This is the Hastings at Seaton Delaval. The roadworks caused a bit of difficulty for a good photo!

This building is shown on the 1850s map, though is unlabelled. It's estimated to have been built between 1838-1840 and certainly served as the Hastings Arms from 1843. In these early years it was owned by a Mr John Bell, a Publican by trade born around 1811.

It played a huge part in village life, with Bell hosting floral and horticultural shows here as well as dinners. In 1843, Mr Bell hosted Jacob Henry Delaval Loftus Astley here, the eldest son of Lord Hastings, in celebration of the ordered restoration of Seaton Delaval Hall which was destroyed by fire 20 years prior. By 1856, the pub was put up for let and was owned by Monkseaton Brewery, though still occupied by Bell. They had a massive complex on the village high street, and continued through to 1938.

This pub also played an important role in the Hartley Pit Disaster of 1862. Stephen Reed, the coroner for South Northumberland, held the inquests on the five men who died after the falling of the beam. He took statements from various men here including Robert Stephenson (the pit keeper) and Robert Taylor (the engineman). It was he here who decided it was accidental death, with no person to blame. On the same day, a mass meeting of 2000 pitmen took place at the pit mouth to consider giving up their contracts in solidarity with the deceased and render any assistance required to the bereaved.

From thereon, mass meetings of both the unionised and non-unionised pitmen were held here. In 1887, there was a large attendance in the front to adopt motions regarding wages and how raised money should be provided to those on strike.

The pub has operated ever since, previously operating as a hotel too. Hopefully, we'll see a listing in the near future given its importance to the local area.