Hastings Lifeboat Jewellery Sale & Open Day!

It’s the RNLI Hastings Lifeboat Station 'fantastic' Jewellery Sale this weekend (19th and 20th) and on the Sunday they are also having a mini open day! 10:30 onwards. (facebook) "Come down and purchase some beautiful pre loved jewels, see the boats and meet the crew" 😊 All money raised goes to help save lives at sea, much respect from me!

H.O.T. Carnival Procession et al... Plus.

OK, this is a library photograph of mine as the current Hastings Lifeboat can no longer get around the island in front of Iceland, with it's tractor it is just too long. However, images of the procession yesterday can be found on the H.O.T. Carnival facebook page (I was away due to the reintroduction of football in England following the inter seasons break, my bad!).

The image immediately above, however, was Hastings Lifeboat contribution yesterday (image thanks to their facebook page), trusting they raised serious money, and trusting others taking part did similarly too, Respect to Hastings! Things are still happening in connection with the Carnival Week; see website for today (Sunday), and tomorrow, Monday 12th, sees the annual Fancy Dress Litter Pick (website) organised, as ever, by local councillor James Bacon, and meeting at The Stade Open Space at 10.30. Many thanks in anticipation of their effort.

Steve the Beermeister says to not forget that there are some rather interesting Polish beers still available at The Jolly Fisherman, East Beach Street (blog), enjoy folks!

Carnival Keeps On Keeping On!

This was the scene about 4.00pm yesterday (blog), and it got busier and busier, a great start for the Hastings Old Town Carnival Week (and a bit), and money raised for the RNLI and Hastings Lifeboat too, nice one! But Carnival continues today, including the Old Town Criers Competition from 7.30 on the steps of St Clements Church (register from 7.00pm), and Reggae on the Stade from 7.30 to 10.00pm (entry from 6.30pm) (more on website).

Hastings Lifeboat Concert kicks off Carnival!

Indeed, the Concert kicks off Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2024, 1st to 12th August (website), at the Stade Open Space, preceeded by the Carnival Opening Ceremony at 14.45. The concert is being held to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI, facebook), and is free to enjoy from 15.00, although entry is from 13.00.

Although the concert is free, any donations to the RNLI and Hastings Lifeboat would be "warmly welcome and hugely appreciated." An excellent tribute to our local heroes!

Hastings Lifeboat looking for Volunteers

The Hastings Lifeboat, and other nearby RNLI services, are seeking volunteers, if you are interested, go to their website, a worthwhile charity to support indeed. 👍

Seasons Greetings!

Things are certainly better than for the previous 2 Christmases, despite the dreaded COVID-19 still hanging around, vaccinations appear to have done the trick, fingers crossed! But please let us all have a good and happy season and enjoy ourselves as much as we can, remembering others too. 

I give thanks to all those who have helped us to survive these last two years, too many to mention individually, but including all the keyworkers, the drivers and carers, those working in the emergency services, the police, fire fighters, ambulance staff and paramedics, the NHS, doctors, nurses, other health professionals and ancillary staff, the brave crews and volunteers of the RNLI lifeboat service, and not forgetting the scientists who helped develop the vaccines to rid us of the cause of distress and illness caused by the pandemic... Respect!

Finally, I wish to share my best wishes with you, and peace and goodwill to all, whatever one's beliefs, let's continue to work together folks. 👌

And remember, stay safe!

Stacey Marie (facebook page) sends her regards too! 😉

Hastings Lifeboat Reminder: Jewellery Donations Please!

As I said in my blog in March, Hastings RNLI Fundraisers continue to raise funds for Hastings Lifeboat Station (website), indeed, a Jewellery Sale will be held over the weekend of the 8th and 9th of October 2022, all money raised will help "save lives at sea" and all donations would be very much appreciated.

"If you have any jewellery you would like to donate please pop into our gift shop for our volunteers who run the event." (facebook).

As ever, with respect to the brave men and women who crew the lifeboats, beach support workers, and to all those who support them, mostly unpaid volunteers!

Hastings Old Town Carnival 29/07 to 07/08/2022

Yes, the raising money for charity Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2022 starts this weekend, from Friday the 29th of July to Sunday the 7th of August (website), with plenty to do for everyone. Last year there was no Pram Race, and this year the Tug-o-War has been cancelled, sadly.

Although the Old Town Criers Competition is being held on Friday (website), the equally demure tones of the Tug-o-War referee usually herald the beginning of Carnival Week, which no doubt will be held somewhere else next year. Consequently, I decided to show a photograph (above) of the Tug-o-War from a previous year, just to remind you what it's like, fingers crossed for its return next year! Maybe before? 😉 

Anyway, Carnival continues on Saturday with a significant number of events (website), notably Day 1 of the Nearly on the Beach Concert will be held on the Stade Open Space, where collections will be made in aid of Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station, Pett Level Rescue and Hastings Sea Cadets. In addition, many other events this Saturday, including the HM Coastguard Open Day, Pop Up Makers Market, Craft Fayre, exhibitions and guided walks aplenty, and much more, indeed, never to forget the annual Guess the Weight of the Cheese Tower in Penbuckles window!

So, get ready to make donations whilst enjoying yourself, have fun!

 

RNLI Lifeboats Remembered

Earlier today I revisited the final resting berths off the 2 historic lifeboats that welcome people as they enter Hastings 'Old Town' via Old London Road. The first boat is the 100 year-old Priscilla MacBean, which was pulled up The Bourne on the 15th of November 2014 (blog), exactly 86 years to the day after the sad tragedy that befell her sister lifeboat the Mary Stanford of Rye, and the loss of her 17-strong crew (RNLI). So, really the stories here are not just about the 2 lifeboats berthed in this part of the 'Old Town' but of 3 lifeboats and their brave crews, plus fourth and fifth lifeboats, the one we now have in Hastings, the Richard and Caroline Colton, and her predecessor the Sealink Endeavour (blog), and the brave volunteers and crews who help to save and preserve lives more recently in Hastings and nearby waters, 5 lifeboats, and many more...

The second historic lifeboat you reach when coming down Old London Road into The Bourne is the 'Ghost of Dunkirk' the Cyril and Lilian Bishop, which helped to evacuate troops from Dunkirk near the beginning of World War II. She was also pulled up from the seafront a few years later, this time up through All Saints Street in June 2017 and is now berthed below All Saints Church on the corner with Harold Road (blog).

With much respect to RNLI lifeboat crews and volunteers past and present...

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.

Support for the RNLI increases!

Interesting that, since I first wrote a blog about fishermen trying to block the launch of Hastings lifeboat, that verbal messages of support to the RNLI have dominated the media, and been made in person, financial support has increased significantly (Observer), and I have only heard very positive comments about, and respect towards, the brave folk, virtually all volunteers, who make up the crews and land support teams.

Interestingly, fishermen have historically made up crews for Hastings lifeboats over many years, and that, since 1824, the philosophy and purpose of the RNLI has continued to be to save lives at sea, that is for everyone in danger at sea, valuing the lives of whoever may be in trouble. To find out more about the Philosophy of the RNLI have a read of their appropriate website page.

Respect to everyone involved in the RNLI, particularly to the crews, many thanks! 

RNLI now threatened Nationally by Bigots, Dark Days!

Following on from the recent threats against our own local lifeboat crew and trying to prevent the lifeboat's launch (blog), and I have had feedback from the local lifeboat station which confirms this. More recently, right-wing bigots/bampots/whatever you want to call these thugs, have latched onto 'hacking' the national RNLI's website, it appears, which has had to be closed down (report).

My support, as most decent people's does surely, continues to be given to our brave lifeboat crews, mostly volunteers, who risk their lives to save other people's lives at sea, and who are simply doing their job, my respect to the RNLI. 

Sad, but People in Hastings attempted to block Lifeboat launch!

It happened 10 days ago (I only just found out), but a group of people, apparently local fisherman, and this has been supported by someone I know, who knows, tried to prevent the Hastings RNLI lifeboat from being launched (Argus) because they didn't want them to "bring any more of those (migrants) home." Now, 2 questions, first, how did they know the lifeboat was being launched regarding migrants crossing the Channel, rather than being launched to assist a boat in jeopardy? Second, are they happy to block the RNLI doing their voluntary work, protecting lives at risk at sea, and how would these same fishermen feel if the lifeboat was prevented from launching when a fishing boat and its crew was at risk? The police are investigating...

Just thinking, sad that anyone appears happy to see people lose their lives at sea... 

Yacht towed to safety by Hastings Lifeboat.

Hastings Lifeboat Station (early hours)

It was a few nights ago, but I just noticed on their facebook page, that the Hastings Lifeboat RNLI 13-28, the Richard & Caroline Colton, was called out to just off Pett Level as a 36ft yacht was in difficulties. The coxswain assessed that the best course of action was to tow the yacht to safety, which happened, as appropriate. 

With respect to the RNLI and its crews and volunteers, many thanks! 

Hastings Old Town Carnival Parade Returns & more to come still!

OK, we're very unlikely to see the lifeboat heading the parade this year (I took this photograph 3 years ago - blog), or ever again, as I believe it's too long to get around the roundabout by Iceland, but thinking back to past parades what great days they were; but maybe the RNLI inshore boat will lead the procession this year? 

Anyway, the carnival procession shouldn't be too spoilt by the morning thunder and lightning predicted by the Met Office, as it begins during the afternoon (website). And there are still many other events going on this weekend. Look at the website for details of the events being held on Saturday, and again at the website for Sunday. 

Keep a check with the website for changing weather conditions.

Whatever you do, please enjoy the weekend folks, and remember, be safe! 

Hastings Lifeboat, Volunteer Vacancy, Isabel Blackman & More News

I was out earlier today, enjoying my exercise walking along the seafront, and took this 'moody' misty pier photograph (above), still closed of course, and mulling over what I should write about today. Well, I've been thinking for days now of updating regarding the COVID-19 Crisis, Lockdown and Tier 2, but I wanted to see what else the Government is offering the 100-odd Conservative MPs who are suggesting they may rebel tomorrow unless the Government provides evidence of why areas in Tier 1 before the second lockdown are rationally being placed in Tier 2 from Wednesday, and what other help the Government may provide to the Hospitality Sector, which appears to be the only sector not being allowed to reopen, unless they meet the 'substantial meal' proviso. Indeed, even Santa's Grottoes are being allowed and carol singing is to be allowed! What does the Cabinet/Scientists have against the Pub Trade in particular, which before the lockdown had worked hard to successfully implement the 'COVID-19 Safe Surroundings' requested by the Government's rules (Campaign for Pubs)? Anyway...

So, giving the COVID-19 Crisis a miss for the moment (I carry on about it a wee bit a wee bit further down!), I'll move on to Hastings Lifeboat, their television appearance, and an important volunteer vacancy that has been announced. First, we should all be aware of the lifeboat's involvement in Storm Ciara earlier in the year (BBC), but were you aware that this incident was included in the BBC television programme Saving Lives at Sea last week? Go to the BBC website to catch up on iPlayer if you missed it.

With regard to the vacancy, the Volunteer Fundraising Group Leader for Hastings RNLI is being sought, and with many thanks to Sue who has held this position for many years now... This rewarding role includes raising awareness and to create ways of raising funds for the RNLI  and our local lifeboat (website).

Other news includes the scaffolding that has been at the end of George Street for eons (a wee exaggeration) has now been removed, as Councillor Bacon assured us it would be recently on his twitter feed, following the building being 'made safe.' You will appreciate that this photograph wasn't taken today, but yesterday. 😎 

Even better news, the Isabel Blackman Centre in Winding Street has been saved from extinction, having been bought by a consortium of community groups following a long campaign that helped to gain the required funding, as reported by Emma Harwood in Hastings Online Times; go to their website for the excellent full report.

Oh yes... Happy St Andrew's Day! 

Sadly True

Leader/Editor Comment:

Finally! The COVID-19 Crisis, and a few relevant updates I thought I should share from other media sources, as you will be aware if a regular reader of mine, I am not exactly complementary about the Government's handling of this crisis (for example this blog), nor its incompetent, perhaps corrupt, waste of £ billions of taxpayers money and, notably, Hastings going from the safest local area, with the lowest incidence of COVID-19 in England and Wales, to being designated in Tier 2 two weeks later (blog). However, these links provide some relevant further reading, make up your own minds:

The R Rate is now below 1 (BBC), a fact which is supported by the highly respected Imperial College React-1 Study, of over 100,000 people this month, that estimated the R Rate to have fallen to 0.88 (BBC), whilst the nationwide incidence of COVID-19 has fallen by 30% since Lockdown Two began in early November! 

Oh yes! And just how reliable are the stats regarding infection rates? Another report highlights that during the 19th and 23rd of November, 1311 people were noted as testing 'positive' but the test results were actually void (BBC), and that figure, and who knows how many other errors, has obviously been included in deciding what Tiers local areas should go into. Complete and utter ineptitude...

Hopefully I can provide more positive news soon, but whatever, please remember to carry on being careful folks, wear face coverings where appropriate, maintain social distancing of 2 metres, and wash your hands regularly. Be safe! 

If you've got down to here I am impressed 😉 Look after yourselves!

Musicians and Coastal Currents, and LIVE MUSIC!

I'm a wee bit behind the times (only just saw this on facebook), but:  

Sussex musicians, Coastal Currents want to pay you! They "know times are tough with performances being cancelled and the creative economy struggling. But Coastal Currents raised money from the Arts Council England to be able to give you a space online to stream your live gigs! We support you during COVID and plan to continue supporting you. SO - If you want an hour of live streaming for you, your band, an experiment, to launch a track... to build an online audience - our online stream, gets around 3k watches - get in touch at info@coastalcurrents.org.uk and we can arrange a time for your live stream AND PAY YOU FOR IT! We can also facilitate it to stream to your page too!"  

I hope this information can help local musicians, and, by the way, live music is available on Hastings Pier at weekends, as I mentioned in my blog last week, and a small cover charge of £4 to see the music on the second half of the pier was brought in yesterday for LIVE & UNLOCKED (facebook); the front half of the Pier remained free to enter. Apparently there will NOT be a charge for Saturdays and Sundays (I have just read), but if you want to check on this weekend and future gigs, and see film of previous gigs, please go to the Hastings Flyer facebook page. By the way, tomorrow's music includes Kingsize Slim + Rufus Stone, and Dr Savage, have fun!

OK, Hastings Old Town Carnival Week (website) this year has mostly been a 'virtual' event, but I thought I'd include a photograph from 2 years ago, the last year the lifeboat could take part in the Carnival Parade (blog), sadly no parade this year... 😥

I have missed opportunities to walk along the middle of the road as well 😉

Thank you to Emergency Services Plus...

I took this photograph of the Lifeboat Station this morning, although the shop remains closed, the lifeboats and crews are very much ready to meet any alarm call received. Indeed, our thanks must go to all the Emergency Services, the RNLI Lifeboat, Coastguard, all NHS Workers and Pharmacy Staff, Police and Fire & Rescue, Volunteers, Street Cleaners and Refuse Collectors, Bus and Train Drivers and Conductors, Delivery Drivers and Shop Workers, in fact to anyone working to keep the economy and services carrying on as seamlessly as possible. Much Respect! 

Storm Dennis Warning!

Dennis the Menace!

The RNLI has warned of another storm about to arrive this weekend, plus reminding us of the bravery and skill of Hastings Lifeboat crew last weekend (website), that is Storm Dennis! Forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain, people are encouraged "to exercise extreme caution... especially along exposed cliffs, and piers during Storm Dennis."  Although Hastings Pier, I presume, will not be open this weekend.

Today (Saturday) in Hastings, wind speed is already reaching nearly 30 mph, with gusts of over 40 mph, and by the middle of the afternoon heavy rain will have set in with wind speed close to 40 mph and gusts of up to 60 mph (Met Office). Tomorrow (Sunday), there will be wall to wall heavy rain for most of the day until the evening, and the wind speed is forecast to reach up to 40 mph with gusts of up to 65 mph in the morning, and down below 50 mph later (Met Office).

Please be careful folks, and I'd advise you to leave your surfboards at home...

#respectthewater 

Storm Ciara and the Richard & Caroline Colton

Hastings lifeboat, the Shannon Class Richard & Caroline Colton RNLI 13-28 (pictured above when it first arrived in Hastings - see blog) was out in Storm Ciara on Sunday, most readers will already be aware I imagine, following a surfer being pulled out to sea whilst experiencing huge waves and high winds. Luckily, no-one was hurt, and I continue to admire the RNLI crew and volunteers who put their lives at risk to help and save others, respect!

Whilst not on call yesterday evening, the crew that was on call on Sunday were relaxing at the Dolphin Inn, with only one crew member owning up to enjoying the experience of the boat turning nearly 180 degrees, most, including the coxwain, admitted the fact the boat immediately righted itself gives them confidence in Richard & Caroline Colton, but they're not in a hurry to experience it again! If you haven't already seen the video that has gone viral over the internet, have a look at the BBC website, and this film is quite amazing, again, much respect from me!

This weekend will see the arrival of Storm Dennis (see Met Office), trusting everyone to be very careful, fingers crossed the lifeboat won't be called out this time.