insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 12 - February 2016

TOWNSPOTLIGHT HASTINGS cont. Things to do Jerwood Art Gallery Situated next to the historic fishing beach in Hastings' picturesque Old Town, the awardwinning Jerwood Gallery put Hastings firmly on the cultural map and is home to the Jerwood Collection of 20th and 21st century British art, as well as a diverse temporary exhibition programme. 2016 kicks off with John Bratby’s Everything but the Kitchen Sink, including the Kitchen Sink – a collection that, rather than being formed from a retrospective of his oeuvre, exhibits a collection of privately owned Bratbys, along with personal recollections, letters and photos, submitted to the gallery by members of the Bratby-owning public. Electric Palace Cinema A gorgeous independent cinema in the heart of Hastings Old Town, the Electric Palace is a specially developed cinema that aims to screen a diverse choice of films and film-related events, with regular screenings of contemporary, classic and world cinema alongside live comedy, music and theatre nights. There’s a licensed bar too. Classroom on the Coast The world’s first seafood school on the landing beach of a small boat fishery, Classroom on the Coast is a seaside lunch and supper clubcum-cookery school that gives its ‘pupils’ the opportunity to learn to cook fish straight from the boats of the town’s skillful fishermen, led by expert chef, Toby Welfare. Classes run up to three times a week and are whole, half day, or evening affairs, covering topics such as ‘fish on a budget’, parent and child classes, and ‘cooking fish for friends’. Smugglers Adventure Head up the West Hill on the historic funicular railway and travel back in time at Smugglers Adventure, where you can journey through a labyrinth of secret tunnels and passages and discover the dangers and hardships faced by Sussex smugglers of the eighteenth century. Join notorious smuggler ‘Hairy Jack’, as he leads you through the underground caverns on a voyage back through time to the heyday of smuggling. Hastings Castle Just a stone’s throw from Smugglers Adventure stands Hastings Castle, Britain’s first ever Norman fortress. Take in the breathtaking views of the coastline while you explore the history of this iconic building, and learn how the Battle of Hastings unfolded in the medieval siege tent, as a 20-minute video show takes you on a journey from 1066 right up to the present day. Wander through the castle grounds and be transported back through time, exploring the whispering dungeons and the remains of the chapel. Dining out First In Last Out A pub as pubs should be, the First In Last Out, or the Filo as it’s affectionately known locally, definitely isn’t a trendy gastropub and definitely isn’t trying to be anything other than what it is – a sociable place with a relaxing atmosphere that serves really good food and really good beer; there are five home-brewed ales available. With no intrusive fruit machines or loud music to take the attention away from good old conversation, it’s a homely, welcoming pub. Try the Filo corned beef hash, free-range poached egg, and homemade baked beans for a proper plate of comfort. Pier Nine The interior of St Leonard’s restaurant, Pier Nine, appears like a throwback to the gorgeous early 20th century Belle Epoque era, all sparkly chandeliers, ornately-framed mirrors dripping in gold, and elegant candelabras. And rightly so; it’s very swish, but not uninviting – the staff are helpful and smiley, the sea laps gently to and fro out of the window, and the food is divine. This year’s winter menu is suitably warming; I’d go for slow-cooked duck rillettes with saltbaked baby vegetables, baked Hastings hake with cocotte potato and spinach, then blood orange cheesecake served with ginger biscuit and honeycomb. Maggie’s Serving generous portions of fresh fish wrapped in crispy, light batter with golden chips that can soak up lashings of vinegar without getting soggy, many a mouth that’s eaten at Maggie’s has declared it ‘the best fish and chips I’ve ever 70 tasted’. Yo u’re supposed to eat fish and chips when you’re at the seaside and, trust us, if you swerve this Rock-A-Nore Road stalwart you’ll only be doing yourself a disservice. Annual events Jack in the Green Festival // May Day Bank Holiday An 1800s tradition revived in 1979 by a group called Mad Jack’s Morris Dancers (which sort of says it all…), the Jack in the Green festival is a brilliantly bonkers weekend of (responsible) drinking, dancing and general merriment. The Jack in question is a green man covered in twigs and leaves with a crown on his head and a black mask on his face who leads the procession followed by ‘bogies’, ‘giants’, and a witch called Hannah; Morris Dancers line the streets and pubs; and a May Queen is crowned too. Hastings Old Town Carnival Week // August An entire week of fun and frolics, this summer party started in 1968 after Old Town residents felt the original Hastings Carnival should have included the Old Town in its route and decided to set up their own carnival, and it’s a jolly good job they did. Events include the ‘seaboot race’, in which each entrant has to run from the start/finish line around a lobster and back, wearing seaboots and a top hat, and the ‘bike race’ where the entrant has to ride up the steepest road in the Old Town, using a butcher’s bike, in the quickest time possible without taking their buttocks off the saddle. Genius. The rest of the week is packed full of entertainment, music, shows and processions, not to mention the crowning of the new Miss Hastings. Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival // September Taking place at Stade Open Space in the Old Town, this two-day festival is a celebration of local food, local drink and sumptuous seafood with over 30 stalls showcasing their wares alongside cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, non-stop live music, a beer festival and lots of fantastic family entertainment. Superb live acts and all sorts of street entertainment complete the lively party atmosphere.

insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 12 - February 2016 | Page 70