Hastings Lifeboats On Exercise This Evening!

The RNLI Hastings Lifeboat Station is launching both of Hastings lifeboats on exercise this evening (25th September). You are invited to go down and see what they do. The ILB launch is scheduled for 1700, and followed shortly afterwards by the launch of the ALB. Recovery will be at approximately 2000, subject to operations (facebook), respect! Well worth the visit folks.

More Christmas Events This Weekend

Further to last my blog last week regarding pre-Christmas events, tomorrow (Saturday the 8th of December) sees even more! From 11.00 to 3.00pm, at the Lifeboat Station is Christmas at the Boathouse (facebook), with tea, coffee and cakes; a tombola, jewellery stall, books and bric-a-brac; carols at 12.00; Ukulele at 12.30; Christmas cards and gifts, and, of course, Hastings new Shannon Class lifeboat to view!

I'm not sure if tickets are still available, but Hastings Winkle Club (earlier blog) has its Children's Christmas Party for children aged 4-8 years old is also tomorrow, 2.30 to 4.30 pm, at East Hastings Sea Angling Association, opposite the Lifeboat Station (OHPS website). To find out if tickets are still available, call or visit the Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road, the Anchor Inn in George Street, or go to Deeday's Yard in Courthouse Street!

Hastings Lifeboat Station Quiz Night Tonight!

Hastings Lifeboat Station is having its first Quiz Night to help raise funds this evening (13th November) since the arrival, and going into service, of its new Shannon class RNLI 13-28 lifeboat (blog). The event starts at 7.30pm at East Hastings Sea Angling Association, opposite the Lifeboat Station at the Stade. Entry per person is £2.50, with a maximum of 4 people allowed per team; complimentary 'nibbles' will be provided.

Your chance to have a fun evening, and to contribute to the RNLI! 

Hastings Day Weekend!

As you can see above, the bonfire was already being prepared on Pelham Beach this morning for tomorrow's HBBS procession, dressing up, flaming torches, drums, fireworks and, of course, this year's bonfire and effigies (website). The procession starts at White Rock at 7.15pm tomorrow evening (13th October) and the fireworks are due to be ignited from 9.30pm (map on website).

Earlier in the day, Hastings new Shannon Class lifeboat will be arriving, escorted by both current Hastings lifeboats, and the lifeboats from Rye and Eastbourne (allowing for emergencies). I shall be there and so will many others to welcome her, the Richard & Caroline Colton, about 12 noon (Hastings RNLI facebook page).

Also, Saturday and Sunday, there are many other planned activities (website), for example on both days there are OHPS organised Stade Walks, meeting up outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum at 11am, and on Sunday (Hastings Day, ie the 952nd anniversary of the Battle of Hastings), will be the last OHPS Old Town Guided Walk of the year, meeting up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm (website).

Much for everyone in the family to enjoy this weekend!

The Carnival is over!

The Carnival Parade on Saturday, not quite here yet, but a crowd's gathered...

 

So a wander down the road, and the Coastguard truck at the front...

 

And a few on foot following the Coastguard truck...

 Lifeboat coming up!

The lifeboat and crew/volunteers, and with her last journey as the leading light of the Hastings Old Town Carnival Parade. In case you weren't already aware, the new Shannon Class Hastings lifeboat will be arriving this autumn, apparently it is too long to get around the roundabout at Iceland, though you will still be able to view the new boat at the lifeboat station, when it isn't out on call.

Respect to the RNLI lifeboats and their crew and volunteers!



Hastings New Lifeboat: Richard & Caroline Colton

This is a photograph of Hastings new Shannon Class lifeboat, the Richard & Caroline Colton, now built, and which is due to be launched this Tuesday 3rd of July, and thus begin her sea trials!

This story behind the Richard and Caroline Colton is from the Hastings Lifeboat facebook page: "Our new Shannon-class lifeboat is named Richard and Caroline Colton after the late Mr Richard Colton of Wellingborough and his late wife Caroline Colton.

Although Richard was not keen on the cold waters of the British Isles, during his younger years – and in warmer waters – he was a keen water skier and diver. Throughout his lifetime, Mr Colton was a supporter of the RNLI and he participated in the Ecurie Ecosse Historic Motor Tour in 1991 to raise funds to build a new lifeboat station at Invergordon.

Richard passed away in March 2015 and left an extraordinary legacy to the RNLI of two of the world’s rarest Ferraris. The classic cars were sold at auction for an impressive £8.5M – making the vehicles the most valuable items ever left to the RNLI – which has been used to fund the all-weather lifeboat Richard and Caroline Colton.

Richard’s legacy is also funding the Shannon Launch and Recovery for Hastings which will be named Richard and Mark Colton, after his late son Mark."

Photo courtesy of S Lowe, ALC, many thanks (and there are more on facebook).

Looking forward to her arrival!

Hastings New Lifeboat!

It appears that Hastings new Shannon Class Lifeboat will be arriving sooner than thought, as they announce on their webpage and on their facebook page that formal training with the Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS) begins in August, great news for Hastings and the great folk of the RNLI!