What's on for the weekend...

Well, there's quite a bit happening, and here's a taste...

Hastings Pier continues to have its funfair, cinema, a "Heritage Weekend", with volunteers helping visitors to the Memories Room, and free workshops for everyone in the family, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (see website).   

Until they return on the 25th June, this Saturday will see the last free Stade Walk organised by the Old Hastings Preservation Society, meeting at the Fishermen's Museum at 11.00 (the programme of organised walks is on their website).

And I have no idea how I missed this! But this year's 1066 Wine & Food Festival comes to an end this weekend, culminating in a finale celebration on Sunday 29th at St Mary in the Castle (website).

Furthermore, Hastings’ Blue Reef Aquarium is going green for the May Half Term holidays (Saturday, May 28^th- Sunday, June 5^th), marking World Environment Day on June 5^th and World Oceans Day on June 8^th. The popular TV show Octonauts has joined forces with the organisers of World Oceans Day to create a series of events and Octonauts-themed activities based around conservation.

Blue Reef will be using the Octonauts trail provided by World Oceans Day, as well as having special ‘conservation stations’ set up beside the aquarium’s main ocean display where younger visitors can record what they plan to do to help the environment. There will also be Octonauts’ colouring sheets to complete and a scavenger hunt around the displays highlighting the major threats posed by pollution and other manmade factors like global warming. 

Blue Reef’s Leanna Lawson said: “We wanted to put together a positive package of activities, talks, trails and events which highlights the importance of the natural world for all of us; wherever we live in the world. Our aim is to provide practical advice which visitors of all ages can follow which will help safeguard the environment. As well as international projects and campaigns we are also focusing on local issues; like our regular beach clean events.”   

Now in its 44^th year, World Environment Day (WED) aims to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme.  

World Oceans Day's aim is to celebrate the world's ocean and its rich diversity of life; highlighting global ocean awareness, education and action programmes to promote a healthy and productive ocean. It also acts as a reminder to nations, governments, businesses, and individuals, of their responsibility to protect the world's living oceans and conserve resources for present and future generations. 

Have fun!.   

Hastings Fishing...

How did I miss this? Well, I did... 

I've written quite a bit previously about Greenpeace and our local fishing industry, and the campaign to support Under 10 Metre Fishing Boats. Well, I missed this development, which is quite positive to our local fishing fleet (Defra website). However, there still appears to be concerns about the cod quota and local boats, cod having been very abundant recently in local waters, yet not being dealt with by Mr Eustice's announcement...   

Contact your local MP and Defra if you, like me, are still concerned!

1066 Wine Fair starts today at Stade Hall

Don't forget, the 2 day climax to the 1066 Wine & Food Festival, the 1066 Wine Fair, starts today at Stade Hall, for more information see my blog of 21st June, or go to their website. 

Enjoy the weekend!  

1066 Wine & Food Festival starts today!

Well well, following on from this weekend's Midsummer Fish Festival, is the first 1066 Wine & Food Festival! That is, this new festival starts at 6pm this evening, at St Mary in the Castle, with a talk about English sparkling wine, delivered by Jilly Goolden at 7pm, and music from Liane Carroll from 8pm. The festival carries on throughout the week with participating businesses offering special deals and other events (see website), through to next weekend, where, on Saturday and Sunday, there will be a wine fair at Stade Hall, and professional tutored wine tastings next door at Classroom on the Coast.  

To properly take advantage of the festival and its special offers, discounts and events, Festival Cards are available for just £5 from the Hastings Midsummer Fish Festival (above), all participating businesses, and tourist information centres; the Festival Card also gives 3 months free membership of the Hastings Card, with its own special offers and reductions at shops and attractions.    

Indeed, it's always good to see inside the gorgeous St Mary in the Castle, but for further information, see the 1066 Wine & Food Festival website.

Admission to this evening's opening event is free to Festival Card holders, though, probably, it would be best to check on availability and book at their website as, obviously, space is limited, enjoy the week!