Sad, but People in Hastings attempted to block Lifeboat launch!

It happened 10 days ago (I only just found out), but a group of people, apparently local fisherman, and this has been supported by someone I know, who knows, tried to prevent the Hastings RNLI lifeboat from being launched (Argus) because they didn't want them to "bring any more of those (migrants) home." Now, 2 questions, first, how did they know the lifeboat was being launched regarding migrants crossing the Channel, rather than being launched to assist a boat in jeopardy? Second, are they happy to block the RNLI doing their voluntary work, protecting lives at risk at sea, and how would these same fishermen feel if the lifeboat was prevented from launching when a fishing boat and its crew was at risk? The police are investigating...

Just thinking, sad that anyone appears happy to see people lose their lives at sea... 

Household Support Fund

Are you, or someone you know, likely to find it difficult to keep warm, get enough food, or pay essential bills this winter? You, or they, may be able to get help from the DWP Household Support Fund, which has almost £4 million available to help people in East Sussex most in need. To qualify, applicants need to be 18 years old or older, and receive a means-tested benefit. Go to the Hastings Borough Council website for further details, and to see how to apply. 

Good luck and stay safe!

Masks required from this morning...

As I shared in my last blog, some restrictions are being reintroduced because of the rise in the incidence of COVID-19 infections, and fears of the new variant Omicron. Indeed, this includes, from this morning, the wearing of face coverings in shops and on public transport as mandatory in law.

Don't forget your masks, and stay safe folks! 

COVID Restrictions Being Reintroduced.

So very soon after my last blog, in which I shared my concern for the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Hastings, the Prime Minister yesterday warned us that some restrictions are being introduced this week to help combat the rise nationally, and to help prevent the spread of a new variant, Omicron (BBC). 

These will be announced later today by the Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, I believe, but we have been forewarned by the Prime Minister that measures will include, in law again, having to wear face coverings in shops and on public transport; unlike the PM, something many of us have continued because, well, because it's showing respect to our fellow beings. Also, PCR tests will be reintroduced for everyone coming back into the country, and a red list of countries will be reintroduced too, including for those countries in southern Africa where Omicron appears to be spreading quickly. Oh yes, and Christmas will be "considerably better" than in 2020, hmmm...

So watch/listen out for the Health Secretary's announcements, and stay safe!

COVID-19 Rate in Hastings Concerning...

Memories of walking during lockdowns aren't so bad, but the rate of COVID-19 infections in Hastings continues to rise, according to the BBC there were 600 cases in Hastings for the week 15-21 November, the equivalent of 648 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 450 per 100,000...

At the beginning of the second lockdown in November last year (blog) the equivalent in Hastings was just 31.3 per 100,000! So yes, I am a wee bit concerned. I note from the BBC that the incidence is growing significantly among the under 60s in Hastings, whereas it's dropping amongst those aged 60 and over, which is better news for old gits like me, but it's looking as though the incidence is particularly increasing amongst those who have refused to have vaccinations, indeed, I know of a few personally. Mercifully, the number of related deaths in Hastings is relatively very low, and I hear the Conquest isn't packed with cases, fingers crossed that may continue.

Please folks let's remember that the COVID-19 Crisis hasn't gone away, so be very careful in crowded indoor places in particular, I'm still wearing a face covering in shops, the shopping centre, library, on trains and buses etc, but notice many people appear to be happy to share their germs, perhaps trying to emulate the recent abhorrent behaviour of the Prime Minister, so no wonder the incidence keeps rising... 

And I continue to regularly wash my hands thoroughly, taking advantage whenever and wherever I see hand sanitiser. Do look after yourselves and stay safe folks!

Cornwallis Street: Car Park to Premier Inn Hotel?

I'd forgotten all about this plan, at least I'd thought it had disappeared from plans during the COVID-19 Crisis, but no! So much so that local residents are holding a meeting about the plans this Saturday 27th November between 4.00 and 5.00 pm at Pissarro's, 9-10 South Terrace TN34 1SA (website), on the corner with Cornwallis Street and dead opposite the car park. If local residents are interested in attending, St Andrews Residents Association would be grateful if you would RSVP to the following address: starresidents_hastings@hotmail.com please.

What the hotel is planned to look like

The plan is for 84 bedrooms, and further details of the planning application can be found at the Hastings Borough Council website, from where you can also submit your opinions via the comments link. You can also write to the Council quoting Planning Case HS/FA/21/00851 if you wish to share your thoughts with them.

I can imagine many complaints local people may have, losing a car park, obviously, and blocking views, for example, or that it appears to be planning to have a restaurant open to the public too, and I can imagine many positive opinions also, for example, providing more accommodation for the Hastings tourist industry, and a new restaurant. Whatever, I'm sure your thoughts would be appreciated by the Council.

Tucking into Pizza...

I have been indulging in pizza recently, indeed, I had an excellent pizza from my old friends at Oregano Leaf, 78 Queens Road TN34 1RL, tel: 01424 457642 (website). They still have their deals for when you collect from them, as I mentioned in a past blog, and I consequently 'created' a 10 inch very tasty pizza for just a fiver, (5 choices of toppings in addition to tom paste and cheese), an excellent deal and great quality!

I also recently found, just around the corner, off St Andrews Square towards the M&S end of Waldegrave Street, a quite new purveyor of pizza, that is Pizza Shed, 26 Waldegrave Street TN34 1SY, tel: 01424 427333/427666 (facebook). Again, a special deal if you collect, and I did of course, a rather larger pizza, so I had some for lunch the following day, I think it's about 14 inches diameter, their Five a day, for just £7.99, again, friendly service, an excellent deal and great quality!

I've been well sated recently 😉 

Christmas Cometh!

I first noticed that Christmas Lights/Decorations are up in the town centre early yesterday morning, hence the photographs above and below being taken in the dark... I thought maybe there was panic to start celebrating early because of concern that 'Bah Humbug' Johnson will cancel Christmas again this year...

But no! I looked back at the equivalent blog last year, and it was posted in November too, unless that too was a panic measure... 😉

Whatever, fingers crossed for all of us and our health folks! 

Bottle Alley Lights until Remembrance Sunday

Yesterday evening the lights in Bottle Alley were displayed in their finery in honour of Armistice Day and will be displayed during evenings until Remembrance Sunday (Hastings Borough Council facebook page). 

This is a fine way to commemorate Armistice Day and to remember the service and sacrifice of those in many wars who have defended our freedom and our way of life... 

But, surely it is now time to make Armistice Day a public holiday in Britain, just as it is already in France and Belgium, where they appear to care more for fallen British lives than the British Government does?!?

Just to let you know I'm still here!

Indeed, just to let you know that I'm still standing, but I have had a bit of a busy time lately, had a Covid scare, but tested negative thankfully, and it has gone a bit quiet in the town as it usually does this time of year... So, not really anything exciting to report, there's some big environmental shindig up in Glasgow 😉 and my niece was singing in Hastings last weekend, sadly I missed seeing her as I was self-isolating until I got the all clear, life eh?!? Anyway, stay safe folks!

Seasonal Closures and, hopefully, No More Lockdowns, BUT...

Signs are becoming more apparent that parts of Hastings tourist industry is closing down for the Winter, for example, the Ferris Wheel losing its carriages (photographed early today, above), but let us hope that next year there is no added 'lockdown' due to the Coronavirus Crisis, however, we cannot be too complacent (BBC). Indeed, the incidence of COVID-19 in Hastings is below the national average, but still so much higher than at this time last year, when Hastings had the lowest rate of incidence in the country (blog) at 31.3 cases per 100,000, now it's 358 cases per 100,000 (BBC)!

So, please, let us remember to stay safe folks.