Hastings fishing boats and old town photos from the 1980s

The images, taken by Robin Dengate, show the seaside town during the 1980s. 

Robin was born in Hastings in 1953, and lived there until moving to Derbyshire with his wife in 1987. 

His family owned the Dengate furniture store on Queens Road, and his father worked as a funeral director in the town.

Robin, in the 1980s and now (Image: Robin Dengate)

Robin developed a passion for photography in his 20s – initially inspired by motor racing. 

“I would go to Brands Hatch in the 1970s, and try to take pictures of the motorbikes with my cheap Kodak camera”, Robin said. 

“The bikes were too quick! So I bought a better camera. After that, I started snapping everything I could. 

“Whenever there was nice weather, I’d be off to the Old Town to see what I could photograph.” 

Another day at the office for these fishermen (Image: Robin Dengate)

As a result, Robin ended up with thousands of pictures of Hastings stashed away. He recently decided he should gather them all together into a single collection, and posted the best ones online. 

“I’ve had them for 40-odd years”, Robin said. “I thought I’d put them somewhere people could see and enjoy them.” 

Many of the pictures feature the Hastings seafront and its plentiful fishing boats, offering a snapshot of the working lives of fishermen in the 1980s.

Robin enjoys photographing the old wooden fishing boats (Image: Robin Dengate)

Robin still returns to Hastings to visit family members, and says that the town’s fishing fleet isn’t what it once was. 

“I still go down to the Old Town to take pictures when I’m visiting”, Robin said. 

“It’s harder now. There’s far fewer boats than there were in the 80s. Most of the wooden boats are gone. 

“It’s a shame. I love those old fishing boats.” 

Though the boats and the Hastings of the past may be gone, at least there are Robin’s photos to remember them by.

What are your memories of Hastings in the 80s? Tell us in the comments below