RX134 - Stacey Marie

RX134, Stacey Marie, was the retired fishing boat that, until recently (blog), sat opposite the Dolphin Inn, Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings, and had been looked after by Hastings Fishermen's Museum, and a couple of local volunteers, until she became unsafe, and funds were not available to carry out the necessary work to make her safe. She was built at Newhaven in the 1940s for the Grant brothers, one of whom Alfred "Puff" Grant named the boat "Linda" after his Grand-daughter; the boat's original registration was NN39 (Newhaven registration). She was built as a punt, becoming a decked boat in the 1950s, thanks to a grant from the White Fish Authority, a government scheme set up to rebuild the country's fishing industry following World War II. The Grant bothers fished out of Eastbourne until the early 1960s, when a tragic accident saw one of the brothers swept overboard, whilst his brother was below deck. The body was later trawled up at Hastings, a sad reminder of how dangerous commercial fishing still remains, RIP.

Jack Edmunds brought the boat to Hastings in 1961, where she became registered at Rye, and thus became RX134. Jack sold her to Rod Knight in 1976; who re-named her "Andrew Peter" after his two sons. Robert "Podgy" Ball later bought her in 1985 and gave her the name "Stacie Marie". RX134 worked until 1997, when she was the oldest boat working from Hastings beach (many thanks to Hastings Fishermen's Museum for the photograph immediately above). In June 1999 she was acquired by the Fishermen's Museum and was placed on display in Rock-a-Nore Road in front of the fishing huts/net sheds/net shops, next to the Fish Market, to the west of the Museum, where she was often seen in the local media, and was a well known landmark and focal point, eg during Jack in the Green (top image), after her colour was changed to red.

Information was provided for a facebook page (facebook), which thankfully looks like it is still available (blog) and this blog, by Hastings Fishermen's Museum at Rock-a-Nore, and the sadly no longer with us local fisherman, Jimmy 'Toller' R.I.P. (blog), many thanks to all.

RX134 Stacey Marie Sadly Gone...

I'd been away over the weekend and now found out that the remains of RX134 Stacey Marie (facebook) were taken away on Friday; see my previous blog, if you weren't aware of her sad demise. I've also heard that her name plate, propellor, and other artefacts are now at Hastings Fishermen's Museum (blog). I've been aware for some time that one of the older lifeboats now situated up Old London Road was to be brought down to Rock a Nore Road. The first position proposed was apparently at the Shipwreck Museum, (website - I really do need to write a blog about this great museum!), but a trustee informed me that they just didn't have the space.

Anyway, the space now planned for the lifeboat is where RX134 used to be berthed, sadly, her final berth. I've been told that the Priscilla MacBean (blog) is the lifeboat moving down here, but I've also seen someone say it's the Cyril and Lilian Bishop (blog) that's being moved down! I shall try to find out the reality asap...

Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green 40th Anniversary

With the May Day public holiday actually falling on the 1st of May this year, what an excellent year to be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the revival of Hastings Jack in the Green (website). This evening (Friday 28th April) from 7.30 to 9.30pm at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Keith Leech will be giving a talk on the origins of Jack in the Green and the development of Hastings Jack. Then, until the culmination of the weekend on Monday the 1st of May, May Day, with the procession (above) that starts in Rock a Nore Road outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum, from where the Jack is released in the morning, and which ends up on the West Hill, where the Jack is slain in the afternoon, there is much merry making and dancing, and many drums banged, over the weekend (events), more to come...

Also, a reminder that on Monday pubs and bars in the old town will not be using glasses to serve drinks in, usually a police order, I seem to remember. Consequently, those horrible flexible disposable environmentally unfriendly plastic beakers will be used, but this year, similar to Fat Tuesday 4 years ago, a firm plastic cup will be used in 15 pubs and bars (above). They can be washed/rinsed and re-used again and again (I still use my Fat Tuesday one from 2019), and you will be asked to pay £2 to either buy your own, or borrow it for the day (deposit). Then you can move between establishments and/or drink outside, and, if you want your deposit back you can reclaim it at any of the 15 pubs and bars taking part; a great environmental decision, sensible recycling indeed, but I shall be keeping mine as a memento and to use for future events. 👍

Looking forward to Hastings Jack in the Green folks, cheers!

Oh yes, and you may see a few motorbikes too 😉

Fishing Stories & Tales with Mick Barrow

Fishing Stories & Tales with Mick Barrow can be enjoyed this Saturday the 18th of December, but tickets are limited, so you need to apply quickly; see the Hastings Fishermen's Museum events page on facebook for further information; a Hastings Mens Network event. Mick has been a fisherman for 55 years, and has many years experience as a member of the lifeboat crew too. Meeting at 13.00 at Winkle Island and then heading down to Hastings Fishermen's Museum further down Rock-a-Nore Road. 

Incidentally, the photograph of RX134, the Stacey Marie, used on the events page, and above, is quite a few years old, to see more recent images see her facebook page.

Hastings Fishermen's Museum Opening Hours Update

Hastings Fishermen's Museum has new opening hours, that is: 

Fridays 1-4pm

Sat/Sun 12-4pm 

Also, during the mid-term holiday (which I believe is 26-30 October) it will be open 12-4pm every day (website). Opening hours are "subject to change."

Sheer Barn, Carpentry, Decking AND Priory Meadow Car Park

In a recent blog I mentioned that Shear Barn (website) was reopening soon with a clear 3 phase plan for 2020, and, on that day, there were 2 large new toilet block units arriving (since arrived blog), well, they're not where I last photographed them (above), in the past 2 days they have been moved to a more permanent location in the touring field, and two units are uniting and becoming one toilet block!

Here's a toilet block prepared from last year, with decking around, looking good (above). I had an idea I know who carried out this work, checked since, and I am correct. It is Lee of L S Carpentry, who previously voluntarily helped us out using his considerable carpentry skills, unpaid, thus helping Hastings Fishermen's Museum too, when we carried out refurbishment of the Museum's outdoor exhibit RX134 Stacey Marie (facebook page). I've referred to him before, because one good turn deserves another, and it isn't just that one time he has helped us out with her, but on many occasions. Therefore, and this is unsolicited, again, if you want a good local carpenter, Lee fits the description, and can be contacted at stockleylee@hotmail.com 👍 

And the 2 new toilet block units? Well, as you can see from the photograph above, they are becoming one, which I hadn't figured out until I received some advice from Yvonne on twitter, many thanks. They are now waiting to have their union completed, electricity and water supplies connected and Lee's decking to be added, presumably. I returned this morning (Sunday 28th) to take this photograph and, have edited this blog to include the new information and to be more accurate; I own up to never having walked through these fields before, mainly because they've had people camping in them, therefore I always use Barley Lane, anyway, thanks again to Yvonne!

And Priory Meadow Car Park? I mentioned in a blog way back in early April that the car park was free, well, as I was walking back home from my daily early morning walk, I noticed they are charging again now, a sign of the town centre getting back to normal... Indeed, not now left to just the 4-10 'social drinkers' that loiter, and generally appear to have a good time, near the bus stop by Jempson's, the public is returning!

Be careful out there folks, Covid-19 is still about!

Hastings Saturday and Latest...

A few bits and pieces I've picked up from following social media and the internet, and from chatting to people from a very respectable social distancing... First, from up here on the East Hill, no! I'll leave that for later, so? On the way up the 2 hundred plus steps, I noticed at least one fishing boat was out, but also a couple preparing to launch (and another I saw later when I was at Firehills on my daily walk/exercise), my respect!

A little birdy told me this morning that Hastings Fishermen's Museum has plans for reopening in August, all being well, and I just looked at their website and noticed that, although the Old Hastings Preservation Society guided walks of the Stade and the Old Town, are gradually being cancelled, they're still keeping them alive, so, presumably, August may see their return too... perhaps?

The Hastings Adventure Golf reopened yesterday as I advised in a recent blog, and I was told by another, not so little, birdy that it started off slowly, but picked up late afternoon. Good luck to them, I think they'll have their work cut out ensuring social distancing rules etc are maintained today and tomorrow, when visitors to Hastings will very likely increase in number, despite the lack of open facilities, notably toilets...

I saw Jonathan too, and he said that Martin's funeral yesterday was well attended, considering, I didn't know Martin very well, but still sad at his demise, other friends did attend the crematorium up on The Ridge, Mark, Maureen and Laura; R.I.P. Martin...

Oh yes, the 'rave' last night, or the "planned massed gathering on the East Hill" as Hastings Police put it on their twitter feed, appears to have gone ahead, before 06.00 this morning I saw a group of reasonably mature looking, certainly not 'rave' types, tidying up the rubbish left behind, many thanks to them. Comments on the feed suggests that there were at least 4 police cars and probably 8 police officers in attendance, but I haven't been able to find out yet if there were any arrests, or on-the-spot fines handed out. If I find out I shall share the information, I just had a look at the Sussex Police website News Search, and nothing there either, yet.

So, batten down the hatches and prepare for another weekend of madness, or go out and enjoy the sun (maintaining social distancing of course), delete as appropriate, whatever, do be careful and look after yourselves folk!

SoCo RX19 Exhibition

From today until the 24th of November an art exhibition inspired by Hastings Fishermen's Museum and the local fishing community, SoCo RX19 is being held at the Stade Hall, with some 'small artworks' integrated into the Hastings Fishermen's Museum too (Katherine Reekie). To find our more about SoCo Artists, who are based in East Sussex, go to their website.

Guided OHPS Stade Walks

In conjunction with Carnival Week, the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) guided walks of the Stade restart again this Saturday (3rd August), and there will be another on Sunday, and yet even more on Monday, Friday, and next Saturday and Sunday too (10th and 11th)! The free Stade Guided Walks begin at 11am each of those days, meeting up outside the Hastings Fishermen's Museum (inside if wet), Rock-a-Nore Road, and, should you partake, you will be shown around the fishing quarter of Hastings. The walk lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, and, although on the flat mostly, you do need to cover uneven ground (though walks can be tailored to mobility needs, and interests), so sensible walking shoes would be, well, sensible (website), of course. The walks are provided free, but all donations to the Fishermen's Museum would be very much appreciated, many thanks, and enjoy!

Peter Broughton R.I.P.

I'm very sad to report that Peter Broughton, who used to be a volunteer at Hastings Fishermen's Museum until recently, has passed away... 

I shall miss our chats, R.I.P. Peter 😢

Happy International Museum Day 2019!

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery

Today is the 43rd International Museum Day (website) which has the objective of raising awareness of museums as "an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples."

Consequently, a day to remember what a great Museum & Art Gallery we have in Hastings, that is, up Bohemia Road at John's Place, TN34 1ET (website), and to make a visit to this wonderful resource. Entry is free, and it is open today from 10am to 5pm; opening hours for April to October are 10am to 5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and 12 noon to 5pm on Sundays (closed Mondays), and for November to March the same opening times, but closing an hour earlier at 4pm.

Hastings Fishermen's Museum

Also, down at Rock-a-Nore Road in the old town TN34 3DW, there are 2 museums that concern our local fishing industry and local coast, the Hastings Fishermen's Museum, open 10am to 5pm every day from April to October (website) and from 11am to 4pm November to March. And the Shipwreck Museum virtually next door, open 10.30am to 5pm every day from April to October (website). 

Whatever you do this weekend, enjoy yourselves!

Hastings May Day 2019

2019, and yet another May Day, which means Jack in the Green, and this year the forecast is for fine weather, fingers crossed! For the first time, the Dolphin Inn will be open from 08.00 for breakfast, so I may well take advantage, many thanks! But back to the event... May 6th will again see the Jack released from Hastings Fishermen's Museum at 10.15, attendants, Bogies and Giants will gather around the Jack, and the procession will form behind him proceed along Rock-a-Nore Road, then turning up All Saints Street, crossing The Bourne at the top, and carrying on down High Street, where the procession pauses for refreshments (ale!), music and dancing (website).

About 12.00 noon the procession will continue on, turning right by St Clements Church and winding up Croft Road and Collier Road to the West Hill, arriving about 12.30. On the West Hill stage there will be more music, dancing, drumming and frivolities, and close by will be food stalls and refreshments, including more ale, a craft fair, and toilet facilities. After a couple of hours the Jack will be led by the Bogies to the stage and will be "symbolically slain and the Spirit of Summer is released for another year!"

The history behind the Jack in the Green May Day Festival goes back hundreds of years, but the local custom faded away towards the end of the 19th century. The custom was revived in Hastings by Mad Jacks Morris Dancers in 1983, and a 20th/21st century Jack in the Green custom and festival developed to the present day, when thousands turn up to dress and make up, or just to observe the procession, or just have a few ales, and yes, Hastings does like to dress up! 

But it's not just Jack in the Green to enjoy, as every year for 40 years now, Hastings also hosts Bike1066 and this will be the 41st May Day Run with the roar of engines beginning to herald the arrival of bikers along the seafront, and down London Road, Queens Road and Old London Road from well before 09.00. Bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts and the motorcycle trade and industry come together in Hastings, and the diversity of bikes year after year never ceases to amaze! (website)

Motorcycles take over the seafront from here below All Saints Street at Rock-a-Nore Road in front of the Stade, in Pelham Car Park, and all along to Hastings Pier. I've walked by the Town Hall in Queens Road and even seen numerous bikes parked there in previous years, and the town centre itself boasts many relevant motorbike, helmets and accessory stalls from quite early in the morning, as does Pelham Car Park by the beach, and the Stade Open Space, as I suggested earlier.

So, if you want to see motorbikes you can't miss them, but the larger number find their way to Pelham Car Park, by Pelham Beach and below Pelham Crescent (above), where thousands park up every year, last year being the 40th May Day Run, saw over 40,000 motorbikes come to Hastings! 

Of course though, there are many other places offering live music and entertainment, ales and wines, seafood in Rock-a-Nore Road (this area is by the centre of the Hastings Fishing Industry!), and other special culinary delights and refreshments, including at the Lifeboat Station from 10am to 4pm (facebook page). Just tour the area, as many pubs will have live music, and ale, and other refreshments of course. Please do enjoy Hastings May Day public holiday 2019, have fun!

Early-ish Morning Walk...

I thought I'd get out early to beat the crowds, so, there I was down at the seafront (luckily, I only live a 4 minutes walk from the beach, so not that difficult to get there early), and it was pretty quiet indeed, here at the White Rock Theatre...

White Rock Hotel 

Opposite the White Rock Theatre and the White Rock Hotel, of course, is our (sadly not ours anymore though) lovely award winning Hastings Pier...

Just think of the film Byzantium (YouTube trailer), OK, Palace Court really, but a fine old Victorian Gothic building it is (Historic England).

Sculpture on Beach (blog) 

St Mary in the Castle (blog) 

The Hastings Lifeboat Station, RNLI, with the East Hill in the background, and with respect to the crew and volunteers who continue this proud service that is run as a charitable organisation, without central government funding (thankfully, as it means the service does not get hit by central government austerity cuts, phew!).

Hastings Miniature Railway, that travels parallel to the seafront between Rock-a-Nore and Marine Parade (website) and is run by Dan Radcliffe, who also set up and runs the miniature railway in Alexandra Park (blog).

Blue Reef Aquarium (website) 

Shipwreck Museum (website) 

Hastings Fishermen's Museum (blog), also in Rock-a-Nore Road (you can see where I'm going with this early morning walk now), and which also has been the starting point for the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) guided walks that returned for the year this weekend with their Stade Walk (website).

Then on to the Stacey Marie RX134 (facebook page), the Fishermen's Museum owned retired fishing boat, and a bit of a project of ours, and more about which you can either read on her facebook page, or by visiting Hastings Fishermen's Museum.

On the other side of Rock-a-Nore Road is the Dolphin Inn (facebook page), where I decamped for a coffee and a couple of pints; they now open for breakfast at 09.00 at weekends and 10.00 weekdays, so they were open for us early birds!

Enjoy the rest of your Easter Weekend, indeed, enjoy 2019, cheers!

Stan Kelly R.I.P.

I must apologise for missing the sad passing away of another retired local fisherman, 84-year old Stan Kelly, last week, on the same day that Jimmy Toller was being laid to rest. I hadn't cottoned on that the Red Ensign was still being flown at half-mast outside the Fishermen's Museum until today, and now my thoughts are with his family and friends. I believe Stan will be buried on the 7th February in Scotland, R.I.P.

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.

RX134 Greetings Cards!

This morning I noticed 2 different greetings cards for sale (please note, nothing to do with the boat, this blog, or Hastings Fishermen's Museum), but yet more evidence of how much the Stacey Marie is sketched/painted/photographed! I'll have to nip in and buy a couple (this image is the least bad photograph I took 😉 ), and regular readers will be aware of my involvement as a volunteer in the annual restoration/repainting of her (blog), and that she is owned by the Fishermen's Museum (website), being their first fishing boat exhibit you see coming down Rock-a-Nore Road, nice one...

If you are interested, this was photographed in the window of Sussex Framing Centre in Claremont, virtually opposite Hastings Library.

And how did that dog get up there?!? 😮

Hastings Day Weekend!

As you can see above, the bonfire was already being prepared on Pelham Beach this morning for tomorrow's HBBS procession, dressing up, flaming torches, drums, fireworks and, of course, this year's bonfire and effigies (website). The procession starts at White Rock at 7.15pm tomorrow evening (13th October) and the fireworks are due to be ignited from 9.30pm (map on website).

Earlier in the day, Hastings new Shannon Class lifeboat will be arriving, escorted by both current Hastings lifeboats, and the lifeboats from Rye and Eastbourne (allowing for emergencies). I shall be there and so will many others to welcome her, the Richard & Caroline Colton, about 12 noon (Hastings RNLI facebook page).

Also, Saturday and Sunday, there are many other planned activities (website), for example on both days there are OHPS organised Stade Walks, meeting up outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum at 11am, and on Sunday (Hastings Day, ie the 952nd anniversary of the Battle of Hastings), will be the last OHPS Old Town Guided Walk of the year, meeting up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm (website).

Much for everyone in the family to enjoy this weekend!

Fred White R.I.P.

Were you woken in the very early hours this morning by the helicopter flying above the Fishermen's Beach below the Old Town, aware that the lifeboat and various emergency vehicles were about? Sadly, the Red Ensign flying at half-mast outside the Fishermen's Museum will provide a clue, local fisherman (retired), and former coxwain of Hastings lifeboat, Fred White was found on the Fishermen's Beach, deceased, R.I.P. Our thoughts are with Fred's family and friends.

For those who are unaware, traditionally, for local fishermen, the ensign will now fly at half-mast every day whilst the museum is open, until after Fred's funeral. 😢

Congratulations to the Dolphin Inn!

By Steve the Beermeister...

Our congratulations to the Dolphin Inn for being selected as the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) South East Sussex Community Pub of the Year for 2018!

The Dolphin Inn is at 11-12 Rock-a-Nore Road, TN34 3DW (tel: 01424 434326 and website) and sells 6 cask-conditioned ales (mostly local), a few of crafty keg ales, and the usual keg beers and ciders, spirits, wines, soft drinks etc... It also raises £thousands for charity every year (for example, amongst others, at the moment, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation - blog), and is a centre for many locals, supporting the local fishing fleet by sourcing its kitchen from across the road, minding out for those who need help, and also supporting Hastings Fishermen's Museum and RX134 Stacey Marie (blog). Again, congratulations and well deserved!

Stacey Marie