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Bayeux Tapestry showing Harold's demise

Bayeux Tapestry showing Harold's demise.

Hastings-Bexhill plays 1066 card – will it come up trumps?!

The Hastings and Bexhill bid to be UK City of Culture 2017 was submitted on 30 April, after getting a good send-off from several hundred pirates outside the town hall, including several councillors. But will it be Saxon and Norman soldiers rather than pirates that clinch a deal for a 950th  anniversary year-long celebration of the battle of Hastings? HOT reporter, Chris Cormack investigates the basis for our bid.

Map of 1066 Country.

The main plank of the ‘1066 bid’ is to “promote the complete cultural spectrum of Hastings and 1066 Country to the world in a singularly athletic way” – through what it dubs the 1066 March – 300 miles on foot from the battlefield at Stamford Bridge (presumably taking in the battle of Fulford Gate) and following the route taken by Harold Godwinson back to Senlac field at Hastings, together with William the Conqueror’s traversal of the Channel. Did this  cause the national bookmakers to slash the odds on a Hastings victory?

The spectacular climax of Hastings’ 2017 programme, the 1066 March, would be a show-piece spectacular spanning the length of England and the breadth of France, in a 19-day cultural extravaganza. Hastings and 1066 Country would hit the road to involve the rest of England and northern France in the City of Culture 2017. On the journey, the march would showcase all aspects of 1066 culture while recreating the original route taken by Harold’s army: York to London, presenting opportunities for major events in both places. En route there would be performances, events and modern day battles (DJ contests, cricket and football matches, etc) at the stops that Harold would have made, culminating in a spectacular arrival in Hastings via Bexhill, with three days of events along the seafront to coincide with the 951st anniversary of the Battle of Hastings on Saturday 14 October 2017.

1066 Channel crossing.

Similarly the journey of William, then Duke of Normandy,  would be re-enacted along the Norman and French coasts, setting out on the epic cross-channel invasion, relying solely on oar and sail. It is clear that such a high national and international profile for 1066 Country could substantially “enhance opportunities for national and international partnership working; give a boost to bookings of quality music, visual arts, performing arts and variety events; and increase the sense of general business optimism and confidence.”

A City of Culture steering group has been established with the participation of:

  • headteachers;
  • the Education Futures Trust and new academy sponsors;
  • Sussex Coast College, directly represented by the deputy principal;
  • University of Brighton at director of faculty level;
  • the chair of the chamber of commerce;
  • Jerwood Gallery and the De La Warr Pavilion;
  • Hastings Voluntary Action; and
  • four critical friends/advisors, including the ex-head of culture at Bristol City Council and the ex-executive director of the Arts Council South East (who will provide “external rigour and perspective”).

Councillor John Hodges described the bid as  “colourful, attractive, multi-faceted, and well-produced. It is extremely difficult to recall any other local event that has prompted so much enthusiasm and support from the community in talking up our Town”.

On 23 May there was a clarification meeting with Regeneris, the consultancy appointed to assess the respective bids, and  the outcome of this presentation is awaited with “huge interest and some confidence born out of the knowledge that the whole team gave of their best.” The short-list of towns is expected within the next two weeks. A budget of £15m could be the end-result, if our 1066 city wins the bid.

According to the City of Culture bid document, the legacy is expected to include:

  • a new music venue on Hastings Pier;
  • world-class cultural education in all Hastings schools, colleges and universities;
  • a fundamentally changed understanding of the multiple roles of artists and artisans in all aspects of local life;
  • a strong and sustainable relationship with all local communities for our main arts venues;
  • a programme of events and festivals that attracts visitors to the area 52 weeks a year, with integrated travel and accommodation linked to the new airport and enhanced rail links.

Economically, artisan and creative businesses are expected to have a more sustainable infrastructure to allow them to flourish, regeneration of complex sites could  be achieved, and  connectivity could be improved with new and faster trains to London, Brighton, and (via Ashford) Paris.

So – let’s dress up and party – as Saxons, Normans and Vikings!

The bid document will shortly be made available on the Hastings Council website.

 

Read about the handbook expressing local support for the bid.

 

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Posted 09:28 Wednesday, Jun 5, 2013 In: Arts News

3 Comments

  1. Chris Cormack

    Sue Sully writes: she has a question which doesn’t seem to have been raised in relation to this subject – in the world of Culture, why does no one mention the long-standing and highly regarded Hastings Musical Festival? Hardly elitist since, for example, as tiny tots all we little girls were entered into the dancing classes whether or not we were any good (the only time in my life I ever got a highly commended was when I forgot my steps and made it up).

    In fact Hastings is outstounding in the musical world – there’s just so much musical talent of all kinds that I could go to some event every day and night and still not cover them all. We have great locals like Leanne Carroll, Francis Rayner, Lynda Murray, Naomi Kilby, Gary Marriott, Maureen Connett, Opera South East, and Roger Wilcock (of course) not to mention the many various amateur choir, jazz, rock and folk groups (don’t think Keane are quite local enough as from Battle?)

    Editor comments: Battle is now part of the bid, as is Rye.

    Comment by Chris Cormack — Friday, Jun 7, 2013 @ 16:48

  2. Naomi Robinson

    Brilliant work, City of Culture Team. My fingers and toes are crossed – everyone knows Hastings knows how to celebrate best! We’ll do it with style…And lets face it, only Hastings can lay claim to perhaps the most famous (and culturally significant) dates in History!

    Comment by Naomi Robinson — Thursday, Jun 6, 2013 @ 14:10

  3. Alison Cooper

    We have some quality writers in town eh!

    Thank you for this info….I was amazed at what HBC have come up with!
    Well done all whatever happens…..

    Comment by Alison Cooper — Wednesday, Jun 5, 2013 @ 11:30

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