Stacey Marie's Site Remains Empty - Planning Permission Refused

More than just a wee bit interested in what goes to replace RX134 Stacey Marie in Rock a Nore Road, I've recently written a few times (eg blog) about the historic lifeboat (Cyril & Lilian Bishop), within a small building ('museum') being planned. 

However, the Council has refused planning permission (document), ostensibly (you read through it all and understand it any other way than I have) because of:

1) It would interfere with the view of the Grade II listed net huts*.

2) No toilets or refuse facility planned.

3) Inappropriate roofing material.

4) The site "may be susceptible to surface water flood risk."

5) It "will negatively impact the significant views" from Tackleway.

There were 10 objections to the development, all submitted by just the one local resident (Planning Application Documents), who presumably attached to a Grade II listed net hut the 'No Museum Here' sign* that can be seen in the photograph above. I can see no documents from a further 6 people objecting as suggested in the Report.

*Not to forget that a "sign, placard, board, notice" attached to a Grade II listed building would require consent (Historic England), which I very much doubt was sought.

Anyway, there you have it, the space where RX134 used to be has been left to fill with collected rubbish that always blows down to this vicinity, sadly.

And the Cyril & Lilian Bishop still requires an enclosed area for preservation.

Fingers crossed that someone comes up with something acceptable soon.

Cyril & Lilian Bishop for RX134 site...

I had a chat with Tush Hamilton early this morning because I promised to solve the issue of which older lifeboat was planned to replace RX134 (blog), and he confirmed that they are planning to move the Cyril and Lilian Bishop to the site in front of the Fish Market and opposite the Dolphin Inn, and he should know! Still no idea when this would happen, as Tush said, still hurdles to cross. Both of the lifeboats need moving before they become victims of being dry-docked, and, after moving Cyril and Lilian Bishop it is hoped that Priscilla MacBean can be found a new home indoors too. 

Indoors? Tush explained that they hope to build a small 'lifeboat museum' around Cyril and Lilian Bishop on its, hopefully, successful move to the RX134 site, and then they need to find a suitable site for Priscilla MacBean.

Regular readers will be aware of my particular interest in RX134, also Cyril and Lilian Bishop and Priscilla MacBean, consequently, my interest in these developments, fingers crossed for the future... 

Whatever, I hope to continue the RX134 facebook page in her memory.

RX134 Stacey Marie Sadly Gone...

I'd been away over the weekend and now found out that the remains of RX134 Stacey Marie (facebook) were taken away on Friday; see my previous blog, if you weren't aware of her sad demise. I've also heard that her name plate, propellor, and other artefacts are now at Hastings Fishermen's Museum (blog). I've been aware for some time that one of the older lifeboats now situated up Old London Road was to be brought down to Rock a Nore Road. The first position proposed was apparently at the Shipwreck Museum, (website - I really do need to write a blog about this great museum!), but a trustee informed me that they just didn't have the space.

Anyway, the space now planned for the lifeboat is where RX134 used to be berthed, sadly, her final berth. I've been told that the Priscilla MacBean (blog) is the lifeboat moving down here, but I've also seen someone say it's the Cyril and Lilian Bishop (blog) that's being moved down! I shall try to find out the reality asap...

RX134 Stacey Marie! What happened?!?

I returned from a hospital outpatients appointment a couple of hours ago to find this! Stacey Marie (facebook) in pieces, absolutely demolished... I'd been given a few hints what was going to happen, she had become a dangerous structure, basically needing a complete rebuild, however, the cash was not available for a rebuild to happen, but I had no idea this would happen today...😢

I believed that the Priscilla MacBean (blog) was to be filling the vacant space, but have since discovered it's planned to be the Cyril and Lilian Bishop (blog).

Sad...

 

RNLI Lifeboats Remembered

Earlier today I revisited the final resting berths off the 2 historic lifeboats that welcome people as they enter Hastings 'Old Town' via Old London Road. The first boat is the 100 year-old Priscilla MacBean, which was pulled up The Bourne on the 15th of November 2014 (blog), exactly 86 years to the day after the sad tragedy that befell her sister lifeboat the Mary Stanford of Rye, and the loss of her 17-strong crew (RNLI). So, really the stories here are not just about the 2 lifeboats berthed in this part of the 'Old Town' but of 3 lifeboats and their brave crews, plus fourth and fifth lifeboats, the one we now have in Hastings, the Richard and Caroline Colton, and her predecessor the Sealink Endeavour (blog), and the brave volunteers and crews who help to save and preserve lives more recently in Hastings and nearby waters, 5 lifeboats, and many more...

The second historic lifeboat you reach when coming down Old London Road into The Bourne is the 'Ghost of Dunkirk' the Cyril and Lilian Bishop, which helped to evacuate troops from Dunkirk near the beginning of World War II. She was also pulled up from the seafront a few years later, this time up through All Saints Street in June 2017 and is now berthed below All Saints Church on the corner with Harold Road (blog).

With much respect to RNLI lifeboat crews and volunteers past and present...

Victory in Europe Day, 8th of May 1945

Yesterday, as I was walking back from my daily exercise regime, I was passing the Cyril and Lilian Bishop (one of many blogs referring to her) and stopped for a wee chat with, from a very respectful socially accepted distance of course, Tush Hamilton and Dee-Day White, who were adorning her with bunting with respect to the 75th anniversary today of VE Day. Subsequently, I took this photograph this morning as, thankfully, it's a public holiday and I didn't need to go to work today...

Hastings Country Park and the 'C' Virus

From East Hill

For some reason I appear to have many hours stuck indoors now, no-one to talk to (like many I live alone), and so, rather than bang my head against the wall, I am going to use some of that time to share the delights of Hastings and its environs, and to remind us all of our responsibilities in this Coronavirus related national, and international, crisis. Also, I am sharing the results of my personal form of exercise, very much alone, early in the day, staying "more than 2 metres from others" and, consequently, why I am now indoors for the rest of the day (BBC & Government website).

Rooftops of the Old Town

Luckily, walking is an accepted form of exercise as long as you remain at least 2 metres from others, as said above (website), also, since I had my fractured spine operated on near the beginning of the Millennium, I was advised by the Consultant Surgeon to take regular walks for the rest of my life, when possible. Therefore, I was out early this morning, from 06.00 hours, to avoid as many others as possible, however, it still didn't prevent me from waving at and speaking loudly across the road to, a young woman I regularly talk to near Pelham Crescent, whilst she walks her wee dog, and Paul, the main man for street cleaning in the Old Town, bless them both.

Then I walked up the East Hill steps, I met no-one else for ages, but I did spot these Primroses and Primula 'Wanda' (RHS website) just before meeting Barley Lane; I hadn't realised they are called Wanda until I looked them up when I reached home, all those years of ignorance... I then wandered to the East along Barley Lane, meeting a lovely woman along the way, and we had a wee chat from 7 or 8 yards apart (very socially acceptable now!); people really are coming together and not forgetting we're human, well, at least some are (coming together metaphorically).

The sounds of birds singing, including hearing my first woodpecker of the year, otherwise quiet and peaceful, and the lovely aroma of blossom in the air, it is difficult to impart how wonderful it was in writing. And, not too much further on, I met someone else who I know who works at Hastings Fishermen's Museum (older blog), walking with her husband and dog, it's a small world, well, small Hastings! Again, we kept respectfully apart, well over 5 metres, and exchanged pleasantries. Indeed, although, for the distance walked, I didn't meet many others on the way and way back, but we all ensured we kept well away from each other, never under 5 metres apart, exchanged our 'hellos' 'be carefuls' and 'keep wells' and it was all very heartening.

Warren Glen

So, Hastings Country Park nature reserve (website) is a wonderful piece of land to walk up to and cross, peaceful, respectful, and a delight to observe its beauty.

Oh yes, and there are Exmoor Ponies, and Belted Galloway Cattle too, well away from their natural homes, but apparently happy to abide in East Sussex! 😉 Older blog.

Who are you looking at?!?

So, I reached Fairlight, which was my turning round point today (under 4 miles each way), and yet another beautiful spot where Pre-Raphaelite artists, and their friends, eg Edward Lear (Lear, already an accomplished artist, was a student to the Pre-Raphaelite William Holman Hunt), visited and painted during the 19th century (blog).

I returned to Hastings, walking back down Barley Lane, and reached the retired lifeboat, Priscilla MacBean, which I haven't written about for a while (eg my first ever blog).

Then, soon after, I reached Cyril and Lilian Bishop, the hero and Ghost of Dunkirk, returned to Hastings in 2017 (blog) below All Saints Church.

To repeat myself, which I think is important at this time, we do need to ensure we maintain a responsible level of social distancing at all times. More importantly, if you are someone, or live with someone, who the Government has designated as a 'vulnerable person' you need to take note of the even more severe restrictions recommended. Please see the Government website for further advice, and stay safe folks.

I hope you have enjoyed the photographs I have shared today, and this blog.

Remember, please be careful!

Cyril & Lilian Bishop Call Out!

Dee-Day (07812 077008) and Tush (07546 461302) are arranging an event for the Cyril & Lilian Bishop  (eg blog), if you know of anyone who was ever a member of her crew please give one of them a call, many thanks. 

Christmas Remembrance Procession

The Hastings Winkle Club Christmas Remembrance Procession 2017 will be meeting up this evening (Saturday, 16th December) at 6.30pm at the Cyril & Lilian Bishop Lifeboat, in front of All Saints Church at the top of All Saints Street, then leaving for Winkle Island at 7pm. In addition to the Act of Remembrance there will be hot soup and carols sung; see the Hastings Winkle Club facebook page.

3 Years Ago Today and the Priscilla MacBean!

 Priscilla MacBean on The Stade

I started writing Steve on Hastings 3 years ago and, besides my introductory blog, my first blog was about the Priscilla MacBean and how a retired lifeboat had moved from a field near Eastbourne, given a makeover, and pulled up The Bourne to a new 'drydock' in Old London Road (blog), with thanks to friends from childhood Dee-Day White, 'Tush' Hamilton and Charlie Sharrod, and many more people too! A feat repeated with another retired lifeboat earlier this year (though coming over from France to Hastings, not from Eastbourne!), the Cyril and Lilian Bishop (blog).

One the move up The Bourne

The journey, when the Priscilla Macbean was pulled up the hill exactly 3 years ago today, was a wonder to behold, traffic held up for ages, but no road rage, just smiling faces, drivers making donations to the pot when they understood the history of the event, and police cooperation; more photographs on my earlier blog.

Local Coastguard on board at her final drydock

With respect and thanks to today's RNLI lifeboat crews, and to those of the past.

Hastings Norman Churches Part II - All Saints Church

It's a while since I wrote about St Clements Church (blog), one of the two remaining Norman churches in Hastings, so here is my rather delayed blog about the Grade II listed All Saints Church at the top of All Saints Street and below the East Hill.

An All Saints Church appears to have existed in Hastings from as far back as the 13th century, and maybe even earlier, but that church was damaged in the French raids of 1339 and 1377 and had to be rebuilt. All Saints may have been rebuilt on the same site, or close by, either would seem likely, but I cannot find any provenance giving evidence of exactly where the older church was situated.

All Saints was rebuilt of stone and flint between 1417 and 1430, in the Perpendicular Gothic style with chequered stone parapets and tiled roofs, and the exterior is mostly early 15th century in appearance. The tower is substantial with three stages and an embattled parapet in chequerboard flintwork. A large graveyard surrounds the church.

Although restored by Butterfield in 1870, the interior architecture is also mostly genuine 15th century, that is the nave, chancel, north and south aisles, and above the chancel arch is a 15th century 'doom' painting of the Last Judgement with Christ painted seated on rainbows. From the 19th century are a timber and stone pulpit, large reredos extending up either side of the East window, windows, and choir stalls with open arcaded fronts, foliage carving and kneeling angels on the arms. For more details, see the British Listed Buildings website, where there is plenty more information!

An interesting event of the English Civil War is celebrated by a plaque at the bottom of the stairs up to the church, when Parliamentary forces on 9th July 1643, under the leadership of Colonel Herbert Morley of Glynde (then MP for Lewes, later MP for Sussex, and for Rye) and meeting no resistance, took Hastings from Royalist control and captured all weaponry. The rector of All Saints ran away, but was caught and thrown into jail, and that night some Parliamentary troops were billeted in the church.

More recently, in June this year, the Cyril and Lilian Bishop was pulled up All Saints Street to its resting birth below the church (see blog), you can't miss either, though this photograph was from before she arrived! More photographs elsewhere, eg this blog.

The Cyril and Lilian Bishop docked.

A couple of images of the Cyril and Lilian Bishop taken yesterday (Sunday) without a herd of people surrounding her! If you haven't already read anything about her history read this earlier blog, though if you're a regular reader of my blogs you probably have!

So, congratulations to Tush and Dee-Day, and their wives and everyone else involved with this great project, and, if you want to get a closer look at this past Hastings' lifeboat, walk up The Bourne or All Saints Street, and she is now moored below All Saints Church. 

Nice one!

Moving the 'Ghost of Dunkirk'

Jonathan Mendenhall sharing the history of the Cyril and Lilian Bishop, the 'Ghost of Dunkirk', with us before her final journey...

Judy Rogers, Mayor of Hastings, gives her account...

Michael Foster, ex-Member of Parliament and Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex, and Hastings' resident all his life ("I've never stayed away from Hastings for more than 2 weeks, all my life", though he did attend the University of Leicester, so I'm guessing he included that as living in Hastings...), joins in!

I was surprised that All Saints Street was actually empty of parked vehicles by 10.00, well done folks!

The stewards do a typical steward thing and push people out of the way as if we are children, give someone a high viz jacket and the think they're God!

Despite listing to starboard for a short while, there was little problem with hauling her up through the narrow early part of All Saints Street.

Then, she sat outside the Crown for 20 minutes whilst the bar was overwhelmed!

Coming up to the Cinque Ports Arms

 Sitting outside the Stag Inn

More singing - She's arrived! 

Well done Hastingers, the Cyril and Lilian Bishop docked below All Saints Church.

This weekend, and it's not just about a lifeboat...

Cyril & Lilian Bishop with Auction Items today

Indeed, this weekend isn't just about the Cyril and Lilian Bishop (see recent blog), though memories of another lifeboat, the Priscilla MacBean, being hauled up The Bourne in November 2014 do tend to prejudice which event I believe to be the most important this weekend (see blog)! It is intended to start hauling the Cyril and Lilian Bishop up All Saints Street at 11.00am tomorrow, but speeches and blessings, and no doubt some music, will occur from 10.30. In addition, this evening from 6pm, there will be an auction of donated goods, and more, from the boat, on the Stade below All Saints Street and Winkle Island.

Of course, there are also the usual places to visit and enjoy, not least Hastings Pier, where Cinema on the Pier continues this weekend, and an interesting looking Street Food Festival is being held on Saturday and Sunday (see website). Also, the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) have organised a guided walk around the Stade Fishing Quarter on Sunday morning (18th), meeting up at the Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road at 11am. The walk is free and lasts about 90 minutes; you are guided by an experienced volunteer so any donations to Hastings Fishermen's Museum would be most welcome, many thanks. See website for further information, you are advised to wear strong walking shoes, and the application of Factor 50 may not be entirely unwise!

Enjoy the weekend.

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!