Forage for knowledge
Schedule
Fri, 07 Nov, 2025 at 10:00 am
UTC+00:00Location
The North Seat | Hastings, EN
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this week we we will visit North Seat then walk to the nearby picnic area and discuss our actions over the summer holidays. we will meet 172 Mill Ln, Hastings TN35 5EUplease bring your picnic lunch as this ensures dietary requirements are met.
This location, being the highest spot within the borough was used to hold the gibbeted remains of the 'Fish Ponds Murderer' - Lawrence Holliday, a barber of George Street who had been found guilty of murdering a reputedly wealthy farmer who resided at the farm of the former name - Fish Ponds Farm on the 8th of September, 1840. The murder weapon is reputedly a hammer, although local historian - Helena Wojtczak - notes that a knife may have been utilised also - part of his skull having been cut away and the old man has survived for a number of hours post-attack .
Early Mapping usage
1964 View (c) Derek Jempson
The site is at the highest point on Fairlight Down, visible from some 40 miles away. This led, in September 1787 to the location being used to 'triangulate' (a method used to survey maps) landmarks in France and the UK. The other location utilised was Dover. To facilitate this a 32-foot high tower was constructed by General William Roy of the British Army. From the top of this, he could survey the landmarks and take bearings using a theodolite. Because both this location and that of the one at Dover were known, it was then a fairly simple measure to plot exactly the location of landmarks visible from both.
The success of this exercise led in 1791 to the foundation of the Ordnance Survey - known to most of us for the range of detailed mapping they produce.
The site was again used in 1825 to line up the measurement of Longitude cross-channel with both sides firing rockets into the sky over twelve nights sending messages across the channel to the mouth of the river Canche in France.
The 'stubby' post or 'Trigonometry Point' a few metres away from the plinth and brass bearing plate is believed to be on the site of the original plotting tower.
Memorial Seat
As to the name of North (or North's depending on which source you use) Seat, this came from the late Frederick North who died in 1869. A circular seat was placed on the spot in his honour in 1870. This replaced an earlier windmill on the site (1819-1869)
Viewing Platform
The seat was replaced with a wooden elevated viewing platform, featuring the brass orientation table at the summit in 1930, this being utilised during the Second World War as an observation point and demolished following vandalism in 1982. All that remains on the site today is the brass orientation plaque and the aforementioned trigonometry point.
to check availability and to request registration forms contact Craig's cabin at [email protected]
Come join our lovely friendly and supportive group on Friday from 10 am as we explore local areas at a relaxed pace learning new things about the local environment, each other and ourselves. there is no pressure no expectations no judgement.
To become a volunteer contact: [email protected] for a registration form.
Why not check out the Craig's Cabin YouTube channel, website, or find us on social media.
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Where is it happening?
The North Seat, Hastings, East Sussex, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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