Pauline Richards… Oh didn’t know he was local
Sandie Carlyon… Pauline, he was. Lovely man . Used to be seen in Battle
Fred Marsh… i think he lived in Peasmarsh. No just read it Ashburnham, sorry
Margaret Trowell… I was working at St Helens hospital when he was admitted. Sad times for the staff and his family. RIP Harry
Teresa Briffitt… Lived in Ashburnham, buried at Penhurst x
Jennifer Oxbury… My mum was working at St Helen’s on nights then
photo © Charlotte Fairlie
Pauline Richards… Remember that so well
Lloyd Johnson… Me too!..the use to have Model Aeroplane kits in the side window in the 50s…I use to get all my modelling items there…KeilKraft, FROG, Veron ,Mercury kits etc…
Jean Wheel… That’s one beautiful shop.
Julie Morris… Miss Biker was my teacher at Elphinstone School. I think she was the owner’s daughter.
Alan Esdaile… Julie, I remember Miss Biker.
Julie Morris… Alan, I remember her being quite strict but fair. Happy memories of that school.
Jane Hartley… Julie, she was, we lost her last year aged 93.
Matt Jones… Was there a Philips electrical shop next door? (cause there was a factory on one of the estates). Or am i merging my memories
Graham Sherrington… yes when George street had some class
Tim Moose Bruce… A victim of the supermarket greed. This company had a maintenance contract with a certain big supermarket chain. They did repairs and maintenance on the checkout conveyers, lighting and other stuff in 4 big stores in Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne. Refrigeration company I worked for at the time did the same stores. Trouble was, the stores tied up both companies to the point where they lost a lot of their other clients. Then the supermarket chain dropped both companies and both went under as a result.
Nigel Ford… They came out to Mother’s twin tub problem in the 60’s. Not sure but may have supplied it new too.
Don Cropper… I worked there from 1962 till 1969 as first an apprentice then a qualified electrician. I then emigrated to South Africa where I still live.
Lloyd Johnson… I remember that side window use to display model aeroplane kits.I bought a lot of my models from Bikers…
Jim Breeds… It’s been in the same family ever since, and is currently Turn The Tide, but they announced last week that they’re going to sell the building.
Gary Benton… My dad also did an electrician apprenticeship there, not sure of the years but before I was born in 61.
photo ©: https://www.jigsawpuzzle.co.uk/gibsons-the-queens-speech-jigsaw-puzzle-40-pieces.p84363.html
A Massive thank you to everyone for their continued support during the year and especially to the people that regularly post and keep the page alive. I’m pleased to say SMART continues to grow but we always need more old photos and cuttings that would be of interest and haven’t been posted before. The SMART meet’s continue to be popular and had our 82nd meet recently. The goal is still to keep it going till 100 meets but still got some way to go. The next coffee meet will be on Friday 30th January 2026. Time to look in that box in the loft, have a look through your photos albums and ask the relatives. One photo, can be so special for many many people. It is a very sad time for many but I hope some of the postings keep the happy memories alive. I wish you all A Very Happy Christmas and A Healthy New Year. Very best. Alan
Cris and Merv Kenard… Thanks Alan for all that you do throughout the year organising the meeting’s and the time you put into the web page. We hope you have a very happy Christmas and New Year. Already looking forward to the next meeting.
Chris Jolly… Merry Christmas Alan!
Karen Sweatman… Merry Christmas Alan and all the best for 2026 x
Elaine Roberts… Happy Xmas Alan – we hope to get along to some Smart meets in the New Year!
Monica Bane… Dear Alan! Love looking at the old Christmas cards! So much in this one! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and aHappy new year! Monica x
Heather Sidery… Love the black & white telly. Looks like Children’s Hour
Alan Esdaile… It’s a wonderful picture Heather. So much to relate to.
Andy Maby… Thank YOU Alan! Best wishes..!
Colin Norton… Merry Christmas Alan! Thanks for all you do!!
Kevin Burchett… Happy crimson Alan have a great one
Graham Sherrington… love it .. it brings tear to my eyes thinking about all those happy years and being in the USA which is just a commercalised hell sterile to say the least no happy Christmas here mates just nothing
Jacquie Hinves… Wishing you a very happy Christmas Alan and to all our wonderful friends at SMART Seventies. All reunited through Alan. Wishing you all a very Blessed Christmas and a very happy New Year. Let’s hope that next year will be better for us all. Xxxx
Wendy Weaver… Happy Christmas Alan xxxx
Pete Prescott… Have a fantastic Christmas Alan and thanks for all you do for us !
Eric Harmer… Well done Alan You are doing a great job to keep all of us together. This town needs you and people like you pal. Happy Christmas my mate.
Janet Brophy… A Happy Christmas Alan, & A Very Happy New Year. With all good wishes
Claire Hamill… Merry Christmas
Andrew Clifton… Lovely photo and Merry Christmas and a happy New year to you. Alan
Pauline Richards… Happy Christmas Alan
Mick O’Dowd… A Happy Christmas to you to Alan. A big thanks to all your organising skills this year that have resulted in a lot of happy people! You’re the leader of the gang yeah and we want to be in your gang ( am I aloud to mention this?). I must add that I want to thank you for all the support you have given me in a difficult year. Without you and Colin I don’t know what would have happened. THANX!
Mike Raxworthy… Second that Eric… merry Christmas Alan…and of course everyone!
Stephen Moran… Wishing you a very Happy Christmas Alan, I look forward to SMART 2026!
Andy Knight… Merry Christmas Alan and thanks for all you do, best wishes for 2026.
Tony Qunta… Merry Christmas Alan!
John Wilde… A regular at Sundays Tamla Motown nights. Unforgettable.
Gerry Fortsch… Good name for a band The Swamp, does anyone know anything about them?
Martin Richter… all your faves
Tony Court-holmes… i remember the sunday nights
Julian Deeprose… Very “Breathers” 🙂
John Wilde… Nice to see this again.
Geoffrey Wilde… Recognise that hand anywhere
Jeanette Wilde… So do I! Sadly the graffiti has gone.
photo with Simon Cole of The Firehills Under 12 ‘B’ team.
Geoff Wolfe… I did work experience at Re-Al back when I was at school. Loved the (very messy) stock room upstairs. All sorts of everything. Was always lead to believe it was Reta and Albert (Re-Al) but that might be a complete myth (I was only 15).
Andy Pope… Still a vivid memory, I had my photo with Kenny. It’s still around somewhere. I remember Simon well
Richard Turner… Friend of my dad’s. Not seen him about for a while
Carol Acott… Was he Wendy Cameron’s brother?
Sandie Carlyon… Carol, yes he was. Knew him well.
all photos © Clive Richardson
Supplied by Clive Richardson
Ernest Ballard… That’s cheap ha ha
Willie Wicking… Was there great gig
Nigel Goodman… Remember going to that gig
Tim Moose Bruce… Saw them on the pier. Support band’s entire set was them covering TV advert songs
Paul Forrest… ICU. Excellent band. Saw them several times in the early 80’s in and around Reading.
Led Eddie… Love me a bit of ICU
Dino Ferari… That’s meeee !!!!
Marc Appleton… I saw them play at Epsom Art College about then.
Cherry Rad… Cool
Pippa Melling… May I share this to Nik Turner’s fan group please?
Alan Esdaile… Yes please but please credit the photographer and link for website. Thank you.
Melissa Joseph… the faux leopard skin, earring and uniquely painted sax .
Dino Ferari… I think that’s me on drums ?
photo © Roy Acland
Roy Acland… the ITT Consumer Products R&D team from 1972. It’s taken at Foots Cray site and later in the year the team relocated to Hastings and about half of those shown moved to the new site.
Chris Baker… bonuses to work there I believe
Terry Hopper… I travelled to Foots Cray for 3 months by coach every day with Dave Vast and helped to move the model / proto type workshop to Hastings where I then worked until 1978 when it was relocated to Basildon
Dave Williams… I remember this photo. I’m the fellow in light coloured jacket and tie at the centre of the middle row. It was my first job after leaving Imperial College. I decided not to move to the Hastings factory because there would be no similar jobs around there so I would be trapped. I went instead to PhotoMe at Thornton Heath, who made photo-booths before the advent of digital cameras. I designed an add-on to project text onto the edge of the film.
Kevin Sherwood… End of the front row r/d side sits Richard Bicknell former captain of Hastings Rowing Club a very nice man and friend.
