It's Now December So...

Indeed, I have held off this early seasonal blog until December because, well, just because it was too early for me in November, though apparently not too early for trees and decorations to appear around Hastings town, in shops, and in pubs and bars, so here I am...

Not only does a warm welcome meet you as you come down from from Hastings railway and bus interchange (top), but as you enter the Priory Meadow indoor shopping centre too.

Not to forget the caring bear in front of the Charity Giving Tree in aid of Hastings Foodbank, where you can make a donation by taking a tag from the tree, purchase a suitable gift, and then take the gift to Kids Stuff (website) in Priory Meadow, and many thanks for your kindness.

And a warm welcome also meets you when entering St Andrews Mews after crossing South Terrace from Marks & Spencer, there's a tree placed there since I took this photograph!

And, of course there are many other Christmas Trees, lights and allsorts of decorations around town, so, apologies, but early Seasonal Greetings folks, it's coming nery soon!

Hastings the Happiest Place in Sussex - Official! Plus more...

Indeed, Hastings has been rated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as the happiest place to live in Sussex, with a happiness rating of 7.9, which is above the national average of 7.45 (Sussex Live). If you want to know more about the research, and comparisons to other 'well-being' statistics and areas of the country, go to the ONS website. It appears the really happy English live in Hexham up int' north, and Brits? Well people in Northern Ireland are the happiest, makes you wonder about the Brexit fuss on that side of the Irish Sea! But good news for us still.

Back in September I gave a very unsubtle hint about the takeover of The Italian Way by Rocksalt (blog), well it is now well and truly open, and has been busy when I've passed it whilst open, this image is from earlier this morning. And it most definitely sells Italian style food still, with just the one burger, the Rocksalt Italian Burger!

I've written a few times about the closure of St Mary in the Castle (for example, blog), not such good news, and looking into the restaurant yesterday (above) cleared of trappings, it looks pretty bleak, so for here, still not so good news, yet...

To cheer me up I took a photo of the lights in the town centre early doors, Hastings Council does like to illuminate early every year, but it does look nice. 👍

Oh yes, and the issue of 39-41 George Street, where scaffolding had blocked the road for ages until removal 2 years ago (blog), well, it's still boarded up (above), but approval has been given for the demolition of the former amusement arcade and nightclub. In its place the construction of ground floor commercial units with 20 flats above has been approved (Sussex World), see the image below of how it should then look.

That's all from me today folks, enjoy the weekend!

Christmas Cometh!

I first noticed that Christmas Lights/Decorations are up in the town centre early yesterday morning, hence the photographs above and below being taken in the dark... I thought maybe there was panic to start celebrating early because of concern that 'Bah Humbug' Johnson will cancel Christmas again this year...

But no! I looked back at the equivalent blog last year, and it was posted in November too, unless that too was a panic measure... 😉

Whatever, fingers crossed for all of us and our health folks! 

Christmas Tree & Decorations: But isn't this still November?!?

I first noticed that Christmas lights had gone up when I was out for my daily exercise (walking) early-ish on Tuesday morning, and since then, on Thursday, 5 Christmas Trees were erected around the Borough of Hastings, including this one (above) in the town centre. The early advent of Advent (officially begins a week from today) this year, and around the country, appears to have been stimulated by a campaign started in Nottingham to 'boost' mental health (BBC), a very worthy proposition indeed. 👍

It would be churlish of me to not support this campaign, particularly as I'm a retired RMN, but am I the only person wondering why, with lockdown lasting until the 2nd of December at the earliest, consequently, no-one out and about during the night, and most of the evening for that matter, lights are lit for hours and not being appreciated by the good folk of Hastings? Seems like a waste of energy and money to me... 😔

But let's trust things will improve asap, be careful folks and please watch out for each other: wash your hands regularly still, wear face coverings where appropriate, maintain social distancing, and respect each other always, and Best Wishes to all. 💓 

Together, we can beat COVID-19, roll on the 3rd of December, and fingers crossed! 

Fireworks and Jollity earlier...

This time in the centre of town at Priory Meadow, because...

the Christmas lights are back on, festive greetings! 

More Fireworks and the Lights go on!

Some very loud fireworks just now, and the lights are on again...