The many community events that take place in the town throughout the year have already been commented upon in the ‘Carnival Time’ article elsewhere in About - and Hastings Week is another good example of the fantastic community spirit in the town.
Hastings Week marks the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, which, as every schoolboy and schoolgirl should know, took place on 14th October 1066. This year Hastings Week runs from Saturday 13th October to Sunday 21st October, and, like Old Town Carnival Week, contains a huge number of events. These are co-ordinated by the Hastings Week Committee a group of individuals interested in promoting the town, most of whom are volunteers.
Again, there are a whole host of community events, from a children’s poetry competition to a senior citizens’ painting competition, a Play Day for children, a Come and Sing (or ‘Scratch’) Messiah, lectures, talks, coffee mornings, and, the 1066 Jazz Club festival of Jazz, which goes from strength to strength. And, of course, there are the larger events, such as the Gonfalon ceremony, with a whole afternoon of entertainment, in the Castle on Sunday 14th October, and the 49th National Town Criers Championship in Priory Meadow on Saturday 20th October.
Also on that day is the fantastic torchlight procession, bonfire and firework display, organised by the Hastings Borough Bonfire Society and their own pyrotechnic (fireworks!) experts, Renegade. For many this is the highlight of the week, and is always worth seeing - the atmosphere really is wonderful, and it is one of those events that Hastings seems to do so well.
New this year is a major display by the emergency services, on the Stade Coach & Lorry Park in the Old Town, with the Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance, Coastguards, Lifeboat, and others all joining in. This will take place from 11 o’clock until 4 o’clock on Saturday 13th October, and also promises to be a great attraction this year. Also new is a huge hobbies and craft exhibition, to be held at the Horntye Sports Complex from October to October inclusive - if you haven’t been to see the fantastic facilities at Horntye, this is your chance.
And there is so much more to do in Hastings Week - there really is something for everyone. If you haven’t already got one, get a programme - they are available from the Hastings Information Centres.
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This page last updated: 15/10/2001