Celebrating Eastbourne

The Sussex seaside town of Eastbourne was developed as a resort from a collection of villages in the 19th century by the Duke of Devonshire. The new town grew rapidly and by the end of the 19th century Eastbourne was a large borough, attracting new residents and visitors. Eastbourne’s proximity to occupied France during World War 2 forced many away from the town, which suffered from repeated air raids and heavy loss of life and buildings. Recent decades have seen further significant changes to Eastbourne. It has become a conference centre and built a new marina on a shingle bank at the edge of the town and still continues to attract many, including to its beach, pier, parks and gardens, theatres and Beachy Head nearby. Over the years, many famous names have been associated with the town, from Lewis Carroll and George Orwell, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels to Prunella Scales and Eddie Izzard.Illustrated throughout, this fascinating book offers a marvellous and refreshingly positive insight into Eastbourne’s rich heritage, its special events and important moments. Celebrating Eastbourne will be a valuable contribution to the history of the town and provide a source of many memories to those who have known it well over the years.