Please note that the West Hill Lift is out of order for the time being, but our Walks schedule continues as advertised.
For those intending to walk up to the top of the lift, where our walks start, the gentlest route is:
Up the stairs on the east side of the Pump House pub on George Street, then cross the road up into Exmouth Place. At the top there is a gap opening onto turf. Follow up the hill, in the trees’ shade and you will see the gentler angled slope up to the top.
On this day in history… Fishing Boat Tragedy
We will be remembering the loss of the fishing boat Pioneer and three crew on the 1st April 1949 on this the 70th anniversary of the tragedy. We have a two board exhibition in our extension covering the story.
More can be found here; https://friendsofhastingscemetery.org.uk/williamsjf.html
Do you have any spare time to help at the History House?
Dennis needs help to be able to open on some Sundays – do you have a few hours to spare on a Sunday? If so please contact History House 01424 424744, ohpscontact@gmail.com
Our opening hours are dependant on there being volunteers to staff. In cases of sickness we may have to close. The History House will be closed Sundays in Jan. & Feb but the worry is it will have to close for the foreseeable future Sundays… unless help can be found…
New video uploaded
A new video has been added to our History of Fishing videos. This one features Jim ‘Toller’ Adams, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago, making a net sail. Enjoy. https://www.ohps.org.uk/net-making-the-hastings-way/
Two Exhibitions at Hastings History House Jan 2019
Hastings: Hotbed of Women’s Emancipation – “Miss Matters wasn’t the only suffragette locally – it was something of a hotbed for the movement.” (Pamela Haines)
&
Unseen Hastings – Pictures from private collections
Open Thurs to Sat 11-4pm throughout January
Winter Opening Times from 1st November
Our winter opening times are: History House is open Thurs to Sun but will be closed Sundays through Jan & Feb. The Fishermen’s Museum will be open 11-4pm up to end of March
Did you know Hastings won Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood 2018?
Hastings is the Nation’s Best Walking Neighbourhood The OHPS played a part in Anthony Slack’s initiative to nominate Hastings Old Town for this Ramblers Association Award having been partly inspired by our tradition of offering free guided walks for 60+years. Together with Anthony and several Old Town residents, Mick Pelling [a Stade Guide and Fishermen’s Museum volunteer] and Anne Scott accompanied the judges and talked about why Hastings Old Town is the best. Notice of the visit was short, it began as a snowy day in February but the sun came out, the hospitality of the FILO, our enthusiasm and the sheer attraction of the Old Town and its wealth of history won the day. We were on the short list of 10. The support of those who signed up to the website and voted was tremendous, Hastings has some great champions. The Award is being presented to HBC on Weds 16th May at 11am in Butlers Gap. We have noticed more people coming to the Old Town, many for the first time. 
Our Old Town Walk booklet at £3 has been flying off the shelf. Tell your friends and family that they too can enjoy a free Old Town Guided Walk any Tuesday from now until 4th September [donations welcome] Meet 2.30pm at the top of the West Hill Lift.
Leaflets with all dates and Stade Walk dates now available from History House & Fishermen’s Museum. A big thank you to our teams of Volunteer Guides who provide these walks and Erica Barrett and Nona Jackson who recruit, train and organise them. Thanks to HBC for their support.
Online Shop
After a hiccup with our online shop recently, we are pleased to say everything is functioning now and we've added a new book which is on sale at the moment so grab a copy while you still can!
Reading of Eliza Veness’ poem ‘Toilers of the Deep
We had the very great pleasure of speaking to Marie Gillooly of the Roscommon Solstice Choir, some time ago. She wanted to use Toilers of the Deep by Eliza Veness in a memorial service. (Please click this Link to their Facebook page for the full story.) Fergus Sweeney very kindly sent us this link to the video Toilers of the Deep Video We feel this poem reaches across time and place and is as relevant now as it was 100 years ago when Eliza originally wrote it.
Copyright remains with Eliza Veness/Hastings Fishermen's Museum for the poem and Copyright remains with Fergus Sweeney for the video. Please ask permission before you share.
BBC recorded conversation from 2012 with Tush Hamilton and Jimmy Toller
People may be interested to know the conversation recorded by Tush and Toller back in 2012 will be repeated on BBC Radio 4 Extra on Sunday 02 April. It will be broadcast twice at 1155 and repeated at 1955.