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Redshank guarding chicks at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (photo: Barry Yates).
MSL Projects is to hold four ‘walks & talks’ at the end-of-month half-term weekend offering a chance to explore some of the beautiful natural habitats of the local countryside. Helen Samuels explains what lies in store. Continue reading…
Any questions for Henry VIII? Tony Harris will reprise a well practised role as England’s most famous, or notorious, king as part of a fund-raising event for West Marina Day. Nick Terdre reports.
There’s now less than a month to go until the White Rock opens its doors for the first ever Hastings Comic Con, a spectacular comics extravaganza on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June. Kate Gordon outlines the event.
On Wednesday (14 May) the Palestine Solidarity Campaign organised a national lobby of Parliament about the UK’s complicity with Israel’s policies of genocide and apartheid. Gabriel Carlyle reports on his unsuccessful attempt to speak to Hastings MP Helena Dollimore. Dollimore has contested some of the claims he makes – her statement is published below.
In March HOT wrote about how this year’s cancelled local elections in East Sussex might have turned out based on the results of an Electoral Calculus poll for the Telegraph. As some scepticism was expressed about the accuracy of such a poll, we also promised to check how well the results matched the poll predictions. Text by Nick Terdre, research and graphics by Russell Hall.
Last year the ancient ceremony of ‘beating the bounds’ took place in the Old Town. This year West St Leonards is being celebrated. Bernard McGinley explains an old innovation by the Hastings Local History Group and the Old Hastings Preservation Society.
Jude Montague talks to Kev Younger about his life in music and his ‘original music band The High Span’. They are part of Adventures in Pop, the creative new music scene with house bands Montague Armstrong Rippengal (MAR) and the Barbarian Horde.
A short service was held on Winkle Island to commemorate Victory in Europe Day on Thursday 8 May. Councillors, local dignitaries and MP Helena Dollimore were in attendance, in addition to members of the public. The Rev Matthew Phipps of St Clements officiated at the service, which was organised by Hastings Veterans’ forum. The VE Day flag was flown from the Town Hall. Pictures contributed by Stewart Rayment.
HOT’s Judy Parkinson learns about the tragedy of a German soldier, writer and artist who disappeared as the Second World War came to an end 80 years ago.
Jude Montague introduces work by some of the artists who will be contributing to a playfully exuberant show with a DIY approach at Electro Studios Project Space Thurs 29 May – Sat 1 June.
On Saturday, 10 May 2025, Hastings will welcome the inaugural Hastings Charity Fest, a free-entry acoustic music event at Barnaby’s Lounge, starting at 2pm. This one-day festival celebrates local musical talent while supporting two important music charities, with representatives from both organisations onsite collecting donations in buckets throughout the day,as the Lounge’s press office reports.
Hastings Council leader Julia Hilton is under pressure to release legal advice which she claims makes her powerless to stop a company carrying out illegal activities on Hastings Council property. Hastings & Rye Palestine Solidarity Campaign chair Katy Colley reports.
On Tuesday 13 May, intersectional women’s group Women’s Voice will host an evening of film and discussion about how the shift to the right in the United States has affected women’s say over their reproductive choices – and how women’s rights in the UK are also being threatened. Erica Smith encourages you to join this vital discussion.
Virtuoso Spanish guitarist Iago Banet is about to bring his rare talent to audiences in Hastings this month. Acclaimed as the Galician King of Acoustic Guitar, Iago receives rave reviews while on tour promoting his third album. He will be stopping off at Kino-Teatr on Sunday 25 May, as Nick Terdre reports.
Jude Montague talks to Jack Hayter about his music, the Medway and pedal steel in advance of his visit to Hastings to play at Barnaby’s Lounge on Thursday 29 May.
Photographer JJ Waller says, “I had a fantastic day between photographing Bikes and Jacks. There were a myriad of opportunities to try to make pictures and find new attempts to capture the unique spirit of the day. I have attached a few for HOT to share. Another stunning Hastings & St Leonards celebration. Special thanks to the organisers and volunteers of both events – your contribution is a huge gift to your community.” Captions courtesy of Erica Smith.
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