There used to be a rope walk along a narrow, flat piece of land now
covered over by the expanse of seafront prom etc at Hastings. It was on
the shingle bank, as the flattest piece of land around that hilly town
it would have been ideal for rope-working. This later became a kind of
squatter's town called the Amercia (as in Independence) Ground. However
the "ropewalk" became a thoroughfare (probably to the annoyance of the
rope makers while they were still there) and a source of er, amusement
to the gentry. There's more, and pictures of the old rope walk on a
Hastings website:
http://www.finhall.demon.co.uk
Hastings.UK.net website
and also on a BBC local website but I don't know if that is still up and
running. If these don't work just google on America Ground Hastings
Rope Walk and they should pop up. Also, Barry Funnell: 'The America
Ground', 1989, Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group, mentions the
ropewalk - sounds as if these flatlands are integral to that industry
and then later kept the name when reduced to paths, roads, strands
whatever.
Cheers,
Helen.
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