This Weekend in Hastings 16/18 December

My apologies for not writing recently, I've been visiting friends and family while the trains were still running, but the winter certainly seems to have hit us this last week, with snow falling on Sunday, not to mention live rails being frozen whilst travelling. Okay, the photograph above is originally from a previous blog of mine some time ago in February 2018, but you get the gist. It's been cold, and it snowed, and more so a little further inland from the seafront and town centre.

However, all this hasn't stopped the 'holiday season' fun and festivities developing, and this weekend certainly has plenty to offer in addition to the always thriving town that is Hastings. From activities to keep children happy whilst you're shopping at Priory Meadow, to live music and carols, to eating and drinking, to fancy dress and Burlesque, and to theatre and pantomime, there is something for most of us!

Indeed, so much is on that I am adding links to various sites, or just use google 😉

• Visit 1066 Country 
• Hastings Flyer 
• All Events In 
• Skiddle 
• Event Brite 

It's staying bright and sunny, so no snow but chilly over the next couple of days, but warming up from late Sunday, though wet then and on Monday too, but with the temperature getting into double figures during next week (Met Office). 🌞⛆🌂⛅

Whatever you do, whether shopping, going out, or just chilling out, have an excellent weekend, and stay safe folks! 🎄

Oh yes, and there's cricket in Pakistan to watch or listen to... 

Hastings Pier: Enjoy it whilst you can!

Yes, fingers crossed it can go on, but Mr G has only leased the Pier to the present management until the 4th of October, let's hope the lease can be extended, because...

The present management have ensured there are things to do for everyone on Hastings Pier (facebook)) including rides for children, LIVE MUSIC, fishing from the end of the Pier, food and drink from 08.00 hours, indeed, the Pier is now open from 08.00 until 23.00 hours, which means it can be enjoyed for 15 hours a day, every day, which is more than was available under Mr G's management!

OK, it looks empty because I took these photographs at about 08.30 this morning, but food & drink was already available, there were about 10 people fishing from the end of the Pier, and I took all these photographs then, including the one above that shows the extent of what is the largest 'beer garden' that I have ever seen!

There has been live music on Hastings Pier from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening most weekends since the lease was granted to people who appear to know how to entertain us, weather permitting, indeed this weekend starting with Live & Unlocked on Hastings Pier from 16.00 hours until 23.45 hours (facebook).

Fingers crossed the present management do get a lease extension, I've missed walking, drinking, enjoying the views, and the lad I spoke to seemed a decent lad...

Good luck for that extension!

Weekend Out & New Covid-19 Guidelines for Face Covering

Some things are getting back to normal, and the new stewardship of Hastings Pier appear to be using their grey matter, at last! Anyway, they have a large seating area, with a capacity of 600, on the far side of the Deck building in the middle of the pier and calling it a bier garden, thus for eating and drinking at. On Fridays there will be free live music on the pier with Live & Unlocked from 4-11.45pm (facebook). Also, on Saturdays they will be providing free live music at this outdoors venue, tomorrow (25th July) Funk Jam will mean live music from 2pm to midnight! (facebook). Last week saw the 'inaugural' pier gig with local act Sam Calver playing, and you can see many photographs at flickr showing just how many people were enjoying the day!

It does look a bit damp tomorrow, so be dressed appropriately (Met Office).

And the pubs and restaurants keep reopening, for example, yesterday saw the reopening of The Crown, 64-66 All Saints Street (corner with Crown Lane) TN34 3BN (website). They are open 10am-10pm, with food served 12-5pm and 6-9pm. There is table service, like for most places now, and on the website they state there will be a limit to numbers and recommend to book tables required from noon, which can be booked online. You do not need to wear a face covering at any of Hastings pubs, bars or restaurants, but from today there are new Government guidelines for elsewhere...

As I write we are a little over 7 hours into the new guidelines about wearing face coverings in public in England, following the already well publicized guidelines that we must wear face coverings on public transport. This now includes, with some exceptions for health conditions and age, we must wear face coverings when travelling on public transport, and in shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, banks, building societies, post offices, and transport hubs (indoor train stations and terminals, airports, maritime ports, and indoor bus and coach stations or terminals).

We must also wear face coverings when visiting takeaway food businesses, unless we are going to sit down to eat on the premises, in which case we are allowed to take off our face coverings once we are sitting down, but we must put a face covering back on once we leave the seating area. I trust that is clear... 

For more details go to the Government website.

Whatever, do please be careful folks, and enjoy your weekend!

Hastings Herring Fair 23-24 November 2019

Once again, the Hastings Herring Fair organisers invite you to celebrate the 'silver darlings of the sea' at this free fish, food, drink and music festival at the Stade Open Space this weekend; 11am to 4pm both days. Meet the fishermen and learn traditional skills. With many food and drink traders, a bar run by Lewes brewery Harvey's, live music (see at bottom of blog), cooking demonstrations, and plenty of entertainment for children, indeed there's plenty for everyone. See visit1066country website.

Herring are small tasty silver coloured fish that can be fried, smoked or cured, and they are full of healthy oils and, because they have existed in abundance, they were so named; the word herring comes from the Old German for “multitude”. The Atlantic Herring (Clupea Harengus), is caught around the British coast, though in the biggest numbers in the North Sea, and can reach up to 16 inches in length, but we usually see them at about 8 inches. There is locally caught herring in Hastings this year, so nice and fresh from our local fishing industry, nice one.

The Weekend Music

The Fair is free, so do visit The Stade Open Space in Hastings 'old town' and sample the local fare, not to mention wine, cider and beer, and much local music too, enjoy!

Hastings Midsummer Fish Festival 2018 this weekend.

Saturday and Sunday the 23rd and 24th of June sees the Midsummer Fish Festival again return to the Stade Open Space, from 11.00 to 18.00 both days; entry for the whole weekend is £2 on the door (under 18s free), £1 in advance from the Tourist Information Centre at Muriel Matters House, 2 Breeds Place TN34 3AA (website).

Food and drink, music and dancing, cooking demonstrations, children's activities, free face painting, and much more, means fun for all the family, enjoy yourselves!

Hastings Pier Update & New Catering Plan

This is an edited version of Hastings Pier’s latest newsletter which explains that the catering and hospitality operation on the Pier will be handed back from Centerplate to the Hastings Pier Charity on Saturday the 1st of July 2017. A phased reopening is planned, with future emphasis "on quality food and drink" from local suppliers (including fresh fish from the local fishing industry), and there will be appropriate training opportunities for staff. 

The reopening begins with a "pop up" provision on the Upper Deck bar & terrace from Saturday the 1st of July, whilst the Pavilion building and fish and chip bar will be closed from Saturday the 1st to Friday the 7th of July inclusive to enable slight refurbishment and staff training. The restaurant will be unveiled to the public with a new food menu and wine and cocktail lists on Saturday the 8th of July. Weather permitting, a DJ will be playing in celebration of the new opening in the afternoon and evening on the Pavilion terrace.

In addition, a new food kiosk (also operated by the Hastings Pier Charity’s catering team) will be open from Saturday the 8th of July, and will serve "traditional seaside fare" including doughnuts and candy floss. 

In line with the new catering plan, Hastings Pier’s opening times will be extended to 10pm from Saturday the 8th of July until the end of September 2017.

Wed 28th - Friday 30th June: 10am-8pm

Saturday 1st July: 10am-4pm (early closing for Pier Jam)

Sunday 2nd – Friday 7th July: 10am-8pm

Saturday 8th July – end of September: 10am-10pm 

The new catering and hospitality offer is being spearheaded by Erika Holland, who said: “I am very excited to be joining Hastings Pier Charity for this new venture. We will be sourcing our ingredients locally where possible and sustainability is key. Going forward we will be looking to put together a training programme with the aim to provide job opportunities for local people.” Jo Stewart, CEO at Hastings Pier Charity, added “Bringing our catering offer in house is pivotal to our business plan and will bring the Pier one step closer to becoming self-funded in the future. It also opens up funding opportunities which will further bolster our business plan ensuring the Pier has a sustainable future.”

Please note that opening times may vary in the case of inclement weather and for events. Go to the Pier website for further information.

Even More! "Feast of the Dead" this evening...

OK, I missed advising about this event at the Stade Hall this Sunday (21st), probably because money is involved, but, then again, so is food and drink! Conjuring the ghosts of those who died 950 years ago at the Battle of Hastings, and experiencing, and participating in, an anarchic interpretation of the views of those who died on the battlefield... Dress up, if you like, whatever, see the website for further details, and enjoy!