Illustration of a Richardson Span-Roofed greenhouse
Our History
The Alexandra Park Greenhouse was designed as a prestigious hothouse to provide Hastings with the floral displays that a popular seaside town required in the 1930s. Many have fond memories of the greenhouse before it closed in the 1980s and fell into disrepair.
The Best Glasshouse in town
The Greenhouse was purchased in 1934 from Richardson’s of Darlington—an architectural manufacturer of glass structures. A teenage Richardson formed the company not long after the 1851 Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace being inspired by the new craze for greenhouses and conservatories.
At a cost of £4,500, the Greenhouse was the finest hothouse in town, featuring an impressive steam heating system to aid propagation. (At this time you could buy a terraced house in Hastings for £200).
This demonstrates how much Hastings Council valued its parks and gardens. Above all it acknowledged the benefits to the health and well-being of the residents and visitors to this seaside town.
Robert Marnock
Alexandra Park was designed by Scottish landscape gardener, horiculturalist and writer Robert Marnock (1800-1889). His work in Alexandra Park is considered “Superior to any park in any other seaside resort”. This summer, there will be a national celebration of Marnock’s work – read more about the celebrations here.
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Simultaneously the iconic De La Warr Pavilion, Marine Court, and the outdoor bathing pool in St Leonards were built. These all needed special floral displays so the Greenhouse was absolutely essential to the whole town plan.
Sidney Little
In 1926, Sidney Little (1885–1961) aimed to create a new-look modern seaside town. A 455m promenade from Hastings Pier to Warrior Square was constructed from a relatively new material: reinforced concrete. Sunken seaside gardens filled with massed coloured floral displays, all grown at the greenhouse. Strolling past Marine Court, the ocean liner serviced-apartment block, the open air swimming pool awaited anyone wanting to dive in and be invigorated.
In 1973 The Statue of Prince Albert was rescued from the remains of the Albert Memorial Clock Tower. It was given pride of place in the centre of Alexandra Park greenhouse.
Subsequently the Mini Floral Hall became the ‘Albert House’.
The statue of Albert found in the greenhouse (1982)
The Albert statue (2013)
Good Memories
In 2017, a 90 year old Hastings resident Mr Bernard Mallion, revisited the greenhouse and shared his recollections of his first gardening job. As a 14 year old teenager, he worked in the ‘Big House’ as the Greenhouse was known in the 1940s. He learned to propagate and grow plants for the parks and gardens. He also tended the splendid collection of sub-tropical plants contained in the hothouse.
Mr Mallion, an apprentice gardener in 1941, visits again after 76 years
Alexandra Park Greenhouse was subsequently used during World War 2 as part of Dig for Victory. Vegetables and tomatoes were grown as an important boost to the morale of the Hastings community.
In the 1970’s the Greenhouse became part of Pets Corner, a zoo for small animals. Rabbits, goats and peacocks were housed in outside pens. At the same time the exotic plants were thriving in the heated greenhouse environment. Visitors passed through a tropical atmosphere with rubber trees, daturas and pepperomias.
Further reading: ‘Hastings’ Historic Alexandra Park’ by Steven Whitford & Anne Scott (OHPS).
David Palmer was employed within the Parks and Gardens Department. David planted the four large palm trees by the bridge at the rear of the park. These palm tress are almost 60 years old. (mid 1960s inclusive – image kindly donated by David’s family)
The greenhouse was closed in the late 1980’s, it’s glass removed, and lay deteriorating until 2013. Then an expedition to rediscover Prince Albert’s statue led to the plan to restore the building to its former glory.
Volunteers and park ranger Nick Hennessy tackle the weeds in the long border and repair the wall
Over Wrought Forge at work on the restoration of the upper cast-iron (2016)
After 2013 the Alexandra Park greenhouse site was cleared by volunteers and having uncovered our greenhouse gem we were not idle.
By spreading the word and interesting local businesses and organisations we were generously supported and raised over £25K to stop the deterioration of the structure. Thanks to these donations to APGG the building was made temporarily watertight.
In addition the upper ventilation system was restored, electricity brought to the site and the brick cold frame replaced using Heritage bricks. Hastings council repaired water pipes and drains. In addition idverde, Alexandra Park’s grounds maintenance and landscape company, provided the water supply, donated plants, manpower and expertise.
Volunteers celebrating after a plant sale which raised valuable funds for the restoration
David Gillies (The Muffin Club) gives cheque to Linda Pearson (right) and Charlotte Ramage.
In 2018 Alexandra Park Greenhouse Group (APGG) became a charity.
Hastings Borough Council granted a 25 year lease on the greenhouse which gives the group security to continue its horticultural visionand pursue the ambition to restore the building for community use.
Meanwhile we held weekly Saturday greenhouse gardening sessions enabling volunteers to cultivate and donate plants for sale. This gave a small but regular income to sustain the greenhouse’s day to day outgoings. We also initiated lovely events within the restrictions of the building’s current state and the success of these encouraged us to push forward with the planned restoration.
The greenhouse was currently the best we could make it and the planned restoration was essential for the greenhouse to blossom.