A Christmas Mystery Hidden Inside an Eastbourne Sash Window for 55 Years

An old newspaper, a freezing Christmas Eve and a remarkable discovery during a traditional sash window restoration on Arlington Road, Eastbourne.

Christmas Eve, 1970

Picture the scene. Inside a beautiful family home on Arlington Road, Eastbourne, preparations are underway for Christmas Day. Perhaps the children are sitting beside a roaring coal fire, making paper chains, while someone hurriedly wraps the last few presents. Tomorrow, the dining room will be filled with visiting relatives, laughter and the smell of Christmas dinner. Outside, it's bitterly cold. Central heating is becoming more popular, but many homes still rely on coal fires and gas heaters to keep warm. And there's a problem. The old timber sash window won't stop rattling. Every gust of wind brings another icy draught into the room. Someone reaches for a newspaper, folds it several times and wedges it into the window frame. The rattling stops. Perhaps the room feels a little warmer, too. Problem solved. And there the newspaper remains, forgotten for more than 55 years. Or at least, that's how we imagine it might have happened.

A Remarkable Discovery in 2026

While restoring a traditional timber sash window on Arlington Road, our team at REED Decorators discovered fragments of an old newspaper deliberately wedged into the window frame. It appeared to have been used to stop the window rattling and possibly help reduce draughts. But what really caught our attention were the headlines. One reported Aston Villa's 2–1 victory over Manchester United in the League Cup semi-final on 23 December 1970. Another discussed Portsmouth spending £80,000 on football transfers. There were also Christmas greetings, cartoons and stories from a Britain that existed more than half a century ago. The clues pointed towards a newspaper published around Christmas 1970. Suddenly, an ordinary sash window restoration had become a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Christmas in Eastbourne, 1970

Britain was a very different place. Edward Heath was Prime Minister, decimal currency had yet to arrive, and colour television was still finding its way into homes across the country. Newspapers remained an important source of everyday news and entertainment. Many properties had single-glazed windows, limited insulation and rooms heated individually by coal or gas fires. A folded newspaper was a cheap and practical way to stop an old sash window rattling. We can't know exactly when someone placed this newspaper inside the window. It may even have been reused months or years after Christmas 1970. But it's wonderful to imagine that someone was simply trying to make their dining room a little more comfortable before welcoming family for Christmas. More than five decades later, those ordinary household efforts have left behind an unexpected historical curiosity.

Preserving Eastbourne's Historic Homes

Discoveries like this are one of the reasons we enjoy restoring older properties. Traditional timber sash windows are an important feature of many Victorian and Edwardian homes throughout Eastbourne and East Sussex. They contribute to the character of a property, and where possible, preserving the original timber can help retain that historic charm. With careful preparation, appropriate repairs and a suitable paint system, many original windows can be preserved rather than replaced. At REED Decorators, we're Repair Care certified and specialise in timber repairs, sash window painting and professional decorating. Our approach focuses on protecting original features, carrying out repairs where needed and achieving a durable, high-quality finish. Because sometimes, restoring an old property is about more than improving how it looks. It's about preserving a little piece of history.

A Window into Christmas Past

Somewhere along the way, somebody folded up a newspaper and pushed it into a rattling window. They probably never gave it another thought. Christmases came and went. Families grew. The world changed. And that little newspaper stayed where it was, hidden inside the window frame. Until we discovered it in 2026. It makes you wonder what other stories are hiding inside Eastbourne's older homes. And hopefully, when someone restores our work in another 55 years, they won't find newspapers being used as draught proofing!

Looking after a period property in Eastbourne or East Sussex?

Whether you need timber sash window repairs, specialist painting or decorating for a character property, REED Decorators can help you preserve your home's original features while giving it a fresh, lasting finish.

Get in touch to discuss your decorating or restoration project.