Now's the time to say Goodbye...

I've decided that now's the time to say "goodbye" for this blog, it is very unlikely that I shall write on here again, probably. Anyway, it's been a blast, I loved sharing research I've undertaken, and exploring. But I'm getting on now. However, I shall continue sharing things on the Stacey Marie (RX134) facebook page, because, although she is no longer with us, I would hate for that page to discontinue, and for her to be forgotten, many thanks for following me folks, cheers!

RX134 - Stacey Marie

RX134, Stacey Marie, was the retired fishing boat that, until recently (blog), sat opposite the Dolphin Inn, Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings, and had been looked after by Hastings Fishermen's Museum, and a couple of local volunteers, until she became unsafe, and funds were not available to carry out the necessary work to make her safe. She was built at Newhaven in the 1940s for the Grant brothers, one of whom Alfred "Puff" Grant named the boat "Linda" after his Grand-daughter; the boat's original registration was NN39 (Newhaven registration). She was built as a punt, becoming a decked boat in the 1950s, thanks to a grant from the White Fish Authority, a government scheme set up to rebuild the country's fishing industry following World War II. The Grant bothers fished out of Eastbourne until the early 1960s, when a tragic accident saw one of the brothers swept overboard, whilst his brother was below deck. The body was later trawled up at Hastings, a sad reminder of how dangerous commercial fishing still remains, RIP.

Jack Edmunds brought the boat to Hastings in 1961, where she became registered at Rye, and thus became RX134. Jack sold her to Rod Knight in 1976; who re-named her "Andrew Peter" after his two sons. Robert "Podgy" Ball later bought her in 1985 and gave her the name "Stacie Marie". RX134 worked until 1997, when she was the oldest boat working from Hastings beach (many thanks to Hastings Fishermen's Museum for the photograph immediately above). In June 1999 she was acquired by the Fishermen's Museum and was placed on display in Rock-a-Nore Road in front of the fishing huts/net sheds/net shops, next to the Fish Market, to the west of the Museum, where she was often seen in the local media, and was a well known landmark and focal point, eg during Jack in the Green (top image), after her colour was changed to red.

Information was provided for a facebook page (facebook), which thankfully looks like it is still available (blog) and this blog, by Hastings Fishermen's Museum at Rock-a-Nore, and the sadly no longer with us local fisherman, Jimmy 'Toller' R.I.P. (blog), many thanks to all.

RX134 Stacey Marie in Hastings facebook page alert

I'm trusting it was just spam, but I've had a message that the Stacey Marie's facebook account (facebook) will be closed down because of a copyright infringement. I never knowingly infringe copyright, and on a couple of occasions when I have been contacted by offended folk I have corrected immediately with apologies. I have sent a message to Meta believing the message to be spam, there was no way I was going to click on what was suggested I click on by the message. I trust this is just someone trying to mess up my page and IT, and the page will continue, as I dearly wish to keep the memory of Stacey Marie RX134 alive. However, should it be serious I am sorry, but it will mean that facebook/Meta doesn't want to keep the memory of this old fishing boat alive, and I haven't a clue why?!? 🤔 I will keep her alive on this Steve on Hastings blogspot whatever, fingers crossed folk. 🤞

Congratulations to Helena Dollimore!

Congratulations to Helena Dollimore, who was elected as the Member of Parliament for Hastings and Rye constituency yesterday (BBC).

Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition 2024

The 17th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition begins this week, being held the 22nd of February to the 2nd of March 2024 (website). As usual the competition will be held at the White Rock Theatre, which, incidentally, now is under new management, ie the Guildhall Trust (website), and 40 competitors, aged between 16 and 30 years old, will be taking part. Good luck to all the competitors! 👍

The many advertisement posters around town evoke poignant memories, as RX134, the fishing boat Stacey Marie (facebook) pictured is no longer with us, having been destroyed and taken away last August (blog), though not forgotten...😞

Stacey Marie's Site Remains Empty - Planning Permission Refused

More than just a wee bit interested in what goes to replace RX134 Stacey Marie in Rock a Nore Road, I've recently written a few times (eg blog) about the historic lifeboat (Cyril & Lilian Bishop), within a small building ('museum') being planned. 

However, the Council has refused planning permission (document), ostensibly (you read through it all and understand it any other way than I have) because of:

1) It would interfere with the view of the Grade II listed net huts*.

2) No toilets or refuse facility planned.

3) Inappropriate roofing material.

4) The site "may be susceptible to surface water flood risk."

5) It "will negatively impact the significant views" from Tackleway.

There were 10 objections to the development, all submitted by just the one local resident (Planning Application Documents), who presumably attached to a Grade II listed net hut the 'No Museum Here' sign* that can be seen in the photograph above. I can see no documents from a further 6 people objecting as suggested in the Report.

*Not to forget that a "sign, placard, board, notice" attached to a Grade II listed building would require consent (Historic England), which I very much doubt was sought.

Anyway, there you have it, the space where RX134 used to be has been left to fill with collected rubbish that always blows down to this vicinity, sadly.

And the Cyril & Lilian Bishop still requires an enclosed area for preservation.

Fingers crossed that someone comes up with something acceptable soon.

Cyril & Lilian Bishop for RX134 site...

I had a chat with Tush Hamilton early this morning because I promised to solve the issue of which older lifeboat was planned to replace RX134 (blog), and he confirmed that they are planning to move the Cyril and Lilian Bishop to the site in front of the Fish Market and opposite the Dolphin Inn, and he should know! Still no idea when this would happen, as Tush said, still hurdles to cross. Both of the lifeboats need moving before they become victims of being dry-docked, and, after moving Cyril and Lilian Bishop it is hoped that Priscilla MacBean can be found a new home indoors too. 

Indoors? Tush explained that they hope to build a small 'lifeboat museum' around Cyril and Lilian Bishop on its, hopefully, successful move to the RX134 site, and then they need to find a suitable site for Priscilla MacBean.

Regular readers will be aware of my particular interest in RX134, also Cyril and Lilian Bishop and Priscilla MacBean, consequently, my interest in these developments, fingers crossed for the future... 

Whatever, I hope to continue the RX134 facebook page in her memory.

RX134 Stacey Marie Sadly Gone...

I'd been away over the weekend and now found out that the remains of RX134 Stacey Marie (facebook) were taken away on Friday; see my previous blog, if you weren't aware of her sad demise. I've also heard that her name plate, propellor, and other artefacts are now at Hastings Fishermen's Museum (blog). I've been aware for some time that one of the older lifeboats now situated up Old London Road was to be brought down to Rock a Nore Road. The first position proposed was apparently at the Shipwreck Museum, (website - I really do need to write a blog about this great museum!), but a trustee informed me that they just didn't have the space.

Anyway, the space now planned for the lifeboat is where RX134 used to be berthed, sadly, her final berth. I've been told that the Priscilla MacBean (blog) is the lifeboat moving down here, but I've also seen someone say it's the Cyril and Lilian Bishop (blog) that's being moved down! I shall try to find out the reality asap...

RX134 Stacey Marie! What happened?!?

I returned from a hospital outpatients appointment a couple of hours ago to find this! Stacey Marie (facebook) in pieces, absolutely demolished... I'd been given a few hints what was going to happen, she had become a dangerous structure, basically needing a complete rebuild, however, the cash was not available for a rebuild to happen, but I had no idea this would happen today...😢

I believed that the Priscilla MacBean (blog) was to be filling the vacant space, but have since discovered it's planned to be the Cyril and Lilian Bishop (blog).

Sad...

 

Seasons Greetings!

Things are certainly better than for the previous 2 Christmases, despite the dreaded COVID-19 still hanging around, vaccinations appear to have done the trick, fingers crossed! But please let us all have a good and happy season and enjoy ourselves as much as we can, remembering others too. 

I give thanks to all those who have helped us to survive these last two years, too many to mention individually, but including all the keyworkers, the drivers and carers, those working in the emergency services, the police, fire fighters, ambulance staff and paramedics, the NHS, doctors, nurses, other health professionals and ancillary staff, the brave crews and volunteers of the RNLI lifeboat service, and not forgetting the scientists who helped develop the vaccines to rid us of the cause of distress and illness caused by the pandemic... Respect!

Finally, I wish to share my best wishes with you, and peace and goodwill to all, whatever one's beliefs, let's continue to work together folks. 👌

And remember, stay safe!

Stacey Marie (facebook page) sends her regards too! 😉

Remember Snow?!?

Cricketer at Priory Meadow

I own up, the sun and summer and me just don't get along, Factor 50 costs a bit too, but the heat is what really does me in! And we haven't had proper snow for ages... 😓

Fishing Beach

I'll cope...

Pirate Minigolf

Somehow! 😉

Beach Huts, Pier behind

Miniature Railway

Fishermen's Museum

The Stacey Marie RX134

Enjoy the sunshine folks! 😎

Follow that Duck!

Yes, Follow that Duck! Yesterday a friend castigated me for not writing anything about the ducks that have appeared across town, there are more than 50 apparently, so I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, cheers Louise, I deserved it! 😉 Particularly, as the 'rubber duck' sculpture opposite Johnny Swan's The Net Shop in Rock-a-Nore Road, and next to Hastings Contemporary, features the local fishing industry, notably standing out on the Duck's 'bow' (above)  RX134 Stacie Marie (blog).

Outside M&S, Queens Road

If you haven't stopped to read what it's about, it's about raising money for our local hospice, St Michael's (website), directly below each sculpture is the prompt to text DUCK to 70580, which would donate £5 to the hospice. There are other ways of supporting suggested too, and the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise more money to support the great service that the staff of St Michael's provide (website). Sculptures go westwards as far as Bexhill, and the event is due to end on the 4th of September.

Follow that Duck! 👉

Police Property Act Fund (PPAF)

OK, it's only a small image, but it's the one used in East Sussex Council's February Funding E-Newsletter for promoting the Police Property Act Fund, relevance? No idea, but I think it's a stock image they have of the Stacey Marie, and regular readers and friends will be aware of my interest in The Stacey Marie, RX134 (Facebook Page), and I like to share any images that authorities, journalists, whoever, of her.

So, what is it? The PPAF? I'll cut & paste from the Sussex Police website:

"The Police Property Act Fund is made up of monies received by the police from the sale of found property and from property confiscated by order of court and then sold. The main aim of the fund is to support local projects undertaken by voluntary/charitable organisations that solely benefit the communities of Sussex."

They will consider applications submitted by voluntary and charitable organisations and community groups within Sussex. The following criteria must be met in order for a successful application to be made.

• Grants of up to £500 can be applied for.
• Each application needs to be supported by a Sussex Police officer or member of staff who has knowledge of the charity or organisation.
• An application will not be considered if a previous donation from us has been made within the past three years.
• The decision to make a donation and the amount donated will depend on the number of applications being considered at any one time and the amount that is available in the fund at the time of the application.

Should you know of any group or charity that may qualify, or wish to apply, you/they need to get in touch via this contact form. Good luck!

Seasons Greetings!

Things are a wee bit better than a year ago, despite the higher incidence of the dreaded COVID-19, fingers crossed things continue to improve, but don't be surprised with further restrictions coming in before the New Year... Anyhow, please let us all have a good and happy season and enjoy ourselves as much as we can. Also, we must try to remember others, especially with the remaining (BBC) restrictions we now live within, and try to watch out for each other in these still troubled times. 

Also, I give thanks to all those who have helped us to survive these last two years, too many to mention individually, but including all the keyworkers, the drivers and carers, those working in the emergency services, the police, fire fighters, ambulance staff and paramedics, the NHS, doctors, nurses, other health professionals and ancillary staff, the brave crews and volunteers of the RNLI lifeboat service, who have had some locals giving them a hard time through no fault other than they have continued to maintain their philosophy of trying to save all lives at sea, and again, not forgetting the scientists who helped develop the vaccines to rid us of the cause of distress and illness caused by the pandemic... Respect!

Finally, I wish to share my best wishes with you, and peace and goodwill to all, whatever one's beliefs, let's continue to work together folks.

And remember, stay safe!

Stacey Marie (facebook page) sends her regards too! 😉

Fishing Stories & Tales with Mick Barrow

Fishing Stories & Tales with Mick Barrow can be enjoyed this Saturday the 18th of December, but tickets are limited, so you need to apply quickly; see the Hastings Fishermen's Museum events page on facebook for further information; a Hastings Mens Network event. Mick has been a fisherman for 55 years, and has many years experience as a member of the lifeboat crew too. Meeting at 13.00 at Winkle Island and then heading down to Hastings Fishermen's Museum further down Rock-a-Nore Road. 

Incidentally, the photograph of RX134, the Stacey Marie, used on the events page, and above, is quite a few years old, to see more recent images see her facebook page.

Hastings Pirate Weekend 2021 - Yes, really!

After missing out on Pirate Day last year because of the Covid-19 Crisis and pandemic, there truly is going to be a Hastings Pirate Weekend this year (16th-18th July 2021), starting tomorrow! See their website and facebook page for details of what will be happening. Unsurprisingly there will not be a parade, although, oddly, some people have asked if there is one or not! Where have they been for the last 16 months I wonder? But there will be music and activities for children, for example, on Hastings Pier, and no doubt very many people dressed up, and there hasn't been too much to dress up for these past 16 months, and many Hastings folk do like to dress up! 

I have used the present cover photograph of the facebook page of The Stacey Marie RX134 as my image above for this blog, regular readers will know why...

Also, please remember that rules covering the Covid-19 Crisis are still in place until Monday, then whatever deity you believe in 'help us' as it is expected that the incidence of the disease will rise. Indeed it has been rising all over the country recently, and, recent figures show that Hastings is just above the national average with 283 new cases in Hastings during the week ending 10th July, ie 305 cases per 100,000 population, whereas the national average is 287/100,000 (BBC).

So, please do enjoy yourselves, but do be very careful, there are plenty of bampots out there; I for one will be out very early and staying in for much of the day, be safe folks!

Enjoy Your Weekend and Step 2... or 3...

I mentioned the other day in my blog that the Government's 'getting out of the COVID Crisis' Step 2, or Step 3 for those of us who can add up, commenced on Monday, and here's hoping that, unless you are watching the funeral on television (Prince Philip R.I.P), you can enjoy the day out. Plenty of sun forecast (Met Office), so don't forget the Factor 50, if, like me, you catch the sun, as I did on Thursday!

Hastings Pier has rides for children towards the front, as you can see in the top photograph, and an enormous seating area for its outside Beer Garden, as you can see in this photograph, plenty of seats indeed! 😎 The Pier is now open from 08.00 to 23.00 Sunday to Thursday, and 08.00 to 24.00 Fridays and Saturdays; the beer garden from 12.00 to 20.00 Sunday to Thursday and 12.00 to 23.00 Fridays and Saturdays (Facebook). Glad top have the lads back (blog). 👍

It's also great to see the Goat Ledge Cafe open again for seated customers, although they have been open for carry outs for some time now. I asked how things were going since the Pier reopened and was assured they're doing well still, nice one. And I did suggest the lass look away whilst I took this photograph if she didn't want to be photographed whilst setting up, she obviously didn't. 😉 

And what have I done since reopening? I have had a few pints at the Dolphin, had to show this photograph of RX134 the Stacey Marie, it had just been snowing ⛄ although you wouldn't know, and I got a young woman to follow the boat on facebook, cheers! I enjoyed a few pints (StevetheBeermeister blog). As I'd suggested last week in my blog, many pubs have reopened, but the Observer missed a few, eg the Standard, anyway, have a walk around, although, as it's just outside seating for now, you may have better luck on the Pier today as many tables are already booked up elsewhere.

Be safe folks!

Today's Seafront Walk & Exercise, and Best Wishes for 2021!

I left home about 07.00 this morning, to get out for my daily exercise before it became too crowded, as it was yesterday, I was later informed by Judy at the Stade loos, as I was wishing her 'all the best' for 2021. I also saw Paul (Street Hygiene) working down towards the end of Rock-a-Nore Road, and wished him 'all the best' too!

Then I started my return to the West, passing RX134 the Stacey Marie (blog), and gave my best wishes to Johnny Swann at The Net Shop opposite.

I see at least 4 pubs in this photograph, sadly closed still, even at lunchtime, and at least 1 other building that used to be a pub, and the moon... 😢

No Ted's Planet Hastings Seasonal Sprouting competition (blog) at the Adventure Golf Course this year, sadly, no need to explain why the courses are closed... 😢 

The Sculpture on the Beach of a Norman lifeboat (which I like even more every time I see it!) has been sited here since it was part of the Route 1066 arts festival in the year of the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings (blog).

Bottle Alley, which co-starred in the film Byzantium (blog); the Bottle Alley Festive Light Show is every night until January the 4th, so you have a few nights left to see it, whilst taking your daily evening exercise, obviously! Shows are at 7.30 pm and 9.30 pm.

Warrior Square Gardens, the statue of Queen Victoria, honest, you can see it in the middle there, and Marine Court (blog) in the background. 

And Bulverhythe, where I turned around to return home, and which I discuss in my 'virtual' Hastings to Pevensey Bay Walk, along with other local landmarks and history, blog written earlier this year during the never ending COVID-19 Crisis.

A peaceful walk earlier, before the return journey anyway, and it only leaves me to wish you the very best for the year 2021, let's hope things improve very soon folks!

Be safe! 👍

Bird Blog VIII - Gulls!

Yet another 'bird blog' with a shorter title than that of the chapter in Gooders' book* (Waders, Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks) as I have only seen gulls from this chapter whilst on my walks during these troubled times and lockdowns, although I have seen Turnstones when walking along the seafront, pretty common there. For anyone reading one of my 'Bird Blogs' for the first time, they are based on birds I have seen whilst on my regular travels across Hastings Country Park, and along Barley Lane, since the first Covid-19 lockdown began way back in March. Gooders says that this "huge group... are members of the order Charadriiformes and are relatively closely related." 

The Herring Gull (above) needs no introduction, I presume, being as many thousands live in Hastings and close by, and many of us will have had a food item stolen by one, or certainly seen food items stolen from others by Herring Gulls. Indeed, they eat virtually anything. In addition, many of us will have also had the 'good luck' to have been hit by its excrement too, and not a few may have been attacked by them, for example, I had one literally jump on my back when I was painting the Stacey Marie (RX134) 4 or 5 years ago! Their aggressive behaviour is understandable as it tends to be associated with protecting their young, or looking for food. And, whether you love them, or loath them, and they are a bit of a 'Marmite' bird, they are a protected species, but breed prolifically locally, with nests on roofs, cliffs, just about anywhere.

I have spotted, more rarely, though they often appear later in the summer down at the seafront in greater numbers, the Great Black-backed Gull (above), and the Black-headed Gull. The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull in Britain, and when seen solitary among Herring Gulls, they do stand out size-wise, and not intimidated at all when outnumbered. They have a relatively more specific diet, preferring to eat smaller seabirds and offal, but in winter may travel inland and attack rubbish dumps. As far as I'm aware they do not nest locally, but further along the coast.

Black-headed Gulls (above), which I've seen more of at Bexhill over the years, are rarer in Hastings, although they are a reasonably regular visitor to Alexandra Park in later summer. The colour is actually more of a chocolate brown than a black head, and this is only in summer, disappearing during the winter when a dark spot behind the 'ear' is what most differentiates them. A much more particular diet for this gull, which eats fish, insects and invertebrates. They nest in reeds and rushes, which is probably why they're not seen in Hastings in the spring and early summer.

So, that's it for today and this 'chapter' of my bird observations. The ninth and final bird blog in this series will include a number of birds from other chapters of the book* and more, and called Bird Blogs: The Final Chapter, maybe... Please do watch out for it, and many thanks for reading these blogs.

The photograph of the Great Black-backed Gull is reproduced with many thanks to the RSPB, and of the Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull, with thanks to The Wildlife Trusts.

* John Gooders The Complete Birdwatcher's Guide.

John Gooders used to live in East Sussex before he died 10 years ago, sadly, and had previously been Chair of Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

Pirate Day Weekend, Covid-19 Update and More!

OK, Hastings Pirate Day 2020 has been called off (facebook), and Hastings Pirate Day 2021 is now planned for 18th of July 2021. However, it appears that hasn't put off some folk wandering round in pirate gear today, mee 'arties!! And Coronavirus/Covid-19 guidance has changed a wee bit from yesterday, and changing more from tomorrow, I'd suggest looking at the Government's FAQs for details (website).

Hastings, collectively, is now welcoming people back, please bring lots of money and spend it in local businesses, many thanks, including the newly opened...

Courthouse Cooperative

Courthouse Cooperative (facebook page), situated in Courthouse Street, in-between the High Street and The Bourne in Hastings Old Town., a group of people selling "preloved mid-high end clothing, antique toys and dolls, furniture, jewellery, art and other design classics." I was going to suggest you could pop into the Jenny Lind at the end of the road in the High Street before or after visiting, but its reopening has been slightly delayed, but you could go round the corner to the Standard if you like Shepherd Neame beers, or into Rock-a-Nore Road and visit the Dolphin.

Talking about pubs and bars, The Cutter (above), opposite 'Swan Lake' looks rather spiffing after its impressive redecoration during the Lockdown, nice one! And, most establishments have been doing their best to ensure Government guidelines are being adhered to, if not, the Police and Licensing Authorities have been going round town inspecting premises, indeed closed down a couple of bars recently due to overcrowding, thus not maintaining social distancing inside and outside... So, publicans beware, DO ensure the guidelines are met as you are under threat of closure, and no doubt you may well have problems with future license applications too.

Good to see the West Hill Lift is back up and running, excellent! And you may have heard a whisper of an incident at the East Hill Lift early yesterday morning, or have witnessed the large Coastguard, Ambulance, Police, Fire & Rescue and Helicopter presence, apparently a young lad fell whilst climbing onto one of the cars, a local resident tells me only minor cuts and bruises were suffered, thankfully...

RX134, and you can see East Hill Lift top!

And finally, for now, The Stacey Marie in Hastings - RX134 has advised me that she has nothing to do with any political propaganda being distributed through letterboxes, and hasn't given her permission to be used in support of any political parties (this is the second time a political party has used her image, that I know of). RX134 (facebook page) is a non-political retired fishing boat, and an outdoor exhibit for Hastings Fishermen's Museum, and not a political football, thank you very much!