Bringing the Bling: A New Identity for Hastings’ Mayor
BECCA HORN
When you picture a Mayor, what comes to mind? Until recently, I wouldn’t have imagined myself in the role – but some roles you grow into once you’ve donned the costume. In my case, that meant adjusting the Mayoral Chain (or ‘Bling’, as I call it) to fit!
The Mayor of Hastings in formal robes
You might wonder what our civic Mayor actually does. A month in, I’ve got the gist: I chair full council meetings and uphold the Constitution. I help decide which motions can be brought (alongside the Council Leader, CEO and Monitoring Officer), set the agenda and, in the event of a tie, cast the deciding vote.
Beyond the council chamber I get invited to hundreds of events – and what better town than Hastings to be asked to show up and celebrate it? So far, the Bling and I have swung on a tyre in a hand-built adventure playground at Hatton’s Yard, ridden the wooden train at the new Ore Station Community Garden, drunk tea with the Lord Lieutenant, taken the stage at White Rock Theatre, played drums at the Clifton Centre’s new music room and laughed, danced and ‘hoicked’ at The Stables in an interactive performance about human connection.
Hastings is bursting with inclusive, grassroots community initiatives that enrich our town. This Refugee Week’s theme is ‘Community As A Superpower’ and I intend to use my Mayoral year to champion that spirit. In an increasingly divided and fearful world, we must nurture relationships with our neighbours and build a more resilient, hopeful future.
There’s also power in connecting with our past. As this year’s Speaker of the Cinque Ports, I’ll help host September’s Speakership Ceremony, welcoming civic leaders from across our ancient confederation. Hastings’ history is rich, and I’m eager to help uncover and share the lesser-known stories that shaped it.
So here’s an invitation: are you planning an event that makes Hastings proud? Are you helping bring our community together? Do you have something weird, wonderful or worthwhile to show off? Get in touch at [email protected] – the Bling and I would love to attend.
Follow my journey: scan the QRcode on the left or visit Facebook/Instagram – @mayorofhastings.
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