H.O.T. Carnival Procession et al... Plus.

OK, this is a library photograph of mine as the current Hastings Lifeboat can no longer get around the island in front of Iceland, with it's tractor it is just too long. However, images of the procession yesterday can be found on the H.O.T. Carnival facebook page (I was away due to the reintroduction of football in England following the inter seasons break, my bad!).

The image immediately above, however, was Hastings Lifeboat contribution yesterday (image thanks to their facebook page), trusting they raised serious money, and trusting others taking part did similarly too, Respect to Hastings! Things are still happening in connection with the Carnival Week; see website for today (Sunday), and tomorrow, Monday 12th, sees the annual Fancy Dress Litter Pick (website) organised, as ever, by local councillor James Bacon, and meeting at The Stade Open Space at 10.30. Many thanks in anticipation of their effort.

Steve the Beermeister says to not forget that there are some rather interesting Polish beers still available at The Jolly Fisherman, East Beach Street (blog), enjoy folks!

Hastings Pirate Day/Weekend 2024

There's always plenty happening in Hastings, but this weekend also includes Hastings Pirate Day 2024 (Weekend 20/21 July 2024), what more can I say?!? Ever since Hastings recorded the Guinness Book of Records standing record of the number of pirates in a single area, that is on the beach in Hastings in 2012 (14,231 above), we've been waiting for our Cornish piratical chums in Penzance to catch up, and they still haven't! So, it's yet more chance for Hastings folk to dress up and enjoy themselves and, of course, there will be drums and music aplenty!

An early warning sign that the seafront between central Hastings and the Old Town will be closed to traffic tomorrow (Sunday 21st) between Noon and 1.00pm, more of later... Today, though, do not be surprised to see a few pirates around, indeed, there will be a piratical presence in many places around the Old Town all weekend, including a craft market at the Stade and workshops for children by the Aquarium, and much more, see the website for the programme.

On Sunday the reason for the temporary road closure will become clear, as there will be a procession (route above) between the America Ground and the Old Town. The procession will begin forming up outside OWENS/the old Debenhams building from 11.30am tomorrow (Sunday the 21st of July), leaving at 1.00pm, and heading along the seafront road to the Stade Open Space in the Old Town, where many will disperse around the Old Town, or stay to sample the delights around Rock-a-Nore and the Stade (programme). Enjoy the weekend me 'arties!

Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green 40th Anniversary

With the May Day public holiday actually falling on the 1st of May this year, what an excellent year to be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the revival of Hastings Jack in the Green (website). This evening (Friday 28th April) from 7.30 to 9.30pm at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Keith Leech will be giving a talk on the origins of Jack in the Green and the development of Hastings Jack. Then, until the culmination of the weekend on Monday the 1st of May, May Day, with the procession (above) that starts in Rock a Nore Road outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum, from where the Jack is released in the morning, and which ends up on the West Hill, where the Jack is slain in the afternoon, there is much merry making and dancing, and many drums banged, over the weekend (events), more to come...

Also, a reminder that on Monday pubs and bars in the old town will not be using glasses to serve drinks in, usually a police order, I seem to remember. Consequently, those horrible flexible disposable environmentally unfriendly plastic beakers will be used, but this year, similar to Fat Tuesday 4 years ago, a firm plastic cup will be used in 15 pubs and bars (above). They can be washed/rinsed and re-used again and again (I still use my Fat Tuesday one from 2019), and you will be asked to pay £2 to either buy your own, or borrow it for the day (deposit). Then you can move between establishments and/or drink outside, and, if you want your deposit back you can reclaim it at any of the 15 pubs and bars taking part; a great environmental decision, sensible recycling indeed, but I shall be keeping mine as a memento and to use for future events. 👍

Looking forward to Hastings Jack in the Green folks, cheers!

Oh yes, and you may see a few motorbikes too 😉

Hastings Pirate Day 2022 - Weekend 16th/17th July!

This was the scene 10 years ago (22nd of July 2012), when 14,231 Pirates turned up on Pelham Beach, Hastings (Guinness World Records), and, despite attempts to break this record elsewhere since, Hastings still holds the world record for the largest gathering of pirates in one place. Consequently, this is yet another year when, no worries, it will just be about dressing up, turning up and having fun!

If you're new to Hastings, or just visiting this weekend, do not be surprised to see people dressed up appropriately, or inappropriately (😉) wherever you are, town centre, old town, on the beach, in pubs, everywhere! The people of Hastings do love to dress up, and pirates come from near and far for this weekend. 

So, what will be happening? Plenty, in fact, with Hastings Pier (above) and the Stade Open Space (near the Lifeboat Station) being the main focal points: But things happening from music at St Leonards - Goat Ledge; to the Town Centre Pirate Treasure Trail; to Pelham Beach with Pirate Golf, drums and more; to Rock a Nore with museums, aquarium, children's craft workshop, pirates, and much more! 

Indeed, fun for all the family across town, with live music and cabaret, film, drums and cannon fire, Blackbeard's market, bars, and pubs of course, all joining in the spirit of Pirate Day, and 2 parades too! Both processions starting at 3.00pm on Sunday and heading towards Pelham Beach, one from the Pier heading eastwards, the other from the Stade Open Space heading westwards, reaching Pelham Beach to join the celebrations of Hastings being Pirate Capital of the World for 10 years!

Go to Hastings Pirate Day website to see more details of the programme, and just wander around, things will be happening in many places not listed, I'm sure.

Try not to walk the plank, but do enjoy yourselves, avast ye, me hearties!

May Day and Jack in the Green

Refreshments will be served all day at the RNLI Hastings Lifeboat Station. Pop in there and enjoy a cuppa and a cake, see the lifeboats and browse around their well stocked shop! 

May Day fun may also be had at the People's Pier of the Year, including plenty of food and beverage outlets available, and music, motorbikes and scooters from the 1960s! See their website for more details, and details of all events on Hastings Pier. 

Of course, the Pier isn't the only place to see motorbikes this May Day, but thousands will be coming into Hastings, notably to the Pelham Beach car park, which is always closed to other road users on this one day of the year. The arrival of motorbikes is heralded quite early in the morning, when they can be heard coming into town down Queens Road, down both London roads and along the beach road too; another reason to welcome May Day!

OK, to May Day, indeed, and this is May the 1st for a change, and to the Jack in the Green procession, and all that surrounds the event... The Jack will be released from the Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road at 10.15am, according to the programmme, and the procession goes on from there, I'll be in the Dolphin Inn from 9am, because I can be, and I shall bring my own tankard, and, if you don't want to drink out of a plastic beaker, bring your own drinking vessels too! Much more happens before, during, and after, when it arrives at the top of the West Hill, and the Jack is slayed, not far from the bar on the hill! For more details of what else does happen, go to the website.

Enjoy the day, and I should too, cheers! 😉

Anniversary, Bonfire and more this weekend!

Anyhow... I drank a pint or three of this rather nice 950th anniversary ale from Old Dairy Brewery in the Dolphin Inn, Rock-a-Nore Road, earlier today, after a rather painful root canal experience at the Dentist! Not bad at all pale ale, for a Kent brewer, and spot on delivery for the 950th anniversary.

 Saxons arrive at Battle today

At the Stade Open Space this Saturday, 15th, there is plenty more happening, regarding ale, for example, I believe there will be another couple of anniversary specials on the bar set up by the FILO for the day, and plenty of children's events throughout the day too (website). The earlier part of the day's events are situated in Battle, but a Grande Promenade of Normans and Saxons start at the Stade, 4pm to 5.15pm. 

Also, quite a bit happening on Hastings Pier; see website. By the way, these photographs show the bonfire being built up earlier today, and rumoured to be the biggest and best firework display to come, plus, the most supported Bonfire procession ever tomorrow! So says my contact at the Bonfire Society, though I couldn't get details of what will be placed on the bonfire this year, he denied any knowledge as this is a big secret, but my money would be on either a Norman Longboat, or effigies of Harold Godwinson and William the Bastard (as he was then known).

So, although more will be happening on Sunday too, the real culmination will be Saturday evening with the rather impressive Torchlight Procession, Bonfire and Fireworks; the Procession starting at 7.15pm outside the White Rock Hotel; see the Bonfire Society website for further details and a map of the procession. Have fun!

1st weekend of Carnival Week!

Having written very little recently, but I felt it would be rude not to share information about the coming week! Hastings Old Town Carnival officially starts Saturday morning and runs until Sunday week, the 9th of August (website). Have fun folks!

Carnival Parade today!

The Carnival Week just carries on, and not completely over at the end of today either! Today's events are designated on the website, but pretty much culminate in the parade that builds up for much of the day at Rock-a-Nore, and starts at 5pm (assembly commences at 1.30pm), then ending the day with a firework display up by the castle on West Hill later in the evening. 

Don't forget that Rock-a-Nore Road is closed to traffic for most of the day, DO forget about parking in the car park there, but don't forget to enjoy yourself!      

Enjoy the Day Tomorrow!

Monday 4th of May

From the website - oh, yes, and there will be a few motorbikes around too!

The Grand Procession

* 2015 Procession Route

This is likely to be the same as in 2013 and 2014, which was

Fishermen's Museum, All Saints Street, across the Bourne, High Street - break for refreshments - Swan Terrace, Croft Road, Collier Road, Priory Road, West Hill.

** For reasons of health and safety, the organisers request performers to not access George Street to dance on Monday the 4th of May 2015.**

Breakfast, 7:30am

Start the day with a hearty "Morris Dancer Breakfast" to fuel you up for the day ahead. Everyone all welcome and proceeds to "The Two Towers Trust"

St. Mary Star of the Sea Church Crypt
access from The Bourne, Hastings old town
From 7:30am until 9:00am

The Gathering

The Bogies, Morris sides, Sweeps and a host of colourful characters gather outside the Fisherman's museum on Rock-a-Nore Road eagerly awaiting the Jack. The greening begins here!

Net Huts
Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings old town

Jack is released, approx. 10:00am

The Jack is released from the Fisherman's Museum and bursts into the crowd. Make way as Mad Jack's Women welcome him by performing a dance around him. Then the procession forms up. Following the Jack and the Bogies are Mad Jack's Morris, the Sweeps and the May Queen, Hannah's Cat, The Lovely Ladies and the Gay Bogies, Giants, visiting performing groups and the rhythm section.

Fisherman's museum
Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings old town

High Street

The procession weaves its way through the Old Town and stops in the High Street between the FILO pub and Swan Terrace for refreshment and dancing.

Please stay on the pavement as The High Street will be very crowded at this point and please be mindful of performers and others around you. Jack will make his way from one end of High Street to the other as he greets all of the participants in the procession.

High Street
Hastings old town

The Procession continues, 12:00pm

The procession reforms and sets off again, winding up Swan Terrace, Croft Road, along Collier Road and finally along Priory Road and onto the West Hill.

Croft Road, leading to Collier Road
Hastings old town

The West Hill 12:00pm

Once again the procession and day will reach its climax on the West Hill festival site.

While the procession is making its way up from the old town The Fabulous Red Diesel band will once again perform on stage until the procession arrives.

Please note that open fires and barbecues will not be allowed on the site during the event and we ask that all dogs please be kept on leads.

Admission is free and all are welcome.

Festival site, Priory Road,
West Hill, Hastings

Procession arrives on the West Hill, approx 12:30pm

The Jack arrives at the festival site on the West Hill where the Bogies drum the procession in.

The Jack has his own stage this year where he will preside over proceedings on the hill until it is time for him to be slain.

Morris Dancing on the West Hill

Enjoy the afternoon as each Morris side showcases their dancing. Visit the Craft Fayre, tuck into some tasty snacks from the food stalls and visit the fully licensed bar to enjoy your favourite local real ales.

New this year will be a second stage area for dancing and there are other entertainments planned, including activities for children and story telling. More details to follow.

The Slaying of the Jack, approx. 3:30pm

After the dancing, the Bogies parade the Jack down to the main stage where he is symbolically slain and the Spirit of Summer is released for another year.

The End, approx. 4:30pm