dRMM Architects New Year Honour

Co-founder of dRMM, the architects who designed the Hastings Pier rebuild and provided a free design (voluntarily) for the Friends of Hastings Pier proposed second phase of rebuilding the pier (blog), Sadie Morgan, is to receive an OBE in recognition of "services to architecture" (Building Design website); congratulations to her!

And what has the owner of Hastings Pier (blog) added architecturally since he was suspiciously sold the pier for just £60,000 over 18 months ago? As the photograph I took yesterday (above) shows, a few empty sheds have recently been added, although they are larger than the already existing empty sheds. What a waste of 18 months... 

Old Town Walk this afternoon...

Well, hopefully my IT issues have been sorted out now, so, fingers crossed, I should be sharing more blogs again, watch this space please!

This afternoon the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) will be leading their regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town, which will be meeting by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. You will be shown around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and stories, by a volunteer guide from the OHPS, who will also explain the huge number of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, and still do, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog).

The walk proceeds across the West Hill and gently downhill into Hastings Old Town, with a number of steps included, and lasts about 2 hours. This guided walk is free of charge, though the OHPS, a registered charity, would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be cloudy with sunny periods (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may be required.

Have a good afternoon!

This Day in 1066, Edgar becomes King!

Just to confuse matters, on this day in 1066, Edgar the Ætheling was pronounced King of England, indeed, he was the last in the line of Saxon Kings of England, being the last male descendant in direct line from Edmund Ironside (Edmund II). 

Although he was never crowned, Edgar was King until 10th December 1066, when William the Bastard (as he was known in those days) had him taken into custody. Indeed, Edgar should have been King since January 1066, but, because he was young and war was being faced, Harold Godwinson had been chosen as King by the Witenagemot., the council (Wise Men) of the Anglo-Saxon Kings of England for more than 400 years...

Edgar escaped capture in 1068, and led a very eventful life, living into his 70s. Looking him up is well worth the read; eg see this website.

The Saxons are still on the way! Photographs...

Resting 

In London 

Camping in Hyde Park

Seafood & Wine Festival 17th-18th September 2016

Following the opening Ska music this evening (see my last blog), the weekend sees the annual Hastings Seafood & Wine Festival at The Stade, 17-18 September (see website for more details). Because it is the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings this year, there will be a 1066 theme, indeed, come dressed as a Saxon or Norman and claim a free festival glass! Of course, there is much to do and see: locally caught fish, wines and other local produce, FILO bar with locally brewed real ales, seafood cooking sessions in the Classroom on the Coast, guided walks, and much music and merry making!

This all continues on Sunday, but with the added bonus of a very reasonably priced Jazz Breakfast with local, and internationally acclaimed, jazz musician and singer Liane Carroll in the morning; £15 for adults and £10 for children, I'd hate to think what you'd need to pay to see her in Ronnie Scotts or elsewhere in London! 

The price includes a free wristband for the rest of the festival, otherwise, admission is by wristband on the day costing £2, or £1 if bought in advance at the Tourist Information Centre in Breeds Place opposite the fountain, where tickets for the Jazz Breakfast can also be bought, though only limited tickets for that event, so good luck!

The Conqueror's Stone, a Myth, a Hotel, and a Pier!

Tradition has it that William the Bastard first dined in England upon this stone, soon after landing in 1066, hence it being called "The Conqueror's Stone", but aka "Old Woman's Tap" aka "Tapshaw" aka "Tapshore" (because it used to be situated at the bottom of Maze Hill, and a stream flowed over/by it). Of course, there is no provenance for this piece of mythology, and some believe the story was started by James Burton when he wanted to shift the stone, as it was in the way of his development of St Leonards! Anyway, it has moved a few times over the years, and is currently opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel... 

... in St Leonards, which was designed by Burton in the 1820s and 1830s, and the Royal Victoria Hotel, originally called St Leonards Hotel, was built in 1828 as its focal point. St Leonards Pier was later built virtually opposite the hotel, a little to the west, in 1888-1891, sadly hit by a bomb in WW2 and damaged by fire, and later suffered serious damage during a gale in 1851, and was demolished later that year, well outlived by the first Hastings Pier which, thankfully, is re-opening next month!  

Harold Godwinson lived? Update...

I have discussed before amateur historian Peter Burke's theory that Harold didn't die in 1066, but lived for another 40 years. I have been in touch with him again recently, and he confirms that a body was found buried where he was searching at Waltham Abbey, however, English Heritage wouldn't give permission for an excavation.

Peter still believes in his theory and the early 12th century document he found at the British Museum, the Vita Harold, and has had another television documentary recorded, which he expects to be aired on the History Channel, probably next year. For now, though, Harold appears to remain an enigma... 

Hastings Old Town Carnival Week

Hastings Old Town Carnival Week starts today! 

OK, I haven't taken any photographs today yet, but shall for later! This is the bar at the Stade Open Space being erected yesterday... Doesn't look too impressive at this stage, but will do by the time you reach the Stade today. 

The Week opens with numerous exhibitions (eg at the History House in Courthouse Street or Fishermens' Museum at Rock-a-Nore), many guided walks, and other events, eg the Tug-O-War begins very shortly, outside the RNLI Lifeboat Station at 10.30. See website for more full details of today's events.  

The bar started taking shape! So why is there a bar this year, and why isn't the free Concert ON the Beach, but "NEARLY on the Beach Concert" at the Stade Open Space? Many have huffed and puffed about sitting on pebbles, drinking beer out of cans, and moaned that listening to the free music was fun, and it won't be the same, but the concert had to be moved because the beach area where it is usually held has been used as a functioning builders' yard whilst the Winch Road has been worked on, and it's not quite finished (and planning had to be made for the concert in the meantime). Though who knows what may happen next year, if this year's turns out to be a success? 

Anyway, it is still a free concert, and any money collected goes to local charities and the RNLI, the musicians are playing voluntarily, and free still, and it's free to get into the fenced area on the Stade! However, bringing your own drinks in isn't being encouraged as a bar is being provided, with the bar staff all working voluntarily for nothing, and all profits going to the charities associated with the event, as ever, so please do feel free to place coins and notes in collection boxes!  

Steve the Beermeister has enquired already, and found out what ales are on at the Stade, these include locally brewed FILO ales, Gold, Crofters Best Bitter, Mike's Mild, Old Town Tom and Churches Pale Ale; a new local peripatetic brewer, also from Hastings, FT's Bespoke Brewery's Jack Russell's Extra Ale; Harveys Sussex Best; Dark Star Hophead, and Longman's Copper Hop... All East Sussex brewers! 

I know what I'm about to do, have a shave, nip along and take some photographs, and have fun, please also enjoy yourselves today!  

Harold Godwinson update

In January I reported that, on the 948th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, a scan was carried out at Waltham Abbey in Essex looking for evidence to re-write the history books and help prove that Harold Godwinson (Harold II) had survived the battle.  

The Norman Story

Novelist and amateur historian Peter Burke had asserted that Harold recovered from his wounds of the battle and lived for another 40 years. This theory being based on an early 12th Century document, Vita Harold, that is stored in the British Library.

The scan was carried out by the same team who, 2 years ago, helped to locate the remains of Richard III that were buried under a car park in Leicester, and which were reburied at Leicester Cathedral on Thursday.

Peter Burke has now got back to me and, in his own words, “the scan was positive”. He is having a meeting with the head of English Heritage on Tuesday, to request permission to dig at the abbey.

Any further discovery may, or may not, support Peter's theory, or may even create further questions, we await developments...

6th January 1066

On this day in 1066, Harold Godwinson was crowned King of England, Harold II, following the death of Edward the Confessor the previous day...

... and we all know where that got us, more of very soon!