Just a Reminder about the Old Town Guided Walks on Tuesdays

This is just a reminder, and mostly a repeat of my previous blog about these walks returning, but the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) Tuesday afternoon guided walks of Hastings Old Town continue on Tuesday the 10th of May (website). These are guided walks of the old town, of the "premier ancient Cinque Port." You are asked to book your place in advance, cost £6 per person, either on their website, or pop into Hastings Fishermen's Museum, call 01424 461446, or email ohpswalks@gmail.com.

You meet up by the West Hill Cafe (just above the lift by Hastings Castle, with its lower lift entrance at the west end of George Street) at 2.30pm on Tuesday, then every Tuesday until the 27th of September, plus a few other days too. There's a wealth of historic buildings, twittens and cat-creeps to explore in Hastings old town, and the volunteer guide will explain why celebrities of their day (for example, the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century, see blog) have, indeed, and still do, flock to Hastings. 

The walk will proceed gently downhill, including a number of steps to manage, and lasts about 2 hours. It's worth wearing comfortable walking shoes, obviously, and the weather forecast suggests it will be fine on Tuesday (Met Office).

Enjoy the day, and/or any future walks!

Play Misty For Me: Walking and Some More...

After quite a while not walking across Hastings Country Park, for many reasons, I ventured across to Fairlight and back early(ish) yesterday morning, and you've got it! It was a wee bit misty... I walked along the seafront to the East Hill, stopping for a chat with Paul (the street cleaner), always a great chat, then up the 200-odd steps of the East Hill; looking back in the photograph above, and mist...

I crossed the East Hill to Barley Lane, for a while walking along with, and chatting to, one of my new friends I made in the first lockdown, he mentioned he hadn't seen me for a while, and I left him to get into his car in Barley Lane, whilst I carried on eastwards until I was above Fairlight Glen, which I walked down into, and back up out of (above), and, yes, it was still misty...

I then walked across to, and down into, and back out of, Warren Glen, across the top and into the larger of the old Fairlight sand quarries, where I spotted this new information board, maybe someone had read my blog last year, certainly this information could have been shared long ago, better late than never. 😉 Interestingly, there are not just new information boards around, another at the new visitors' centre at Fairlight, Bale House (blog), but quite a few new direction signs too.

And some bullocks have turned up during my absence (above, just down from the information centre), this in addition to the usual 6 Belted Galloway, which can just be seen in the photograph below, way down across Warren Glen, honest!

Warren Glen, still misty!

And walking back, to my right, is this field (above) with wild flowers, including sunflowers, it will likely have a crop planted next year, and still misty! Oh yes, and I collected sufficient sloe berries for this year's vintage sloe gin...

And from Fairlight to St Leonards, indeed, even as far to the north as Westfield, the weekend just gone, and next weekend 11th and 12th September, there are the Coastal Currents Arts Festival Open Studios (website), keep your eyes open too! Examples...

I'm sure I wanted to say something else too, I'll likely remember by tomorrow, cheers!

Oh yes, the West Hill Lift is working again! 😀

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!

Hastings Old Town Guided Walk

This afternoon (17th September) is the last of the regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walks of Hastings Old Town for 2019 (although there is another planned for Battle of Hastings Day on Monday October 14th), and is being provided by the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) (website). If you wish to take part meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm (the lift is still out of order I am afraid, so a walk up the hill will first be required; the website suggests a gentle-ish route). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and will tell you why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and, indeed, many still do visit/move here.

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast is for a bright sunny day, so please be prepared, especially if, like me, you catch the sun too easily. Please do enjoy yourselves oday!

OHPS Guided Walks this Weekend!

The Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) guided walks of the Stade are also held during the Seafood and Wine Festival, so this Saturday and Sunday (14th and 15th September). The free Stade Guided Walk begins at 11am both days, meeting up outside the Hastings Fishermen's Museum (inside if wet, though very unlikely!), Rock-a-Nore Road, and, should you partake, you will be shown around the fishing quarter of Hastings. The walk lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, and, although on the flat mostly, you will be walking over uneven ground (though walks can be tailored to mobility needs, and interests), so sensible walking shoes would be, well, sensible (website). The walks are provided free, but all donations to the Fishermen's Museum would be very much appreciated, many thanks, and enjoy!

In addition, tomorrow afternoon (14th September) a Heritage Week Special free guided walk of Hastings Old Town is being provided by the OHPS (website). If you wish to take part meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm (the lift is still out of order I am afraid, so a walk up the hill will first be required; the website suggests a gentle-ish route). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and will tell you why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and, indeed, many still do visit/move here.

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast is for a bright sunny weekend, so please be prepared, especially is, like me, you catch the sun easily. Whatever, please do enjoy yourselves!

OK, this is my last blog for the weekend, although there are obviously numerous regular live music sessions in bars, great places to eat and drink in addition to the Seafood and Wine Festival, the earliest Norman castle built in England, Aquarium, museums, seafront, etc etc, enjoy your weekend!

Old Town Guided Walk 10th September

This afternoon you can take advantage of experiencing the regular summer Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website). If you wish to take part meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm (the lift is out of order at the moment, but the lower entrance to the lift is at the west end of George Street when it is recommissioned, hopefully not too far away, fingers crossed!). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and will tell you why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and, indeed, many still do visit/move here.

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast is for a bright afternoon, be prepared, and do enjoy yourselves!

OHPS Old Town Walk 3rd September

Tomorrow afternoon (3rd September) and you can take advantage of experiencing the regular summer Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website), now back to just one a week for 3 weeks. If you wish to take part meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm (the lift is out of order at the moment, but the lower entrance to the lift is at the west end of George Street when it is recommissioned, hopefully not too far away, fingers crossed!). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and will tell you why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and, indeed, many still do visit/move here.

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast is for a brightish/cloudy afternoon, whatever, please be prepared, and it may well be worth taking a look again at the forecast closer to the time. Whatever, please do enjoy yourselves!



Old Town Guided Walks 20th and 22nd August 2019

Tomorrow afternoon (20th August) you can again take advantage of experiencing the regular (summer) Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website), plus similar on Thursday afternoon (22nd). If you wish to take part in either meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm on both days (the lift is out of order at the moment, but the lower entrance to the lift is at the west end of George Street when it is recommissioned, hopefully not too far away, fingers crossed). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of historic buildings in Hastings Old Town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and will explain why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and, indeed, many still do!

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast for Tuesday, and the forecast for Thursday, look very favourable indeed. Please do be prepared if, like me, the sun makes you go beetroot. It may well be worth taking checking the forecast nearer the time.

Whatever, please do enjoy yourselves!

Old Town Guided Walks 13th & 15th August.

Tomorrow afternoon (13th August) you can take advantage of experiencing the regular (in the summer) Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website), plus similar on Thursday afternoon (15th) as during August there are  2 Old Town Guided Walks a week... If you wish to take part in either, or both, meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm on both days (the lift is out of order at the moment, but the lower entrance to the lift is at the west end of George Street when it is recommissioned, hopefully not too far away, fingers crossed!). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and will tell you why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and, indeed, many still do visit/move here.

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast is for a chance of light showers tomorrow, although looking more favourable for Thursday with possibly a light shower later on, whatever, please do be prepared. It may well be worth taking a look again at the forecast closer to your choice of day. Whatever, please do enjoy yourselves!

Old Town Guided Walk 30th July & 1st August

Tomorrow afternoon (30th July) you can take advantage of experiencing the regular (in the summer) Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website), plus, for August, Thursday afternoons are included as well! If you wish to take part, and it is well worth it, meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm on both days (the lift is out of order at the moment, many thanks Nona, but the lower entrance to the lift is at the west end of George Street when it is working). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and tell you why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and, indeed, many still do visit/move here!

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast is for a sunny day tomorrow, although with a strong chance of showers on Thursday, so please be prepared. It may well be worth taking a look again at the forecast closer to your choice of day as the weather has been incredibly volatile the last couple of weeks. Whatever, please do enjoy yourselves!

Old Town Guided Walk

Tomorrow afternoon (23rd July) sees the regular Tuesday Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website). If you wish to take part, and it is well worth it, meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift by 2.30 pm (lower entrance at the west end of George Street). An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, walking the twittens and cat creeps, and tell you why celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings, and many still do!

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, although the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, of course, and the weather forecast is for a sunny day tomorrow, so please be prepared, particularly, if like me, you catch the sun quickly, so a hat and/or Factor 50 applied may well be appropriate, and do enjoy yourselves!

Old Town Guided Walk

Tomorrow afternoon (16th July) sees the continuation of the regular Tuesday Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website). If you wish to take part, and it is well worth it, meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift (lower entrance at the west end of George Street) by 2.30pm. An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, the twittens and the cat creeps, and tell you why 'celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings' and, indeed, why many still do!

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, though the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, and the weather forecast is for a sunny day, so please be prepared, particularly, if like me, you catch the sun quickly, hat and/or Factor 50 may well be appropriate, and enjoy yourselves!

Old Town Guided Walk This Afternoon...

This afternoon sees the regular Tuesday Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website). If you wish to take part, meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift (lower entrance at the west end of George Street) by 2.30pm. An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, the twittens and cat creeps, and tell you why 'celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings' and many still do!

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, though the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, and the weather forecast is for a bright day, though it's a wee bit overcast right now, anyway, please be prepared, particularly, if like me, you catch the sun quickly, hat and/or Factor 50 could be appropriate, and enjoy yourselves!

Tuesday: OHPS Old Town Guided Walk

Tomorrow (25th June) sees the regular Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website). If you wish to take part, meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift (lower entrance at the west end of George Street) by 2.30pm. An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, the twittens and cat creeps, and tell you why 'celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings' and many still do!

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, though the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible, and the weather forecast is for a bright and warm day, so please be prepared, particularly, if like me, you catch the sun quickly, hat and/or Factor 50 could be appropriate, and enjoy yourselves!

Guided Old Town Walk Tuesday 18th June 2019

Tomorrow (18th June) sees the regular Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town (website). If you wish to take part, meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift (lower entrance at the west end of George Street) by 2.30pm. An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, the twittens and cat creeps, and tell you why 'celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings' and many still do!

The walk proceeds gently downhill, with some steps, and lasts about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, though the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible of course, and although the weather forecast is for a dry day, when I wrote this earlier the forecast suggested there may be light rain or a shower, so please be prepared, check the forecast again nearer the time perhaps, and enjoy yourselves!

Hastings Old Town Walk Tuesday 4th June.

Tomorrow (4th June) sees the continuation of the regular Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town. If you wish to take part, meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift (lower entrance at the west end of George Street) by 2.30pm. An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, the twittens and cat creeps, and tell you why 'celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings' and many still do! 

The walk proceeds gently downhill and with some steps, lasting about 2 hours. It is provided free of charge, though the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is sensible of course, and the weather forecast suggests there may be rain, so be prepared, and enjoy yourselves!

I tried to link this to the OHPS website, but it appears to be down when this was posted. That is at www.ohps.org.uk - which may be up again by the time you read this...

Hastings Old Town Guided Walk Tuesday

Today (28th May) and for the regular (until 17th September) Tuesday afternoon (and Thursday afternoons in August) Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town continues. If you wish to take part, meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift (lower entrance at the west end of George Street) by 2.30pm. An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, the twittens and cat creeps, and tell you why 'celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings.' Indeed, many still do...  

The walk proceeds gently downhill with some steps to manage too, and lasts about 2 hours, and, though provided free of charge, the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks; see their website. Wearing comfortable walking shoes would be sensible, and the weather forecast suggests there may be sunshine and showers, so be prepared, and enjoy yourselves!

Hastings Old Town Guided Walks

I missed reporting that the first of the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) 2019 Tuesday afternoon guided walks of Hastings Old Town was this week, oops, my apologies for that! But their second free guided walk of the old town this year, of the "premier ancient Cinque Port," meets up by the top of the West Hill lift (ie the lift going up to Hastings Castle, with its lower entrance at the west end of George Street) at 2.30pm on Tuesday 14th May; then, every Tuesday until the 17th of September, plus a few other days too... There is a wealth of historic buildings, twittens and cat-creeps to explore in Hastings old town, and the volunteer guide will explain why celebrities of their day (for example, the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century, see blog) have, indeed, and still do, flock to Hastings. 

The walk will proceed gently downhill, including a number of steps to manage, and lasts about 2 hours. The guided walk is provided free of charge, though the OHPS would be grateful for all donations given, many thanks; see their website. It's worth wearing comfortable walking shoes, obviously, and the weather forecast suggests it will be bright and sunny on Tuesday (Met Office), so be prepared with Factor 50 or hat/head covering if, like me, you redden as soon as the sun casts its rays on you! 

Enjoy the day!

Last TUESDAY Afternoon Guided Old Town Walk for 2018

This afternoon sees the last of the 2018 regular Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) free guided walks of Hastings Old Town, although there are still two to come on Saturday 15th of September and Sunday 14th of October 2018! If you wish to follow the walk this afternoon, you need to meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift for 2.30pm. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show you around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and its many stories, and will tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, for example, watercolour artists in the early 19th century, including J.M.W. Turner (blog), indeed, the celebrities keep on arriving in the early 21st century!

The walk will proceed across the West Hill and lead gently downhill into the old town with a number of steps involved, and will last about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though as it is a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be cloudy, so don't be surprised if there is some light rain (Met Office). Whatever, enjoy the afternoon!