Batten Down The Hatches Again!

 

Well, Storm Cairan appears to have arrived in Hastings, and if, like me, you are a careful bunch, no doubt most of us will, if possible, be sitting out the next few hours indoors. The Met Office (website) suggests that wind speed at the moment in Hastings (08.00) is 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, but will ease off to less than 30 mph by 11.00, with a similar rainfall pattern.

I may venture out in a few hours time, whatever, stay safe folks!

Thankfully it's just hot air, Climate Change is a Hoax, isn't it?

This photograph was taken an hour ago looking up at Hastings St Mary in the Castle (blog), still no new news there yet! Well, we're into the Indian Summer which we seem to have more and more of over the years, good old September, and the month of certain people's birthdays. 😉 Today is meant to be the hottest day of the year in Britain (BBC), and it's certainly hot, but the temperature will be hotter in other parts of the country I imagine (Met Office). So, we had the 40 days of rain recently, many thanks St Swithin (Historic UK), now we have, quite frankly, another freaky weather situation...

But have no fear, ignore the experts, as the nutjobs of the right-wing keep asserting, ignore 'experts' over Science, the NHS, Brexit, Climate Change, whatever, indeed, Climate Change is a "hoax" if you listen to the non-experts (Forbes - Trump). But, it appears to me that things are a wee bit strange, and I do tend to listen to 'experts' in their field of expertise, for example, I went to a NHS Medical Consultant about my cataracts, and I'd go to an electrician if I needed my home re-wired. So, rather than listen to ideological right-wing bampots, I look to scientists and appropriate 'experts' concerning nature, and about the realities and myths of Climate Change (WWF).

It's not a hoax! 😟

Hastings Weekend 21st to 23rd July 2022

Just happy to have survived the heat of last few days and I've not melted, completely! It's not going to be cold this weekend (Met Office), but much closer to normal temperatures for this time of year. Anyway, no especially outrageous events for a week until Hasting Old Town Carnival week 2022 (website), but, of course, always something to do, live music, seaside, good food and drink, and fun. Hastings Flyer (website) provides details of events, but just turn up and there's always something for everyone, enjoy yourselves this weekend, but never forget the factor 50! 😎

Hastings Amber Weather Warning: Heatwave from Pirate Sunday!

The Met Office has issued an Amber Weather Warning for Hastings for the 3 days from Sunday (Met Office website), I imagine most people are well aware that the temperature has been a wee bit warm recently, but the particular concern for an excessive heatwave in Hastings is for those 3 days (Heatwave music video). The image above is a wee bit old, but the same information is still being issued by the NHS, indeed, the advice given for heatwaves hasn't been altered for 3 years and still includes advice regarding social distancing (NHS website). But do drink plenty of water, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, stay cool, stay out of the sun during the middle of the day, watch out for vulnerable people, and wear sun screen to protect your skin.

Enjoy the coming days and piratical events (blog), but remember to stay safe folks!

Hastings This Weekend, 14/15 May 2022

As I said in my blog recently, the Hastings Runners 5 Mile Road Race returns tomorrow, starting in-between the Town Hall/Registry Office and cinema in Queens Road at 09.30, and finishing at the same site a while later! 

All being well with the weather tomorrow afternoon, and light rain may appear (Met Office), there will be live music on Hastings Pier between 3.00 and 7.00 pm in the Bier Garden; see older blog. Talking of music, Hastings Record Fair (Facebook) returns tomorrow between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm at Ore Community Centre, TN35 5BH.

For further information concerning events in Hastings go to either visit1066country or allevents, or just wander around, plenty to do and see in Hastings, enjoy your weekend!

Hastings Old Town Guided Walks Return

The Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) Tuesday afternoon guided walks of Hastings Old Town begin again on Tuesday the 3rd of May (website), that is, a guided walk of the old town, of the "premier ancient Cinque Port." You are now asked to book your place in advance, cost £6 per person, either on their website, or pop into Hastings Fishermen's Museum, call 01424 461446, or email ohpswalks@gmail.com.

On the day, you should meet up by the West Hill Cafe (just above the lift going up to Hastings Castle, with its lower entrance at the west end of George Street) at 2.30pm on Tuesday 3rd of May; then, every Tuesday until the 27th of September, plus a few other days too... There is a wealth of historic buildings, twittens and cat-creeps to explore in Hastings old town, and the volunteer guide will explain why celebrities of their day (for example, the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century, see blog) have, indeed, and still do, flock to Hastings. 

The walk will proceed gently downhill, including a number of steps to manage, and lasts about 2 hours. It's worth wearing comfortable walking shoes, obviously, and the weather forecast suggests it will be bright on Tuesday (Met Office), so be prepared with Factor 50 or hat if, like me, you redden as soon as the sun casts its rays on you! 

Enjoy the day!

St George's Day, Art in the Park & This Weekend

I took this photograph (above) whilst walking through Alexandra Park yesterday morning, and thought it an appropriate time to mention this excellent use of the old bowling green and pavilion to provide help for mental health in Hastings through Art for Wellbeing (website). Hastings Borough Council advertised its new use as Art in the Park on its website in March, and photographs of last weekend's successful activities and fete can be seen at the Sussex Express website. Nice one!

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

And Happy St George's Day! The day that William Shakespeare was coincidentally born on (at least his birth is celebrated on the 23rd of April... he was baptised on the 26th of April 1564), and died on, the 23rd of April 1616.

So, apart from the sharing of St George's Day cards aplenty, what else is happening this weekend? Well, music, beer and cheer are still available this weekend on Hastings Pier (see earlier blog), and the weather appears to be staying fine (Met Office), so that's nice. Other events can be found online (eg visit1066country), or just walk along the seafront, or in the parks, and enjoy your weekend, have fun!

Free Live Music on Hastings Pier!

I said I'd try to be more jolly this blog 😉 and a free live gig on Hastings Pier, which reopened at the beginning of the month (blog), what more do you want, oh yes, and the forecast looks favourable too (Met Office). 1066 LIVE brings Big Blue to the Bier Garden on the Pier from 3.00 to 7.00 pm tomorrow afternoon, and many other Sunday gigs until late in September too (see image above, weather permitting).

Enjoy! 

The Hastings Half Marathon 2022

Start/Finish

The last half marathon in Hastings was 3 years ago now (blog), with a virtual half marathon in-between, but the half marathon proper returns to Hastings this Sunday! Organised, as usual, by Hastings Lions Club to raise money for various charities, the 2022 Hastings Half Marathon starts (finishes here over an hour later too) in Sea Road by West Marina Gardens this Sunday 20th March at 10.30 am (website).

Route Map

Spectators are welcome all around the route (pdf map), so please feel free to find a spot and cheer on the runners as they pass by; the fastest time in 2019 was 1 hour, 10 minutes and 56 seconds, but conditions look decent with a reasonably favourable weather forecast (Met Office), so could be a wee bit faster, consequently, take into account when deciding where you wish to watch and support the runners. 

Best wishes and good luck to all competitors!

Waking up to a Red Weather Warning!

Indeed, another Red Weather Warning has been issued by the Met Office for the South East today, including Hastings, of course. What does this mean? Well, between approximately 10.00 and 15.00 they warn that Storm Eunice will cause significant disruption through strong winds bringing dangerous conditions, eg due to flying debris.

Also, Car Parks on the seafront will remain closed today.

What the Met Office warns may happen: 

Flying debris resulting in danger to life;  

Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down;

Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights;

Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage; 

Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, seafronts and homes (very significant down here, and the RNLI warn us similarly).

So, please do be careful today folks, stay safe! 

On the positive side, it should be sunny this afternoon... 

Even More Championship Minigolf: 2021 British Open this Weekend!

The 2021 British Open is being held on the Pirate Course at Hastings Adventure Golf this Weekend, so, unless you are entered in the competition, and you want to play this weekend, you will have to give the Pirate Course a miss from Friday the 24th to Sunday the 26th September. For details, please go to the website, and wish me luck again that I don't come last... I'm not very good 😎 

The weather forecast isn't too bad, may be a bit damp, whatever, enjoy the weekend!

Weather Warning - Strong Winds

The RNLI, as ever, correctly warn us against relaxed behaviour along the seafront with strong winds forecast (Met Office), we appear lucky to be missing rain compared to elsewhere, but with gusts between 30 and 60 miles per hour, do be careful folks!

Footway Widening and Music on the Pier

Silly me! There was me thinking that the Government had provided funds to East Sussex County Council to widen the footpath (blog last week), oh no they haven't, and oh no the pavement doesn't look like it's being widened... Nope, it appears that this scheme, to go on until the 1st of December, allows pedestrians to walk in a part of the road, as there are ramps at the end of each widening length, presumably to allow people in wheelchairs, and prams and pushchairs, to go down into the part of the road usually reserved for pay & display parking. No wonder there wasn't anything to find on the County Council website, not much to show off about! So now they have provided for pedestrians to walk in the road to avoid cyclists riding on the footpath... 

You couldn't make it up!

And not to forget that music continues on Hastings Pier at weekends, at least until early October (see my earlier blog); go to their facebook page for details of what is on this, and future, weekends, Covid-19 Crisis allowing.

AND! It looks like a great week coming weather-wise, another 'Indian Summer' (Met Office), enjoy it while you can folks!

Weekend 7th/8th December 2019

There is plenty to do this weekend, aside from traditional Christmas shopping, visiting museums, pubs and restaurants, or promenading, including the Hastings Lifeboat Station Christmas at the Boathouse from 11.00 to 15.00 on Saturday, with tea and cake, gifts, tombola, Guess the weight of the Christmas cake, and more, not to mention visiting the lifeboat and the RNLI shop (facebook); the Blue Bee Christmas Market at 25 Courthouse Street in the old town from 10.00 to 20.00 on Saturday, with gift and stocking filler ideas from local artists (facebook); the Winter Art Fair at the Dirty Old Gallery, 31A West Street, TN34 3AN, from 12.00 to 18.00 both days, with locally made arts and crafts (website); and on Sunday from 11.00 to 16.00 at The Stade Hall, The Pop Up Emporium, again supporting local arts and businesses (facebook).

Whatever, enjoy your weekend, with a not so bad weather forecast too (Met Office).

OHPS Guided Walks of the Stade this weekend...

The last 2 guided walks of the year organised by the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) are to be held this weekend during the Hastings Herring Fair, (Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November, previous blog). The free Stade Guided Walk begins at 11am both days, meeting up outside the Hastings Fishermen's Museum, Rock-a-Nore Road (inside if wet; may be Saturday less likely on Sunday, Met Office website). 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 will be walking over uneven ground, so sensible walking shoes would be, well, sensible (website). The walks are provided free, but all donations to the Fishermen's Museum would be very much appreciated, many thanks, enjoy!



Hastings Old Town Guided Walk

This afternoon (17th September) is the last of the regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walks of Hastings Old Town for 2019 (although there is another planned for Battle of Hastings Day on Monday October 14th), and is being provided by the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) (website). If you wish to take part meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm (the lift is still out of order I am afraid, so a walk up the hill will first be required; the website suggests a gentle-ish route). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and will tell you why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and, indeed, many still do visit/move here.

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast is for a bright sunny day, so please be prepared, especially if, like me, you catch the sun too easily. Please do enjoy yourselves oday!

Old Town Guided Walk 10th September

This afternoon you can take advantage of experiencing the regular summer Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website). If you wish to take part meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm (the lift is out of order at the moment, but the lower entrance to the lift is at the west end of George Street when it is recommissioned, hopefully not too far away, fingers crossed!). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and will tell you why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and, indeed, many still do visit/move here.

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast is for a bright afternoon, be prepared, and do enjoy yourselves!

OHPS Old Town Walk 3rd September

Tomorrow afternoon (3rd September) and you can take advantage of experiencing the regular summer Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website), now back to just one a week for 3 weeks. If you wish to take part meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm (the lift is out of order at the moment, but the lower entrance to the lift is at the west end of George Street when it is recommissioned, hopefully not too far away, fingers crossed!). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and will tell you why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and, indeed, many still do visit/move here.

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast is for a brightish/cloudy afternoon, whatever, please be prepared, and it may well be worth taking a look again at the forecast closer to the time. Whatever, please do enjoy yourselves!



Hastings Pride 2019

You may have noticed already that this is Hastings Pride Week (website), indeed, the third Hastings Pride. Sunday sees the return of the parade, starting at Pissarros in South Terrace at 11.00 am (meeting from 10.30 am), then heading down to the seafront via Queens Road and Albert Road, then heading west to White Rock, turning up after the Theatre and opposite the Pier, finishing at The Oval for 12.00 noon, where there will be 10 hours of music and entertainment.

The weather forecast is so much better for this year, so enjoy the day!

Stade Saturdays - 24th August 2019

This Saturday, at the Stade Open Space, sees Stade Saturdays with even more dancing! This week goes Ballroom from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm (website), with music by Simply Swing, take part in dance workshops with Ballroom Glamour, or simply dance, or watch ballroom champions and Para Dance UK Dancers. And the weather forecast looks very pleasant too, enjoy!