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...

Had to see the latest Norman Invasion of Hastings...

Indeed, I'd got the day wrong originally, but glad to have found out and passed that information in my last blog, where I gave details of the friendly invasion, the Normandy Food Tour 2022, and it seemed pretty friendly too! Food, drinks (where most visitors appeared to be sitting - behind the vehicle in front of me) and music...

The Food Tour is well worth the visit, and still 4 hours left for it to be open in Hastings, but, of course, the RNLI Lifeboat Station a few metres away is well worth the visit too, if not today, over the weekend. And, adding on to what I said in my last blog, of course, there are many other places to visit and things to do: Hastings Pier, the Blue Reef Aquarium, Fishermen's Museum, Shipwreck Museum, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Hastings Castle, the award winning Parks, pubs, bars and restaurants galore, and fish and chips galore!! Not to forget Jack in the Green this weekend...

Enjoy yourselves!

A quieter Weekend...

The weather isn't going to be too bad this weekend (forecast), although Sunday morning doesn't look great, and there isn't much obvious going on event-wise (eg no Stade Saturdays this week), except that the Coastal Currents Arts Festival 2019 is very near to its end, and so a last opportunity to investigate the venues (website). For example, visit the Big Green Fair to be held on Sunday (29th) 11.00 to 16.00 hours at the Stade Hall, Stade Open Space and Shipwreck Museum (facebook).

Since first writing this I have learned from Licy Clayden, many thanks, that the inclement weather the marquee could not be erected, consequently indoor events only for the Big Green Fair, I trust no-one was too disappointed... 

Plus the regular things to do in Hastings, of course, gigs in pubs, museums to visit, parks, castle, aquarium, promenade, beach, food and drink etc., have a look at visit1066country website, whatever you do, have a good weekend!

Happy International Museum Day 2019!

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery

Today is the 43rd International Museum Day (website) which has the objective of raising awareness of museums as "an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples."

Consequently, a day to remember what a great Museum & Art Gallery we have in Hastings, that is, up Bohemia Road at John's Place, TN34 1ET (website), and to make a visit to this wonderful resource. Entry is free, and it is open today from 10am to 5pm; opening hours for April to October are 10am to 5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and 12 noon to 5pm on Sundays (closed Mondays), and for November to March the same opening times, but closing an hour earlier at 4pm.

Hastings Fishermen's Museum

Also, down at Rock-a-Nore Road in the old town TN34 3DW, there are 2 museums that concern our local fishing industry and local coast, the Hastings Fishermen's Museum, open 10am to 5pm every day from April to October (website) and from 11am to 4pm November to March. And the Shipwreck Museum virtually next door, open 10.30am to 5pm every day from April to October (website). 

Whatever you do this weekend, enjoy yourselves!

Early-ish Morning Walk...

I thought I'd get out early to beat the crowds, so, there I was down at the seafront (luckily, I only live a 4 minutes walk from the beach, so not that difficult to get there early), and it was pretty quiet indeed, here at the White Rock Theatre...

White Rock Hotel 

Opposite the White Rock Theatre and the White Rock Hotel, of course, is our (sadly not ours anymore though) lovely award winning Hastings Pier...

Just think of the film Byzantium (YouTube trailer), OK, Palace Court really, but a fine old Victorian Gothic building it is (Historic England).

Sculpture on Beach (blog) 

St Mary in the Castle (blog) 

The Hastings Lifeboat Station, RNLI, with the East Hill in the background, and with respect to the crew and volunteers who continue this proud service that is run as a charitable organisation, without central government funding (thankfully, as it means the service does not get hit by central government austerity cuts, phew!).

Hastings Miniature Railway, that travels parallel to the seafront between Rock-a-Nore and Marine Parade (website) and is run by Dan Radcliffe, who also set up and runs the miniature railway in Alexandra Park (blog).

Blue Reef Aquarium (website) 

Shipwreck Museum (website) 

Hastings Fishermen's Museum (blog), also in Rock-a-Nore Road (you can see where I'm going with this early morning walk now), and which also has been the starting point for the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) guided walks that returned for the year this weekend with their Stade Walk (website).

Then on to the Stacey Marie RX134 (facebook page), the Fishermen's Museum owned retired fishing boat, and a bit of a project of ours, and more about which you can either read on her facebook page, or by visiting Hastings Fishermen's Museum.

On the other side of Rock-a-Nore Road is the Dolphin Inn (facebook page), where I decamped for a coffee and a couple of pints; they now open for breakfast at 09.00 at weekends and 10.00 weekdays, so they were open for us early birds!

Enjoy the rest of your Easter Weekend, indeed, enjoy 2019, cheers!

Easter Weekend in Hastings

It certainly appears that there is plenty going on this weekend, as you'd expect, I'm always happy to support Hastings RNLI Lifeboat, crew and volunteers, and this Saturday heralds Easter at Hastings Lifeboat Station! From 11.00 am to 3.00 pm you are invited to join in with "some Easter fun" including refreshments and cake, stalls and tombola, a bit of singing, the chance to meet the Easter Bunny, a goodie bag for every child who visits wearing an Easter Bonnet (facebook), and, of course, the chance to help raise money for the RNLI and Hastings Lifeboat.

Great to see that this Saturday and Sunday also heralds the return of the first of the 2019 guided walks organised by the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) with their Stade Guided Walk (website). If you wish to participate, you need to meet up outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum, Rock-a-Nore Road, at 11.00am both days (meet indoors in inclement weather, but the forecast looks very good with blue sky every day of the weekend - Met Office). You will be led on this tour of the Stade Fishing Quarter by an experienced volunteer from the Fishermen's Museum, and it usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. Strong shoes are advised, and if, like me, you burn easily, a hat and/or Factor 50 might be advisable. The walk is free, but any donations to Hastings Fishermen's Museum would be very much appreciated, many thanks!

One building along from the Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road is the Shipwreck Museum (website), also well worth a visit! In addition, this Saturday they have organised a guided walk of the wreck of the Amsterdam, a Dutch East Indiaman that ran aground at Bulverhythe in 1749 (website). This guided walk costs £6 for adults and £2 for children, and meets at the viewing platform above the beach opposite the wreck at Bulverhythe at 7.00 pm on the 20th of April; appropriate footwear is necessary and more details can be found at the website.

One building further down in Rock-a-Nore Road is the Blue Reef Aquarium (website), where you are invited to meet Mermaid Anna today (Friday 19th between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm), and with Easter events until Monday the 22nd April.

Back to the Stade Open Space in front of the Lifeboat Station, and Saturday, from 4.00 to 10.00 pm will be the Hastings Easter Music Festival, with EDM, Hip Hop, Rap and Soul live music featured. From 12.00 to 4.00 pm over the weekend there is also an associated art exhibition (website).

Hastings Pier (facebook page) has also announced that there will be another "grand reopening of Hastings Pier" at 11.00 am on Saturday 20th April, this time with "Free Entertainment" and an Easter Egg Hunt, Mascots, Ice Cream, Tea, Coffee and Cake.

Whatever, wherever, there will be plenty more happening with the usual sites, beach and music events, good food and drink, and gorgeous weather, enjoy!

Easter Bank Holiday Weekend 2018

It's a public/bank holiday, and it's Friday! But what's on over this 4 day long weekend? Well, quite a bit guided towards children, but then there's always a child still in all of us, there is in me anyway... Hastings Museum & Art Gallery (website) in John's Place, up Bohemia Road and on the right, isn't open on Monday (as usual), but it is open Friday and Saturday 10.00 to 4pm, and on Sunday 12.00 to 5pm. In addition to the exhibits there all the time, and special exhibitions, from today until the 15th of April there is a, free to enter, Easter Egg Hunt, search the museum for clues, solve a puzzle, and if successful win a chocolate treat!

If you want to work off a few pounds, or just maintain a decent level of fitness, or just want to volunteer to help, every Saturday morning, starting at 9am, is the Hastings 5km Park Run (website), for anyone, young or not so young, a runner or a slow jogger, this is for fun, and good fitness-wise too. It begins at Seaside Road by Grosvenor Gardens, along the seafront to about 50 metres east of the Pier, and back again. It may not be quite as sunny as in this image (above) on their website, but you never know; if you want to be timed, you need to register before your first ever Park Run, then run!

If you'd like to explore Hastings fishing quarter, not so energetic, but the guided Stade Guided Walk returns this Saturday and Sunday (website), organised by the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS). Meet up at 11am both days, outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road (inside if raining) ready to explore the net huts, fishing industry and beach, and learn the history of this hundreds of years old industry for up to about 90 minutes. You are advised to wear suitable footwear, and clothing if the weather is inclement, and if you have any special mobility needs please contact the Fishermen's Museum in advance. This is a free guided walk, given by a volunteer, the museum is a charity, and the OHPS would appreciate any donations to help its upkeep, and to help maintain its all-year opening, many thanks!

Whilst you're at Hastings Fishermen's Museum (website), you would also be advised to have a tour inside this wonderful building, it's a delight. Open since 1956, the museum is situated in the former Fishermen's Church of St Nicholas, a mission chapel serving the local fishing community since 1854 until it was requisitioned during World War II. The Grade II listed building and museum are managed by the OHPS who rescued the building, now leasing it from Hastings Borough Council. Inside are many excellent exhibits, including the sailing lugger, the Enterprise (above), an audio visual presentation and great gifts to peruse. Outside, net huts and fishing boats are on show from as far back in the road as RX134, The Stacey Marie (blog and facebook page) just before the Fish Market, a good 70 to 80 metres before you reach the museum!

Just beyond the Fishermen's Museum is the Shipwreck Museum (website), also with free admission, and a charitable museum of the Nautical Museums Trust Charity, exhibiting many artefacts from ships wrecked in the English Channel, and locally found fossils. Just after, and on the same side of the road, is the Blue Reef Aquarium (website), which from today, and for the Easter school holidays, is running an Easter Trail: find the easter eggs hidden around the aquarium, and unscramble the letters found to find a 'magic word' and take part in colouring and the 'maze activity sheet.'

On the other side of the Stade, by the beach, offers the chance to visit the Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station and their Visitors Centre (website). As you can see above, tomorrow (Saturday) there will also be special Easter 'fun' meeting the Easter Bunny, entertainment including the Shanty Singers, refreshments and cakes, a tombola and a raffle, and a chocolate egg for "every child wearing an Easter Bonnet!" Though that may upset a few wee lads without bonnets. 😉

Also tomorrow (Saturday), up at Hastings Castle (blog) on the West Hill, they are holding an hour-long Easter Egg Hunt for the third consecutive year, from 10-11am, where hundreds of chocolate easter eggs will be hidden around the grounds for children to find; there will be a dedicated time slot for under 5s. See their facebook event page for details of cost etc, and people are advised to wear sensible shoes.

OK, there will be fun to be had in many other areas, parks, and along the seafront not to mention for adults in bars and restaurants, but I'm finishing this blog at Hastings Pier (website). As we've now come to expect, there won't just be the regular facilities, and special events like Automata on the Pier, but Easter events too, including aPIERtite, an Easter Street Food Festival today and tomorrow, 11am to 8pm both days. APIERtite will include food, drinks, music and entertainment for all ages (website), plus the Pier itself will be organising Easter Family Fun, with Easter 'crafts' including making a "mini moving chick in an egg to take away."

Enjoy the 4 day weekend, and, if you're working in the service sectors, including the NHS, Fire & Rescue, Police, Coastguard and Hastings Lifeboat, many thanks, respect!

Carnival Friday plus a CIRCUS on the Pier!

Yep, from this afternoon at 3pm, Zippos Circus will be open on the Pier until, and including the 29th of August 2016 (website).

And, of course, Hastings Old Town Carnival Week continues to entertain too, including exhibitions and walks a plenty; the Stade Walk from 11am (meet at the Fishermen's Museum) and Twilight Smugglers Walk from 6.45pm (meet at the Shipwreck Museum). Punch & Judy with real people (!?!), Cheese & Wine Lunch at the History House 12-2.30pm  (I'd imagine there will be plenty available!), a Local Country Market at All Saints Hall from 10am, Presentation of a cheque by the High Street Traders for £1066 to the Hastings Lifeboat at 6.30pm at Reeves Corner, and much much more, see the website for full details, and enjoy the day!

Still places open in Hastings!

OK, the Castle and Smugglers Caves may be closed until the Spring, but there are still many places open during the winter in Hastings, so don't stay in!

The excellent Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road (website) now opens at 11am until 4pm for the winter; here the red ensign is being raised outside the museum to let you know it's open... Also open in Rock-a-Nore Road are the Shipwreck Museum, from 11am to 4pm, (website) and the Blue Reef Aquarium, from 10am to 4pm (website).     

Not to mention the nearby Flamingo Amusement Park (website), one of the less celebrated location stars of the film Byzantium (see link), where the vampire character 'Clara Webb' (Gemma Arterton) first set up her illicit business activity in a seaside town (the majority of which was filmed a few years ago in Hastings, a wee bit in Cork!), plus museums and art galleries (eg Hastings Museum & Art Gallery website), other amusement arcades, cinemas, restaurants and pubs, live music galore, parks etc etc... 

So, no reasons not to enjoy Hastings during the autumn and winter!