Tom Lehrer, the great satirical singer, died in July 2025, prompting many eulogies and memories from writers. Chris Connelly and Tim Whelan are celebrating his work with Jude Montague and members of the Albion Skiffle Company on Thursday 6 November. Jude Montague talks to both about Tom Lehrer’s toe-tapping and witty songwriting.
Read more...
Would a scrap store be a useful resource for Hastings? The town has had them before and now moves are afoot to start another one. A public meeting on Thursday 23 October will test the waters. Nick Terdre reports.
Read more...
Lindsay Jayne, at 80, is feeling somewhat alienated from the world. So she wrote her first play and then made a film of the dress rehearsal: A Spectacular Interview. It is due to screen at the White Rock Theatre on 25 October. She explained to Nick Terdre how it all came about.
Read more...
The untimely death last month of Peter Pragnell, the Conservative county councillor for the Ashdown & Conquest division in Hastings, has resulted in a by-election to choose his replacement. In what until now has been a safe Tory seat, this provides an opportunity for Reform UK to test whether its lead in the polls translates into electoral success. Text by Nick Terdre, research and graphics by Russell Hall.
Read more...
There are three new exhibitions at the Hastings Contemporary – three for the price of one – and each one of them very fresh and exciting. Of the three artists I had only known the work of one, Michael Landy, of YBA fame. The other two, Sophie Barber and Isabel Rock, were completely new to me. The shows have been well curated; two very colourful exhibitions, while in the middle gallery there is a restful pause of Michael Landy’s drawings. HOT’s Lauris Morgan-Griffiths was pleasantly surprised by the quality of all three artists.
Read more...
The Hastings Storytelling Festival is back on Friday 17 October, filling the town with tales, music, dance and performance for all ages for ten days. There are events across Hastings and St Leonards – many of them free – this year’s programme celebrates openness, connection and community through the power of storytelling. Erica Smith gets ready for storytime.
Read more...
Local community benefit society Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) will be holding two free energy advice drop-in sessions at the Pebsham Community Hub (70 Seabourne Road, Bexhill, TN40 2SW) on Wednesday 15 October and Wednesday 29 October. Both sessions will run 9.30–11am. ESC’s Gabriel Carlyle explains what sort of things they can help you with.
Read more...
Supporters of Your Party, which is being formed by leftwingers disillusioned with the Labour government, and perhaps with party politics in general, enjoyed a successful inaugural meeting in St Leonards last week. Next up is a rally to be held at Horntye sports centre on 18 October when the party’s co-founder Jeremy Corbyn will be in attendance. Nick Terdre reports.
Read more...
The 2025 Hastings Chamber Music Festival is back with its most ambitious and varied programme to date, offering a vibrant mix of four chamber music concerts that span an impressive 350 years of repertoire, from the Baroque to contemporary works. Nick Terdre explores what is on offer.
Read more...
TV Festival is back at the Electric Palace cinema this 9-12 October, says Annie Waite. This annual festival of communal TV watching, discussion and reminiscence includes a popular Doctor Who event, a focus on Graham Greene, and celebrating crime sleuthing onscreen with a Murder She Wrote special!
Read more...
The Bexhill and Hastings branch of the United Nations Association will hold a public seminar on 25 October to discuss issues of war and peace, when it will put forward a proposal for how peace could be secured in Palestine. Bea Rogers explains the thinking behind the session.
Read more...
Hastings Jews for Justice has issued the following statement condemning the attack at a synagogue in Manchester yesterday.
Read more...
As anyone knows who has lived in Hastings for any amount of time, the town pretty much runs on volunteers – with quite a heavy bias on the creatives. So it is no surprise to find exhibitions are created, and run, in a similar vein. HOT’s Lauris Morgan-Griffiths wondered how the experience was for a few of this year’s curators of the PhotoHastings Festival exhibitions; Gary Willis and Derek Cottrell as well as veteran curator Andrew Moran, co-founder of the group.
Read more...
Hastings Jews for Justice is to co-host, together with St Leonards Concerts, a concert for the people of Gaza in which Max Baillie and fellow musicians will play Beethoven’s string quartet Opus 132. All proceeds will go to Medical Aid for Palestinians. Felicity Laurence explains the background.
Read more...
In May local community benefit society Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) helped the Tilling Green Community Centre in Rye to install fifty-two 450W solar panels on its roof. A second installation in Rye – this time on the roof of Chapman’s Fisheries – should be taking place soon. Energise Sussex Coast’s Gabriel Carlyle reports.
Read more...
