The town of Hastings, on the coast of East Sussex, was one of the medieval Cinque Ports on the south-east coast of England, benefitting from trade with Continental Europe. As the town developed into a seaside resort in the nineteenth century with the arrival of the railway, the adjoining settlement of St Leonards was built as an elegant new town to attract wealthy incomers. Hastings still operates a fishing fleet today and has grown into a large, culturally diverse town that welcomes many visitors to its ancient streets, historic old town and beaches. In Hastings & St Leonards: The Postcard Collection author Alan Spree has drawn on a remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of life in these towns in the past, from the Edwardian period to the end of the First World War. Although many landmarks have remained the same over the years, there have also been many changes in Hastings and St Leonards and the photographs show the towns and their communities adapting and changing over the course of this period. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Hastings and St Leonards or know them well.

Alan Spree is the great-grandson of the postcard publisher John Henry Spree. Alan was born in Nottingham and went to school in Bilborough before moving to Portsmouth and growing up there. His first job was at Portsmouth Dockyard then he gained a degree in Civil Engineering and became a professionally qualified Civil Engineer. He worked with the Department of Environment and Preston City Council before retirement in Spain.