Hastings: still the place to be

Council Leader and Deputy Leader
as you've never seen them before!
 

Hastings sizzling summer of success is followed by a sultry September. I know much of this year’s summer was more sodden than sizzling and that did have an effect on visitors, certainly when it came to them enjoying outdoor attractions.

Incredibly the rain held off for the Olympic torch, Pirate Day and the carnival and some businesses had their busiest days ever. Then in August the weather did perk up a bit. Overall 20,000 more cars used the seafront car parks this summer compared to last year. So all in all the summer was a success.

Now September too can attract visitors to the town and offer entertainment and interest for all of us who live here.

The Heritage Open Days kick the month off. There will be guided walks, talks and opportunities to go inside some of the heritage gems amongst our local buildings. Burtons St Leonards, the Old Town, several of our heritage churches will all be displaying their wares.

 

There is even a visit to the ‘hidden town hall’......

Then, running for three weeks in September, there is the Coastal Currents arts festival. Coastal Currents is part of the town's regular calendar events. It gives a chance to showcase many of our local artists as well as to challenge us all with something new. Its name is growing as is that of Hastings - famously artistic.

There will be the usual open studios weekends on 15-16^th and 22-23^rd September when we get the chance to visit artists in their workspaces, chat to them about their inspiration and even buy their work.

A really special event for the festival will be on 23^rd September with the unveiling of a new, permanent art feature called My Heart belongs to Hastings. Managed by art group Strange Cargo who we have wanted to do work in Hastings for some time it is based on ordinary people decorating and personalising a padlock and then attaching it to a structure on the shoreline.

And then of course September wouldn’t be September in Hastings without the Seafood and Wine Festival which will again attract thousands on the weekend of 15-16^th September. All the best of local produce and local providers and culinary experts; where else would anyone want to be that weekend?

In September, if a man is tired of Hastings, he is tired of life.