EHL29. Hackney Carriage Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Our Lady of Ransom RC Church, Eastbourne. what3words location: blows.torn.broker

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

This is one of the plates that I discovered on the boundary wall of the church in Meads Road near the junction with Grange Road in 2023.  It had not previously appeared in any survey results.  

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

EHL138. Hackney Carriage Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Arundel House, 1 Hartfield Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: highs.track.always

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

Repainted by Bob Cookson.

Harold Spear's September 1973 article explains that at that time this plate had been removed and was held by 'the Public Library'.  It was reinstalled in its present location (wall of Arundel House adjacent to lamppost No17) in 1984.

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

EHL82. Hackney Carriage Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Hardwick Road adjacent to Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne. what3words location: energy.adjust.factories

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

Just to the left of the ‘No waiting at any time except taxis’ sign adjacent to Taxi Rank in Hardwick Road near entrance to Devonshire Park Theatre.

Surveyed by Keith Bell.  To be repainted by Bob Cookson.

This is another that would have been reinstalled in 1984 judging by the 'new' pink cement and modern slotted retention screw.  The plates were originally attached to the wall using a blacksmith made large nail.

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

EHL47. Goat Chaise Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne. what3words location: rating.candy.lifts

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 boundary wall of Wish Tower grounds opposite the Lansdowne Hotel adjacent to the disabled parking bay at the start of the zebra crossing zig-zag markings.  Judging by the ‘new’ pink cement, I assume it was one of those reinstated in 1984.  It is the only Goat Chaise Stand plate still in-situ. 

Harold Spears informs us that the chaise's were small two wheeled carts pulled by goats.  They were led by a licensed attendant to take children for short rides.

Repainted by Bob Cookson, August 2024.

EHL24. Bath Chair Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Opposite No30 Upperton Gardens, Eastbourne. what3words location: blend.turned.pets

 

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

This is one of the plates that I 'discovered' that had not previously appeared in any survey results, but when I found it it was painted black with white lettering, so clearly someone had been looking after it.  The spike or tang that would normally be inserted into the ground is missing.  It's not known if it was originally attached to the the wall in this location, or if it was in the ground as most of the other plates are, but the base of this wall is in the gutter, so I suspect it was fitted above ground higher up the wall.

Repainted by Bob Cookson.

EHL7. Bath Chair Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Southfields Road, side wall of 2 Old Orchard Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: island.normal.survey

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

This plate was surveyed by Kevin Gordon.

It is slowly disappearing beneath tarmac with each resurfacing of pavement.

To be repainted by Bob Cookson.

EHL28. Bath Chair Stand. Victorian/Edwardian. Our Lady of Ransom RC Church, Eastbourne. what3words location: noble.verbs.bricks

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

This is one of the plates that I discovered on the boundary wall of the church in Meads Road opposite the junction with Saffrons Road in 2023.  It had not previously appeared in any survey results.  

Repainted by Bob Cookson.