Sad News, Good News, and Entrepreneurial News...

Walking up to the station earlier and what did I see? NOTHING on the island in front of the railway station and bus terminus, yet another empty space sadly...

Where, up until recently, Jimmy Toller's retired fishing boat RX53 Dorothy Melinda was situated (blog), lack of money apparently again being the culprit, as it was allowed to fall into disrepair, sadly. Thoughts with you Jimmy, R.I.P. 😞

Wednesday Low Cost Menu

Despite what happened at the Bale House (blog), the 'not for profit' Grumpy Cook Hastings, 1A Robertson Street TN34 1HL (facebook), continues to help those more needy, vulnerable and lonely. They also provide training opportunities for people to work in the hospitality sector. Nice one, keep up the good work, my respect!👍

An early reminder that Jack in the Green 2024 is to be soon upon us, that is on the public holiday for May Day, Monday the 6th of May 2024, but with the events for the weekend starting on Friday the 3rd of May (website).

For those readers who are entrepreneurial leaning, the seafront kiosk on the promenade above Bottle Alley (blog) is again up for renting. The Council has asked for 'Expressions of Interest' by 5pm on Tuesday the 23rd of April 2024 at the latest (website). You have a little over a week to apply, good luck!

Sad News... Jimmy Toller R.I.P.

I've just heard the sad news that retired Hastings fisherman Jimmy 'Toller' Adams has died... The funeral has been arranged for 2pm on Friday 18th January 2019 at Hastings Crematorium on The Ridge, and the wake will be afterwards back down at the Stade in East Hastings Sea Angling Association club.

Jim has always been a pleasure to chat with since I first met him, and has taught me most of my limited knowledge about fishing and Hastings. Above he is photographed next to his old boat, the Dorothy Melinda RX53, now docked outside Hastings Railway Station (blog from 2015). I have already been missing him, R.I.P. Jim...

Dorothy Melinda RX53

Dorothy Melinda RX53

When visitors to Hastings walk out of the railway station exit, the first evidence of Hastings proud fishing history they see, immediately in front of them after the buses, is the retired fishing boat, Dorothy Melinda RX53...  

Jimmy (photo in the Dolphin Inn)

Dorothy Melinda was originally built in Newhaven in 1958 for local fisherman, Jimmy 'Toller' Adams, now retired, but still living and socialising in the old town. He fished in her for 26 years, beach-launched from Hastings fishermen's beach, until 1984.

Since then, she remained in Hastings, next owned by father and son, Frank and Michael Edmonds, then Peter White, and Paul Joy was the last fisherman to buy her in 2003. When Dorothy Melinda was finally de-registered, she was acquired and restored by Hastings Borough Council, who have since placed her on display at the station.  

This model of Dorothy Melinda RX53 was commissioned by Mark Gardiner and donated to Hastings Fishermen's Museum, Rock-a-Nore Road, in 2014, another addition to the already fascinating exhibits there, do go see!