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Eyes down and phones off for Hastings Masters tournament (photo: Prashila Narsing Chauhan).
Hastings has a new chess champion – Haowen Xue, at 16 its youngest Masters winner ever. Nick Terdre reports on a successful 98th edition of the world’s first ever international chess tournament, which still attracts large numbers.
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Calling serious gamers, casual console players and anyone in search of something fun to do with family and friends! Games Fest is coming to The White Rock Theatre on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January 2025, offering two sessions of pure gaming glee.
The principle of devolving power from the centre seems generally welcome to Hastings’ political parties but reactions to what is on offer differ widely. In particular, what is seen as the undue haste of the Labour government in pushing for a response from local government and limiting that response to the upper-tier authorities has come in for criticism. Nick Terdre provides a brief guide to what the local parties are saying.
It’s the year when development looks like getting under way on the old bathing pool site in West St Leonards, and local community groups have arranged a public meeting on Saturday 25 January to publicise the proposed plans, present their views on what is being proposed and invite residents to give their own opinions. Nick Terdre reports.
An elderly and disabled resident of Hastings is hoping that a GoFundMe appeal will relieve her dire situation, after falling prey to rogue builders. The need for security and confidentiality is an aspect of the case but HOT has made inquiries and is satisfied that the story is genuine. The victim is known as ‘Joy 1066’. Bernard McGinley reports.
East Sussex County Council yesterday decided to apply to join the devolution fast track and in the process have May’s elections postponed. A motion in an Extraordinary Full Council meeting urging the Cabinet not to seek the suspension of the elections was lost. Nick Terdre reports, research and graphics by Russell Hall.
The number of fuel vouchers issued to Hastings residents during 2024 highlights the continuing problem of fuel poverty locally and the need to rapidly insulate local properties where fuel-poor tenants live. Energise Sussex Coast’s Gabriel Carlyle reports.
Following the recent article in HOT on the suspension of local elections as part of the government’s devolution plan, I was keen to see how Hastings Borough Council cabinet members would respond to plans to abolish the council. Dee Williams reports.
Hastings White Rock is delighted to announce that The Magical Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan has achieved their highest ever box office sales, with attendance figures also the highest in eight years. The pantomime had rave reviews from audiences, many of whom described it as the “best panto ever”.
For 20 years Jazz Hastings has been bringing top musical talent to town — nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, and highly promising newcomers, for its monthly sessions. The 2025 season continues the tradition and starts with an impressive lineup on Tuesday 14 January. Julian Norridge reports.
The Conservative leader of East Sussex County Council (ESCC), Keith Glazier, is planning to use government’s recently announced shake-up of local councils as a pretext to suspend the May 2025 local elections. Erica Smith reports.
Strangeness of Seeing – a journey of perception and wonder
Hastings will receive a welcome boost in its battle against homelessness, both the cost of providing temporary accommodation and helping rough sleepers, following the government’s announcement of a £1bn grant to English councils for tackling these problems. Nick Terdre reports, graphics by Russell Hall.
Grace Lau has had quite a year. Well-known in the photosphere, her projects have included Portraits in a Chinese Studio, Adults in Wonderland and Ad/dressing Death. In 2023 she recreated her Chinese studio in Southampton, London, Eastbourne and back in St Leonards. Lau is also exhibiting another body of work, Adults in Wonderland, as part of The 80s: Photographing Britain at Tate Britain. Lauris Morgan-Griffiths asked her about her year.
Users of the A21 in Baldslow where the Queensway Gateway Road junction is being built face an easier journey over the Christmas period following the suspension of the traffic management scheme. However, it remains unclear when in the New Year the project will be completed, as Hastings & Rye MP Helena Dollimore found out when she asked. Nick Terdre reports.
HOT’S Judy Parkinson heard the hot news while she was contemplating some immortal apples and eternal eggs in Hastings Contemporary. Kathleen Soriano will become the interim director of Hastings Contemporary, taking up her new role in January 2025.
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