Hastings Old Town Cider Festival 2024

Following the success of the inaugural 2023 festival (blog), the second annual Hastings Old Town Cider Festival 08-16 November 2024 begins today in 7 old town venues! This includes the 4 from last year, The Albion, 33 George Street TN34 3EA, The Crown, 64-66 All Saints Street TN34 3BN, The Jenny Lind, 69 High Street TN34 3EW, and The Jolly Fisherman, 3 East Beach Street TN34 3AR; the 3 new venues joining this year are East Hastings Sea Angling Association and Social Club, The Stade TN34 3FJ, The First In Last Out, 14-15 High Street TN34 3EY, and The Dolphin Inn, 11-12 Rock-a-Nore Road TN34 3DW.

This exciting second year of the festival, first added to Hastings' many events last year, has been arranged by the licensees themselves and promises an even larger sample of ciders and perries, still and fizzy, and from near and far, and you have a week in which to sample the many delights on offer, plus their other drinks, enjoy the week folks, and cheers! 🍻

Hastings Fat Tuesday Tour 13th of February 2024

Tomorrow evening, Tuesday the 13th of February is the day, Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday, whatever you want to call it, and Hastings hosts the biggest Mardi Gras festival in Britain: For the Fat Tuesday Tour 24 acts will be playing at 3 venues each from the following 12, from the Carlisle in the west/town centre to the Dolphin Inn in the east/old town, and all free, but don't forget to drink!😉

Albion, 33 George Street TN34 3EA;

Hastings and St Leonards Angling Association, Marine Parade TN34 3AG;

Carlisle, 24 Pelham Street TN34 1PE;

Dolphin Inn, 11-12 Rock-a-Nore Road TN34 3DW;

Dragon Bar, 71 George Street TN34 3EE;

First In Last Out, 14-15 High Street TN34 3EY;

Jenny Lind Inn, 69 High Street TN34 3EW;

London Trader, 4-7 East Beach Street TN34 3AR;

Lord Nelson, 1 East Bourne Street TN34 3DP;

Porters Wine Bar, 56 High Street TN34 3EN;

Pumphouse, 64 George Street TN34 3EE;

Royal Standard, East Beach Street TN34 3DW.

Each of the 24 acts will play 20 minutes sets in 3 of the venues, and each venue will have 6 acts, from 8.00 pm until 11.00/11.30 pm; please go to the Hastings Fat Tuesday website for greater detail for each act and each venue. In addition, from 8.00 pm until 1.00 am, opposite the Lifeboat Station at East Hastings Sea Angling Association, The Stade TN34 3FJ, will be the Reggae Room.

If you want to play it by ear, just walk around the Old Town and don't be surprised by the quality of free live music available, have fun and party. However, I recommend people consider their favourite venues and what they sell drinks-wise, consider who they'd like to see, then decide on getting to one venue early, and stay there, it will be busy!

For full details of all events (there is more!) go to the website.

If you haven't already read it, I wrote more about Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras and the history of Mardi Gras in last Wednesday's blog.  

Enjoy free live music and party folks!

Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Quiz Night

This Tuesday evening, and another fun money raising activity for Hastings Lifeboat Station (facebook), Tuesday 19th of November 2019, 7.30pm start, Quiz Night at East Hastings Sea Angling Association at The Stade; £2.50 per person, maximum 6 people per team... Have fun supporting the RNLI in Hastings!

Jimmy Toller R.I.P.

As I said in my blog towards the end of last year Jimmy 'Toller' Adams' funeral is today (Friday 18th January) from 2pm at Hastings Cemetery/Crematorium; afterwards people are coming down to the East Hastings Sea Angling Association club at The Stade...

Great to have known you James, R.I.P. 😢

Jazz Hastings

Tina May

I picked up a leaflet in the launderette in the High Street early doors with details of the first 6 months of the 2019 Jazz Hastings at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association, opposite the Lifeboat Station by The Stade. The first gig this year is the Tina May Trio next week, and entry is usually £10 on the door for all gigs, starting at 8.30pm (under 18s for £3, and no membership required - website):

15th January 2019 - Tina May Trio; 

12th February 2019 - Rod Youngs: The Power of Three;

12th March 2019 - The Oxley-Meier Guitar Project; 

9th April 2019 - Henry Lowther's Still Waters; 

7th May 2019 - Toni Kofi: A Portrait of Cannonball; 

4th June 2019 - Julian Nicholas Band.

The leaflet also mentions that last Sundays in the month see free associated gigs playing at the FILO public house in the High Street, 7.30pm to 10.00pm; line-ups are often decided late in the day, but there is always quality jazz to enjoy!

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...

More Christmas Events This Weekend

Further to last my blog last week regarding pre-Christmas events, tomorrow (Saturday the 8th of December) sees even more! From 11.00 to 3.00pm, at the Lifeboat Station is Christmas at the Boathouse (facebook), with tea, coffee and cakes; a tombola, jewellery stall, books and bric-a-brac; carols at 12.00; Ukulele at 12.30; Christmas cards and gifts, and, of course, Hastings new Shannon Class lifeboat to view!

I'm not sure if tickets are still available, but Hastings Winkle Club (earlier blog) has its Children's Christmas Party for children aged 4-8 years old is also tomorrow, 2.30 to 4.30 pm, at East Hastings Sea Angling Association, opposite the Lifeboat Station (OHPS website). To find out if tickets are still available, call or visit the Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road, the Anchor Inn in George Street, or go to Deeday's Yard in Courthouse Street!

Hastings Lifeboat Station Quiz Night Tonight!

Hastings Lifeboat Station is having its first Quiz Night to help raise funds this evening (13th November) since the arrival, and going into service, of its new Shannon class RNLI 13-28 lifeboat (blog). The event starts at 7.30pm at East Hastings Sea Angling Association, opposite the Lifeboat Station at the Stade. Entry per person is £2.50, with a maximum of 4 people allowed per team; complimentary 'nibbles' will be provided.

Your chance to have a fun evening, and to contribute to the RNLI! 

Fred White R.I.P.

So tomorrow, Wednesday 7th November, the funeral will be held for well known and well respected, retired fisherman and ex-coxwain of Hastings Lifeboat, Fred White, up at the Cemetery at 2pm, wake at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association at The Stade (opposite the Lifeboat Station, appropriately) afterwards... There have been over 16,000 page views of my previous blog announcing the Red Ensign at Hastings Fishermen's Museum being flown at half-mast for Fred showing his popularity, so it looks like there will be a very large turnout  for Fred White R.I.P.

Photograph with many thanks to Eric Reichbaum @ Instagram.

Tuesday's Old Town Walk + Lifeboat Quiz Night...

This afternoon the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) will be leading their regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town, which will be meeting by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. You will be shown around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and plentiful stories, by a volunteer guide from the OHPS, who will also explain the huge number of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, and still do, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog).

The walk proceeds across the West Hill and gently downhill into Hastings Old Town, with a number of steps included, and lasts about 2 hours. This guided walk is free of charge, though the OHPS, a registered charity, would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be sunny all day (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may well be required. Have a good afternoon!

Later on, this evening, starting at 7.30pm, there will be a Quiz Night at East Hastings Sea Angling Association by the Stade in aid of Hastings Lifeboat (facebook page). There will be a maximum of 4 people allowed per team, at a cost of £2.50 per person, with complimentary nibbles provided, good luck if you enter!

Saturday 9th December...

As we all know, there's always something going on in Hastings, so I shall just pick out a few events this Saturday starting with St Michael's Hospice's Christmas on the Coast at the Stade Hall in Hastings Old Town, from 11am to 4pm. The event itself is free, though with parts that cost, eg raffle, tombola and stalls, and is mostly child-oriented, though with something for everyone so adults shouldn't be bored; further information can be found at St Michael's website.

For children aged between 4 and 8 years old, during the afternoon from 2.30 to 4.30pm, Hastings Winkle Club are hosting the Children's Christmas at East Hastings Sea Angling Association's Function Room, at the Stade opposite the Lifeboat Station. For further information go to the Winkle Club's facebook page.

Then, in the evening, from 7.30pm, is the Christmas Soul Party, featuring live bands in aid of St Michael's Hospice and 'Surviving Christmas' at St Mary in the Castle; tickets £10 on the door, but can be purchased for £8.50 at Hastings Tourist Information Centre, Muriel Matters House, beforehand (I believe it closes at 5pm). For further information go to St Michael's website.

Truly, something for everyone, have fun!

Hastings Lifeboat Quiz

Join the crew, support staff and volunteers of the Hastings Lifeboat for a fun fund-raising Quiz Night tomorrow, Tuesday 28th of November, at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association (opposite the Lifeboat Station at the Stade), starting 7.30pm. Help to raise money for the Hastings Lifeboat Station, with complimentary nibbles, and a raffle, not to mention the quiz. Indeed, a charity well worth supporting; see website.

Hastings Underground

Hastings Underground, this afternoon, at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association, opposite the Lifeboat Station at the Stade; see website.

Dunkirk Hero: Lifeboat returns to Hastings

I mentioned the Cyril and Lilian Bishop when I wrote a blog about Hastings Fishermen's Museum and Dunkirk on 24th May last year (link), and now that lifeboat is back in Hastings, thanks to the tireless Dee-Day White and Tush Hamilton, and, no doubt, many other of their families, friends and acquaintances, arriving during the morning of Friday 1st July 2016, following their campaign to return The Ghost of Dunkirk. It is now situated within the East Hastings Sea Angling Association complex by the RNLI Lifeboat Station.

The Cyril and Lilian Bishop was the first Hastings' lifeboat built with an engine and took part in the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk in 1940. She was built by J Samuel White & Company in Cowes, Isle of Wight, and came into service at Hastings RNLI in 1931, until she was sold as a fishing vessel to a Scottish buyer in 1950. 

 

Model in Hastings Museum

More history can be found at the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) website,  She was re-named “Lindy Lou” in 1976, and, near the end of the millennium, following her rescue by the ADLS, acquired by Simon Evans, who collects and restores old lifeboats, and taken to his rented boatyard in Sens, France; having since moved to his personal boatyard at Migennes, where she remained until she returned to Hastings this week. 

As you can see above, there is still plenty of work to be carried out on the restoration of the Cyril and Lilian Bishop, go to her facebook page for developments. I shall blog regular updates, including photographs, in the coming months.

Jazz Hastings: this evening.

This evening at The East Hastings Sea Angling Association, The Stade, Phil Robson's Organ Trio are playing: see website for more details. 

Jazz Hastings 10th Anniversary

Jazz Hastings 10th Anniversary starts off with Dave Newton's Big Screen Trio in the East Hastings Sea Angling Association at the Stade this evening; doors open at 7.45pm for an 8.30 start. See the Jazz Hastings website for more information.   

Sustainable Fishing: Greenpeace comes to town...

I was working elsewhere when the Greenpeace fishing boat 'Rising Tide' landed in Hastings, but got to the Fishermens' Beach well before the public meeting started to take a few photographs of their boat.

I also discovered that the public meeting was being held in the East Hastings Sea Angling Association bar, soon after I discovered that the upstairs area above the 'Classroom by the Coast' is a tad too small to hold such a meeting! Anyway, there was a very good turn-out, indeed, though my photographs don't do this justice because most people weren't in line with my images, as the camera lens was pointing directly at the politicians.

There were the General Election candidates from the Labour, LibDems, Greens and the Ukip parties all present, Sara Owen, Nick Perry, Jake Bowers and Andrew Michael, and, because she was tied up in Parliament, hopefully not literally or another scandal could emerge (he says with a wink in his eye), a recording of the Conservative candidate, and current incumbent, Amber Rudd. They all agreed with the Greenpeace 5 point action plan, of course, though the Ukip man hummed and haa-ed before agreeing to do so, presumably for dramatic effect, as I'm sure he must have already known what he was going to do, wasn't he? Better than getting lynched by the Hastings fishing community!  

I'd already signed their petition on-line a couple of weeks go, but I perused the other literature and badges that Greenpeace brought with them before the talking began; I also signed a 'pennant', all of which are to be given to the Fishing Minister by Greenpeace, together with the petition, after the tour is completed.

As you can see above, Paul Joy represented the local fishing industry and the New Under Ten Fishermens Association (website) as spokesperson, as one would expect, and provided much technical information, and less the warm fuzzy feelings candidates expressed, about the realities of small boat fishing and how the larger boats/fishing industry work. The problem is not to do with the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union, so much, as in how British governments have divided up the British share between the small and larger fleets; ie nearly 80% of fishing boats, the smaller ones as in Hastings fleet, are only allowed 4% of the allocated catch!    

The joint mission of Greenpeace and the NUTFA is to get politicians to sign up as 'Coastal Champions', promoting their five point action plan, in the run up to the General Election:

• Give local, sustainable boats a fair share of quota
• Restore fish stocks by rewarding selective fishing methods
• Protect the ocean in a way that benefits local fishermen and coastal communities
• Give local, sustainable boats priority access to coastal waters 
• Make sure small scale fishermen are represented at the highest level in Europe

For more information go to Greenpeace 'Coastal Champions'.