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The poets from Poet Town anthology are bringing their words to the Printworks on Thursday 19 July to support the Refugee Buddy Project

Poet Town – FREE event at the Printworks for Refugee Week

On Thursday 19 June, artists, musicians and poets are raising funds for the Refugee Buddy Project during Refugee Week by holding a FREE Gig/Party and sharing their words and music at the Printworks. The evening has been put together by the team behind Poet Town, a new collection of poetry by the bards of Hastings and thereabouts. Jude Montague tells us more. Continue reading…

FREE feminist film night for Refugee Week

As part of Refugee Week 2025, Women’s Voice Hastings is presenting an evening of powerful short films exploring refugee and migrant experiences, curated by Other Cinemas. Erica Smith encourages you to come along for a remarkable collection of international films.

Hastings residents join ‘red line’ protest against UK arms sales to Israel

Residents of Hastings and St Leonards travelled to London on Wednesday 4 June to join the national ‘Red line for Palestine’ protest, demanding an end to UK arms sales to Israel. Gabriel Carlyle reports.

Support community energy at the national climate lobby!

Local community benefit society Energise Sussex Coast is calling on people to travel to London on Wednesday 9 July to support community energy at a national climate lobby of Parliament. Energise Sussex Coast’s Gabriel Carlyle explains.

Extraordinary Odyssey at the Electro Studios

Caroline Gregory, curator of Extraordinary Odyssey, talks to Jude Montague about the upcoming exhibition.

Green-led Council under fire for siding with developers

Councillors on Hastings Borough Council’s Green-only cabinet are facing criticism from local campaign groups over the Council’s refusal to consult with residents on their Local Plan for Hastings. Alexia Masardo from the West Marina Partnership explains why they’re angry.

‘Ethical Bailiffs’ serve eviction notice on Hastings arms factory over Gaza genocide

A group of bailiffs from ‘Ethical Evictions’ served up a people-powered eviction notice on General Dynamics in Hastings last week, stating the arms company was in breach of the terms of its lease. Hastings & District Palestine Solidarity Campaign (HDPSC)’s Katy Weitz explains more.

Adventures in Pop, Hastings

Tuesday 1 July sees the band Florescent guesting at the Jenny Lind in Hastings Old Town. Jude Montague talks to the band about their sound. Florescent is a four-piece alternative rock band known for blending elements of classic rock with modern alternative influences.

Sex and Success in Sussex – bosoms and love

The show Sex and Success in Sussex at Electro Studios Project Space brought together artists from London and Hastings for a varied and modern exhibition running from 30 May to 1 June. Jude Montague reflects.

Mango Ritual, immersive, multi-genre performance, comes to Hastings Museum

Mango Ritual is an immersive and captivating live experience that blends poetry, live music and performed dance piece to create an artistic experience rooted in storytelling and what it means to be human, writes Jade Hylton. Inspired by Akila Richards’ poetry pamphlet Ritual for a Mango, this performance transforms words into a dynamic ritual that invites audiences to delve into landing on earth and the lessons we learn that include a scraping a stone naked, shards of hope landing on a beach, the wisdom of a grandchild and the seeing with changed eyes a better world here and now.

Hastings Sinfonia back at the De La Warr for Fiesta concert

For their summer concert Hastings Sinfonia take to the stage of the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill on Sunday 22 June. It’s a larger setting appropriate for Fiesta, a thrilling programme of Spanish and Latin American music, as Alexandra Hudson reveals.

Smiley fish and cheerful things

At a point in time where local, national and international news seems to have hit ‘Peak Gloom’, artist Dawn Timmins has had the vision to curate a show to lift our spirits. Erica Smith pops down to Hastings Arts Forum and leaves with a smile on her face.

Migrant Workers Speak Out

Hastings Stand Up To Racism (HSUTR), which has issued a strongly worded statement on Keir Starmer’s ‘island of strangers’ speech, are holding a special open meeting at Central Hall on Tuesday 3 June.

Don’t slash spending on the Warm Homes Plan

Local community energy group Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) has joined over 50 charities, green campaign groups and housing organisations in an open letter to Treasury. ESC’s Gabriel Carlyle reports.

Butterflies and more on the agenda at Alexandra Park greenhouse

Hear how to provide a thriving habitat for butterlies in a talk from a local expert at the Alexandra Park greenhouse next month. Other events at the community hub during June include advice on meditating while drawing and participating in Town Grown’s Edible Open Gardens event, as press officer Lynda Foy explains.

Open market information is still secret says Council. Really?

A Freedom of Information (FoI) request has again been refused by Hastings Borough Council because Open Market Valuations are – somehow – commercially confidential. The request concerns financial adjustment for affordable housing after more flats were added to the Archery Ground. Policy and guidance are consistent and clear that these viability assessments (as they are known) are to be made public. (more…)