new light was credited with having thrown a light upon a transaction which many persons regarded as being morally unworthy of all who were concerned in it. The said transaction resulted in altercations and recriminations at one of the vestry meetings; and although a report of the proceedings might be amusing to my readers, they must be content with learning the mere facts, and by the shortest and simplest method. Let me say, then, that the modern means of illumination having superseded the light of other days, it was decided that there was no longer a necessity for the elaborate chandeliers to remain suspended from the roof of the church, and so an offer was accepted from Mr. Penfold to purchase them as old brass at 6d. per lb. It came out, however, that Mr. Joseph Brown had previously bargained for them at a penny a pound less price; and the result was that Penfold deemed it prudent to relinquish his purchase in favour of his rival. But the sale of the church furniture was held to be strictly illegal by those who professed to know the law as applying to ecclesiastical property.
During the first week of September an Admiralty survey of the Priory ground was made, and an idea was generally entertained that a Bill for a harbour and pier would be introduced in the following session. It might be that the hope was the more strongly indulged in in consequence of the previous rejection of a petition of the inhabitants to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests to grant the ground for public gardens. The reasons set forth in the petition were given in the following works:-
It having been formerly derelict and unenclosed, and served as a place for Hastings people to play at cricket and other games, and served for fishermen drying nets; that a public fair was held there from time immemorial; that no owner having asserted or maintained any claim to the land. Some part, in course of time, was taken possession of by ship-carpenters, for laying timber on the building vessels; other parts for rope-walks and lime-burning; and eventually, and particularly during the last 20 years, other arts were enclosed by individuals, who built dwelling-houses and warehouses to a considerable extent. That the Crown having since, by inquisition, at Battle, in 1827, and by subsequent proceedings obtained possession of the land, the whole of the buildings and erections thereon have been removed, and the land is now again unoccupied and waste. That the land in question was surveyed in 1806 by the late Sir John Rennie, for the purpose of reporting on the practicability of a harbour, and who was of opinion that it formed an eligible site for such purpose. That the neighbourhood of Hastings has lately very much increased in buildings which have been greatly injurious to those who have speculated therein. That whilst from the depreciation in the value of property and the badness of the late seasons, yet from its situation between the two towns of Hastings and St. Leonards it presents an excellent spot for recreation and amusement of those towns, and would, if properly enclosed and laid out as public gardens, greatly contribute to the advantage of residents and visitors. That there is no place for amusement or exercise in the open air requiring space in Hastings, or within a considerable distance of both towns; nor is there any level ground accessible for such purpose except that at the Priory. Your petitioners knowing the anxiety of the Legislature to produce such places, and feeling assured that the Crown would not willingly encourage fresh building speculations in this neighbourhood to the ultimate ruin of those engaging in them, to the serious injury of the present owners of houses and property for the sake of a remuneration which to the Crown must be of very small consideration, have ventured to propose to your Honourable Board to enclose and lay out the ground for the public purpose herein described until it may be required for a harbour or some national object, when possession may be retaken. Your petitioners therefore, most humbly pray, &c.
This petition was ordered to be adopted under the seal of the Corporation, and to be signed by the Mayor, R. M. Wilmott, Esq., M.D. The reply was to the effect that there was no Act of Parliament which gave them power to grant the land for the purpose required, but that when the land had been laid out as intended a communication would be made to Messrs. North and Elphinstone.
After that reply, Mr. Rock requested the Council to memorialize the Woods and Forests Commissioners respecting the bad state of the road leading through the Priory ground, which he had beached, and had placed a lamp to prevent accidents at his own expense, which had cost him over £15. This memorial was also forwarded, but with what result I never learnt.
