Best wishes to you all!
Sunday 25 December 2022
Friday 23 December 2022
Seasons Greetings!
Things are certainly better than for the previous 2 Christmases, despite the dreaded COVID-19 still hanging around, vaccinations appear to have done the trick, fingers crossed! But please let us all have a good and happy season and enjoy ourselves as much as we can, remembering others too.
I give thanks to all those who have helped us to survive these last two years, too many to mention individually, but including all the keyworkers, the drivers and carers, those working in the emergency services, the police, fire fighters, ambulance staff and paramedics, the NHS, doctors, nurses, other health professionals and ancillary staff, the brave crews and volunteers of the RNLI lifeboat service, and not forgetting the scientists who helped develop the vaccines to rid us of the cause of distress and illness caused by the pandemic... Respect!
Finally, I wish to share my best wishes with you, and peace and goodwill to all, whatever one's beliefs, let's continue to work together folks. 👌
And remember, stay safe!
Stacey Marie (facebook page) sends her regards too! 😉
Tuesday 20 December 2022
Alexandra Park and Cycling, sensible Council Vote!
I'm surprised that Hastings Borough Council came to a sensible decision about having a cycle path running through Alexandra Park, as in, no cycle path approved (Sussex World). I've already expressed my opinion about this, eg in this blog, but ruining a safe environment in the park, and making it dangerous to walk, or indeed, use a wheelchair or pushchair, doesn't help the ecological problems of the world. Having cycle paths within the roads adjacent to the park, thus narrowing them, would discourage drivers to come into Hastings town centre, and more buses together with out of town parking would also help, but a cycle path through the park doesn't stop carbon emissions...
Seasonal Problems, Loneliness, Shelter, Money and Food & Help
Every year Christmas and the 'festive season' means an increase in loneliness, but remember that the Samaritans can provide 24 hour emotional support; calls on 116 123 are free, and their local telephone number is 0330 094 5717 (local call charges apply). They can also be visited, and their opening hours and further information is on their website. Many thanks to their volunteers and staff.
2 pubs in Hastings are offering free meals over the weekend, on Saturday 24th and in association with Mental Health Help Sussex, The Pig Hastings at 37 White Rock, is offering a Free Wellbeing Christmas Meal at 6.00pm. The event is aimed at "anyone and everyone in the community who may be struggling either mentally, physically, or financially" (facebook).
On Christmas Day, Sunday the 25th of December, The London Trader at 4-7 East Beach Street is offering a free Christmas lunch and glass of wine to anyone who wants one, in their words "don't go hungry, miserable or lonely, come in, see us and get fed!" (facebook) Nice one, helped by "kind donations from locals and local businesses" including "Andy Fraser and Sedlescombe Golf Course, LWC Drinks Ltd, and Rosie Adams the people's champion at Morrisons."
In past years in Hastings & St Leonards, temporary accommodation for homeless people has been supplied by The Snowflake Trust, sadly there are still problems providing overnight dormitory style accommodation, but Hastings Borough Council are providing temporary single room accommodation for the homeless, having leased properties for the purpose. They have asked Snowflake to provide hot evening meals and to be involved still; further details can be found at their website. Help can also be sought via the Seaview Project (website) and for their other services too.
OK, it's more than just a seasonal problem these days, but foodbanks seem to be with us long term now, and 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;
Coffee.
Also required are: Toilet Rolls;
Toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste);
Tinned Fish;
Tinned Potatoes;
Tinned Rice Pudding;
Jam;
Fruit Juice.
There are Foodbank donation points all over Hastings, and full details of addresses and opening times are at the website, and include the 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), and Nationwide Building Society branches.
Finally, from me for now, East Sussex County Council provide advice on their website regarding 'cost of living support' with links to money help and advice, your mental health, help with benefits, your home, food, employment and learning, health, transport, and help for households.
Stay safe and secure and watch out for each other folks, and much respect to those offering help and charity. Any other places where help can be found, eg free dinners, please feel free to add in comments and I'll write another blog, cheers!
Monday 19 December 2022
Refuse and Recycling Collections for Christmas & New Year
Refuse and recycling collections from your homes are not planned to be too disruptive this Christmas and New Year, indeed, from Monday the 2nd of January 2023 should return to normal! See changes planned over the seasonal period below (HBC):
Friday 16 December 2022
This Weekend in Hastings 16/18 December
My apologies for not writing recently, I've been visiting friends and family while the trains were still running, but the winter certainly seems to have hit us this last week, with snow falling on Sunday, not to mention live rails being frozen whilst travelling. Okay, the photograph above is originally from a previous blog of mine some time ago in February 2018, but you get the gist. It's been cold, and it snowed, and more so a little further inland from the seafront and town centre.
However, all this hasn't stopped the 'holiday season' fun and festivities developing, and this weekend certainly has plenty to offer in addition to the always thriving town that is Hastings. From activities to keep children happy whilst you're shopping at Priory Meadow, to live music and carols, to eating and drinking, to fancy dress and Burlesque, and to theatre and pantomime, there is something for most of us!
Indeed, so much is on that I am adding links to various sites, or just use google 😉
It's staying bright and sunny, so no snow but chilly over the next couple of days, but warming up from late Sunday, though wet then and on Monday too, but with the temperature getting into double figures during next week (Met Office). 🌞⛆🌂⛅
Whatever you do, whether shopping, going out, or just chilling out, have an excellent weekend, and stay safe folks! 🎄
Oh yes, and there's cricket in Pakistan to watch or listen to...
Sunday 4 December 2022
Bohemia Creative Quarter December First Sunday
Today is the Bohemia Creative Quarter (BCQ) regular first Sunday of the month event for December. The event will be from 11.00am to 4.00pm in the Bohemia/London/Tower Roads triangle, an area consisting of 80 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...
Also, there will be many new stallholders at their festive market in the old HSK shop in London Road, opposite the Tower pub, could be useful for Christmas gifts... 😉
Saturday 3 December 2022
Hastings Parking & East Sussex Transport Consultations
I only recently discovered that there are 2 consultation exercises being carried out regarding parking and travel and transport, with both consultations closing on Friday 9th December, so you still have time to share your opinions!
The Hastings Parking Review asks for our opinions of the East Sussex County Council's proposals to be implemented in the Spring, after considering submitted responses. Full details, and a link to the online survey, are at the Council website.
The consultation regarding the East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4 is in connection with the Council's local transport plan for 2023-2050, looking at all forms of transport, including walking. Our opinions are being sought for the following areas:
- what your priorities are for travel and transport,
- the key issues you encounter, and
- what opportunities for improving travel across the county are important to you.
Again, for further details, and a link to the online consultation, and other ways of participating, go to the Council website.
Always happy to share my opinions, are you? 😉
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