Seafood & Wine Festival & Beer Festival Weekend!

What can I say, are you a lover of good food and drink? Then you've a great weekend ahead of you! Starting tomorrow is the annual Hastings Seafood & Wine Festival at The Stade Open Space, opposite the RNLI Lifeboat Station in Hastings Old Town: 11-18.00 Saturday and Sunday. Food and drink, obviously, and live music, cooking demonstrations, and activities for children too; Tickets cost £4 in advance from the Visitor Information Centre by Hastings railway station/bus terminus, £5 on the gate, under 18s free. Go to visit1066country for full information. 🐟🍷

In addition, and already started today, the Brickmaker's Alehouse in Bexhill, 27 Sea Road, TN40 1EE, is holding a Beer and Cider Festival all weekend, with the refreshments coming from breweries they've never had ales from before. Indeed, last week Martin thought I was pressing him for an idea of what may be served up, but he was steadfast in his resolve not to divulge any information!  Anyway, over 20 new ales and 8 ciders ordered for the festival, starting off with 12 ales and 6 ciders available from today. If you'd like more information, and what will be available over the weekend, go to either facebook or twitter, cheers! 🍻

Elizabeth II - I had to say something...

I've been thinking about what I want to say, and whether I should say anything or not, but the satirical site, NewsThump, published a piece that says much, and probably the only non-humorous piece I've ever read of their's (copied & pasted below), but pointedly, it reminds us of the gap left in our lives, whether monarchist or republican.

I remembered that she was the only remaining head of state who had served in World War II, when she volunteered, then Princess Elizabeth, to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a mechanic and driver (above). I also remember, again before I was born, that my Grandad had danced with Queen Elizabeth II when my Grandma used to work as a cleaner at Buckingham Palace, and they used to have Staff Christmas Parties. In addition, Thursday was my birthday and it was a sad ending to the day, so I shall never forget the day that Elizabeth died...

Indeed, she was a constant in life and will be missed, R.I.P. 😔

From NewsThump: 

"Few things in life are constants; there in the background, always, your entire life, creating a sense of continuity.

Even if you don’t really pay attention, figures in public life give a sense of time and place. As established norms and realities fracture and change and become new and different, or are burned in war and rebuilt, a durable figure’s presence acts as a reassurance – a lodestone against which change can be measured and a reassurance that the future need not be uncertain as you fear.

And then one day they’re gone and it’s only then you see the gap in their place.

Without the constants, the changes seem so much bigger and the challenges all the greater. It’s a moment of mental dislocation, a moment when certainties become uncertain.

From those early photos of an uncertain but hopeful mechanic fixing up lorries to carry troops and weapons to punch Hitler in the face, to sharing a cuppa with Paddington, the Queen was there, her face on banknotes with a slightly quizzical smile as if surprised to actually be there.

And it was there for your entire life. It’s easy to lose sight of how valuable that stability is, not just to individuals but to a sense of identity.

Of course, people will make jokes. That’s what they do when they’re saddened and afraid. If they upset you, forgive them and move on."

Indeed...

Coastal Currents Returns & A Busy Weekend!

It is a busy weekend, sorry I'm a wee bit late with this one, but the 2022 Coastal Currents Arts Festival is on this and next weekend (website), but many events continue for another month or so! Indeed, from Bulverhythe to Rock-a-Nore, and further east, west and north too, "workshops, performances, films and exhibitions" galore!

Tomorrow (Sunday 4th) is the second year that Palestine on the Pier has been organised, from 12.00 to 6.00pm, a free cultural festival for all the family. Music, Dance, Food, a Catwalk Show of hand-embroidered dresses, Kite-making Workshop, Market, Talks, Story Telling and much more; go to the website for more information.

In addition, tomorrow sees the second First Sunday of the Bohemia Creative Quarter (BCQ) and now their regular first Sunday of every month events! The event, or events really, will be held from 11.00am to 4.00pm in the Bohemia/London/Tower Roads triangle, the BCQ covers an area with over 80 businesses. Go to their facebook page for the details of what is on, face painting, creative workshops, live performances, wellness and beauty, affordable art, home decor, music, antiques, bric-a-brac, street food, Steampunk and vintage stalls. Explore Bohemia and enjoy the day!

And, of course, so much more to do in Hastings, live music, museums and the seafront; more details of events @ allevents, but just walk around, there's plenty to enjoy...

As if we haven't had an exciting enough weekend already, enjoy folks! 👌

Police Incident Cambridge Road, Town Centre: Partly Closed!

Because of a Police Incident (I do not know what or why) Cambridge Road, between the old Post Office building and ESK is closed off. They are waiting for Scenes of Crime Officers to arrive to gather evidence regarding whatever happened...

So it is likely to get very busy in that area very soon. 

Coming down Cambridge Road into the town centre is clear at the moment, and you can still turn into Cambridge Gardens by ESK, and around into Cornwallis Terrace/Devonshire Road, it's just that small area which is closed off.

Drive safely folks!

RNLI Donations, Nice One!

I just saw on Facebook that the Dolphin Inn had amassed donations totalling £1,379.50 in the RNLI Charity Box, nice one! 👍