Heritage Open Days events
The national Heritage Open Days (HODs) festival for 2021 runs from 10th to 16th September.
Hastings & St. Leonards Society has registered four local events for the festival. These are on the national HODs website.
. Places are limited for three of the events. The events are as follows:
Friday 10 September: The Observer Building Open Morning.
Tours at 9.30 AM and 10.30 AM. Limited to 10 persons per session. Booking essential.
Your chance to hear and see how this iconic building – the former offices and printing works for the H & St. L Observer – is being converted to bring it into use as a vibrant community hub.
* Note that building work is in progress and visitors must wear stout footwear and trousers (no sorts). Hard hats and PPE will be issued for essential wear during the visit. This event is not suitable forpersons with mobility difficulties.
Saturday 11 September: Hastings Town Hall Tour. Starts 10 AM. Maximum 10 persons. Booking essential
(Meet at the rear entrance to the town hall, opposite the Clarence Public House onStation Road).
A rare opportunity to see inside the magnificent Town Hall. Tour leader is the knowledgeable Kevin Boorman, major projects officer for HBC, and estimated duration is 1 hour.
As stairs and narrow passages are likely to be encountered during the full tour, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Saturday 11 September: Emmanuel Church Open Day (10 AM to 2 PM). This event has been popular in previous years and the surprisingly spacious interior must be seen to appreciate the splendour of the building, constructed in 1883/4 and situated to the north of Hastings’ West Hill.
Hear the history of the church and its people from a local historian during one of the guided tours (untimed).
Booking is not required to visit the church, but number of persons per guided tour may be limited. Tea/coffee available for donation.
* H & St. L Society’s exhibition on the heritage and social history of the West Hill of Hastings will be on display at this event. This comprehensive exhibition was produced as part of the National Heritage Lottery funded project to research and celebrate the substantial heritage of the area.
Thursday 16 September: Hastings Town Centre guided walk.
Starts 2.30 PM. Maximum 10 persons. Booking essential. (Meet outside the Baptist Church at the lower end of Wellington Square gardens.)
Join H & St. L Society’s Alan Jeffries for an informative walk in the town centre. Hear the history of the area and its fine architecture.
It is hoped to include a visit to the former Debenhams store, one of the town’s most distinctive buildings, during the walk. Duration approx. 90 minutes.
* Note that there are some roads to cross on this walk, and signalled crossings will be used where convenient. The walk is mostly on the level and suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs, but the tour of the Debenhams building (optional) may not be suitable for persons with mobility difficulties.
All HODs events are free and subject to any regulations the
government has in force at the time of the festival. If any event
has to be cancelled, we will notify persons with bookings by e-mail as
far in advance as possible.
