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Civic History and the Town Hall

Eastbourne Town Hall
Eastbourne's first council was established in 1883 when the town was incorporated as a municipal borough under the Municipal Corporations Act of 1882.
 
The town's first Mayor was Mr Alderman G A Wallis.
 
The construction of a Town Hall soon followed when the foundation stone was laid by Lord Edward Cavendish on 9th October 1884. The building was opened by the Mayor, Mr Alderman G Boulton, on 20th October 1886.
 
You can download a detailed civic history of Eastbourne below, containing:
 
  • an account of the building of the Town Hall
  • the results of the first ever Eastbourne Council election in 1883
  • descriptions of rooms, paintings and displays which can be seen in the Town Hall today

When Eastbourne Became A Borough

Movietone, the British news archive company has a movie-clip from 1911 on its website called Eastbourne Becomes A Borough. It shows dignitaries from the council and the Lady Mayoress of London planting a tree in commemoration.
 
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A civic history of Eastbourne
A civic history of Eastbourne - [42 KB] The development of the town, the building of the Town Hall and the establishment of the Borough Council