Eastbourne Gazette, May 4th, 1881. Report on the meeting of the Eastbourne Local Board.

 

EHL210. GPO Wall Plate. c1933 to c1972. 33 Upperton Gardens, Eastbourne. what3words location: bumps.dated.update

 

GPO joint marker ‘No3’.  Cast iron pavement plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.  Set into the pavement outside 33 Upperton Gardens adjacent to drainpipe pavement drain cover.  Note the original Victorian red brick paving stones which Eastbourne is famous for.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

EHL228. GPO Wall Plate. c1938-1972. 1 Arlington Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: forget.friend.yards

Side boundary wall of Arlington Road Surgery in Old Orchard Road. 

GPO joint marker ‘No4’.  Cast iron wall plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

EHL227. GPO Wall Plate. c1938-1972. 9 Old Orchard Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: skill.oven.market

GPO joint marker ‘No4’.  Cast iron wall plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

EHL226. GPO Wall Plate. c1938-1972. Farrington Court, 16 Old Orchard Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: pirate.stow.across

 

GPO joint marker ‘No4’.  Cast iron wall plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

EHL225. GPO Wall Plate. c1938-1972. 14 Old Orchard Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: coffee.attend.blend

GPO joint marker ‘No4’.  Cast iron wall plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

EHL209. GPO Wall Plate. c1938-1972. 6 & 6a Ratton Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: normal.gates.rinse

 

Boundary wall of 6 & 6a Ratton Road, midway between the two entrance gates, and adjacent to a modern BT pavement inspection cover. 

GPO joint marker ‘No4’.  Cast iron wall plate marking the position of buried couplings, and buried jointing chambers for telephone cables.

Historic Context:  A number of privately owned electrical telegraph companies operated in the UK from 1846 onwards.  Among them were: Electric Telegraph Company, the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network; British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company; British Telegraph Company; London District Telegraph Company; and the United Kingdom Telegraph Company.  The Telegraph Act 1868 passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed General Post Office (GPO).  The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.  With the invention of the telephone in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges.  It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.  

In 1882, the Postmaster-General, Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses.  The telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas, and under private ownership in others.  The GPO's main competitor, the National Telephone Company (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies.  The NTC controlled most of the telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service.  This was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.

A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were Kingston upon Hull, Portsmouth, and Guernsey.  Hull still retains an independent operator, Kingston Communications, though it is no longer municipally controlled.

References: Information on marker plates from ‘britishtelephones.com’ website (an historical website run by Bob Freshwater about UK customer telephone apparatus and systems).  

History of the GPO from Wikipedia.

Ordnance Survey Benchmark. Prior to 1875. King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne. what3words location: cheek.took.ritual

A combined War Department Boundary Stone and Benchmark (plus Bath Chair Stand Licence Plate).

Boundary wall of the Wish Tower opposite the Lansdowne Hotel near entrance to Western Lawns. 

From OS: The horizontal marks are used to support a stable ‘bench’ for a levelling stave to rest on – hence ‘benchmarks.’  Used to ‘record height above ordnance datum’ for mapping purposes.  Although no longer used (OS now use GPS), the records still exist and the markers will remain until they are eventually destroyed by redevelopment or erosion.

Historic Context:  Ordnance Survey has its roots in military strategy due to the mapping of the Scottish Highlands following a rebellion in 1745.  Later, during the French Revolution there were fears the bloodshed might sweep across to our shores.  The government ordered its defence ministry of the time – the Board of Ordnance – to begin a survey of England’s vulnerable southern coasts.  Until then, maps had lacked the detail required for moving troops and planning campaigns.  The date of 21 June 1791 is officially recognised as the birth of Ordnance Survey. The term ‘Ordnance Survey’ was not used at all until 1801 when its director wrote it on a draft document. The name was not printed on a map until the 1810 ‘Ordnance Survey of the Isle of Wight and part of Hampshire”.  In the mid-1830s, height was introduced to Ordnance Survey maps (this is where benchmarks come into the picture).  In 1841, the Survey Act gave surveyors a legal right to ‘enter into and upon any land… for the purposes of making and carrying out a survey’.  In 1983 the last military personnel left Ordnance Survey, making it a wholly civilian organisation.  The War Department’s broad arrow remained in the Ordnance Survey Logo a further 21 years afterward, a nod to its military past.

References: -

Ordnance Survey website for OS history and benchmark information.

EHL131. Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. De Roos Road where it meets Ratton Road and Mill Road, opposite corner to VR Pillar Box, Eastbourne. what3words location: wins.tables.cubes

Grace’s Guide: Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. 

c.1883 Established the first system of district electric lighting in the UK using underground mains. 

c.1883 The Lowrie-Hall system of electric lighting, using the Goulard-Gibbs transformer (otherwise spelled as Gaulard-Gibbs), was deployed by Hammond & Co (Electrical Engineers) for Eastbourne Electric Lighting Co; Mr William Lowrie was the chief engineer of Hammond and Co.

By 1889 mains of 20 miles length were in use.

From ‘Bygone Eastbourne’ by J. C. Wright published in 1912 the following chapter titled ‘The Pioneer of Electricity on the South Coast’ is reproduced in full: -

The inhabitant of old Eastbourne as he chatted in the chimney-corner during the dark days of winter and lit himself to bed by the aid of a farthing rushlight did not dream that posterity should possess a light which ‘without heat, without smoke, without smell, and shut up inside an empty bulb, should emit a beam with powers denied even to the solar ray.’  It is true these advantages were not secured all at once.  The Electric Light Company was unable to avail itself of the incandescent system for some time.  Founded in 1882, the company initiated an undertaking which has become of considerable importance to the town.  Soon after its formation, it applied to the Local Board for permission to carry its wires ‘over streets or over roofs of houses or in gas-tubing under streets for the purpose of carrying the electric light into the shops and houses of such ratepayers as may desire to use it.’  The company also asked the local authority if it was willing to try the ‘Brush Arc Light’ of 2,000 candle-power in a few selected parts of town.  Though there was some opposition, the request was grant by a majority of four and it was arranged that sixteen lamps should supersede ninety existing gas lamps. 

It is amusing to read the discussions of the Board respecting the new light.  It was stated the several companies were intending to compete with the original Eastbourne Company, that they would have the power to come and break up the roads, and could not be dislodged for twenty-one years.  A few members thought ‘the more the merrier,’ but others of a more serious turn of mind regarded the outlook with feelings far removed from equanimity, and the Clerk was instructed to watch the question in the interests of the Board.  The ‘watching’ was effectual; anyhow no rival company appeared on the scene.  With youthful ardour the company urged that the Board should allow them to light one or two streets.  But the Board, desiring above all things to appear fair, resolved to put the Gas Company on a similar footing.  Accordingly the Electric Light Company was asked to give a price for lighting up the route from the drinking fountain near the railway station to the top of Victoria Place; and the Gas Company to give a price for lighting the road from the Anchor Hotel to Mr. Dicker’s shop in South Street.  The Gas Company took offence, because, said one of the members, they had ‘had a nice thing for a long time, and did not want it taken away.’  So the company refused to give a price.  But an agreement was entered into with the rival company to light fourteen arc lamps in Devonshire Place, Terminus Road, and Seaside Road.  This arrangement was not carried out in its entirety, but Devonshire Place was actually lighted by the company for some time.  The direct current was at first employed, but this gave place to the alternating current, and along with it the system of incandescent lighting, the first place to be lit by the company being the new Town Hall.

As the pioneers of electric lighting on the south coast the company had frequently to pay heavily for their experience, for essentially it was an experimental company in its early days, and but for the assistance of capitalists introduced by Mr. Robert Hammond, the well-known consulting electrical engineer, under whose superintendence the company’s system was originally laid down, the undertaking might have collapsed.  After 1890 the company ‘turned a corner’ and began paying dividends, which in the year prior to its transference to the Corporation reached 10 per cent.  Many of the principal boroughs, including that of Dublin, and several of the London vestries visited Eastbourne to inspect the company’s operations, and at the opening of the works in Junction Road in 1885 the Chinese Ambassador, the Marquess T’Seng, was present. 

The original directors were Mr. George Boulton (chairman) and Messrs. J. G. Langham, Wm. Routledge, Caleb Diplock, and J. A. Skinner; and from the incorporation of the company Mr. Henry Towner acted as secretary and accountant. Latterly Mr. H. W. Wilkinson was the electrical engineer.  Since the undertaking came into the hands of the Town Council, it has been found necessary to erect new works at Roselands.

EHL129. Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. De Roos Road where it meets Ratton Road and Mill Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: flame.miss.rash

Grace’s Guide: Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. 

c.1883 Established the first system of district electric lighting in the UK using underground mains. 

c.1883 The Lowrie-Hall system of electric lighting, using the Goulard-Gibbs transformer (otherwise spelled as Gaulard-Gibbs), was deployed by Hammond & Co (Electrical Engineers) for Eastbourne Electric Lighting Co; Mr William Lowrie was the chief engineer of Hammond and Co.

By 1889 mains of 20 miles length were in use.

From ‘Bygone Eastbourne’ by J. C. Wright published in 1912 the following chapter titled ‘The Pioneer of Electricity on the South Coast’ is reproduced in full: -

The inhabitant of old Eastbourne as he chatted in the chimney-corner during the dark days of winter and lit himself to bed by the aid of a farthing rushlight did not dream that posterity should possess a light which ‘without heat, without smoke, without smell, and shut up inside an empty bulb, should emit a beam with powers denied even to the solar ray.’  It is true these advantages were not secured all at once.  The Electric Light Company was unable to avail itself of the incandescent system for some time.  Founded in 1882, the company initiated an undertaking which has become of considerable importance to the town.  Soon after its formation, it applied to the Local Board for permission to carry its wires ‘over streets or over roofs of houses or in gas-tubing under streets for the purpose of carrying the electric light into the shops and houses of such ratepayers as may desire to use it.’  The company also asked the local authority if it was willing to try the ‘Brush Arc Light’ of 2,000 candle-power in a few selected parts of town.  Though there was some opposition, the request was grant by a majority of four and it was arranged that sixteen lamps should supersede ninety existing gas lamps. 

It is amusing to read the discussions of the Board respecting the new light.  It was stated the several companies were intending to compete with the original Eastbourne Company, that they would have the power to come and break up the roads, and could not be dislodged for twenty-one years.  A few members thought ‘the more the merrier,’ but others of a more serious turn of mind regarded the outlook with feelings far removed from equanimity, and the Clerk was instructed to watch the question in the interests of the Board.  The ‘watching’ was effectual; anyhow no rival company appeared on the scene.  With youthful ardour the company urged that the Board should allow them to light one or two streets.  But the Board, desiring above all things to appear fair, resolved to put the Gas Company on a similar footing.  Accordingly the Electric Light Company was asked to give a price for lighting up the route from the drinking fountain near the railway station to the top of Victoria Place; and the Gas Company to give a price for lighting the road from the Anchor Hotel to Mr. Dicker’s shop in South Street.  The Gas Company took offence, because, said one of the members, they had ‘had a nice thing for a long time, and did not want it taken away.’  So the company refused to give a price.  But an agreement was entered into with the rival company to light fourteen arc lamps in Devonshire Place, Terminus Road, and Seaside Road.  This arrangement was not carried out in its entirety, but Devonshire Place was actually lighted by the company for some time.  The direct current was at first employed, but this gave place to the alternating current, and along with it the system of incandescent lighting, the first place to be lit by the company being the new Town Hall.

As the pioneers of electric lighting on the south coast the company had frequently to pay heavily for their experience, for essentially it was an experimental company in its early days, and but for the assistance of capitalists introduced by Mr. Robert Hammond, the well-known consulting electrical engineer, under whose superintendence the company’s system was originally laid down, the undertaking might have collapsed.  After 1890 the company ‘turned a corner’ and began paying dividends, which in the year prior to its transference to the Corporation reached 10 per cent.  Many of the principal boroughs, including that of Dublin, and several of the London vestries visited Eastbourne to inspect the company’s operations, and at the opening of the works in Junction Road in 1885 the Chinese Ambassador, the Marquess T’Seng, was present. 

The original directors were Mr. George Boulton (chairman) and Messrs. J. G. Langham, Wm. Routledge, Caleb Diplock, and J. A. Skinner; and from the incorporation of the company Mr. Henry Towner acted as secretary and accountant. Latterly Mr. H. W. Wilkinson was the electrical engineer.  Since the undertaking came into the hands of the Town Council, it has been found necessary to erect new works at Roselands.

EHL231. Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. 2 Moatcroft Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: mostly.case.logs

 

An atmospheric night time photograph!

Grace’s Guide: Eastbourne Electric Light Co Ltd. 

c.1883 Established the first system of district electric lighting in the UK using underground mains. 

c.1883 The Lowrie-Hall system of electric lighting, using the Goulard-Gibbs transformer (otherwise spelled as Gaulard-Gibbs), was deployed by Hammond & Co (Electrical Engineers) for Eastbourne Electric Lighting Co; Mr William Lowrie was the chief engineer of Hammond and Co.

By 1889 mains of 20 miles length were in use.

From ‘Bygone Eastbourne’ by J. C. Wright published in 1912 the following chapter titled ‘The Pioneer of Electricity on the South Coast’ is reproduced in full: -

The inhabitant of old Eastbourne as he chatted in the chimney-corner during the dark days of winter and lit himself to bed by the aid of a farthing rushlight did not dream that posterity should possess a light which ‘without heat, without smoke, without smell, and shut up inside an empty bulb, should emit a beam with powers denied even to the solar ray.’  It is true these advantages were not secured all at once.  The Electric Light Company was unable to avail itself of the incandescent system for some time.  Founded in 1882, the company initiated an undertaking which has become of considerable importance to the town.  Soon after its formation, it applied to the Local Board for permission to carry its wires ‘over streets or over roofs of houses or in gas-tubing under streets for the purpose of carrying the electric light into the shops and houses of such ratepayers as may desire to use it.’  The company also asked the local authority if it was willing to try the ‘Brush Arc Light’ of 2,000 candle-power in a few selected parts of town.  Though there was some opposition, the request was grant by a majority of four and it was arranged that sixteen lamps should supersede ninety existing gas lamps. 

It is amusing to read the discussions of the Board respecting the new light.  It was stated the several companies were intending to compete with the original Eastbourne Company, that they would have the power to come and break up the roads, and could not be dislodged for twenty-one years.  A few members thought ‘the more the merrier,’ but others of a more serious turn of mind regarded the outlook with feelings far removed from equanimity, and the Clerk was instructed to watch the question in the interests of the Board.  The ‘watching’ was effectual; anyhow no rival company appeared on the scene.  With youthful ardour the company urged that the Board should allow them to light one or two streets.  But the Board, desiring above all things to appear fair, resolved to put the Gas Company on a similar footing.  Accordingly the Electric Light Company was asked to give a price for lighting up the route from the drinking fountain near the railway station to the top of Victoria Place; and the Gas Company to give a price for lighting the road from the Anchor Hotel to Mr. Dicker’s shop in South Street.  The Gas Company took offence, because, said one of the members, they had ‘had a nice thing for a long time, and did not want it taken away.’  So the company refused to give a price.  But an agreement was entered into with the rival company to light fourteen arc lamps in Devonshire Place, Terminus Road, and Seaside Road.  This arrangement was not carried out in its entirety, but Devonshire Place was actually lighted by the company for some time.  The direct current was at first employed, but this gave place to the alternating current, and along with it the system of incandescent lighting, the first place to be lit by the company being the new Town Hall.

As the pioneers of electric lighting on the south coast the company had frequently to pay heavily for their experience, for essentially it was an experimental company in its early days, and but for the assistance of capitalists introduced by Mr. Robert Hammond, the well-known consulting electrical engineer, under whose superintendence the company’s system was originally laid down, the undertaking might have collapsed.  After 1890 the company ‘turned a corner’ and began paying dividends, which in the year prior to its transference to the Corporation reached 10 per cent.  Many of the principal boroughs, including that of Dublin, and several of the London vestries visited Eastbourne to inspect the company’s operations, and at the opening of the works in Junction Road in 1885 the Chinese Ambassador, the Marquess T’Seng, was present. 

The original directors were Mr. George Boulton (chairman) and Messrs. J. G. Langham, Wm. Routledge, Caleb Diplock, and J. A. Skinner; and from the incorporation of the company Mr. Henry Towner acted as secretary and accountant. Latterly Mr. H. W. Wilkinson was the electrical engineer.  Since the undertaking came into the hands of the Town Council, it has been found necessary to erect new works at Roselands.

EHL64. Eastbourne Water Works Air Valve Sign. Compton Place Road (No18), Eastbourne. what3words location: pull.teeth.goad

Cast iron wall plate on the boundary wall of the property facing the road between lamppost No14 and gateway to the house.  The original access cover is in the road directly opposite the plate and is marked ‘AV.’

A late Victorian/early Edwardian Air Valve plate that would have been used to indicate where access to the valve could be located under the road surface.  Air valves were used to release air pockets that could become trapped at high points of the water supply mains.  This one is at the apex of Compton Place Road before it turns the corner and drops back down towards Borough Lane.  It would have been installed at the same time as the adjacent Main Cock plate. 

EHL153. Fire Hydrant sign. Lismore Road above the Cancer Research shop, Eastbourne. what3words location: rust.crazy.muddy

Enamelled steel-plate sign indicating the location of a fire hydrant.  Date pre 1938.

2018 article by M. Beale on the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service website: ‘In the late 1800s the fire hydrant was invented.  This large valve could be fitted into a water main and was available for fire-fighters to use.  They were mainly fitted under the surface of a pavement or road. Hydrants rapidly replaced the old Fire Plug system all over the country.  Although many areas still used the term ‘fire-plug’ for the hydrants, eventually the term Fire Hydrant became universal.  This led to the replacement of the old ‘FP’ plaques with plaques on which a large letter ‘H’ was marked.  The plaques varied considerably according to the local water companies supplying the water mains.  There was no standardisation.  In the London area, including the Metropolitan parts of Essex, hydrant plaques were standardised in the 1930s.  Metal plates were used with 6” sides.  They were white with blue lettering if they were attached to dark surfaces, or blue with white letters if they were attached to light coloured backgrounds.  A diamond shaped plate denoted that the hydrant was immediately below and in front of the plate.  A square plate indicated that the hydrant was on the opposite side of the road.  A further modification to the system took place in 1938 and that was to add the distance the hydrant was from the plate.  It was eventually decided that black lettering on a yellow background was the most suitable colouring for hydrant plates as it could be spotted in all lighting conditions. This then became the standard method for locating hydrants throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.’

My Comment: I would suggest that, in Eastbourne at least, the following applied: white background with blue H indicated hydrant directly below, whilst white background with red H indicated hydrant on other side of the road as this is where I found the actual hydrants in relation to the wall signs.

EHL154. Fire Hydrant sign. 4 Grove Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: debate.sculpture.fumes

Above the Mind charity shop.

Enamelled steel-plate sign indicating the location of a fire hydrant.  Date pre 1938.

2018 article by M. Beale on the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service website: ‘In the late 1800s the fire hydrant was invented.  This large valve could be fitted into a water main and was available for fire-fighters to use.  They were mainly fitted under the surface of a pavement or road. Hydrants rapidly replaced the old Fire Plug system all over the country.  Although many areas still used the term ‘fire-plug’ for the hydrants, eventually the term Fire Hydrant became universal.  This led to the replacement of the old ‘FP’ plaques with plaques on which a large letter ‘H’ was marked.  The plaques varied considerably according to the local water companies supplying the water mains.  There was no standardisation.  In the London area, including the Metropolitan parts of Essex, hydrant plaques were standardised in the 1930s.  Metal plates were used with 6” sides.  They were white with blue lettering if they were attached to dark surfaces, or blue with white letters if they were attached to light coloured backgrounds.  A diamond shaped plate denoted that the hydrant was immediately below and in front of the plate.  A square plate indicated that the hydrant was on the opposite side of the road.  A further modification to the system took place in 1938 and that was to add the distance the hydrant was from the plate.  It was eventually decided that black lettering on a yellow background was the most suitable colouring for hydrant plates as it could be spotted in all lighting conditions. This then became the standard method for locating hydrants throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.’

My Comment: I would suggest that, in Eastbourne at least, the following applied: white background with blue H indicated hydrant directly below, whilst white background with red H indicated hydrant on other side of the road as this is where I found the actual hydrants in relation to the wall signs.

 

EHL152. Fire Hydrant sign. St. Aubyn's Road at the junction with Seaside, Eastbourne. what3words location: debate.sculpture.fumes

 

Enamelled steel-plate sign indicating the location of a fire hydrant.  Date pre 1938.

2018 article by M. Beale on the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service website: ‘In the late 1800s the fire hydrant was invented.  This large valve could be fitted into a water main and was available for fire-fighters to use.  They were mainly fitted under the surface of a pavement or road. Hydrants rapidly replaced the old Fire Plug system all over the country.  Although many areas still used the term ‘fire-plug’ for the hydrants, eventually the term Fire Hydrant became universal.  This led to the replacement of the old ‘FP’ plaques with plaques on which a large letter ‘H’ was marked.  The plaques varied considerably according to the local water companies supplying the water mains.  There was no standardisation.  In the London area, including the Metropolitan parts of Essex, hydrant plaques were standardised in the 1930s.  Metal plates were used with 6” sides.  They were white with blue lettering if they were attached to dark surfaces, or blue with white letters if they were attached to light coloured backgrounds.  A diamond shaped plate denoted that the hydrant was immediately below and in front of the plate.  A square plate indicated that the hydrant was on the opposite side of the road.  A further modification to the system took place in 1938 and that was to add the distance the hydrant was from the plate.  It was eventually decided that black lettering on a yellow background was the most suitable colouring for hydrant plates as it could be spotted in all lighting conditions. This then became the standard method for locating hydrants throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.’

My Comment: I would suggest that, in Eastbourne at least, the following applied: white background with blue H indicated hydrant directly below, whilst white background with red H indicated hydrant on other side of the road as this is where I found the actual hydrants in relation to the wall signs.

EHL229. Fire Plug cast iron wall plate. Location: 40 Bedford Grove, Eastbourne. what3words location: choice.events.tummy

Fire Plug wall plate c1900.  It has been painted yellow and black as per the ‘modern’ colour scheme.

According to many online and written sources the term ‘Fire Plug’ comes from the age of early water mains in larger towns and cities, which were made of hollowed-out wooden tree trunks.  These sources state that holes were cut (approximately 2” diameter) when water was required for fire-fighting purposes, and re-plugged afterwards, but it seems strange that fire-fighters would have the time to dig down to a mains pipe and cut a hole prior to tackling the fire itself.  It seems more likely, as with London after the Great Fire of 1666, that Fire Plugs were pre-installed and ‘extended above ground.’  Whichever method was used, it is true to say that the term ‘Fire Plug’ was used extensively from the Victorian era onwards.  As the ‘new’ cast iron pipes were laid, valves were placed at regular intervals and a metal plate marked ‘F.P.’ (Fire Plug) would then be fixed nearby to indicate an access point for future use in fighting fires.  The ‘F.P.’ plates were later replaced with plates marked ‘H’ for Hydrant, although some of the original ‘F.P.’ plates can still be found, as in this example. The design of the ‘new’ plates varied considerably according to the local water companies supplying the water mains and there was no standardisation until 1938 onwards.  The current signs take the form of a capital ‘H’ in black on a yellow background.  The figure in the upper section is the diameter of the water mains pipe in either inches or millimetres, and the figure in the lower section is the distance from the sign (or plate) in feet or metres.  From 1975 the old imperial signs were to be replaced by local government authorities at their own expense to the new metric versions, but there are still many of the old signs still to be found in Eastbourne, and due cost it is unlikely the remaining imperial ones will ever be changed.

Standpipes for Fire Hydrants.

From a 1930 Willcox catalogue.

Fire Hydrant ‘Sluice Valve’ type.

See ‘Firemen and their Exploits’ by F. M. Holmes published 1899 and available to view online at Project Gutenberg, which states that (referring to London) ‘In addition to 24,284 hydrants of the London County Council, the corporation of the City have 800 hydrants, which are used for watering the streets as well as for extinguishing fires. In the year 1897, no fewer than 466 fires were put out by hydrants and stand-pipes. The increase of hydrants has been very conspicuous under the County Council. Thus, in March, 1889, the number was but 8,881, showing that no fewer than 15,403 were added during the first eight years of the Council's existence. No doubt, still more will follow. On March 31st, 1898, hydrants had been fixed or ordered in 97½ square miles of the county area, leaving a comparatively small space unprovided with these appliances. This space will doubtless be shortly supplied, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that, with the 800 in the City, the metropolis will ere long be sown with a total of about 30,000 hydrants, which, as the twentieth century dawns, may be regarded as among the most effectual means of fighting the fire at the disposal of the brigade. The establishment of these excellent appliances dates from 1871, and is bound up with the system of constant water supply. By the Metropolis Water Act of that year, it was provided that a water company, after giving a constant supply, must notify the fact to the local authority—now the County Council—which must then specify the fire-plugs or hydrants required, and the Council has the power under the Act of requiring water companies to provide a constant supply within parts of their districts. Hydrants are fully charged from the main, and have a commanding cock or tap attached, so that a supply of water can be obtained at once.  The use of these appliances is very important. Planted at convenient and commanding spots, often at the corners of streets or roadways, and at varying distances apart, ranging from fifty to about four hundred feet, according to the circumstances of the locality, and marked also, not only by the plate in the pavement, but by the letter H, placed in a conspicuous position nearby, the fireman can now, at almost a moment's notice, find the hydrant, and obtain an ample supply of water for his engine, or even a jet of water for the fire, before an engine is on the spot. Very different from the troublesome and hindering work of floundering about, possibly in fog or rain or snow, to find the fire-plug, and then to find the turncock which governed the plug. On snowy or foggy nights, the difficulty and delay were sometimes very great; and the substitution of an extensive system of hydrants, with their quickly-obtained water-jets for the old fire-plugs, may rank as one of the most efficient means of fire extinction in the closing years of the nineteenth century.’

Fire Hydrants.

From a 1930 Willcox catalogue.  The smaller 'Loose Valve' type would be the type fitted under the 'FP' (Fire Plug) small square covers.

EWW Fire Hydrant cover. Firle Road near the junction with Beltring Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: carbonate.skip.frog

I have dated this particular cover c1908 based on historical map data.

These Eastbourne Water Works covers can be found all over the older parts of Eastbourne.  I believe the similar EWC (Eastbourne Waterworks Company) covers may postdate the EWW covers.

EHL230. Fire Plug cover. Location: Ratton Road adjacent to the rear boundary wall of St. Helena Court (Mill Road), Eastbourne. what3words location: sing.rocks.energetic

Fire Plug pavement access cover.  Many of these can be found in the older parts of Eastbourne and are smaller than the later ‘Fire Hydrant’ covers, as the valve itself is obviously the smaller ‘Loose Valve Hydrant’ type (pictured from Willcox’s 1930 catalogue below) as opposed to the ‘Sluice Valve Hydrant’ design.  Although the wall plates marked ‘F.P.’ marking the location of these hydrants were changed (with a few exceptions) to the now familiar ‘H’ plates, the ‘F.P.’ pavement covers were left unchanged.  The ‘modern’ H wall plate associated with this cover is obviously an old imperial design as the upper number is ‘5’ for a five-inch mains pipe, and the lower figure is also a ‘5’ to indicate the mains pipe is five feet from the sign.  My copy of Willcox’s trade catalogue also shows that ‘F.P.’ pavement covers (listed as ‘Surface Boxes’) were still being sold in 1930 alongside ‘Fire Hydrant’ covers.

Saddled Donkey Stand - COPY. Plates Currently in Storage.

Currently in Heritage Eastbourne storage at the Town Hall.

This ‘modern’ copy (manufactured sometime prior to 1984), is one of the plates made for the Towner Local History Museum as referred to by Harold Spears in his 1984 article, and is currently the only known survivor of the seven different replica plates that were made.

Photograph taken at a meeting with Kelly Van Doorn, Heritage Eastbourne Collections Officer, at the Town Hall 01/06/23.

Saddled Pony Stand. Plates Currently in Storage.

 

Currently in Heritage Eastbourne storage at the Town Hall.  Left-hand photograph taken at a meeting with Kelly Van Doorn, Heritage Eastbourne Collections Officer, at the Town Hall 01/06/23.

The 1973 & 1984 survey results show that there was a single SPS plate at King Edward’s Parade roadside wall at the Wish Tower grounds.  An SPS plate was photographed in-situ in that location in 1996 as shown in the right-hand picture above.  This picture is courtesy of Richard Crook of the Eastbourne Heritage Centre (Online Exhibit ES PH 0045).  The 2013 survey found that the plate had disappeared by that time.  What is unclear is whether the plate photographed in 1996 is the same plate that is now in storage at the town Hall, and if it is, why was it removed?

In addition to those already listed as 'Plates Currently in Storage', there is also a Goat Chaise Stand (with a broken stem/tang), Luggage Porters Stand, and a Motor Char-a-banc Stand in storage at the Town Hall according to the Heritage Eastbourne database.  These are in ‘Box 99’, which is yet to be found (information courtesy of Kelly Van Doorn).  The Motor Char-a-banc Stand plate is likely to be the one mentioned by Harold Spears in 1973 where he stated that it came from 'the wall of the Grand Hotel in Jevington Gardens.'

Hackney Carriage Stand. Plates Currently in Storage.

Currently in Heritage Eastbourne storage at the Town Hall.

This plate could be one of the following four plates that were removed/disappeared after 1984 according to the various survey results: -

'Grange Road. On wall of Eastbourne College grounds.'

'Queens Gardens.  Wall of Queens Hotel carpark.'

'The Avenue, near Upperton Lane.'

'Seaside outside No 64' (I believe this location is near the junction with Langney Road).

Photograph taken at a meeting with Kelly Van Doorn, Heritage Eastbourne Collections Officer, at the Town Hall 01/06/23.

Bath Chair Stand. Plates Currently in Storage.

Currently in Heritage Eastbourne storage at the Town Hall.

 

Harold’s 1973 report in Journal No10 states that this plate (‘Bolton Road outside number 15’) was held by the Public Library.  Heritage Eastbourne records show it was transferred from the library into the care of the council in August 1983.

Photograph taken at a meeting with Kelly Van Doorn, Heritage Eastbourne Collections Officer, at the Town Hall 01/06/23.

EHL31. Saddled Donkey Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne. what3words location: translated.logo.fend

Licence plates were attached to the base of a wall where the licence holder was permitted to stand whilst awaiting hire.  

Boundary wall of the Wish Tower grounds opposite Grand Court.

Judging by the ‘new’ pink cement, I assume it was one of those reinstated in 1984.

Repainted by Bob Cookson, August 2024.