Hastings - ‘Popular with visitors since 1066’

There are some good events and exhibitions in the pipeline for the 950th anniversary.

Hastings Week will have a community parade with Saxon and Norman giants on 15th Oct, and many other events.

From June 25 Hastings Museum has its The Story of Hastings in 66 Objects exhibition;

The History House (21 Courthouse St, open 11-4 Thurs-Sun) is running a powerpoint presentation of the Hastings Embroidery’s 81 scenes, all in colour

Hastings Local History Group is having several meetings at Hastings History House on 1066-related themes (open to the public, but please book a place).

Additionally, HLHG is publishing a booklet, 1066-2016: The Battle of Hastings’ 950th Anniversary containing ideas suitable for individuals and groups, large or small, to commemorate the events of 1066.

It has the historical background, along with information on Anglo-Saxon society, including food and clothes, to help people to be as authentic as they wish.

The booklet is 32 pages long, A5, and priced to sell at £1; it will soon be on sale at the History House, Hastings Museum, Bookbusters, and Horntye Park Sports Complex; also at the Hastings Half Marathon, Race Reception, on March 20, and on their website. We’re hoping other local charities will stock it, to help raise funds for their good causes.

Any local charity that is interested, please contact heather.grief@talktalk.net.

The Story of Albert & His Memorial - raising money to help rehome Albert

£3 - available from Hastings History House, 21 Courthouse Street

REMINDER - Book Sale - 19th - 21st February 2016

Hastings History House

21 Courthouse Street

11 - 4pm

The Old Observer Building

The neighbours surrounding the Old Observer building are concerned about the public awareness of the proposal to built five new floors on top of it.

Flint Development Group unveiled revised plans to provide accommodation for 230 students, an art-house cinema and a shop/restaurant at Cambridge Road site in December.

But after planning notices were sent out on Friday (February 5), some residents are worried not enough people who will be affected by the proposal know about it.

“We’re not opposed to the idea of student accommodation itself, it’s just a gross over-development as it’s too high,” he said.

“Everyone thinks its going to be a community asset but the bulk of the development is the student housing and I don’t think enough people realise.

“So few people know about it when it will be a huge blot on our landscape.”

There have only been four public comments on the application, with three negative and all concerned about the height of the proposal.

The notice says the deadline for comments is in 21 days, so February 26.

To view the application visit: www.hastings.gov.uk/planning.

Read more: http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/concern-over-old-observer-building-proposal-awareness-1-7204040#ixzz3zgFYrZ4E

Look Up As You Visit Hastings History House!

Thanks to High Street Traders' Association.

Please Support Model Railways

A miniature railway will be returning to Alexandra Park later this month after years of absence.

It follows months of hard work over the autumn and winter to get the overgrown train tracks into a fit state.

Further plans include turning the middle area into a family picnic area, continuing the parameter fences round the site and a mid way station, (for use on planned Christmas specials.

“We also are looking into opening the railway up for private children’s birthday parties.”

The railway is situated in the upper park, near to the Buckshole Reservoir, with easy access from St Helens Road.

The new railway will be officially opened on Saturday February at 11am. The site is being opened by the mayor and other guests, from 10.30am onwards.

Once opened the railway will be open every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year, bank holidays (excluding Christmas Day) and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday’s during the school holidays. Rides will be £1 per person.

Great Dixter - Talk - 13th February 2016

Saturday February 13th at 5.30PM
Hastings History House
21 Courthouse Street

Victoria Williams, curator at HMAG for many years, has been working at Great Dixter and will talk about what she has learnt.

Tickets £3 including Refreshments.

A heritage group has been created to raise money for the relocation of a Prince Albert statue

• The Albert Statue Group needs £5,000 to pay for the statue to be moved to outside the town hall as well as a new pedestal and information board.

• It is currently stored in a greenhouse in a service yard in Alexandra Park but the group hopes to move it behind the ramped access to the Community Contact Centre at the Town Hall

•  It was consented by the Government’s planning inspectorate in November and Hastings Borough Council support the project but it must be funded from outside the Council's budget.

• A Portland stone pedestal will be provided by JF Stoneworks of Battle. 

• An information board, giving a concise history of the statue, is also being installed, funded by the great, great granddaughter of the statue’s sculptor Kelly Stirling and her family, who live in California. 

•  Donations for the project should be sent to the Albert Statue Group c/o Hastings Voluntary Action, Jackson Hall, Portland Place, Hastings, TN34 1QN. 
• Cheques to be made payable to Hastings Voluntary Action, if acknowledgement of the donation is required, please enclose a SAE.

Book Sale - 19th - 21st February 2016

Could you display town’s tapestry?

Saturday 30 January 2016
There has been a lot of interest recently in the Hastings Embroidery, and whether it could be put back on display during this 950th anniversary year of the Battle of Hastings.

The embroidery was made in 1966, during the 900th anniversary year, and depicts the history of Hastings during those 900 years.

The embroidery was put into climate-controlled storage in London over ten years ago, because ‘expert’ opinion suggested that it was deteriorating and could not remain on display unless it was housed in very expensive climate-controlled cabinets.

However, two panels have remained on display in the Town Hall throughout that period, and have shown no sign of significant deterioration.

So it would seem to be better to have it where it can be seen, even if it is slowly deteriorating, rather than keeping it in perfect condition in storage where no-one can ever see it.

The biggest problem now with bringing the embroidery back is finding the space to accommodate it – the whole thing is 263 feet long.

Unfortunately, there’s no council building big enough.

However, if any other group, organisation or business in Hastings could find somewhere, the council would be happy to loan it to them free, subject to them displaying it securely, insuring it, and of course, making it accessible for public view.

It would be good to have the embroidery back in Hastings, as it hasn’t been seen by anyone in its entirety for a long time, and could be of interest to local people and visitors alike during this anniversary year.

So if anyone is interested in arranging to display it, has access to a suitable space, and is able to make it available for public view, please let me know.

Peter Chowney

Leader

New Book - A Survivor of Storms : Hastings Old Town : An Architectural History to 1750

Available at The History House, 21 Courthouse Street
Cost - £29.99

Cemetery Website updates

Friends Of Hastings Cemeteryy

New Stories

• Jenkins, Peter & Family - builder, contractor, monumental mason, carman, smith and wheelwright
• Walsh, Alexander Sarsfield - son of Maurice Walsh

Updated Stories

• Borrow, W. H - stolen painting
• Gambier, Dr. Thomas - 1891 census records
• Holman, Joseph Cecil - details in St. Paul’s Cathedral

Medieval Mosaic in SMIC Crypt : August - October

Comprised of 3,000,000 pieces of spring steel the Medieval Mosaic holds the Guinness World Record as the largest steel mosaic. The artwork, measuring 64m in length and weighing 450 kg, is a complete re-creation of the Bayeux Tapestry and was created over 20 years by Michael Linton.  In addition to the original scenes captured in the Bayeux Tapestry, father and daughter team Michael and Rachael Linton have combined their talents to create the untold stories of 1066.

An 8 metre 'Finale' section, taking 5 years to research and complete, tells the story from the end of the Battle of Hastings to the crowning of William the Conqueror on Christmas Day 1066.  The 22 metre insert, taking a further 8 years to complete, tells the story of the Battle of Fulford Gate and the Battle of Stamford Bridge which preceded the Battle of Hastings.

This 33 year artistic odyssey has resulted in a truly unique masterpiece.  The artwork has been on display in Geraldine, New Zealand since September 2001 and will soon set sail to tour around the UK.

The Medieval Mosaic will first be displayed from August to October 2016 at the Crypt Gallery, St Mary in the Castle, Hastings and this exhibition will be part of the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings made possible by Hastings Borough Council ‪#‎ROOT1066‬  - Hastings Borough Council 

Looking for family of Reverend Charles Foster, Vicar of All Saints, Gloucester and Rural Dean, Hon. Canon of Gloucester Cathedral 1846-1926

We have had an email via the Friends of Hastings Cemetery website, as follows:

I came across a holy bible in a box of books I bought from auction in Essex , the bible clearly belonged to  to the above Rev , I  started to research some of the entries Rev Foster had hand written in the fly pages. ............

I don’t know if you have any idea if any of his family descendants are still alive and in the  Hastings area but if so I would gladly provide them with the  Rev’s Bible.
The entry on the website is at http://www.friendsofhastingscemetery.org.uk/fosterhk.html

If there are family connections who would like to take advantage of this offer please contact us at Hastings History House, 21 Courthouse Street, or by  telephone Thursday - Saturday 11 - Telephone: 01424 424744