Saturday 26 September 2015

Hastings in top five English ‘heritage assets’–Bring back the Hastings Embroidery and we may rank higher!

The report found Hastings to be in the top one per cent for industrial heritage and parks and open spaces, as well as the top five per cent for landscape and natural heritage and for ‘cultures and memories’.

“The heritage of the town is marked and celebrated through some of the largest number of Heritage Open Days and blue plaques in the country,” the RSA report says.

Hastings ranks in the top nine per cent for museums, archives and artefacts and for ‘historic built environment’, the town is in the top 12 per cent.

Hastings has been named in the top five English ‘heritage assets’ – above Oxford and other historic locations.

The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) released a report into the country’s heritage on Wednesday (September 23).

The RSA define heritage as, “anything inherited from the past that helps us, collectively or individually, to understand the present, and create a better future.”

www.thersa.org/discover/publications-and-articles/reports/seven-themes-from-the-heritage-index.

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Stories from Hastings Borough Cemetery

NEW:

  • Alfred Hassam - a portrait painter and stained glass designer who worked mainly in Birmingham
  • Lindridge, George  - organist at St Mary in the Castle, Professor of Music, composer, Owner -pianoforte, harmonium & music warehouse, no.44 Robertson St.

Updated:

Sunday 2 August 2015

OTCW– Linco Lingo Wednesday 11AM–1PM

Come along to play Bruce Nichol’s famous game – with new (still Hastings related) subjects.  Prizes!  There is a charge to play.

It is great fun, and more fun if there are more people.

Friday 31 July 2015

New Book compiled, with additional material, by Dennis Collins - £2.50

image

Available form Hastings History House
21 Courthouse Street

Hastings council to work with university for lottery bid

The University of Brighton is working with Hastings Borough Council to develop a major bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

At the centre will be improvements to the interpretation of Hastings Castle, but the bid will be for much more than that, the council said.

we have commissioned the University of Brighton to help us develop a new approach to the history and legacy of 1066, and how it relates to our town. And we also want to tell the bigger story that explains our rich heritage, and traces its impact through to the present day.

“This will help us develop a new bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the resources to tell our story, including the development of Hastings Castle as a modern visitor attraction.

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/hastings-council-to-work-with-university-for-lottery-bid-1-6873582

Hastings Castle

Thursday 30 July 2015

Observer Building redevelopment

Latest iteration of the design

http://observerbuildinghastingsconsultation.com/

Latest plans from Hassell Architects can be found by clicking here or on the image above. Please take a look at the presentation, which shows the progression of the designs to this point. Please also fill in our survey to let us know what you think.

The old Observer building is being redeveloped by Flint Development Group: a new force in the real estate world that puts people first. Revitalised and repurposed, it will provide student housing and much more:

  • An exciting new concept shop / restaurant for Sussex food and produce
  • A homegrown art-house cinema
  • Activating the alley behind Claremont bringing an abandoned part of the Town Centre to life
  • Public access viewing platform and cafe with breath-taking views

“We are rescuing one of Hastings’ most loved buildings, re-animating the America Ground and bringing students from all over the country and the world to Hastings.

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Hastings Literary Connections

To coincide with the Hastings Literary Connections display in Hastings History House (from Saturday) a list has been compiled of the writers so far identified who are buried in the cemetery.

Many of the works are non-fiction, travel, scientific, religious, medical and autobiographies.  There are also poets  and playwrights.

  • Moore, Frank Frankfort - a poet, dramatist, biographer, novelist, lived in St Leonards. [Author]
  • Moore, Dr. George & Jane – Lived in Hastings at various times, and retired here.  Wrote poems and medical works. [Author]
  • Shipton, Anna - In the years between 1855 and 1890 Anna Shipton published over twenty books on religious subjects, several running into two or more editions on both sides of the Atlantic.  She lived for some years in St. Leonards. [Author]

Sunday 26 July 2015

Priscilla MacBean–her story–DVD

 

£5 (P & P extra)  The proceeds will go towards insuring and maintaining the ‘Priscilla’.

From Hastings History House, 21 courthouse Street.

Don’t forget to look out her as you come down the Old London Road (on the left) or going up, look to the right.

image

Friday 24 July 2015

The Story of the Hastings’ May Queen Pageants – 1934 - 2015

image

83 years is a long time and society has changed in many ways.
The May Queen Pageants of Hastings reflect the changes in culture and attitude, but have maintained the joy of youth.

The origins and evolution of May Queens, Maypoles and Garlands are explored along with the notable characters associated with the day.

Profusely illustrated: Crowns & Shillings £9.99