The Carnival is over!

Indeed, Carnival Week is over, and they took the bunting down yesterday!

Carnival Parade

Not the easiest of days to drive round Hastings, surprisingly... not! 

Rock-a-Nore Road already closed, and quiet, in the morning! 

The Procession has started, and the roads are closed in the afternoon too... 

And music started! 

The parade comes out onto the seafront!

The Normans are back!?!  

 

The lifeboat joins in, not a surprise either... 

The driver here appears to be happy to wait for a couple of hours, so that she can recharge her car locally... later... 

Carnival Parade today!

The Carnival Week just carries on, and not completely over at the end of today either! Today's events are designated on the website, but pretty much culminate in the parade that builds up for much of the day at Rock-a-Nore, and starts at 5pm (assembly commences at 1.30pm), then ending the day with a firework display up by the castle on West Hill later in the evening. 

Don't forget that Rock-a-Nore Road is closed to traffic for most of the day, DO forget about parking in the car park there, but don't forget to enjoy yourself!      

Friday 7th and the Carnival Week continues...

I have to admit, I've tossed more pancakes than winkles, but maybe today that will change? For today's offerings, see the website, and have fun, yet again! 

Thursday 6th, another Carnival Day to enjoy!

Today's plans can be seen at the website, though it does say the Street Party is cancelled, sadly, however, things are happening, in addition to what is advertised on the site...  

It appears that Jonathan M will be accepting wet sponges in the face at Butlers Gap from 5pm, and there are a number of choirs singing at the same site from 5.30pm for a few hours. There is definitely music in the Jenny Lind and the Wellington this evening, and the weekly 'charity' quiz will be held in in the Dolphin Inn from 8.30pm. Probably a lot more spontaneous stuff too, so turn up and enjoy!  

Here are some Pram Race photographs from last night, cheers!      

The road is closed, and teams are starting to arrive...

The 3 leading teams start to arrive at the Dolphin (close to the finish, for those unfamiliar with the race; 18 pubs/bars in all).

The third team arrive, but have had enough, they won't finish third!

People aren't rushing now...

But partying!

Even THE Bronze medallists are here!

And one for on my way home...

Wednesday, and the Carnival keeps on keeping on!

Ain't no stopping us now... still many more walks, events, and the exhibitions too, of course! Today sees the Winkle Club's Annual Putting Competition starting at 6pm; see website for full details of what's happening today.  

Of course, culminating in the Pram Race at 7.30pm until closing time... Did you notice 2 songs intimated above? Anyway, have fun! 

PS. A couple of photographs of yesterday's bike race; many thanks to Pippa Wilcox. 

Tuesday, in Carnival Week...

And the partying and charity donations keep on coming this week! This evening is the Old Town Bike Race, held in memory of Jimmy Read (history), up Crown Lane, but, of course, there are many other walks and events too, today; see website.  

Yesterday, I enjoyed cheese and wine for lunch, had to be done, for charity of course... oh yes, had a wee chat with the Mayor (who kept his back to me in this photograph, but the chain of office gives him away!), and chatted to this dodgy couple too. Only one thing upset me about this visit to Courthouse Street, I wasn't allowed onto the bouncy castle (behind me, thus not in the photograph), I'm too old, apparently.  

And good to hear that Dee-Day's voice has returned, I saw him at about 06.30 down at Rock-a-Nore, and he couldn't speak at all, frustrating for him, or what?!? But it had returned by the time I saw him at lunch, and he could do the business again by the evening, of course, here with the women's seaboot race winner... 

Enjoy today! 

And thanks again for the two photographs I haven't taken myself. 

Old Town Carnival: 3rd Day

Today, the 3rd day of the Old Town Carnival Week, sees quite a few events in Courthouse Street, though many other events, exhibitions and walks continue, of course. See the website for more details, including a coffee morning, organic cream teas, 'Pimms on the Terrace', and the Grand Charity Auction! 

Turn up in Courthouse Street for a Cheese & Wine Extravaganza from 12noon to 3pm, The Great Whelk Eating Competition at 5pm, and, personally, I'm looking forward to the Seaboot Race at 5.30pm...   

Carry on enjoying the carnival, and remember, mucho money from this week goes to charity, what a generous town is Hastings!

Hastings Old Town Carnival Week

Hastings Old Town Carnival Week starts today! 

OK, I haven't taken any photographs today yet, but shall for later! This is the bar at the Stade Open Space being erected yesterday... Doesn't look too impressive at this stage, but will do by the time you reach the Stade today. 

The Week opens with numerous exhibitions (eg at the History House in Courthouse Street or Fishermens' Museum at Rock-a-Nore), many guided walks, and other events, eg the Tug-O-War begins very shortly, outside the RNLI Lifeboat Station at 10.30. See website for more full details of today's events.  

The bar started taking shape! So why is there a bar this year, and why isn't the free Concert ON the Beach, but "NEARLY on the Beach Concert" at the Stade Open Space? Many have huffed and puffed about sitting on pebbles, drinking beer out of cans, and moaned that listening to the free music was fun, and it won't be the same, but the concert had to be moved because the beach area where it is usually held has been used as a functioning builders' yard whilst the Winch Road has been worked on, and it's not quite finished (and planning had to be made for the concert in the meantime). Though who knows what may happen next year, if this year's turns out to be a success? 

Anyway, it is still a free concert, and any money collected goes to local charities and the RNLI, the musicians are playing voluntarily, and free still, and it's free to get into the fenced area on the Stade! However, bringing your own drinks in isn't being encouraged as a bar is being provided, with the bar staff all working voluntarily for nothing, and all profits going to the charities associated with the event, as ever, so please do feel free to place coins and notes in collection boxes!  

Steve the Beermeister has enquired already, and found out what ales are on at the Stade, these include locally brewed FILO ales, Gold, Crofters Best Bitter, Mike's Mild, Old Town Tom and Churches Pale Ale; a new local peripatetic brewer, also from Hastings, FT's Bespoke Brewery's Jack Russell's Extra Ale; Harveys Sussex Best; Dark Star Hophead, and Longman's Copper Hop... All East Sussex brewers! 

I know what I'm about to do, have a shave, nip along and take some photographs, and have fun, please also enjoy yourselves today!  

Bunting going up for Carnival Week!

Spotted earlier today, the bunting is going up for Hastings Old Town Carnival Week! 

Starting this Saturday (website).