Hastings Pirate Day/Weekend 2024

There's always plenty happening in Hastings, but this weekend also includes Hastings Pirate Day 2024 (Weekend 20/21 July 2024), what more can I say?!? Ever since Hastings recorded the Guinness Book of Records standing record of the number of pirates in a single area, that is on the beach in Hastings in 2012 (14,231 above), we've been waiting for our Cornish piratical chums in Penzance to catch up, and they still haven't! So, it's yet more chance for Hastings folk to dress up and enjoy themselves and, of course, there will be drums and music aplenty!

An early warning sign that the seafront between central Hastings and the Old Town will be closed to traffic tomorrow (Sunday 21st) between Noon and 1.00pm, more of later... Today, though, do not be surprised to see a few pirates around, indeed, there will be a piratical presence in many places around the Old Town all weekend, including a craft market at the Stade and workshops for children by the Aquarium, and much more, see the website for the programme.

On Sunday the reason for the temporary road closure will become clear, as there will be a procession (route above) between the America Ground and the Old Town. The procession will begin forming up outside OWENS/the old Debenhams building from 11.30am tomorrow (Sunday the 21st of July), leaving at 1.00pm, and heading along the seafront road to the Stade Open Space in the Old Town, where many will disperse around the Old Town, or stay to sample the delights around Rock-a-Nore and the Stade (programme). Enjoy the weekend me 'arties!

RRRrrrrrrr.... Pirate Day 2018!

OK, of course there's many other things happening this weekend, but Pirate Day 2018, what more can I say?!? Ever since Hastings recorded the Guinness Book of Records standing record of the number of pirates in a single area, ie on the beach in Hastings in 2012 (14,231), we've been waiting for our Cornish piratical chums in Penzance to catch up, and they still haven't... So, it's yet another day for Hastings folk to dress up and enjoy itself, but with no pressure...

So much going on, and not just directly to do with Pirate Day 2018, eg Stade Saturdays (website) has Mike Willis singing 'Nashville' from 7.30pm on Saturday the 14th, but also stretches into Sunday the 15th, ie Pirate Day, for pirates, music and much more from 11am. While talking about the Stade, Hastings Lifeboat Station will provide us with more shanties, pirate songs and drums in conjunction with refreshments, also from 11am onwards!

And, well, Pirate Day itself will no doubt see thousands of pirates parading round town, drinking and causing friendly mayhem, and too many events for me to mention, but spreading from the Stade to the Pier via George Street, up on West Hill, Pelham Beach, and Priory Meadow (Visit 1066 website for more in-depth information of each venue). The beach, streets, pubs and bars will be full of pirates, and of course there's a procession planned: from 2pm the Parade of the Kraken commences up from the bottom of High Street/East Street/West Street, crosses The Bourne at the top over into All Saints Street and down to Winkle Island...

Dress up, or not, have fun, and there's even more sunshine forecast this weekend (Met Office), so Factor 50 for me!

So much to say! Starting with...

OK, not such a surprise, but Penzance, once again failed to beat the Hastings record of 14,231 pirates in one place/on the beach (report), apparently by 77, never mind Kernow, you can always try again, and again, and again... 😉 

Photograph above of pirates drinking in a Hastings pub!

The Bayeux Tapestry in Hastings!

Yes really, though not the original, but a mighty fine replica of the tapestry in the form of 1066 - A Medieval Mosaic created by Michael Linton from New Zealand, and which is sited in the Crypt of St Mary in the Castle, Pelham Arcade, to the east of Iceland (next to and behind St Mary's Restaurant).

How was this made? Well, it would take a rather a long paragraph to explain in full, but it took Michael 33 years to fashion an accurate copy of the tapestry made up of tiny pieces of steel broken from disks used in knitting machines and hand painted using a very wee nylon brush that Michael can show you, and which he did show me happily. For the full explanation and plenty more information, have a look at his website, very impressive! Of course, you can also visit and find out from Michael himself...

Indeed, the mosaic is in the Guinness Book of Records for being the world's largest steel mosaic, made of 3,000,000 pieces of steel, 64 metres long, and weighing 450kg.

I'd recommend you visit soon, although the exhibition will remain here until the 28th of October 2016, so you do have plenty of time, but it is well worth the visit, truly awesome! Whilst there, you could also have a drink at the very recently opened St Mary's bar too...

Nice one Michael, just in time for the 950th Anniversary!