Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2022 Culmination

From now to Monday there is plenty happening still, including today (blog), but the week really culminates with the Grand Procession on Saturday the 6th, which begins at the Rock-a-Nore car park at 5.00pm, and with the theme of Kings & Queens (website, and many thanks to them for the above library photograph).

Entries to the procession must be returned by tomorrow/Friday evening (website), but other events continue tomorrow too, including what have now become regular events for this Carnival Week, but notably, the Old Town Gurning Competition at Butlers Gap from 6.00 to 7.00pm (website), the Twilight Smugglers and Stade guided walks, and OTCW Last Supper in Courthouse Street, with Bangers & Mash served for £7 from 4.30pm; serving stops at 6.30pm. For details of all Friday events see the website.

Before the procession, between 3.00 and 4.00pm on Saturday, there is an opportunity to join a guided tour around the wonderful St Mary in the Castle, which I have written about many times, including recently, but I would recommend booking a place as soon as possible as there are limited places available, see website. In addition the ongoing exhibitions and events continue, plus guided walks, and then Fireworks at Dusk from Hastings Castle up on the West Hill, approximately from 8.30 to 9.00pm. For more details of the events on Saturday go to the website.

And it's not completely over yet! On Sunday the 7th there are still many of the ongoing events running; exhibitions and museums open; Hastings Ghost, Foyles and Twitten & Cat Creeps guided walks; services at St Clements and St Mary Star of the Sea churches, and the combined church Blessing of the Sea (website), a historic ceremony on the beach, by the west side of the harbour arm, from 4.00 to 4.30pm. For more details of the events on Sunday go to the website.

Then, for Monday the 8th, our mayor and local councillor, James Bacon, has organised a Fancy Dress Litter Pick (website), a family friendly event including a Best Dressed Competition for those who turn up in fancy dress. Meeting at 10.30am at the Stade Open Space, presumably close by Stade Hall, if you can bring gloves, sacks and litter pickers that would be appreciated, lets help Keep the Old Town Tidy, cheers!

That's it folks! 👌

Blessing of the Sea this evening.

This evening (Wednesday 13th July), from 6-7pm, you are welcome to attend the annual Blessing of the Sea at Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station. The Blessing will be of the lifeboats, local fishing fleet and all other boats that sail from Hastings, and also remembers those who have lost their lives at sea.

The Blessing will be led by local clergy from the stern of the lifeboat (providing it's not out on a call) and includes readings, hymns and music (website).

The Cyril and Lilian Bishop

The Cyril and Lilian Bishop being towed onto the beach this morning; I've written about this lifeboat, the "Ghost of Dunkirk" a few times now, for more information about her and her history, go to one of my previous blogs, for example here...

Tush and Dee-Day supervising her movements, thanks to the help of volunteers...

Now sited on the Stade Open Space, just below All Saints Street, and from where the annual Blessing of the Sea will be made this evening, just after 6pm.

The Cyril and Lilian Bishop will remain on the Stade until she is towed up All Saints Street on Saturday at 11.00 am to her final dry dock below All Saints Church. Tomorrow evening will see some musical events held on her, and on Friday evening there will be an auction from her deck of numerous donations, where the proceeds will go to her upkeep. 

Another important piece of Hastings history being preserved, nice one!

On today (Wednesday 14th)

The annual Blessing of the Sea will be held this evening, from 6pm, I believe it will be held from the Cyril and Lilian Bishop, due to be moved onto the Stade Open Space this morning, and to be pulled up All Saints Street to its final dry dock on Saturday.

Hastings Fringe Comedy Festival starts this evening and continue until Sunday in the Old Town, we need a good laugh these days! See their facebook page for more details.

Blessing of the Sea this evening

At 6pm this evening will be held the traditional ceremony where the Lifeboats, local fishing fleet, and other boats from Hastings, along with all who go to sea, are blessed, and those that have lost their lives at sea are remembered. Local ministers will lead the blessing from the stern of the Lifeboat, joined by Lifeboat Crew, Launchers and Volunteers from the Station. There will be readings, hymns and music from Sussex Brass (website). 

Hastings Lifeboat Blessing of the Sea

Hastings Lifeboat Blessing of the Sea is this evening at 18.15, next exercise is at 09.00 on Sunday 21st of June 2015...