Press Releases week beginning 25 November 2019

Another fantastic fish fair

The eighth annual Herring Fair has been hailed as another great success by visitors. Thousands attended the event, on the Stade open space in Hastings Old Town, over last weekend (23rd/24th November). It was organised by Hastings Borough Council, on behalf of the Foreshore Trust, the charity responsible for a coastal strip of land in Hastings.

Stella Landau, event organiser, said: "We've had some excellent feedback on the Herring Fair from visitors, with many commenting on its fantastic atmosphere.

"As well as our usual stalls - most with a fishy flavour - there was a great selection of music over the weekend, and Mike Hatchard and friends played the inaugural Herring Fair jazz breakfast. And the Sunday afternoon ceilidh was very popular.

"We had a lot of help from Hastings Fishermen's Protection Society, with the fishermen decorating the marquee with nets and other fishing equipment, and Tush, Dave, Pat and Sheila encouraging visitors to try a herring for just £1. Herring Fair is more for the fishermen than the other fish festivals, and educating people about a lesser used fish like herring is really important, both for the town's fishery - and general good health!

"The blessing of the nets by Rev Joy Collins, herself an Old Town resident, was also very well attended, with local singers 'Now and Then' adding a special touch with their rendition of 'Shoals of herring'.

"It was a really great event, and we are very grateful for the support of stallholders, musicians, the Hastings Fishermen's Protection Society and visitors."

Boxing Day lift for Hastings Old Town

Hastings East Hill lift, the country's steepest working funicular railway, will be opening on Boxing Day this year.

Kevin Boorman, marketing manager for Hastings Borough Council, which owns and operates the lift, explained :- "We have opened the West Hill lift on Boxing Day for a few years now, and it has proved popular with locals and visitors.

"Because this lift is closed for essential repair work at the moment we have decided to open the East Hill lift instead. It was opened in 1902 and is the country's steepest working funicular railway.

"With a number of other local attractions now opening on Boxing Day we hope to get a lot of passengers who are out to enjoy the Old Town, or just want to get some exercise and walk off their Christmas dinner. The views from the top of the lift are stunning and, of course, the East Hill and Country Park are well worth exploring."

The East Hill lift is in Rock-a-Nore Road, in Hastings Old Town.