The Carnival Continues...

So the Carnival is certainly not over yet, and so much to come, including the Open Day at Hastings Lifeboat Station tomorrow (Tuesday 31st - website) 10am to 3pm, and from 6.30pm this evening, the Old Town Treasure Trail in aid of Macmillan Council Support (website).

Of course there is do much more too! For example, the Jimmy Read Bike Race up Crown Lane tomorrow from 5.30pm (website), exhibitions and walks galore, and music of course! For details of all events I suggest having a look at the website.

And one shouldn't forget the Pram Race (website) on Wednesday evening, much more dressing up, having fun, and fund raising, indeed! 



Red Arrows above Hastings



If you missed their annual visit last week, here are a few excellent images, with thanks to our roving photographer Marcus, many thanks for sharing Marcus!

Quality!




Congratulations to the Dolphin Inn!

By Steve the Beermeister...

Our congratulations to the Dolphin Inn for being selected as the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) South East Sussex Community Pub of the Year for 2018!

The Dolphin Inn is at 11-12 Rock-a-Nore Road, TN34 3DW (tel: 01424 434326 and website) and sells 6 cask-conditioned ales (mostly local), a few of crafty keg ales, and the usual keg beers and ciders, spirits, wines, soft drinks etc... It also raises £thousands for charity every year (for example, amongst others, at the moment, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation - blog), and is a centre for many locals, supporting the local fishing fleet by sourcing its kitchen from across the road, minding out for those who need help, and also supporting Hastings Fishermen's Museum and RX134 Stacey Marie (blog). Again, congratulations and well deserved!

Stacey Marie







Carnival Week Continues!

I have to admit yesterday I missed the fact that the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) guided walk of the Stade had restarted today, my apologies, but there will be one tomorrow and another on Monday too (Sunday 29th and the 30th). The free Stade Guided Walks begin at 11am each day, meeting up outside Hastings Fishermen's Museum (inside if wet), Rock-a-Nore Road, and, should you partake, you will be shown around the 'fascinating' fishing quarter of Hastings. The walk lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, and, though on the flat mostly, you do need to cover uneven ground (though walks can be tailored to mobility needs, and interests), so sensible walking shoes would be, well, sensible (website). The walk is free, but all donations to the Fishermen's Museum would be much appreciated, many thanks



Of course, the Carnival itself continues with the free 2 day music festival, the Nearly on The Beach Concert at the Stade Open Space, starting from 1pm today (Saturday & Sunday, 1-8pm and 1-7.30pm respectively), and many more events, guided walks, and so much more to enjoy over the weekend, including a Street Party on West Street tomorrow (website)! West Street has been a neglected part of Hastings recently, but no more, the West Street Community Group has formed, receiving Heritage Lottery funding for "a year long project to explore the street's lost histories."

So, from 2 to 5pm, Sunday 29th, join the group for free entertainments and refreshments, not to mention an educational afternoon and witnessing the launch of their new free publication, The West Street Chronicle! 



Old Town Carnival Week 2018 Starts Today!

This sign is a sign of things to come, and very soon! The 2018 Old Town Carnival starts today (website), ostensibly with the Old Town Criers competition at Reeves Corner, 7pm for a 7.30pm start, but...

The official opening ceremony will be at the Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore Road at 12 noon tomorrow (Saturday 28th July), but personally I always think it really starts with the Tug o War, at 10.30am tomorrow (28th) in-between the Lifeboat Station and Sea Angling Club, but watch out for the railway too (website)!

There's lots more to come this week, plus!





Summer's Here, in case you hadn't noticed!

Honest! Anyway, Swan Lake is back up and running, and, probably due to the heat, Hastings Adventure Golf is getting very busy early on, though quieter in the middle of the day, as people appear to be advised, some must be listening!

What's missing? The bin that used to be here in Queens Road, not that I know, but was this a way of getting rid of the beggar who regularly sat in front of the bin?!?

And I was about to buy myself a nice Thai takeaway from here yesterday (Priory Meadow, if you don't know, great meals at under a fiver!), but it was closed, so I had to alter my plans, but it should be open again next week, oh well...



Hastings Old Town Walk - Tuesday!

I'm a bit challenged for a couple of weeks with an IT issue, so my blogs will be dependent on when I can get to the revamped Hastings Library (great IT service, see blog). Anyway, tomorrow again will  be blessed by the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town. If you wish to partake in this walk meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show you around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and stories, and s/he will tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog), indeed, the celebrities still keep on coming!

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 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 nice again (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may be wise, certainly if you're fair-skinned like me!

Enjoy your day!

2 Town Centre Breakfasts Gone!

2 Town Centre cafes, in the America Ground, that I wrote about regarding Full English Breakfasts some time ago now (blog), Tutti Frutti's (above) and Hoagies (below), have both closed down sadly, Tutti Frutti's some time ago and Hoagies more recently. It appears I shall have to undertake some more research soon, though not great for my recent dietary plan...



Town Centre & Bohemia Action Plan

Hastings Borough Council is holding another consultation exercise, this time relating to their Hastings Town Centre and Bohemia Area Action Plan (website). The consultation finishes at 4pm on Monday 24th of September 2018, and you can see details and acquire comment forms at the Tourist Information Centre, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, and the Community Contact Centre at the Town Hall, Queens Square, or online at the website. There is plenty of information to read, and plenty of opportunity to comment on the Action Plan; if you want to share your views with the Council you've plenty of time until the 24th of September, so get going!



Support Marine Conservation Zones Please!

In 2011 sea user stakeholder groups agreed and recommended a network of 127 carefully selected marine sites for protection, so far only 50 have been designated. Right now there is a public consultation about adding a further 41 Marine Conservation Zones (Wildlife Trusts website). We live by the sea, Hastings has a fishing fleet that supports sustainable fishing, I have already sent acknowledgement of my support for this proposal to Defra, you can do so too at the following website. Let's provide a Wave of Support, many thanks!

Hair Today and Studio One

I was going to headline this something like 'Hair Today Gone Tomorrow' but that would have been very silly, but with my minimal hair (cut by myself every 2 or 3 weeks with my own clippers, number 1/2) I very rarely visit a barbers/hairdressers, but yesterday I did! Quite frankly, I couldn't be bothered with cutting my hair but was fed up of looking like a hippy, so I dropped in very early to Studio One, at the Cornwallis Street/St Andrews Square end of St Andrews Market TN34 1SJ (definitely the postcode!). As I've said before (blog) St Andrews Market appears to be the Hastings 'Centre for Alternative Therapies' but it also has much more! Cycles, Pet Care, Cafe etc... but also Studio One, and a fine coiffing I was given too, very early (I'd just got back from the launderette before 08.00) and Sharon, bless her, booked me in soon after 08.00, many thanks! Friendly service and at a decent price too, I'll be back, within the next 5 years or so 😉

Hastings Old Town Walk and yet another Sunny Day!

Oh no, not another sunny day!?! I suppose we'll have to live with it, and also, it's time to remind people of the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town. The walk meets up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm this afternoon as usual. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show the group around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, tales and stories, and share knowledge about the number of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived in Hastings, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (past blog), indeed, they keep on arriving!

The walk will cross the West Hill and head gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps involved, and lasts about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though as a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). People are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be sunny all day (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may be sensible, certainly for fair-skinned people like me!

Enjoy the day!

Apologies about Pirate Day!

Indeed, I said that the Pirate Day celebrations would spread from the Stade to the Pier yesterday, sadly, the new owner of the Pier had arranged nothing, except to fly 4 skull & crossbone flags from the Deck (which is still not in use!), cancelling all else that was in the 2018 programme (most events ended up in the town centre, cheers!).

Oh well, better luck next year Mr Gulzar, I thought that one of the reasons you had been given Hastings Pier so abruptly by the administrators and the Heritage Lottery Fund was because it meant you could use the potential of summer takings, shame you weren't ready and appear to have no plans, and now the deal smells even fishier!

RRRrrrrrrr.... Pirate Day 2018!

OK, of course there's many other things happening this weekend, but Pirate Day 2018, what more can I say?!? Ever since Hastings recorded the Guinness Book of Records standing record of the number of pirates in a single area, ie on the beach in Hastings in 2012 (14,231), we've been waiting for our Cornish piratical chums in Penzance to catch up, and they still haven't... So, it's yet another day for Hastings folk to dress up and enjoy itself, but with no pressure...

So much going on, and not just directly to do with Pirate Day 2018, eg Stade Saturdays (website) has Mike Willis singing 'Nashville' from 7.30pm on Saturday the 14th, but also stretches into Sunday the 15th, ie Pirate Day, for pirates, music and much more from 11am. While talking about the Stade, Hastings Lifeboat Station will provide us with more shanties, pirate songs and drums in conjunction with refreshments, also from 11am onwards!

And, well, Pirate Day itself will no doubt see thousands of pirates parading round town, drinking and causing friendly mayhem, and too many events for me to mention, but spreading from the Stade to the Pier via George Street, up on West Hill, Pelham Beach, and Priory Meadow (Visit 1066 website for more in-depth information of each venue). The beach, streets, pubs and bars will be full of pirates, and of course there's a procession planned: from 2pm the Parade of the Kraken commences up from the bottom of High Street/East Street/West Street, crosses The Bourne at the top over into All Saints Street and down to Winkle Island...

Dress up, or not, have fun, and there's even more sunshine forecast this weekend (Met Office), so Factor 50 for me!

Tuesday: Regular Free Old Town Guided Walk

It's that day again! Consequently, this afternoon, it's time for the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town, meeting up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show you around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and stories, and tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog), indeed, they still keep on coming!

The walk proceeds across the West Hill and leads gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps involved, and it lasts about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though as 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 a bit cooler than of late, mostly thin cloud this afternoon, but you never know if the sun will burn off the cloud, whatever, rays do still get through (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may be wise, certainly if you're fair-skinned like me!

Enjoy your day!

Hastings Pier Jam Part Two

I didn't get there to take a photograph, but it doesn't appier that I was missed! Many thanks to their facebook page for this image, cheers!

Yesterday...

Well, it certainly was another beautiful day yesterday! Out in the morning and I'd forgotten to mention yesterday was Independent's Day on the America Ground (website), actually I wasn't aware (so much going on!), apologies for that...

I was heading for Hastings Library in Claremont, but the main focus for Independent's Day was just round the corner by the Library, behind The Printworks at Gotham Alley.

I then headed for the Old Town, passing many people on the way (too early to see what was happening at Pier Jam), and even Hastings Adventure Golf had arranged for music opposite their chip shop! Anyway I took this photograph down Rock-a-Nore Road before heading up All Saints Street to:

The Cinque Ports Arms, where I spent a few hours in pleasant company, then a 'mob' came in to watch the England football match, if you don't know the score you're probably not interested in football, otherwise, yes, I enjoyed it. 😉

On my way back home I passed the Stade Open Space where people were participating in the workshops for Strictly Stade Saturday, oh yes, and plenty of noisy football fans walking along (met Joe who I hadn't seen for a while, good to see you Joe!), in vehicles, sitting outside pubs. Apparently something may be coming home...

Hastings: What's On?!?

If you're trying to avoid the Football World Cup (which is likely to be shown in virtually every pub and bar, well, certainly the England match!)...

For people (mostly) younger than me, and following the hugely successful Pier Jam in April, today (Saturday, 13.00-23.00) sees the return that is Pier Jam Hastings - Part Two (facebook). The new owner apparently accepting already arranged events may be held on Hastings Pier, nice one, enjoy!

Back at the Stade and a slightly more tranquil Strictly Stade Saturday for people of all ages, of course (website pdfs)! From 5pm there will be free workshops to help you learn the trade, then from 7pm until 9pm you can enjoy 2 hours of ballroom, salsa and tango dancing! This is a free HBC event held in collaboration with Hastings Salsa and Dance Hastings CIO, so dance the night away and enjoy!

And, my apologies for missing this so far, but the Hastings Beer & Music Festival 2018 is on its last day up at The Oval, off Bohemia Road, again (website). This event is organised by Hastings Round Table, subsequently, is a charity event and, as such, "every single penny raised goes to local good causes." There will be a Family Afternoon with too much on to list, so look at the website, with the gates opening at 11am until 4pm; and from 4.30pm gates reopen for the evening music with 5 live bands (website), if you haven't already bought your tickets, hurry hurry hurry!

I know where I'll be watching the football, and of course there's music on in bars all over town as ever, but, whatever you do today, please enjoy yourselves!

Happy Birthday NHS!

Today is the 70th anniversary of the setting up of the NHS, Happy Birthday to you! Now, I am a firm supporter of the National Health Service, I have been a patient in the NHS, I have worked in the NHS as a clinician, and I have taught Health Studies to clinicians and others. I do fear any attempts to privatise the NHS and, do please note, many politicians are ideologically opposed towards the NHS, including most of the current Cabinet... Any attempts to allow the USA to take over health care in Britain as part of any post-Brexit strategy (not unlikely!) should be opposed by the British as the NHS is a fundamental part of what we are. So, here's to another 70 years, at least, of the NHS!

I've had my say for today, many thanks!

Happy July the 4th!

Happy July the 4th from this wee part of America (nearly)! 😉

Tuesday Free Guided Walk of Hastings Old Town

This afternoon, the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) will be leading their regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town, which meets up by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. You will be shown around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and stories, by a volunteer guide from the OHPS, who will also tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog).

The walk proceeds across the West Hill and gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps, and lasts about 2 hours. The guided walk is free of charge, though the OHPS, which is a registered charity, 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 nice and sunny yet again, oh well, it's a life (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may be wise!

Have a good afternoon today, indeed, enjoy every day!

Hastings New Lifeboat: Richard & Caroline Colton

This is a photograph of Hastings new Shannon Class lifeboat, the Richard & Caroline Colton, now built, and which is due to be launched this Tuesday 3rd of July, and thus begin her sea trials!

This story behind the Richard and Caroline Colton is from the Hastings Lifeboat facebook page: "Our new Shannon-class lifeboat is named Richard and Caroline Colton after the late Mr Richard Colton of Wellingborough and his late wife Caroline Colton.

Although Richard was not keen on the cold waters of the British Isles, during his younger years – and in warmer waters – he was a keen water skier and diver. Throughout his lifetime, Mr Colton was a supporter of the RNLI and he participated in the Ecurie Ecosse Historic Motor Tour in 1991 to raise funds to build a new lifeboat station at Invergordon.

Richard passed away in March 2015 and left an extraordinary legacy to the RNLI of two of the world’s rarest Ferraris. The classic cars were sold at auction for an impressive £8.5M – making the vehicles the most valuable items ever left to the RNLI – which has been used to fund the all-weather lifeboat Richard and Caroline Colton.

Richard’s legacy is also funding the Shannon Launch and Recovery for Hastings which will be named Richard and Mark Colton, after his late son Mark."

Photo courtesy of S Lowe, ALC, many thanks (and there are more on facebook).

Looking forward to her arrival!

A visit to Hastings Pier yesterday...

OK, not the most picturesque photograph (better below), but important as these are the 2 certificates that show there is an 'alcohol licence' for Hastings Pier now; something I'm not surprised about as it is pretty much a necessity if they want to make any money! But, to the right is the copy of the Certificate of Employer's Liability Insurance for the HASTINGS PIER CHARITY, not for Lions Hastings Pier Ltd, the new owner...

Now, as many of you will know, a valid Certificate of Employer's Liability Insurance has to be on display for staff to see by law, though not necessarily in view of the public like the Charity posted whilst they managed the Pier. So I ended up talking to a man who said he is the 'manager' and suggested he'd better check if they have this insurance, and that a copy of the certificate is on display for staff to see, otherwise they're breaking the law. He said they must have a copy somewhere, and he'd better take down the invalid Charity certificate, which he did. I wished him good luck!

If you didn't visit St Leonards Festival yesterday you will have missed the Friends of Hastings Pier stall in Warrior Square Gardens, and a chance to speak with people who really care about what should be a community-owned asset, and whose excellent plan for the future of the Pier had been spurned by the administrators in favour of Mr Gulzar and Lions Hastings Pier Ltd.

The principles of Friends of Hastings Pier can be read at their new Crowdfunder page, where you may also contribute to their campaign, but essentially it is about the people in a community having a say in what happens to community assets and that they should stay in community ownership. My best wishes to Friends of Hastings Pier and their campaign, which I do and will continue to support.