The Sussex Tourism Partnership's ‘Big Sussex Week’ got off to a flying start on Monday at the Bluebell Railway, thanks to the active support of local tourism businesses.
A steam train ceremonially broke down a wall simulating the divide between East and West Sussex, having literally travelled between the two counties, from Sheffield Park in East Sussex to Horsted Keynes in West Sussex. On hand were the two Lord Lieutenants, and numerous tourism businesses.
And Hastings & 1066 Country played more than its fair share in the proceedings, with wine supplied by Carr Taylor vineyards at Westfield, smoked salmon supplied by Rock-A-Nore fisheries, much of the promotional material designed by Hastings Borough Council, and Hastings' own town crier, Jon Bartholomew, presiding over the whole ceremony.
Kevin Boorman, Hastings Borough Council's tourism manager, was pleased that the town got so involved in the launch event. He said, "Hastings is one of the top tourism destinations in Sussex, and it was great that our local businesses, and the council, was able to contribute so much to the launch of the Big Sussex Week. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across Sussex to Hastings & 1066 Country over the next few days and, indeed, for the rest of the season."
The event is aimed at promoting Sussex tourism businesses to local people, who are often unaware of just what is on their own doorstep. It runs until Sunday ( 22nd June), and full details of the offers can be found at www.bigsussex.co.uk.
Hastings has got it right when it comes to organising elections, according to a newly published report by the Electoral Commission.
Commission representatives spent the day in Hastings on 1 May Election Day as part of a programme of visits to different local authorities. Their report was full of praise for the staff that oversaw the process and said: "The elections ran smoothly and successfully. This is clearly, in no small part, thanks to the capabilities of the Returning Officer and his staff, and the Commission representatives are grateful to them for all their assistance during their visit."
Council leader, Councillor Peter Pragnell, said, "It's always very satisfying to hear praise about our services from an outside body and recognition from the Electoral Commission is high praise indeed. It's no mean feat running an election, organising polling stations, dealing with postal votes and managing the election count. Well done to everyone involved".
The hugely successful Seafood and Wine festival is due to make a welcome return.
Packed full of stalls featuring the best of Hastings' local food and drink, the Stade will definitely be the place to be on 20 and 21 September.
Spaces are limited, but there is still time for food or drink-related businesses to book a stall at the festival, get involved with festival promotions or advertise the programme.
If you would like further information about getting your business involved, please contact Stephen Potter at Hastings Borough Council on 01424 451759 or email spotter@hastings.gov.uk by Wednesday, 2 July at the latest.
A Hastings park will be packed full of stalls and entertainment this weekend.
The annual Mayor's fair returns to Alexandra Park on Sunday (29) and proceeds will go towards Councillor Maureen Charlesworth's charities.
The event will kick off with a uniformed parade through the park at 10am followed by a service at the war memorial at 10.30am to mark Veterans Day.
Cllr Charlesworth will officially open the fair at 10.45am and various stalls and organisations will be represented on the day, along with an entertainment area for marching bands, street theatre and displays.
Proceeds will go towards the restoration of the war memorial and to the Veterans Association.
For more information telephone 0845 274 1001.
Spongers? Illegal? Job stealers? Come and help explode some of the myths that surround refugees and asylum seekers during Refugee Week.
Hastings Intercultural Organisation has organized a jam-packed day of events in Hastings town centre to highlight the experiences of refugees in our community.
This event, in Wellington Mews (at the base of Wellington Square), will be between 11am and 4pm on Saturday (28) and includes performances from the Respond Youth Group, Kivu Peace Initiative, Gizmo, the Siddartha Nepali Society, Hastings Iranian Community, Meli Melo, Pestalozzi students and Reg Hendrickkse and friends jazz band.
There will also be a series of myth busting facts shared out between performances by the Hastings Refugee Legal Centre and various information stalls.
Drop by for a great day of music and drama, with a serious message.
Hundreds of visitors flocked to St Leonards Gardens on Saturday for a day of fun, performance and celebration.
The newly restored gardens were officially re-opened by celebrity gardener Roddy Llewellyn and Guy Fearon, one of the last surviving members of the famous Burton family who designed the gardens and much of St Leonards.
Introduced by Hastings' very own town crier Jon Bartholomew, the special guests unveiled a blue plaque to applause from the large crowd.
Council leader, Councillor Peter Pragnell, said, "What a fantastic day. The gardens were heaving with families enjoying the warm weather and the brilliant entertainment. The Georgian theme was carried off superbly by the costumed characters of James and Elizabeth Burton, who wandered the gardens telling stories and taking part in the events. All the feedback I heard from people was very positive and I would like to say ‘well done and thank you’ to our staff and many volunteers who helped organise the event along with the Burtons' St Leonards Society and the Friends of St Leonards Gardens."
Throughout the day, visitors had the chance to hear music from the Georgian period, see a magical performance of Midsummer Night's Dream, try a discovery trail with the RSPCA, hear stories from Talking Tales and join in games with the Council's Play team.
In the evening, Azur at the Marina Pavilion held a special jazz and juice reception and two screenings of A Midsummer Nights Dream were staged by Plush Productions at the Hastings Arts Forum.
Stallholders included many local businesses and restaurants and a team was on hand to answer questions and sign people up to the newly launched garden waste scheme, run by the Council.
The gardens were re-opened after more than a year of restoration work, thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Designed by James Burton in 1828, they had fallen into a state of disrepair. Following the successful grant bid, the Council and its contractors set to work repairing railings, landscaping the lawns and flowerbeds and tidying up the paths. Work was also done on the Burtons' buildings, including the South Lodge, now home to the Burtons' St Leonards Society. The Lodge houses an exhibition on the history of the area and is open Wednesdays 11am to 2pm, Saturdays 11am to 4pm and Sundays 1pm to 3pm.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Friends of St Leonards Gardens, or have an idea for a future event, please contact Community Development officer Jane Dodson on 01424 451071 or email: jdodson@hastings.gov.uk.
Next week marks the first anniversary of Hastings as a smoke-free town.
Exactly one year ago on Tuesday (1st July) bars, restaurants, taxis and all enclosed public spaces took up the challenge of implementing the no-smoking rules.
Described by the Department of Health as the biggest change in public health for the last 50 years, the smoke-free ruling has been hailed a success by both the public and business community alike.
In Hastings the voluntary take-up meant that very little enforcement action was taken against business owners.
A spokesman for Hastings Borough Council said: "The primary aim of the smoke free law was to reduce the harmful effects of second hand smoke in enclosed public spaces - good news for customers and those working in such environments. One year on and most people have told us they appreciate the change and have really noticed the difference. This law has really been self-enforcing. No-one wants to be fined or indeed prosecuted, so most business owners have made sure they have the correct signs up and are keeping an eye on customers to make sure they stick to the rules. We have had very little need to use enforcement action, but we do continue to use our powers to encourage people to stay within the law and to dispose of smoking related rubbish, like cigarette ends, properly. I'm sure the smoking ban will really pay off in terms of health and I'm glad to see that even after a year we have so many people benefiting from it."
The smoking ban has also carried with it information to help people give up smoking and if you would like advice on quitting, telephone the Hastings & St Leonards Primary Care Trust's advice line on 0800 917 8896.
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This page last updated: 26/06/2008