The traditional opening ceremony took place on the 13th October, with guests from Hastings Belgium twin town of Oudenaarde joining in, as the weekend marked the 10th anniversary of the two towns being twinned.
Also held on October 13th was the '999' event a first for Hastings Week and, indeed, Hastings. Held on the Stade Coach and Lorry Park all of the emergency services took part. As well as sideshows and exhibitions, and displays of vintage and foreign vehicles (including the very latest American Highway Patrol car), displays by the emergency services took place throughout the day, culminating in a rescue of a person from a simulated car crash, involving the police, fire and ambulance services. However, this wasn't just a public display - operational vehicles were also based on the Stade that day, and visitors were able to watch a procession of police cars, motor bikes, fire engines and ambulances leaving the site with their 'blues and twos' on. (Lights and sirens!). Around 2000 people visited the displays, far more than the organisers had expected.
The Gonfalon ceremony took place on 14th October, which include a wide range of entertainment in the Castle. These included the Sacred Flame Fire Theatre Company, Sussex Brass, and a number of displays by the uniformed services. The Mayor also formerly launched a joint tourism project between 1066 Country and Normandy on, appropriately, Hastings Day.
During the evening, the Order of 1066 was made; this is given to a resident of Hastings & St. Leonards works tirelessly on behalf of the town. This year a very popular winner was Gladys Stewart, who does so much in the voluntary sector. The following week another 'first' for Hastings Week took place, with a Hobbies and Crafts exhibition at Horntye Park, with a wide range of things to see and try, this was very well attended.
The 49th National Town Criers Championship took place on 20th October, with Criers from as far away as Wales, Yorkshire and the West Country joins the usual colourful and looked spectacular. Alistair Chisholm, from Bridport, was a worthy winner again, his third championship title in four years.
For many, the highlight of the week was the torchlight procession and bonfire on Saturday, organised by Hastings Borough Bonfire Society, with the evening rounded off by what many (including the well-travelled Town Criers!) described the best firework display they had ever seen - put on by Hastings-based Renegade Pyrotechnics. It was truly amazing, with the sky above Pelham Place completely alive with light and noise - words just cannot describe it, it was awesome.
The week drew to a close on Sunday 21st October with the Closing Ceremony. But the week was so much more than just the events mentioned above, which are just a small proportion of the many things going on in Hastings Week. There were a huge number of community events, from five a side football to a senior citizens painting competition, from a fantastic jazz festival to a playday in the park for the very young, from opera to table tennis. There really was something for everyone.
Our town is so lucky to have so many superb events, throughout the year, and Hastings Week is one of the most special. But none of it would happen without the work of the Hastings Week Committee, and its hard working Chairman, Dorothy Clements, and events co-ordinator, Gordon Hobson. They work hard throughout the year to put on the week's events, and as this year showed, their efforts certainly paid off - the town should be very proud indeed of all the volunteers who helped put on such a tremendous week.
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This page last updated: 14/04/2002