Hastings Old Town Residents Association
East Hill House
13 Tackleway
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 3DE
CHAIR: Vacancy
01424-437069 — dick@hotra.org.uk
For everyone living and working in the Old Town
Report Street Problems
Click here to go to East Sussex Highways, where you can report problems such as potholes, broken paving slabs and blinking street lights.
SOS!
Dick Edwards stood down as our much-valued Chairman last year and was elected Vice President representing the newly formed charity Isabel Blackman Centre – In Perpetuity. We asked for nominations for his successor, but unfortunately so far no-one has come forward. Some of your Committee are taking turns to Chair meetings to cover this situation, but this is only temporary. We URGENTLY need a new Chair if this residents’ association (the last in the Hastings area) is to survive. You’d need to live or work in the Old Town area. The tasks include:
• Keeping members informed, chiefly through newsletters
• Linking with all appropriate organisations in and around the Old Town
• Developing the work of the Association and agreeing an Annual Work Plan
• Promoting the best possible outcomes for residents and those who work here.
In a typical week this would involve 2/3 hours. If you would like to know more, Dick would be pleased to hear from you by emailing dick@hotra.org.uk
January started well with a further donation of £10,000 by an Old Town resident. We started off needing £450,000 in 2020, now the shortfall is just £15,000. Hopefully by the end of January that gap will be closed. The original date for completion was just before Christmas. There has been a helpful shift in the attitude at ESCC. They now realise that Covid-1 9has caused delays to the Purchase appeal and have offered to extend the deadline by up to 6 months. However, the IBC- In Perpetuity Board have not lost sight of the continuing needs of Hastings older people. Travelling in hope our pencil schedule now reads January – complete the purchase; February – April – repairs and re-decorating; May – volunteer recruitment; June – soft opening. Sincere thanks to everyone who has helped.
Reducing plastic waste
Many of our local shops and businesses are doing their bit by using paper bags – we thank you for your efforts and encourage everyone to do more. The value of these shops and businesses in our local community has really been highlighted during this ongoing pandemic: shops selling food, a Post Office counter, hairdressers, locally-caught fresh fish, pubs providing a take-away food service, launderette, click- and-collect businesses, etc. A sincere thank you to all of you! For more details on buying local go to www.amazinghastings.com
Support local entertainment
The Old Town is very fortunate in having its own cinema, the Electric Palace, and theatre, The Stables Theatre. As and when Covid-19 restrictions permit they will both need our support. For more details go to www.electricpalacecinema.com and stablestheatre.co.uk or find them on Facebook
Community Support Officers
A team of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have operated in the area for over 11 months now and HOTRA raised various issues such as drug taking at Swan Gardens at a meeting with PCSO Maria Barraclough. To build up “Community Intelligence” residents and businesses are asked to report any non-urgent items by email or phoning 101 or emergencies to 999.