Marina

I've walked by this many times, appreciated it for its portrayal of mussel shells, but have been too lazy to read up about it... Well, not any more, I took this photograph this morning, not too bad an image, and discovered it is called Marina, and the sculptor is called Leigh Dyer, and it has been there for over a year! Other rather lovely sculptures from Leigh include...

The Winkle on Winkle Island, the Sea Creatures at Butlers Gap, and the Battle of Hastings 950th anniversary Norman Longboat on the beach, which was part of the Route 66 arts festival (blog).

100th Birthday Celebration, Fat Tuesday Cometh & More!

If you wondered what all the singing was about on Tuesday at Winkle Island, then I can advise you that it was a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday" in celebration of George's 100th birthday, many congratulations to him, and quite a few glasses were raised to him yesterday as well! 

Sadly, George died on the 10th of January 2023, R.I.P. 😢

Indeed, the Hastings Fat Tuesday Music Festival 2022 is soon to be upon us, from the 25th February to the 1st of March, 2 years on from the last Fat Tuesday, which was the final major event in Hastings before the first COVID-19 Crisis lockdown (blog). The festival kicks off with the Fat Friday Mardi Gras Ball on Friday 25th, culminating with the Fat Tuesday Tour of 13 pubs and bars in the Old Town on the evening of Tuesday 1st March; more details will follow here, but if you can't wait, see their website.

Hastings Fat Tuesday is the largest Mardi Gras celebration in the UK, which, like the usually impressive New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro Mardi Gras, were all cancelled last year due to the pandemic. This year most of the parades in New Orleans will be shortened, and the Rio Mardi Gras has been put back to April the 20th to the 30th. 

On Tuesday I noticed a very significant Police and PCSO presence around Hastings and particularly in the town centre, this being a continuation of Hastings Police high-vis patrols, engaging with Hastings folk and maintaining an eye on the area (twitter).

And a warning, as if you didn't already know, that Storm Eunice will be upon us overnight and tomorrow, with an Amber Weather Warning that wind speed down here is forecast to reach up to nearly 50mph, with gusts of up to more than 70mph! Rain is forecast between 02.00 and 10.00 (Met Office), which will feel unbearable, I imagine, noting wind speed, so batten down the hatches and stay safe! 

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.

RNLI Lifeboat Volunteer Life To Be Celebrated...

The life of local resident, and 25 years a Hastings RNLI Lifeboat volunteer, John Scollay, will be remembered at a special celebration at the Lifeboat Station on The Stade this Friday 1st March from 12.30, all welcome. Beforehand, Winkle Club members will be assembling on Winkle Island at noon (John was a long-standing and active member of the Winkle Club), when his coffin will pass on its way to the Lifeboat Station; there will be a family service at the Crematorium afterwards.

John Scollay R.I.P.

Christmas Remembrance Procession

The Hastings Winkle Club Christmas Remembrance Procession 2017 will be meeting up this evening (Saturday, 16th December) at 6.30pm at the Cyril & Lilian Bishop Lifeboat, in front of All Saints Church at the top of All Saints Street, then leaving for Winkle Island at 7pm. In addition to the Act of Remembrance there will be hot soup and carols sung; see the Hastings Winkle Club facebook page.

Saturday, Sunday...

I'll write again tomorrow about Monday and its events, from the Pier of the Year to the Fishermen's Museum, from whence the Jack will emerge at 10.15... Meanwhile, the Pier continues with its usual activities, and tomorrow will see Morris Dancing on the Pier (website), as a friend posted on facebook earlier, "The bells, the dreaded, unavoidable bells will be heard all over the town." 

Which leads us to the Jack in the Green festivities themselves (website), with, yes you've guessed correctly, even more Morris Dancing, today (Saturday) at Winkle Island from 12 noon until about 4pm, music all over the place, the annual 'special service' at St Clements Church tomorrow at 10am, and the "Drum Off" at Butlers Gap, also tomorrow, at 4.30pm.

So, all this, in addition to the usual Hastings musical, and other, events, and building up to May Day, and... Well, have a good sleep tomorrow night, I'll be down at Rock a Nore by 9am to witness the growing crowds and dressing up, not to mention the arrival of thousands of motorbikes at the Pelham Beach car park, and to drink a few ales!

Remember, drinking from glass is banned in the old town during the festivities on Monday, so be prepared to drink out of plastic, or, more sensibly, bring your own pewter tankard like I shall, cheers!

Carnival Monday

This Monday, there is plenty of fun to be had, and things to see and join in with, notably around Courthouse Street, including a Street Market from 10.00 onwards, a Cheese & Wine Extravaganza from 12 noon, which I took full advantage of last year, very nice thank you very much, and all day entertainment, on the stage at Reeves Corner; see website for full details of these and other events.

Other events include, of course, the Seaboot Race from 6pm (above), Organic Cream Tea at 106 High Street, Coffee Morning with Stalls at the Crypt, St Mary Star of the Sea Church, walks as described recently, including the Stade Walk, and competitive Winkle Tossing down at Winkle Island, Rock-a-Nore Road, 2pm to 4.30pm!

The Winkle Club

Well, we've been given a weekend of music thanks to Hastings Winkle Club (website) so I thought I'd provide a bit of information for those not in the know!  

Hastings Winkle Club was founded in 1900 by local fishermen who wanted to raise money for the poorer children of Hastings, notably at Christmas, and still continues to raise money for less privileged local families.

Winston Churchill became a member in 1955; here's a relevant film to watch, though I doubt he was asked to "Winkle Up" too often! (Basically, a member has to  produce his winkle shell when challenged, according to the rules of the Club, but receives a fine if he cannot, though it's a bit more complicated than that). Indeed, many dignitaries have been members, and HRH Queen Elizabeth II is an Honorary Member.   

At the foot of All Saints Street in Rock-a-Nore Road is Winkle Island, the symbolic Gathering Place of Hastings Winkle Club for events and galas, and includes a Giant Winkle Shell where members of the public may make contributions into an incorporated collection box.  

More information can be read at the Registered Charity's excellent website.



Winston Churchill 'winkles up' in Hastings

60 years ago, today, Winnie 'winkled up!' (film) 

Sunday in Carnival Week; It hasn't stopped yet!

I loved the fireworks last night, but there is still much to do today (see website), including a 'Pop Up' fete organised by the Winkle Club at Winkle Island, where else?!? I do believe there will be a piratical influence, enjoy!

Friday 7th and the Carnival Week continues...

I have to admit, I've tossed more pancakes than winkles, but maybe today that will change? For today's offerings, see the website, and have fun, yet again! 

Carnival continued (including photographs)

Hastings Old Town Carnival 2015 kicked off yesterday...  

... effectively, with the 34th Tug-o-War! Captains being called over before the start, above.

The first 2 teams to compete, though Team McKinnie eventually won the men's event.

Women competed too, all's fair in love and war...

... and Anchor Pink were the eventual winners in their event.

My first pint of the day at the Dolphin, now with bunting adorning the exterior! 

The bar, now looking more like it, just before the nearly beach concert started.

The Coronation of the Carnival Queen will be held, here at Winkle Island, at 2.30pm today, followed by a procession, of course.    

Certainly an eclectic mix of music at The Nearly on the Beach Concert... 

Still early doors, but lovely weather and quite a few in the audience already.

I'm standing in front of the bar whilst taking this photograph, where I enjoyed a rather good pint or two (the Pirate's Gold is pretty damn good!).  

As I said, an eclectic mix of music yesterday, and TODAY too, from 2pm. So, for today's events, please see the website, and enjoy yourselves! 

Thanks to Facebook for a couple of these photographs, cheers!