21 Dec 2014
A new pier and museum for Hastings, Mapp & Lucia come to Rye, a culture trail and an anniversary are some of the things to look out for in 2015 in 1066 Country.
Hastings Pier – set to reopen Summer 2015
Once the ancient Cinque Port was one of the country's most important resorts, and its 910ft‑long pier – thought to be the first of the 99 in Britain that were built for entertainment, rather than as landing stages – was at the heart of its fortunes. Described as “a peerless pier” at its 1872 opening, it took 56,000 people through its turnstiles in just one August week in 1931. In the Sixties, the ballroom at its seaward end hosted concerts by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Cilla Black and the Rolling Stones.
But it also was repeatedly damaged by storms and flames, and was finally closed for safety reasons in 2008. Two years later, it experienced worse fire devastation than Eastbourne's pier did in 2014. Hastings Borough Council then bought it and, with the help of £11.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is turning it into what has been hailed “as the coolest-looking pier in the world”. By the time it opens in summer 2015, 42 miles of hardwood decking will have been laid, held down by 400,000 screws.
Once back in service, it will host a Jamie Oliver-style 'Fifteen' restaurant, circuses, plays, concerts, film festivals, farmers' markets, urban sports and more. It is expected to attract 325,000 visitors in the first year and contribute £1.2 million to the local economy.
150th anniversary of Rudyard Kipling's birth
Visit Bateman's, the home of Rudyard Kipling, set in the rolling Wealden countryside. Learn about his life and the sad story of his son Jack, whom he lost in the trenches of the Great War, aged just 18.
From November 2015, visit the exhibition of family photos on display and learn about Kipling's early life in India. Readings of Kipling's poetry will bring his works to life.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans/
Coastal Culture Trail - East Sussex: Eastbourne - Bexhill - Hastings, the sunniest stretch of the UK coastline.
A new leisure travel in East Sussex promises to give nature lovers, families, cyclists, walkers and, most especially, art lovers an inspiring, action-packed short break. The Coastal Culture Trail, created by three of the most exciting visual arts galleries in the UK, Jerwood Gallery in Hastings, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, and Towner in Eastbourne.
The three award-winning galleries share a stunning 20 mile stretch of East Sussex coastline and the trail promises a fabulous weekend of great art, great food and the great outdoors.
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Two wheels: Trace a route between the three galleries along one of the UK's national cycle routes from Eastbourne to Hastings – and even beyond this to Rye. Squeeze in some river rowing or kayaking down the River Rother from Bodiam to Rye or walk the cliffs in Hastings Country Park, part of the High Weald AONB.
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Lap of luxury: Combine visits to the three galleries with stays in award-winning boutique B&Bs in Hastings, with local art and design produced by the creative communities in Hastings and St Leonards on display. Plot a route to include some of the best eateries that East Sussex has to offer.
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Kids on board: Each gallery offers a range of activities for kids and there are attractions galore in and around Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne to keep up the pace – not to mention miles of beaches.
http://coastalculturetrail.wordpress.com/
Set Jetting - Visit Mapp & Lucia's Rye
http://www.visit1066country.com/filming/mapp-and-lucia
This new BBC period drama runs 26 – 28 December 2014 and is an adaptation of the novels of E.F Benson whose fictional seaside town of Tilling was closely based on the beautiful medieval town of Rye, where Benson lived for a number of years and, just like Lucia, where he served as mayor.
Starring Miranda Richardson and Anna Chancellor as the two main protagonists, the series showcases Rye, the best preserved medieval town in England.
http://www.visit1066country.com/explore-1066-country/rye
Guided Mapp & Lucia tours run alternate Saturdays from 23 May 2015 through to 12 September 2015 and can be booked via http://www.efbensonsociety.org or info@efbensonsociety.org
Tours end at Lamb House (NT), home to E. F. Benson (and Henry James) and used in scenes for the series.
Private group tours can also be arranged by contacting via the website or email address.
Rye was used as a prime location to shoot most of the series, as well as Old Town Hastings, Bexhill seafront and Camber Sands, so extend your stay to explore 1066 Country.
Vintage Stockroom – opens November 15 2014, Rye, East Sussex
The picturesque medieval town of Rye makes the perfect film set location, having in 2013 hosted the cast of George Clooney's 'The Monuments Men', and in 2014 the new BBC One period drama, Mapp & Lucia. So, where better to set up the perfect Vintage Storeroom to display items from films such as The Hunger Games, and an eclectic mix of industrial furniture from the 30's, 40's and 50's, with vintage American and unique collectables thrown in.
That's exactly what Natalie MacGowan-Spencer, award-winning Hollywood makeup artist to stars such as George Clooney, Cameron Diaz and Samuel L Jackson, has done. Vintage Stockroom is in the High Street, Rye.
https://www.facebook.com/vintagestockroom
Hastings – True Crime Museum - new attraction and guided tour.
http://www.truecrimemuseum.co.uk/admission/
The True Crime Museum on Hastings seafront, is housed in 3,000 sq/ft of seafront caves and hosts the largest collection of CRIME memorabilia in the UK. Be ready for a chilling insight into the world of serial killers, forensics, gangsters, prisoners and poisoners!
Book a guided tour with historian Malcolm Campbell on an eerie journey into Hastings' Old Town, featuring centuries of criminal activity, from sites of punishments to local murders.
Tours last approximately 2hrs 20mins and start and finish at The True Crime Museum.
Ones to watch for 2016!
Battle of Hastings 950th anniversary 2016
The towns of Hastings & Battle (the latter being where the battlefield lies) will be celebrating the 950th anniversary with a programme of cultural events, including a bigger than usual version of its annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings, which takes place every October on the battlefield lying behind Battle Abbey (English Heritage).
The Hastings contribution includes an international festival of 'creative collisions', presenting a contemporary view of Hastings and the battle, with several headline events and a number of co-commissions with partners such as the Jerwood Gallery, De La Warr Pavilion, Battle Arts & Music Festival and Glynebourne.
http://www.visit1066country.com/events/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield-p530451
BMX & Skateboard world class facility to open Hastings seafront: late 2015/early 2016
For more details on any of the above or requests for press trips with commissions, please contact:
Jane Ellis, Tourism Marketing Officer, 1066 Country Marketing
jmellis@hastings.gov.uk +44 1424 451113
