St. Leonards Mechanics Institute

Established in 1848 by Phillip Hook and Thomas Brett, the St. Leonards Mechanic's Institute was an organisation similar to the Mechanics Institution which had been formed in Hastings around ten years earlier. Brett served as Treasurer from 1853, becoming president in 1888, at which time the institute was based in Norman Road, originally meeting in the Mercatoria school-room

Founding of the St. Leonards Mechanic's Institution

The St. Leonards Mechanic's Institution was founded in 1848. The idea for the institution originated from discussions between T. B. Brett and Philip Hook, both of whom were members of the Hastings Mechanics' Institution but found it inconvenient to travel the distance to attend meetings.

They approached Mr. W. Chamberlin of the Royal Victoria Hotel, a prominent member of the Hastings institution, who agreed to support the formation of a similar society in St. Leonards.

A private meeting was then held at Mr. C. J. How's residence, attended by Messrs. C. J. How, T. B. Brett, Philip Hook, and Frederick Gausden. This group can be considered the core founding members of the St. Leonards Mechanic's Institution.

The founding members secured the use of the new National Schoolroom for a public meeting, which was held on October 3rd, 1848, and was well-attended. Mr. Chamberlin was elected chair of the meeting.

At this meeting, Mr. J. J. Ryall proposed the formation of a society to be called "The St. Leonards Co-operative Institution for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge among the Working Classes". The name was later changed to "The St. Leonards Mechanic's Institution" after discussion and suggestions from attendees Messrs. Smith, Putland, Nicholas, and others.

A committee of twelve was formed to establish the institution. The committee members were Messrs. Chamberlin, Putland, Brett, Gausden, Ryall, Smith, Neve, Walter, How, Hook, Mann, and Carey.

Mr. H. Sinden also contributed by donating the first book to the institution's library, "Turnbull on Education". By the end of the meeting, approximately 60 individuals had signed up for membership.

The next meeting took place at the St. Leonards Assembly Rooms, where it was decided to rent a portion of the old schoolrooms at Mercatoria for £10 per year from Mr. Carey, who was using the space as a furniture warehouse. The first general meeting was held on November 3rd, 1848, with 90 enrolled members.