Hastings Kelp Project

Good luck and best wishes for this project! I'll cut & paste below their message to the Hastings in Focus facebook page, explaining the project, and share here the Hastings Kelp Project website and their Crowdfunding page:

'An exciting new nonprofit-making organisation project is starting in Hastings! The aim of the organisation is to 'rewild' the coastline from Hastings to Pett Level beach with kelp seaweed forests for the wildlife, the oceans, the planet and the future and put Hastings on the map as a green hotspot in the UK!

We'd love to kick it off with local funding and support and are offering all local businesses the chance to advertise and show their care and devotion to the planet with just £100 to promote their business on our website and social media top 250! Do you care about the planet? The oceans? The wildlife? The future for your children?

Research has shown that seaweed can produce 70% more oxygen and absorbs carbon more effectively than trees with estimations up to 175 million tonnes of C02 stored each year. Through photosynthesis it absorbs this huge amount of carbon and it disposes this to the bottom of the ocean, storing it forever, helping us, helping the planet, helping the future.

Kelp forests provide an environment and habitat for a wide range of fish, mammals, birds and invertebrates from starfish and anemones to seals and dolphins through to shrimps and lobsters. Kelp forests provide a nursery for juvenile animals to grow and stay safe, protected from storms and predators as well as being an essential part of the food chain. They are a natural buffet for many birds like the gulls, egrets and terns and which feed on the small and abundant crustaceans. The safety and nutrition from the kelp forests help wildlife flourish.'

Elsie-Rose & Friends: A Marathon in a Kayak!

Elsie-Rose

Well, it's getting very close now for Mark Little and his team, who will be undertaking the equivalent of a marathon, but using their arms rather than their legs, when they kayak across the English Channel from Dungeness to Boulogne this coming week, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday if the forecast stays true. As I've said before, this will be in support of Elsie-Rose and the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation. 

Local lass Elsie-Rose was diagnosed with Type I SMA in September 2014, a condition that causes severe muscle weakness, and results in problems moving, eating, breathing and swallowing. Without intervention, most children with Type I SMA die within the first 2 years of life, sadly, however, the cheerful and resilient Elsie-Rose strives to carry on and enjoy life just like any other young 4 year-old, despite fractured limbs and many other complications, and she keeps on smiling! 

Because many of the expenses involved in supporting children with Type I SMA are not provided by the Department of Health or NHS, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation was set up to help provide help and financial support to families with disabled, sick, and terminally ill children. After meeting Elsie-Rose and her family, Mark and his team decided to kayak across the English Channel with the aim of raising money for Elsie-Rose and the Foundation.

Mark Training

Before setting off to France, indeed, on this Monday coming (20th August), from 3.30 pm at the Dolphin Inn in Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings (opposite the fish market, fish huts and RX134 Stacey Marie Fishermen's Museum outdoor exhibit), there will be a charity raffle in support of this fundraising. 

Kayak IPA

In addition, 2 breweries have already contributed a firkin (72 pints) of ale each, and all the proceeds from their sale will go towards the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation (many thanks to Wantsum and Marsdens breweries), and with the likelihood of another 2 firkins in the metaphorical pipeline! Watch out for the pumpclip in the image above.

To make contributions towards supporting this brave young girl and others with similar problems, as many local people and businesses already have done, many thanks, please make a donation via Crowdfunding, or visit the Dolphin Inn and make a pledge to support this Kayak Marathon, or put something in the collection box on the bar please. Indeed, all contributions will be very gratefully received, many thanks!

If you wish to know more about Elsie-Rose, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation and their campaign, you can go to their facebook page or twitter page. If you would like more details about SMA Type 1, go to the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Support UK website. 

Good luck for Tuesday, and best wishes to Elsie-Rose, her family and friends!

Another Month in which to save Hastings Pier!

OK, an extension to the 30th of June 2018 has been given so that the Friends of Hastings Pier may put into reality their plans to keep Hastings Pier in community ownership, thus preventing another private owner from having another go at failing! Originally, the Administrators had allowed the fundraising of the Friends to continue until the end of May, and they are already less than £90,000 short of the £500,000 they were trying to raise through Crowdfunding, nice one!

For further details see my many blogs, for example this blog, or go to Crowdfunding and please join us in making donations, many thanks!



Less than a week to save Hastings Pier!

So, less than a week in which to support Friends of Hastings Pier, save Hastings Pier, yet again, incidentally, they helped save the Pier in the first place, but had no part in the running of the Pier for the last 2 years. They have come up with a Stage 2 Plan to ensure Hastings Pier remains in the ownership of the local community, but they still appear short of the necessary funds to get the Administrators to pass on ownership of the Pier, indeed, have recently tried to get the Foreshore Trust on board (see previous blog). Here is the Crowdfunding Link, if you would like to support their bid.

Indeed, with just 10 days to go, time is getting short, so, if you know someone who lives quite locally with plenty of money to share, Paul McCartney maybe, or a philanthropic businessman like Bill Gates, or even the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, or anyone who would like to support Hastings Pier being kept in community ownership, after all, private enterprise tried to have it burnt down, yet it was the community who resurrected the Pier, then please encourage them to come and support the Pier, maybe have a new pavilion named after them! Please get them to, or go yourself to Crowdfunding and make a pledge, all pledges would be very gratefully received, many thanks!



Fishing from Hastings Pier Update.

My apologies for being a few months late sharing this (though not since this photograph was taken, and many thanks again to Sandra Bryant for sharing this image), but I only realised how big the changes to rules for fishing from the Pier have been since the Administrators took over running Hastings Pier (see below) after speaking to Paul (facebook)... Essentially, on the days when people are more likely to have time off, and children can participate, they are the days fishing has been banned from the Pier, ie at weekends, public holidays, and school holidays! What kind of administrator/manager would create such rules?!?

Helps emphasise just how important it is to ensure Hastings Pier remains in the ownership of the local community, as I've said numerous times, and we've less than 9 days now to help raise necessary funds (see blog), although the Friends of Hastings Pier are trying to raise alternative funds too, not least by inviting the Foreshore Trust to seek ownership of the Pier. If you haven't already, or know someone who is willing to pledge funds towards this project, please go to Crowdfunding, many thanks!

10 Days in which to save Hastings Pier... AGAIN!

I have written quite a few times now about Friends of Hastings Pier, who helped save the Pier in the first place, but had no part in the running of the Pier for the last 2 years, have now come up with a Stage 2 Plan to ensure Hastings Pier remains in the ownership of the local community, but they still appear short of the necessary funds to get the Administrators to ensure that happens (see previous blog, and blog, for example). Well, this is the Crowdfunding link, if you would like to support their bid.

Indeed, with just 10 days to go, time is getting short, so, if you know someone who lives quite locally with plenty of money to share, Paul McCartney maybe, or a philanthropic businessman like Bill Gates, or even the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, or anyone who would like to support Hastings Pier being kept in community ownership, after all, private enterprise tried to have it burnt down, it was the community who resurrected the Pier, then please encourage them to come and support the Pier, maybe have a new pavilion named after them! Please get them to, or go yourself, to Crowdfunding and make a pledge, all pledges would be very gratefully received, many thanks!

Hastings Weekend Pre-Jack in the Green.

We all are aware that on Monday, thousands will swell Hastings old town streets, notably with the great weather forecast, but also sees the 40th May Day Run, so thousands of motorbikes too (website), and with events all over the weekend at the Stade and Rock music at the Azur Marina Pavilion on Sunday, plenty to do... Also at:

Saturday to Monday and Hastings Pier has 3 days of aPIERtite (website), too much to mention here, but free admission, street food from all over the world, music and other entertainment, not to mention walking onto the award winning Hastings Pier! As you will have seen in other blogs (for example), there is a campaign to raise money to keep the Pier in community ownership by Friends of Hastings Pier, I've pledged money at Crowdfunding, if you have any money to pledge too, please do, the people of Hastings and visitors who love the Pier will be extremely grateful, many thanks!

Of course, by Monday morning we'll have built up the tension to see the Jack released from the Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road and the ensuing procession, but music, dancing and general entertainment is to be had all over the old town today (Saturday) and tomorrow; go to the website for more details.

Lots of fun to be had this weekend, indeed!

Hastings Weekend & Week in pictures...

... and a few words 😉 

Last weekend kicked off with SaSaSaS headlining PierJam Part 1 (facebook page) on Hastings Pier (to whose facebook page I am grateful for allowing me to use the photograph above, many thanks!). As you can see there was a fantastic and enthusiastic large audience, proving that live events on the Pier can be well supported. A Pier many want to retain in community ownership, as I wrote about in my recent blog, and Friends of Hastings Pier are seeking pledges to support their business plan to keep Hastings Pier in community ownership at Crowdfunding; your support would be very gratefully received!

As I also posted last Sunday, both Hastings lifeboats were out on an exercise between 09.00 and 11.00 approximately, as you can see from the empty Lifeboat Station. The chap coming towards me in the photograph thought I was trying to get run over by the returning tractor and trailer (behind my right shoulder), suggesting that cleaning blood off the beach isn't much fun! I assured him I was well aware of the possible peril and no need to panic as I had no desire to get run over, H&S, eh?!?

To help my recovery from the potential shock I wandered up to The Net Shop in Rock-a-Nore Road (website) and purchased a couple of Fishermen's Rolls which each had a plaice fillet and a substantial whiting fillet as filling. I added lemon juice and pepper to mine, and I shan't tell you that Mark has brown sauce in addition every time! 😉 Mine was certainly delicious, and he seemed happy too!

We then had a very miserable wet and cold Monday, but what a difference a day makes! On Tuesday I returned to Rock-a-Nore Road and took this photograph of the love of my life RX 134 the Stacey Marie (facebook page).

I then wandered down to the Fishermen's Beach as 2 fishing boats were landing...

Heading back towards the town centre, looking up at the West Hill and one of Hastings very own 'Jewels in the Crown' St Mary in the Castle (see blog).

And plenty to look forward to, so watch this space!

People's Pier Update & Crowdfunding

To begin with, further to my blog earlier this week, a Crowdfunding page has been set up on which to submit donations; if £500,000 is not raised by the end of May 2018, donations will be returned to each individual. If you have pledged support to the Friends of Hastings Pier, but have not submitted any money or cheques yet (apparently already £111,210 has been pledged, though not yet reflected in the amount on Crowdfunding), please carry through with your pledge there, though the amount donated does seem to rise every time I look at the page, good stuff!

Also, the 5 Friends of Hastings Pier members who were voted for after the meeting all received good support to represent the interests of the Friends of Hastings Pier as "spokespeople." Hastings Voluntary Action counted the votes, with a total of 377 people voting, of whom 291 voted for all 5 candidates, results: Jim Breeds 314; James Chang 324; Lesley Davis 332; Jess Steele 362; Adam Wide 340. 

The Friends of Hastings Pier's 5 principles behind their pledge to ensure the Pier is "enjoyed by all who live in and visit Hastings and St Leonards on Sea" are listed on the Crowdfunding page, and are copied below.

People get a say in what happens next: This community rescued the pier and have demonstrated a commitment to it through investing/donating as shareholders, volunteering, visiting and otherwise supporting the Pier. The community should be involved in deciding what happens next.

The community’s asset should not be sold off into private hands: Whilst financial support might be needed again in the short term, we believe that the Pier can be financially viable, indeed profitable, in the medium to long term. Selling off the Pier into private hands would be risky, irreversible, and will result in the loss of community control of a valuable and strategic local asset.

A partnership approach to ownership and operation is the way forward: We support an approach based on partnership between the community and a commercial operator. Ownership of the Pier’s freehold remains protected in perpetuity, fulfilling HLF’s desire to see the heritage managed, while a private sector operator develops its commercial success above deck, making annual payments that cover maintenance and insurance. We would expect to support the early years of the operation through a rent-free period which would require grants and community investment to fill the short-term gap.

Good results are underpinned by good governance: Decision making, transparency and governance of the pier must improve as an important part of making a community partnership work. Financial transparency, an improved governance structure and improved communications are all needed to underpin community engagement.  

 The Pier should remain a space that everyone can enjoy and take pride in: We know that some kind of shelter, new building or other development is necessary as part of an ambitious business plan for a 21st Century pier. We believe this can be done in a way that complements and does not compromise the wonderful space that won the RIBA Stirling Prize. 

Mark training for Channel Challenge, Elsie-Rose & SMA Type 1

As I've mentioned a number of times now, Mark Little and 3 other Team members are going to cross the English Channel by kayak in August, leaving from Dungeness, and landing in Boulogne several hours later, no doubt with aching arms! Why? Well, to help raise funds for local lass Elsie-Rose, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation, and to ensure greater awareness of SMA Type 1.

Elsie-Rose was diagnosed with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Type 1 in September 2014, a condition that causes severe muscle weakness, and creates problems with movement, breathing and swallowing. Sadly, without intervention, most children with SMA Type 1 die within the first two years of their shortened lives. However, with her courageous and strong character, Elsie-Rose strives to enjoy life just like any other 4 year old!

Mark practicing out there!

The Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation was also set up to provide help and financial support to families with disabled, sick, and terminally ill children. After meeting Elsie-Rose and members of her family, Mark and his team decided to take up the challenge and kayak across the English Channel with the aim of raising money for Elsie-Rose, and for the Foundation.

Consequently, they are seeking donations via Crowdfunding to go towards the cost of any special equipment Elsie-Rose may need, and to provide the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation with funding and to support other families in need. There is also a collection box and sponsorship forms at the Dolphin Inn, 11-12 Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW.

A wee bit closer

If you wish to know more about Elsie-Rose and the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation you can go to their facebook page or twitter page. If you would like more information about SMA Type 1, go to the Spinal Muscular Atrophy website.

To help support the courageous young Elsie-Rose and others, a donation via Crowdfunding would be very gratefully received, or visit the Dolphin Inn and make a pledge to support the Kayak Team, or add to the collection box, many thanks!

Hastings Pier Financial Backing Urgently Required!

Further to my recent blog, the Administrators now appear to be rushing through a request for proof that, by Tuesday, Friends of Hastings Pier must get together £1million (and/or evidence of pledges) if they want to stay in the running to keep Hastings Pier in community ownership, not very friendly of them! 

The Friends of Hastings Pier have put forward a good business plan which would include raising money through many means, including Crowdfunding, a share offer, and to apply for grants and to other funders, but time is too short for such medium-longer term funding, they have been given until just Tuesday to provide evidence of funds!

If anyone has money stashed by, or knows someone who has, or a business or charity that could pledge support (also see facebook page), please get in touch with Friends of Hastings Pier at friendsofhastingspier@gmail.com and/or pledge at the same email address, subject: Pledge.

Also, please come along and give support to the meeting at 7.30pm at the White Rock Theatre tomorrow (Monday 23rd April 2018), the more support the better!

Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Donation

This is another update on how the fundraising is going for Mark Little and the 3 other volunteers in his team, who will be kayaking across the English Channel from Dungeness to Boulogne in August in support of Elsie-Rose and the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation. The two Davids and Maz today, ie the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club, donated £142 towards the cause on behalf of Elsie-Rose, many thanks!

Elsie-Rose was diagnosed with Type I SMA in September 2014, a condition that causes severe muscle weakness, and results in problems moving, eating, breathing and swallowing. Without intervention, most children with Type I SMA die within the first 2 years of life, however, the resilient Elsie-Rose strives to carry on and enjoy life just like all other young children! 

Because many of the expenses involved in supporting children with Type I SMA are not provided by the Department of Health or NHS, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation was set up to help provide help and financial support to families with disabled, sick, and terminally ill children. After meeting Elsie-Rose and her family, Mark and his team decided to kayak across the English Channel with the aim of raising money for Elsie-Rose and the Foundation.

If you wish to know more about Elsie-Rose, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation and their campaign, you can go to their facebook page or twitter page. If you would like more details about SMA Type 1, go to the Spinal Muscular Atrophy website.

To make a contribution towards supporting this brave young girl and others with similar problems, please make a donation via Crowdfunding or visit the Dolphin Inn and make a pledge to support the team's kayaking challenge, or add to the collection box, indeed, all contributions are very gratefully received, many thanks!

Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation Fundraising Update.

Following Natasha Kelly's successful completion of the Hastings Half Marathon on Sunday and raising nearly £1,500 for the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation (blog), this is an update on how the fundraising is going for Mark Little and the 3 other volunteers in his team, who will be kayaking across the English Channel from Dungeness to Boulogne in August (blog). They will also be fundraising in support of the local 4 year-old with Type I SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), Elsie-Rose, whose grandfather and other family members work in the local fishing industry, and the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation. 

Young Elsie-Rose was diagnosed with Type I SMA in September 2014, a condition that causes severe muscle weakness, and results in problems moving, eating, breathing and swallowing. Without intervention, most children with Type I SMA die within the first 2 years of life, however, the resilient Elsie-Rose strives to carry on and enjoy life just like all other 4 year olds, or more so! 

Because many of the expenses involved in supporting children with Type I SMA are not provided by the Department of Health or NHS, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation was set up to help provide help and financial support to families with disabled, sick, and terminally ill children. After meeting Elsie-Rose and her family, Mark and his team decided to kayak across the English Channel with the aim of raising money for Elsie-Rose and the Foundation.  

Donations are being sought via Crowdfunding which will go towards necessary equipment for Elsie-Rose and her carers, and to contribute funds towards the Foundation so that it may support other families in need. So far £440 has been donated via Crowdfunding, many thanks! There is also a collection box for donations and sponsorship forms in the Dolphin Inn at 11-12 Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW. 

If you wish to know more about Elsie-Rose, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation and their campaign, you can go to their facebook page or twitter page. If you would like more details about SMA Type 1, go to the Spinal Muscular Atrophy website. 

To make a contribution towards supporting this brave 4 year-old and other children with similar problems, please make a donation via Crowdfunding or go and visit the Dolphin Inn and make a pledge to support the team's kayaking challenge, or add to the collection box, indeed, all contributions are very gratefully received, many thanks!

Hastings Half Marathon 2018, Today's The Day!

Well, today's the day for the 34th Hastings Half Marathon (website), starting at 10.30 at Sea Road, by Grosvenor Gardens, St Leonards, and finishing there some time later, and the weather doesn't look to be this inviting...

Many runners will be raising money for various charitable causes, including Natasha Kelly (Elsie-Rose & Friends facebook page), who is running to raise money for the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation: see my recent blog about the kayaking event across the English Channel to raise money for Elsie-Rose and the Foundation, and which also gives information about Elsie-Rose and Type 1 SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). I am supporting this event too, and here is a link to the Crowdfunding Page which has raised £420 so far towards the Foundation, many thanks to all who have contributed. All donations to either Natasha and her run, or Mark and his team and their channel crossing will be deeply appreciated, cheers!

For more details of the route and map and warm up advice go to the website.

My best wishes to Natasha, the Hastings Lifeboat runners raising money for many charities, and everyone else who bravely runs the Hastings Half Marathon today, and make sure you wrap up warm if you're a spectator!

Raising Money for Elsie-Rose and SMA Type 1

The landlord of the Dolphin Inn, Mark Little, and 3 other hardy volunteers, will be taking on the challenge of kayaking across the English Channel from Dungeness to Boulogne in August to support a local lass, 4 year-old Elsie-Rose and SMA Type 1. 

Elsie-Rose was diagnosed with Type I SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) in September 2014, a condition that causes severe muscle weakness, and which can result in problems moving, eating, breathing and swallowing. Unfortunately, without intervention, most children with Type I SMA die within the first 2 years of life. However, the resilient Elsie-Rose strives to carry on just like any other 4 year old! 

The Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation was set up to provide help and financial support for families with disabled, sick, and terminally ill children and, after meeting Elsie-Rose and her family, Mark and friends decided to kayak across the English Channel with the aim of raising money for Elsie-Rose and the Foundation.

Consequently, they are seeking donations to their cause via Crowdfunding towards equipment Elsie-Rose may need in the future, and to give the Foundation funds it needs to support other families in need. Indeed, £350 has already been donated, including £250 from a kind anonymous donor! There will also be pots for donations and sponsor forms in the Dolphin Inn at 11-12 Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW. 

If you wish to know more about Elsie-Rose, the Foundation and their campaign, you can go to their facebook page or twitter page. If you would like more details about SMA Type 1, go to the Spinal Muscular Atrophy website.

To help support this brave young lass and others, a donation either via Crowdfunding or by visiting the Dolphin Inn and making a pledge to support the team's kayaking challenge, or to add to the collection pots, would be gratefully received, many thanks.