Sussex Kelp Recovery Project

Earlier this year I wrote a blog about the Hastings Kelp Project, and I keep on receiving more information about kelp and the Sussex Coastline, most recently in the Autumn/Winter 2024 edition of the Sussex Wildlife Trust's magazine Wildlife. This pointed out that the longer running Sussex Kelp Recovery Project suggests there have been 'glimmers of hope' during the last 3 years in Sussex Coastline's kelp, including the recovery of mussel beds, a greater diversity of fish species being caught by the fishing industry, and increases in Black Sea Bream and Lobster populations (website). For more information, go to the Hastings Kelp Project website and the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project website. Good News!

Queens Road Partially Closed to Traffic.

Queens Road remains closed for gas works, it appears, between Stone Street and Cornwallis Street/Efford Street (HBC website); sorry, can't find out until when.

Don't Forget, Time Travel Tonight!

Indeed, at 02.00 tomorrow morning the time in Britain reverts to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT - website), that is, the clocks go back an hour. This may be great for people who stay in bed until late in the day, but for me it just means I will be awake earlier, sort of, because my body clock doesn't recognise changing time, and I am an early riser. Why is there 'Summer Time' then? In many parts of the world altering clocks has been used to get the most out of hours of daylight, but why not just keep GMT in Britain, if we adopt time travel for light purposes only, surely in the summer more hours of useful daylight is unnecessary? It doesn't make sense in the modern world. However, it's not just in Britain that clocks go back and forth, no, in much of the Western World it changes too, despite many countries not following this process, including Japan, India, China, countries near the Equator for obvious reasons, similarly at, or near, the Poles, eg parts of Canada and Greenland, and Argentina.

So why is the 'Prime Meridian' line at Greenwich, and has been since 1884? This boils down to "that in the late 19th century, 72% of the world's commerce depended on sea-charts which used Greenwich as the Prime Meridian... (and it) ...would be of advantage to the largest number of people" (website). So there you have it, I trust that 'night owls' will enjoy the extra rest. However, let's just stick to GMT I suggest, I'm not so fond of this type of time travelling! 😉

Hastings Lifeboat Fish Supper: Just A Few Tickets Left!

Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station has just annoinced that only a few tickets remain for their 2024 Fish Supper (facebook). This is being held on Wednesday the 6th of November at 19.00, food served from 19.30, at The Old Town Fryer, 1 East Beach Street TN34 3AR. There will be a quiz, raffle, entertainment from the 'Completely Scuppered Shanty' singers, and food served by lifeboat crew. Tickets are £14 cash only, available at the RNLI Shop and the Old Town Fryer.

Hastings Lifeboat Jewellery Sale & Open Day!

It’s the RNLI Hastings Lifeboat Station 'fantastic' Jewellery Sale this weekend (19th and 20th) and on the Sunday they are also having a mini open day! 10:30 onwards. (facebook) "Come down and purchase some beautiful pre loved jewels, see the boats and meet the crew" 😊 All money raised goes to help save lives at sea, much respect from me!

On this day in 1066 Edgar the Ætheling became King!

History! On this day in 1066, Edgar the Ætheling was pronounced King of England, indeed, he was the last in the line of Saxon Kings of England, being the last male descendant in direct line from Edmund Ironside (Edmund II). Image above thanks to BBC.

Although he was never crowned, Edgar was King until 10th December 1066, when William the Bastard (as he was known in those days) took him into custody. Indeed, as natural heir, Edgar should have been King since January 1066, but he was considered too young then, and war was being faced. Instead, Harold Godwinson was chosen as King by the Witenagemot; the Council of the Anglo-Saxon Kings of England that had existed for over 400 years.

Edgar escaped capture in 1068, and led a very eventful life, living into his 70s. Looking him up is well worth the read; eg see the English Monarchs website.

14th of October is Hastings Day!

Happy (?) Hastings Day, the 958th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, which by chance was held a few miles inland at a place called Battle, although that is disputed by some. Anyway, the fun kicked off on Saturday with the annual Bonfire Procession, Bonfire and Fireworks (blog), and events continue throughout this week; go to the website for full information.

The photographs I have used in this blog are from a blog I wrote nearly 9 years ago about Hastings Castle, seemed appropriate, enjoy!

Hastings Bonfire Day/Night 2024 This Weekend!

Hastings Week 2024 commences tomorrow (Saturday 12th September - website) and, of course, tomorrow also coincides with Hastings Bonfire celebrations (website). The bonfire is already being set up, indeed, saw people working on it yesterday, and leads up to Hastings Day on Monday 14th September, the 958th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings (Britannica).

The procession congregates from 6.30 pm by the White Rock Hotel and, meanwhile, the beacon is lit up on the East Hill at 7 pm, then Hastings Runners will bring lit torches down to Robertson Street. The procession starts from the western end of Robertson Street at about 7.15 pm, heads along Robertson Street and the America Ground, where torches are lit, then turns right into Harold Place before turning left and heading eastwards along the seafront to Rock-a-Nore Road in the old town, then turns left and goes up All Saints Street, where, at the top, it will cross The Bourne to the High Street, then back down to the seafront and along westwards to the Pelham Beach car park for the bonfire and fireworks at 9 pm, see the map above. Enjoy!

St Andrews Square Back to Normal, at last!

I first mentioned the leak and 6 excavations in St Andrews Square the month before last (blog), this morning the final work finished, until the next time, at least, phew!

Hastings Tap Takeover at 15 Venues!

Hastings Tap Takeover 2024 I can herald for this weekend, 4th to the 6th of October 2024 (website), in 15 venues right across Hastings & St Leonards, with ales and crafty keg beers, from 15 different breweries from across the country! 🍺 In Hastings Old Town: The Crown, 64-66 All Saints Street TN34 3BN (website) has beers from Fauna Brewing; The Jenny Lind, 69 High Street TN34 3EW (website) has beers from Loud Shirt Brewing; The Jolly Fisherman, 3 East Beach Street TN34 3AR (above image - website) has beers from Left Handed Giant; and The Albion, 33 George Street TN34 3EA (website) has beers from Three Acre Brewery.

In Hastings Town Centre: The Imperial, 119 Queens Road TN34 1RL (website) has beers from Rivington Brewing; 1200 Postcards, 80 Queens Road TN34 1RL (facebook) has beers from Dark Revolution; The Prince Albert, 28 Cornwallis Street, Hastings TN34 1SS (above image - website) has beers from Cloudwater Brew Co; Eel & Bear, 28 Waldegrave Street TN34 1SJ (website) has beers from Pomona Island Brew Co; The Courtyard, White Rock TN34 1JA (facebook) has beers from Chain House Brewing; and The Seadog, 32 Station Road TN34 1NJ (website) has beers from State of Kind Brew Co.

In St Leonards: Collected Fictions, Unit 1, 6-8 London Road TN37 6AE (instagram), and no, I don't use instagram either 😣 with beers from Baron Brewing Co; Heist Market, 22-26 Norman Road TN37 6NH (website) with beers from Three Blind Mice; The Piper, 1 Norman Road TN37 6NH (website) with beers from The Kernel Brewery; Goat Ledge, Lower Promenade, Warrior Square TN37 6FA (website) with beers from Earth Ale; and at The Tower, 251 London Road TN37 6NB (above image - facebook) with beers from the excellent Bristol Beer Factory.

More details of breweries etc at Steve the Beermeister. Enjoy your weekend folks! 🍻