Publications
Eastbourne's First Motor Omnibuses with a preliminary note on John Kempe Brydges, Borough Electrical Engineer, 1900-1939, and first manager of the motor bus department, 1903-4, by John Norris, published 1996 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 26, article, pp.2-10, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506527] Download PDF
Abstract:Eastbourne was one of the first towns In the country to have a public electricity supply, the Eastbourne Electric Light Co. commencing supply in September 1882, Just months after similar companies at Brighton and Hastings. All three companies were established by the prominent electrical pioneer and entrepreneur Robert Hammond. The first Engineer & Manager at Eastbourne was H.M. Sayers, followed c.1885 by H.W. Kolle.
On 1st January 1900 Eastbourne Corporation took over the private company and appointed as Engineer of the Corporation's Electric Light Undertaking John Kempe Brydges, who was to hold the position for almost 40 years, during which time the number of consumers increased from under 500 to 21,000 and the electricity supplied from approx. 0.4 million Units (kWh) In 1900 to approx. 38 million In 1939.
Among the archives held in the library of Seaboard's Milne Electrical Collection at Amberley Museum Is the leather-bound 'Electrical Engineers Report Book' in which Mr. Brydges reported fortnightly to the Corporation's Electric Light Committee. Unexpectedly, interesting information on Eastbourne's first motor buses Is to be found in this book for It transpires that In addition to his electrical duties Mr. Brydges was In charge of the fledgling Motor Bus Department when It started in 1903.
On 1st January 1900 Eastbourne Corporation took over the private company and appointed as Engineer of the Corporation's Electric Light Undertaking John Kempe Brydges, who was to hold the position for almost 40 years, during which time the number of consumers increased from under 500 to 21,000 and the electricity supplied from approx. 0.4 million Units (kWh) In 1900 to approx. 38 million In 1939.
Among the archives held in the library of Seaboard's Milne Electrical Collection at Amberley Museum Is the leather-bound 'Electrical Engineers Report Book' in which Mr. Brydges reported fortnightly to the Corporation's Electric Light Committee. Unexpectedly, interesting information on Eastbourne's first motor buses Is to be found in this book for It transpires that In addition to his electrical duties Mr. Brydges was In charge of the fledgling Motor Bus Department when It started in 1903.