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Pub History - Book Reviews
THE PUBS OF HASTINGS & ST. LEONARDS 1800-2000
by David Russell
I have lost count of the number of pub books and guides I have read over the years but The Pubs of Hastings & St. Leonards 1800-2000 stands out for the impressive level of detailed research; not like some authors who merely lift information from works that have gone before. This book is no pub guide; this is a large slice of social history and a major contribution to cultural studies of this area of Sussex. And it is not just about pubs, the publicans and the architecture. It is about real people, the customers, the entertainers and performers, the smugglers and ne’er-do-wells, the fishermen, the fish-wives, tenants doing moonlight flits and prostitutes. There are a few hauntings in there too plus so much more. This is how local pub history should be written. Informed and informative, The Pubs of Hastings & St. Leonards 1800-2000 brings pubs past and present in the area to life. Packed with real history, fascinating anecdotes, photographs and numerous beautiful illustrations by James Gray, David Russell’s book is recommended reading not only for local people but also anyone interested in the social history of the great English pub. Members of the Pub History Society (both David and his wife Lynda belong to the PHS) were treated to a couple of ‘taster pubs’ from David’s book (the Nag’s Head and the Prince Albert) in the summer issue of the PHS Newsletter. What they (and everyone else) must do now is buy the book. Trust me. A labour of love this definitely is. An ordinary pub history book this definitely is not. Published independently by Lynda (who I understand has worked long and hard with David to bring the book to fruition vanquishing many gremlins along the way), The Pubs of Hastings & St. Leonards 1800-2000 costs £10.99 and is available from good local bookshops in Hastings or by contacting David direct via hastings.pubs@gmail.com. The book can also be purchased direct at £12.49 (including postage and packing). Cheques should be made payable to ‘Lynda Russell’ and sent to 75 Kenilworth Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN38 0JG. The book has its own website at A History of the Pubs of Hastings and St Leonards Patrick Chaplin © 2009 Patrick Chaplin NOTE: The original version of this review appeared in the PHS Newsletter Winter 2009. For more information about the Pub History Society visit www.pubhistorysociety.co.uk |
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I know little about Hastings (apart from the obvious) and
St. Leonards but having now read David Russell’s book I feel that I know not
only the pubs but also the area very well indeed.