PRAM RACE Plus...

Despite Pram Race this evening, there are other events too for Hastings Old Town Carnival Week (website), remember that the seafront road and The Bourne will be cut off this evening, and trusting the evening is as relatively peaceful as last year (blog), fingers crossed folks!

Clearing up Hastings the Following Morning...

This morning, you'd expect the Pram Race would have left more debris, the worst cause now is the Herring Gull, our perpetual litterlout. Taken before Paul, our intrepid street cleaner, had even started on George Street, just after 06.00, so it was reasonably well cleared up after the pubs shut last night, and many £££s were raised for charity, nice one Hastings!

And what about the forecast trouble? Well, no doubt the Police handling and preparation, not to mention catching, charging and prosecuting rioters, and some already in prison, has made a big impact. So my thanks to local dignitaries, the Police and Courts is well deserved, the organs of State are now well prepared. But I also believe the good people of Hastings, East Sussex, and around the country made an impact too. Hundreds, thousands in some places, turning up to protect our town centres and local people, and to stand against violence. Indeed, in Brighton the handful of thugs present were hiding behind the Police they'd been battering elsewhere, and were happy to seek an exit in Police buses, which they've been setting on fire elsewhere! As you can see above, squeaky clean in Hastings Cambridge Road at 06.00 this morning.

And this image shows that many decent Hastings folk turned up, not the "busload of muslims" I was told by someone yesterday were coming (not necessarily a concern), but ordinary local people; I told him he shouldn't believe everything he hears in Wetherspoons! And this morning someone told me that hundreds of Palestinians were there last night, can anyone else see the hundreds of Palestinian flags she said were present? No, I can't either, I told her to not believe everything she hears or reads on the internet, as Socrates once wrote, "Don't believe everything you see on the internet." Indeed, the anti-hate counter movement followers, the Defenders of Hastings, shall we call them, stretched back to where the Post Office used to be; I know the Police asked people not to turn up, but well done fellow Hastings citizens, respect!

Stay Safe!

We're all aware of violence around the country as right-wing thugs have been visiting local communities, attacking businesses and houses of worship, looting, burning cars, and attacking the Police who are there to defend us. Many businesses and health centres have closed early, and many people have been allowed to stay away from work. The Pram Race in the Old Town is still going ahead this evening, as I write, so the road along the seafront will be closed for most of the rest of the day, and some of the smaller H.O.T. Carnival events are not going ahead. The Police and local politicians have urged us to not get involved with any counter demonstrations, as this will just make the work of the Police harder, and they assure us that sufficient Police resources are available, as are prison cells for anyone arrested (Sussex Police Statement), respect. Updates can be found at the Argus website. Stay safe folks...

H.O.T. Carnival & Road Closures, and MORE Events!

Notice of the road along the seafront being closed on Wednesday evening to allow for the annual Pram Race (website), which begins outside The Cutter, Marine Parade, from 7.15pm and lasts all evening, and great fun and raises significant money for charity; more Wednesday events at the website. Also, the road will be closed off for the Hastings Old Town Carnival Parade during the late afternoon and early evening on Saturday 10th August (website).

Today (Monday 5th), events include the Cheese and Wine Extravaganza in Courthouse Street from 12.00 noon (website) and, once cleared up, again in Courthouse Street, the Seaboot Race from 6.00pm (website); for all events today go to the website.

Tomorrow (Tuesday 6th), events include the Jimmy Read Memorial Bike Race from 5.30pm up Crown Lane, starting at the Crown Pub (website), and Winkle Tossing on Winkle Island from 6.00pm (website). For all tomorrow's events go to the website. Have fun!

Hastings Old Town Carnival Climax!

Despite the fear of the Pram Race being a washout, it wasn't, indeed, I've heard nothing but praise for how yesterday evening turned out, a bit damp beforehand, some rain whilst most prams were in George Street, but no trouble, a great atmosphere, and everyone being nice to each other, and generous. If the forecast had been better, no doubt, more money would have been raised, and we wait to see the amount from that event, but the folk of Hastings continue to dig deep to support local charities... Amazing how the less wealthy in society contribute more than the wealthy!

Anyway, there is plenty to happen still, although the culmination to the week is the Carnival Parade on Saturday (website), and I have no shame in including my archive photograph above, which includes the retired RNLI lifeboat, and I fully understand the reasons behind why the new Shannon Class lifeboat cannot lead the parade now, but I can't help but feel that the parade was so much better with the main lifeboat leading the rest! But, of course, there will be so much more happening from tomorrow (Friday) through to Sunday, including guided walks galore, and, well have a look at the website, and enjoy the rest of the Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2023!

Hastings Old Town Carnival Week Continues...

Archive Image, Pram Race

Indeed, Hastings Old Town Carnival Week has still to reach its culmination at the coming weekend, but events are still occurring. For example, today (Monday 31st July), and don't forget that many events are ongoing, this evening the Seaboot Race is being held in Courtyard Street from 6.00pm, and the fancy dress Old Town Treasure Trail begins on Winkle Island, registering by 6.30pm, and finishing at the Lord Nelson pub, The Bourne. Further details of the events today can be found on the website, and I apologise for missing a few out earlier today.

Tomorrow, Tuesday the 1st of August, sees the Crazy Bike Race, aka the Jimmy Read Memorial Bike Race, begin from 5.30pm at the bottom of Crown Lane, off All Saints Street. Winkle Tossing starts at 6.00pm on Winkle Island, Rock-a-Nore Road, and the Family Quiz at St Mary Star of the Sea, The Bourne entrance, begins at 7.00pm. Further details of all the events tomorrow can be found at the website.

Registration for the Pram Race (Wednesday) needs to be made by 6.00pm tomorrow (Tuesday) at The Cutter pub, East Parade, opposite 'Swan Lake' (boating lake).

Wednesday the 2nd of August will then see the first day during Hastings Old Town Carnival Week when you'll be able to walk in the middle of the road between 6.00pm and 11.00pm, as the roads around the 'Old Town' will be closed for the duration of the Pram Race. Teams are asked to arrive at The Cutter pub by 7.00pm, the race starting off between 7.15 and 7.30pm, good luck to all participants! Further details of all events on Wednesday can be found at the website. 

Okay, let's not forget there will be some inconvenience for drivers and others, but £thousands are raised for local charities by the Pram Race and other events.👍

It doesn't stop though, and on Thursday the 3rd of August, there are many events too, ongoing events and specific for that day too. Events on Thursday include an Organic Cream Tea from 2.30 to 5.00pm at 106 High Street (entrance from Salters Lane), with a charity fundraising raffle; Donut Eating Competition in Butlers Gap, George Street, from 5.00 to 7.00pm, followed by Singing in the Street; Winkle Club Crazy Golf Tournament at Hastings Adventure Golf course, Marine Parade from 6.00 to 8.00pm; HBBS Fundraising Auction at Hastings & St Leonards Angling Association, Marine Parade, from 7.00pm (viewing from 3.00 to 6.30pm); and the High Street will be closed between 12.00 noon and 12.00 midnight Roebuck Street and Torfield Close for Live Music at the FILO, indeed, outside the FILO between 9.00 and 11.00pm!

Full details of all events for Thursday at the website.

And the weekend to come too, enjoy yourselves folks! 👌

Hastings Old Town Carnival Wednesday 3rd August.

Carnival Week continues today too, as I said in my blog yesterday, but tomorrow...

OK, the main event of Wednesday is the return of the Old Town Pram Race (website), apparently a large number of teams competing in this pub crawl of the Old Town, and raising money for charity of course. If you've never seen it, there will be themed 'prams' supported by team members in fancy dress, racing around the Old Town (roads closed), collection boxes galore, and each team has to visit each pub/bar on the 'crawl' and have a drink and answer a question in each, or make a forfeit, before continuing on to the next. By 10.00pm it can be quite enlightening, and debauchery indeed, cheers! 😄

But yes, there are other events on Wednesday too, including the ongoing events, of course, and a much less raucous Children's Workshop earlier in the day from 11.00am to 3.00pm at St Clements Church; Organic Cream Tea from 2.30 to 5.00pm at the former Old Town Rectory; and Lost Pubs and Breweries and Ancient Streets of Hastings Old Town walks; more details at the website.

Have a great Wednesday, and watch out for stragglers late in the evening!

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!

 

Carnival Week, Wednesday

It's not just about the Pram Race, but it's mostly about the Pram Race on a Wednesday during Hastings Old Town Carnival Week, so I've included impressive prams from the recent past for both images... So, what else is there on Wednesday (website)? Not to forget the continuation of Guess the Weight of the Cheese, and other events, there is also from 6.00 pm the charity Winkle Club's Annual Putting Competition at Hastings Adventure Golf (website), please do join in!

Then, in the evening is the Pram Race, not for the faint hearted, but an event that raises £thousands for charity every year, the local roads are closed off from 6.00 pm, the event going on from 7.00 pm until 11 pm (website), and it gives you the chance to walk safely in the middle of the road for a few hours! And not a few pints are supped...

Hastings Old Town Carnival, still occurring!

So, the Pram Race was blessed with lovely weather this year, thankfully, and here is the Lifeboat team halfway round in the High Street (with many thanks to their facebook page for the image, cheers!), and the full sized lifeboat may well be in the parade on Saturday (though the new Shannon Class lifeboat due for arrival in the Autumn may not be in the parade next year, apparently, due to technical reasons, as in it is longer, I believe!), anyway, a wee bit larger than the excellent lifeboat 'pram' on show above!

Plenty still to come, of course, walks, exhibitions and so much more, for example, today (Thursday) sees the Whelk Eating Competition, 5.00pm at Reeves Corner, and the Grand Charity Auction from 6.30pm at the same venue (with thanks to their website for this image, and for more details of events). Although events carry on into Sunday (website), the real culmination of the week is the Grand Carnival Procession which starts at 5.00pm from Rock-a-Nore Road on Saturday (website); though some local roads will be closed off to normal traffic from 3pm until 8pm!

Whatever you do, please enjoy yourselves!

I'm still having IT issues, so my apologies for brief and irregular blogs, I should be back to normal in a week or so, fingers crossed...



Hastingers brave the rain for Pram Race!

After all that preparation for Wednesday evening, and the roads being closed to traffic anyway, how could the Pram Race have not gone ahead?!? I didn't have a camera with me last night, so none of my own images here, but I borrowed these from the Hastings Old Town Traders facebook page, many thanks to that page!

Certainly, people were out in force!

But it's not all over yet, still a few days to go, culminating with Carnival Day itself on Saturday and the Carnival Procession, not to mention Sunday events too!

However, if you're still out and about today, Thursday, the Whelk Eating competition is soon to start at 5pm, and the Grand Charity Auction starts at 6.30pm on the stage at Reeves Corner, High Street/Courthouse Street; see website.

Carnival: Wednesday 2nd August 2017

Events planned for Wednesday can be seen at the website, but the big question is, will the Pram Race go ahead this Wednesday, or will it be postponed because of the forecast deluge all afternoon and evening?!?

Carnival Wednesday...

The weather was a bugger Tuesday, so I'm hoping that the weather forecast will be more accurate for Wednesday, a Carnival day that culminates in the ultimate Pram Race, and here is an example of a pram. from last year...

And here was the winner from last year, but, of course, there is much more going on, so have a look at the website for full details of Carnival Wednesday...

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.