12th October
Kevin Boorman on Hastings Railways
In the 200th anniversary year of the first passenger railway, Kevin gave a very interesting talk on railways bringing together the impact on the local system of national decisions and his personal experience of many years working and researching the country’s railways.

Visit to the Brede Steam Giants and Nuclear Bunker.
In October a group of members enjoyed a visit to this local place of interest which included a fascinating guided tour.

July – members only
A walk around Alexandra Park with Bruce Dowling, former Parks & Open Spaces Manager at Hastings Borough Council followed by a talk about the Greenhouse Project, restoring the historic greenhouse in the Park, and a visit to the Pump House café for those interested. This was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended it on a hot afternoon.

28th June
14:00 Still remembering – or forgetting – pets in Britain in World War 2
We enjoyed a very informative presentation from Dr Hilda Kean, about the treatment of pets during the War: some good and some not so good.

May – members only
The Robert Tressell Walk with Dr Trevor Hopper, author of ‘Robert Tressell’s Hastings’
Members enjoyed another walk around the Hastings of Robert Tressell with an excellent, well-informed commentary from Dr Hopper..

Sunday 13th April
14:00 A House Through Time, a talk by Stephen van Dulken, author and former British Library curator
This is the story of an 1897 semi-detached house in Silverhill. I was lucky to have some deeds, but there are still mysteries. Census returns, newspapers and the good fortune to have photos of past inhabitants are used to illustrate a little of the lives of those who lived there. This includes shocking events that happened to two families who lived there. 
A large group of members and non-members enjoyed this talk which prompted a lot of discussion about other properties in the area and how to investigate their history.

Saturday 22nd March
14:00 Fairlight in Wartime a talk by Local historian and Fairlight resident, Haydon Luke
Fairlight’s significance in WW2 was out of all proportion to its size as a community and its deceptively beautiful peace time location high on the cliffs in sight of the French coast gave it a special military advantage. It was the site of not one but two radar stations which were crucial to the war effort. Haydon’s talk, which draws on several previously unpublished sources will not only cover that aspect of Fairlight’s war but will deal with some of the personal stories of the civilian and service personnel who called Fairlight home between 1939 and 1945. 
Another packed house thoroughly enjoyed this talk.

Sunday 2nd February
14:00 Hastings in World War 2 – The British Spirit in Wartime, a talk by local historian Ken Brooks
‘Like other towns on the south coast, Hastings was on the ‘front line’ during the Second World War.  This illustrated talk will focus on everyday life with gas masks, blackouts, ration books, air raid sirens, bombing raids and our lifeboat at Dunkirk.   Barbed wire was placed along the sea front in preparation for an invasion and local caves were used as air raid shelters.  However, despite the dreadful conditions at that time, people managed to cope – often with our traditional sense of humour.’
Ken Brook’s talk was very well attended and greatly appreciated by everyone. Even those of us who thought we knew a lot about the subject learned new information.