Hastings Old Town Residents Association
East Hill House
13 Tackleway
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 3DE
Dick Edwards, Chairman
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.
Isabel Blackman Centre: petition
HOTRA and HVA have prepared a petition to East Sussex County Council, asking them to discuss with local community organisations the transfer of the building to create a resource for older people and the wider community. A paper version of the petition will be available at the meeting on 12th September, and at a table at the Seafood and Wine Festival next weekend (14th-15th September.) You can also sign the petition online by clicking here.
If you would like to learn more about the campaign to save the IBC, you may wish to look at the outline position paper. You can find it by clicking here.
Biddy the Tubman honoured
In a short ceremony on 11 August , around 100 people gathered in West Street to remember Biddy the Tubman (inset photo). Cllr James Bacon, Deputy Mayor & Biddy's great great grandson, and Christian Burton, the President of the Winkle Club, unveiled a blue plaque in honour of Biddy, who was born and lived on West Street (though nobody seemed to know quite where!) After the unveiling, Phil White and Garry Blakeley serenaded the crowd with a specially written song about Biddy.
Biddy was famous for entertaining Hastings crowds between the wars, and after WWII, with antics in his floating wooden tub. You can watch a YouTube video by clicking here.
Old Town Carnival
Hastings Old Town celebrated its 50th Annual Carnival at the beginning of August, with a now-familiar programme of events spread over a week or so. These two pictures are from the famous (or imfamous) Pram Race, where elaborately-costumed teams compete over a course that runs along George St, the High St and All Saints St. Events were somewhat quieter than usual since Deeday White, the usual man-at-the mic for the week, was having hospital treatment. We all wish him well for a speedy recovery.