WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Letter
Hastings is an antiracist town
Dear HIP,
Last year the worst race riots in living memory swept the country, targeting refugees, Muslims and black and brown people.
On 7 August far right groups threatened hotels, mosques and immigration lawyers’ offices – including in Hastings.
Hastings stand Up Racism called counter protests. 700 of us gathered at Cambridge Gardens to stop the threat. We swamped the threat with antiracist unity and turned the tide – at least temporarily.
This weekend refugee hotels are again under attack. This time Reform UK and Tory politicians are openly encouraging anti refugee protests. The government is emphasising how “tough” they are on refugees, reinforcing the racist lies.
We send solidarity to all anti racists who are mobilising to defend refugee hotels and to see off the far right.
Now more than ever: Say it loud, Say it clear, Refugees are welcome here!
Simon Hester
Hastings stand Up Racism
Letter
Wreck Revisited
Dear HIP
I have read Peter Gray’s article Wreck of the Amsterdam (HIP 278) with great interest. His points are valid, particularly as he has experience of sailing, unlike myself – an archaeologist! From the historical point of view many of the facts are clear, which include that the ship was beached in a severe storm on 26 January 1749 after having lost her rudder. There is evidence that Captain Klump wanted to sail the ship on to Portsmouth, and reason to believe that off Bexhill, the crew had had enough – there was disease on board and many had died, and they mutinied and forced the ship ashore at Bulverhythe.
The reasons behind what happened and why the ship sailed as she did are not absolutely clear, but contemporary records do show that Klump was an experienced sailor in command of his ship, so we should respect what he did in the circumstances that faced him from the day she left the Netherlands to when she arrived at Bulverhythe. In fact, in a subsequent enquiry by the Company in the Netherlands, Klump was exonerated from blame in the loss of his ship and went on to command another vessel.
When a ship is lost, as also happened to the Mary Rose in 1545, a set of unforeseen circumstances will have occurred that took the ship out of the normal methods of control, so to some extent we can only guess what happened. Peter Gray’s experience as a sailor enables him to pass an informed judgment and to raise queries that are valid. But finding the answers is another thing, for we are somewhat constrained by what we know.
Much of what was found in the Amsterdam has been returned to the Netherlands, and some items are exhibited in the Scheepvaartmuseum in Amsterdam, together with a full-sized floating reconstruction of the ship. However, some objects and the story of the ship are shown locally in the Shipwreck Museum in Hastings.
Peter Marsden
Author of Wreck of the Amsterdam first published 1974
Letter
Parkinson’s Local Hub
Dear HIP
In reply to the letter written by Mrs Diane Baker in HIP 282, concerning the proposed Parkinson’s Hub – thank you, Diane, for your encouraging words. Our working group has now expanded, and we are continuing our search for a venue. A recent meeting with MP Helena Dollimore was very encouraging,and after continuing discussions with many Parkinson’s patients and NHS professionals, we hope to make our idea of a local hub become a reality.
You commented that in my article I did not mention the support for people with Parkinson’s in the local area. I am aware of the groups you mention and either attend or support most of them with my husband. They are a hugely valuable resource, which we would hope to work alongside when a hub becomes available. Our idea of a local hub is that it would enhance and include all of the Parkinson’s resources in the community. Having worked as a volunteer myself, I am aware of the hard work that it entails to keep all of these resources going. I take my hat off to them.
I recently attended the Summer ParkinSongsters concert. It was a lovely occasion and an example of community resources at their very best.
Mary Upton
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