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Spring is sprung: While the local community gets organised, Nature goes blithely on her way.

Spring is sprung: cherry blossom on Quarry Hill. While the local community gets organised, Nature goes blithely on her way.

Council and partners set up community support hub

As the corona virus tightens its grip on society, there has been a heart-warming upswell across the country of support and offers of help for those who most need it – the elderly, vulnerable, those suffering from the virus and those who for whatever reason are unable to provide for themselves in conditions of lockdown. Hastings Borough Council, together with partners, has set up a community hub to coordinate the effort. Nick Terdre reports. Continue reading…

Uplift – different voices with books for you (plus local literary info)

How are you getting on in these strange times? We seem to be getting together more in online groups and that’s how this week’s post came about. Jackie Oxbury and Paul Green commented on last week’s post. This week they talk to Angela J. Phillip with recommendations they think you will like.

A change of direction for The Time Machine

With national Covid-19 guidelines changing daily, this year’s A Town Explores A Book is proving to be responsive to the new non-contact environment. HOT’s Erica Smith reports on the present plans and what the future holds.

Hastings Literary Festival 2020 Cancelled

Hastings Literary Festival 2020, due to take place at the end of August, has been cancelled following suspension of the Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants fund because of the Coronavirus crisis.

Paul and Rob Stanley

Hastings and Rye fresh fish caught and delivered to your door!

Rob and Paul Stanley are back, selling plaice, huss, skate, sole and more from their usual place at Rock-a-Nore, reports HOT’s Chandra Masoliver.

An evening in with HIPCC prizewinner Maxim Kinasov

In the days of the coronavirus, we cannot attend live music performances, but we can turn to the web. Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition has launched a series of short online concerts to help fill the gap. Competition prizewinner Maxim Kinasov will be performing Franck-Bauer and Rachmaninov tomorrow, Friday, evening at 7pm. Nick Terdre reports.

Council votes itself new powers to continue making decisions in the days of coronavirus

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the council last week voted in emergency powers to enable it to continue making important decisions. Public meetings have been cancelled until further notice. Nick Terdre reports.

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Emergency health regulations brought into force in Hastings

Hastings has moved into lockdown following the introduction of emergency health regulations by the council which close down shops apart from food retailers and encourage citizens to restrict their outings. Enforcement officers will oversee retailers’ compliance with the new regime. Nick Terdre reports.

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As theatres go dark, Stables chair looks for light at the end of the tunnel

As theatres everywhere are closed down for the duration of the pandemic, Brian Hick spoke to Neil Sellman, chair of the Stables Theatre, on the effect the closure is having on them and their future plans.

Loneliness, comfort and a little science fiction (plus local literary info)

Our lives have taken a surreal turn as though we’ve suddenly stepped into a science fiction movie that we weren’t expecting. Here are some books to read while we are self-isolating or looking after others – researched by Angela J. Phillip.

The White Rock Theatre

White Rock Theatre – performances suspended

Following the recent announcement from the government, performances at Hastings White Rock Theatre have been suspended until further notice, the management tells HOT.

Arson at the Labour Party building: a personal response

Hastings Online Times writer Erica Smith gives her reaction to the fire at the Hastings and Rye Labour Party office.

Hastings moves towards lockdown

Covid-19 has hit Hastings, taking its toll of our social, cultural, economic and political lives. Nick Terdre attempts a brief resume of the extent to which the town has shut down.

Meet Gen-Zedder Brandon Relph

19-year-old Brandon Relph is one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs and the world’s leading youth specialist. He is currently the CEO of Studio BE – a disruptive technology and production company that lives in the intercept of traditional and digital media, focusing on the under-24 market. He was formerly the youngest CEO in the UK, (for a year and a half). This is why Anastasia Witts invited him to participate in The Platform arts and technology conference which was due to open the #AltPitch Festival. Sadly, The Platform has had to be postponed to later this year because of Covid-19, but HOT’s Erica Smith caught up with Brandon in cyberspace to learn what makes him tick.

Comfort food – Part 1 (plus local literary info)

Do you need a change from nordic noir or, as things are at the moment, global noir? Coronavirus means that we’re all in this together, but ironically, it’s the kind of shared experience that we are going to survive best if we stay on our own. Angela J. Phillip goes in search of some good books to lift our spirits. Time to stock up. Might be just as good as pasta and baked beans – and equally as necessary.

Suspected arson at Labour’s Bohemia Road headquarters

Police are investigating a fire at Hastings Labour Party headquarters on Tuesday evening, an incident they say they are treating as suspicious. Nick Terdre reports.