Hailsham – a hundred years ago

In the second part of the series, local Historian Paul Endersby takes a look back to see what was happening in Hailsham in 1921 as reflected by reports in the Sussex County Herald…

There were regular reports of the town’s  sporting teams including cricket, Stoolball and football. 

In January 1921, the paper published several letters on the problem of football hooliganism at some Sussex matches including Hailsham. In May, the paper summarised the season for Hailsham FC describing it as “an unlucky season.”

 In June the town’s cricket team played Mayfield and between them the two teams scored over 500 runs, Hailsham 294 – Mayfield 214 for 6. 

In January the Catholic Church received permission from the Hailsham Parochial Committee to erect a temporary structure in South Road on land originally owned by a Catholic family. Prior to this, the church had met in a loft in the brewery in Battle Road. The South Road site had been purchased for the church in 1920 for £564.3s.4d inclusive of legal fees. 

In 1921, England was gripped by an extraordinary drought. High pressure systems from the Azores remained stuck for almost the entire year, leading to clear skies and dire shortages of rain. Hailsham did not escape the drought and its effects on daily life. 

In mid-July the paper reported there had been hard- ly any rain since 30 May. “Rain is becoming a scarcer commodity, land is parched and even householders must economise.” 

On 11 July the temperature reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The paper later reported the present drought “has not been exceeded in the last 35 years.” 

It went on to report there was a water shortage, wells were drying up and large cracks were appearing in the land. Milk yields were down which could lead to increased prices. Overall rainfall in July was half the previous year. 

\The hot weather continued into October and it was reported that it was the hottest October for 100 years. By the end of the year, the paper reported the annual rainfall had been about half the normal amount. 

In 1921, the First World War and its after effects were still very real.There was particular concern to provide housing and employment for ex-servicemen. 

In June, at a meeting of the Hailsham Branch of the National Farmers Union (NFU), eight members agreed to help ex-servicemen. 

In September the Hon. Secretary of the Hailsham Ex-Servicemen’s Club placed an advert in the paper asking people to notify him if they had any vacancies. 

In October, at a meeting held at the Comrades Club to discuss the issue of unemployment, a resolution was passed asking the County and Rural District Councils to provide work during the coming months. 

The paper went on to report that there was serious concern that the coming winter months would be the most serious in regard to unemployment adding the government is taking steps to alleviate the situation. In the edition published on 29 October the paper gave over a large part of the front page to,“Unemployment – what Hailsham is doing.” 

The paper referred to the meeting at the Comrades where it was reported that there were a number of ex-servicemen who were out of work through no fault of their own.The chairman J Robert Green said,“we are living in extremely critical times.” Other meetings were being held at this time and everyone seems to be grappling with the problem and eager to find employment opportunities and when vacancies occurred preference was given to ex-servicemen. 

At a meeting of Hailsham RDC, a Mr Burch asked whether or not it might be possible to dispense with some of the female labour in the town as there was plenty of work for women in domestic service. An example was given of a married man with a child who was dismissed whilst two married women were retained. The reason given was that the employ- er couldn’t afford the man’s wages. The RDC were informed that there were 61 men unemployed at the time. 

Whilst various local bodies grappled with the issue of unemployment running alongside this was the reduction in wages for some who were in employment. This was discussed at a meeting of the RDC at the end of August. The meeting was looking at “methods of economy.” 

It was proposed that Roadmen’s wages should be reduced from 46 shillings and sixpence (£2.32) to 42 shillings (£2.20) to bring them in line with agricultural workers. One member thought the men should be given one weeks’ notice of the proposed reduction but the chairman did not agree. 

The outcome was the men’s wages were reduced with a week’s notice.The issue of the wages came up again at the RDC meeting held on 21 December.The meeting was provided with roadmen’s wages paid in nearby towns.The average was 36 shillings per week. 

It was agreed to leave the Hailsham men’s wages as they were, “for the time being.” 

The meeting also resolved that as Christmas Day this year fell on a Sunday, the men should be allowed to take Monday as a holiday. 

Additional housing was a constant issue through the year. In January the RDC were informed that permission tenders were about to be sought to build thirty houses in Lower Dicker, Horsebridge and Hailsham. 

However the RDC was continually frustrated by the Ministry of Health and several proposals were abandoned causing further anger by members. 

..and finally, in June, Tom Boorer stole eggs from Grovelands Farm and was sentenced to two weeks in prison with hard labour. 

Another man who appeared in court was Charles Styche who was charged with theft of several items including a set of false teeth from Edith Gooch of the Station Hotel, Hellingly. He was sentenced to six months hard labour. 

In September a branch of the Middle Classes union was formed in the town. In November the Pavilion cinema was opened. The paper reported there was seating for 400 people. (Currently it is just over 200!). 

Summer time came to an end at the beginning of October. 

Paul Endersby. paul@paulendersby.co.uk