Hastings Old Town Carnival 2024 Weekend Events

Indeed, Hastings Old Town Carnival continues to entertain this weekend with plenty to do for everyone. On both Saturday and Sunday the Nearly on the Beach Concert starts at 12.00 noon and other events can be seen for Saturday the 3rd on the website, including HM Coastguard Station Open Day and guided walks, and for Sunday the 4th on the website, including Swing Breakfast featuring Swing Street. Enjoy your weekend folks, whatever you're doing!

It's Hastings Day!

Indeed, it is Hastings Day, today being the 956th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings (English Heritage), and, as usual, Hastings Week has been set up around this anniversary. For details of the Hastings Week events today, including walks, talks and Order of 1066 Award, go to the website. Yet more to come this weekend! 🎆

Hastings Old Town Carnival Thursday 4th August.

Carnival Week continues today as well, as my blog described yesterday, but tomorrow:

How many doughnuts can you eat in a minute?!? Well, on Thursday you have the chance to enter the Donut Eating Competition (website), from 5.30 to 6.30pm at Butlers Gap in George Street. If you can refrain from being ill, there are also the ongoing events, plus Ancient Streets of Hastings Old Town, Twitten and Cat Creeps and the Original Old Town walks; the Grand Auction at Hastings & St Leonards Angling Association 7.00 to 9.00pm in aid of Hastings Borough Bonfire Society; and at Hastings Adventure Golf from 6.00 to 8.00pm Winkle Club Crazy Golf.

For more details of the events on Thursday see the website, enjoy! 👌

Hastings Old Town Carnival Wednesday 3rd August.

Carnival Week continues today too, as I said in my blog yesterday, but tomorrow...

OK, the main event of Wednesday is the return of the Old Town Pram Race (website), apparently a large number of teams competing in this pub crawl of the Old Town, and raising money for charity of course. If you've never seen it, there will be themed 'prams' supported by team members in fancy dress, racing around the Old Town (roads closed), collection boxes galore, and each team has to visit each pub/bar on the 'crawl' and have a drink and answer a question in each, or make a forfeit, before continuing on to the next. By 10.00pm it can be quite enlightening, and debauchery indeed, cheers! 😄

But yes, there are other events on Wednesday too, including the ongoing events, of course, and a much less raucous Children's Workshop earlier in the day from 11.00am to 3.00pm at St Clements Church; Organic Cream Tea from 2.30 to 5.00pm at the former Old Town Rectory; and Lost Pubs and Breweries and Ancient Streets of Hastings Old Town walks; more details at the website.

Have a great Wednesday, and watch out for stragglers late in the evening!

Hastings Old Town Carnival Tuesday 2nd August.

Carnival Week continues today too, see blog, but tomorrow...

If you have great muscles and a strong heart, events on Tuesday include the 32nd Jimmy Read Memorial Bike Race, starting at 5.30pm and heading up the rather steep Crown Lane on a bike provided by the organisers, but don't expect multiple gears. 😉 If that's too much for you, it is for me, the much less exhausting Winkle Tossing commences at Winkle Island a little later at 5.30pm (website).

More events include the ongoing ones and tours and walks galore: tours of St Mary Star of the Sea Church, the All Saints Church Tower and of the Stables Arts Centre; Hastings Ghost, Twilight Smugglers, Twitten and Cat Creeps, Foyles and the Original Old Town guided walks.

In addition, Lifeboats on Display, and allowing for the chance one or both boats may be called out on a 'shout' I presume, both of the lifeboats will be on display, which is always a great time to show our respect of the brave volunteers and the coxwain, and beach crew, who maintain this valuable service. The website suggests that Christmas Cards will be on sale in the shop too, time to start purchasing cards methinks!

For more details see the website, and enjoy your day!

Hastings Old Town Carnival Monday 1st August!

Well, according to the Met Office the weather for this first week in August will continue to be pretty much fine, so there shouldn't be any problems with the rest of the Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2022 events, fingers crossed; I've lived in this country for too long to feel secure about weather predictions! 😉 Anyway, the events on Monday include the Seaboot Race (above), where competitors have to run the length of Courthouse Street wearing a top hat and seaboots, round a lobster pot, and back again, great fun! The race starts at 6.00pm and is held in memory of an Old Towner who died 20 years ago, Peter Tricket, and the winner is presented with Peter's walking stick as the trophy, to keep until next year; but all entrants receive 'Timed Certificates.'

In addition the ongoing events continue, and other events on Monday include Ancient Streets of Hastings Old Town, Lost Pubs and Breweries and Stade guided walks; Old Town Treasure Trail (register by 6.30pm at Winkle Island); Open Garden, Owlers Cottage; Coffee Morning with Tombola in the crypt of St Mary Star of the Sea Church and an Organ Concert at All Saints Church at 7.30pm.

Oh yes, and at St Clements Church, until Saturday 6th (although I can't see that it's on for Friday 5th, so maybe give that day a miss) there is the St Clements Rossettis in Love Exhibition. Regular readers will be aware that I have a big interest in the Pre-Raphaelites, indeed, I wrote a blog about the Pre-Raphaelites in 19th Century Hastings some years ago now. Included in that blog are details regarding Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Elizabeth Siddal getting married in St Clements Church in 1860, with some more details of their relationship with each other, and their relationship with Hastings, not to mention further details of other Pre-Raphaelites in relation to Hastings. What a great venue in which to hold this exhibition, I'll be there! 👍

For further details of all events on Monday go to the website and enjoy!

Hastings Old Town Carnival Sunday 31/07/22

The Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2022 continues today (blog) and tomorrow, Sunday 31st, with Day 2 of the Nearly on the Beach Concert (website), which will be held on the Stade Open Space. Collections will be made in aid of Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station, Pett Level Rescue and Hastings Sea Cadets. The organisers apologise that dogs are not allowed, and alcohol or drinks glasses should not be brought onto the Stade, however there will be a licensed bar and catering provided.

In addition, there will be plenty more events, including those ongoing; exhibitions; Foyles, Twitten & Cat Creeps, and Stade guided walks; Screenings at the Electric Palace; Boot Sale at Stables Theatre; Big Family BBQ and Picnic up at the Lower Torfield Allotments just off The Bourne; and special services at St Mary Star of the Sea and St Clements churches. More details at the website.

Have an excellent weekend folks! 👌 

Hastings Week, and This Weekend

So, Hastings Week 2018 is from tomorrow, Saturday the 6th of October, to Hastings Day, Sunday the 14th and the 952nd anniversary of the Battle of Hastings (Visit 1066 Country website). So why have I started off this blog with using a photograph of the Stacey Marie (blog)? Well, it is always nice to start off a blog with an attractive image, and in the Hastings Week 2018 programme the Old Town Fryer at East Beach Street uses two photographs (though old 😉) of my favourite Hastings Fishermen's Museum exhibit in their advertisement, so indeed, this is a very appropriate photograph in my opinion, plus, of course, she is an excellent advertisement for the sustainable fishing industry of Hastings (blog). 

However, this weekend there are no OHPS guided walks organised, (although there will be next weekend!) but there are many other intriguing walks organised, for example tomorrow, a 10.66 Walk (meeting at Grosvenor Gardens, St Leonards, starting at 11.06 am) and a Secret Hastings Walk (meeting at the Chessboard in George Street, starting at 6pm), and so much more. As you can see above, there is a Jewellery Sale tomorrow and Sunday at the Lifeboat Station, starting 10.00 each day, with all proceeds going to the RNLI (and next weekend will see the arrival of our new Shannon Class lifeboat*, more of nearer the time). And both days have an extended Stade Saturdays Classic Cars exhibition on the Stade Open Space (website).

Keep your eyes open for plenty of interesting events this week, and enjoy!

* The ceremony for her being named Richard and Caroline Colton will be held at Hastings Lifeboat Station on the 27th of April 2019 (latest information available).

Guided Old Town Walk this afternoon.

This afternoon, please do join the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) for their regular Tuesday guided walk of Hastings Old Town, the "premier ancient Cinque Port," which will meet up by the top of the West Hill lift at 2.30pm. The old town has a wealth of historic buildings, twittens and cat-creeps to explore, and you will find out why celebrities of their day, eg the Pre-Raphaelites, flocked to Hastings. Indeed, contemporary celebrities still do flock to Hastings! A volunteer guide will be leading the walk, which shall proceed gently downhill, but, do be careful, because there are not a few steps to manage too. The walk will last about 2 hours and is provided free of charge, though the OHPS would be very grateful for all donations given, many thanks; see their website.

It's worth wearing comfortable walking shoes, obviously, and the forecast suggests a gorgeous clear blue sky, so you may well need to add the Factor 50, if your skin is anything like mine! 

Do enjoy your afternoon! 

Carnival: Friday 4th August

More walks (Stade Walk, Old Town Walk, Twilight Smugglers Walk), Country Market, another Cheese and Wine Lunch, Open Gardens, Old Town Carnival Week Last Supper, Grand Quiz, and Meet the Hastings Lifeboat Crew and presentation of cheque at Reeves Corner, High Street/Courthouse Street; for full details, see website.

The fun keeps on coming!

Carnival: Tuesday 1st August 2017

Although it hasn't been advertised as such, just as a 'Bike Race' up Crown Lane, what has previously been known as the Jimmy Read Memorial Bike Race, is the culmination of Tuesday's carnival events, starting at 5.30pm. Also in the evening is a 'Blessing of the Animals' at All Saints Church at 6.30pm, and a 'Ghost Walk' starting at Butler's Gap, George Street, at 7.30pm.

Earlier in the day there is an 'Open Day' at Hastings Lifeboat Station (11am to 2pm), a Talk and a Tour, an Open Garden, and a Hot and Cold Buffet Lunch. Plus guided walks: 'Foyles Walk' meets at the Shipwreck Museum, Rock-a-Nore Road, at 1.30pm; 'Original Old Town Walk' meets by the top of the lift on West Hill at 2.30pm; 'Twittens and Cat Creeps Walk' meets at the Shipwreck Museum, 3.15pm. 

For more detailed information go to the Carnival website, enjoy!

Carnival: Monday 31st of July

Plenty happening again today, even Mondays are busy during Hastings Old Town Carnival Week! Walks plus plus, including, today, another Stade Guided Walk (meet at Hastings Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road at 11am), Exploring Lost Roads of the Old Town (meet at Hastings History House in Courthouse Street at 2pm), and a Ghost Walk (meet at Butler's Gap, George Street, at 7.30pm). Plus, a Coffee Morning with Stalls 10.30am to 12.30pm, and the Old Town Treasure Trail from 6.30pm, and an Organ Concert at All Saints Church from 7.30pm.

In addition, much happening in Courthouse Street, between High Street and The Bourne, including the Cheese & Wine Extravaganza from 12 noon onwards, I've always enjoyed, and proceeds going towards charity, of course, plus the annual Seaboot Race! See the Carnival website for further details... 

Apologies for the photograph I took yesterday (top) looking down at Rock-a-Nore Road, but I was focussing on the Stacey Marie, the horizon therefore, is a wee bit skew whiff!

Carnival: Sunday 30th July 2017

And it carries on... with special church services, guided walks (Stade Walk, Foyles Walk, Twittens & Cat Creeps Walk), Coffee in the Garden, Family Barbecue & Picnic, and the Big Beach Breakfast with music from 10am to 12.30 at the Stade Open Space (website). Not to mention the Hastings Fishermen's Museum Exhibition from 10am to 5pm, and from 11am, Hastings Net Shops Museum (until 2pm) and the Hastings History House Exhibition (until 4pm) and plenty going on in Courthouse St.

Plus! Film shows at the Stade Hall (I Love this Town and The Ghost of Dunkirk), yet more music with the Nearly on the Beach Concert from 1pm to 7pm, and (why I've included a photograph of Winkle Island above) Winkle Tossing from 2pm to 4pm at Winkle Island, extraordinary traditional Hastings fun!

More details at the Carnival website, enjoy your day!

Old Town Carnival: Saturday 29th July 2017

I tend to think the Old Town Carnival begins with the Tug-O-War in front of the Lifeboat Station (land side) at 10.30am on the Saturday, though beware of the Miniature Railway! But there will be a number of other events already happening, including the Coastguard Station Open Day, Rock-a-Nore Road, 10am to 4pm; Car Boot Sale at the Stables Theatre (10am to 1pm); and numerous other exhibitions and fairs; see website for full details of Saturday's events.

There are also numerous guided walks this coming week, including the Old Hastings Preservation Society's Stade Walk, meeting up at 11am outside the Fishermen's Museum. Sturdy walking shoes are advised, and, seeing the weather forecast, it may be worth wearing/carrying wet weather protective clothing; the guided walk is free, but a donation to the Fishermen's Museum would be appreciated, many thanks. 

The crowning of the Carnival Queen is planned for 12 noon on the stage at the Stade Open Space, quickly followed by the official Opening Ceremony of Hastings Old Town Carnival Week at the Fishermen's Museum, Rock-a-Nore Road, at 12 noon, or 12.30pm, depending on where you look (I'm guessing they'll get the coronation over with first!). The Union Flag will be raised up the Museum's flagstaff, and various local 'dignitaries' will be present, no doubt Mayor included, and who knows who else?!?

Plenty more happening, of course, and from 2pm until 8pm is the free "Nearly on the Beach" Concert, though collection boxes will be all over the place in support of Hastings RNLI, Pett Level Rescue, and Hastings Sea Cadets, so have plenty of small change, at least, available!

I presume the FILO will be providing a bar, as usual, but remember to look at the Carnival website, as there are many other things going on, so enjoy the fun!