Publications
Barracks, Workhouse and Hospital: St. Mary's Eastbourne, 1794-1990, by John Surtees, published 1 January 1992 (160 pp., Eastbourne Local History Society, ISBN-10: 0950456047 & ISBN-13: 9780950456041) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries
The Princess Alice Memorial Hospital, Eastbourne and other Eastbourne hospitals, by John Surtees, published 1 November 1993 (244 pp., Eastbourne Local History Society, ISBN-10: 0950456055 & ISBN-13: 9780950456058) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Beachy Head, by John Surtees, published November 1997 (114 pp., Seaford: S. B. Publications, ISBN-10: 1857701186 & ISBN-13: 9781857701180) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Beachy Head, by John Surtees, published June 1999 (new edition, 144 pp., Seaford: S. B. Publications, ISBN-10: 1857701801 & ISBN-13: 9781857701807) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
The strange case of Dr John Bodkin Adams and the views of those who knew him, by John Surtees, published 2000 (176 pp., Seaford: S.B., ISBN-10: 1857701089 & ISBN-13: 9781857701081) accessible at: British Library & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Eastbourne: A History, by John Surtees, published 21 October 2002 (134 pp., Chichester: Phillimore & Co. Ltd., ISBN-10: 1860772269 & ISBN-13: 9781860772269) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:Eastbourne started as a fishing hamlet enlivened by the occasional bit of smuggling. The fashion for drinking seawater and sea-bathing was the principal catalyst for change, with the additional ingredients of the beauty of Beachy Head, the seal of a royal visit in 1780, the coming of the railway and the vision and support of the 7th Duke of Devonshire. The area was owned by just two families, and between them they regulated development to ensure that Eastbourne attracted the affluent whereby it became 'the Empress of Watering Places'. An entertaining and well illustrated account of the town's entire past.
Eastbourne's Story, by John Surtees, published 30 December 2004 (80 pp., Seaford: S. B. Publications, ISBN-10: 1857702980 & ISBN-13: 9781857702989) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:A complete potted history of the story of Eastbourne. From the Romans and Saxons, the Napoleonic threat, the First and Second World Wars through to modern times. And the huge changes that have made Eastbourne, what it is today.
This book is well illustrated and makes a fascinating read, an essential edition to your bookshelf for all those who know and love Eastbourne. John Surtees lives in East Dean and has written many books.
This book is well illustrated and makes a fascinating read, an essential edition to your bookshelf for all those who know and love Eastbourne. John Surtees lives in East Dean and has written many books.
East Dean and Friston: The Story of Two Downland Villages, by John Surtees and Sheila Surtees, published 15 December 2008 (420 pp., Seaford: S. B. Publications, ISBN-10: 1857703448 & ISBN-13: 9781857703443) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:Nestling in the Sussex countryside, these two villages were isolated from the noise and bustle of town life for a millennium. After 1920 the A259 was made up and a new estate was added bringing in the retired and commuters. For the first time (except for Army service) many of the youngsters left, yet the ambiance and community support of a country village has been maintained.
If you wish to discover more about the churches, how long it took to get a speed limit through the village, or the Village Hall saga, or how the village helped beat Hitler, or tales of farming before and after the tractor, then it is all here and more. Since the new Village Hall, the residents find that once again they can be busy all day and throughout the year, without leaving the village. This is the definitive 420 page history of East Dean and Friston. The author, John Surtees lives in Friston and has written many well known books on the local history of Eastbourne and the surrounding area. He is a doctor by profession, although now retired.
If you wish to discover more about the churches, how long it took to get a speed limit through the village, or the Village Hall saga, or how the village helped beat Hitler, or tales of farming before and after the tractor, then it is all here and more. Since the new Village Hall, the residents find that once again they can be busy all day and throughout the year, without leaving the village. This is the definitive 420 page history of East Dean and Friston. The author, John Surtees lives in Friston and has written many well known books on the local history of Eastbourne and the surrounding area. He is a doctor by profession, although now retired.
Victoria's Diamond Jubilee (How We Celebrated), by John Surtees, published 2012 (booklet no. 33, East Dean & Friston Local History Group) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/509210] & East Dean & Friston Local History Group
How East Dean & Friston celebrated in 1897.
Eastbourne: Then & Now in colour, by John Surtees and Nicholas Taylor, published 1 November 2012 (96 pp., The History Press, ISBN-10: 0752485768 & ISBN-13: 9780752485768) accessible at: Eastbourne Heritage Centre & East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:The sunniest place in Great Britain due to its sheltered location, modern Eastbourne emerged as a popular seaside resort in the early nineteenth century. Much has changed since then, but Eastbourne has weathered the changes well, surviving severe bomb damage in Second World War and still retaining much of its early grandeur. Including some of Easbourne's best-loved landmarks such as the Pier, Wish Tower and Beachy Head, this book takes you on a nostalgic journey from past to present.
Review in Sussex Family Historian vol. 20 no. 6, June 2013:This book is one of series of volumes produced by "historypin", who aim to record every major town and city to create a pictorial record for those interested in local history. The "then" pictures are mainly from the late 1800s and are compared with a more recent photograph of the same scene. Being an Eastbournian I can vouch for the accuracy of the interesting dialogue that accompanies the pictures on each page. The result is a potted history of the town. This well produced book will not help in finding your ancestors, but is a nostalgic journey from past to present for those whose families lived in Eastbourne during the last two centuries
The Trial of Dr John Bodkin Adams, by John Surtees, published 2015 (booklet no. 48, East Dean & Friston Local History Group) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/509224] & East Dean & Friston Local History Group
Murderer or Man of Mercy? The controversial case of a local GP.