Mallinson's Calypso delivered to my Door!

I recently wrote a blog about a couple of excellent ales I had delivered to me and enjoyed drinking immensely. Well, I couldn't resist the cask conditioned ale they provided this week either, from another excellent Yorkshire brewery, Mallinson's Brewing Company (website), and their 3.9% single hopped Calypso. Again, I was very pleased yesterday to receive a visit from the same jolly crew from The Jolly Fisherman (website) Alfred, Becky and Oliver, with respectful social distancing maintained at delivery, and it's always a pleasure to see this family; indeed, I'm looking forward to drinking at their micropub in the reasonably near future, fingers crossed...

The Calypso hop is another of my favourite hops bred and grown in the Yakima Valley in the US of A, and Mallinson's Calypso is a pale golden light refreshing ale, and so easy to drink. There is an amazingly complex fruity aroma and taste, with pears, apples, citrus and tropical fruits, and a wonderful dry bitter finish with grapefruit to the taste. It's pretty damn good, cheers!

And I can't get Suzanne Vega's Calypso (YouTube) out of my mind, which is not a bad thing. 👌

And a reminder, if you live in Hastings, or close by, and you want something delivered from The Jolly Fisherman; deliveries are made most afternoons/early evenings, with a new cask ale each week for the Friday delivery, plus they sell keg and bottled beers, ciders, wine, etc etc... Do have a look at their website for more details and to place an order.

If you don't live down here, check in your own locality for suppliers, or I provided ideas in an older blog; the links appear to work still. Good searching and drinking, and cheers! 👍

Day Trip to Eastbourne, and above board too!

Yes, yesterday was the most exciting day of the year for me, sad me, a day trip to Eastbourne, "didn't I have a wonderful time the day I went to Eastbourne!" 🎵 And it was above board too, I kid you not, this was the 'Gatwick Express' train (from Hastings to Brighton, presumably Southern borrowed it) that I arrived in Eastbourne on. Indeed, I was here to visit the theatre, the Congress Theatre to be precise..

So I wound my way down to the Congress Theatre, behind The Stage Door here, which obviously wasn't open, though I could have enjoyed a pint of ale, but no, if you aren't already aware, the Congress Theatre is in a more modern building, part of The Welcome Building, I do believe. And, because I couldn't get an appointment in Hastings to receive my vaccination for COVID-19 after receiving a letter from the NHS sent to me 3 weeks ago, I went online on Wednesday and got a booking in Eastbourne for the next day, I wish I'd not waited! Apparently, Hastings had run out of vaccines by the end of last week and there would be no vaccinations given in Hastings this week.

Have to admit I was relieved to get this appointment, when I first looked online to book an appointment I was offered Crystal Palace football stadium, which I thought was a bit far to walk to, and back. So I managed to get an appointment somewhere a bit closer, which was also a bit far to walk to and back in the day, but not much more than a half hour trip on the Gatwick Express was infinitely better than getting to Crystal Palace!

Anyway, whilst I was there I popped down to the beach (above and, in the distance, you can even see Marine Court in Hastings, just), I didn't stay long here though, as my appointment was for 30 minutes later. So if you receive a letter from the NHS inviting you to book appointments for a vaccination, plus booster 12 weeks later, consider going online, and you can get a wee seaside day trip out of it; I'll not make any witty comments after that, but I'll leave it for you to make up your own. 😉

If it is your turn to receive the letter and make appointments, here is the link.

Stay safe folks!

Additional Funding for Businesses in Trouble re COVID-19 Crisis

If you own a local business in trouble financially due to the pandemic, or know someone who does, the second round of the Government-funded Additional Restrictions Grant, covering the period 18th December 2020 to 31st March 2021, is now being administered by Hastings Borough Council. To qualify businesses must:

• Be experiencing a severe impact as a result of the pandemic. This means a reduced turnover of 30% or more for the period 1st April 2020 to date of application, in comparison to the previous year.
• Have been trading the day prior to restrictions coming in to place on the 4th November.

For further information and a link to make the application go to the Council website.

COVID-19 Restrictions to be Lifted, Step by Step...

Well, one thing I'm sure of is that I am continuing to go out walking as my permitted exercise during the COVID-19 Crisis, as, frankly, I do not trust anyone in authority to help me, and the photograph above was taken on my walk to the east of home yesterday, when I was walking down into Warren Glen during my crossing of Hastings Country Park and back. Oh yes! And the Prime Minister made a statement yesterday outlining a 4/5 step 'road' taking us out of the current limitations on our freedom (BBC).

His statement covers the Government's plan for England (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland having separate plans) and reiterates 4 tests to allow the easing of restrictions; the dates offered being the earliest dates possible for each step and if the tests are not met by those dates, then the steps may be put back. The 4 tests are:

• The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully;
• Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths;
• Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS;
• That Government assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of Covid that cause concern.

The photograph above was taken during my walking exercise to the west of the town centre/home earlier today, and looks down on Hastings Pier. So what are these 4/5 'steps' ?!? Well, unless the person responsible only uses fingers and forgets thumbs when counting, then the Government has succeeded in shrinking 5 'steps' into 4! Hmmm, read on, and do not forget, the dates stated are just the earliest possible date:

1. Step One - no earlier than 8 March: Includes that all schools, colleges and universities are to be reopened, that is, for 9 million schoolchildren, plus all students in Further Education and Higher Education, plus after school sports are to be allowed. In addition, 2 people will be allowed to sit next to each other outdoors, and care home residents will be allowed one regular visitor.
2. Step One (or Step 2) - no earlier than 29 March: Includes that 6 people or 2 households will be allowed to meet outdoors, outdoor sports facilities will be allowed to reopen, and travel outside the local area will be allowed.
3. Step Two (or Step 3) - no earlier than 12 April: Includes the reopening of non-essential shops, hairdressers and other personal care, libraries, community centres, swimming pools, gyms, self-contained holiday accommodation, and gardens of pubs, bars and restaurants (no advice regarding toilet facilities yet).
4. Step Three (or Step 4) - no earlier than 17 May: Includes that 6 people or 2 households will be allowed to meet indoors, plus the reopening of cinemas, children's play areas, theatres and sports stadia (with capacity limits), and hotels, restaurants, bars and pubs, cheers!
5. Step Four (or Step 5) - no earlier than 21 June 2021: Legal limits on social contacts end, and freedom, hopefully...

More details and the full content of the Prime Minister's statement to the House of Commons can be read at the Government website.

I could do with a pint now! 😉

Hastings Local Plan Consultation

The consultation for a sustainable Hastings Local Plan carries on until the 24th of March, should you wish to make a contribution (Hastings Borough Council website). Go to the website for plenty of information concerning the "council's strategy for growth, detailing the use of land and buildings in our borough over the next 20 years." The linked page includes links to videos, and provides advice about how to contribute.

With thanks to Simon Holland Photography for the photograph (facebook).

May Day's Off! Jack in the Green Online again, sadly...

Well, Jack in the Green is going online again this year (facebook), so, no coming together of merry people on the streets of Hastings to celebrate May Day for the second year running. This COVID-19 Crisis is really getting to me now, we haven't celebrated any day or any festival since the Fat Tuesday before last! I've checked to see if Bike1066 is still going ahead this year (cancelled last year, obviously, sadly), but nothing mentioned on their website yet, except from last year which says 'postponed until May Day 2021' (website), but don't hold your collective breath...

Oh yeh, remember the good old days when there was something going on every weekend, and I reported on it, well, nothing planned for yet another weekend. 😢

Stay safe folks!

Save our Bees - Pesticides Damaging Wildlife!

 

I have received an email from the Sussex Wildlife Trust, which I am a member of, that is encouraging people to take part in influencing the Government's consultation for a National Action Plan to "reduce the risks of pesticide use" (website). Go to the website to have your say about how bees and other pollinating insects are in danger from the use of pesticides, notably neonicotinoid thiamethoxam, which is banned across Europe. But the use of this pesticide has been authorised recently by the current Environment Secretary, George Eustice, for the treatment of sugar beet seed, despite the then Environment Secretary in 2017, Michael Gove, agreeing with the EU, and promising to maintain the restriction of neonicotinoids use.

In addition, The Wildlife Trusts have organised a petition calling on the Prime Minister to overturn Eustice's "decision to allow bee-killing pesticides." More about this at the Sussex Wildlife Trust website, and you can sign the petition at The Wildlife Trusts website. Let's protect our wildlife please folks!

Fat Tuesday 2021 - Mardi Gras Cancelled, BUT...

Indeed, Hastings Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras is cancelled this year all around the world, as expected of course, due to the COVID-19 Crisis. At least, I can't find anything happening in Hastings, online or not, though I am sure some people will celebrate, because that's what people are, particularly in Hastings, they're inventive! I have written about previous celebrations in Hastings often in past years, and the history of Mardi Gras (eg last year & blog), so what to do in 2021?

Well, in New Orleans they have turned homes into floats (Washington Post) and, apparently, in Rio the Samba Schools are going online, and you can always watch previous years celebrations, eg the Rio Carnival last year (YouTube), or listen to a feast of your own chosen music, or just make and eat pancakes...

Whatever,  let's do our best to enjoy Fat/Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras! 👌

Slipping and Sipping in Hastings!

Sorry, I've not written for a while, I had a bit of a shock slipping on an icy road, had a wee head injury, but all fine now, and drinking these was fun!

During the first 'lockdown' I wrote a blog about ale, cider and perry delivery initiatives in Hastings, and I wrote other blogs about elsewhere too. Well, I couldn't cope with just tins and bottles for what seems a lifetime, so recently I had delivered by the same jolly crew from The Jolly Fisherman (website) Alfred, Becky and Oliver (respectful social distancing maintained at delivery, of course), 4 litres of genuine cask conditioned ale, that is, 2 x 2 litres of two very different styles. 

The first cask ale, you will have gathered from the image immediately above, was a stout from the Bristol-based Arbor Ales (website), their vegan friendly 5.8% Midnight Blue, a rather luxurious delight! Amazingly easy to drink for such a full bodied and fairly strong stout. As you can see, it was very dark, with chocolate and coffee in the aroma and taste, and just a hint of liquorice, finishing off with a dry roasted bitterness. I wrote, "not bad at all!" which means I liked it rather a lot, I just wished I'd bought more than the 2 litres of it. 😉

The second ale, as you can see, was a much paler ale from Newcastle-based Wylam Brewery (website), their 4.2% Hickey the Rake 'Limonata Pale'. This was a very pale beer brewed with 2 of my favourite hops for such ales, Chinook and Mosaic, producing a big fruity aroma and taste. Of course it's citrus fruits, initially grapefruit with a hint of lemon, as I expected from the name and hops used, dry and bitter and very refreshing and so easy to drink; I wrote "very good!" in my notes. So there you go, very good indeed, and again, not enough bought!

If you want something delivered from The Jolly Fisherman deliveries are made most afternoons, usually with a new cask ale added for the Friday delivery, plus they sell keg and bottled beers, ciders, wine, well, have a look at their website for more details and to place an order, cheers m'dears! 👍

Hastings Country Park Exercise & Vandalism Gripes!

Out for my daily exercise earlier, walking across Hastings Country Park Local Nature Reserve (website) and it was a wee bit misty, even more so 30 minutes before I took this photograph. But the 4 Belted Galloway Cattle were up at the top of the Warren Glen field as I was on my way walking back home, and I couldn't resist taking this, my favourite photograph of the year so far... But earlier, I was upset a tad! 

So what upset me, and made me a tad angry? Apparent ignorance of The Countryside Code (Government website) for a start! Well, first, the amount of dog poo being left on pathways by dog owners has certainly increased since the first lockdown commenced, and a friend who lives at Fairlight regularly highlights this problem to me. The Countryside Code states that dog owners should "always clean up after your dog and get rid of the mess responsibly - 'bag it and bin it'." 

Secondly, this gate (above) has had its latch replaced many many times over the last 10 months, I noticed there was a new latch when I was there on Friday, but it's gone again today, so, I'm presuming that, over the weekend, a COVID vandal has, once again, struck! Because the whole latch hasn't been nicked, just a part of it removed, it's the only reason we can think of that every time it is replaced, it gets damaged or removed, a paranoid individual must be at fault. Now, as a Hastings resident and COUNCIL TAX payer, I am very resentful that I, and other Hastings residents, are paying for the replacements that this bampot is removing!

The Countryside Code states that you should "Leave gates and property as you find them" - NOT vandalize them! If the individual, I'm guessing it's just one person, surely there can't be more bampots like him/her out there, is that paranoid about the COVID-19 Crisis then stay at home! Or if you want to take advantage walking in our wonderful local countryside park, and who could blame you for wanting that, then bring rubber gloves or sanitizer with you, please do NOT vandalize our country park! There are reasons for gates being open or closed in the countryside, read The Countryside Code (website) and please stop wasting our council tax payments!

Remember, respect other people and the countryside, many thanks. 👍

I shall now relax... 😉

COVID-19 Testing at Pelham Place Car Park this Week

COVID-19 Testing returns to Pelham Place Car Park this week (Monday 1st to Friday 5th February), but you need to make an appointment online beforehand, or call 119 if you have technical problems using the online service. 

Appointments for free tests can only be made if at least one of the following applies:

• You have a high temperature
• You have a new continuous cough
• You've lost your sense of smell or taste or it's changed
• You've been asked to get a test by a local council
• You're taking part in a government pilot project
• You've been asked to get a test to confirm a positive result

Go to the Government website for further details and/or to book an appointment.

Stay safe folks!