Vitamin D - WAKE UP Media, I wrote about this in April/May!

Regular readers will be aware that I wrote in a blog way back in April about concerns regarding Vitamin D deficiency and Isolation, and I offered information about natural sources of Vitamin D. Then, in a blog in May, I wrote about research regarding Vitamin D and Covid-19, the health benefits of Vitamin D, and problems experienced by people with Vitamin D deficiency, particularly regarding Covid-19.

Well, it appears the rest of the media have finally caught up with me, eg Sky (website), Metro (website), and the Mail (website), wake up colleagues, what kept you?!? 😕

Stay in touch and look after yourselves, family and friends, folks!

Apologies! Previous Blog has now been written, honest!

Sorry about that, my previous blog had been published by me in error, completely empty of text, concerning telephone scams and Coronavirus/Covid-19 tracing and testing, I obviously pressed the 'publish' button instead of the 'save' button.

Again, apologies from this bampot (a term of endearment my brother uses for me when I've been silly or made an error), the blog is now worth reading, cheers!

I won't do it again... 😕

TELEPHONE SCAM WARNING - COVID-19 TEST & TRACE

Councils around the country are warning us to be on our guard against scammers posing as NHS Contact Tracers (BBC). In the scam a telephone call from the scammer, claiming to be from the NHS Test & Trace Service, informs you that you may have come into contact with somebody who has Coronavirus or Covid-19, and that you need to self-isolate and take a test. Then they ask you to confirm your address so that a testing kit may be sent to you, and then they request Bank Card details "to cover the cost of the testing kit." You now know this is a scam!

"In a genuine call, contact tracers will never:

• ask you to dial a premium rate number (for example, those starting 09 or 087)

• ask you to make any form of payment

• ask for any details about your bank account

• ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts

• ask you for any passwords or Pin codes, or ask you to set up any passwords or Pin codes over the phone

• ask you to purchase a product - including a test

• ask you to download any software to your device or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet

• ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS

Source: Ofcom

Anyone receiving a call they suspect is not genuine should report the call to Action Fraud."

Sorry about the previous published blog, I hadn't meant to post then, obviously hit the wrong button, instead of 'save' 😕 

Covid-19 and Vitamin D Deficiency

Some time ago I voiced the concern that many people may be in danger of Vitamin D Deficiency because of the Government's Coronavirus/Covid-19 Crisis lockdown and isolation tactics. Consequently, I suggested looking to good food sources of Vitamin D, notably Omega-3 fatty acid fish (blog). 

Since then research has found a strong "link between vitamin D deficiency and severity of coronavirus" (Trinity College research). It has been found that among patients who have died there has been a significant number with low Vitamin D levels, and also that patients with normal to high levels of Vitamin D are rarely found among those who die because of Covid-19. This research has been supported by research around the world that has found "patients from countries with high COVID-19 mortality rates... had lower levels of vitamin D compared to patients in countries that were not as severely affected" (technology networks).

The research is still very much ongoing, and there could be many other factors involved, such as age or gender of patients with severe symptoms. However, I heard a research scientist on the BBC World Service last night state that it would be sensible for people to ensure they either do get sensible levels of exposure to sunlight to ensure their Vitamin D levels are good, eat appropriate foods, and/or take supplements.

Look after yourselves and your family and friends, folks!

An Update re Coronavirus, Services, and the Town Centre...

Passing the new old town hall/Register Office earlier, and I noticed that the notice board above had altered, this may have been for a while now, but I tend to not walk past nowadays, so, sorry if this is old news! Anyway, that doesn't really provide any obvious information about the office and the Covid-19 Coronavirus Crisis, so I decided to have a look at the 2 websites they mention. 

First, regarding births, deaths, marriages and citizenship registrations, and certificate requests, everything is now carried out online at the East Sussex County Council website, until further notice. Furthermore, for registrations of deaths a telephone appointment needs to be booked here at the website, also...

All marriage, civil partnership and other ceremonies in East Sussex are "postponed until at least 15 June 2020." However, "the General Register Office is in consultation with the Home Office and will shortly be issuing further guidance" (website).

The town centre still has the 4-8 usual jolly, socially not-distancing from each other, group apparently gathering from about 08.00, though has been seen earlier.

Shops that retail food are pretty much open as they used to be, the smaller supermarkets open from 07.00, on Sundays as well. Indeed, you may have noticed a photograph of one of the best blended scotch whiskies there are available above, and what does this have to do with this blog? Well, the Tesco Express down from the railway station in Havelock Road, is selling bottles of Chivas Regal for £20, down from £30, please feel free to purchase some yourself so that it goes from the shelf, as I'm tempted to buy a bottle every time I walk past, cheers! 😉

Finally, from me today, if you run a business and haven't already sorted out how to get a Coronavirus Grant from the Government, I saw this tide blog recommended by a Rother councillor earlier today. Now I'm not qualified to give any advice re businesses, but she appears to believe they do provide good advice for businesses.

Be safe!

A Quiet-ish Weekend?

Because I was only out early yesterday morning for my daily exercise (I'm still restricting myself to once a day, a personal decision, and 8 miles or so walking), and bought my necessary shopping on the way home, I wasn't outdoors during the day. Consequently, I can't make a proper statement about how any people visiting Hastings behaved, and how many turned up. The image above was indicative of something rare this morning, frankly, there was very little litter about, this photograph was taken not long after 05.00, and Herring Gulls had obviously had an impact! 

Someone I know who lives on the seafront St Leonards way said that it was pretty quiet, people around the old town said George Street and High Street were quiet. Obviously some booze had been brought, or been bought locally, considering the above image by the minigolf courses, and then I've heard about complaints of a male urinating in the street (I could see the problems with the lack of public toilet facilities in my earlier very relevant blog). If anyone has further information please feel free to add a comment, as long as it isn't libellous, thank you. 🙊

Fishing boats have been out both days, Saturday and Sunday mornings, and I suspect overnight Saturday/Sunday, so normality and (some) work goes on thankfully.

All I can say is fingers crossed for today 🙏

Coronavirus Statistics: Covid-19 and Hastings

I must give credit to Hastings Online Times (website) for their excellent research and presentation of the statistics concerning the incidence of Covid-19 in Sussex, East Sussex, Hastings, and in each area of Hastings! Quality work... As can be seen, and I'm keeping my fingers strongly crossed here, the incidence is significantly lower than in the rest of Sussex, and even more so, the rest of the country. I trust this is partly due to the responsible nature of local folk, as well as a result of the tremendous work of NHS staff and all other keyworkers, and our heartfelt thanks goes to them.

It is not over yet, so we must remain ever vigilant and respect each other, maintain sensible 'social distancing' and restrict our closer interaction with others, not forgetting to regularly wash our hands, particularly before going out, and on returning home, from out exercising, shopping and other necessary reasons for being out of our homes.

We're not there yet, folks, so let's keep on being sensible, respect to you all!

Deserved Congratulations to Virtual Jack!

Before I congratulate the Virtual Jack procession, I must say I was impressed with the ribbons and greenery adorning the doors and buildings in All Saints Street in particular on Sunday, but nice one to everyone who participated!

And, reading from the Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green facebook page, just over 20,000 people watched the Virtual Jack 'live zoom procession' and just over £3,000 was raised for 'NHS charities.' Congratulations! 👍

Pretty please, can we have a proper Jack in the Green in 2021...

#HastingsVirtualJack2020 

Hastings Old Town and Stade Guided Walks Cancelled...

Unsurprisingly, the Old Hastings Preservation Society free guided walks of the Old Town, due to begin today, have been cancelled until further notice (website), understandable in the circumstances. I only noticed a few minutes ago, and, of course, the Stade walks, due to have started for this year at Easter, are also cancelled.

Keep safe folks, let's hope this is over soon.

Beer and Cider to Your Door Update!

By Steve the Beermeister:

I have undergone some more research and appear to have found quite a few extra ways of getting locally brewed ales, plus quality beers, cider & wine, and in some instances food, delivered to your door from pubs AND from local breweries. As I said before, The Jolly Fisherman is offering a delivery service for beers, ciders and perry on Friday afternoons, please go to their website to order: delivery is free of charge in Hastings & St Leonards, and £2 to Bexhill and within 7 miles of Hastings. Last week the draught beers available were a Citra and Eldorado hopped 4.1% Pale brewed by North Brewing, a 4.2% Best bitter from 360 Degrees, and a 5.9% keg IPA from Belgian brewers The Musketeers. Go to their website for this weeks offerings.

In addition, Rod has advised me that Bob from the Albion (website) is also delivering cask ale, for £3 a pint, on Friday afternoon/evening: last week a 3.9% 'American Extra Pale Ale' Phoenix from Bedlam Brewery. Payment is by PayPal and I presume you need to telephone to order (I can see no link on their website or facebook page to place orders), which is 01424 439156.

Further, I have since discovered that the Eel & Bear is providing a local delivery service, Click & Collect (pre-ordered) at 28 Waldegrave Street TN34 1SJ, and nationwide courier deliveries (website). This does not include cask-conditioned ales, but they do have an excellent and wide range of interesting and exceptional craft beers.

In addition locally, around the corner from the Eel & Bear in Queens Road TN34 1RL, at The Imperial, the Brewing Brothers also appear to be offering a takeaway service, and delivery, including their delicious pizzas as well as beer (website).

I have also discovered that a further 3 breweries are advertising delivering to your door, unsurprisingly. bearing in mind I have published the image above, Battle Brewery (website) is one of them. Indeed they offer free local delivery, I would guess they expect a minimum expenditure by their customers (but within 10 miles of the brewery, well within the Hastings area!) and a courier service nationwide (at cost).

Furthermore, Three Legs Brewing Co (website) offer to deliver their own beers, and unique wine and food produce, and 1648 Brewing Co (website) their own beers.

So, very decent beer is still available to the folk of Hastings, cheers!

A Sad Sight...

They went to all that bother to get it ready for Easter, and here it is this morning (on my way home from my approved by the Government exercise/early morning walk, have to add that to avoid being reported on by informants to the Coronapolice 😉), 'our' Ferris Wheel, and it still hasn't been used in 2020, what a year... 😒

Hastings Virtual Jack in the Green 2020 and Bike1066

You'll not be seeing this

Jack in the Green, eh?!? Thousands of visitors to Hastings for May Day every year (blog), people all dressed up and make-up applied, traditional parade, alcohol imbibed, music and dancing, what is there not to like? Well, first, the Government tried to ruin the day by cancelling the May Day public holiday, and moving it to the Friday to celebrate the end of WWII in Europe, rather than just have an extra public holiday in 2020; oh the irony of Government not wanting the British people to have an extra day off this year!

 You'll not be seeing this either

Then Mother Nature's turn, with a virus called Covid-19, a Coronavirus, apparently from the same group that also contains the 200 plus viruses that cause the Common Cold. Well, we've seen what's happened since then, the wettest month in recorded history, February 2020, followed by wall-to-wall sunshine, and we're not allowed to go out in it, except for certain reasons (Government website)! So, Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green has been cancelled, understandably, for 2020 (facebook).

Presumably only close family will see her

But what you may see is:

OK, maybe not Bob himself, but people adorning the outsides of their homes and businesses, because, Hastings folk (and anyone else, for that matter, you definitely do not have to be in Hastings for this one!), Jack in the Green is going virtual for 2020 (facebook), as in, going online, and personal! Hastings folk are being encouraged by the organizers, starting on the real May Day itself, Friday the 1st of May 2020, to "dress up, decorate your houses with greenery, and join in the virtual parade by sharing pictures, videos and messages, via your social media channels using the hashtag #HastingsVirtualJack2020 " 💖

Also, not seeing this on May Day

The annual Bike1066, which usually sees over 40,000 motorbikes come to Hastings every year has also been, postponed, as in to August, to not only celebrate 'Victory in Europe 1945' but also 'VJ Day.' All things being well, it is planned for thousands of motorbikes to visit Hastings on Saturday the 15th of August 2020 (website).

So, all is not lost, despite the machinations of Government and Mother Nature, Hastings is still going to Virtual Party! Ain't no stopping us now!! 😉

#HastingsVirtualJack2020 

Vitamin D - a return...

I just noticed on the BBC website that they are suggesting people take supplements of Vitamin D, 4 days after I suggested a potential health risk. Keep up with the news BBC, I was there well before you, and with a much more natural solution! 😉 My blog.

Beer, Cider & Perry to Your Door!

By Steve the Beermeister:

The Jolly Fisherman is offering a delivery service for beers, ciders and perry on Friday afternoons, please go to their website to order: delivery free of charge in Hastings & St Leonards, and £2 to Bexhill and within 7 miles of Hastings. This week the draught beers available are a Citra and Eldorado hopped 4.1% Pale brewed by North Brewing (website), a 4.2% Best bitter from 360 Degrees (website), and a 5.9% keg IPA from Belgian brewers The Musketeers (website). Excellent, cheers!

In addition, Rod has advised me that Bob from the Albion (website) is also delivering cask ale, for £3 a pint, on Friday afternoon/evening: this week a 3.9% 'American Extra Pale Ale' Phoenix from Bedlam Brewery (website). Payment is by PayPal and I presume you need to telephone to order (I can see no link on their website or facebook page to place orders), which is 01424 439156. Nice one, cheers!

De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill on Sea

The De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill On Sea is known as an "iconic Modernist building" which was created to be a "democratic space for art, culture and recreation" and championed by Herbrand Sackville, the 9th Earl De La Warr (DLWP website). De La Warr (20 June 1900 to 28 January 1976) inherited his title when his father died whilst on active service in 1915, and became the first hereditary peer to join the Labour Party; he was just 23 years old when he became a junior minister in the first ever Labour Government in February 1924. Later, in April 1933 and as Mayor of Bexhill, De La Warr proposed a scheme for an entertainment hall/pavilion, which received overwhelming support from the people of Bexhill, and a loan of £70,000 was obtained from the Ministry of Health to cover the cost of the project (Discover Bexhill website).

RIBA were asked to hold a competition for the building design, which was announced in The Architects journal in September 1933, and which received 230 entrants. The same journal in February 1934 declared the winner of the £150 first prize to be the architects Serge Chermayeff (8 October 1900 to 8 May 1996) and Erich Mendelsohn (21 March 1887 to 15 September 1953). Chermayeff was a Russian born British citizen who had been practicing as an architect for 3 years when Mendlesohn joined him as a partner in their own firm in 1933. Mendlesohn had been practicing as an architect in Germany but, with the rise to power of the Nazis and growing antisemitism, his assets were seized and he was excluded from the Prussian Academy of Arts and struck off the German Architects Union; he had fled to Britain in 1933.

The design was a blend of Art Deco style integrated with Modernist materials and construction techniques, indeed, the first Modernist public building. Mendelsohn had a passion for the use of concrete and glass with a welded steel frame which was unprecedented before his arrival to this country, and he was lauded by many of his British peers. This 'passion' ensured that Mendelsohn became "an integral part in spearheading the modernist movement throughout the world" (Arch Daily website). 

So, the De La Warr Pavilion really is 'iconic' and, if you haven't already visited, you should think about going as soon as the current Coronavirus crisis is over, I certainly will be there asap. There is an excellent restaurant on the first floor, and I love sitting on the balcony, drinking coffee, and enjoying the view over the Channel, roll on!

Car Park Open Again, plus central shops.

Must have been a blip, the Priory Meadow car park was again open this morning (I walked by on my way home from exercising/walk after 08.00), and free still! 

Earlier I'd walked by Iceland, 1 Castle Street TN34 3DY, and its opening times (these 'C' virus days) are 10.00 to 16.00 on Sundays and, for the rest of the week, 09.00 to 17.00 for everyone, and 17-18.00 for NHS workers only (ID required).

Tesco Express, Havelock Road TN34 1BP, was open at 08.00 this morning (opening times look to be back to 07.00 to 22.00 again, but always be aware of possible changes nowadays), and Sainsbury's Local, Station Approach TN34 1BA, was open on my way home too; looks like opening times there are 07.00 to 21.00.

Remain careful and look after yourselves folk!

Coronavirus: Community Hubs

Community Hubs are operating across the county to bring help to people who need support to cope with the effects of Coronavirus/COVID-19. Go to the Council website for further information, and to complete an online form to request support, or call 01424 451019 (Monday to Thursday 09.00 to 17.00, Friday 09.00 to 16.30).

There is help out there if you need support, be careful folks.

Seafront Roadworks now over and other news...

The roadworks that were announced to last for 13 weeks (blog) have, indeed, done so, and the seafront is back to normal today (above), well, as normal as it can be these days, although the pedestrian crossing isn't working again yet, not that it's needed!*

* I have since read (overnight 05/06 April, many thanks Rod) that the update to the gas supply hadn't been finished in the 13 weeks, so expect more disruption later in the year.

Fewer people about whilst I was out for my daily permitted exercise earlier, perhaps more people will emerge to ensure their daily Vitamin D requirement is reached (NHS).

I also noticed that parking at Priory Meadow is free at the moment, which, I presume, is for the few shops still open there, M&S Foodhall, Grape Tree, Post Office/Smiths  and Boots indoors, and Poundland and Superdrug; although there's not much else to do in the town centre... 

Whilst talking about town centre shops, the Sainsbury's Local is still opening at 08.00, whilst Tesco Express is now opening at 10.00, although this morning (Sunday) they appear to have a 'technical problem' and there is a notice that it is closed until solved; definitely open again on Monday 6th April, I just shopped there.

Despite there not being much to do in the town centre these days, the 6-8 usual gregarious 'social drinkers' appear to be very happy congregating there. No 'social distancing' for them it appears...

Finally, has anyone received the 'letter to the nation' concerning Coronavirus that our Prime Minister said he would send to you a week ago? Despite the cost being estimated at nearly £6 million, I still haven't received it yet either! However, this website tells you what it says, if you want to read it, although he provides no new information.

Well, that's the latest news from me, be careful folks!

Hastings (Coronavirus) Covid-19 Community Support Hotline

If you, or someone you know, needs help, 01424 451019 is the Hastings Covid-19 Community Support Hotline, please be careful at this worrying time.

Fresh Fish still available.

Library Photograph

Reading Hastings Online Times earlier, I noticed an article written by Chandra, fresh fish is still available from the huts along Winch Road, behind the fish market. Chandra reminds us that fishing boats are still going out from Hastings, and that fresh fish is still available to purchase here, not to mention the enterprising sons of Mick, Paul and Rob, offering a delivery service for those who cannot make it down to the old town, or who are self-isolating at this time. For more details please read Chandra's article on the Hastings Online Times website.

The ingenuity of Hastings folk, eh? Be safe folks!

Please feel free to add a comment if you know of similar happenings.

For Government advice about Coronavirus go to the website.