School students on climate strike processed through the town centre led by a drumming band.
School students from Hastings and beyond gathered in the town centre on Friday to demand, together with their peers worldwide, urgent and effective action by those in power to combat climate change. Nick Terdre sampled the atmosphere. Continue reading…
As finalists in the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition enjoy a brief respite before summoning their forces for a final effort, Brian Hick, editor of Larks Review and a diligent observer of all stages of the competition, offers some thoughts from his seat in the stalls.
The Friends of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve have condemned Hastings Borough Council’s “reckless” refusal to listen to advice from Natural England on their proposal to build two solar farms in the Country Park. But the council leader still says that an adverse report from the agency could cause the project to be dropped. Nick Terdre reports.
As thousands of school students from across the UK prepare to take to the streets on Friday (15 March) to demand urgent action on climate change, Divest East Sussex has discovered that over 40 schools and sixth-form colleges in East Sussex are inadvertently funding global warming through their contributions to the East Sussex Pension Fund (ESPF). Nick Terdre reports.
Maxim Kinasov, aged 25, from Russia, is to be congratulated for winning second prize in the Hastings International Piano Cconcerto Competition, while the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra also awarded him the well-deserved orchestra’s prize for his rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat Minor, Op 23, in the final. HOT’s Chandra Masoliver had the good fortune to be his host, and over suppers and a glass or two of wine, talked with him about his life in music.
Leah Levane, newly elected Labour Councillor for Castle Ward in May 2018, talks with HOT’s Chandra Masoliver about her work as a Community Development Worker, and how that experience has helped shape her vision of what she would like to achieve in Hastings.
The White Rock Theatre have issued their new brochure for the 2019 spring/summer season, writes HOT’s Paul Way-Rider. It’s also available in digital form so you can have it to hand on any or all of your devices.
Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition is approaching its climax, with six contestants selected for the final on Friday and Saturday evenings at the White Rock Theatre. Nick Terdre reports, photos by John Cole.
As part of Tescos Bags of Help, Hailsham appeal, local charity Care for the Carers recently received a first prize of £4000. The award will contribute to their efforts in supporting and raising awareness for unpaid carers across East Sussex. HOT’s Jordan Dixon writes.
Hastings Borough Council is pushing ahead with its plans for a large housing development on the former bathing pool site in West St Leonards, unmoved by the continuing efforts of local residents to have a say in what happens in their neck of the woods. Residents are asked to object to the council’s planned disposal of the site and attend the Cabinet meeting next Monday when their petition will be presented. Nick Terdre reports.
Sheikh Abid Gulzar, the owner of Hastings and Eastbourne piers, has been fined for tax offences deriving from the non payment of Paye and national insurance contributions in connection with his business interests in Eastbourne. Back in Hastings he faces proceedings brought by former pier employees, and has already lost one such case. Nick Terdre reports, photos by Cliff van Coevorden.
Barefoot Opera are moving into a new phase of their ‘people’s opera’ with a call-out for participants to start working towards the performance of an extract in late April and full performance a year later. The first events take place this weekend: a workshop for would-be chorus members and sessions in musical improvisation as part of the Hastings Fat Tuesday Festival. Nick Terdre reports.
Hastings MP Amber Rudd has accused the local Labour Party of anti-semitism, a charge which the constituency party denies. Meanwhile Ms Rudd’s own Conservative Party has been accused of being institutionally Islamophobic. Nick Terdre reports.
Would the Stade footpath get a reprieve? Would the Pier sheds be refused permission? Would sound arguments prevail? Of course not — this is Hastings. Observing the planning committee at work, Bernard McGinley gets the Mugsborough Blues.
The Jazz Hastings session on Tuesday 12 March brings a welcome return for two of the best guitarists around. Pete Oxley and Nicolas Meier both have huge international reputations as individual artists, but together they reach new heights as the Oxley-Meier Guitar Project, says Julian Norridge.
Hastings Against War continues to campaign against the growing use of drones in warfare with a consciousness-raising evening and the annual Fly Kites Not Drones event on the beach. John Enefer reports.
As the Hastings Half Marathon approaches on Sunday 24 March, the call has gone out for 100 runners dressed as the Incredible Hulk to help raise awareness of and funds for the A-T (Ataxia-Telangiectasia) Society, which has been supporting five-year-old Winston Pemberton-Powell since he was diagnosed with A-T in 2015. Nick Terdre reports.
It’s all go at the Stables Theatre, which this week sees two performances of Dyad Production’s gender-bender Orlando. Meanwhile notice of auditions at the end of the month has gone out for John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation. Nick Terdre reports.
Last year Transition Town Hastings (TTH) and Energise Sussex Coast presented the Sustainability-on-sea Festival; a collaboration which explored ideas and initiatives to help to build a sustainable future for the current and next generation of residents in Hastings and St. Leonards. TTH are now seeking volunteers to help make this year’s festival an even greater success. HOT’s
