St Mary in the Castle Council Update

Further to my recent blog about the St Mary in the Castle Charitable Trust not renewing its lease later this year, Councillor Andy Batsford, Cabinet Lead for Health and Culture at Hastings Borough Council has got in touch with me, many thanks Andy!

Councillor Batsford included the Council statement issued recently to the media, which I reproduce below, and reassured me that St Mary in the Castle is still regarded as a "Jewel in Hastings Cultural crown." The Council is looking for a "cultural partner that has the means and ability to take St Marys on as a going concern" and as a sustainable business, and is excited by potential future developments. 

However, the Council continues to need to look for savings across the board in these financially tight times, so consequently cannot offer any more grants to whoever takes over next, following what had previously been given to help St Mary in the Castle reopen following the Covid-19 Crisis (see below). 

I understand this completely, as Central Government has reduced the Central Government Revenue Support Grant that Hastings received from the £14,000,000 a year it was when they took over at Westminster in 2010 to nothing since 2018... In addition to not receiving any central government grant anymore, Local Government is severely restricted in how much it can increase Council Tax annually despite the increasing costs and inflation that we are all experiencing, indeed, this year limited to just 1.99%, which includes a 1% increase in the Adult Social Care precept, so effectively just a 0.99% increase for 2022/23 - see blog.

Here is the Hastings Borough Council press statement:

“We are also very sad to hear the news of the closure of St Mary in the Castle, and we would like to thank the trustees and staff there for their hard work over the years, running a very complex venue during a difficult time. They have provided many years of great entertainment, culture and world class acts for the town and its visitors.

“Hastings Borough Council was keen to help the trustees of St Mary in the Castle reopen after Covid, we met them on a number of occasions and gave them £18,000 last summer. However even this, a grant of just over £50,000 from Arts Council England, and over £87,000 for Covid recovery from the government through Hastings Borough Council appears not to have been enough given the ever increasing costs of running venues. The café received additional Covid recovery payments.

“The trustees of St Mary in the Castle told us that without more funding they would have to close. Sadly we are now in that position. Hastings Borough Council simply does not have the resources available to support St Mary in the Castle.

“We will now look at all options that don’t involve further funding from the council. We look forward to ideas and conversations from individuals, organisations and companies who can work with the council to provide a first class entertainment venue that can be fully sustainable without sadly any Council subsidy.”

With many thanks again to Councillor Andy Batsford. 👍

Covid-19 ain't going away! Hastings with High Incidence...

Well, I've heard many people say we've the highest incidence in the country, but I cannot find the evidence to support that claim exactly, not that I want it to be true... But we are definitely high up in the figures since the Government decided to ease restrictions (blog) in England! According to the Government stats, as reported by the BBC, hospital admissions are rising, and the incidence in Hastings per 100,000 in the week to the 7th of March 2022 was well above the average in England of 465, ie 751!

Worryingly, looking directly at the Government figures for Hastings today (website) it has become even worse than that, whilst the BBC figures stated that there were 695 cases in Hastings last week, now the number of confirmed cases in Hastings for the week up to yesterday has risen exponentially to 1,011...

Folks, please stay safe, and try to do your bit to stop the spread in Hastings!

It appears Covid infections in Hastings are increasing...

I'm not surprised, particularly as legal restrictions were removed by the Government recently, and we more recently experienced the very lively Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival, but the rates of Covid-19 infection in Hastings appear to be rising, from an already higher than the national average figure. As reported by the BBC, based on NHS England figures, for the week ending the 7th of March, the number of people in Hastings recorded as being infected with Covid-19 had risen from the previous week by 198, and was 286 higher than the national average per 100,000 of 465.

So, as we were aware it wouldn't, Covid-19 has not gone away, indeed I've continued to wear a face mask in shops and when travelling on public transport, as I believe it is more with respect to other people's fears, the effectiveness of face coverings preventing the spread of the disease, and I've always regularly washed my hands. Anyway, it's not time to feel completely secure against the pandemic, so stay safe folks!

It will be interesting to see the next week's figures... 

Step Back - Probably Covid Restrictions To End...

Well, the Government looks to be stepping back from all Covid restrictions, if Johnson's comments yesterday are to be believed (BBC), to be confirmed in Cabinet this morning, apparently, then announced in Parliament later today, this, at the same time as the news of our 95 years old Queen being infected with COVID-19 was announced... 

We are now being told that, although the pandemic is not over yet, it is time to learn to live with Covid, but continuing to watch out for future variants. Hopefully this job will be left to experts who have monitored notifiable diseases for years, ie the public health authorities, not a pal of his who sets up another company to milk the taxpayer for money, as has been done with £billions over the last 2 years!

Anyway, trust is being put in the power of Covid vaccines, now that 91% of people 12 years old and over in the UK have had their first dose of a Covid vaccine, 85% their second dose, and 66% a booster. For Hastings, we appear to have more Covid deniers and conspiracy theorists than the national average, with the corresponding figures being 81%, 76% and 60% (BBC), roughly 10% fewer than nationally.

There is a suggestion that the Government's approach is to help divert rebellious Conservative backbench MPs from plotting to kick Johnson out of Downing Street, particularly noting that nearly 100 Conservative MPs voted against Covid passes in England, or that this is a diversion from the Police investigation into parties in Downing Street during lockdown... but surely not...

Anyway, it is not known yet whether free lateral flow tests will continue to be supplied to us, so I have a pack of them arriving today. Do what you have to feel safe folks!

It looks like April the 1st, not a joke apparently, will be the date free tests go, see this BBC page for further advice about testing etc...

Pop-Up Covid Vaccination Clinic in Hastings Town Centre Today

Just spotted this in the town centre outside 'Debenhams' (Hastings Borough Council website for more information). The 'pop-up clinic' will be there until 4pm this afternoon and is for people who are aged 18 years or older, for First dose, Second (if over 8 weeks since First) and Booster (if at least 3 months since Second).

Also, as said recently (blog), from today face coverings are not required in law in indoors public spaces and on public transport, but be sensible and stay safe folks!

Covid Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic in Hastings Town Centre Today

From 10.00am until 4.00pm, First, Second (8 weeks after First) and Booster (3 months since Second) vaccinations are available to anyone aged 18 years or older, as appropriate, in the Town Centre outside the old Debenhams building. Details of this and other vaccination centres/sites can be seen at the HBC website.

COVID-19 Plan B Minus!

So, from next Thursday, the 27th of January 2022, the Government is changing the rules again regarding the Covid-19 Crisis (BBC), believing that the "Omicron wave had peaked nationally." This means that, from next Thursday, face coverings in public places (and in secondary schools from today) will no longer be required by law, although still advised in "enclosed or crowded spaces and when meeting strangers."

Also, Covid passes will no longer be mandatory for nightclubs and large events, although "organisations could chose to use the NHS Covid pass if they wished" and the Government will no longer be advising people to work from home...

Call me cynical, but I wait to see any developments, fingers crossed though.

Stay safe! 

2022 - A Quiet Beginning...

I'm not really a 'killjoy' but I've never been into celebrating the New Year coming in/Old Year's Night, and, taking notice of the pandemic's persistence, I didn't really want to enter anywhere that had too many others crammed into it, so I had a quiet time on the 31st of December and on the 1st of January. Being in the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club, I did take part in our 'friendly' New Year Knockabout, and yes it was a wee bit competitive... 😉 2 of the members in the image above (it was a bit chilly) finished in the top 3, David H coming first; this after us all playing on each of the 3 courses at Hastings Adventure Golf (website), and well done to all, particularly Mr H!*

Talking about COVID-19 and the incidence in Hastings, as in all over Europe, has been increasing significantly, particularly among younger people, although we're still significantly below the national (huge) average with over a thousand infected individuals in Hastings, which works out as 1,160 per 100,000 in the week ending the 1st of January, compared to the 1,676 per 100,000 average in England (BBC).

So, remember to stay safe folks!

* I came 12th... 😀 out of 12 😏 as I'm not much cop... Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It's been yet another strange year, a mixture of hope and dismay, just yesterday, I was forced to walk out into the road by 2 cyclists riding straight at me on the pavement, rather than starting a fight I chose to risk my life, but... Also, just this week, we met a lad from up North who visited Hastings because he found out he had 3 brothers and a sister who he had never known existed, friendly chap who even bought me a pint!

Anyhow, let us hope we can return to some sort of normality before another year is out, and my thoughts are with all our family members and friends who have suffered losses, those who have been ill and come through it, and those who still suffer, stay safe...

Seasons Greetings!

Things are a wee bit better than a year ago, despite the higher incidence of the dreaded COVID-19, fingers crossed things continue to improve, but don't be surprised with further restrictions coming in before the New Year... Anyhow, please let us all have a good and happy season and enjoy ourselves as much as we can. Also, we must try to remember others, especially with the remaining (BBC) restrictions we now live within, and try to watch out for each other in these still troubled times. 

Also, I give thanks to all those who have helped us to survive these last two years, too many to mention individually, but including all the keyworkers, the drivers and carers, those working in the emergency services, the police, fire fighters, ambulance staff and paramedics, the NHS, doctors, nurses, other health professionals and ancillary staff, the brave crews and volunteers of the RNLI lifeboat service, who have had some locals giving them a hard time through no fault other than they have continued to maintain their philosophy of trying to save all lives at sea, and again, not forgetting the scientists who helped develop the vaccines to rid us of the cause of distress and illness caused by the pandemic... Respect!

Finally, I wish to share my best wishes with you, and peace and goodwill to all, whatever one's beliefs, let's continue to work together folks.

And remember, stay safe!

Stacey Marie (facebook page) sends her regards too! 😉

More COVID-19 Restrictions Begin Today for England.

From today the wearing of face coverings has become mandatory in more places since they were reintroduced at the end of November (blog); now including for most indoor public venues, places of worship, hairdressers, theatres, cinemas, and shops and public transport of course (BBC). In addition, from Monday next, the 13th of December, people are being advised to work from home again, if they can... 

Also, if agreed to by Parliament (very unlikely to not be agreed), from next Wednesday, the 15th of December, people will need a NHS Covid Pass, that is, either for proof of vaccination status or a negative lateral flow test, if they want to gain entry to certain public venues, that is:

• Nightclubs
• Indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people
• Unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people
• Any venue with more than 10,000 people

Stay safe folks!

Masks required from this morning...

As I shared in my last blog, some restrictions are being reintroduced because of the rise in the incidence of COVID-19 infections, and fears of the new variant Omicron. Indeed, this includes, from this morning, the wearing of face coverings in shops and on public transport as mandatory in law.

Don't forget your masks, and stay safe folks! 

COVID Restrictions Being Reintroduced.

So very soon after my last blog, in which I shared my concern for the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Hastings, the Prime Minister yesterday warned us that some restrictions are being introduced this week to help combat the rise nationally, and to help prevent the spread of a new variant, Omicron (BBC). 

These will be announced later today by the Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, I believe, but we have been forewarned by the Prime Minister that measures will include, in law again, having to wear face coverings in shops and on public transport; unlike the PM, something many of us have continued because, well, because it's showing respect to our fellow beings. Also, PCR tests will be reintroduced for everyone coming back into the country, and a red list of countries will be reintroduced too, including for those countries in southern Africa where Omicron appears to be spreading quickly. Oh yes, and Christmas will be "considerably better" than in 2020, hmmm...

So watch/listen out for the Health Secretary's announcements, and stay safe!

COVID-19 Rate in Hastings Concerning...

Memories of walking during lockdowns aren't so bad, but the rate of COVID-19 infections in Hastings continues to rise, according to the BBC there were 600 cases in Hastings for the week 15-21 November, the equivalent of 648 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 450 per 100,000...

At the beginning of the second lockdown in November last year (blog) the equivalent in Hastings was just 31.3 per 100,000! So yes, I am a wee bit concerned. I note from the BBC that the incidence is growing significantly among the under 60s in Hastings, whereas it's dropping amongst those aged 60 and over, which is better news for old gits like me, but it's looking as though the incidence is particularly increasing amongst those who have refused to have vaccinations, indeed, I know of a few personally. Mercifully, the number of related deaths in Hastings is relatively very low, and I hear the Conquest isn't packed with cases, fingers crossed that may continue.

Please folks let's remember that the COVID-19 Crisis hasn't gone away, so be very careful in crowded indoor places in particular, I'm still wearing a face covering in shops, the shopping centre, library, on trains and buses etc, but notice many people appear to be happy to share their germs, perhaps trying to emulate the recent abhorrent behaviour of the Prime Minister, so no wonder the incidence keeps rising... 

And I continue to regularly wash my hands thoroughly, taking advantage whenever and wherever I see hand sanitiser. Do look after yourselves and stay safe folks!

Seasonal Closures and, hopefully, No More Lockdowns, BUT...

Signs are becoming more apparent that parts of Hastings tourist industry is closing down for the Winter, for example, the Ferris Wheel losing its carriages (photographed early today, above), but let us hope that next year there is no added 'lockdown' due to the Coronavirus Crisis, however, we cannot be too complacent (BBC). Indeed, the incidence of COVID-19 in Hastings is below the national average, but still so much higher than at this time last year, when Hastings had the lowest rate of incidence in the country (blog) at 31.3 cases per 100,000, now it's 358 cases per 100,000 (BBC)!

So, please, let us remember to stay safe folks. 

"Worst public health failure ever!"

People who have been reading my blogs over the last couple of years will already be aware of how I have been very critical of the incompetent way the COVID-19 Crisis has been handled, eg this blog. but now 2 Parliamentary committees, indeed both chaired by Tory MPs, have come to the same conclusion (BBC), at last! 

As a retired health professional I have consistently criticised the use of private companies, and friends of Government ministers, with no experience, to provide unusable equipment, including PPE, to the NHS, and particularly to run the Test and Trace programme ineptly for an extortionate £37 BILLION over 2 years (Guardian)! 

From the start, people with experience should have been running the show, not pals of the Executive, that is health professionals and public health officials, and the results of any enquiries will always support this, as has already been shown. Indeed, I even have doubts about the input of 'expert' scientists, yes, their advice needs to be taken into account when appropriate, but scientists only are 100% behind things when there is 100% proof, they are scientists after all, they shouldn't be making the decisions.

And all that the MPs appear to be singling out as a success is the roll out of the vaccine programme (BBC), which, luckily, was left to the NHS, volunteers, and public health authorities to organise and run, thankfully... 

God protect the NHS, please!

Coastal Currents and Stade Saturdays are back!

Coastal Currents and Stade Saturdays are back in Hastings, things are gradually returning to some sort of normality, despite COVID-19 infection rates still remaining high locally, indeed, above the average national rate (BBC), and particularly among residents under 50. For details of events please go to the website, and enjoy your weekend!

And stay safe folks, be careful still!

Latest COVID-19 Self-Isolation Guidance

Yesterday I received advice by email from East Sussex County Council regarding the revised Government Guidance for when to self-isolate; repeated below:

"As of 16 August, guidance on when to self-isolate due to Covid-19 has changed.

If you are fully vaccinated (with more than 14 days since your second jab) you no longer need to self-isolate when identified as a close contact. You just need to have a PCR test to check you aren’t unknowingly carrying the virus and as long as you get a negative result, you can carry on as normal. 

If you get a positive result you must self-isolate even if you have been fully vaccinated.

You now only need to self-isolate if you:

• Have symptoms of Covid-19
• Have tested positive for Covid-19 

Or, if you’ve come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 and:

• You are unvaccinated or have only had one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine
• It has been less than 14 days since the second dose of your vaccine

You also no longer need to isolate as a close contact if you are aged under 18 years and 6 months. As with those who are fully vaccinated you just need to book a PCR test to check your current status."

So, there you are, reminds me of Joy Division...

Hastings Old Town Carnival Parade Returns & more to come still!

OK, we're very unlikely to see the lifeboat heading the parade this year (I took this photograph 3 years ago - blog), or ever again, as I believe it's too long to get around the roundabout by Iceland, but thinking back to past parades what great days they were; but maybe the RNLI inshore boat will lead the procession this year? 

Anyway, the carnival procession shouldn't be too spoilt by the morning thunder and lightning predicted by the Met Office, as it begins during the afternoon (website). And there are still many other events going on this weekend. Look at the website for details of the events being held on Saturday, and again at the website for Sunday. 

Keep a check with the website for changing weather conditions.

Whatever you do, please enjoy the weekend folks, and remember, be safe! 

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.