Hastings Old Town Carnival Monday 1st August!

Well, according to the Met Office the weather for this first week in August will continue to be pretty much fine, so there shouldn't be any problems with the rest of the Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2022 events, fingers crossed; I've lived in this country for too long to feel secure about weather predictions! 😉 Anyway, the events on Monday include the Seaboot Race (above), where competitors have to run the length of Courthouse Street wearing a top hat and seaboots, round a lobster pot, and back again, great fun! The race starts at 6.00pm and is held in memory of an Old Towner who died 20 years ago, Peter Tricket, and the winner is presented with Peter's walking stick as the trophy, to keep until next year; but all entrants receive 'Timed Certificates.'

In addition the ongoing events continue, and other events on Monday include Ancient Streets of Hastings Old Town, Lost Pubs and Breweries and Stade guided walks; Old Town Treasure Trail (register by 6.30pm at Winkle Island); Open Garden, Owlers Cottage; Coffee Morning with Tombola in the crypt of St Mary Star of the Sea Church and an Organ Concert at All Saints Church at 7.30pm.

Oh yes, and at St Clements Church, until Saturday 6th (although I can't see that it's on for Friday 5th, so maybe give that day a miss) there is the St Clements Rossettis in Love Exhibition. Regular readers will be aware that I have a big interest in the Pre-Raphaelites, indeed, I wrote a blog about the Pre-Raphaelites in 19th Century Hastings some years ago now. Included in that blog are details regarding Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Elizabeth Siddal getting married in St Clements Church in 1860, with some more details of their relationship with each other, and their relationship with Hastings, not to mention further details of other Pre-Raphaelites in relation to Hastings. What a great venue in which to hold this exhibition, I'll be there! 👍

For further details of all events on Monday go to the website and enjoy!

Just a Reminder about the Old Town Guided Walks on Tuesdays

This is just a reminder, and mostly a repeat of my previous blog about these walks returning, but the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) Tuesday afternoon guided walks of Hastings Old Town continue on Tuesday the 10th of May (website). These are guided walks of the old town, of the "premier ancient Cinque Port." You are 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.

You meet up by the West Hill Cafe (just above the lift by Hastings Castle, with its lower lift entrance at the west end of George Street) at 2.30pm on Tuesday, then every Tuesday until the 27th of September, plus a few other days too. There's 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 fine on Tuesday (Met Office).

Enjoy the day, and/or any future walks!

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!

Talk on Edward Dannreuther this evening at White Rock Hotel

Christopher Cormack is giving a talk about the Victorian musician Edward Dannreuther at the White Rock Hotel this evening, starting at 7pm. This event is free to attend and the following details are cut and pasted from The Wagner Society's facebook page:

The Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO), under the auspices of the Hastings and St Leonards Society, is sponsoring a talk at the White Rock Hotel on an eminent but overlooked Victorian musician, Edward Dannreuther, who introduced a wealth of new classical music greats to England in the latter half of the nineteenth century, which, though regarded as avant-garde at the time, now form part of an accepted list of 'classics'. Dannreuther set up a holiday second residence in High Wickham, Hastings after spending his honeymoon here in 1871 and in later life, 'Windycroft' became his main residence, setting standards in 'arts and crafts' external and interior architecture and creating a Hastings 'home' for famous pre-raphaelite artists, including William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and musicians including Hubert Parry. Dannreuther promoted the English language 'song' genre by composing music settings for Rosetti, William Morris and Shakespeare poetry and mentoring composers such as Hubert Parry (famous for composing music for William Blake's 'Jerusalem').

Most of all, Dannreuther is known for his close association with Richard Wagner and as the founder of the London Wagner Society to promote Wagner's music in London and raise money for Wagner's Bayreuth Festival. Dannreuther worked closely with Wagner and Hans Richter in the first Bayreuth Festivals. Hans Richter, who conducted the first Ring Cycles at Bayreuth, went on to be a lifelong friend of Dannreuther and became famous in London for his role in establishing the London Symphony Orchestra. Dannreuther was also a famous concert pianist who played in front of mass audiences at Crystal Palace Saturday concerts and became the first professor of piano at the Royal College of Music in 1895. Dannreuther wrote several key books on music which remain important reference works to this day; he also translated and published key works by Wagner.

Christopher Cormack, who is giving the talk, can reveal much new information on this important Hastings resident as a result of information derived from a hitherto unknown taped interview with Edward Dannreuther's son, Hubert Dannreuther. Hubert Dannreuther, who had both Richard Wagner and Hubert Parry as godfathers, gave the interview in 1969 and went on to live at Windycroft in Hastings until his death in 1977, aged 97. Hubert had had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy. More new information is disclosed from a little-known unpublished memoir of Edward Dannreuther's wife Chariclea, which was held by remaining Dannreuther family members until recently when it was deposited in the Hastings Museum archives. Edward Dannreuther had revolutionary ideas about music, art and architecture: Christopher Cormack will give a flavour of the political revolutionary origins of the Dannreuther family, which, to some extent, is shared with Richard Wagner.

The talk is free of entrance charge, subject to an entirely voluntary retiring collection for the benefit of HPO's work in promoting high-quality classical music in Hastings. It is hoped, it will be the first of several well-researched topical talks on Hastings' classical music past. If you would like to attend please email christopher.cormack@gmail.com by the 24th January.

Thanks also to Stephen Dannreuther who has done much original research of his own on his family, which greatly helped to provide further preparatory assistance for this talk.

PLEASE NOTE: This talk provides a useful introduction to the work being done by Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) to bring to light and demonstrate how much Hastings is blessed with a rich classical music heritage. In particular, HPO will perform a 'heritage' concert on the following day, 28 January 2022 at the White Rock Theatre covering popular works by Wagner, Rachmaninov and Hastings composers, Keith Beal and Julius Harrison.

For more information, see: https://www.hastingsphilharmonic.com/28th-january

For more about the Pre-Raphaelites in Hastings see my blog.

Artists, Hastings & Hastings Country Park

I have written before about 19th century artists coming to Hastings and its environs to admire the scenery and to paint, particularly 6 years ago when I wrote a blog about Watercolourists, notably J.M.W. Turner, and a blog about the Pre-Raphaelites. Well, I reminded myself many times whilst walking across Hastings Country Park for my exercise during the COVID-19 Crisis and observing this view down Warren Glen, and particularly when filming this video whilst looking down the glen and admiring the cattle.

One of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, William Holman Hunt, came to Hastings a number of times, particularly in 1852 to carry out a commission, Our English Coasts, a visit during which he was accompanied by Edward Lear, who requested tutoring, and when they stayed at Clive Vale Farm, which no longer exists. This is discussed in my earlier blog, as is Hunt's painting of the daughter of a local labourer, The Schoolgirl's Hymn. Hunt and Lear were joined by Millais for some of that time, and Hunt was accompanied by Millais again during a later visit in 1858 where they stayed at Fairlight Lodge, when he worked on Fairlight Downs, Sunlight on the Sea (above) which he had originally started during the first visit 6 years previously, and The Schoolgirl's Hymn, which was completed in 1859. 

You will notice that the first photograph above is from slightly below the view from where Holman Hunt worked on Fairlight Downs, Sunlight on the Sea, but this field now is more likely to have either Exmoor Ponies or Belted Galloway Cattle in it, rather than sheep. Also, the dog in the painting was added later I believe, and is likely a black spaniel, but it was suggested in correspondence with Dante Gabriel Rossetti that it was based on the Clive Vale farmer's Newfoundland dog that Hunt met during the 1852 visit.

The fun they had... 😉 and it is a great view, enjoy!

Daily Walks & Hastings Proud Record Regarding COVID-19

Not much has happened, to me anyway, since Lockdown Mark 2 began... I've walked quite a bit over my first lockdown regular route across Hastings Country Park Local Nature Reserve, and not been inside a pub. 😒 But I have seen a few people I know/have as new friends because of my first lockdown wandering (mostly dog walkers), and been beeped by passing vehicles with drivers I know (not just because I stepped into the road in front of them 😉). Anyway, yesterday was a lovely day to walk, even if a bit misty, for example, the photograph looking back westwards above.

At Fairlight and looking back across Warren Glen (above), still a wee bit misty but it was a lovely bright day yesterday... But, before I go on about walking, I shan't keep you in suspense about the COVID-19 incidence in Hastings. I shall link you to SussexLive, which tells us that Hastings has the lowest incidence of COVID-19 in England and Wales, if not quite in the UK, apparently the incidence in the Scottish Highlands is lower. Anyway, I have regularly reported about the low incidence in Hastings, which SussexLive tells us is now the equivalent of 31.3 cases per 100,000, compared to the average of 167 per 100,000 in England (BBC). Obviously it's healthy in Hastings! 👍

So, back to my walking, but to my equivalent walk today, and I took this photograph from the steps up the East Hill of one of the catamarans coming in to land at about 07.20, again, a wee bit misty, but not so bad really, and great to see the fishing fleet still going out, about 5 fishing boats were missing from the beach as far as I could see...

I walked over to Fairlight again, pleased to hear quite a bit of chatter among the birds accompanying me, particularly Robin song, where it was a bit more misty than back in Hastings town (Warren Glen above), and I thought I'd share a comparative image:

One of the original 19th century Pre-Raphaelite artists, William Holman Hunt painted Fairlight Downs, Sunlight on the Sea (immediately above) looking down from about 20-30 yards to the right of where I took the photograph of Warren Glen (above) this morning. This painting is now in the private collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber; if you want to read about other links between the Pre-Raphaelites and Hastings, please go to this blog which I wrote a few years ago and, believe me, there are many connections!

Back in Hastings, and it is certainly quieter than usual, as you'd expect, but nowhere near as quiet as during the first lockdown, and certainly more traffic on the roads.

Anyway, please stay safe folks, mind your social distancing, wear face coverings where required, and wash hands regularly, very important... Look after yourselves!

 

Hastings Country Park and the 'C' Virus

From East Hill

For some reason I appear to have many hours stuck indoors now, no-one to talk to (like many I live alone), and so, rather than bang my head against the wall, I am going to use some of that time to share the delights of Hastings and its environs, and to remind us all of our responsibilities in this Coronavirus related national, and international, crisis. Also, I am sharing the results of my personal form of exercise, very much alone, early in the day, staying "more than 2 metres from others" and, consequently, why I am now indoors for the rest of the day (BBC & Government website).

Rooftops of the Old Town

Luckily, walking is an accepted form of exercise as long as you remain at least 2 metres from others, as said above (website), also, since I had my fractured spine operated on near the beginning of the Millennium, I was advised by the Consultant Surgeon to take regular walks for the rest of my life, when possible. Therefore, I was out early this morning, from 06.00 hours, to avoid as many others as possible, however, it still didn't prevent me from waving at and speaking loudly across the road to, a young woman I regularly talk to near Pelham Crescent, whilst she walks her wee dog, and Paul, the main man for street cleaning in the Old Town, bless them both.

Then I walked up the East Hill steps, I met no-one else for ages, but I did spot these Primroses and Primula 'Wanda' (RHS website) just before meeting Barley Lane; I hadn't realised they are called Wanda until I looked them up when I reached home, all those years of ignorance... I then wandered to the East along Barley Lane, meeting a lovely woman along the way, and we had a wee chat from 7 or 8 yards apart (very socially acceptable now!); people really are coming together and not forgetting we're human, well, at least some are (coming together metaphorically).

The sounds of birds singing, including hearing my first woodpecker of the year, otherwise quiet and peaceful, and the lovely aroma of blossom in the air, it is difficult to impart how wonderful it was in writing. And, not too much further on, I met someone else who I know who works at Hastings Fishermen's Museum (older blog), walking with her husband and dog, it's a small world, well, small Hastings! Again, we kept respectfully apart, well over 5 metres, and exchanged pleasantries. Indeed, although, for the distance walked, I didn't meet many others on the way and way back, but we all ensured we kept well away from each other, never under 5 metres apart, exchanged our 'hellos' 'be carefuls' and 'keep wells' and it was all very heartening.

Warren Glen

So, Hastings Country Park nature reserve (website) is a wonderful piece of land to walk up to and cross, peaceful, respectful, and a delight to observe its beauty.

Oh yes, and there are Exmoor Ponies, and Belted Galloway Cattle too, well away from their natural homes, but apparently happy to abide in East Sussex! 😉 Older blog.

Who are you looking at?!?

So, I reached Fairlight, which was my turning round point today (under 4 miles each way), and yet another beautiful spot where Pre-Raphaelite artists, and their friends, eg Edward Lear (Lear, already an accomplished artist, was a student to the Pre-Raphaelite William Holman Hunt), visited and painted during the 19th century (blog).

I returned to Hastings, walking back down Barley Lane, and reached the retired lifeboat, Priscilla MacBean, which I haven't written about for a while (eg my first ever blog).

Then, soon after, I reached Cyril and Lilian Bishop, the hero and Ghost of Dunkirk, returned to Hastings in 2017 (blog) below All Saints Church.

To repeat myself, which I think is important at this time, we do need to ensure we maintain a responsible level of social distancing at all times. More importantly, if you are someone, or live with someone, who the Government has designated as a 'vulnerable person' you need to take note of the even more severe restrictions recommended. Please see the Government website for further advice, and stay safe folks.

I hope you have enjoyed the photographs I have shared today, and this blog.

Remember, please be careful!

Hastings Old Town Guided Walks

I missed reporting that the first of the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) 2019 Tuesday afternoon guided walks of Hastings Old Town was this week, oops, my apologies for that! But their second free guided walk of the old town this year, of the "premier ancient Cinque Port," meets up by the top of the West Hill lift (ie the lift going up to Hastings Castle, with its lower entrance at the west end of George Street) at 2.30pm on Tuesday 14th May; then, every Tuesday until the 17th 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. The guided walk is provided free of charge, though the OHPS would be grateful for all donations given, many thanks; see their website. It's worth wearing comfortable walking shoes, obviously, and the weather forecast suggests it will be bright and sunny on Tuesday (Met Office), so be prepared with Factor 50 or hat/head covering if, like me, you redden as soon as the sun casts its rays on you! 

Enjoy the day!

Hastings to Rye Walk - Yesterday

My brother and I left Hastings at a reasonable time early-ish yesterday morning, with the aim of missing as much of the forecast rain as possible, and walked towards Rye with the wind behind us for most of they way! The photograph above was taken looking back over Fairlight Glen, a popular place to paint in the 19th century, particularly by Pre-Raphaelite artist William Holman Hunt (blog).

Once we'd completed crossing Hastings Country Park (blog) and cliffs, we descended to Pett Level, where we had a bite to eat, we carried on along The Royal Military Canal (website), constructed from Hythe to Pett to defend against the perceived threat of Napoleon in the early 19th century. We continued along by the canal to Winchelsea, where we walked up to the road and reached the 13th century New Gate (website).

Winchelsea's "New Gate"

Proud parents & their 4 teenagers

We walked through and then around the North of Winchelsea, returning to the wetlands, where we were followed by rain for the last 2 miles of our walk. Okay, we had damp backs to our legs, but we did miss the worst of the rain, mostly!

So, we arrived in Rye and walked up the interesting old streets to St Mary's Church...

Once up at the top of the hill and in St Mary's Church, I loved the stained glass window of another Pre-Raphaelite artist (1891), and best friend of Arts & Crafts Movement hero of mine William Morris, that is Edward Burne-Jones, an aspect of which was featured on the 2009 Christmas 90p postage stamp (St Mary's website).

We then had a pint each at The Queen's Head and caught the train home soon after as it was hectic in Rye, the walk there took about 4 hours, but we were back in Hastings in not much more than 20 minutes!

Hastings Old Town Guided Walk

 

This afternoon sees another opportunity to follow the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) regular free guided walk of Hastings Old Town. If you would like to take part, it meets up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm (4th September). A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show you around the 'old town' of Hastings, with its historic buildings, twittens, tales and stories, and share knowledge of the talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived in Hastings, for example, the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (past blog); and 'celebrities' keep on arriving!

You will cross the West Hill and head gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps involved as you would expect, and the walk lasts about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though, as they are a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and the weather is forecast to be mostly overcast, but dry (Met Office), enjoy the walk!

The OHPS Regular Old Town Guided Walk...

Another new week begins, but one regular summer arrangement continues, happily, the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town can be experienced tomorrow. If you would like to join the walk, it meets up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm (21st August). A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show you around the 'old town' of Hastings, with its historic buildings, twittens, tales and stories, and share knowledge of the talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived in Hastings, for example, the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (past blog); and 'celebrities' keep on arriving!

You will cross the West Hill and head gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps involved as you would expect, and the walk lasts about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though, as they are a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and, as the weather forecast for tomorrow afternoon is bright and sunny, (Met Office), applied Factor 50 and/or donning a head covering may be appropriate...

Whatever, enjoy your day!

Hastings Old Town Guided Walk

Well I seem to have sorted out my IT problem, but don't hold your breath... Anyway, tomorrow (14th August) will again be blessed with an opportunity to take part in the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town. If you wish to follow the walk you need to meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift for 2.30pm. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show you around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and its many stories, and will tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, for example, a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog), indeed, the celebrities do still keep on arriving!

The walk will proceed across the West Hill and lead gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps involved, and will last about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though as a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be fair again, though likely some cloud (Met Office). Enjoy the afternoon!

Old Town Walk - Back to normal...

Well, the Carnival is over, and the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town is back to just it's usual day, for now. The walk meets up later today, by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show participants around the old town of Hastings, with its historic buildings, twittens, tales and stories, and share knowledge about the number of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived in Hastings, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (past blog), and they keep on arriving!

The walk will cross the West Hill and head gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps involved, and lasts up to 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though as a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). People are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be sunny, mostly, but with the chance of a shower (Met Office), so maybe an umbrella, light waterproof clothing, and Factor 50 and/or head covering may be appropriate!

Whatever, enjoy the afternoon!

Hastings Old Town Walk - Tuesday!

I'm a bit challenged for a couple of weeks with an IT issue, so my blogs will be dependent on when I can get to the revamped Hastings Library (great IT service, see blog). Anyway, tomorrow again will  be blessed by the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town. If you wish to partake in this walk meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show you around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and stories, and s/he will tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog), indeed, the celebrities still keep on coming!

The walk will proceed across the West Hill and lead gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps involved, and will last about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though as a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be nice again (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may be wise, certainly if you're fair-skinned like me!

Enjoy your day!

Hastings Old Town Walk and yet another Sunny Day!

Oh no, not another sunny day!?! I suppose we'll have to live with it, and also, it's time to remind people of the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town. The walk meets up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm this afternoon as usual. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show the group around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, tales and stories, and share knowledge about the number of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived in Hastings, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (past blog), indeed, they keep on arriving!

The walk will cross the West Hill and head gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps involved, and lasts about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though as a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). People are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be sunny all day (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may be sensible, certainly for fair-skinned people like me!

Enjoy the day!

Tuesday: Regular Free Old Town Guided Walk

It's that day again! Consequently, this afternoon, it's time for the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town, meeting up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show you around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and stories, and tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog), indeed, they still keep on coming!

The walk proceeds across the West Hill and leads gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps involved, and it lasts about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though as a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be a bit cooler than of late, mostly thin cloud this afternoon, but you never know if the sun will burn off the cloud, whatever, rays do still get through (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may be wise, certainly if you're fair-skinned like me!

Enjoy your day!

Tuesday Free Guided Walk of Hastings Old Town

This afternoon, the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) will be leading their regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town, which meets up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. You will be shown around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and stories, by a volunteer guide from the OHPS, who will also tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog).

The walk proceeds across the West Hill and gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps, and lasts about 2 hours. The guided walk is free of charge, though the OHPS, which is a registered charity, would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be nice and sunny yet again, oh well, it's a life (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may be wise!

Have a good afternoon today, indeed, enjoy every day!

Old Town Walk

Tomorrow, the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) will be leading their regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town, which meets up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. You will be shown around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and stories, by a volunteer guide from the OHPS, who will also tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog).

The walk proceeds across the West Hill and gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps, and lasts about 2 hours. The guided walk is free of charge, though the OHPS, a registered charity, would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be nice and sunny tomorrow afternoon (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may be wise.

Have a good afternoon on Tuesday, indeed, every day!