20th Century celebrated

Posted by admin on 26/1/10 • Categorised as News, No. 51 Sep 2007

Clown Joey from Punch and Judy

The 20th Century gallery at the newly reopened Hastings Museum will bring back memories for many local residents. The eye-catching Mods and Rockers display makes clever use of space, utilising the area outside the windows, where four truculent rockers glare in at a mod on a Lambretta scooter shaking his fist at them. ‘Hooligans in Hastings’ declare the screamers on a newspaper of the time. Nearby is a full-size Punch and Judy booth with all the well-loved characters. Other puppets include a pianist from a 1920s Concert Party or Tea Dance scene. Local people still remember the Bathing Pool with great affection, and regret its closure in the 1980s. It is now featured in a display on Borough Engineer Sydney Little. Old swimming costumes, a box Brownie, a child’s tin bucket and spade, help bring long-gone days back to life. Another display commemorates Robert Tress-ell, author of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. Most displays are interactive, with original film footage and recordings.