Marina

I've walked by this many times, appreciated it for its portrayal of mussel shells, but have been too lazy to read up about it... Well, not any more, I took this photograph this morning, not too bad an image, and discovered it is called Marina, and the sculptor is called Leigh Dyer, and it has been there for over a year! Other rather lovely sculptures from Leigh include...

The Winkle on Winkle Island, the Sea Creatures at Butlers Gap, and the Battle of Hastings 950th anniversary Norman Longboat on the beach, which was part of the Route 66 arts festival (blog).

Weekend Events in Hastings

The Hastings Winkle Club (blog) Jazz & Blues Festival - 31 May to 2 June 2019, in aid of local charities, begins this evening with live music at 3 venues: The Letter Quintet playing from 8.30pm at the Jenny Lind in the High Street, and from 9pm with The Black Sheep playing at the Nelson near the bottom of The Bourne, and The Chantell Duncan Band playing at the Old Market in George Street (website). Saturday and Sunday evenings will also see live music at these venues and at Porters Wine Bar in the High Street, the EHSAA Club opposite the Lifeboat Station at The Stade, and the Dragon Bar in George Street (see website for more details).

Saturday and Sunday also has live music plaing at The Stade Open Space, in conjunction with the first of this year's Stade Saturdays (website): live music playing on stage from 12.30pm to 9pm on Saturday 1st, and from 10.30am (opens 10am) on Sunday with The Big Band Breakfast until 7.30pm (website).



Also on Sunday, from 8am to 12 noon, there will be a Car Boot Sale organised by Roebuck Enterprises in the Roebuck Centre, Roebuck Street (in between High Street and The Bourne - facebook page).

Meanwhile, over in St Leonards the road will be closed for the St Leonards/Kings Road Street Market (facebook page) from 10am to 4 pm tomorrow Saturday 1st.

And, of course, there are the usual music events in the regular pubs and bars, and there are museums, seafront, aquarium et cetera to enjoy!



More Christmas Events This Weekend

Further to last my blog last week regarding pre-Christmas events, tomorrow (Saturday the 8th of December) sees even more! From 11.00 to 3.00pm, at the Lifeboat Station is Christmas at the Boathouse (facebook), with tea, coffee and cakes; a tombola, jewellery stall, books and bric-a-brac; carols at 12.00; Ukulele at 12.30; Christmas cards and gifts, and, of course, Hastings new Shannon Class lifeboat to view!

I'm not sure if tickets are still available, but Hastings Winkle Club (earlier blog) has its Children's Christmas Party for children aged 4-8 years old is also tomorrow, 2.30 to 4.30 pm, at East Hastings Sea Angling Association, opposite the Lifeboat Station (OHPS website). To find out if tickets are still available, call or visit the Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road, the Anchor Inn in George Street, or go to Deeday's Yard in Courthouse Street!

Hastings Winkle Club's Jazz & Blues Fest 2018

Oops, nearly missed it! Hastings Winkle's Club's Jazz and Blues Fest 2018 is on this weekend (1st - 3rd June, website). This event is taking place at the Stade Open Space, and many local bars are participating as well, so much jazz and blues merriment around town this weekend, plus the Winkle Club (blog) are always "raising money for local charities and good causes!"

Of course, other pubs and bars have alternative music as well over the weekend, so there will be free music for everyone, enjoy!



Christmas Remembrance Procession

The Hastings Winkle Club Christmas Remembrance Procession 2017 will be meeting up this evening (Saturday, 16th December) at 6.30pm at the Cyril & Lilian Bishop Lifeboat, in front of All Saints Church at the top of All Saints Street, then leaving for Winkle Island at 7pm. In addition to the Act of Remembrance there will be hot soup and carols sung; see the Hastings Winkle Club facebook page.

Saturday 9th December...

As we all know, there's always something going on in Hastings, so I shall just pick out a few events this Saturday starting with St Michael's Hospice's Christmas on the Coast at the Stade Hall in Hastings Old Town, from 11am to 4pm. The event itself is free, though with parts that cost, eg raffle, tombola and stalls, and is mostly child-oriented, though with something for everyone so adults shouldn't be bored; further information can be found at St Michael's website.

For children aged between 4 and 8 years old, during the afternoon from 2.30 to 4.30pm, Hastings Winkle Club are hosting the Children's Christmas at East Hastings Sea Angling Association's Function Room, at the Stade opposite the Lifeboat Station. For further information go to the Winkle Club's facebook page.

Then, in the evening, from 7.30pm, is the Christmas Soul Party, featuring live bands in aid of St Michael's Hospice and 'Surviving Christmas' at St Mary in the Castle; tickets £10 on the door, but can be purchased for £8.50 at Hastings Tourist Information Centre, Muriel Matters House, beforehand (I believe it closes at 5pm). For further information go to St Michael's website.

Truly, something for everyone, have fun!

Hastings Jazz & Blues Festival 2-4th June 2017

Hastings Winkle Club's Jazz and Blues Festival returns to The Stade Open Space this weekend, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June 2017. Free music starts tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm with the Helen Sharp Jazz Quartet, culminating with the world famous, multi-award winning, Liane Carroll Band, 7.30-9pm. 

Sunday entertainment starts with the Jazz Breakfast, yes, includes food, tea and coffee being available, 10.30am at The Stade Open Space, and winds down with The Tom Fitzpatrick Band 6.30-7.30pm; see website for full details of the free music at The Stade. There will be collection buckets for people, encouraged to make donations to the Winkle Club, who support local charities and poorer folk and people in need (website).

There are 8 other official venues with music starting this evening (Friday), ie the Albion, Anchor, Dragon Bar, Jenny Lind, Old Market, Porters, Nelson and Trader (website for individual gig information). Of course, we're blessed with plenty of live music around the town centre and old town, I know there is music at the Dolphin Inn this evening, and with an act from the Stade crossing the road tomorrow evening (Saturday) to continue their gig! Also, music at the East Hastings Angling Club tomorrow evening! If you know of any further music venues, please let me know, cheers!

The Winkle Club

Well, we've been given a weekend of music thanks to Hastings Winkle Club (website) so I thought I'd provide a bit of information for those not in the know!  

Hastings Winkle Club was founded in 1900 by local fishermen who wanted to raise money for the poorer children of Hastings, notably at Christmas, and still continues to raise money for less privileged local families.

Winston Churchill became a member in 1955; here's a relevant film to watch, though I doubt he was asked to "Winkle Up" too often! (Basically, a member has to  produce his winkle shell when challenged, according to the rules of the Club, but receives a fine if he cannot, though it's a bit more complicated than that). Indeed, many dignitaries have been members, and HRH Queen Elizabeth II is an Honorary Member.   

At the foot of All Saints Street in Rock-a-Nore Road is Winkle Island, the symbolic Gathering Place of Hastings Winkle Club for events and galas, and includes a Giant Winkle Shell where members of the public may make contributions into an incorporated collection box.  

More information can be read at the Registered Charity's excellent website.