Archives for Community
New DAB licence for Seahaven FM
Residents of Hastings, St Leonards and Bexhill can now tune in to a new local radio station from 1 September. Seahaven FM, already broadcasting to East Sussex for more than…
Marjorie’s Grand Day Out
Four generations of one family enjoyed a special day beside the seaside when aptly-named, 104 year-old Marjorie Seaman took a trip to Hastings. Marjorie, the oldest resident at Heathfield Court…
Full of Life: Celebrating Older People
More than 100 events across the county will help celebrate ageing in East Sussex and mark a national Older People’s Day. Nordic walking, New Age Kurling, coffee mornings, gardening drop-ins,…
Hollington Community Spirit
CHRIS WATKINS Back at the start of this long, hot Summer, at The Bowl Play Park on Wishing Tree North, Hollington celebrated itself. The Hollington Community Spirit group worked with…
Ukrainian Independence Day
KHRYSTYNA MASHCHENSKA The 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence was marked with separate events in Hastings, Rye and Bexhill, bringing Ukrainians together with local residents, civic representatives and friends of Ukraine.…
Community Garden Calls for Volunteers – and Visitors
HELENA JONES Bexhill Community Garden is encouraging people to visit and discover what it has to offer – whether they want to volunteer, learn how to grow food or simply…
A Close Shave for Emmaus
Residents and staff from homelessness charity Emmaus Hastings & Rother have shaved their heads in a powerful show of support for a much-loved counsellor who has helped many people in…
SupermumsHelp Female Entrepreneurs Embrace AI
Hastings businesswoman Heather Black is launching a new national initiative to help women embrace AI and technology– whether they are running a business, freelancing, returning to work after having children…
Seafood, Wine & Music Festival
Hastings Seafood, Wine & Music Festival is just a few weeks away, running from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026. ELLA LOWDEN gives a glowing preview. HBC Hosted in…
Help Foodbanks this Summer
Local foodbanks are calling for donations of everyday essentials as families face extra pressure during the school summer holidays. DANIEL GRAVESAldi Community Donation Point To help shoppers support their local…
Is a Disabled Facilities Grant for You?
Would a stairlift or level-access shower make it easier for you or a family member to stay in your home? Did you know that the council can offer disabled facilities…
Shrek The Musical
SARAH MILNE AND OUR ROVING REPORTERS The Summer Youth Project at White Rock has become one of the highlights of my theatrical year. I am always amazed by what can be…
Coastguard Station Open Day
The Coastguard Station at Rock‑A‑Nore opened its doors to the public last Saturday (8 August) as part of the Hastings Carnival Week celebrations. Officer in Charge Michael Lawless told visitors…
Cancer Support One Cup at a Time
ROD WEBB Nobody will deny that dealing with a cancer diagnosis on your own is very tough. But you’re not alone if you pop down to the Macmillan Information &…
Community News in Brief
Walk for Al-Mawasi Hastings has had links with Al-Mawasi, a fishing community in Gaza, for several years. Last year, Hastings Borough Council agreed to make it one of our Friendship…
Heatwave: The Summer of ‘26
As East Sussex enters its fifth heatwave of the year, the Met Office has confirmed the uncomfortable news that Hastings has set a new UK-wide highest daily minimum temperature record…
Sad Tale of Sabastian Straw’s Shoes
MICK WAITE This year’s annual scarecrow competition in Battle invited entries including those inspired by countries and iconic figures. So Battle Town FC Runners’ entry was in honour of Sabastian…
Will You Be My Friend?
The BBC is looking for local children aged 5-8 who love making friends. The casting call is for a brand new six-part series about friendship for BBC One and iPlayer…
Welcome to the House of Fun
RACHEL ATTFIELD Walking along my road in Hastings recently, I found myself delighting in the abundance of plants growing through the cracks in the pavement. Dandelions, grasses, tiny flowers, plants…
Read to the Beat
TOBY BULA-EDGE The ever-popular Summer Reading Challenge returns this month for children aged four to eleven. This year the theme is Read to the Beat and explores the connection between…
Umbrella Sussex Needs Your Help!
TOBY BULA-EDGE A new Community Eco Hub is the next aim of Umbrella Sussex – the group behind the Library of Things, Make and Mend, and Save the Convent Campaign.…
Gamechanging Futures
TOBY BULA-EDGE As we sweat our way through the third heatwave of the year, it’s impossible to ignore that the climate is changing. That’s why Hastings United FC and Bexhill…
Counselling Plus Community Relocates to St Leonards
TOBY BULA-EDGE Local mental health charity Counselling Plus Community (CPC) will be relocating to the St Nicholas Centre from 1 September. The collaborative move was announced by long running charity…
Big Names and Bright Lights
TOBY BULA-EDGE Two local filmmakers were named ‘Filmmaking Champions’ at the Into Film Awards 2026 on 16 June. The awards, which celebrate young filmmaking talent and enrichment, took place at…
Automotive Stars Shine at ESC Awards
East Sussex College’s Automotive Training Centre celebrated student achievement, industry partnership and automotive excellence at its annual awards ceremony in Hastings. The event brought together students, staff, governors, employers, families…
Oh Big Blue in Concert
JOHN ENEFER A remarkable night is in store at the Stade Hall on 5 July which will showcase both the breadth of musical talent in Hastings as well as the…
Bringing Generations Together
Generational conflict is an eternal battle where peace can seem ever distant. But that hasn’t stopped people trying to bring an end to it. The Intergenerational Grants Programme is a…
A Sauna on the Pier
FRANCESCA SULLIVAN After the Samphire Sauna’s annual summer break for overhaul, the UK’s only sauna on a pier will be back on 5 July, bigger and better! Photos: Francesca Sullivan…
Keeping our Beaches Safe this Summer
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the RNLI lifeguard service, which officially launched in 2001. What began as a trial on just 26 beaches in south-west England has since…
A Summerof Gardens
The open gardens season is now underway across Hastings and Rother, offering the public a rare chance to step inside inspiring private gardens. MALCOLM GLOVEREdible Open Gardens: The Knowle ECLECTIC…
Woodland Canopy Walks at theWealden Festival
As part of the Wealden Festival taking place over midsummer weekend, two afternoon canopy walks will unfold on Saturday 20 June 2026. Weaving through ancient woodland near the main festival…
Funereal Fun &Fundraising Run
A funeral arranger and director at a well-known St Leonard’s funeral home will be raising eyebrows as well as money at this year’s Out Of The Blue Battle event at Ashburnham Place…
Millie’s Turns Twenty
AIMEE WAREHAM On 5 June, the White Rock’s Studio 27 opened its doors for the 20th anniversary of Millie’s Nightclub, a space for adults with disabilities and neurodiversity to come together…
A Band of Brothers Transform Homeless Shelter
JOEL CHESHIRE On 16 May, members of A Band of Brothers Hastings came together for a remarkable Community Day at Warming Up The Homeless on Priory Road, where they rolled…
Film, Nature and Community in Alexandra Park
Ask the Trees is a new outdoor experience by Rebecca E. Marshall of Dear Future Films that invites visitors to look at the trees in Alexandra Park in a new…
Men Behaving Wisely
ROD WEBB Anyone involved in Hastings’ voluntary sector will know how well served the town is. Local research suggests that regular volunteering is far more common here than in much…
A Model for a New Youth Music Community
Badger is a not-for-profit music community based at The Source Park in Hastings. It mentors and funds content creators, helping to curate affordable nightlife for music lovers and develop long-term…
Bereavement First Aid and Good Grief Marketplace
When people think about grief, they don’t usually picture a puppet show, dancing or an outdoor performance by the sea. But that’s what the Good Grief Marketplace is creating in…
Remembering Bill Wicking
Bill Wicking was a Hastings legend who was involved in numerous Old Town events over many years – even in his 90s. In October 2021, he received the Order of…
Community Events and Activities
Record-breaking May Day RNLI Fundraiser At the heart of Hastings’ Jack in the Green festivities, the RNLI Hastings May Day Bank Holiday fundraiser was one of the station’s most successful recent events.…