Walking Down Through Alexandra Park

I've walked through Alexandra Park not a few times, and written about it too, for example this blog from 8 Years ago, and today I came down from Upper Park Road to Queens Road. Mostly, this blog will be photographs from today, plus a few references.

One of the ponds, lakes, reservoirs and waterways of the Park, with water lilies in the sun.

The Pumphouse Cafe, which I wrote about a couple of months ago (blog).

A Rose Garden in the Park.

A combination of sadness at the condition of what was the Bowling Green, but reminder of the use of the pavilion being turned over to Art in the Park (blog).

And the most southerly water feature in the Park, just to my left were 3 ducklings and their parents being fed by a young family; I didn't want to disturb them, so took the photograph from here, and I had a seat... I hope you enjoyed the photographs, you really should take a wander through Alexandra Park, folks, worth it indeed!

Alexandra Park and the Pumphouse Cafe & Deli!

I wandered through Alexandra Park earlier today, somewhere I have written about quite a few times, eg blog. The Park was designed by Robert Marnock, who had already designed the Botanical Gardens in London's Regents Park, and was opened by the Princess of Wales at the time, Princess Alexandra in 1882, later Edward VII's Queen Alexandra. Something I did notice, that I hadn't noticed before, was plenty of small fish swimming in the southernmost pond in the Park, I'm not an expert, but I think they may be rudd... 🐟

To support the fact I hadn't walked through the Park for quite some time I also came upon a cafe and delicatessen that has been open for 10 months now, as Rod pointed out to me; open Tuesday to Sunday, 08.30 am to 5.00 pm. That is, the Pumphouse Cafe & Deli, Alexandra Park, St Helens Road TN34 2EL (website), shows how long since I've walked through the Park! If you want to know more about the history of this venture, go to their website. I was on a different venture, so didn't sample their wares this time, but, another time maybe...

I Haven't had a Moan for a while...

I haven't had a moan for a while, but, Hastings Pier remains closed, presumably until Easter or thereabouts, who knows?!?

Oh yes, and irresponsible cycling! Not just banned in central pedestrianised areas, but in Bottle Alley (where my first image suggests I was annoyed earlier) and the lower Promenade, on pavements, and in Alexandra Park, and that includes those bikes with enormous wheels/tyres and MOTORS (surely a bike with a motor is by definition a motorbike and should be licenced and using the road, not pavements and pedestrianised areas?!?), and shouldn't they stop at zebra/pedestrian crossings and traffic lights, and shouldn't they not go the wrong way down/up one-way streets...

Social order is falling apart at the seams... 😟

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... 

Alexandra Park Vandalism & Wildlife Crime!

Sad and angry to hear of youths in Alexandra Park killing parent ducks using catapults and leaving ducklings orphans (Make Alexandra Park Hastings safe facebook page), posts on that page share information, and the Police are now well aware, indeed, Bexhill & Hastings Wildlife Rescue had to be called to rescue ducklings rather than their being left to perish. Park Rangers don't appear to be capable of preventing these crimes, but if you do witness such crimes please report them the Police (website).

Stay safe folks!

Alexandra Park Cycle Saga

Further to my blog about the competing arguments for a cycle path to run through Alexandra Park, it now appears that the byelaw wording for all Hastings parks regarding cycle riding is incorrect! Consequently, before a decision can be made regarding the possible shared pedestrian/cycle path in Alexandra Park, revised byelaws have to be agreed by Hastings Borough Council and then agreed by the British Parliament at Westminster (update).

It's going to take a while yet... 

Hastings Beer & Music Festival 2022 on now!

I nearly missed this, yet it's in my diary for this weekend, but it began yesterday apparently, oops! The 2022 Hastings Beer and Music Festival (29 June to 2 July - website) is being held at The Oval, Bohemia Road TN34 1EU (Hastings Borough Council website), and tickets can be bought from this page of the website, however, they state it is sold out for this evening (Thursday). The Festival is organised by Hastings Round Table, thus all profits go to charity, indeed, "Film, DJs and Live Music all raising money for local good causes."

The Oval

The Festival has been running since 1981, when it was situated in Alexandra Park, but as it grew in size it had to move to a larger venue, hence from 2017 it has been held at The Oval. It is entirely staffed by volunteers, which means more money going to charities. Oh yes, BEER! They have a large Real Ale Tent supplied by many local breweries, also local ciders and wines, lagers, and 'high quality' local food...

What more do you want? oh yes, and live music! Their facebook page appears to be the best place to find out what's on at the Festival, enjoy!

Shared Pedestrian/Cycle Route Opponents meet in Alexandra Park!

Above were opponents to the shared Pedestrian/Cycle Route grouping yesterday (blog), I counted somewhere between 55 and 60 at most in total, the main concern is over safety issues, particularly for disadvantaged walkers, pushchairs, children, and anyone who likes a wee bit of serenity...

And above were some of the 30-ish pro-Pedestrian/Cycle route folk and the Hastings Greenway Group and Hastings Urban Bikes. As you can see some of them turned up by cycling through the park and crossing greens, indeed, at least 10 were guilty of this, which I do believe is still against bye-laws, and this is the more respectable face of cycling, it appears. 😒 

Anyway, I have already voiced my opinion in my recent blog, the afternoon was peaceful, a few raised voices, and to get heard only, I imagine. A couple of pro-route folk moaned about "that lot" over the other side of the wee bridge (anti-route folk), before, as you can see above, they crossed the bridge and joined from the left. But, after the first raised questions it settled down into a, mostly, amicable number of discussions, there wasn't really much disagreement.

Indeed, as you can see above, a few of the anti-route folk were pushing their own cycles, so not against cyclists per se. Also, many of the pro-route folk are not happy with the planned route either, I discovered! But then, what I saw was a very similar make-up of the 2 groups, mostly middle class and white, both groups environmentally aware, but the emphasis for the anti-route folk is safety, and the pro-route folk just want to get their cycle route whatever, apparently happy to make the lives of others miserable and unsafe; people have been walking through this park, and it's predecessor, for 200 years without having to jump out of the way of speeding cyclists!

I've seen, and heard, arguments that car use needs to be reduced because of climate change, but how does this reduce car use? It just ensures there's more room on roads for cars, which does nothing to deter the use of cars, rather than adding this cycle path to one of the adjoining roads. Another argument is that there is an 'obesity crisis' in Hastings, yet the cycle route would mean less room for people in Alexandra Park to walk safely, and for children to play safely, so it would very likely deter people from getting exercise! The final argument I'll mention is that plenty of research across the country supports the use of shared Pedestrian/Cycle Routes, and people get along all hunky dory, well that's not my experience when dodging cyclists bombing along footpaths and combined paths. Indeed, more often than not, it's the pedestrian who has to be the one on the lookout, or we get shouted or sworn at by cyclists!

Also, as I suggested before (blog), this won't be policed adequately, and once finally approved, cyclists will be riding on every path in Alexandra Park, experience along the seafront supports this, sadly. The police don't even prevent people riding bikes on footpaths now when cycle paths are provided close by!

It doesn't look good...  👎

 

Alexandra Park: There May Be Trouble Ahead! 25th June...

Indeed, on Saturday the 25th of June there are 2 demonstrations planned in Alexandra Park, one opposing the plans to have a shared cycle/pedestrian route through Alexandra Park, and one opposing that view and supporting a shared cycle/pedestrian route through Alexandra Park... You couldn't make this up! I'll provide more information about the 2 sides opinions further down, under the next image, but those who support the shared cycle/pedestrian route, including the Hastings Greenway Network, are meeting by the bandstand in the park at 2.30pm, and those opposing the shared cycle/pedestrian route are meeting earlier from 2.00pm on the lawn by the Rangers' Office, it should be an interesting afternoon!

Proposed Route

The shared cycle/pedestrian route has already been approved by both East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough Council, so support appears to be pretty much across party lines, similarly opposition, for example, although a Labour councillor, Godfrey Daniel opposes the scheme, believing that, as it stands, this proposal is potentially very dangerous for vulnerable people, children, people in wheelchairs, pushing prams, dog walkers, blind people and people with other disabilities, preferring a dedicated cycle lane in one of the roads that go up along both sides of the park. 

Views from both sides can be read at Sussex World and the Hastings Independent, no-one appears to not want a cycle path, the debate is whether it should go through Alexandra Park or not. Petitions from both sides have amassed support, 256 signatures supporting the cycle route and 468 people opposing, and campaigners continue to seek support. Hastings Greenway Project (petition) and a petition opposed to the cycle route @ petition. 

In addition, Make Alexandra Park Hastings safe (facebook page) are campaigning to ensure the safety of visitors to the park, and have their own petition live at the moment.

Those readers who have followed my blog over the years will already start thinking I'd be against the idea of a shared path through the park, although I am in no way against cyclists having as safe cycle paths as possible, but an irresponsible minority of cyclists let down the responsible majority. They already ignore cycle paths provided and endanger other pathway users on routes they shouldn't follow, so what is to stop them using any path they like in Alexandra Park once cycling in there? I have no faith in that minority, and who is going to 'police' it? We regularly see cyclists, and people on those electric scooters, on pavements even when cycle paths are provided! So yes, I'm fed up with dodging cyclists on footpaths and am opposed to the idea, I support a dedicated cycle lane in one of the roads that go up along both sides of the park! 👍

An interesting couple of videos, one on YouTube that obviously took some work to produce showing the proposed shared cycle/pedestrian route through the park, both up and down, and the other on dailymotion showing the recent protest against the shared cycle/pedestrian route through the park. Saturday should be interesting indeed!

A previous blog about Alexandra Park if you're interested! 😉

St George's Day, Art in the Park & This Weekend

I took this photograph (above) whilst walking through Alexandra Park yesterday morning, and thought it an appropriate time to mention this excellent use of the old bowling green and pavilion to provide help for mental health in Hastings through Art for Wellbeing (website). Hastings Borough Council advertised its new use as Art in the Park on its website in March, and photographs of last weekend's successful activities and fete can be seen at the Sussex Express website. Nice one!

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

And Happy St George's Day! The day that William Shakespeare was coincidentally born on (at least his birth is celebrated on the 23rd of April... he was baptised on the 26th of April 1564), and died on, the 23rd of April 1616.

So, apart from the sharing of St George's Day cards aplenty, what else is happening this weekend? Well, music, beer and cheer are still available this weekend on Hastings Pier (see earlier blog), and the weather appears to be staying fine (Met Office), so that's nice. Other events can be found online (eg visit1066country), or just walk along the seafront, or in the parks, and enjoy your weekend, have fun!

Bowls Green & Pavilion for Lease - Alexandra Park

Walking back through Alexandra Park (blog) this morning and I noticed the Bowls Green and Pavilion had a 'For Sale' notice on the fence. Now, please excuse me for not having noticed before, but I had a chat with a gentleman and his partner/wife/friend who told me that it hasn't been used as a bowls green for over a year now, basically to do with Government funding cuts to Hastings, and Hastings Borough Council spending priorities. This year would have seen the bowls club running for 120 years, but no, sadly! And I had been thinking it wasn't being used because of Covid-19 lockdowns...

Part of the pavilion is already being let as a food & drink kiosk, but within the pavilion is still available a large main room, kitchen and changing room. Details of the lease available can be found at the Council's website, the rent appears to be negotiable.

Crossing Hastings Country Park New Signs etc...

Yes, I'm still wandering backwards and forwards across Hastings Country Park when I have the time, which I do my best to ensure as much as possible, and new signs have appeared here and there, notably at the east and west ends, eg up at the top of the steps on the East Hill (above). 

And I'm still 'spotting' birds this year too, Dunnocks and Stonechats aplenty over the east end of the Park, as well as the more regular Robins and Blackbirds singing away right across the Park, and Blue Tits and Great Tits too, not to forget the 2 Goldfinches I saw recently, and a Jay too (although that was in Alexandra Park 😉).

And a new sign has been erected at the east end of the Park, at last!

A closer look of the information provided, and close by is the...

... new Hastings Country Park Visitor Centre at Fairlight (HBC website), made of straw, and funded by the European Union, one of our final grants from them I'd imagine, and part of their UP STRAW programme (website). Apparently due to open at the end of this month, behind time, whatever, The Bale House should open this summer, a wee bit delayed because of, guess what, the COVID-19 Crisis...

I do love Hastings Country Park!

Bird Blog VIII - Gulls!

Yet another 'bird blog' with a shorter title than that of the chapter in Gooders' book* (Waders, Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks) as I have only seen gulls from this chapter whilst on my walks during these troubled times and lockdowns, although I have seen Turnstones when walking along the seafront, pretty common there. For anyone reading one of my 'Bird Blogs' for the first time, they are based on birds I have seen whilst on my regular travels across Hastings Country Park, and along Barley Lane, since the first Covid-19 lockdown began way back in March. Gooders says that this "huge group... are members of the order Charadriiformes and are relatively closely related." 

The Herring Gull (above) needs no introduction, I presume, being as many thousands live in Hastings and close by, and many of us will have had a food item stolen by one, or certainly seen food items stolen from others by Herring Gulls. Indeed, they eat virtually anything. In addition, many of us will have also had the 'good luck' to have been hit by its excrement too, and not a few may have been attacked by them, for example, I had one literally jump on my back when I was painting the Stacey Marie (RX134) 4 or 5 years ago! Their aggressive behaviour is understandable as it tends to be associated with protecting their young, or looking for food. And, whether you love them, or loath them, and they are a bit of a 'Marmite' bird, they are a protected species, but breed prolifically locally, with nests on roofs, cliffs, just about anywhere.

I have spotted, more rarely, though they often appear later in the summer down at the seafront in greater numbers, the Great Black-backed Gull (above), and the Black-headed Gull. The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull in Britain, and when seen solitary among Herring Gulls, they do stand out size-wise, and not intimidated at all when outnumbered. They have a relatively more specific diet, preferring to eat smaller seabirds and offal, but in winter may travel inland and attack rubbish dumps. As far as I'm aware they do not nest locally, but further along the coast.

Black-headed Gulls (above), which I've seen more of at Bexhill over the years, are rarer in Hastings, although they are a reasonably regular visitor to Alexandra Park in later summer. The colour is actually more of a chocolate brown than a black head, and this is only in summer, disappearing during the winter when a dark spot behind the 'ear' is what most differentiates them. A much more particular diet for this gull, which eats fish, insects and invertebrates. They nest in reeds and rushes, which is probably why they're not seen in Hastings in the spring and early summer.

So, that's it for today and this 'chapter' of my bird observations. The ninth and final bird blog in this series will include a number of birds from other chapters of the book* and more, and called Bird Blogs: The Final Chapter, maybe... Please do watch out for it, and many thanks for reading these blogs.

The photograph of the Great Black-backed Gull is reproduced with many thanks to the RSPB, and of the Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull, with thanks to The Wildlife Trusts.

* John Gooders The Complete Birdwatcher's Guide.

John Gooders used to live in East Sussex before he died 10 years ago, sadly, and had previously been Chair of Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

Walking, Seafront, Parks and Shopping, Lucky Us!

Rather than walk eastwards today, my exercise included a couple of walks along the seafront, first, to the west and then heading away from the seafront by the majestic Marine Court (older blog) and walking up through the delightful St Leonards Gardens (another older blog). I cut across to Bohemia Road via Tower Road to go shopping at Lidl, as you do sometimes when you go shopping. Then, to get home, I walked back downhill through yet another delightful park, Alexandra Park (above, and yet another older blog). We are so lucky, not only do we have the healthy seafront to walk along, but 3 excellent award winning parks too (blog), quality! 

Hastings Lifeboat

It almost makes lockdown bearable... almost, but it does help a lot. Anyway, after a mug of tea and a couple of Rich Tea biscuits, I headed out along the front again, though eastwards this time, as I had to collect something fishing boat/work related. Lo and behold, our Shannon Class lifeboat, RNLI 13-28 Richard & Caroline Colton was sitting outside the Hastings Lifeboat Station (above), that was a pleasant surprise! The video linked in this blog during Storm Ciara earlier this year is well worth watching if you haven't already seen it. Although I've seen it quite a few times and feel blessed by our lifeboat crew and volunteers every time I see it, my respect to them all!

Hastings Parks win National Awards Again, Again!

Hastings Country Park

I keep on reporting that we have such excellent parks in the Borough of Hastings, and to support my assertions, they keep on winning awards (eg 2 years ago blog), and yet again three of our parks have won Green Flag Awards (website). They are Alexandra Park (blog), St Leonards Gardens (blog), and Hastings Country Park, which helped me make it through the first (pretty please not another one!) Covid-19 Lockdown (blog, plus many others written since).

Congratulations must go to the Council, to the workers who ensure these wonderful parks remain beautiful, and to the volunteers who give up their time to support them!

Battening Down the Hatches this Weekend!

This was the Pelham car park earlier this week, and evidence in the background the RNLI Lifeguards are back, if only at this one place on Hastings beach, plus evidence it wasn't too busy in Hastings... Well this photograph was taken not long after 9 am, and already people were turning up in their cars, so ignore that last comment! Personally, I tend to avoid beaches at the best of times when the sun worshippers are around/in the summer, and it's not just on the beach it's busy, on my way walking back from the blood donor session up on The Ridge (blog), Monday afternoon, I came back down through Alexandra Park, and it was packed, it was like the summer holidays it was so full, and this was only on Monday, the temperature to carry on increasing until yesterday!

And this was the scene at Bournemouth yesterday, where they had to declare a major incident because of the overcrowding, and we are well aware of the problems there has been recently, including yesterday, in nearby Camber Sands (Kent Live News)! Again, because I'm not a beach lover, consequently, I have avoided the seafront like the plague after 10 am, but please feel free to add a comment and tell me what it was like in Hastings. Whatever, it will only get worse this weekend... 

and I dread what it will be like Saturday week, the 4th of July, with pubs reopening, and social distancing being reduced to one metre plus!

So I shall be battening down the hatches over the next few weekends, as soon as I get indoors following lovely peaceful early morning walks, fingers crossed. 😾

Queens Road - Closed this morning to through traffic

Queens Road is closed/blocked off between the 2 entrances to Morrisons this morning (Tuesday), so if wanting to go shopping there by car or van, you can get into the car park either way still, pedestrians have no problem walking down the road, just vehicles blocked. I spoke to one of the lads, and he told me that they are making available manhole covers, and other access points, that had been covered/partially covered when the road has had resurfacing work carried out. This is this morning, I presume they are gradually moving along the road, so be aware traffic wise.

I had been shopping up Bohemia Road at Lidl but had decided to walk back via Alexandra Park,  gorgeous day and reasonably quiet... Although it was the first time I have ever seen a police car patrolling inside the park, and I spotted a black headed gull too, presumably a wee bit lost, not the police car! 😉

Hastings Central Banks, Shops & Other Information

Alexandra Park

Having had a lay in this morning (I woke at 05.00 instead of 04.00 😉 ) I decided my daily exercise, maintaining over 2 metres distance etc., would be an information gathering occasion too, predominantly for the town centre. Starting off via Morrisons at 06.45-ish I checked on their opening times (I haven't been in here for what seems like months, but more likely, a couple of weeks). Anyway, they are now opening Monday to Saturday 8 am to 8 pm, 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays. Responsibly, they have a queuing system to ensure that a limited number of customers are in the store at any one time.

Next, I had planned to walk up through Alexandra Park (blog about the park, among many) to Lidl in Bohemia Road, but as I walked through the park I realized that, at 07.00 hours, it was packed with people walking their dogs (avoid the park if possible, if you want to maintain social distancing easily that is!). So, I got out to Lower Park Road at my earliest convenience, then wandered up the path through the woods (above image, and saw no-one here) that connects with Amherst Road, and then up to Bohemia Road. To Lidl, who are ensuring sensible levels of customers by using a queuing system too (not while I was there, of course, I was way too early), their opening times appear to be the same as usual, that is, from 10.00 today.

Continuing my daily exercise regime (fewer miles today, Sunday being the day of rest), and the fact that, if you live a few minutes walk from the seafront, you should enjoy that fact when the weather is fine (though spots of rain and SNOW 😲 today), I carried on down to the seafront and took this photograph. Then I set back eastwards to see what was happening at Iceland, who have changed their hours a wee bit and, since the last time I was there, they appear to have changed their priorities too. Usual Sunday opening time from 10.00 am, but from 09.00 to 17.00 for customers Monday to Saturday, however, for NHS staff they are remaining open from 17.00 (5 pm).

Then, walking back into the town centre I checked up on bank opening times, which generally appear to be closed at weekends now, and open between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm (10.00 to 14.00 hours) Monday to Friday, although with slight deviations of opening at 09.00 some days, then closing at 13.00 hours. I imagine that at other banks around the Hastings area the opening times are very similar, but please add a comment if I am wrong here, many thanks. And I do apologize for switching between the 24 hour and 12 hour clock during this blog, but you'll get the gist. 

Also, at the 2 'local' shops, Sainsbury's Local in Devonshire Road (Station Approach, below the railway station) and Tesco Express in Havelock Road, both have monitored queuing arranged outside to limit customers. Indeed, impressively I found this morning, that Tesco Express asks customers to use the hand sanitizer provided by them, just inside the door, when you enter, and on leaving, excellent facility Tesco, many thanks!

Continue to remain careful, respect others and maintain at least 2 metres between you and other people at all times. We'll all be grateful for social distancing, no doubt...

Many Roadworks!

I've already mentioned in a blog a few days ago about the 3 months of temporary traffic lights and delays at Pelham Place on the seafront (see above photograph from yesterday), but I have noticed more roadworks, and have been informed about a couple more, including at the roundabout at the bottom of Alexandra Park, Bexhill Road near TK Maxx, Bohemia Road, and Gillsman Hill, I'm sure there must be more too, good job it's January! Please be patient...

Seafront and 2 Award Winning Parks Stroll...

So, a 90 minute stroll was enjoyed this morning, from the town centre, along the seafront, up through St Leonard's Gardens, over to Alexandra Park via West/Tower Road, and back down through the park to the town centre, a mostly peaceful walk, but more of that later. Here (above photograph), below Warrior Square, is the pleasingly successful Goat Ledge Cafe; winter opening 9.00am to 4.00pm (website).

Entering award-winning (blog), and excellently designed, St Leonard's Gardens (blog) from behind the Royal Victoria Hotel (above), and I found myself in an oasis of peace and quiet, indeed. Walking up...

... and you soon find the pond, literally swimming with wildlife, and it's family of moorhens make their presence felt, and one sad looking herring gull too!

At the North Lodge at the top of Maze Hill, and above St Leonard's Gardens, is the first of 2 closely assigned blue plaques, this one for author Henry Rider Haggard, who lived here from 1918 to 1923.

A little further up in Upper Maze Hill is where the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, and famous for breaking German codes during World War II, Alan Turing lived whilst at school from 1922 to 1926. In July 2019 the Governor of the Bank of England announced that Turing's face will be on the new polymer £50 note, expected to enter circulation in 2021 (Bank of England website). 

Entering Alexandra Park

I carried on up Upper Maze Hill, then crossed over via Tower Road West/Tower Road, where my peace was disrupted for a couple of minutes when 3 police cars shot up Tower Road West from Tower Road, presumably previously from Bohemia Road, 2 of them with sirens blaring (approximately 09.30 hours).

Anyway, peace returned, and I carried on to the far eastern corner of Alexandra Park (blog), another another excellently designed and award winning park in Hastings, and gradually walked back down to the town centre.

And Alexandra Park has its own fair share of wildlife, and it's own families of moorhens too, for example in the pond above. The walk was a joy!