Hastings Bonfire Day/Night 2024 This Weekend!

Hastings Week 2024 commences tomorrow (Saturday 12th September - website) and, of course, tomorrow also coincides with Hastings Bonfire celebrations (website). The bonfire is already being set up, indeed, saw people working on it yesterday, and leads up to Hastings Day on Monday 14th September, the 958th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings (Britannica).

The procession congregates from 6.30 pm by the White Rock Hotel and, meanwhile, the beacon is lit up on the East Hill at 7 pm, then Hastings Runners will bring lit torches down to Robertson Street. The procession starts from the western end of Robertson Street at about 7.15 pm, heads along Robertson Street and the America Ground, where torches are lit, then turns right into Harold Place before turning left and heading eastwards along the seafront to Rock-a-Nore Road in the old town, then turns left and goes up All Saints Street, where, at the top, it will cross The Bourne to the High Street, then back down to the seafront and along westwards to the Pelham Beach car park for the bonfire and fireworks at 9 pm, see the map above. Enjoy!

Hastings Pirate Day/Weekend 2024

There's always plenty happening in Hastings, but this weekend also includes Hastings Pirate Day 2024 (Weekend 20/21 July 2024), what more can I say?!? Ever since Hastings recorded the Guinness Book of Records standing record of the number of pirates in a single area, that is on the beach in Hastings in 2012 (14,231 above), we've been waiting for our Cornish piratical chums in Penzance to catch up, and they still haven't! So, it's yet more chance for Hastings folk to dress up and enjoy themselves and, of course, there will be drums and music aplenty!

An early warning sign that the seafront between central Hastings and the Old Town will be closed to traffic tomorrow (Sunday 21st) between Noon and 1.00pm, more of later... Today, though, do not be surprised to see a few pirates around, indeed, there will be a piratical presence in many places around the Old Town all weekend, including a craft market at the Stade and workshops for children by the Aquarium, and much more, see the website for the programme.

On Sunday the reason for the temporary road closure will become clear, as there will be a procession (route above) between the America Ground and the Old Town. The procession will begin forming up outside OWENS/the old Debenhams building from 11.30am tomorrow (Sunday the 21st of July), leaving at 1.00pm, and heading along the seafront road to the Stade Open Space in the Old Town, where many will disperse around the Old Town, or stay to sample the delights around Rock-a-Nore and the Stade (programme). Enjoy the weekend me 'arties!

Hastings America Ground, The Musical!

Bob Tipler (and I've borrowed most of this blog from Bob's facebook account) and John Knowles have written a play with songs loosely based on the history of the America Ground area of Hastings (blog), which Bob says is "an allegory concerning today’s housing crisis and issues of land ownership."

With support from Historic England and a supporting grant from Arts Council England, they have nearly reached the funding required to professionally stage the play this coming June, with a cast of local actors and musicians. There will soon be a push for the final bit of crowd funding and sponsorship required.

There’s a reading of the synopsis of the play with a performance of five of the songs next Wednesday 20th March during the Trinity Triangle Heritage Showcase at the Hastings Observer Building, 13-21.00 hours (eventbrite). Tickets are free and their America Ground synopsis is due to start at 8pm.

Should you wish to go along here’s a link to sign up.

PS. The America Ground The Musical is my invention, I have no idea what they will be calling it, but would be amazed if it's the same, you never know! 😉

Seafront Walk & Changing Face of Hastings

Before reaching the seafront I walked past Priory Meadow, noting that the car park is free to enter for now, although the hours of opening are now 07.00 to 19.00 (above). Presumably this is connected to the recent flood and ongoing work, still, free, eh?!?

Then, turning right onto the seafront after walking through Robertson Street and the America Ground, I wandered up to Hastings Pier, which remains closed, but the promise of its reopening very soon under new management (Sussex World). Indeed, the Pavilion to the front and west (above) is to become an Italian/Mediterranean Restaurant, and the central Deck Pavilion is to become a French Bistro and bar, with other food offerings from the huts, so, good news, and roll on!

Where the waste pipe from the drain opposite The Carlisle and Albert Road was damaged what seems like years ago, well, that appears to being worked on at last!

Hastings Jewel in the Crown, St Mary in the Castle (blog), and the restaurant, remain closed, with its own Shanty Town in front; be wary if you have small children or a dog as you go by, as detritus in the vicinity includes drug use throwaways. People either loved Jeremy Birch (R.I.P.) or didn't, but I tend to believe he would not have let this situation develop for what he called Hastings Jewel in the Crown if he had still been leader of the Council. However, there does appear to be expressions of interest being made to the Council including from a community consortium, so, fingers crossed...

Oh yes, and The Deluxe Bingo Hall closed at the weekend, although it appears that the amusement arcade is still functioning, at least the machines are still lit; I've heard their lease lasts for a while longer. And another Hastings seafront building that made an obvious cameo appearance in the film Byzantium (blog).

So, things do change, stay safe folks!

BONFIRE 2019!

Setting up for this years Bonfire on Pelham Beach (Saturday 19th October website) this morning, the culmination of Hastings Week (blog), and I'm still guessing who will be on the bonfire, but I'm going for Donald Trump 😉

Past Procession

The torchlight procession starts tomorrow building up outside the White Rock Hotel but actually begins at the bottom of Robertson Street on the America Ground at 19.15 (website), with the bonfire and fireworks on Pelham Beach at 21.00, and the forecast doesn't look too bad... Have fun, it should be good!

A weekend wander East and West...

I ensured I got out early, before it became too warm, but we do have a few steep hills in Hastings, notably these 2, and it wasn't chilly at all! As I live in the centre of town I began by walking up the West Hill, first of all to take this photograph from outside Hastings Castle (images within are included in my older blog).

Taken of the 'old town' looking down from the West Hill, most will already be well aware that the 'old town' is actually the Norman New Hastings. This became the new centre following the great storms of the 13th century, which altered the local coastline, depositing a vast bank of shingle which helped to create the America Ground at the west of the new town centre, and filled in the old harbour over which the castle stood, got that? Maybe it's better explained in an older blog about the America Ground.

I then headed down to the 'old town' and passed one of our two Norman churches on the corner of the High Street and opposite Swan Terrace, St Clement Church (blog).

I then crossed The Bourne, now a road, but once a river running through the centre of the old town, and part of local drains I do believe. I walked up to and along Tackleway to above All Saints Church, the other Norman church, where I took this photograph (more about this church, and photographs inside and out, on this older blog).

I then walked up the East Hill, from where I took this photograph looking down into the 'old town' and across to the West Hill. Oh yes, by the way, there are iron age forts at the top of both hills too!

Before I had an early drink at the Dolphin Inn, and then visited the Sussex Street Food Festival on the Stade Open Space (blog), and then had a drink at the Jolly Fisherman (I was thirsty!), I wandered down the steps that start by the top of the East Hill Lift, and down to Tackleway, and then turned left down to Rock-a-Nore Road.

The America Ground

I noticed the image above on the Hastings and Area, Past and Present facebook page today, which is the anniversary of a great storm (4th February 1287) that not only helped to alter the coastline of South East England with many coastal towns, like Rye, becoming landlocked, but also damaged the West Hill cliff with much of Hastings Castle falling into the sea. But, of course, earlier storms that century had also helped to create, what was to become, The America Ground in Hastings, and I noticed that, despite referring to The America Ground quite a few times, I have never written about why it is called "The America Ground" or its history, so here goes, briefly...

The great storms of the 13th century deposited a vast bank of shingle to the west of Hastings Harbour, beginning the end to the harbour in central Hastings (over which the Castle had towered), this area became new land which people quickly moved on to, living and working there. By the 1820s The America Ground was inhabited by over 1,000 people, rent, tax and rates free as no-one owned the land. Hastings Council tried to tax the residents living there, who subsequently rebelled, raising the flag of the USA and declaring the area an American State! However, this wasn't tolerated for long by the authorities and, in December 1827, the Crown claimed legal ownership (1066 online).

The America Ground is now covered by the triangle that is Robertson Street, Trinity Street and Claremont, and towards the sea, including Robertson Passage. Every year now, July the 4th is celebrated here, so watch out for special events coming up in July, including Independents Day, and enjoy the revolutionary spirit!

2 Town Centre Breakfasts Gone!

2 Town Centre cafes, in the America Ground, that I wrote about regarding Full English Breakfasts some time ago now (blog), Tutti Frutti's (above) and Hoagies (below), have both closed down sadly, Tutti Frutti's some time ago and Hoagies more recently. It appears I shall have to undertake some more research soon, though not great for my recent dietary plan...



Yesterday...

Well, it certainly was another beautiful day yesterday! Out in the morning and I'd forgotten to mention yesterday was Independent's Day on the America Ground (website), actually I wasn't aware (so much going on!), apologies for that...

I was heading for Hastings Library in Claremont, but the main focus for Independent's Day was just round the corner by the Library, behind The Printworks at Gotham Alley.

I then headed for the Old Town, passing many people on the way (too early to see what was happening at Pier Jam), and even Hastings Adventure Golf had arranged for music opposite their chip shop! Anyway I took this photograph down Rock-a-Nore Road before heading up All Saints Street to:

The Cinque Ports Arms, where I spent a few hours in pleasant company, then a 'mob' came in to watch the England football match, if you don't know the score you're probably not interested in football, otherwise, yes, I enjoyed it. 😉

On my way back home I passed the Stade Open Space where people were participating in the workshops for Strictly Stade Saturday, oh yes, and plenty of noisy football fans walking along (met Joe who I hadn't seen for a while, good to see you Joe!), in vehicles, sitting outside pubs. Apparently something may be coming home...

Happy July the 4th!

Happy July the 4th from this wee part of America (nearly)! 😉

Hastings Library Reopened This Morning.

The refurbished and 'revamped' Hastings Library in the Grade II listed, 140 year old, Brassey Institute, (see 1066 Online website) 13 Claremont TN34 1HE, reopened this morning. Consequently, I carried out a visit, seeing a few familiar faces in person, and many familiar faces on an interesting photographic multi-portrayal up on the wall to the right immediately on entering the building. See the East Sussex CC website.

There have been major repairs carried out on significant parts of the library, notably to the exterior, which had been neglected sadly over the years. The Children’s Library, which was based in Robertson Passage until recently, has now been integrated into the Brassey Institute, up on the First Floor, and a range of children’s activities including Code Clubs, Rhyme Time and Story Time are being organised.

Second Floor and PCs ++

As you can seed, the interior of the library has been completely refurbished with new furniture, many more computers, particularly up in the Learning Centre on the Second Floor, but also scattered around the building in wonderful wee booths, apparently many more books, and much improved toilet facilities. The public computers provide free access to the internet, training courses, online reference materials, and research programs for family history, and the Learning Services on the Second Floor will provide opportunities for people to improve literacy, numeracy and computer skills.

PC 'Booth'

There is a wide range of books to borrow on the Ground Floor, plus DVDs, newspapers and magazines to read, and more books can be found around the building, and reference books and other material is found on the Third Floor. Enquiry Points are on every floor. There is a small leaflet available Your new Hastings Library, which tells you where everything is situated, and which I recommend you pick up to help for your first visit, though on the stairs at each floor there are full lists of what you will find there.

Your new Hastings Library also tells us that on "every floor you will find: Wi-Fi, public computers, seating, study places, USB charging stations, and toilets."

The library continues to house A Dream of Fair Women artwork by Edward Armitage, and the Tressell Panel by Hazel Brook (above) is now up on the Second Floor, immediately on your left as you go through the glass doors; regarding Tressell see my earlier blog and the Hastings Museum & Art Gallery website.

As A Design For Life by the Manic Street Preachers tells us "Libraries gave us power" (video) through the provision of information, I cannot wait for my next visit as there is still so much for me to explore and plenty of books for me to borrow to read... 

Please feel free to visit the library very soon and join the library if not already a member, remember it is free and such an excellent resource should not be neglected!

I've had a break, but plenty coming up!

I have had a short break, if you're used to reading my blogs they're usually more frequent so you'd have noticed! Anyway, I've taken time out, visited family and had a good (ish) rest, but I'm back during a quieter weekend than many coming up as we head into the 'festive' season. So what is happening over the next week? 

On Hastings Pier tomorrow (Monday) and Friday 1st December, there will be Yoga on the Pier, in the Deck Building from 10.30, these have become very regular sessions now. At the weekend, in the Memories Room of the Deck, there will be a Vintage and Retro Market from 11.00 to 17.00 both days, with homeware, clothes, records and collectables, and free entry. For more details of events coming up see their website.

OK, this is a stock photograph from a few years ago, but seasonal events have already started at Priory Meadow, notably, near the indoor entrance to M&S is the annual Santa's Grotto; from Thursday the 31st of November to the 3rd of December, then from the 7th of December every day until the 24th of December. Also, from the 1st of December until the 7th of January 2018 will be the annual Priory Meadow Ice Rink; see the Best of Hastings website for more details of these and many other events.

On Saturday the 2nd and Sunday the 3rd of December the Hastings Illustration Festival 2017 (HiFest) will be taking place from 11.00 to 18.00 each day at The Printworks in Claremont and the surrounding America Ground area. There will be an array of workshops, screenings, talks, exhibitions, gift options, cards and books, and much more; see their website for further details.

Finally, for today, here is notice of the Spirit of Christmas in Hastings Old Town, Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd of December, from 16.30 to 20.00 each day, courtesy of Hastings Old Town Traders. There will be live music, food and drink, 'late night shopping' and another Santa's Grotto as you can see from the poster! See their facebook page for further details, or just pop into the Old Town and have fun exploring.

The festive fun is already upon us, have fun!

Busy, busy, busy, this weekend!

To start with, and it may appear a few days late, but the America Ground features its annual Independents Day today (Saturday 8th July) from 10am, celebrating independent businesses, creativity, thought, music, and art in the area. Head for the America Ground around Robertson Street, Trinity Street and Claremont; see website.

Around the corner, on Hastings Pier, the Pavilion Restaurant reopens today under new management (the Hastings Pier Charity going in-house now), and the extended Summer Opening Times begin too: 10am to 10pm (website). In addition to the usual Pier facilities, promenading, and events, there is also a Classic Car Boot Sale on both weekend days from 10am, with vintage fashion and accessories, homeware, collectables, vinyl records and much more (website).

Meanwhile, back to the old town and the Stade Open Space, and enter the 2017 Midsummer Fish Festival, with music, local wines and ales, cooking demonstrations, and, oh yes, fish! Since losing funding from the European Fisheries Fund a small entry fee is charged, £1 (for the whole weekend) available from the tourist centre at Muriel Matters House, or £2 on the door; under 18s get in free (website).

Meeting at the Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road at 11am both days, and you can take guided walks of the Stade with Old Hastings Preservation Society guides, exploring the Stade Fishing Quarter, and discovering the history of Hastings' sustainable fishing industry; the walks last about 90 minutes (website). Wearing strong shoes is advised as you will be walking on pebbles and uneven ground and, although the walks are free, donations to Hastings Fishermen's Museum are very much welcomed, many thanks! 

Of course there's much more around town, music, food and pubs, museums and parks, and, not to forget, as I wrote yesterday, the last day of the Hastings Beer & Music Festival (website) with its Family Day today. Have fun!

New Kiosk, Seating et al...

I've given up waiting to post this image, the new kiosk just on the seafront, at the end of the America Ground, to the left, as you look at the photograph, is a new wooden staircase down to the beach, where tons of enormous (Norwegian, I have been advised) rocks are being shaped into 2 groynes! At the public presentation at the White Rock Hotel in June last year (link to relevant blog) I was told that this would be an 'information' kiosk, but artist designs around during the many months this was being constructed appeared to show food and beverages being sold, we'll see...

I had really wanted to wait until this seating, in front of the old baths/Source Park, was available to the public, but, what the heck...

Seafront Kiosks...

Excuse me for being away, no access to a laptop (I really do like having a break!), but I'm back in Hastings and, this morning, well, the kiosk at the bottom of the America Ground on White Rock Promenade is still nowhere near finished, I've seen houses built 3 times as fast! Surely this should have been completed before the Summer season started, but then, it will be, I presume... Summer 2017!

Now I see that there is a proposal for another kiosk to the west of the Pier, above Bottle Alley (see HBC website for details regarding "Expressions of Interest"). The closing date is  the 28th of October 2016... and built by 2018, if the other kiosk is anything to go by!

Wines, Books, and Beer!

16/08/19 - This business is now closed down...



I'd thought for a while now that something Hastings was missing is a good quality off licence, selling decent wines and beers, not just specialising in one or the other, and we have got one, and, thanks to a wee chat I had with Becky, who works at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, whilst I was admiring the Turner painting up there (recently reported on this blog), I discovered Borough Wines, Beers and Books exists in Robertson Street; American Pale Ales in the America Ground, indeed! 

Now, for many of you, no doubt, this does not come as news, because it's been there for nearly a year! So, how did I miss this? Well, I'll use as my excuse, that I rarely walk down Robertson Street at times they would be open, as I tend to walk down there early doors, and I'll stick to that... anyway, better late than never! Wine? Well, they even sell it by refilling your 'bottle', indeed!

Plus they sell a good selection of already filled wine bottles, and, a dream of mine is having my own pub with a book shop attached, this is an off licence with a book shop within, as you can see here! There are a couple over half a dozen Borough shops in London, one of my favourite areas of London, actually, Borough Market, and expanding to have our very own one down here in Hastings (website).

And, of course, beers! There is a very interesting selection of local beers, as well as beers from around the UK, and, indeed, many from abroad. I, on my first visit, bought a couple of cans (!?!) of beer, both incredibly delicious, a grapefruit pale ale, High Wire from Magic Rock brewery, and a 'blood orange' IPA, Bloody 'ell, from Beavertown brewery; more about the beers at the Beermeister blog.

I'll be back soon!