Money raised for Elsie-Rose & Friends!

I had a wander down to the Dolphin Inn in Rock-a-Nore Road this evening for the presentation of £3,253.00 to the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation, which is a significant contribution to the usual £5,000 required to set up a body as a registered charity (Government website).

The cheque for £3,253.00 was presented to Elsie-Rose, happily recently recovered following a hospital admission, and now she's back to school too, and to Karen (on the left of the photograph), a trustee of the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation; behind are Mark and Jason, who paddled across the channel on 17th of October in a kayak to raise funds, and fellow fund raisers Kerry and Paul.

Mark, Jason, Elsie-Rose and cheque!

A reminder of Mark and Jason crossing the Channel.

Thanks must go to all those who raised funds, and including a significant contribution from regulars at the Dolphin, including people donating prize money on Thursday Quiz Nights, via Crowdfunding and a special raffle (and thanks to local businesses for supplying prizes),  and through direct sponsorship.

If you want to know more about Elsie-Rose, the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation and/or SMA Type 1, you can refer to an earlier blog where I reported the safe return of Mark and Jason, or go to her mother's guest blog posted in August.

My respect to all and congratulations once again, Elsie-Rose is one hell of a strong and wonderful character, and I am humbled by her, her mother, and her family & friends. 👍

Hastings Pier... Still Closed!

See facebook...

Playing for time?

Leaving Hastings Tomorrow, RNLI 12-002...

Our previous lifeboat Sealink Endeavor RNLI 12-002, is leaving Hastings tomorrow morning 27th November; the planned launch between 07.30-08.00. She served 29 years from Hastings, being launched in emergencies 360 times, rescuing 363 people and saving 41 lives. She will be heading for the All Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset, but with no other plans known yet for her future (facebook). Best wishes to her, and to the lifeboat crew who, of course, will remain... Respect. 

Hastings Lifeboat - Exercise Launch and Recovery

OK, I have to admit I'd forgotten about the exercise launch this morning, being concerned about the Pier, but I noticed her out at sea whilst I was by the Pier, and so rushed along to see the recovery (RNLI Hastings Lifeboat Station facebook page), and took a few photographs; here is RNLI 13-28 returning to the beach, rather fast...

She hit the beach so quickly that I couldn't quite get the correct moment of impact, but this is just as she mounts the beach!

And the recovery continues as she is hauled up the beach, nice one...

Hastings Pier Closed...

So, Hastings Pier remains closed today, following yesterday's fire in the kitchen of the Pavilion Restaurant (Eastbourne Herald), which was, apparently, caused by an electrical/wiring fault. Hardly suprising it's still closed, I suppose, as nothing else is open on the Pier these days...

Oh yes, and rather than the permanent pavilion that an award winning designer was proposing for the Friends of Hastings Pier proposal (blog from earlier this year), Gulzar is asking for a further 5 sheds on the Pier, to last 5 years (?!?), despite the majority of those sheds already there being empty for most of the Summer. If you wish to make a comment regarding the sheds to the Council Planning Committee go to their website, and re Listed Building Consent, here.

And the comments on my last blog have answered themselves, many thanks to the 'anonymous' writers, cheers!

Hastings Pier Falling Apart?

Following Gulzar's recently laying off Hastings Pier's 2-person maintenance team, and his lack of insurance for the structure of the Pier (he refuses to provide evidence of insurance, even to his friends at Hastings Observer and to the Hastings MP, let alone to concerned locals!), here is evidence that he is an absolute failure when it comes to maintaining the Pier, sadly.

Hastings Borough Council are aware, let's see what happens...

This photograph is thanks to it being shared on a Pier-friendly facebook page by Martin Richter, many thanks Martin! 

Beer Festival this weekend in nearby Bexhill.

By Steve the Beermeister...

From today, the RAFA Albatross Club at 15 Marina Arcade, Bexhill TN40 1JS, is holding its Novemberfest! There will be live music each day, food available, and, of course, 10 extra ales served straight from casks downstairs, in addition to the 5 poured by handpump on the bar at ground level. Opening hours are 11.00 to 23.00 today (Friday 23rd) and tomorrow, and 12.00 to 17.00 on Sunday (25th), and you don't have to be a RAFA member or CAMRA member to visit this weekend, all sensible drinkers are welcome, cheers!

The 10 special festival ales come from up and down the country: Including Gunpowder Mild (3.8%) from Coach House Brewery in Cumbria; Blackthorn Sloe Porter (5.0%) from North Yorkshire Settle Brewery; Saltaire Blonde (4.0%) from the excellent Saltaire Brewery in West Yorkshire; the ever excellent Titanic Plum Porter Grand Reserve (6.5%) from Titanic Brewery in the Potteries; Pop Up IPA (5.0%) from The Cronx Brewery in Croydon; Gadds Dogbolter Porter (5.6%) from Ramsgate Brewery in Kent; plus 4 more pale, golden and copper coloured bitters from Yorkshire to Kent!

Political, but has to be said following our MP's comments!

I can understand that Amber Rudd is happy to be back in the Cabinet after having resigned as Home Secretary following the Windrush scandal, but maybe, just maybe, she shouldn't be so ready to accept a policy as so "fantastic" that she had no part in creating. Indeed, though she did say Universal Credit has been so good for Hastings people, transforming lives, she couldn't deny that there has been an enormous rise in people in Hastings (including workers, such as nurses) having to use Hastings Foodbank (Daily Mail). Come on Amber, you did nothing to help the Hastings Fishing Industry, please now try and help your Hastings constituents who are in relative poverty, and make up for not using your Cabinet influence for local good in the past!

If you would like to contribute towards Hastings Foodbank, please go to their website or their facebook page...

Snow in Hastings, and the Stacey Marie...

Yesterday, early morning, the snow fell from 01.00, so I found out from someone who works at the Fish Market (I took this photograph at about 06.00), but it didn't last for very long. I could tell it had snowed as I slipped along the pavement, indeed, it was much easier, and safer, to walk in the middle of the road where traffic had left wide tyre trails clear of melting snow. Sadly, no snow left on the recently re-painted Stacey Marie (see older blog if you aren't aware of my relationship with her), so I'll just add a more recent image of her without any snow (taken on Sunday, below), but with blue sky!

RX134, Stacey Marie

Good to see her looking more spick and span, and ready for the Winter weather.

Snowflake Winter Night Shelter....

Once again, the Snowflake Winter Night Shelter will be providing supervised overnight accommodation to homeless people who would otherwise be sleeping rough in Hastings and St Leonards from Friday the 30th of November 2018 to the morning of the 20th of March 2019. Users of this service are referred by various local organisations including the Seaview Project, St John Ambulance Homeless Service, Hastings Borough Council, and other agencies such as the Police.

The leaflet distributed recently suggests there would still be another volunteer registration meeting later this month, but the website disagrees; though I presume they would be very happy to welcome more people willing to volunteer. 

For further information about being a volunteer go to their website or to their facebook page.

A Fair Old Weekend...

Indeed! This was the Filo bar in, what may be the last (blog), and I so hope I've been given duff information, Hastings Herring Fair early doors, as in, the morning before it opened, the calm before the storm...

Then, a few hours were spent adding paint to the Stacey Marie's 'coat' (blog about RX134) and ensuring, for another year, she doesn't get too damaged by the winter, seaside climate, stormy weather and low temperatures...

Then, enjoying what may be Cushty's last song at this Fair, nice one!

Fish & Craic this weekend!

Indeed, there's a wee bit of variety this weekend in Hastings, today and tomorrow at the Stade Open Space, the annual raising of the marquee is for the Hastings Herring Fair, 17-18 November 2018. Of course, it's not just about the local herring catch, but other foods, bar with locally brewed real ale (with thanks to the FILO), music, children's activities, and cooking demonstrations (Visit 1066 Country website).

From a fishing source I have been assured that herring have been caught locally, certainly plenty were brought in on Thursday... Also, another birdy has told me that, due to Central Government 'austerity' cuts, another Herring Fair next year, sadly, looks very unlikely, because Hastings Borough Council have to convert the effects of those cuts into local policy, and that would be a shame indeed...

Anyway, back to something more cheerful, and this comes about thanks to the Hastings Fleadh, a weekend of Irish music and song taking place in a variety of venues (website). You can see greater detail of what's on at their facebook page... 

Beaujolais Nouveau Day...

Happy Beaujolais Nouveau Day, the day when numerous people shoot back with bottles from France to celebrate drinking this youthful French wine! So what has this to do with Hastings? Well, a little birdy has told me that Beaujolais Nouveau will be available today at the Dragon Bar in George Street (website), and booked tables there will be going fast; if you know of anywhere else selling this delicious wine please feel free to add a comment, many thanks, and 'bottoms up!'

If you want to know more about Beaujolais Nouveau have a peak at their website.

Hastings Lifeboat Station Quiz Night Tonight!

Hastings Lifeboat Station is having its first Quiz Night to help raise funds this evening (13th November) since the arrival, and going into service, of its new Shannon class RNLI 13-28 lifeboat (blog). The event starts at 7.30pm at East Hastings Sea Angling Association, opposite the Lifeboat Station at the Stade. Entry per person is £2.50, with a maximum of 4 people allowed per team; complimentary 'nibbles' will be provided.

Your chance to have a fun evening, and to contribute to the RNLI! 

POP-UP Record Store this weekend

This weekend, Dead Format are hosting a Pop-Up Record Store in the Eel & Bear at 28 Waldegrave Street TN34 1SJ (Eel & Bear facebook), so, where to go if you like vinyl! The times of opening are 12-9pm on Saturday and 12-5pm on Sunday. I have previously written a blog about the Eel & Bear soon after they opened, somewhere well worth visiting, so vinyl and beer, what's not to enjoy?!?

Lifeboats Changeover...

So, perhaps fittingly on the day former Hastings Lifeboat coxwain Fred White was laid to rest, the RNLI's longest serving lifeboat, the Sealink Endeavour, Mersey class RNLI 12-002, which served getting on for 30 years from Hastings, was retired from service, following 360 launches...

... Replaced overnight by the Shannon class RNLI 13-28, to be formally named the Richard & Caroline Colton next year, welcome again!

As ever my respect goes out to the crew of Hastings Lifeboat, mostly volunteers, who help to keep British waters safe, and to Fred White R.I.P. 

Fred White R.I.P.

So tomorrow, Wednesday 7th November, the funeral will be held for well known and well respected, retired fisherman and ex-coxwain of Hastings Lifeboat, Fred White, up at the Cemetery at 2pm, wake at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association at The Stade (opposite the Lifeboat Station, appropriately) afterwards... There have been over 16,000 page views of my previous blog announcing the Red Ensign at Hastings Fishermen's Museum being flown at half-mast for Fred showing his popularity, so it looks like there will be a very large turnout  for Fred White R.I.P.

Photograph with many thanks to Eric Reichbaum @ Instagram.

5th November...

On this day 413 years ago, and we now celebrate this failure to blow up Westminster Palace every year on this day, for some reason, was the Gunpowder Plot! If you'd like to learn a wee bit more about this event in our history, have a look at history.com's website. No doubt we'll hear a few bangs and see a few fireworks in the sky this evening, so enjoy, but do ensure the safety of pets and children!

Another Hastings Micropub! - Twelve Hundred Postcards

By Steve the Beermeister...

Hastings newest micropub very recently opened at 80 Queens Road TN34 1RL (opposite Morrisons petrol station), so I had to visit, obviously...

... and very happy I was too when I got there (above), well I was already quite happy, but pleased with how Twelve Hundred Postcards is shaping (the story behind the name is described in great detail on their website, so I suggest you have a look there if you want to know more), and I got to meet up with a couple of friends there I hadn't seen for quite some time too, nice one! 

On entering I was impressed with the bright decor, and how far back the bar room goes, consequently providing plenty of seating (I calculate room for 30-40 seated, and plenty of room for standing), as you can see from the photograph above.

The man in charge using modern technology to aid his efficiency, and the cooled beer storage area behind him, pretty much an enormous fridge that you can see into.

Obviously I'm most interested in the cask ales on sale, so I shall go into the ales first: 4 cask conditioned ales available (above, what was available yesterday evening 3rd November, but no regulars, I believe, so these will regularly change as they run out, and I also believe there are ales to come very soon from quality local brewers Franklins - website - and from Burning Sky - website). I have to admit yesterday included 2 of my favourite ales available, from Peterborough brewers Oakham Ales (website), their excellent 4.2% Citra, and from Derbyshire brewers Thornbridge (website), their stronger, and also excellent 5.9% Jaipur, quality!

Looking back towards the front

So what else is available? In addition to the ales there are 3 ciders available and a crafty keg beer, plus numerous bottles and cans in a fridge behind me when I took this photograph, including some Belgian beers, 2 red and 2 white wines, and a variety of crisps to snack on. As I said above, Twelve Hundred Postcards is bright, clean and roomy, to which I can add, very friendly too, so well worth a visit, or many visits for that matter, cheers! Oh yes, opening times: 

Sunday, 12-4 pm

Monday, not open

Tuesday, 5-9 pm

Wed/Thursday, 12-2 and 5-9 pm

Fri/Saturday, 12-9.30 pm

RX134 Greetings Cards!

This morning I noticed 2 different greetings cards for sale (please note, nothing to do with the boat, this blog, or Hastings Fishermen's Museum), but yet more evidence of how much the Stacey Marie is sketched/painted/photographed! I'll have to nip in and buy a couple (this image is the least bad photograph I took 😉 ), and regular readers will be aware of my involvement as a volunteer in the annual restoration/repainting of her (blog), and that she is owned by the Fishermen's Museum (website), being their first fishing boat exhibit you see coming down Rock-a-Nore Road, nice one...

If you are interested, this was photographed in the window of Sussex Framing Centre in Claremont, virtually opposite Hastings Library.

And how did that dog get up there?!? 😮

Light up Halloween Dog Walk tomorrow...

OK, it is now November, and I saw nothing scarier yesterday than the grim chap above, who didn't tempt me in to have a coffee, but tomorrow provides a Halloween event for dog owners, and I doubt they'll not allow you to join in if you are dogless...

Those who wish to join in are asked to meet up at 6pm next to Hastings Pier, to leave at about 6.15pm (Friday 2nd November), and the walk is planned to last a little over an hour or so, finishing back at the Pier (facebook page). Participants are asked to dress up themselves and their dogs, and not to forget to wear lights, and there will be prizes for best dressed dogs and best dressed humans, have fun!