The town’s houses built through this period reflected the ups and downs in trade. From historical records including deeds, probate inventories, and hearth tax returns, David Neave was able to tell the story.

In 1600 we had thatched cruck framed houses with walls of cobble, chalk, or mud. Also some reused priory stone. They were still in a poor state of repair from the poverty caused by the dissolution of the Priory.

When seaborne trade picked up after 1650 local merchants and related professionals prospered and built grand houses. David described the features of examples including “The Toft” and “Hebblethwaite House” still standing in Old Town and the “Rickerby Mansion” which was in Prince Street. All were built with brick and terracotta tiles.

After 1700 trade began to falter and after about 1730 no further grand houses were built in the town. As the sea washed away houses, plots of land on the “moor” common land were allocated and would have become the earliest houses on King Street and Queen Street. Some had Dutch style gables.

Then, with the arrival of the sea bathing craze, lodging houses were built starting on Manor Street. Some visitors built their own holiday villas. David identified Flat Top Farm and Fort Hall as examples, both sadly now demolished.

The Vote of Thanks was given by Sarah Ryalls.