Hastings Seafront Walk & Homage to Byzantium...

I was out quite early this morning, shopping at Morrisons just after 07.00, and then walking via back streets to St Leonards Church at the end of Undercliff, then crossing to the seafront. I walked eastwards and took this photograph looking back to the west (my earliest photographs today are all facing away from the sun 😎), with Eastbourne and Beachy Head way over there in the distance. Indeed, the tide would be turning back towards shore about 10 minutes after I took the photograph.

The first photograph with a direct reference to the vampire film Byzantium (YouTube trailer), half of which was filmed in Hastings and half was filmed in Cork, is of the lower promenade part of the Azur Marina Pavilion (website), which was built in the 1930s; Hastings & St Leonards has quite a few art deco buildings from this time! This part of the building is featured in the film as the lounge of a home for older people, and the character played by Saoirse Ronan plays the piano here, and more, but I shan't ruin it in case you haven't seen the film yet, and decide to... 😉 I first wrote about the Azur over 7 years ago, when I reviewed the breakfast served, and eaten by me, here (blog).

I carried on eastwards, deciding to look back and take this photograph, with the Azur Marina Pavilion dwarfed by, and apparently listing towards it, Marine Court, which I have written about before (blog). Marine Court is another fine 1930s building and modelled on the Cunard Liner the Queen Mary, the blog is well worth the read.

Carrying on to the east and I walked through Bottle Alley, shortly before the end of which I looked back westwards again and took this photograph. I have written about Sidney Little's Bottle Alley before when the new lighting was installed 5 years ago, when I also mentioned it featuring in the film Byzantium (blog).

Carrying on further to the east and I soon reached one of the main stars of the film Byzantium (trailer), as in, the building used in the film as Byzantium. This was originally called the Palace Hotel, and was built in 1885-86, it is now the Grade II listed Palace Court, and is across the road from the beach.

Again looking back westwards, although nothing to do with the film, indeed, it wasn't even here when Byzantium was being filmed in Hastings, but I photographed this really quite marvellous sculpture on the beach. This was created as part of the 950th Battle of Hastings anniversary celebrations and depicts a Norman Longboat (blog).

First of all I have to admit the photograph above is one I took quite a few years ago, so you may well have seen it before, but in the film Byzantium the beaches of Hastings are filmed quite a bit, so a decision? I thought about photographing the groyne on the beach where the other main character, played by Gemma Arterton, well, I shan't say what she was doing there, but she was playing a vampire... 😉 Anyway, the beach above, and some of the fishing boats there, was featured in the film too, and this photograph also includes the East Hill in the background. Very early in the film, when the 2 main characters Clara and Eleanor Webb (Arterton and Ronan) are about to enter Hastings, they cross the East Hill and the camera looks down into Hastings Old Town, I have shared quite a few photographs of similar images before, particularly when walking back across Hastings Country Park during recent 'lockdowns.'

Anyway, the destination of my walk was Rock-a-Nore, and when the footpath ended, and Rock-a-Nore Road enters into car parks, unless walking down to the beach and rocks, this is as far as one can walk, and this one (me) didn't fancy walking any further eastwards today, particularly as the tide was coming in now. So the view of the cliffs looking eastwards from Rock-a-Nore, and up on top there Hastings Country Park.

I hope you have all enjoyed your August Bank Holiday, stay safe folks!

Help Save our Sea, Marine Life & Fishing Industry!

The Wildlife Trusts have started up an online petition to support the Government's plans to introduce 5 Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA). The purpose is to protect our waters in those HPMAs by banning development, over-fishing (and Hastings fishing boats are small/sustainable, this means larger trawlers!), and other damaging activities, and I think we all know the sort of thing this could be (blog).

So, if you want to share your opinion, please go to The Wildlife Trusts website, and click on the Add Your Name button. Good stuff! 👍

The Who Exhibition and Virtual Reality Experience!

Remembering that The Who played on Hastings Pier as far back as 1969, now you can experience The Who again in Hastings in this exhibition and virtual reality experience at St Andrews Mews (TN34 1SJ) for the next few months. The Mews goes from opposite M&S into St Andrews Square, if you aren't aware of it, and I have written about it before (blog). Anyway, for further details regarding The Who experience go to the website.

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, 1.00-8.00pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12.00-9.00pm Fridays and Saturdays, 12.00-5.00pm Sundays. 

Baba O'Riley YouTube.

Photo Competition - Sussex Wildlife Trust

2017 winner by Karen Diton

What a good opportunity to get out and take photographs of nature, August Bank Holiday Weekend, and you still have 2 weeks in which to submit photographs to the Sussex Wildlife Trust's 2022 Photo Competition. Every year they seek 12 Sussex landscape and wildlife photographs for the following year's calendar, and for the 2023 calendar the theme is Sussex Seasons. Photographs must be submitted by Sunday the 11th of September 2022; further details at the website.

Rules (copied & pasted from the website):

• You can enter up to three images
• Images must be in landscape format only
• Images must be a minimum of 4 MB in size
• For full rules please visit this webpage for the competition’s terms and conditions

Good luck! 👌

 

RNLI 2023 Diary and Greetings Cards, and a very tasty pasty!

On my way home yesterday I popped into the shop of the RNLI Lifeboat Station (website) as I do like to get one of their diaries every year, and I have missed a few years because of leaving it late! But not this year 👌 as I now have their 2023 pocket diary, and it only cost £4.50, decent price, and helping support the RNLI too, great stuff! Oh yes, and I bought 3 boxes of 8 Christmas Cards too, it doesn't hurt to be prepared. 

Also, I had had a few pints at lunchtime, so I was wee bit hungry as, except for a tangerine, I hadn't eaten anything since an early breakfast. So I stopped at the Albion Pasty Shack (facebook), open 10.30am to 4.00pm every day of the week, and of which I have written before (blog), because they do sell very tasty Traditional Cornish Pasties. Except my attention was caught by their spicy vegetarian pasty with kidney beans in it, and I wasn't let down, cost £3.80 and 'twas gorgeous... Sorry that I didn't take photographs of the kiosk open, or my pasty, I was too busy munching the pasty! 😉

I may just have another pasty soon, just to take a photograph, obviously! 😁

£150 Government Council Tax Rebate Update.

And this isn't a scam, the £150 Council Tax Rebate to help with the rising cost of energy bills that the Government announced earlier in the year (blog), well you have until the end of the month to claim it, if you haven't already received it (website). This is for people who live in properties that are valued in council tax bands A-D.

A reminder that people who pay their council tax by direct debit should already have received their rebates via BACS direct into their bank account. If you haven't received it yet, or, if you do not pay by direct debit and haven't yet made a claim, please go to the website, from where you can make an application.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday the 31st August 2022, "anyone who has not applied before Wednesday 31 August will not be able to apply."

The website gives details of what to do and is self-explanatory, indeed, it provides all the information required, and the means to apply. 

Get going if you've not already applied, and good luck to you! 👍

Maybe not the time to swim in the sea!

Not so good news...

Sewage monitors are faulty, or have not been installed, at many seaside resorts in England and Wales and raw sewage has been pumped into the sea, indeed Sussex beaches are without monitors, and figures show that "every beach between Brighton and Hastings has been marred by waste" (Guardian). Going into the water risks swimming in raw sewage without any warning... I'd advise, don't do it!

Stay safe folks! 👌

Sussex Wildlife Trust: New Chief Executive

From today, Chris Corrigan is the new Chief Executive of Sussex Wildlife Trust, to whom I wish a welcome, and also best wishes for the future, and many thanks for your work this last 4 years, to Tor Lawrence (blog), the outgoing Chief Executive.

I shall cut & paste below about this appointment from the Trust's website:

Chris is an experienced executive and has a long history in conservation, having held senior roles with RSPB and more recently at Birdwatch Ireland. Chris is a resident of Sussex and knows and respects the work the Trust does to protect and restore the natural environment.

Chris said,

"I am delighted to be joining such a strong and successful organisation as the Sussex Wildlife Trust. The current scale of the biodiversity and climate crises is unprecedented but all is not lost. Our job is to make the biggest possible difference for wildlife and provide hope. I have been hugely impressed by the wealth of talented and knowledgeable staff and volunteers and as a team I am confident we have the capability to make Sussex a better place for nature”

The Trustees and our staff team are looking forward to welcoming Chris to the Trust when he starts on 22 August.

Fire Station Open Day, RNLI Vacancy, plus more this Weekend

On Sunday, the 21st of August, the Bohemia Road Community Fire Station, strangely enough up Bohemia Road, TN34 1EX, on the right as you go uphill, is having an Open Day. Doors will be open and visitors will be welcome between 11.00am and 4.00pm, with "fun for all the family" 🚒 and I know the son of a certain friend will be absolutely delighted to attend! 

"Crews will be showcasing their new Aerial Ladder Platform" and activities will be "going on throughout the day, including a Breathing Apparatus drill and Chip pan fire demonstration" and "firefighters will also be providing advice on road, water and home safety" (Hastings in East Sussex Town Guide).

And while we're talking about Emergency Services, you could always visit Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station at The Stade TN34 3AR (facebook page). Indeed, I noticed that they are looking for a volunteer to join them in the role of Deputy Launching Authority. The closing date for applications is the 2nd of October 2022, and the role description and further details can be found at the website. 

Of course there is always plenty to do in Hastings, museums, art galleries, amusement arcades, crazy golf courses, parks, the beach and promenade, restaurants, cafes and pubs, and, of course, fish & chips, but beware of the gulls swooping down to pinch any food you may have, chips, ice cream, whatever, just look up and they're like vultures! 

Also, there is the award winning Hastings Pier too, great to extend your promenading on, but also with music from this evening until Sunday, see their facebook page for details. There's plenty more music around town too, always worth a wander around the Old Town any evening, certainly over the weekend/Sunday afternoon, including live music at St Mary in the Castle this evening and tomorrow, music at The Carlisle tomorrow evening and Sunday afternoon, local band Cushty playing at the Dolphin Inn on Saturday evening (it will be busy!), and the Martin Blackman Band will be playing at the Lord Nelson pub on Sunday from 5.00pm, but look out for more music elsewhere!

The weather should be okay over the weekend (Met Office), enjoy!

Please Don't Forget Hastings Foodbank, Especially Nowadays!

I've just been reminded after reading a post from the Council, that Hastings Foodbank (website) is desperate for certain items:

UHT Milk, Full Fat and Semi-skimmed;

Tinned Meat (but not corned beef and pork);

Tinned Vegetables (especially peas and carrots);

Tinned Fruit;

Tinned Spaghetti in sauce.

Also required are:  Toilet Rolls;

Toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste);

Tinned Fish;

Tinned Potatoes;

Tinned Rice Pudding;

Fruit Juice;

Tea and Coffee.

There are Food Bank donation points all over Hastings, and full details of addresses and opening times are at the website, but they include:

HBC Community Contact Centre (Muriel Matters House), The Hastings Centre (The Ridge), Tesco Extra (St Leonards), Sainsbury's (Station Approach), Asda, Tesco Express (Havelock Road), Morrisons, NatWest Bank (Havelock Road), all Nationwide Building Society branches, and I presume at Sainsbury's (Sedlescombe Road)! 

I realise times are getting hard for all of us, and look like they will be getting even worse, but let's care for each other folks, notably for those worse off, many thanks!

Stay safe and look after each other... 👍

Early Morning Wander Around Town and...

I've been getting out early the last few days when it's relatively cool, with a nice breeze too, until the sun pops up above buildings from about 07.00, and I'm not good when it's hot! Indeed, today should be the last 'too hot' day for me for a while, with the forecast seeing tomorrow peaking at just 20/22 degrees Celcius in Hastings (Met Office).

So I wandered around the Town Centre in the peace & quiet, although the small street cleaning wagon was a bit noisy, thankfully cleaning up the mess left behind by the very messy Saturday night revellers/litter louts! And good old Debenhams, well, the building, which I shared a short piece of it's history in a blog a little over a year ago following it's closure... Oh yes, good, not so old, O.W.E.N.S 😏 

Indeed, Owens Entertainment, 1-3 Robertson Street TN34 1HT, is opening soon, still no firm date yet, but in the 'Summer' they say (facebook) and 'twill be announced soon, an 'entertainment venue' on 3 floors, with 'over 20 things to do!' The 'fun' will include 'amusement' machines, pool table(s?), 10 Pin Bowling, and many other facilities including Crazy Golf Courses, I wonder if this influenced the plans to enclose the Pirate Course at Hastings Adventure Golf, as I mentioned in a blog a couple of months ago? And restaurants/bars too, indeed, they are advertising vacancies at indeed 😉 and I noticed on one of the notices about change of use, WC facilities will be provided too, necessary of course with food being served, but for general public use too?

I then sauntered along Queens Road, which I wrote about how the area had been moving upmarket in a blog before the pandemic hit us, indeed, the excellent Queens Deli & Shop was situated at the address above... Well, now it's housing Hair & Hound, 196 Queens Road TN34 1RG (tel: 07710 507380), and which brings together a hairdressers with a bar/cafe/Friday evening cocktails: food includes cakes, cookies, very interesting looking toasties, and 'small plates featuring meat and cheese.'

I continued my walk along Queens Road, which still contains many good businesses, not a few hairdressers/barbers, small grocery stores, fast food businesses, but with a significant number of empty premises, some closed since the pandemic hit us, sadly. But I was surprised to see what I last remember was called the Drift In, although it's had numerous names over the years, is not a bar anymore! 

No, the Bottle of Hastings has very recently opened at 91 Queens Road TN34 1RL (website), which is a quality family owned wine merchants and shop. They are aiming to be able to sell over 200 different wines, which can be collected from the premises, and deliveries can be made of orders requested from their website. They have a premises licence, so welcome customers to 'enjoy wines by the glass and bottle' in their seating area, and will soon be offering 'regular tastings hosted by world class sommeliers.'

When I got back indoors, as well as looking up information to do with the above businesses, I also read the Summer Edition of East Sussex County Council's Newsletter, received by email. Interestingly, the County Council has agreed to the request by Hastings Borough Council to extend by another 3 years the Anti-Social Behaviour Public Spaces Protection Order (ASB PSPO) first applied for in 2017 (see HBC Report for plenty of information!).

In addition, the County Council reminded us that Central Government is carrying out, until the 1st of September, a public consultation regarding Creating an offence of public sexual harassment. You have until the end of the day (23.59) on the 1st of September 2022 if you wish to respond on the Government website.

Well, I wish the best to all new businesses opening in Hastings, good luck! And, as I passed the old town centre Post Office building in Cambridge Road, sadly closed now, I wondered when that building will be found a new use within the town? The old Debenhams building appears to have found a new lease of life (above), as has the old Observer building (blog), which is just up the road...

A breath of fresh air makes me think, you know, dangerous! 😁

£10,319.53 raised for charities by Hastings OT Carnival!

From the Hastings Old Town Carnival facebook page, nice one! 

The total amount raised this year by the Hastings old town carnival and pram race was an astounding £10319.53. Thank you for your participation and generosity. We will tell you how much you individually collected and how much was given to local charities when that has been worked out.

No Hosepipe Ban in Hastings, YET!

We are all aware there's been very little rain recently. indeed, we had the driest July on record since 1935. I've heard talk about whether or not there is a hosepipe ban coming up for Hastings, and checking the local water companies, not yet folks! South East Water have announced a hosepipe ban in the parts of East Sussex they supply starting today (website). This will effect the dark pink area in the image above, not the encircled area of Hastings, because water isn't supplied by South East Water to Hastings.

Southern Water, who do supply water to Hastings, applied a hosepipe ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (website) from last Friday, however, that does not include Hastings. So, for now, there is no hosepipe ban planned for Hastings by water companies... HOWEVER!

The National Drought Group (website) are holding a meeting later today, at which it is expected a drought will be officially announced, but leaving it to individual water companies to make decisions regarding hosepipe bans/water restrictions. So, wait and see, although we are all sensible enough to heed the request, of course, that 'we carefully consider the amount of water we use given the conditions.' Also to take note of the tips given by the Water's Worth Saving campaign (website).

Stay safe and stay sensible folks.

Loggets World Championship at the Stag Inn on Sunday!

Indeed, the Loggets World Championship is being held this Sunday, the 14th of August (Sussex World), I kid you not! The game of Loggets (or Loggats) has been around since the 14th century at least, when King Edward III proclaimed that, on Feast Days, every able-bodied man should practice using bows and arrows/bolts/pellets, specifically forbidding many games, including Loggats, on "pain of imprisonment" (James Masters), So, it wasn't a rarely played game by 1363, although very rare now!

So what is Loggets? Traditionally, it's a game where you throw sticks at a stake in the ground (Free Dictionary); on Sunday it will be throwing pieces of wood, or loggets, at a figurine called The Tom. Each team member will have 3 loggets to throw.

Accordingly, on Sunday, in the back garden of the Stag Inn, 14 All Saints Street TN34 3BJ (website), from 2.00pm, the Loggets World Championship 2022 begins. Apparently, they're very welcoming to 'newbies' to the game, that is, in teams of 2, and the entry fee costs £2 per team member; with proceeds being donated to the RNLI, a very worthy cause indeed, nice one!

I think you shouldn't fear imprisonment for playing Loggets these days, so feel safe to enter the Loggets World Championship and good luck to all that enter!

The Carnival Is Over. R.I.P. JD

The Carnival Is Over (YouTube). This seemed appropriate, R.I.P. Judith Durham (3rd of July 1943 to the 5th of August 2022), legend 😢 

Bohemia Creative Quarter 1st 'First Sunday' event tomorrow!

First Sunday, the first of the newly formed Bohemia Creative Quarter (BCQ) regular first Sunday of every month events is being held tomorrow, Sunday the 7th of August! The event will be held from 11.00am to 4.00pm in the Bohemia/London/Tower Roads triangle, the BCQ consisting of 20 or so businesses.

There is a facebook page for the group and, as the image above suggests, expect creative workshops, live performances, wellness and beauty, affordable art, home decor, music, antiques, bric-a-brac, street food, fancy dress and vintage stalls. You are invited to visit and explore the Bohemia area of Hastings & St Leonards...

As if we haven't had an exciting enough weekend already, enjoy folks! 👌

Hastings Lifeboat Reminder: Jewellery Donations Please!

As I said in my blog in March, Hastings RNLI Fundraisers continue to raise funds for Hastings Lifeboat Station (website), indeed, a Jewellery Sale will be held over the weekend of the 8th and 9th of October 2022, all money raised will help "save lives at sea" and all donations would be very much appreciated.

"If you have any jewellery you would like to donate please pop into our gift shop for our volunteers who run the event." (facebook).

As ever, with respect to the brave men and women who crew the lifeboats, beach support workers, and to all those who support them, mostly unpaid volunteers!

Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2022 Culmination

From now to Monday there is plenty happening still, including today (blog), but the week really culminates with the Grand Procession on Saturday the 6th, which begins at the Rock-a-Nore car park at 5.00pm, and with the theme of Kings & Queens (website, and many thanks to them for the above library photograph).

Entries to the procession must be returned by tomorrow/Friday evening (website), but other events continue tomorrow too, including what have now become regular events for this Carnival Week, but notably, the Old Town Gurning Competition at Butlers Gap from 6.00 to 7.00pm (website), the Twilight Smugglers and Stade guided walks, and OTCW Last Supper in Courthouse Street, with Bangers & Mash served for £7 from 4.30pm; serving stops at 6.30pm. For details of all Friday events see the website.

Before the procession, between 3.00 and 4.00pm on Saturday, there is an opportunity to join a guided tour around the wonderful St Mary in the Castle, which I have written about many times, including recently, but I would recommend booking a place as soon as possible as there are limited places available, see website. In addition the ongoing exhibitions and events continue, plus guided walks, and then Fireworks at Dusk from Hastings Castle up on the West Hill, approximately from 8.30 to 9.00pm. For more details of the events on Saturday go to the website.

And it's not completely over yet! On Sunday the 7th there are still many of the ongoing events running; exhibitions and museums open; Hastings Ghost, Foyles and Twitten & Cat Creeps guided walks; services at St Clements and St Mary Star of the Sea churches, and the combined church Blessing of the Sea (website), a historic ceremony on the beach, by the west side of the harbour arm, from 4.00 to 4.30pm. For more details of the events on Sunday go to the website.

Then, for Monday the 8th, our mayor and local councillor, James Bacon, has organised a Fancy Dress Litter Pick (website), a family friendly event including a Best Dressed Competition for those who turn up in fancy dress. Meeting at 10.30am at the Stade Open Space, presumably close by Stade Hall, if you can bring gloves, sacks and litter pickers that would be appreciated, lets help Keep the Old Town Tidy, cheers!

That's it folks! 👌

Hastings Old Town Carnival Thursday 4th August.

Carnival Week continues today as well, as my blog described yesterday, but tomorrow:

How many doughnuts can you eat in a minute?!? Well, on Thursday you have the chance to enter the Donut Eating Competition (website), from 5.30 to 6.30pm at Butlers Gap in George Street. If you can refrain from being ill, there are also the ongoing events, plus Ancient Streets of Hastings Old Town, Twitten and Cat Creeps and the Original Old Town walks; the Grand Auction at Hastings & St Leonards Angling Association 7.00 to 9.00pm in aid of Hastings Borough Bonfire Society; and at Hastings Adventure Golf from 6.00 to 8.00pm Winkle Club Crazy Golf.

For more details of the events on Thursday see the website, enjoy! 👌

The Duck's Back!

The duck is back (blog), maybe not such a crime wave, needed repairing... 😏

Allegedly 😉

Hastings Old Town Carnival Wednesday 3rd August.

Carnival Week continues today too, as I said in my blog yesterday, but tomorrow...

OK, the main event of Wednesday is the return of the Old Town Pram Race (website), apparently a large number of teams competing in this pub crawl of the Old Town, and raising money for charity of course. If you've never seen it, there will be themed 'prams' supported by team members in fancy dress, racing around the Old Town (roads closed), collection boxes galore, and each team has to visit each pub/bar on the 'crawl' and have a drink and answer a question in each, or make a forfeit, before continuing on to the next. By 10.00pm it can be quite enlightening, and debauchery indeed, cheers! 😄

But yes, there are other events on Wednesday too, including the ongoing events, of course, and a much less raucous Children's Workshop earlier in the day from 11.00am to 3.00pm at St Clements Church; Organic Cream Tea from 2.30 to 5.00pm at the former Old Town Rectory; and Lost Pubs and Breweries and Ancient Streets of Hastings Old Town walks; more details at the website.

Have a great Wednesday, and watch out for stragglers late in the evening!

Hastings Old Town Carnival Tuesday 2nd August.

Carnival Week continues today too, see blog, but tomorrow...

If you have great muscles and a strong heart, events on Tuesday include the 32nd Jimmy Read Memorial Bike Race, starting at 5.30pm and heading up the rather steep Crown Lane on a bike provided by the organisers, but don't expect multiple gears. 😉 If that's too much for you, it is for me, the much less exhausting Winkle Tossing commences at Winkle Island a little later at 5.30pm (website).

More events include the ongoing ones and tours and walks galore: tours of St Mary Star of the Sea Church, the All Saints Church Tower and of the Stables Arts Centre; Hastings Ghost, Twilight Smugglers, Twitten and Cat Creeps, Foyles and the Original Old Town guided walks.

In addition, Lifeboats on Display, and allowing for the chance one or both boats may be called out on a 'shout' I presume, both of the lifeboats will be on display, which is always a great time to show our respect of the brave volunteers and the coxwain, and beach crew, who maintain this valuable service. The website suggests that Christmas Cards will be on sale in the shop too, time to start purchasing cards methinks!

For more details see the website, and enjoy your day!