Archives for Top Stories - Page 9
Politics Returns with End of Summer Truce
PAUL McLAUGHLIN The relationship between council leaders and the local MP can often be a tricky one, even when they are from the same political party. When there is harmony…
O’Callaghan Unveils her Shadow Cabinet Team
Margi O’Callaghan, the Labour Group Leader on Hastings BC, has announced her Shadow Cabinet team following May’s local elections. The Braybrooke Councillor took over the leadership of the Labour group…
BMX Battle of Hastings Was a Banger
The sold-out 2024 BMX Battle of Hastings at Source Park was a banger, delighting the audience and bringing a lot of people to the town. Photo: Jason Ellis Photo: Jason…
Bach to the Future – a Four-Part Invention
VICTORIA KINGHAM It seems to me exceptional the way that musicians in this part of the world seem happy to link up, be open to, and enjoy each other’s particular…
Meffs promote local gigs atthe Piper
Known for their raw energy and unyielding punk ethos, electrifying post punk duo The Meffs have taken a significant step in supporting the live music community by becoming Music Venue…
Concert at Hastings Castle
A group of local Hastings artists will be hosting a unique and captivating performance event in the ruins of Hastings Castle, bringing the historic grounds to life with an innovative…
Pier Licence At Risk Over Safety Concerns
HUGH SULLIVAN The future of mass gathering events at Hastings Pier could be under threat when a licensing sub-committee of Hastings Borough Council (HBC) meets on Monday 2 September to…
Transformation Boost
Council Unveils Partner for Castle Project and West Hill Café Ambitious plans to transform Hastings Castle and the West Hill Café are set to get a major boost next week…
A Young Person’s Guide to the Musical
MIRI (7) and RUPERT (10) enjoy an evening out It’s too late to see the musical version of Charlie and the Chocolate factory at the White Rock Theatre, but the…
Wish You Were Here
GILL GOLDENBERG explores the iconic Judges building on Bexhill Road with James White (Design Innovation), looking at the past, present and future of the postcard industry. How many photos do…
Jazz, Folk, and Forests
VICTORIA KINGHAM talks to Rebecka Edlund ahead of her performance at Jazz Hastings Thomas W. Stephenson To talk to Rebecka Edlund about her music is to talk to her about…
Housing Targets ‘Ridiculous and Unrealistic’
Green-led council at odds with Labour MP over government plans PAUL McLAUGHLIN Government plans to tackle the housing crisis by overhauling the planning system and introducing mandatory targets for all…
FOOTBALL: United Up And Running
HASTINGS UNITED 2, HORSHAM 0 HUGH SULLIVAN Hastings United made an encouraging start to their Isthmian Premier League season last Saturday when they beat Horsham 2-0 at the Pilot Field.…
The Poverty of Modern British Cuisine
TIM SEARLE argues that modern British cuisine is hollow Tyson on UnsplashChicken nugget: ‘profoundly infantile’ According to the media, we British seem to think of our modern cuisine as an…
Hastings Rejects Racism
Hastings rose to the nationwide challenge of violent anti-immigrant protest last week with three anti-racist gatherings. Dave Young In the week beginning 5 August a message was circulated on the…
A History of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve
We recently marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Country Park. Local historian, STEVE PEAK adds to the celebration with a history. Postcard of Ecclesbourne Glen in the…
Town Plan Stalled
PAUL McLAUGHLIN Ambitious plans for the regeneration of the town centre in Hastings have been put on hold. Hastings BC and the Hastings Board were only notified last Friday (19…
Massive Council Losses
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN reports that ‘bewildering’ housing decisions by the former council will cost Hastings residents dear. Dave Young22 Wellington Square Hastings Borough Council is facing losses of hundreds of thousands…
Look Out, Cratediggers!
HARRY HAWKINS recounts a musical banquet to be had in just two of the town’s several record shops, Tough Love Records and Dayglo Studios Charles DaviesBorough Council at DayGlo Records…
Jazz, Jamaica, Joy
VICTORIA KINGHAM talks to legendary jazz pianist Monty Alexander Monty Alexander has lived and played in the US for more than sixty years, since being discovered as a young pianist…
Pride Reprieved
As HIP goes to press it seems hopeful that the Hastings Pride Festival at the Oval and LGBTQI+ parade through town on 25 August will go ahead after an 11th…
FOOTBALL: United Gear Up For New Season
HUGH SULLIVAN Hastings United kick off a new season of the Isthmian Premier League at the Pilot Field next Saturday 10 August. Their first opponents will be Horsham, play-off semi-finalists…
Artist Spotlight: Living Light Summer Exhibition
After relocating to Hastings Arts Forum (HAF) earlier this year, international photographic exhibition Photopia wanted to collaborate on a new summer show. Over 160 images were submitted from 33 photographers…
Historic Lifeboats find New Home
TIM MCDONALDChairman Nautical Museum Trust Had you been passing by the junction of The Bourne and Harold Road at about 5am on Monday 1 July, you would have seen a…
Hastings Artists Unite to Raise Funds for Al Mawasi
Artists across Hastings have come together to raise funds for the community of Al Mawasi in Gaza. The Art Raffle is a collaboration between Stella Dore Gallery in St Leonards,…
New MP Raises UBAT Concerns
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN Helena Dollimore, the newly elected MP for Hastings and Rye, has raised her concerns about the ongoing dispute between local members of the National Education Union (NEU) and…
The CountryPark is 50!
STEPHANIE DONALDSON, Editor of ‘Over the Glens’, the newsletter of the Friends of Hastings Country Park Reserve The clue is in the name - Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve (HCPNR)…
The Gangster, the Window Box, and the Wardrobe
VICTORIA KINGHAM talks to playwright Francis Saunders about his work and reviews his recent adaptation of Gangster No. 1 Gangster No. 1 was staged at the Kino, St Leonards, on…
Events at Alexandra Park Greenhouse
PLANTS large and small will be on show this month when experts bring their hobby to a Hastings community hub Alan Bromley with his cacti Alan Bromley from the British…
Barefoot in the Church
VICTORIA KINGHAM on the eternal appeal of Traviata Chris Parker PhotographyBeren Kader Fidan (Violetta) with Tylor Lamani (Alfredo) Where to begin writing about Barefoot Opera's production, La Traviata? Being staged…
Are House Parties a Thing of the Past?
FLO GRAHAM describes her experience of the decline of house parties and argues for their return For many of my teen years, house parties were key to an enjoyable weekend.…
Peace Camp at Hastings Weapons Factory
Palestine campaigners in Hastings held a 48 hour ‘peace camp’ outside the General Dynamics arms factory on Telford Road in Hastings last weekend from Saturday noon to Monday morning. They…
Striking Teachers Demand Better Funding
MERLIN BETTS Earlier this week, members of the National Education Union (NEU) went on strike at five schools across Sussex, four of them in Hastings. The union’s principal point of…
Social Landlord Leaves 53 Homes Empty
MERLIN BETTS reports from the Housing Rebellion protest and occupation of Clifton Court The blocks of Clifton Court sit on the edge of Castle Ward, minutes from the town centre.…
A TouchToo Muche
BEN THOMPSON celebrates international free jazz stars appearing at The Pig Their name may conjure up images of a fictional Soviet space-station, but Hastings-based improvisational supergroup OBTRAM3 will truly be…
The Piper at Five
ROSIE McDONAGH For many years the Norman Arms pub in the heart of St Leonards was a boarded-up shell, steel shutters on its windows, with its arts and crafts interior…
The Crown’s Marinated Chicken, Flatbread and Coleslaw
TESS SWAN This dish is currently being served on the Crown’s seasonal menu and was created by sous chef JODY MORTON, who has been part of their team for nine…
WOH!
A regular space to bring ideas and reflections. We discuss and write together to create awareness & encourage positive change for women and girls. VOICES, VOTES & VARIETY “Love and…
Teachers to Strike Over School Trust Management
MERLIN BETTS On Saturday 8 June the National Education Union (NEU) held a meeting to consult with parents and the public on possible strike action against University of Brighton Academies…
Action Man, Now!
LUKE FUNNELL - Founder and Director of Project Rewild - echoes David Attenborough’s view that no one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about…