Hastings Weekend June/July 2018

So it's to be another busy fun-filled weekend in Hastings & St Leonards, to begin with, this Saturday (30th June, 12 noon to 10.30pm) and the St Leonards Festival provides a culturally diverse delight (website). There will be music, food and drink, a wonderful street market and street art, the carnival parade, and much more! Indeed, look out for a Friends of Hastings Pier presence too (we shouldn't forget there are many people who live and work in Hastings who still care about the Pier with a passion!). By the way, the £ Half a million they had raised through Crowdfunder has been returned to those who contributed (well mine has been returned anyway, so I'm presuming), and now they have a new Crowdfunder page so that they may continue to campaign and have a reserve fund should they get the opportunity to purchase the freehold of Hastings Pier. Good luck and my best wishes to the activists/supporters of Friends of Hastings Pier!

Talking about Hastings Pier and this weeked may well see the last Vintage & Retro Indoor Market  on there (website), open 11am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, as we still have no idea what the new owner is going to do with the Pier, he having no plan! Retrobella includes nearly 20 stallholders selling quality vintage garments, homeware, collectibles and vinyl. Good luck to this event too!

And Stade Saturdays brings us free "high energy music with African and Jazz influences," another culturally eclectic mix, when Hexagonal play on the stage at the Stade Open Space from 7.30pm (website).

So, together with all the regularly arranged gigs, and delights to visit, this weekend will again deliver fun for all, plus an excellent weather forecast (Met Office), and not to forget Hastings Fringe events; see website!

Kier Cleaning Contract

You may, or may not, have been aware that the cleaning contract with Kier is being ended before the original length of contract, indeed, I wasn't aware until very recently so decided I'd look into it. I have since had confirmation from Hastings Borough Council that the contract with Kier will end in a years time, on the 28th of June 2019. The Council is currently undertaking a procurement process, but it is still early days, 'nothing has yet been decided.' So, no idea yet whether cleaning will be brought in-house or whether a different cleaning company will be used... 

SANDS Charity: Money raised by Hastings Adventure Golf

A total of £1,467.50 was raised by Hastings Adventure Golf and their 'Charity Night' last Friday (blog) for the Stillbirth & Neonatal Charity (SANDS website) and towards the refurbishment of the Bereavement Suite at the Conquest Hospital, congratulations to all involved, including Dave Gomm who was overall winner, cheers!

Tuesday's Old Town Walk + Lifeboat Quiz Night...

This afternoon the Old Hastings Preservation Society (OHPS) will be leading their regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town, which will be meeting by the top of the West Hill Lift at 2.30pm. You will be shown around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and plentiful stories, by a volunteer guide from the OHPS, who will also explain the huge number of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, and still do, eg a number of the Pre-Raphaelites in the 19th century (blog).

The walk proceeds across the West Hill and gently downhill into Hastings Old Town, with a number of steps included, and lasts about 2 hours. This guided walk is free of charge, though the OHPS, a registered charity, would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be sunny all day (Met Office), so Factor 50 and/or head covering may well be required. Have a good afternoon!

Later on, this evening, starting at 7.30pm, there will be a Quiz Night at East Hastings Sea Angling Association by the Stade in aid of Hastings Lifeboat (facebook page). There will be a maximum of 4 people allowed per team, at a cost of £2.50 per person, with complimentary nibbles provided, good luck if you enter!

Hastings Pier is OPEN!

Well, Hastings Pier has reopened, but little change yet, other than the owner, indeed, there's even less on the Pier now! The bar wasn't open, though the restaurant part of the Pavilion was open and serving food and drink (presumably not alcohol), the Deck building wasn't open, nor the cafe above, though yoga was happening on the Upper Deck, and that is about it really! ITV were interviewing people, so expect something on television this evening, including interviews with a spokesperson of Friends of Hastings Pier and, presumably, Mr Gulzar.

The Certificate of Employers Liability Insurance in the Pavilion is still in the name of Hastings Pier Charity so I have no idea if it's insured or not; sorry about the image, I couldn't get a good angle as a bit difficult to get near.

So far no one-armed bandits or games machines, Hut 6 is, apparently, their 'office' however no-one was there, and nothing painted 'gold' yet, though there were gold balloons, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the roof of the Pavilion painted gold soon, and maybe the railings, not a lot else to paint; watch this space!