Hastings Old Town Carnival 2024 Weekend Events

Indeed, Hastings Old Town Carnival continues to entertain this weekend with plenty to do for everyone. On both Saturday and Sunday the Nearly on the Beach Concert starts at 12.00 noon and other events can be seen for Saturday the 3rd on the website, including HM Coastguard Station Open Day and guided walks, and for Sunday the 4th on the website, including Swing Breakfast featuring Swing Street. Enjoy your weekend folks, whatever you're doing!

HOT Carnival Week & Hastings Reggae Festival, Busy, Busy, Busy!

An exciting 10 days coming up, including on Saturday the 29th of July, up at The Oval, Bohemia Road TN34 1EU, the Hastings Reggae Festival, with set times beginning at 12.00 noon with DJ Killa Kutz, and culminating with UB40 headlining from 20.30 to 22.00 hours. More information can be found at their facebook page (from whence the photograph above comes, many thanks) and at REGGAEVILLE, and tickets can be purchased online at skiddle, I believe that there are still tickets available.

Not to forget that from Friday the 28th of July to Sunday the 6th of August is Hastings Old Town Carnival Week (website); I'd normally include an image of the lifeboat in the Carnival Parade, but the new lifeboat and its tractor are too long to go around the traffic island by Iceland, and so have not been featured for a few years now. Or, more likely, I would include a photograph from the Tug O' War, but, despite what is written in the paper copy of the programme, sadly, there will not be a Tug O' War again this year. Consequently, I am missing a few of my favourite photographs to include here, instead, I have used a photograph of the Nearly on the Beach Concert, taken by Rachel Rigsby, many thanks, and featured on the website.

There will be much ado about many things for 10 days, with the Old Town Criers' Competition on Friday the 28th, from 19.00 hours on the steps of St Clements Church, Swan Terrace, just off the High Street TN34 3ES (website).  Sessions of the Nearly on the Beach Concert will be held on both days over the weekend at the Stade Open Space, near Hastings Lifeboat Station, on Saturday from 13.00 to 20.00 hours, and on Sunday from 12.00 to 20.00 hours, when it will be preceded by breakfasts and reggae music with Reggae Brek from 10.00 to 12.00 noon (website). 

Of course there will be many other events, guided walks, films, fairs and markets, cream teas at St Clements Church, Services, and much more! For further details of what's happening on Saturday go to the website, and for Sunday, go to the website. Plus, of course, there's plenty more to do around Hastings always... 😎

Enjoy your weekend folks! 👍

Hastings Old Town Carnival Sunday 31/07/22

The Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2022 continues today (blog) and tomorrow, Sunday 31st, with Day 2 of the Nearly on the Beach Concert (website), which will be held on the Stade Open Space. Collections will be made in aid of Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station, Pett Level Rescue and Hastings Sea Cadets. The organisers apologise that dogs are not allowed, and alcohol or drinks glasses should not be brought onto the Stade, however there will be a licensed bar and catering provided.

In addition, there will be plenty more events, including those ongoing; exhibitions; Foyles, Twitten & Cat Creeps, and Stade guided walks; Screenings at the Electric Palace; Boot Sale at Stables Theatre; Big Family BBQ and Picnic up at the Lower Torfield Allotments just off The Bourne; and special services at St Mary Star of the Sea and St Clements churches. More details at the website.

Have an excellent weekend folks! 👌 

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!

 

Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2019

Carnival Week (3rd to the 11th August - website) returns! As traditional, it really begins with the Tug-o-War at 10.30 am, by the Stade, and in front of Hastings Lifeboat Station by the railway line, but officially the opening ceremony begins at 12.00 by the flagstaff outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum, Rock-a-Nore Road.

Every year plenty is organised for Carnival Week, including many recurring events, for example, in liaison with Stade Saturdays, the Nearly on the Beach concerts, Saturday and Sunday afternoons/evenings (3rd-4th): starting 1.30 pm on Saturday and 1.00 pm on Sunday (website). For full details of events for the week, please go to the website, as there are way too many to mention here, although I have written a separate blog about the return of the OHPS free Stade Guided Walk (among many other guided walks this week!) that meets outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum on many days this week.

Whatever you do this week, enjoy yourselves!

Carnival Week Continues!

I have to admit yesterday I missed the fact that the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) guided walk of the Stade had restarted today, my apologies, but there will be one tomorrow and another on Monday too (Sunday 29th and the 30th). The free Stade Guided Walks begin at 11am each day, meeting up outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum (inside if wet), Rock-a-Nore Road, and, should you partake, you will be shown around the 'fascinating' fishing quarter of Hastings. The walk lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, and, though on the flat mostly, you do need to cover uneven ground (though walks can be tailored to mobility needs, and interests), so sensible walking shoes would be, well, sensible (website). The walk is free, but all donations to the Fishermen's Museum would be much appreciated, many thanks



Of course, the Carnival itself continues with the free 2 day music festival, the Nearly on The Beach Concert at the Stade Open Space, starting from 1pm today (Saturday & Sunday, 1-8pm and 1-7.30pm respectively), and many more events, guided walks, and so much more to enjoy over the weekend, including a Street Party on West Street tomorrow (website)! West Street has been a neglected part of Hastings recently, but no more, the West Street Community Group has formed, receiving Heritage Lottery funding for "a year long project to explore the street's lost histories."

So, from 2 to 5pm, Sunday 29th, join the group for free entertainments and refreshments, not to mention an educational afternoon and witnessing the launch of their new free publication, The West Street Chronicle! 



Carnival: Sunday 30th July 2017

And it carries on... with special church services, guided walks (Stade Walk, Foyles Walk, Twittens & Cat Creeps Walk), Coffee in the Garden, Family Barbecue & Picnic, and the Big Beach Breakfast with music from 10am to 12.30 at the Stade Open Space (website). Not to mention the Hastings Fishermen's Museum Exhibition from 10am to 5pm, and from 11am, Hastings Net Shops Museum (until 2pm) and the Hastings History House Exhibition (until 4pm) and plenty going on in Courthouse St.

Plus! Film shows at the Stade Hall (I Love this Town and The Ghost of Dunkirk), yet more music with the Nearly on the Beach Concert from 1pm to 7pm, and (why I've included a photograph of Winkle Island above) Winkle Tossing from 2pm to 4pm at Winkle Island, extraordinary traditional Hastings fun!

More details at the Carnival website, enjoy your day!

Old Town Carnival: Saturday 29th July 2017

I tend to think the Old Town Carnival begins with the Tug-O-War in front of the Lifeboat Station (land side) at 10.30am on the Saturday, though beware of the Miniature Railway! But there will be a number of other events already happening, including the Coastguard Station Open Day, Rock-a-Nore Road, 10am to 4pm; Car Boot Sale at the Stables Theatre (10am to 1pm); and numerous other exhibitions and fairs; see website for full details of Saturday's events.

There are also numerous guided walks this coming week, including the Old Hastings Preservation Society's Stade Walk, meeting up at 11am outside the Fishermen's Museum. Sturdy walking shoes are advised, and, seeing the weather forecast, it may be worth wearing/carrying wet weather protective clothing; the guided walk is free, but a donation to the Fishermen's Museum would be appreciated, many thanks. 

The crowning of the Carnival Queen is planned for 12 noon on the stage at the Stade Open Space, quickly followed by the official Opening Ceremony of Hastings Old Town Carnival Week at the Fishermen's Museum, Rock-a-Nore Road, at 12 noon, or 12.30pm, depending on where you look (I'm guessing they'll get the coronation over with first!). The Union Flag will be raised up the Museum's flagstaff, and various local 'dignitaries' will be present, no doubt Mayor included, and who knows who else?!?

Plenty more happening, of course, and from 2pm until 8pm is the free "Nearly on the Beach" Concert, though collection boxes will be all over the place in support of Hastings RNLI, Pett Level Rescue, and Hastings Sea Cadets, so have plenty of small change, at least, available!

I presume the FILO will be providing a bar, as usual, but remember to look at the Carnival website, as there are many other things going on, so enjoy the fun!

1st weekend of Carnival Week!

Having written very little over the past few days, I feel I may be overawed by how much there is to write in this coming week plus! Hastings Old Town Carnival officially starts tomorrow morning, but there's stuff on today too, and runs until Sunday week (website). Today, from 5.30pm, the windows of All Saints Street will be judged as to which is the "best dressed" and, from 6.30pm on the stage at Reeves Corner in the High Street, will be the Old Town Criers Competition, oh yez! 

Carnival Week, as usual, kicks off proper with the Tug of War competition, weather permitting, in front of the RNLI Lifeboat Station at the Stade at 10.30am tomorrow morning, between teams from various pubs and bars of the Old Town, male and female...

And there's so much more happening, look to the website for full details of the many events to come, including, on Saturday, the Coronation of the Carnival Queen at the Stade Open Space at 12.30pm, a Summer Fete at Old Hastings House, and the Carnival Procession, starting at Winkle Island, Rock-a-Nore Road, from 1.20pm. On Sunday, events include a Car Boot Sale in the Stables Theatre car park from 10am to 1pm, an hour with DJ Wendy May at the Stade Open Space from 1pm, and there will be Children's Entertainment at the Stade Open Space between 12 noon and 2pm on Saturday, and between 12 noon and 1pm on Sunday.

And music... The "Nearly" on the Beach Concert runs from 2pm to 8pm on Saturday, and from 2pm to 7pm on Sunday, and was considered a greater success than was envisioned by many last year, following it's moving off the pebbles... Also, all day on both days, there will be entertainment on the stage at Reeves Corner, High Street, not to mention the many pubs and bars with music laid on Saturday evening!

The Carnival is organised by Old Hastings Preservation Society and the Hastings Old Town Carnival Association, and plenty is happening at Hastings History House in Courthouse Street all week, from Saturday including exhibitions of Sixty Years of Carnival and Lost Roads of Hastings & St Leonards, plus numerous walks...

Indeed, walks include a Twilight Smugglers Walk, Foyle's Walk, Ghost Walks, and the Stade Walk I often mention, except not just on Saturday this week, but on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, not to forget next Saturday and Sunday too, though I may just remind you! For the Stade walks, meet at the Fishermen's Museum, Rock-a-Nore Road at 11am each day; remembering these walks are organised by the charity, so donations to the Fishermen's Museum would be much appreciated, many thanks. More details of these, and many other walks, can be seen at the website too.

Not forgetting that the Carnival isn't the only thing happening in Hastings this coming week, though you may be forgiven for thinking so, but, for example, on Hastings Pier there will not only be the usual facilities, but Wilde's Punch and Judy Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm (see website).

Whatever you do, and wherever you go, enjoy your weekend!

The Nearly on the Beach Concert Revisited, and profit too!

So, about £12,500 profit was made, which means that the money is available to hold the event again next year, and that money also went to the charities supported, nice one!  

Carnival continued (including photographs)

Hastings Old Town Carnival 2015 kicked off yesterday...  

... effectively, with the 34th Tug-o-War! Captains being called over before the start, above.

The first 2 teams to compete, though Team McKinnie eventually won the men's event.

Women competed too, all's fair in love and war...

... and Anchor Pink were the eventual winners in their event.

My first pint of the day at the Dolphin, now with bunting adorning the exterior! 

The bar, now looking more like it, just before the nearly beach concert started.

The Coronation of the Carnival Queen will be held, here at Winkle Island, at 2.30pm today, followed by a procession, of course.    

Certainly an eclectic mix of music at The Nearly on the Beach Concert... 

Still early doors, but lovely weather and quite a few in the audience already.

I'm standing in front of the bar whilst taking this photograph, where I enjoyed a rather good pint or two (the Pirate's Gold is pretty damn good!).  

As I said, an eclectic mix of music yesterday, and TODAY too, from 2pm. So, for today's events, please see the website, and enjoy yourselves! 

Thanks to Facebook for a couple of these photographs, cheers!

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!