Priory Meadow Cricketer Returns

The Spirit of Cricket statue has been returned to Priory Meadow, eight months after it was damaged by contractors.

The statue was first revealed in Queens Square when the shopping centre opened in 1997 and was put in place to mark the former Central Cricket Ground that the centre was built on.

Read more: http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/cricket-statue-returns-to-priory-meadow-1-7472142#ixzz4E7VMWQEq

Friends of Hastings Cemetery Update

Some of the recent stories have been looking at those who have no memorials, whose memorials have been lost, or whose ashes were scattered in The Garden of Remembrance.

Some of these stories have been explored because of an enquiry, sometimes from overseas.

New Stories:

• Bonar, Mary J / Chesney, Isabel / Menzies "Lady"Mary Anne nee Bonar - buried together (2 murder victims)
• Matters Porter, Muriel - born in South Australia, a suffragist who was the first woman to "speak" in the British Parliament
• Zamoyska, Maria - died aged one, prominent Polish family, memorial disappeared
• James, Laura Elizabeth - a much decorated New Zealand nurse, whose ashes were scattered in the Garden of Remembrance.

Bayeux Tapestry as you've never seen it - and related talk (£)

***ANNOUNCEMENT*** The Battle of Hastings as the Bayeux Tapestry tells it SEPTEMBER 29TH 2016 DOORS: 1PM

Tickets here Celebrate the 950th anniversary of the event that transformed England’s culture and heritage, as told by those that were there at the time. Everyone thinks they know the story of how our Harold (the Good Guy!) was so unfairly felled by an arrow in the eye by the Wicked William! But is that really what happened? And did the battle really take place at Battle? The Art Fund welcomes Professor Gale Owen-Crocker (“In the field of Anglo-Saxon studies she stands as one of the greats.”) to St Mary in the Castle. She will provide us with an illustrated guide to this most extraordinary record of the founding of our nation. She will show evidence of what life was like in the 11th century and go on to highlight the ambiguities left by the designer in order to please both their new Norman rulers whilst, at the same time, managing to show a residual loyalty to their former Anglo-Saxon ones; and she will describe how they managed to make such a magnificent embroidery. Tickets holders will also have a chance to view a full size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry (more than 70 yards!) on display in the crypt of the old church. This has been crafted in steel mosaics by New Zealander, Michael Linton, and shipped over from NZ to be displayed here during this 950th anniversary year, entry to see the exhibition is free with your ticket. Tickets (£15) available here

Second Hand Book Sale - Friday 8th - Sunday 10th July 2016

Who knows what you may find?

Rocklands controversial holiday home will be allowed to stay, a planning inspector has ruled.

Campaigners from Save Ecclesbourne Glen (SEG) were hoping the building within Rocklands Private Caravan Park, dubbed the ‘bunker’ by objectors, would be torn down.

Chris Hurrell, spokesman for SEG, said: “Despite the massive unpopularity of the bunker with the public, the inspector has allowed the building to remain subject to a few cosmetic changes.

“The height of the roof will be reduced by 400mm and the balconies will be reduced in depth by 1,000mm. The rest of the building will be allowed to remain as is. “This is a very disappointing result.”

SEG said the building has destroyed the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

• Rocklands appealed against Hastings Borough Council’s enforcement notice to destroy the building overlooking Ecclesbourne Glen more than a year ago.

• In March last year it submitted a planning application asking for the retention of the holiday let, which was refused.

• In June 2014 the council unanimously threw out Rocklands’ retrospective planning application to make alterations to the controversial building. The original building itself was granted planning permission in 2012.

“Ecclesbourne Glen issues are not just about the bunker. Our objective was to protect the beautiful vistas across the country park and many issues remain unresolved.

“We are still very concerned about the landslip that has shut access from the East Hill and is a visual scar on the glen. We are pressing the council to carry out further investigations.”

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/mobile/news/local/campaigners-anger-over-decision-on-hastings-holiday-let-1-7443089#ixzz4D9U98rM0

She's Come Home!