Coastal Currents Art Festival 2020?

This very interesting sculpture is on the beach close by the excellent Norman Longboat sculpture (blog) which was placed on the beach for the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. It says quite a bit about it on a notice board, and I'm presuming it's something to do with the (quiet this year, understandably) Coastal Currents Art Festival 2020 (facebook), but I may be wrong, anyway, worth a gander!

The Bonfire and Fireworks: a few photographs...

Borrowed from facebook, consequently, shared all over the place, so I can't be sure who posted them, but many thanks to the individuals concerned. Anyway, the Longboat above.

Fireworks, and there were a lot! 

The end of the Longboat!

Nearly cleared up! (My image)

950 Years Celebrations: photographs earlier today...

The bonfire pile on the beach earlier this morning, and Saxon and Norman figures present, but why is there a St George's Cross there?

I did suggest a Longboat...

FILO bar: putting up the beers

2 Special beers from FILO Brewing Company for the anniversary, Harold's Ale and the darker, spicy William's Wallop (4.5%), a very tasty beer with hints of mace and ginger.

The paler golden Harold's Ale (4.2%) tastes much stronger than the suggested ABV, with plenty of body, a grapefruit citrus flavour and a nice dry bitter finish.

Oh yes, and the Saxons had arrived!

A bit later, and it had brightened up, with a pretty decent band over there on the stage!

And this looks even more like a longboat, we'll see what goes on top of it!

Anniversary, Bonfire and more this weekend!

Anyhow... I drank a pint or three of this rather nice 950th anniversary ale from Old Dairy Brewery in the Dolphin Inn, Rock-a-Nore Road, earlier today, after a rather painful root canal experience at the Dentist! Not bad at all pale ale, for a Kent brewer, and spot on delivery for the 950th anniversary.

 Saxons arrive at Battle today

At the Stade Open Space this Saturday, 15th, there is plenty more happening, regarding ale, for example, I believe there will be another couple of anniversary specials on the bar set up by the FILO for the day, and plenty of children's events throughout the day too (website). The earlier part of the day's events are situated in Battle, but a Grande Promenade of Normans and Saxons start at the Stade, 4pm to 5.15pm. 

Also, quite a bit happening on Hastings Pier; see website. By the way, these photographs show the bonfire being built up earlier today, and rumoured to be the biggest and best firework display to come, plus, the most supported Bonfire procession ever tomorrow! So says my contact at the Bonfire Society, though I couldn't get details of what will be placed on the bonfire this year, he denied any knowledge as this is a big secret, but my money would be on either a Norman Longboat, or effigies of Harold Godwinson and William the Bastard (as he was then known).

So, although more will be happening on Sunday too, the real culmination will be Saturday evening with the rather impressive Torchlight Procession, Bonfire and Fireworks; the Procession starting at 7.15pm outside the White Rock Hotel; see the Bonfire Society website for further details and a map of the procession. Have fun!

950th Anniversary: Today's the Day!

So, today is the day, but the main celebrations are coming tomorrow folks (today, in Battle), ie mixed up with the Bonfire parade and fireworks, etc... However, today and tomorrow see the last OHPS free guided walks of the year (website for more details):

At 11.00 each day are the Stade Walks, meeting at Hastings Fishermen's Museum, and...

At 14.30 are the Old Town Walks, meeting up at the West Hill Lift. The Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) is a charity and provides for these walks freely, but a donation to the Fishermen's Museum or the OHPS would be welcome, many thanks! 

Indeed Jim!

I still can't work out how to comment on my own blogs, sorry about that, but, regarding your comment on my previous blog, indeed, yes, Jim! 

Battle of Hastings 50p piece...

The Royal Mint have started minting 4 million, or so, of these coins, and I was sure they'd already been some in distribution (did I dream it?!? No, I posted similar at the beginning of the year, see my blog of 2nd January!). Anyway, if you want a spanking bright new uncirculated one of these coins, direct from the Mint, together with a "detailed booklet", go to the website of the Royal Mint, it'll only cost you £10! 

Or you could wait for a slightly used one for 50p.

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

Resting 

In London 

Camping in Hyde Park

Hastings Weeks kicks off this weekend!

Hastings Week 2016 (8th to the 16th October) kicks off on Saturday with its opening ceremony up at the Castle; marching units meet at West Hill Cafe at 10.30, and the parade commences at 10.50 for the short distance to the Castle, starting a week commemorating the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings! There will be walks, talks, tea and coffee and, well take a look at their website if you haven't already procured a copy of the free programme (try pubs, shops, the tourist centre if lacking said programme).

And, if you weren't aware, Saturday the 8th is also World Octopus Day, which, of course, will be celebrated at the Blue Reef Aquarium, towards the end of Rock-a-Nore Road (website). At noon there will be a talk and demonstration of feeding the aquarium's resident Giant Pacific Octopus, Count Oswald, and younger visitors can join the Octo-trail and create designs relating to Octopus Day.

Of course there is much more to do and visit, eg the Pier, Hastings Fishermens Museum and the Shipwreck Museum, both close by the aquarium, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery in Bohemia Road, Parks and Miniature Railway, Fair, etc etc... Have fun!

The Saxons are coming!

With thanks to English Heritage, the Saxons are heading down from York, on horseback and on foot, to join in the 950th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Hastings, aiming to arrive at the battlefield, conveniently in Battle, on Hastings Day, presumably, to join in the rest of the re-enactment fun after re-enacting Harold's army's trek.

My money is on them losing the battle again! 

Arts Festivals: Coastal Currents Does Root 1066!

To celebrate this October's 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, Coastal Currents does Root 1066, and this photograph, taken yesterday morning in Bottle Alley suggests the beginning of this 3rd September to 16th October joint cultural exercise; sadly damaged, whether by philistines or weather conditions I cannot guess, though I have my suspicions! Actually, Coastal Currents finishes 2 weeks earlier, and, as there is so much going on, please click to this link for full details of events.

For further details of the events of the full, 2 weeks longer, Root 1066, please click on this link. Of course, Stade Saturdays also links into the whole event, with, this evenings free event at the Stade Open Space, at 7.30pm, Azzur, "respected professionals from the Nice arts scene, specialising in jazz, improvised music and visual art." See Hastings Borough Council's website for further details.

Enjoy the weekend, and the next 6 or 7 weeks! 

Blacksmiths on the Beach?

So, Blacksmiths on the Beach, what was that all about this weekend past? Well, it was part of Stade Saturdays, and connected to the 950th anniversary celebrations ROOT1066 (website), and the sculpture that will be unveiled on the beach on the 10th of September, rising "like the prow of a Norman longboat out of the shingle..."

Also, it ensured a very interesting 3 days for adults and children alike, with craftspeople shaping hot iron, hammers smashing on heated iron and anvils, with opportunities for us less crafty persons to try our hands at forging, and with a "safe children's forge" provided!

If you want to know more about the British Artist Blacksmiths Association, who were the experts working on this excellent 3 day event, go to their website.

950th Anniversary Coin

To commemorate the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, the Royal Mint has produced a new 50p piece (see the Royal Mint website for more information).