Hastings Model Village

From Historical Hastings

Hastings Model Village in White Rock Gardens took three years to construct, was designed by Stanley Deboo and constructed with the assistance of a master builder Mr. Benjamin White[1], following the success of a similar village Mr. White had constructed in Ramsgate. Mr. White went on to design and build a similar model village at the Redoubt in Eastbourne. The village was opened to the public on the 19th of February 1955. The village was named 'Ganymeade' and featured reproductions of many Sussex ​building​s. Whilst it was an extremely popular tourist attraction, featuring prominently in postcard collections such as Gifford Boyd who produced a set of six cards showing the village. Unfortunately, it was prone to vandalism and subsequently removed in 1988, being replaced by a miniature golf course, then a laser maze site. It is believed that some of the foundations of the houses are still visible.[2]

Whilst the village was open to visitors, many new ​building​s were added such as a newspaper office the 'Ganymeade Gazette' which featured in an article in the local paper.[3] In addition, the team of modelers were known to work tirelessly to repair and replace any ​building​s suffering damage.

Images

References & Notes

  1. The Redoubt Eastbourne Revisited | Maximal Space, accessdate: 19 April 2020
  2. 1066 Online
  3. Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 24 May 1958