It's a public/bank holiday, and it's Friday! But what's on over this 4 day long weekend? Well, quite a bit guided towards children, but then there's always a child still in all of us, there is in me anyway... Hastings Museum & Art Gallery (website) in John's Place, up Bohemia Road and on the right, isn't open on Monday (as usual), but it is open Friday and Saturday 10.00 to 4pm, and on Sunday 12.00 to 5pm. In addition to the exhibits there all the time, and special exhibitions, from today until the 15th of April there is a, free to enter, Easter Egg Hunt, search the museum for clues, solve a puzzle, and if successful win a chocolate treat!
If you want to work off a few pounds, or just maintain a decent level of fitness, or just want to volunteer to help, every Saturday morning, starting at 9am, is the Hastings 5km Park Run (website), for anyone, young or not so young, a runner or a slow jogger, this is for fun, and good fitness-wise too. It begins at Seaside Road by Grosvenor Gardens, along the seafront to about 50 metres east of the Pier, and back again. It may not be quite as sunny as in this image (above) on their website, but you never know; if you want to be timed, you need to register before your first ever Park Run, then run!
If you'd like to explore Hastings fishing quarter, not so energetic, but the guided Stade Guided Walk returns this Saturday and Sunday (website), organised by the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS). Meet up at 11am both days, outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road (inside if raining) ready to explore the net huts, fishing industry and beach, and learn the history of this hundreds of years old industry for up to about 90 minutes. You are advised to wear suitable footwear, and clothing if the weather is inclement, and if you have any special mobility needs please contact the Fishermen's Museum in advance. This is a free guided walk, given by a volunteer, the museum is a charity, and the OHPS would appreciate any donations to help its upkeep, and to help maintain its all-year opening, many thanks!
Whilst you're at Hastings Fishermen's Museum (website), you would also be advised to have a tour inside this wonderful building, it's a delight. Open since 1956, the museum is situated in the former Fishermen's Church of St Nicholas, a mission chapel serving the local fishing community since 1854 until it was requisitioned during World War II. The Grade II listed building and museum are managed by the OHPS who rescued the building, now leasing it from Hastings Borough Council. Inside are many excellent exhibits, including the sailing lugger, the Enterprise (above), an audio visual presentation and great gifts to peruse. Outside, net huts and fishing boats are on show from as far back in the road as RX134, The Stacey Marie (blog and facebook page) just before the Fish Market, a good 70 to 80 metres before you reach the museum!
Just beyond the Fishermen's Museum is the Shipwreck Museum (website), also with free admission, and a charitable museum of the Nautical Museums Trust Charity, exhibiting many artefacts from ships wrecked in the English Channel, and locally found fossils. Just after, and on the same side of the road, is the Blue Reef Aquarium (website), which from today, and for the Easter school holidays, is running an Easter Trail: find the easter eggs hidden around the aquarium, and unscramble the letters found to find a 'magic word' and take part in colouring and the 'maze activity sheet.'
On the other side of the Stade, by the beach, offers the chance to visit the Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station and their Visitors Centre (website). As you can see above, tomorrow (Saturday) there will also be special Easter 'fun' meeting the Easter Bunny, entertainment including the Shanty Singers, refreshments and cakes, a tombola and a raffle, and a chocolate egg for "every child wearing an Easter Bonnet!" Though that may upset a few wee lads without bonnets. 😉
Also tomorrow (Saturday), up at Hastings Castle (blog) on the West Hill, they are holding an hour-long Easter Egg Hunt for the third consecutive year, from 10-11am, where hundreds of chocolate easter eggs will be hidden around the grounds for children to find; there will be a dedicated time slot for under 5s. See their facebook event page for details of cost etc, and people are advised to wear sensible shoes.
OK, there will be fun to be had in many other areas, parks, and along the seafront not to mention for adults in bars and restaurants, but I'm finishing this blog at Hastings Pier (website). As we've now come to expect, there won't just be the regular facilities, and special events like Automata on the Pier, but Easter events too, including aPIERtite, an Easter Street Food Festival today and tomorrow, 11am to 8pm both days. APIERtite will include food, drinks, music and entertainment for all ages (website), plus the Pier itself will be organising Easter Family Fun, with Easter 'crafts' including making a "mini moving chick in an egg to take away."
Enjoy the 4 day weekend, and, if you're working in the service sectors, including the NHS, Fire & Rescue, Police, Coastguard and Hastings Lifeboat, many thanks, respect!
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