BIG EVENTS IN HRFHS AREA
BATTLE OF HASTINGS Re-enactment – the annual re-enactment, in full armour and battle dress, takes place on the battlefield during Hastings Week which is around the anniversary date of 14th October.
BEXHILL 100 – annual classic car show held the last week-end of August commemorating the “Birth of British Motor Racing”. It was in Bexhill that the 8th Earl De La Warr laid down a challenge to find the fastest car in Europe. On 2nd May 1902, 200 vehicles from across Britain and mainland Europe met to race along the seafront. Top speed on that first meeting was 54mph … and a Frenchman won.
HASTINGS BONFIRE NIGHT– Annual parade of the “Bonfyre Boyes” to mark the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot, 5th November, 1605. Spectacular march to rhythmic drumming through the streets, dragging the “Guy” (Guy Fawkes) to the beach where it is burned on a huge bonfire followed by a firework display. The Hastings night is in Hastings Week – October – and kicks of the “season” which is followed by Battle and Rye in the following weeks, along with many other smaller affairs. The biggest bonfire event of all is held in Lewes, further west, where the town is closed for the duration and police warn people to stay away.
Foyle’s War –very popular television series set in Hastings and largely filmed in the Town. It depicts the fictional Superintendent Foyle of Hastings Police during WWII and his fight against crime. The advisor for the series was a real-life police officer of the time, Charles Banks.
Hastings MUSIC FESTIVAL – held in March every year, prestigious event held at the White Rock Theatre, Hastings. So many local people will have entered one or more of the categories, covering: Dance, Song, Speech & Drama and Instruments from very young children to adult. It was inaugurated in early 1900s by local music teacher, Dr Herman Brearley.
Hastings International CHESS CONGRESS – attracts the World’s best players and all the international chess champions have played here in the past, since it was established about 1895. It takes place in the town during Christmas Week every year.
Hastings HALF-MARATHON – the first run was in 1985 and, since then, it has grown to become one of the premier long-distance runs, attracting athletes from around the World. The route takes some 5,000 runners through the Hastings roads encircling the town with a start/finish on the seafront. It takes place towards the end of March each year.
Bexhill HALF-MARATHON – is a relatively recent addition to the running calendar. It takes place in November and has become known as the “Poppy Run” with a link to Remembrance Day. The route is entirely on Bexhill Seafront with up-and-down laps enabling runners to be sure of a flat course and resulting “good” times.
BLESSING of the SEA – an ancient tradition of Hastings which still takes place in the ancient Fisherman’s Church, in Rock-a-Nore, Old Town. The Church is now the home of the Fisherman’s Museum which is given over to the service annually on the Wednesday before Ascension Day.