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.

Sad News, Good News, and Entrepreneurial News...

Walking up to the station earlier and what did I see? NOTHING on the island in front of the railway station and bus terminus, yet another empty space sadly...

Where, up until recently, Jimmy Toller's retired fishing boat RX53 Dorothy Melinda was situated (blog), lack of money apparently again being the culprit, as it was allowed to fall into disrepair, sadly. Thoughts with you Jimmy, R.I.P. 😞

Wednesday Low Cost Menu

Despite what happened at the Bale House (blog), the 'not for profit' Grumpy Cook Hastings, 1A Robertson Street TN34 1HL (facebook), continues to help those more needy, vulnerable and lonely. They also provide training opportunities for people to work in the hospitality sector. Nice one, keep up the good work, my respect!👍

An early reminder that Jack in the Green 2024 is to be soon upon us, that is on the public holiday for May Day, Monday the 6th of May 2024, but with the events for the weekend starting on Friday the 3rd of May (website).

For those readers who are entrepreneurial leaning, the seafront kiosk on the promenade above Bottle Alley (blog) is again up for renting. The Council has asked for 'Expressions of Interest' by 5pm on Tuesday the 23rd of April 2024 at the latest (website). You have a little over a week to apply, good luck!

Wee Weekend & Weather Blog

I do like an alliteration! 😉

The weather has certainly already effected the weekend and things to do, for example, Live & Unlocked on Hastings Pier was postponed yesterday (facebook) thanks to the rain and strong winds (and little chance of setting up due to the weather); I don't believe there is any live music today, but it is still worth a visit these days, great views, and more businesses getting on board regularly. Tomorrow (Sunday 23rd) there will be DJs and Pier Pressure from 13.00 to 18.00 (facebook), it looks to be a wee bit windy still, with sunshine and maybe showers (Met Office), so be prepared! By the way, the Pier now opens from 08.00 to 23.00 (way to run a pier - are you watching Mr G?!?).

And why the photograph looking down on the local fishing industry quarter early doors? First of all, I was sure I'd written a blog about the history of the local fishing industry in the past, but looking back I don't seem to have, although I have written quite often about the contemporary local fishing industry, eg the blog about when Greenpeace came to town. Hmmm, must have written about it somewhere else! 

Anyway, I know it was the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe when I started writing my blogs (many thanks to Jimmy Toller - R.I.P. - for information I was given many years ago now), but, since I started writing my blogs it looks like there are about 10 fewer boats actively going out to fish from the beach (and thanks to Jack for information here too, cheers!). Which is why the photograph is published above as it was taken by me a couple of days ago when the weather meant the working boats were not launched that morning, so I counted the numbers, about 15 still working/licensed to fish.

But back to this weekend and, whatever you do, please do still be careful, and enjoy yourself! (Cue music) 👍

Jimmy Toller R.I.P.

As I said in my blog towards the end of last year Jimmy 'Toller' Adams' funeral is today (Friday 18th January) from 2pm at Hastings Cemetery/Crematorium; afterwards people are coming down to the East Hastings Sea Angling Association club at The Stade...

Great to have known you James, R.I.P. 😢

Sad News... Jimmy Toller R.I.P.

I've just heard the sad news that retired Hastings fisherman Jimmy 'Toller' Adams has died... The funeral has been arranged for 2pm on Friday 18th January 2019 at Hastings Crematorium on The Ridge, and the wake will be afterwards back down at the Stade in East Hastings Sea Angling Association club.

Jim has always been a pleasure to chat with since I first met him, and has taught me most of my limited knowledge about fishing and Hastings. Above he is photographed next to his old boat, the Dorothy Melinda RX53, now docked outside Hastings Railway Station (blog from 2015). I have already been missing him, R.I.P. Jim...

Dorothy Melinda RX53

Dorothy Melinda RX53

When visitors to Hastings walk out of the railway station exit, the first evidence of Hastings proud fishing history they see, immediately in front of them after the buses, is the retired fishing boat, Dorothy Melinda RX53...  

Jimmy (photo in the Dolphin Inn)

Dorothy Melinda was originally built in Newhaven in 1958 for local fisherman, Jimmy 'Toller' Adams, now retired, but still living and socialising in the old town. He fished in her for 26 years, beach-launched from Hastings fishermen's beach, until 1984.

Since then, she remained in Hastings, next owned by father and son, Frank and Michael Edmonds, then Peter White, and Paul Joy was the last fisherman to buy her in 2003. When Dorothy Melinda was finally de-registered, she was acquired and restored by Hastings Borough Council, who have since placed her on display at the station.  

This model of Dorothy Melinda RX53 was commissioned by Mark Gardiner and donated to Hastings Fishermen's Museum, Rock-a-Nore Road, in 2014, another addition to the already fascinating exhibits there, do go see!