Country Park - new Visitor Centre Progress Report

Rachel Ellis of Groundwork Trust reports on the progress being made on building the new visitor centre.

“The build is on track to be delivered within the 12 month contract period. As with any project it is important to build contingency into the programme to allow for unexpected delays. In our case the challenge to timelines which has used up some of our contingency was in the groundwork stages. The dry spring and the heavy clay of the site meant that digging the foundations was a longer process than hoped, the ground was extremely hard.

Since then, things have proceeded very well and the straw work is due to be carried out during September to allow for the lime render to be applied before temperatures drop. There is nothing to give us any concern that the contract period will be insufficient.” 

Appliqué hand embroidery class - Saturday 14 Sept 2019

Join this bespoke Appliqué hand embroidery class inspired by the Hastings Embroidery, an historic piece which perfectly demonstrates the Appliqué technique.

During the class you will apply 6 fabric pieces and learn the following 4 different stitches embroidery stitches: Buttonhole stitch, Stem stitch, Fly Stitch and Couching.

You will be using a selection of beautiful threads including stranded cottons, chenille thread, metallic thread and a flat satin cord.

Bridgepoint Rye, Rock Channel

Saturday 14 Sept 2019

10:00 - 16:00

The class runs from 10am to 4pm (please arrive by 9.45am) and you will also have the rare opportunity to see this impressive embroidery at the site of the new creative arts centre at Bridgepoint Rye, Rock Channel, Rye, East Sussex.

The class kit must be bought from the tutor on the day for £25 (cash only) and will include everything you require to complete the project.

 
You may like to bring your own embroidery scissors and you will be able to borrow ring frames, magnifiers and lights (if needed) on the day.

https://hastingsconcertocompetition.co.uk/event-ticket/belovedclara/

Extra Pub Walk Sunday

Sunday 11th August

2.30 P.M.

Meet at Hastings History House

Lost Pubs & Breweries

Stories from the Cemetery

• Bullock, Rev. William C Bullock - Rector of Ore from 1897 to 1929
• Bullock, Mrs. Helen Janetta - wife of the above, who died in 1952 and continued to work in the parish in many roles.
• Bullock, Canon Frederick W B - son of above, a prodigious author and rector of Church in the Woods, Hollington
• Smith, James Henry & Alice Elizabeth - searching for and restoring a grave, Landlord of the Highland Hotel, and the Jenny Lind.

Updated Stories

• Makalua, Matthew M (Dr), MRCS, LRCP & Annie Clementine First Native Hawaiian to qualify as a doctor

• Mason, Thomas & Elizabeth - lived at Silverhill, Elizabeth a local benefactor

• Williams, James Frederick - One of the crew Of the Hastings fishing  boat, Pioneer,drowned

Cheese & Wine Lunch - History House

21 Courthouse Street

Wednesday 7th August

12 Noon to 2 P.M.`

Local cheeses from Penbuckles

£6 per head

Please note this is the event that was held on a Friday in earlier years.

Old Town Carnival Week - Last Supper 2019 - Bangers & Mash

Tickets Available from the History House and The Yard

Great Bangers &

Mash Blowout

Friday 9th August

Serving 4.30pm onwards in

Courthouse Street

(Regardless of weather!)

£5.50 per head

Vegetarian option available

Blessing of the Sea at Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station. - 12th June

Chaplain of the Fishermen's Church, the Rev Herbert Sanders from 1894-1916.  Sanders was a certificated seaman, and he started the annual Blessing of the Sea, which still takes place today.

Hastings is the home of one of the few survivors of the once widespread custom of Blessing the Sea in Rogationtide.

Wednesday 12th June – 6pm

Sussex Brass Band, 6.30 Blessing.

You are welcome to attend 

An interdenominational thanksgiving service is held at the Lifeboat Station – the clergy perform the service from the deck of a Lifeboat.

Sea-themed hymns are sung accompanied by the Brass Band and a collection is made for the local Lifeboat crew.

OHPS AGM -This Friday!

14th June

7 for 7.30pm

History House

AGM followed by a 

chance to delve into the Archives

Hastings Cemetery Update

New Stories

• King, George W & Sarah, and their sons Frederick (KIA, France, WW1, 1917) and Edwin ( KIA, Greece,WW1, 1918)

• Wood Brothers, Athur, Cecil (Reported Missing, & later confirmed KIA, WW1 1917, aged 19) and Frank

We have recently come across an Australian site listing ‘Anzacs’ born in Hastings, lots of recognisable names!   https://honouringanzacs.net.au/search-anzacs.php?anzactype=1&search_text=Hastings,%20England

Recent Stories-

• Allen, George  & parents, George Thomas & Naomi - Grave has a “Book of Remembrance for other family members.  George was killed in WW1, 1918

• Bosting, George & Caroling Annie. - George was killed in action, WW1, 1917.

• Noakes, Thomas, Matilda & Vivian - Vivian was killed in action, WW1 1916.  His Father was from Hastings, and his parents returned there.

Updated Story -

• Salter, Thomas, Elizabeth and their son, Archibald Salter - Archibald was reported missing at Ypres in 1918.  WW1

Petition calls for investment in ‘disgraceful’ Hastings road

A petition calling for investment in road and pavement improvements in the ‘disgraceful’ Rock-a-Nore Road has been set up.

Created by the Coastal Users Group, the petition has been backed by Hastings Borough Council leader Peter Chowney and Old Hastings ward councillor James Bacon.
https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/traffic-and-travel/petition-calls-for-investment-in-disgraceful-hastings-road-1-8911527

Petition - Improvements and Review into Rock-A-Nore Road, its pavements and traffic congestion.

The Hastings Embroidery

The new creative arts centre in Rye, Bridge Point, is presenting an immersive, staged display of the historic Hastings Embroidery which has been in storage for decades.

The Tapestry Project will be open to the public over six selected weekends between May and October at Bridge Point Rye, Rock Channel via St. Margaret’s Terrace, TN31 7DE, between 11am and 3pm. (Limited Disabled Parking only). Visitor and Volunteer Parking is at Gibbets Marsh, 38 Udimore Road, Rye TN31 7DS) an eight-minute walk from Bridge Point.

VOLUNTEER FOR BRIDGE POINT

There will be an induction day for participating volunteers to get to know the facility, the exhibition and more. There will be at least three: on Wednesday, May 15 at 5:30pm; Thursday, May 16 at 11am; and Saturday, May 25 at 11am.

Please register your interest – detailing which dates and shift you prefer as well as your preference for an induction day by using the contact form here or emailing the Project Producer Anastasia Witts at admin@artistdigital.co.uk.

Please Note - Next Hastings Cemetery Walk

This is on Sunday, 19th May (not 17th, as originally shown on website)

Old Town Carnival Week - Entry Form

If you would like to contribute an Old Town based event -

Event Entry Form

Please return your form to OHPS, Hastings History House, 21 Courthouse Street, Hastings TN34 3AU

or by email to ohpscontact@gmail.com

by Friday 10 th May.

Forms also available in the History House

Competition: Bohemia leisure and cultural centre, Hastings

• COMMENT

Hastings Borough Council is recruiting a design team to explore leisure and cultural options for the Bohemia area of its town centre

The winner of the maximum £100,000 contract will complete an initial options appraisal for new leisure and cultural facilities within the 33ha Bohemia district immediately north of dRMM’s Stirling Prize-winning Hastings Pier.

The feasibility study is part of an ambitious comprehensive masterplan drawn up by the London Studio of Swedish practice White Arkitekter for the ‘underused and undervalued’ seafront area, which stretches from White Rock Theatre along Bohemia Road and includes the Convent of the Holy Child Jesus and Summerfields leisure centre.

In its brief, the council says: ‘Bohemia will be transformed through investment in the public realm, the reuse of a key seafront site, regeneration of open spaces, and new housing development, complemented by new leisure, cultural and tourism facilities. The development will be a game-changer, a celebration of the Hastings spirit, which builds on existing qualities and unlocks the potential of this part of town.

https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/competitions/competition-bohemia-leisure-and-cultural-centre-hastings/10041660.article