Room for more Affordable Housing?

With all the recently trumpeted concern over DfLs, surely someone could find the money for this, as there certainly is room in West Street for affordable housing for locals...

Hastings United win 6-0!

On my way to watch Hastings United versus Nopeace Haven at The Pilot Field this Easter Monday, I wandered through Alexandra Park before walking up the hill...

Entering the ground, just £2 admission as a special price, usually five times as much! Match report coming further down for my first non-league match attendance in years.

Pre-match warm up...

Had to photograph, too many speedy wingers in the past apparently!

The teams come out, and...

The players and officials shake hands.

OK, the match kicked off, and within a couple of minutes Hastings missed a sitter, like a park football team, the player completely missed the ball when it came to him with only the keeper to beat; I remember doing similar for my school team when I was 10 years old! But then, the 'Man of the Match' Billy Medlock show happened, he scored 5 goals, with 2 near misses (one that hit the crossbar!), oh yes, and someone else scored a sixth in the final minutes, a 6-0 win, nice one, 3 goals per £1 sterling, good value!

Billy Medlock must have been the smallest player on the pitch at the time, but he out-jumped the 2 enormous Peacehaven centre backs to place a superb header past the keeper; an excellent early ball came through for Medlock to score the second when the ball came back off the post; a third just before half-time; his fourth an easy tap in; and his fifth an easy nod in after a fine cross; nearly got his sixth at the death, when he somehow won the ball and tried to score from a fine angle, just missing the far post. 

Hastings really did deserve to win this match, their passing was a bit suspect in the early stages, but they gradually put together quite a fine team performance, mostly passing along the floor, against Peacehaven's aerial bombardment! It was good to see players numbered 1-11 starting the match, instead of the squad numbers of teams in the higher leagues, an attendance of 624, not too bad for this level, and it brought a smile to my face when they played 'Pigbag' following each goal...

Madness gig at the pier is already sold out!

That'll teach me to take my time... the Madness gig, on the Grand Opening of the Pier Day, 21st May, is already sold out, bother! 

Oh well, I should be able to get on the pier next month...

A little Easter wander into the old town...

By the golf courses, things are freshening up, though a wee bit dull weather-wise.

I took this a couple of mornings ago, so different angle, and brighter!

Of course the wee railway, and don't forget their railway in Alexandra Park too.

Spring Fling yesterday with the RNLI team, and "Harvey!"

Finally, remember, and you may just get to the castle in time for the Easter Egg hunt this morning, but Hastings Castle, the Blue Reef Aquarium, and the Smugglers Experience, all have Easter fun this weekend! 

Congratulations to The Albatross Club!

By Steve the Beermeister.

OK, a 4-5 mile walk along the seafront from Hastings (depending on where you start to walk from), but very warm congratulations to the (RAFA) Albatross Club for being selected the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) NATIONAL Club of the Year 2016, beating more than another 28,000 competitors in the process! Which reminds me, I need to visit there soon and collect my RAFA membership card... 

Nice one, cheers! 

Work has started at the St Mary Restaurant...

The notice in the window suggests it will be open at Easter, of course that won't happen now, but why is it that every time I pass there seems to be one or two people sitting outside smoking? Well, work has started, but don't hold your breath... 

Easter Fun in Hastings!

Tomorrow and Sunday, there are Easter Egg Hunts for children at Hastings Castle, with hundreds of chocolate eggs hidden round the castle and grounds, from 10-11.00, and starting today, for the 4 days of the Easter weekend, there is more Easter fun at the Blue Reef Aquarium (website) and at the Smugglers Adventure (website). 

Also tomorrow, is the annual Spring Fling at the Lifeboat Station (website) from 11.00 to 15.00, tea, coffee and cakes, much singing, including sea shanties, tombola, face painting, games and even more fun!

High Street Pavement Widening...

Someone sought to have fun with a temporary sign

Aquila House, look up!

At last! With most of the scaffolding taken away, Hastings Borough Council's Aquila House, I suppose, what we now have to think of as the 'Town Hall' now that the town hall is the registry office, is starting to look less awful...

Madness at Hastings Pier

Yesterday was indeed a sad day, but a ray of sunshine comes from some madness at the pier, when Suggs of Madness screwed in the last plank, we're getting there... 

I saw this video on facebook, many thanks to Justin Lycett for sharing!

A very sad day...

I have friends in Brussels, I have close family born in Brussels, what a very sad start to the day. So sad, I could not bear going to the Memorial Service for John Hodges at the Stade Hall this afternoon, and many did go, consequently Jonathan Mendenhall's moving eulogy was delivered to a large number of John's friends... 

John Hodges R.I.P. 

For the many deceased in Brussels, R.I.P. 

John Hodges Memorial Service Today

This afternoon, at 15.30 for 16.00, at the Stade Hall, a Memorial Service for John R.I.P.

Kite Flying at the weekend

Something else happened over the weekend, of course, though not something you see so often on the beach, but why not?!? 

The 32nd Hastings Half Marathon Results

The first to finish the race was Kenyan Robert Mbithi (1:04:43), with fellow Kenyan Jonas Cheruiyot more than 6 minutes behind (1:10:54), and with highest placed Brit, from our very own Hastings AC, Rhys Boorman further back in 3rd place (1:12:40). 

The first woman to finish was Kenyan Lenah Jerotich (1:16:43), then Maria Heslop from Paddock Wood AC (1:20:43), and yet another Kenyan in third, Lucy Liavoga (1:22:43).  

For the full results.   

Lifeboat Training Exercise now!

Just heard that there is a training exercise on until about 11.00 hours, should you be near to the Stade, plus, of course, the Half Marathon today, busy busy!

The 32nd Hastings Half Marathon tomorrow.

The 32nd Hastings Half Marathon starts tomorrow, Sunday 20th March, at 10.30 from West Marina Gardens (and finishes there too). For more information about the race, parking and fundraising for charities, go to their website.

The start of the 2015 Half Marathon

As most will be aware, for a few hours, there will be traffic delays here and there, so, have a look at the map if you wish to drive in Hastings tomorrow, and be prepared to alter your route, or get out of your cars and support the runners, best wishes to them all! 

Council Tax Questions?

I presume that you, like me, have received your council tax bill with its heralding a 3.56% increase, a new charge for Adult Social Care, and no telling what cuts to ensue... 

Well, if you do have questions you would like to ask, Hastings Borough Council has a link from their website where you may find suitable answers.

Paddy's Night at The Albion!

The very local and boisterous Garry Blakeley Band are playing at The Albion in George Street this evening, enjoy the craic!

Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh!

The Conqueror's Stone, a Myth, a Hotel, and a Pier!

Tradition has it that William the Bastard first dined in England upon this stone, soon after landing in 1066, hence it being called "The Conqueror's Stone", but aka "Old Woman's Tap" aka "Tapshaw" aka "Tapshore" (because it used to be situated at the bottom of Maze Hill, and a stream flowed over/by it). Of course, there is no provenance for this piece of mythology, and some believe the story was started by James Burton when he wanted to shift the stone, as it was in the way of his development of St Leonards! Anyway, it has moved a few times over the years, and is currently opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel... 

... in St Leonards, which was designed by Burton in the 1820s and 1830s, and the Royal Victoria Hotel, originally called St Leonards Hotel, was built in 1828 as its focal point. St Leonards Pier was later built virtually opposite the hotel, a little to the west, in 1888-1891, sadly hit by a bomb in WW2 and damaged by fire, and later suffered serious damage during a gale in 1851, and was demolished later that year, well outlived by the first Hastings Pier which, thankfully, is re-opening next month!  

Future of Old Town Hall Public Meeting

Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall/Museum has been closed for some time now and, despite a short usage recently by the Hastings International Piano Concerto organisers, the building still awaits a planned purpose! 

History House

Well, something could be happening soon, indeed, this evening, Monday the 14th of March, there is to be held a meeting, 6pm for 6.30, at the History House in Courthouse Street, to discuss possible alternatives for the use of this wonderful old building in the High Street; a chance to put forward your views and to hear other's ideas too. 

Hastings Railway Delays!

Due to a landslip between Polegate and Lewes last week and a temporary speed restriction of 5 mph, Southern Railway train services are experiencing delays and alterations, see Southern website for further information.

Hastings Museum update

Always worth visiting the Museum and Art Gallery up Bohemia Road, and some very interesting exhibits and talks coming along too... Eg, tomorrow, Saturday 12th March, County Archaeologist, Caspar Johnson, is giving a talk "Hastings from Prehistory to Saxons", starting at 2pm (tickets £3, available in advance at the Museum Reception). 

Of course, the regular exhibits are still there, including memories of the 1960s clashes in Hastings between the Mods and Rockers, our very own native american Hastinger, Grey Owl aka Archibald Stansfeld Belaney, plus the Art Gallery, which currently has an exhibition of Sussex coastal scenes, "All at Sea".   

JMW Turner: Fishmarket on the Sands

Our own Turner: Hastings Fishmarket on the Sands isn't on view though, but will be returning the week commencing 20th June. For further information, see the website.

Lizard... So good it had to be named twice!

Following the Blue Reef Aquarium's competition to name the Argentinian Black & White Tegu, there were 2 winners! See my blog of 13th February for more information, and website. Their Leanna Lawson said "There were lots and lots of great entries, and it was such a tough decision, we ended up giving him two names." 

The Tegu was named 'Pedro' and 'Strawberry', the respective winners being Erika and Zarah, well done young ladies, quality names!

Jazz Hastings: this evening.

This evening at The East Hastings Sea Angling Association, The Stade, Phil Robson's Organ Trio are playing: see website for more details. 

Hastings Library has reopened... in Robertson Passage.

The combined Hastings Adults' and Children's Library has reopened today in Robertson Passage, see website. I was in there an hour ago, and the computers weren't yet working, though it was suggested they would be by this afternoon, at the latest. I can also let you know that the combined services are all on the ground floor of this building, consequently, there isn't very much there, and only one machine, at the moment, to check books and DVDs in/out of! Though many friendly helpful staff around today to help advise you!

This is the reason why, the main Library in Claremont is closed until Spring 2017 for refurbishment, roll on!

Following on Saturday...

I seemed to be following people about yesterday! Here we have a few 'Cleaners for the Queen' in front of me, wandering back to the Stade...

Later, I followed the Town Crier down All Saints Street!

Mothers Day

With best wishes to all those loving mothers in Hastings and beyond, may they enjoy the day, and may their children too. 

A few days over 12 years since my own mother died, but we were by her bedside at the time; the woman loved her sons equally, and would always stand up for them, R.I.P.

Spring Clean, starting at the Stade!

A chance to see Amber Rudd cleaning the beach as part of the big clean up for the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations. Starts at the Stade, today, March 5th, at 09.30, and goes on until 1pm, we are told; the Council are in on it too, so wander along and help clean up Hastings, for the Queen, of course... 

Shame the Council Tax we pay Kier Group doesn't do the job sufficiently!

Final starts today!

The final of the 12th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition starts at the White Rock Theatre today, see website for more details.