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.

Luggage Porters Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Tideswell Room, Central Library, Eastbourne.

This is the second LPS plate from the boundary wall of St. Saviour's Church, South Street, that was found in the church grounds after being discarded by a pavement resurfacing crew.  It was rescued by Richard Crook of The Eastbourne Society, and was on display in the Heritage Centre in Carlisle Road, but since the closure of this building in 2025 it has been moved to the ironwork collection in the Central Library.

Repainted by Bob Cookson.

EHL44. Luggage Porters Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. The Chatsworth Hotel, Grand Parade, Eastbourne. what3words location: mute.cheer.sofa

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

Another difficult one to spot initially, and I cycled past it twice before I spotted it.  It's actually on the boundary side wall of the hotel in Trinity Place near the Lightning Fibre wall cabinet.

To be repainted by Bob Cookson.

EHL41. Luggage Porters Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. The Avenue, Eastbourne. what3words location: buns.fails.wakes

 

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

This plate is on the same triangular island of land at junction of The Avenue and St. Leonard's Road as the other LPS plate, but this one is facing 1 Upperton Gardens (currently Arthritis Action), whose entrance is on The Avenue.

This plate was the most difficult to find out of all the plates I surveyed, and it took me several visits and the use of loppers and secateurs to cut back the overhanging foliage to locate it.

Apart from the broken tang/spike, this plate is in excellent condition in terms of lack of corrosion, and consequently the letters are sharply defined.  It also has its two original blacksmith made large retention nails.  Repainted by Bob Cookson.  

While Bob was repainting the plate, a lady approached us to ask what we were doing (I was just watching Bob work!), and it was nice to be able to explain to someone the history of these plates.  In fact, this happened on a number of occasions as I accompanied Bob on his repainting tasks, but the most questions and comments I got were when I was surveying the letter boxes, as not only did I have to photograph them, but Kim also asked me to note their dimensions, which required me to use a dress makers/tailors measuring tape.  Not only did I have to measure the height of the pillar/wall boxes, but also their circumference/width, as well as the size of the post slot (aperture).  I had to do this, and note all these dimensions in my notebook, as people wandered past obviously wondering what I was doing!  Some people asked if I was doing a scientific survey, while others were worried that the letter box I was measuring was going to be removed, so it was nice to explain what the survey was for, and also point out the different Royal cyphers that most people admitted they had never even noticed!

EHL40. Luggage Porters Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. St. Leonard's Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: stump.tile.pills

 

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

Triangular island of land at the junction of St. Leonard’s Road and The Avenue.   On the boundary wall facing Avenue House.

Initially this plate was difficult to find as it was covered in foliage.  Again, mounted higher up the wall as the wall base is in the gutter.  The photograph nicely shows the tang/spike that would normally be driven into the ground.

Repainted by Bob Cookson.

EHL32. Luggage Porters Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. St. Saviour’s Church, South Street, Eastbourne. what3words location: demand.navy.lamps

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 church facing South Street near the church entrance adjacent to Spencer Road.

There used to be a second LPS plate attached to this wall as listed in the 1973, 1984, and 2013 surveys, but one was removed during pavement resurfacing.  It was recovered by Richard Crook and is now on display in the Heritage Centre.

EHL331. Luggage Porters Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Langham Hotel, Royal Parade, Eastbourne. what3words location: surnames.lions.verdict

 

On April 5th 2024 a missing LPS plate from the Langham Hotel was given to Kevin Gordon by Julian Martyr.  It was repainted by Bob Cookson and reinstalled by the hotel owner.  Picture by Kevin Gordon.      

EHL45. Luggage Porters Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. The Mansion (Lions) Hotel, Grand Parade, Eastbourne. what3words location: farms.nods.first

 

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

Boundary side wall of the hotel in Hartington Place.  This one was difficult to spot due to the multiple layers of black paint.  

Harold Spears 1984 survey result for LPS plates stated 'Hartington Place, 2 on Mansion Hotel wall,' so one has disappeared sometime after that survey.

EHL39. Luggage Porters Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Grange Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: surely.unity.throw

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

Boundary wall of Eastbourne College adjacent to the Grange Road street sign at the corner of Grange Road and Blackwater Road.

This plate is featured in the Blog article 'Licence Plates Explained' which details how it was becoming buried under the layers of pavement tarmac.  Repainted by Bob Cookson.

There was also an HCS plate on this boundary wall, but it disappeared sometime after 1984.

EHL53. Luggage Porters Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Henley House, 4 Enys Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: happy.dots.heads

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

Boundary wall approximately 8 metres (27 feet) to the right of the right-hand gate pillar.

The strange thing is, I lived in Enys Road for many years and must have walked passed this plate hundreds of times without noticing it! But this plate was so well disguised against the surrounding brickwork that it also eluded the 1973, 1984, and 2013 surveys, until reported by Kelly Van Doorn (Heritage Eastbourne Collections Officer) in June 2023.

Repainted by Bob Cookson.

EHL27. Luggage Porters Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Colonnade Gardens, Eastbourne. what3words location: circulate.simmer.commit

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

Harold Spear's 1973 article stated ‘These stands were used by outside porters who had hand barrows, and were available for the carrying of luggage around the town, and to and from the Railway Station.’  The article then described their uniforms as just consisting of a peaked cap with an armband in the form of a metal plate, on straps, which was worded ‘Outside Porter.’  

Previous ELHS articles give the location as 'Queen's Gardens, wall of Queen's Hotel carpark,' but this particular plate is just around the corner in Colonnade Gardens (previously called Colonnade Road), which makes me wonder if there was originally more than one on the hotel wall?

To be repainted by Bob Cookson.

EHL33. Hackney Carriage Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne. what3words location: limp.plates.hulk

Licence plates were attached to the base of a wall where the licence holder was permitted to stand whilst awaiting hire.  This photograph clearly shows the hammer marks above the nail hole where it would have originally been struck with a club hammer to drive its spike/tang into the ground to secure it in place.

Boundary wall of Wish Tower grounds opposite the Wilmington Square end of Grand Court.

To be repainted by Bob Cookson.

Harold Spears 1974 article stated that the classes of vehicles and operators required to be licensed varied over the years.  Between 1873 and 1876 Hackney Carriages were classified as: -

1st Class – Carriages drawn by 2 horses, and licenced for 4 or more passengers.

2nd Class - Carriages drawn by 1 horse, or 2 ponies or mules, and licenced for more than 2 passengers.

3rd Class - Carriages drawn by 1 pony or mule, and licenced for not more than 3 passengers.  

4th Class – Bath Chair whether drawn by hand or by a donkey.

In 1893 the list had expanded to: -

Hackney Carriages 1st Class – 59 

Hackney Carriages 2nd Class – 5

Hackney Carriages 3rd Class – 9 

Hackney Carriages 4th Class – 50

Hackney Carriages 5th Class (Goat Chaises) – 4

EHL46. Hackney Carriage Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne. what3words location: into.coats.muddy

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

Can be difficult to find this one in spring/summer due to plant growth, bit it's on the boundary wall of Wish Tower grounds opposite Citrus Hotel and opposite third disabled bay.  Between lamppost No10 & ‘Disabled Badge Holders Only’ sign.  

To be repainted by Bob Cookson.

Harold Spears 1974 article stated that the classes of vehicles and operators required to be licensed varied over the years.  Between 1873 and 1876 Hackney Carriages were classified as: -

1st Class – Carriages drawn by 2 horses, and licenced for 4 or more passengers.

2nd Class - Carriages drawn by 1 horse, or 2 ponies or mules, and licenced for more than 2 passengers.

3rd Class - Carriages drawn by 1 pony or mule, and licenced for not more than 3 passengers.  

4th Class – Bath Chair whether drawn by hand or by a donkey.

In 1893 the list had expanded to: -

Hackney Carriages 1st Class – 59 

Hackney Carriages 2nd Class – 5

Hackney Carriages 3rd Class – 9 

Hackney Carriages 4th Class – 50

Hackney Carriages 5th Class (Goat Chaises) – 4

EHL84. Hackney Carriage Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne. what3words location: likes.dangerously.patch

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

Boundary wall of Wish Tower grounds opposite Wilmington Square gardens.  

To be repainted by Bob Cookson.

Harold Spears 1974 article stated that the classes of vehicles and operators required to be licensed varied over the years.  Between 1873 and 1876 Hackney Carriages were classified as: -

1st Class – Carriages drawn by 2 horses, and licenced for 4 or more passengers.

2nd Class - Carriages drawn by 1 horse, or 2 ponies or mules, and licenced for more than 2 passengers.

3rd Class - Carriages drawn by 1 pony or mule, and licenced for not more than 3 passengers.  

4th Class – Bath Chair whether drawn by hand or by a donkey.

In 1893 the list had expanded to: -

Hackney Carriages 1st Class – 59 

Hackney Carriages 2nd Class – 5

Hackney Carriages 3rd Class – 9 

Hackney Carriages 4th Class – 50

Hackney Carriages 5th Class (Goat Chaises) – 4

EHL42. Hackney Carriage Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. The Avenue near ‘Avenue Snacks’ sandwich bar, Eastbourne. what3words location: ports.noses.kind

 

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

Boundary wall of Upperton Gardens opposite No5 The Avenue.  This one was difficult to find as it was covered in ivy.  

This plate is fitted, not in the ground, but higher up the wall.  Obviously its tang/spike is missing, but it's still attached to the wall with its original blacksmith made large nails.  I suspect it was fitted in this location as the area at the base of the wall may have originally been grassed over which would have made it difficult to see.

Repainted by Bob Cookson.

Harold Spears 1974 article stated that the classes of vehicles and operators required to be licensed varied over the years.  Between 1873 and 1876 Hackney Carriages were classified as: -

1st Class – Carriages drawn by 2 horses, and licenced for 4 or more passengers.

2nd Class - Carriages drawn by 1 horse, or 2 ponies or mules, and licenced for more than 2 passengers.

3rd Class - Carriages drawn by 1 pony or mule, and licenced for not more than 3 passengers.  

4th Class – Bath Chair whether drawn by hand or by a donkey.

In 1893 the list had expanded to: -

Hackney Carriages 1st Class – 59 

Hackney Carriages 2nd Class – 5

Hackney Carriages 3rd Class – 9 

Hackney Carriages 4th Class – 50

Hackney Carriages 5th Class (Goat Chaises) – 4

EHL43. Hackney Carriage Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. St. Johns Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: flops.splash.crush

 

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

Another of the plates that I discovered that had not previously appeared in any survey results.  

Boundary wall of electricity substation opposite The Moorings block of flats.  Triangle of land bounded by Meads Road, Milnthorpe Road, and St. Johns Road.

Straightened and repainted by Bob Cookson.

Harold Spears 1974 article stated that the classes of vehicles and operators required to be licensed varied over the years.  Between 1873 and 1876 Hackney Carriages were classified as: -

1st Class – Carriages drawn by 2 horses, and licenced for 4 or more passengers.

2nd Class - Carriages drawn by 1 horse, or 2 ponies or mules, and licenced for more than 2 passengers.

3rd Class - Carriages drawn by 1 pony or mule, and licenced for not more than 3 passengers.  

4th Class – Bath Chair whether drawn by hand or by a donkey.

In 1893 the list had expanded to: -

Hackney Carriages 1st Class – 59 

Hackney Carriages 2nd Class – 5

Hackney Carriages 3rd Class – 9 

Hackney Carriages 4th Class – 50

Hackney Carriages 5th Class (Goat Chaises) – 4