Weekend Events in Hastings

The Hastings Winkle Club (blog) Jazz & Blues Festival - 31 May to 2 June 2019, in aid of local charities, begins this evening with live music at 3 venues: The Letter Quintet playing from 8.30pm at the Jenny Lind in the High Street, and from 9pm with The Black Sheep playing at the Nelson near the bottom of The Bourne, and The Chantell Duncan Band playing at the Old Market in George Street (website). Saturday and Sunday evenings will also see live music at these venues and at Porters Wine Bar in the High Street, the EHSAA Club opposite the Lifeboat Station at The Stade, and the Dragon Bar in George Street (see website for more details).

Saturday and Sunday also has live music plaing at The Stade Open Space, in conjunction with the first of this year's Stade Saturdays (website): live music playing on stage from 12.30pm to 9pm on Saturday 1st, and from 10.30am (opens 10am) on Sunday with The Big Band Breakfast until 7.30pm (website).



Also on Sunday, from 8am to 12 noon, there will be a Car Boot Sale organised by Roebuck Enterprises in the Roebuck Centre, Roebuck Street (in between High Street and The Bourne - facebook page).

Meanwhile, over in St Leonards the road will be closed for the St Leonards/Kings Road Street Market (facebook page) from 10am to 4 pm tomorrow Saturday 1st.

And, of course, there are the usual music events in the regular pubs and bars, and there are museums, seafront, aquarium et cetera to enjoy!



Hastings Old Town Guided Walk Tuesday

Today (28th May) and for the regular (until 17th September) Tuesday afternoon (and Thursday afternoons in August) Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) free guided walk of Hastings Old Town continues. If you wish to take part, meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift (lower entrance at the west end of George Street) by 2.30pm. An OHPS volunteer will guide your exploration of the historic buildings of the old town, the twittens and cat creeps, and tell you why 'celebrities of their day flocked to Hastings.' Indeed, many still do...  

The walk proceeds gently downhill with some steps to manage too, and lasts about 2 hours, and, though provided free of charge, the OHPS would be grateful for any donations made, many thanks; see their website. Wearing comfortable walking shoes would be sensible, and the weather forecast suggests there may be sunshine and showers, so be prepared, and enjoy yourselves!

A weekend wander East and West...

I ensured I got out early, before it became too warm, but we do have a few steep hills in Hastings, notably these 2, and it wasn't chilly at all! As I live in the centre of town I began by walking up the West Hill, first of all to take this photograph from outside Hastings Castle (images within are included in my older blog).

Taken of the 'old town' looking down from the West Hill, most will already be well aware that the 'old town' is actually the Norman New Hastings. This became the new centre following the great storms of the 13th century, which altered the local coastline, depositing a vast bank of shingle which helped to create the America Ground at the west of the new town centre, and filled in the old harbour over which the castle stood, got that? Maybe it's better explained in an older blog about the America Ground.

I then headed down to the 'old town' and passed one of our two Norman churches on the corner of the High Street and opposite Swan Terrace, St Clement Church (blog).

I then crossed The Bourne, now a road, but once a river running through the centre of the old town, and part of local drains I do believe. I walked up to and along Tackleway to above All Saints Church, the other Norman church, where I took this photograph (more about this church, and photographs inside and out, on this older blog).

I then walked up the East Hill, from where I took this photograph looking down into the 'old town' and across to the West Hill. Oh yes, by the way, there are iron age forts at the top of both hills too!

Before I had an early drink at the Dolphin Inn, and then visited the Sussex Street Food Festival on the Stade Open Space (blog), and then had a drink at the Jolly Fisherman (I was thirsty!), I wandered down the steps that start by the top of the East Hill Lift, and down to Tackleway, and then turned left down to Rock-a-Nore Road.

Sussex Street Food Festival

I have to apologize for not giving prior notice, but the Sussex Street Food Festival is on in Hastings over this weekend, so you still have 2 days if you wish to attend! 

The festival is on at The Stade Open Space from yesterday (when I realized and took these photographs!) to tomorrow (Monday 27th), free, and running from 12 noon to 10pm (visit1066country website). There was an impressive array of foods on offer, and drinks, and there were some very interesting aromas pervading the air, enjoy!

Hastings Pier, again...

I took this photograph a few hours ago, and it's a beautiful day as you can see... But Hastings Pier now has even less to do on it than when the charity was floundering, indeed, that's when it's actually been open, as we well know that the Pier hasn't been open many days, weeks, and even months in the nearly 1 year that the new owner purchased it for the knock-down price of just £60,000! 

The opportunity to join in enthusiastically with the many highly visited Hastings events has not been taken, the centre Deck building isn't being used, the owner has been squabbling with local groups rather than cooperating with some very knowledgeable and experienced local residents. Indeed, the excellent plan the Friends of Hastings Pier had produced (eg blog) looks to have been noticed with hints from the new owner, but NOTHING has happened, other than getting permission for slot machines and a shed that had sat on the Pier for ages without planning permission, and for another few sheds too, though the ones already there remain empty, sad days...

And there is nothing at the gates about opening times...

Oh yes! Incidentally, who made the decision to get rid of the cycle lane between Bottle Alley and opposite Robertson Street, I was so close to being hit by a cyclist earlier, who obviously wasn't looking ahead when I was in front of the Pier, ludicrous!

27th Hastings Bus Rally

Bus Rally at The Stade today...

Hastings Lifeboat launched for exercise this morning...

See their facebook page...

Happy International Museum Day 2019!

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery

Today is the 43rd International Museum Day (website) which has the objective of raising awareness of museums as "an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples."

Consequently, a day to remember what a great Museum & Art Gallery we have in Hastings, that is, up Bohemia Road at John's Place, TN34 1ET (website), and to make a visit to this wonderful resource. Entry is free, and it is open today from 10am to 5pm; opening hours for April to October are 10am to 5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and 12 noon to 5pm on Sundays (closed Mondays), and for November to March the same opening times, but closing an hour earlier at 4pm.

Hastings Fishermen's Museum

Also, down at Rock-a-Nore Road in the old town TN34 3DW, there are 2 museums that concern our local fishing industry and local coast, the Hastings Fishermen's Museum, open 10am to 5pm every day from April to October (website) and from 11am to 4pm November to March. And the Shipwreck Museum virtually next door, open 10.30am to 5pm every day from April to October (website). 

Whatever you do this weekend, enjoy yourselves!

Hastings Old Town Guided Walks

I missed reporting that the first of the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) 2019 Tuesday afternoon guided walks of Hastings Old Town was this week, oops, my apologies for that! But their second free guided walk of the old town this year, of the "premier ancient Cinque Port," meets up by the top of the West Hill lift (ie the lift going up to Hastings Castle, with its lower entrance at the west end of George Street) at 2.30pm on Tuesday 14th May; then, every Tuesday until the 17th of September, plus a few other days too... There is a wealth of historic buildings, twittens and cat-creeps to explore in Hastings old town, and the volunteer guide will explain why celebrities of their day (for example, the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century, see blog) have, indeed, and still do, flock to Hastings. 

The walk will proceed gently downhill, including a number of steps to manage, and lasts about 2 hours. The guided walk is provided free of charge, though the OHPS would be grateful for all donations given, many thanks; see their website. It's worth wearing comfortable walking shoes, obviously, and the weather forecast suggests it will be bright and sunny on Tuesday (Met Office), so be prepared with Factor 50 or hat/head covering if, like me, you redden as soon as the sun casts its rays on you! 

Enjoy the day!

May Day Photographs...

Following his release from Hastings Fishermen's Museum the Jack passes RX134, the Stacey Marie (facebook page) dancing down Rock-a-Nore Road.

Dancing with the Giants! 

The procession turns up All Saints Street 

Apparently there had been a serious accident on the A21 which prevented many from arriving early yesterday, but Bike1066 happened...

On The Stade 

Pelham Beach carpark 

Bike1066 Market in Town Centre

Hastings May Day 2019

2019, and yet another May Day, which means Jack in the Green, and this year the forecast is for fine weather, fingers crossed! For the first time, the Dolphin Inn will be open from 08.00 for breakfast, so I may well take advantage, many thanks! But back to the event... May 6th will again see the Jack released from Hastings Fishermen's Museum at 10.15, attendants, Bogies and Giants will gather around the Jack, and the procession will form behind him proceed along Rock-a-Nore Road, then turning up All Saints Street, crossing The Bourne at the top, and carrying on down High Street, where the procession pauses for refreshments (ale!), music and dancing (website).

About 12.00 noon the procession will continue on, turning right by St Clements Church and winding up Croft Road and Collier Road to the West Hill, arriving about 12.30. On the West Hill stage there will be more music, dancing, drumming and frivolities, and close by will be food stalls and refreshments, including more ale, a craft fair, and toilet facilities. After a couple of hours the Jack will be led by the Bogies to the stage and will be "symbolically slain and the Spirit of Summer is released for another year!"

The history behind the Jack in the Green May Day Festival goes back hundreds of years, but the local custom faded away towards the end of the 19th century. The custom was revived in Hastings by Mad Jacks Morris Dancers in 1983, and a 20th/21st century Jack in the Green custom and festival developed to the present day, when thousands turn up to dress and make up, or just to observe the procession, or just have a few ales, and yes, Hastings does like to dress up! 

But it's not just Jack in the Green to enjoy, as every year for 40 years now, Hastings also hosts Bike1066 and this will be the 41st May Day Run with the roar of engines beginning to herald the arrival of bikers along the seafront, and down London Road, Queens Road and Old London Road from well before 09.00. Bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts and the motorcycle trade and industry come together in Hastings, and the diversity of bikes year after year never ceases to amaze! (website)

Motorcycles take over the seafront from here below All Saints Street at Rock-a-Nore Road in front of the Stade, in Pelham Car Park, and all along to Hastings Pier. I've walked by the Town Hall in Queens Road and even seen numerous bikes parked there in previous years, and the town centre itself boasts many relevant motorbike, helmets and accessory stalls from quite early in the morning, as does Pelham Car Park by the beach, and the Stade Open Space, as I suggested earlier.

So, if you want to see motorbikes you can't miss them, but the larger number find their way to Pelham Car Park, by Pelham Beach and below Pelham Crescent (above), where thousands park up every year, last year being the 40th May Day Run, saw over 40,000 motorbikes come to Hastings! 

Of course though, there are many other places offering live music and entertainment, ales and wines, seafood in Rock-a-Nore Road (this area is by the centre of the Hastings Fishing Industry!), and other special culinary delights and refreshments, including at the Lifeboat Station from 10am to 4pm (facebook page). Just tour the area, as many pubs will have live music, and ale, and other refreshments of course. Please do enjoy Hastings May Day public holiday 2019, have fun!

Weekend Jack in the Green!

I wandered into the old town this morning to take some early photographs, which I shall embellish appropriately; yesterday (blog) I mentioned Jack in the Green events today (Saturday), so this blog will mention events tomorrow (Sunday 5th). I took photographs from the Albion, the first pub I found with greenery as I arrived from the west...

So, events tomorrow (website) include the Morris Dancers Church Service at St Clement's (above) from 10.00am, followed by dancing outside at 11.00am, and later, music there with The Copper Family at 4.00pm; doors open at 3.30pm, tickets £8.

Jenny Lind

Greenery in the High Street too... but meanwhile, down at the Stade Open Space tomorrow, a (Morris) Dance Spectacular begins at 12.00 noon...

 Stag Inn

Greenery up at the top of All Saints Street too; meanwhile, down at Butler's Gap at 4.00pm The Drum-Off, when 2 local drumming groups, Sambalanco and Section 5, march and bang their way from each end of the old town to go head to head!

And even greenery (and colours!) at cute local cottages... Oh yes, the programme, from 7.30pm, upstairs in the Cinque Ports Arms, further up All Saints Street from this image, with more traditional music with The Big Squeeze...

And the furthest pub  to the east with greenery, the Dolphin Inn in Rock-a-Nore Road (above)... Though the final event of the day tomorrow is another Ceilidh at St Mary in the Castle from 8.00pm; tickets £12 adults, £5 children, £25 families. 

Greenery even up on the West Hill at the Plough Inn (photograph from Jamie's facebook page, many thanks!), opposite where the Jack in the Green procession on Monday finishes, and I believe  there will be a barbecue there on Monday too...

Plenty to enjoy, and even more on Monday!!

Bottle Alley: New Light Show Times

From the Hastings Borough Council facebook page, plus image, many thanks: 

"From today, the bottle alley light show will be at 7.30pm AND AGAIN at 9.30pm! The 10 minute show is Saturday to Thursdays, with an extended 30 minute show on Fridays. The lights are green...it must be the Jack in the Green Festival! Have a great bank holiday!"

Hastings Jack in the Green begins...

So, Hastings Jack in the Green begins at 8.00pm this evening (Friday 3rd May, see website) with a 'raucous' Folk Session in the Stag Inn, All Saints Street. Then continues tomorrow from 12.00 noon with (Morris) Dancing on Winkle Island, more folk music from 2.00pm at the Stag Inn with Rattlebag (though they will have already been 'busking' around the old town from 11.00am), and from 8.00pm a Ceilidh at St Mary in the Castle, Pelham Place, and a Magpie Lane folk concert at St Clements Church, High Street. And so much more to come Sunday and Monday!!