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:
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an account of the building of the Town Hall
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the results of the first ever Eastbourne Council election in 1883
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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.
You have to register to use and search the site, but this is free.
