St Leonards Gardens: Denis not sure if he's coming or going?

Denis Yeo, the gardener at St Leonards Gardens for quite a few years now, eg see my blog from a few years ago about St Leonards Gardens, appears to be on his way out from working at the Gardens, maybe... OK, that may sound a wee bit strange, but it's complicated! It appears he will be gone sometime this year, sadly, I've enjoyed chatting to the man on the odd occasion, but a hard copy of the Hastings Observer (website) was where I learnt about this, and explains what is happening much better than I could.

Whatever, best of luck to Denis, nice to know you mate!

 

Walking, Seafront, Parks and Shopping, Lucky Us!

Rather than walk eastwards today, my exercise included a couple of walks along the seafront, first, to the west and then heading away from the seafront by the majestic Marine Court (older blog) and walking up through the delightful St Leonards Gardens (another older blog). I cut across to Bohemia Road via Tower Road to go shopping at Lidl, as you do sometimes when you go shopping. Then, to get home, I walked back downhill through yet another delightful park, Alexandra Park (above, and yet another older blog). We are so lucky, not only do we have the healthy seafront to walk along, but 3 excellent award winning parks too (blog), quality! 

Hastings Lifeboat

It almost makes lockdown bearable... almost, but it does help a lot. Anyway, after a mug of tea and a couple of Rich Tea biscuits, I headed out along the front again, though eastwards this time, as I had to collect something fishing boat/work related. Lo and behold, our Shannon Class lifeboat, RNLI 13-28 Richard & Caroline Colton was sitting outside the Hastings Lifeboat Station (above), that was a pleasant surprise! The video linked in this blog during Storm Ciara earlier this year is well worth watching if you haven't already seen it. Although I've seen it quite a few times and feel blessed by our lifeboat crew and volunteers every time I see it, my respect to them all!

Hastings Parks win National Awards Again, Again!

Hastings Country Park

I keep on reporting that we have such excellent parks in the Borough of Hastings, and to support my assertions, they keep on winning awards (eg 2 years ago blog), and yet again three of our parks have won Green Flag Awards (website). They are Alexandra Park (blog), St Leonards Gardens (blog), and Hastings Country Park, which helped me make it through the first (pretty please not another one!) Covid-19 Lockdown (blog, plus many others written since).

Congratulations must go to the Council, to the workers who ensure these wonderful parks remain beautiful, and to the volunteers who give up their time to support them!

Seafront and 2 Award Winning Parks Stroll...

So, a 90 minute stroll was enjoyed this morning, from the town centre, along the seafront, up through St Leonard's Gardens, over to Alexandra Park via West/Tower Road, and back down through the park to the town centre, a mostly peaceful walk, but more of that later. Here (above photograph), below Warrior Square, is the pleasingly successful Goat Ledge Cafe; winter opening 9.00am to 4.00pm (website).

Entering award-winning (blog), and excellently designed, St Leonard's Gardens (blog) from behind the Royal Victoria Hotel (above), and I found myself in an oasis of peace and quiet, indeed. Walking up...

... and you soon find the pond, literally swimming with wildlife, and it's family of moorhens make their presence felt, and one sad looking herring gull too!

At the North Lodge at the top of Maze Hill, and above St Leonard's Gardens, is the first of 2 closely assigned blue plaques, this one for author Henry Rider Haggard, who lived here from 1918 to 1923.

A little further up in Upper Maze Hill is where the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, and famous for breaking German codes during World War II, Alan Turing lived whilst at school from 1922 to 1926. In July 2019 the Governor of the Bank of England announced that Turing's face will be on the new polymer £50 note, expected to enter circulation in 2021 (Bank of England website). 

Entering Alexandra Park

I carried on up Upper Maze Hill, then crossed over via Tower Road West/Tower Road, where my peace was disrupted for a couple of minutes when 3 police cars shot up Tower Road West from Tower Road, presumably previously from Bohemia Road, 2 of them with sirens blaring (approximately 09.30 hours).

Anyway, peace returned, and I carried on to the far eastern corner of Alexandra Park (blog), another another excellently designed and award winning park in Hastings, and gradually walked back down to the town centre.

And Alexandra Park has its own fair share of wildlife, and it's own families of moorhens too, for example in the pond above. The walk was a joy!

Hastings parks win national awards, yet again!

Hastings Country Park

Hastings Country Park, Alexandra Park, and St Leonards Gardens have all won Green Flag Awards (website), an extra notch from last year (blog).

Alexandra Park

St Leonards Garden

In addition, Alexandra Park (blog) and St Leonards Gardens (blog), both the creations of award-wining designers, received Green Heritage Site Accreditation for their historic management. Congratulations to them all, and to all those who work to preserve these excellent green spaces for Hastings, nice one!

What to see in Hastings?

Recently, I've been asked to suggest what to see in Hastings "apart from the obvious tourist attractions" - hmmm... the only way I think I can answer this, is to list a number of things/places that are mostly free, and if anyone else wants to add anything else in the comments below, please feel free to add, cheers! The comment was added to my blog about Hastings Castle, so I thought I'd say, to start with, the views from the West Hill (above, where the Castle is situated) and the East Hill  are gorgeous! Can be a wee bit tiring walking up to the top of both, but they do both have lifts (not free), from George Street and Rock-a-Nore Road appropriately.

I'm, sort of, starting from east to west, but will go off at a tangent every now and then, eg here, when considering the 2 Hastings parks that recently won national awards (blog), ie Hastings Country Park Local Nature Reserve (above) and Alexandra Park. Hastings Country Park is accessed from the East Hill, running eastwards and along the top of the cliffs, though a deviation is sign-posted thanks to a landslip (I won't go into the politics of that here!), and great views and interesting wildlife! Alexandra Park, meanwhile, is situated further west just above Hastings town centre (blog). 

Rock-a-Nore Road

Coming down from the East Hill (seen in the background in the photograph above the buildings to the left), you get to Rock-a-Nore Road, from here all the way down to the end of Rock-a-Nore, there is plenty to see and do! This is the heart of the local fishing industry, with the fish market a third of the way down to the right, the fishermen's huts to the right, and the Stade, the shingle beach from which the fishing boats are launched (Visit1066 website), and landed; if you turn up at the right time, depending on tides and weather, you could well see a boat coming in to land! As you'd expect, plenty of fish is available to buy, either from the shops to the left, and in front of the market to the right, or direct from the fishermen in huts in-between the road and the beach on the right.

The Stade

If you go down Rock-a-Nore Road, past the market, there is the Blue Reef Aquarium (website), which costs to visit, but well worth the visit! Opposite the Aquarium is the Shipwreck Museum (website), both on the right-hand side as you go down the road, and which is free to enter. And just before that is Hastings Fishermen's Museum (blog), which has great exhibits, and a wealth of knowledge about the local fishing industry and its history, this is also free to enter, and its outside exhibits start well before you reach the museum itself, with RX134 The Stacey Marie (I have to mention this and the blog again!) and a rather large anchor, right opposite the Dolphin Inn, which is below the cliffs in Rock-a-Nore Road.

If you go up the first turning to the left in Rock-a-Nore Road, ie All Saints Street, you will find a wonderful road with many medieval, and newer, delightful buildings. This leads up to one of Hastings two remaining Norman churches, All Saints Church (blog), not often open, but it could be worth checking when it is, as it is a delight inside.

Down in front of the church is the Cyril and Lilian Bishop (blog), the Hastings lifeboat at the time of World War II, and which went to help the evacuation of troops at Dunkirk, and is a great memorial. This is on the corner with Old London Road, and if you walk a little further up Old London Road, on the right, is another retired lifeboat (worked from Eastbourne, I believe), the Priscilla MacBean (blog). In addition, down by The Stade and beach you can visit the RNLI Hastings Lifeboat Station (website).

If you cross the road, The Bourne (roughly above what was the old river Bourne), come back downhill and on the right is High Street (nearly opposite the Cyril and Lilian Bishop), another road full of wonderful buildings, though not as old as in All Saints Street, but most of the way down, just up a road to your right, Swan Terrace, is the other remaining Norman church of Hastings, St Clements (blog). Also, in this road, and in George Street, a little further down towards the seafront and on the right as you walk down the hill, there are a whole stack of shops full of interesting things to peruse!

But, if you want to explore above High Street and up to the West Hill, or back in All Saints Street and up to the East Hill, there are a maze of old lanes and alleys, which in Hastings are called twittens, another free delight, with a few dead ends here and there!

Coming back down to the front, obviously there are a couple of miles of promenade to enjoy, and below the castle up on West Hill there is St Mary in the Castle and Pelham Crescent, built nearly 200 years ago (blog). The restaurant below has access to the crypt (the toilets are there), now and then an exhibition is on in the crypt, and if you can get to visit the old church itself (eg if a concert is being played in there), it's well worth the visit, gorgeous building! Carry on westwards and you reach Hastings Pier, where you may promenade, or investigate, or have a drink or meal.

But before you walk too far, have a walk up Cambridge/Bohemia Road and you will reach Hastings Museum and Art Gallery (blog), well worth the visit!

Marine Court

Indeed, there are some amazing buildings along the front, not to mention in-between the Pier and Warrior Square Gardens (worth looking at) on the Lower promenade there is Bottle Alley (blog), quite a thrill to walk through there after dark with it's lighting display, which seems to begin as soon as dusk arrives! You are now at St Leonards (still Hastings Borough), and you reach the wonderful art deco/modernist Marine Court (website), built copying the design of the Queen Mary ship, this was the tallest apartment block in the country when it was built in the 1930s!

Carry on past Marine Court and you soon reach the Royal Victoria Hotel, turn right just after and walk up past the Freemasons Hall, and you reach St Leonards Gardens (blog), another beautifully designed oasis of peace to walk around!

Of course, in addition to all this and the shops, there are numerous restaurants, bars and pubs to enjoy, not to mention a fish & chip shop or twenty, and much more...

I trust this helps someone to enjoy the wonderful town that is Hastings!

A Walk in the Park...

Well, a walk up through St Leonards Gardens actually, and it's still gorgeous today, and there are still butterflies here too! I wrote about the Gardens in greater detail in a blog earlier this year, so I shall not say too much this time, just add a few photographs...

 The moorhens are still in the pond

Looking back down towards the seafront and a lovely clear sky, the Gardens are still very well tended of course, and I said "hello" to Dennis again, quality!

Another Weekend in Hastings

Though having calmed down a bit, there is still much to do this weekend in Hastings, eg you could visit Hastings Fishermen's Museum (website) in Rock-a-Nore Road, or Hastings History House (website) in Courthouse Street, or the Blue Reef Aquarium (website) or the Norman Hastings Castle (website), or the beautiful Alexandra Park or St Leonards Gardens, or promenade along the seafront and/or drink a beer or two in many great pubs, or extend the promenade onto the Pier... 

Oh yes! The Pavilion Restaurant & Bar on Hastings Pier is now open and "champions fresh, seasonal ingredients from local Sussex producers and an eclectic collection of homemade traditional and contemporary dishes." The restaurant  is located in the original western Pavilion building and is now operated by Hastings Pier Charity. "Local suppliers include Sussex Ice Cream, Harveys Brewery (a new beer is to be available exclusively at Hastings Pier) and Nyetimber Vineyard as well as locally-sourced seafood." To book a table call 01424 445588. 

Apart from the usual facilities on the Pier, see website for other events. Have fun!

St Leonards Gardens

We are, indeed, very lucky in Hastings, with beautiful countryside within easy walking distance, the seafront, and 2 excellently designed gardens; Alexandra Park (see previous blogs) and St Leonards Gardens. Pictured here is the South Lodge, Grade II listed, and divided by the doric arch with its fluted doric columns, half private residence, half home to the Burton St Leonards Society, and open to the public at these times:

Wednesdays, 11-2pm;

Saturdays, 11-4pm;

Sundays, 1-3pm.

Situated behind what was James Burton's St Leonards Hotel in 1828, but renamed the Royal Victoria Hotel following the young princess's visit. Burton bought part of Gensing Farm for his dream of a seaside resort for wealthy visitors, and so, Burton St Leonards was created. Burton was strongly influenced by John Nash for his design of the gardens, which were designed for those inhabiting, or visiting, the nearby villas or hotel that he built, consequently, the gardens were not free for public access, but could only be enjoyed by subscription payers, as they were the property of the Burton family!

They remained 'subscription' gardens until Hastings Corporation bought them in 1880, opening them up to the public, and renaming them St Leonards Gardens. Happily for me, and yourselves, they remain owned by Hastings Borough Council, were more recently renovated with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and are a pleasure to walk through, and spend time contemplating, whilst sitting on one of the many benches.

Whilst sitting by the pond, chatting with the gardener, Denis, who was busy planting young shrubs and herbaceous plants, I spotted 2 moorhens and their 6 chicks walking across the lily pads, though they shot off every time I approached to try and take a photograph! The pond has a very interesting wildlife, and Dennis said they get a monthly visit from a heron, and every now and then a cormorant may enjoy a visit too...

So, I wandered uphill, after thanking Denis for the information he had shared, and promising to pass on a message to a friend we have in common. When I looked back southwards towards the sea, I had to take another photograph, though the sea view is blocked by the South Lodge and Royal Victoria Hotel, whatever, such a beautiful day!

Still lovely walking uphill, so, another wee stop to enjoy the peaceful environment...

St Leonards Gardens has an interesting wildlife presence, and within the exquisitely designed beds is a mixture of exotic, and more local, trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants and flowers, indeed, you can enjoy a mixture of colours all the year round.

On leaving the gardens onto Maze Hill you come to the North Lodge, just below St Michael's Hospice. This is another building with an interesting history and list of visitors, notably with a blue plaque celebrating Sir Henry Rider Haggard, who authored King Solomon's Mines, Allan Quatermain and She: A History of Adventure, amongst others, and who lived here from 1918 to 1923.

If you want some peace, give St Leonards Gardens a visit!

For more information about the gardens and St Leonards try this website.

Weekend Fun in Hastings:

Cinema on the Pier returns this evening with Back to the Future, Titanic tomorrow, and Mamma Mia on Sunday. Tomorrow and Sunday, there are Zooquarium Music Festival auditions for 14-24 year-olds; on Sunday and Monday there are Punch & Judy shows at 11.00, 1.30 and 3.00 pm; and from Monday there are Half-term Family Workshops each day; see website for further details. Of course, there is still Fishing from the Pier, go to Paul's Tackle shop, 38 White Rock, for further details and permits.

Music is your first love? OK, plenty on... this evening (Friday), music at the Carlisle, Royal Standard, Whistle Trago, Black Cat, Dolphin Inn, Marina Fountain, Jenny Lind, and Rufus Stone at the Palace. Tomorrow evening (Saturday) sees Sam Calver & Friends (unique line-up, the drummer tells me!) at the Dolphin Inn, and music at the Palace, Printworks, Black Cat, Brass Monkey, Marina Fountain, Standard, and "Stars from the Commitments" at the White Rock Theatre. Mostly earlier starts on Sunday with music at the Black Cat, Marina Fountain, White Rock Theatre, Jenny Lind, Albion, Brass Monkey, and Cushty at the Standard from 5pm. Enough for you? 😉

Of course, you may just want to explore the old town, or walk along the seafront, indeed, promenade on Hastings Pier, explore Alexandra Park, or relax in St Leonards Gardens, or just sit back outside a seafront bar, or on the Pier, watching the world go by... Or visit the Fishermen's Museum or Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, or Castle and Smugglers' Adventure, or Monsters' Week at the Blue Reef Aquarium, from tomorrow to the 4th of June (website).

Whatever you do, slap on the factor 50, and enjoy your weekend!

August Bank Holiday Monday 2016

Well, Bank Holiday Monday sees the last day of Zippos Summer Festival Circus on the Pier, so, if you want to see it before it leaves, hurry, hurry, hurry and roll on up! An extra event has been organised too, a free (funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund) 'family fun' workshop in the Birch Room in the Lower Deck (in the middle of the Pier), starting at 11am, ie Paper Puppets and Windchimes (see website). 

This Monday also sees the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) organised, free Stade Walk, meeting up outside the Fishermen's Museum, Rock-a-Nore Road at 11am; please remember that this walk is organised by the charity, so any donations to the Fishermen's Museum would be very much appreciated, many thanks! More details of this, and other walks, can be seen at the OHPS website, wear sensible shoes!

And remember, there is so much else to do and places to visit, Alexandra Park, St Leonards Gardens, the beach, Castle, Blue Reef Aquarium, and the Fishermen's Museum itself, of course, to name a few... whatever and wherever, enjoy yourselves!