The popular Alexandra Park café is due to close for an overhaul.
Open throughout the Easter holidays, the café will now close its doors for between two and three weeks, while new contractors refurbish the site.
Having gone through an extensive tendering process the café will now be run by a Hastings-based catering company, due to be announced shortly.
A Hastings Borough Council spokesman apologised for the inconvenience caused and said:
"The café will be open again in due course for the enjoyment of everyone who uses the park. We will keep you posted with information at the café and through the local press."
Explore your town with the Rangers.
Get to know your environment that little bit better with two guided walks through Alexandra Park. This Sunday (20) join the team for a wildflower walk between 2pm and 4pm. Discover exotic plants and fascinating flowers with Jacqueline Rose and members of the Hastings Botany Group.
If you can't make it this week, how about exploring the park through the eyes of the rangers on Sunday, 27 April. Take part in a fascinating two-hour journey between 2pm and 4pm, finding out about the park's history and future plans. Dogs are welcome, providing they are kept on a lead.
To book your place at either event call Hastings Information Centre on 0845 274 1001. Places are limited.
A woman, who claimed thousands of pounds in benefits while receiving student grants, has appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court.
Melanie Angel, 36, of Paxhill Close, St Leonards, admitted receiving £5,651.60 in housing benefit and £1,560.79 in council tax benefit she was not entitled to.
Mrs Angel's change in status to a full-time student showed up on a national data match, revealing that she had access to student loans and grants that she had not told Hastings Borough Council about.
Magistrates on Friday (18) gave Mrs Angel a conditional discharge and ordered her to pay £100 in costs.
She will also have to pay back the overpaid benefit.
A spokesman for Hastings Borough Council said:
"This case shows how crucial it is to tell us about any changes in circumstances. This woman now owes thousands of pounds because she claimed benefit she simply wasn't entitled to. If you are doing the same, there is every possibility that your details will be matched and you will be found out. Tell us now before it gets to court."
Hastings Borough Council has written to local residents concerned about the impact of the new development of land to the rear of 248 - 282 Harold Road on the local sewerage system. In the letter, the Borough Planner, Tim Cookson, explains that the 'foul flow' (dirty water from inside the houses e.g. from toilets, washing machines, etc) will not worsen the flooding experienced in the area.
The 'surface water flow' (rainwater draining from the roofs and hard surfaces, etc.) from the new development would not go into the sewer but in the watercourse at the rear of the property.
A condition was attached to the permission for the development requiring details of drainage to be approved, but having taken legal advice the Council are unable to enforce the condition to require upgrading of the sewer.
Mr Cookson also points out that Southern Water are aware of the poor performance of the sewer in Harold Road in storm conditions. A flood relief scheme to resolve the problems experienced within the Hastings catchment will be included in Southern Water's Draft Business Plan for the period 2010 to 2015. The scheme is in the process of preparation for submission to OFWAT, the industry regulator, in August 2008.
Easter was a great time for holiday sports, thanks to the Active Hastings teams.
Children and young people had the chance to take part in two football coaching courses, a three-day football tournament and a two-day multi-sports course. More than 120 people took part in the courses and another 55 turned up for the tournament.
The events were organised by the Council's Active Streetgames team and supported by Active Hastings.
All the courses and the tournament were held at William Parker School.
The West Hill Lift will open at 4.30am on Thursday 1 May to enable participants and spectators to get to Ladies Parlour, ready for the traditional May Day 'dance at dawn' celebrations.
Council spokesman Kevin Boorman said:
"The dance at dawn has become one of the traditional features of the Jack In The Green event, and always attracts a surprisingly high number of dancers and spectators.
"The Jack In The Green weekend attracts a huge number of people to Hastings, and is one of the town's 'must see' events.
"Everything is organised by a small committee of volunteers, and we are very grateful for all that they do.
"The Council is very pleased to support the event. We hope that opening the West Hill Lift before dawn on 1 May will make it just that little bit easier for people who want to join in the celebrations, or just watch.
"Normal prices apply for spectators, but the Lift is free for Morris Dancers in costume."
The first weekend of May sees the return of one of Hastings' most popular events, Jack In the Green. On the May Day Holiday Monday, several hundred Morris dancers parade behind what has been called a 'dancing bush', before a grand finale event in the grounds of Hastings Castle.
In fact the event lasts all weekend, as Morris sides from around the country congregate in Hastings for four days of festivities.
Full details are on our sister site at www.visit1066country.com, but there are numerous planned events, and many more spontaneous ones, around Hastings.
Highlights include 'The Dawgs' on Friday night, a Ceilidh on Saturday night, a celebration church service on Sunday morning, the crowning of the Queen of May, and The Copper Family on Sunday afternoon, three different musical events on the Sunday evening and, of course, the climax of the weekend, the procession, on Monday. This is the largest annual gathering of dancing giants in England and one of the largest annual gatherings of Morris dancers in the country too. It makes a superb sight as it wends its way through the narrow streets of Hastings Old Town, between the half-timbered mediaeval houses.
Keith Leech is the Chairman of the Jack in The Green Committee, and founder of the event twenty five years ago. He has just published a book on the event, with the official launch of the publication at the Hastings History House in Courthouse Street, at 10.30am on Saturday, 3rd May.
Keith said:
"This is a great event, and I'm pleased to see it grow in the way it has; it all started because I was interested in folk traditions, and had learnt about the original Victorian May celebrations in Hastings. I thought it would be fun to revive them, but never did I think it would grow into this, twenty five years on."
Hastings Borough Council supports the event, and its spokesman Kevin Boorman said:
"Jack in The Green is now one of the biggest events in the town's calendar, attracting an estimated twenty thousand spectators. And it's great for the town's visitor economy, as the weekend invariably sells out the town's accommodation, with many more residents welcoming friends and relatives into their houses.
"Although we do help with the event, all credit must go to Keith and his volunteer committee, who put on such a great weekend for the town."
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This page last updated: 24/04/2008