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A detail from the event poster. Credit: HDPSC

‘Poetry for Palestine’ open mic fundraiser on Saturday 23 November

Hastings is to host its very first ‘Poetry for Palestine’ open mic night to raise funds for a community in Gaza with long-held links to the town.  Hastings & District Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s chair Katy Colley reports. Continue reading…


Lodestar and strings combination leaves audience spellbound

In the last of this year’s St Leonards Concerts Season, Max Baillie and colleagues left Victoria Kingham and the rest of the audience spellbound with the sound of unusual instruments, the nyckelharpa from Sweden and Norway’s Hardanger fiddle. There will be another season next year, she was relieved to hear.

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Cyberattack puts HBC website out of action for a day

Hastings Borough Council’s website was made unavailable last Wednesday due to a cyberattack launched by a pro-Russia hackers’ group. The website was later restored and the council says no personal data was stolen. The motive for the attack, which targeted other local authorities

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A vibrant celebration of community and dance

In October, Hastings Commons Community Land Trust (HCCLT) members Jan and Pam took the initiative to host an unforgettable 60s Danceaway event at the Observer Building’s main event space. With just a £1 membership to the CLT, they brought together friends and locals for a day of music, laughter, and a spectacular celebration for Older People’s Month. It was such a success that it’s going to be a regular event. Sharon Rhodes reports.

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Join the fight against Hastings’ housing crisis

The Hastings Housing Alliance, a collective of local initiatives dedicated to addressing the pressing housing issues in our community, is inviting residents to come together for a drop-in event on Saturday 9 November. Sharon Rhodes encourages all renters to come along and share their concerns.

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Free info evening on taking control of your energy bills

Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) are holding a free event at Hastings College on Wednesday 6 November, offering energy-saving tips, renovation advice and grant info suitable for all incomes. ESC’s Gabriel Carlyle reports.

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Vivaldi  and Haydn works headline at Hastings Philharmonic Choir’s November concert

Religious works by Vivaldo and Haydn are the highlights of Hastings Philharmonic Choir’s November concert. Both are masterpieces, says Gareth Simpson. Accompanying the choir will be Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra.

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MSL’s Beach of Dreams 2025

Anders Lustgarten has been commissioned to create a contemporary Canterbury Tales for the South East. MSL is southeast lead partner and creative agency for the national Beach of Dreams 2025 festival; a journey through the diverse landscapes and rich histories of our coastal regions. Our focus is the 30 mile stretch of coastline from Dungeness to Bulverhythe, writes MSL’s Kate Hodges. Celebrations begin on the eve of Thursday 29 May in Hythe, culminating in a twilight finale in Bulverhythe on Sunday 1 June.

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Hastings Independents’s motion sparks council action on child poverty

Measures to tackle the unacceptably high rate of child poverty in Hastings are to be taken following the passing of a motion on the matter which was tabled at the Full Council meeting in mid September by Cllr Mike Turner of the Hastings Independents. The party’s Maya Evans explains the thinking behind this move.

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Samhain ‘Day of the Dead’ with Fabulous Red Diesel

The Fabulous Red Diesel are celebrating the Day of the Dead at The Beacon on Friday 1 November, starting at 6pm. You’re invited to dress up and come along to enjoy the fun and the great music. HOT’s Zelly Restorick spoke to Kat Lee Ryan about what will be happening?

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Green spaces and buildings defended in detail

At a recent day conference, the Hastings and Rother group Stand Up For Nature (SU4N) illuminated the issues around modern development and possible courses of action ahead. Protect Our Green Spaces was a community day to map the territory for those interested, sponsored by Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA). Bernard McGinley learnt how spaces are important for wellbeing and why adaptation of buildings is good practice.

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Saying goodbye to County?

The notion of a unitary authority is looming. Would Hastings and Rother be better off combining to manage their own affairs, including activities currently run by East Sussex County Council? HOT contributor Bea Rogers weighs up the pros and cons in what we hope will kick off a much needed debate.

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David Preston’s ‘Mµ Quartet’ featuring Ivo Neame, Jeremy Stacey & Tom Farmer

Jazz Hastings November session will feature London-based guitarist and composer, David Preston, who has been described by the Guardian as ‘virtuosic’ and by Time Out as ‘A superb modern jazz guitarist’. He’ll be playing on Tuesday 5 November at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association on the Stade. Julian Norridge shares his enthusiasm for this talented guitarist.

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Hastings’ musical witches cast a spell with debut album Crowdfunder

As the leaves turn and the air crackles with the enchantment of autumn, Hastings finds itself graced by a remarkable coven of talented witches, ready to weave their magic through music. This week marked the launch of a crowdfunder for Message From The Ravens, a captivating Hastings band looking to record their debut album and share their unique sound with the world. Sharon Rhodes is spellbound…

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Hastings nurse fights ‘houmous’ charge in stand against Israeli genocide

A nurse from Hastings will be in court next week, fighting a charge of criminal damage to a brand of houmous which he says is ‘helping to fund Israeli genocide’. Hastings & District Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s chair Katy Colley reports.

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The story of the Black Flower Seller brought bang up to date for Black History Month

In 2014, Claudine Eccleston was browsing a local history page on Facebook when she saw a photograph of a black flower seller outside 44 Marina on St Leonards seafront from around 1900. She was fascinated by the image and started sharing it in the hope of finding more about the woman. This week, after ten years of research, she was proud to present her findings to a packed audience at Hastings Museum. (more…)

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