Observer column 5 June 2026

Cllr Solly Solamito

I’m delighted to share my first column as the council’s lead councillor for Corporate Services, Communities and Equalities. June is a wonderfully busy month for our communities, and I’ve jumped straight in to learn more about the services under my care.

June is Pride month, a worldwide celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Refugee Week, shining a light on refugees and the contributions they bring to our town. Hastings is a place of welcome and a designated town of sanctuary. We are proud to stand with every community that adds to the warmth, richness, and strength of our town.

To mark Pride, we’ll fly the Pride flag from Muriel Matters House throughout June, and Bottle Alley will glow in a rainbow of colours. Hastings Museum & Art Gallery partners with Hastings Queer History Collective, and the Lemons, Laws and Secret Doors exhibition runs until 30 August, sharing the meaningful stories of LGBTQIA+ lives in Hastings. You can also explore the Queer History Trail, weaving 11 important narratives through the museum. A map with details is available at the museum reception.

I’m looking forward to joining  Refugee Week celebrations, running officially from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 June, with our first event kicking off on Saturday 13 June. Our wonderful Refugee Buddy Project works across the community, coordinating events with many local groups and partners to welcome and include everyone.

The Hands of Hope beach event on Saturday 13 June,  invites all to join a powerful public display of solidarity and welcome. At 6pm, an unbroken line of people will link hands from the RNLI at The Stade to the Dove Café in West St Leonards. Please feel free to wear orange, this year’s colour of courage, and bring banners and flags to show your support.

Food is at the heart of community, and Refugee Week will see many of our restaurants and cafes sharing dishes from a variety of cultures. The Recipes of Courage food festival is organised by the Refugee Buddy Project and the Safe Havens network, celebrating the flavours and stories that connect us all.

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery will host the Sanctuary Festival on Sunday 21 June from 12 noon to 6pm. This is a free, joyous finale to Refugee Week with music, stories, workshops, talks, food, friendship, and more.

I look forward to sharing these events with you in the coming weeks and to meeting more of the vibrant groups and organisations across our communities who work tirelessly for our residents. Together, we’ll celebrate, support, and strengthen the wonderful tapestry that makes Hastings such a warm, inclusive place to live.