Bye Bye Circus!

GOING!

GOING, yesterday!!

GONE, this morning!!!

Bye bye for now... presumably a circus will return again...

Walking for Health

Walking for Health has a variety of walks available for people in Hastings (website) and elsewhere, but, just walking along the seafront, at your own speed and distance, can do the job too, relaxing, scenic, and no inclines, unless you push yourself, eg climbing the East and West hills, keep fit, keep happy, keep alive!

White Rock Promenade

How it looks now and how the plans show it, it's getting there, gradually...

Old Town Walk Tuesday!

Excuse me if I seem to be repeating myself, but...

Following The Stade Walk Bank Holiday Monday, this Tuesday afternoon sees the regular free Old Town Guided Walk, which meets up at 2.30pm by the top of the West Hill Lift. See the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) website for more details of this and their other guided walks. Although the walk is free, the OHPS, a registered charity, always appreciates donations, many thanks!

The weather forecast is good, and a little cooler than of late, so enjoy!

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!

Fun at The Stade yesterday!

Sorry, I missed that there would be a Summer Fair at the Stade Hall yesterday, but quite a few people did appear to be aware, happy to share any feedback, cheers!

This was taken at about 10.45 yesterday morning, during the circus skills 'workshops', though only advertised to commence at 11am! The children appeared to be enjoying their early workshops, so, nice one to the performers for providing more of their time...

I went back to have a look at Le Cirque a couple of hours later, this was taken before the band appeared. Sadly, I had forgotten to bring my camera, and my mobile phone stopped working after this photograph was taken (damn!), thus missing the full ensemble, and as I went further back on the open space, more and more people came to watch (I think the music enticed many!). Consequently, you cannot see just how popular this was, but take my word for it, it was popular, and the European ensemble were pretty funny too, and yes, that is a young man hanging around up there!

Things to do & Hastings Pride this weekend...

Always plenty to do in Hastings... the beach, pubs, clubs, gardens, shops and arcades, museums, the castle, and the aquarium, but even more this weekend, eg at the Pier...

Of course, the usual stuff, shops, food, drink, the vintage funfair, which continues for another week, and the circus, that continues until Monday inclusive. There's live Punch & Judy on today at 11am, a Fitness Rave this evening at 8pm, more fitness tomorrow with Paul McCleery PT from 8.15am, and an open audition for the Academy of Circus Arts 2017 from 9am tomorrow (Saturday - see website for more details).

And, for Stade Saturdays tomorrow, we have, from 11am, so at the Stade, more Workshops in Basic Circus Skills, and Le Cirque du Platzak Present Kermiz, a kind of post-modern take on the circus peppered with folk music from this collective of 12! See website for more details as it's not easy to explain... 

Then, on Sunday 28th August, from noon in the town centre, in-between Debenhams and the General Havelock, there will be a party to celebrate the launch of Hastings Pride (see website). Hastings Mayor Judy Rogers will officially launch the event, with guest speakers and plenty of music throughout the day too! It is intended that this begins the continued use of August Bank Holiday Sundays as a calendar regular for Hastings Pride.

I'll write more on Bank Holiday Monday over the weekend, have fun!

What's on Thursday? 25 August 2016

Plenty of music on in Hastings & St Leonards this evening, notably the regular Thursday 1066 Jazz Club, 'Home of New Orleans Jazz on the Sussex Coast' at the Azur Pavilion (website). Meanwhile, opposite Hastings Pier at the White Rock Theatre this evening is The Johnny Cash Roadshow (website).

Earlier in the afternoon, and free for those with tickets to see the 3pm Circus show (website), the Festival Circus Workshop, where you can meet the performers inside the circus ring, and learn circus skills, and attempt to juggle or spin plates (website). 

At the Dolphin Inn, Rock-a-Nore Road, is the regular Thursday evening Team Quiz, with cash prizes (not always donated to local charities, but regularly donated by local team winners), and 6 real ales, 3 craft beers, and the usual drinks and bar nibbles on sale.

Whatever you do during the day, respect the sun and water!

Excellent pale, dry and very bitter ale!

By Steve the Beermeister...

Only one firkin of this available here, Kelham Island 45 R.P.M., very much enjoyed at the Dolphin Inn in Hastings earlier today, so a warning, this may well disappear from the bar by tomorrow evening! If you like very dry and bitter pale real ales, this is for you... See more at the Beermeister blog, cheers!

Bayeux Tapestry Ending in Battle!

Further to my recent blog about 1066 - A Medieval Mosaic, the final scenes of the Bayeux Tapestry, though more recently created in Alderney, are coming to Battle for the 950th anniversary show (BBC website), bring it on!

Old Town Guided Walk today from 2.30pm.

Following The Stade Walk yesterday, this afternoon sees the regular free Tuesday Old Town Guided Walk, which meets up at 2.30pm by the top of the West Hill Lift. See the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) website for more details of this and their other guided walks. Although the walk is free, the OHPS, a registered charity, always appreciates donations, many thanks!

The weather forecast is good, although a little cooler than of late, so enjoy!

Free Old Town Guided Walk this Tuesday 20th.

This afternoon, don't forget the regular free Tuesday Old Town Guided Walk meets up at 2.30pm at the top of the West Hill Lift (the bottom of which is at the west end of George Street, should you not wish to climb up!).  See the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) website for more details of this and other guided walks. Although free, a donation to the OHPS, a charity, would be appreciated, many thanks!

The weather forecast is blue skies and sun, so don't forget your factor 20+ and hat!

Congratulations to the Tower again!

Congratulations to Louisa and her gang up at The Tower in London Road for again winning the local CAMRA South East Sussex Pub of the Year, nice one Lou!

Further details, and of the ales available, and ciders and perry, can be read at the Steve the Beermeister blog...

Sussex Wildlife Trust Photo Competition

How's your photographic talents? Specifically, have you taken any impressive wildlife or landscape photographs recently, if not, and you wish to enter the Sussex Wildlife Trust's competition to find 12 photographs for their 2017 online calendar, you have until the 20th September 2016 to take and submit your images!

£100 cash first prize, go to their website for more details and to enter, good luck!

Fishing from the Pier Update

Earlier today (Sunday) I was having my usual morning wander along the seafront wondering about the Night Time Fishing from the Pier, as I passed Hastings Pier and looked at the nearby display of tides and times. It made me think, I do now and then use the old grey matter, and I realised that the tide must be pretty damn important for fishing from the Pier, as there was hardly any seawater under the Pier at all, at that moment! Luckily, I noticed that Paul's Tackle was opening, so I popped over the road and had a wee chat with Paul, and I came away with a much better understanding of what is happening regarding fishing off the Pier, I think...

Where to start? Well, the post on the Pier's website isn't exactly correct, though it isn't wrong either, it just needs explaining more... First, though, to report that there had been Night-time fishing off the Pier on Friday night, with 15 participants, and with fish caught up to the size of an 8lb Bass, so a pretty successful first night, nice one!

OK, to the arrangements over the coming months, and I believe this is correct, but check with Paul for details of cost, dates and times, and to make bookings, either at his shop, or on 01424 433404. During the school holidays there is Night Fishing by arrangement (such as last Friday night), but from September, there will be daytime fishing Mondays to Fridays, and from October this will be 7 days a week, but subject to other events arranged on the Pier. Night fishing will be at weekends, Friday and Saturday nights, depending on tides.

Now, fishing on the Pier is limited to 20 anglers at a time in a designated area, booking for day and/or night slots are best made in advance with Paul, as, if you turn up on the spur of the moment, it will be on a first come first served basis, so don't be disappointed.

Also, there will be matches arranged during the winter by local sea angling clubs.

With many thanks to Paul's facebook page for the photographs, cheers!

The Battle of Hastings, amusing?

Well yes, this cartoon still amuses me, I posted it last year, and think it probably comes from Private Eye originally? But, very pertinent if it had been drawn 950 years ago, and even more interesting if it had been a premonition 951 years ago!

Even More! "Feast of the Dead" this evening...

OK, I missed advising about this event at the Stade Hall this Sunday (21st), probably because money is involved, but, then again, so is food and drink! Conjuring the ghosts of those who died 950 years ago at the Battle of Hastings, and experiencing, and participating in, an anarchic interpretation of the views of those who died on the battlefield... Dress up, if you like, whatever, see the website for further details, and enjoy!

Even more to see and do this weekend!

There's a new display at the Blue Reef Aquarium to capture your attention this weekend, featuring a miniature representation of the Amazon riverbed, incorporating a selection of living plants and 10 different types of smaller Amazonian fish species, ie a variety of different iridescent coloured tetras, hatchetfish and five different types of catfish! 

The aquarium’s Leanna Lawson enthused that “although the display is only relatively small, our aquarists have worked really hard to provide a realistic representation of a part of the Amazon. The use of living plants and natural theming helps to create a fascinating environment populated by dozens of brightly coloured fish. Alongside the display we have also incorporated interpretation panels to give visitors a better insight into this unique and fragile habitat and why it is so important to protect it.” And there's plenty more to see and do at the Blue Reef Aquarium, of course! Visit their website for more information. 

Stade Saturdays hits the Stade open space this Saturday with a trio of amusing productions by Avanti Display (website), including Reliquary (above, 1-4pm), Mr Lucky's Party (2.30 and 5.30pm), and The Spurting Man (7.30pm), expect very surreal humour, and not a little water... See the Council's website for further details and the full Stade Saturdays programme for this summer.

Of course, there are very many other of the usual places to visit and enjoy, music in pubs and bars, I've already mentioned Hastings Pier in my previous blog, and specifically the arranged Night Fishing off the Pier this weekend and during the following week, the Castle and Fishermen's Museum, and, dead opposite the Pier on Sunday (10am to 4pm) at the White Rock Theatre, there will be Ruby's Vintage & Retro Fair (website), with stallholders selling vintage clothes and accessories, costume jewellery, homeware and linen, furniture, retro gifts and plenty more. Plus there will be a 'pop-up' vintage tea room! There will be a small £1.50 entrance charge, with U16s free.

Indeed, plenty to see, go to, and do!

What a Weekend on the Pier!

Well, I had to write about Hastings Pier individually this week, in addition to my usual weekend fun blog (I'll publish that either later today or in the morning), as much to do on and from there, including, from tonight for a week (19th to the 26th of August), the much demanded Night Fishing on Hastings Pier! This will be from 9pm until 8am, and is being organised by Paul's Tackle, from where you can purchase tickets; for more information either visit the website, or call (01424 433404) or visit the shop, Paul's Tackle, on the seafront immediately on the right when coming out of Robertson Street.

OK, and, of course, there is plenty more of the usual to do, including promenading, eating, drinking, shopping, playing on the children's funfair rides etc, researching the history of the Pier, enjoying a Science on Sea Family Workshop with Blast Science on Sunday from 11am, and, oh yes, Zippos Festival Circus is here until the 29th of August!

Let's hope the weather isn't too bad!

Early morning walks...

It's been so warm recently (I'm a cool dude, as in, I prefer cool weather!), I've changed my sleep pattern, and have been out early doors for walks...

Quite frankly, it's also spectacular at times, I even saw a half-rainbow this morning, and it wasn't even raining, yet (the photograph was rubbish, so not here, sorry)! 

Coming up to the Pier, but a shame the sunrise hasn't come out better here...

What I have noticed, though, is that the circus lights appear to have been on all night!

SEE!

Back of the kiosk

Oh, and I noticed the kiosk at the bottom of Robertson Street, on the promenade towards White Rock and the Pier, is getting there-ish. 

See you in the early morning sometime, maybe

The Games People Play

Sometimes you have to succumb to the wiles of a young woman, and, earlier today, I did! I was a wee bit thirsty down at Rock-a-Nore, and found myself drawn into drinking an excellent ale or two at the Dolphin Inn... And, yes, Lou and Debs enticed me into playing pub games, many of which they have in the Dolphin, and, Thursday afternoon appears to be a shift they encourage game play there! 

Well, we played a few different games, including Shove Ha'penny, where they used these discs, but they do also have genuine ha'pennies too, which I used for authenticity of course. We also played other games, including a reverse game of Jenga, no idea what it's called, and a game I used to play in a pub in my teens, we used to call it Boxo, but it appears it isn't what it's called, at least not nowadays...

Anyway, fun was had, and decent ale was enjoyed too!

Bring the Beach to Priory Meadow!

Way to go if you have children, and want a sandy beach!

The Bayeux Tapestry in Hastings!

Yes really, though not the original, but a mighty fine replica of the tapestry in the form of 1066 - A Medieval Mosaic created by Michael Linton from New Zealand, and which is sited in the Crypt of St Mary in the Castle, Pelham Arcade, to the east of Iceland (next to and behind St Mary's Restaurant).

How was this made? Well, it would take a rather a long paragraph to explain in full, but it took Michael 33 years to fashion an accurate copy of the tapestry made up of tiny pieces of steel broken from disks used in knitting machines and hand painted using a very wee nylon brush that Michael can show you, and which he did show me happily. For the full explanation and plenty more information, have a look at his website, very impressive! Of course, you can also visit and find out from Michael himself...

Indeed, the mosaic is in the Guinness Book of Records for being the world's largest steel mosaic, made of 3,000,000 pieces of steel, 64 metres long, and weighing 450kg.

I'd recommend you visit soon, although the exhibition will remain here until the 28th of October 2016, so you do have plenty of time, but it is well worth the visit, truly awesome! Whilst there, you could also have a drink at the very recently opened St Mary's bar too...

Nice one Michael, just in time for the 950th Anniversary!

I haven't moaned for a while, but...

Cyclists! Where they shouldn't be, what is the point of cycle paths, and the road, for that matter? Anyway, rather than post hundreds of photographs, which I could, very easily, how about an artistic image? I'm pleased with my, OK, limited, artistic ability...

Free Guided Old Town Walk this afternoon

Nearly back to normal, for a couple of days maybe, but the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS website) free guided walk of the Old Town returns this afternoon, starting at 2.30pm up by the West Hill Lift, weather forecast is good, so please enjoy! 

Though 'free', a donation to the OHPS charity is always very welcome, many thanks,

Southern Rail: industrial unrest continues, not a surprise...

If you haven't already heard, unsurprisingly, see my recent blog, Southern Rail and the RMT have come to yet another impasse, with the union explaining that the rail operator had rejected its proposals "out of hand" (link)! 

This 'negotiation' does now appear to have been totally usurped by politics, whilst all that the people of Hastings want is a decent rail service... It's time now for the franchise to be pulled from Govia Thameslink and passed to someone with a good track record (excuse the pun) and who can run a rail service efficiently, Transport for London have put themselves forward (link), yes pretty please! 

Write to your MP, who lists one of her political interests as "transport" (website), I have! 

Here's my missive: 

Dear Amber Rudd,

As our MP, and someone who has listed one of her political interests with Parliament as 'transport' -  http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/amber-rudd/3983 - I am pleading that you help to sort out the industrial dispute between Govia Thameslink and the RMT, which has caused tremendous problems with those of your constituents who use the railway for employment, educational, and social purposes. 

Surely, now is the time to withdraw the franchise from Govia Thameslink, who have not been providing an efficient service for the last few years, indeed, even before the dispute started! 

I have read that Transport for London are prepared to take on the franchise, please please please help to sort this out and ensure the franchise is withdrawn from Govia and passed to someone willing to take on the franchise efficiently, or to bring about an in-house management service, like happened with East Coast, the only rail company to contribute to the Exchequer since privatisation, whilst all other rail companies are paid £millions by the Exchequer. 

I trust you will give this problem your attention and ensure that your constituents no longer have to cope with an inferior rail service.

Many thanks, 

Yours sincerely,

Email:  amber.rudd.mp@parliament.uk