Bohemia Village Voice

J J Waller writes (Mar 2009)

Dear Sir, I know that your office is situated in a former Feaist & Co bakers. You may be interested in this cutting from the Hastings Observer, of 27 June 1896:

“Well-Known Baker Dies. John Feaist, founder of the well-known bakery firm Feaist and Co, died on 20 June at his home, 91 Priory Road, aged 72. He was born at Plumpton, the son of a farm labourer. He started as an apprentice miller, eventually coming to Hastings to set up what seemed to be the town’s largest bakery when he sold up several years before he died. He retired briefly, but then set up another large bakery in London, which he was running when he died. He was an ardent advocate of temperance and a non-smoker. At the time of his death, Feaist & Co had large premises at the bottom of Wellington Square and in Castle Hill Road”.

J J Waller, Brighton.

Thanks, JJ. Many callers to our office say it was once a butchers shop, possibly because of the large marble shelf along one side. The etched sign on our office door at 79 Bohemia Road, reads ‘FEAIST & Co. LTD BAKERS & C.’