We have a very interesting programme of events coming up in 2026. All talks will take place in the Durbar Hall at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, Bohemia Road, Hastings TN34 1ET and are open to all. Advance booking is not usually necessary.
We are very grateful that all of our speakers are happy to share their time and knowledge with us at no cost to the Association.
Members-only Events
We have two events this year which will be for members only with advance booking. Details will be sent to members in the monthly newsletter nearer the time.
In April we have a visit to the Mint House in Pevensey and the adjacent store where museum artefacts for which there is no display room in the Museum are kept.
In May, we have been invited to a guided tour of the Hastings Contemporary gallery.
In August and October there will be two members-only events – walking tours of different aspects of St Leonards. Members will the details.
Saturday 28th November
2pm Hastings Smugglers, a film by Nick Bloomfield
Hastings Smugglers is a vivid, occasionally darkly comic journey through England’s long love–hate relationship with smuggling, told through the lens of Hastings and the Sussex/Kent coast—where contraband wasn’t just a crime, it was an economy, a culture and sometimes a form of survival.
Set against the chaos of the Georgian era (1714–1837)—a time of wars, crushing taxation, and rampant corruption —the film explores how everybody from top to bottom became entangled in a shadow industry.
It is a mix of documentary, live action, animation and a general retelling of stories. Much music including old traditional songs reimagined.
Our late colleague and friend, Andre Palfrey-Martin, was due to work with Nick on the film but sadly died too soon. When shown earlier this year at St Leonards Kino, all 3 performances were sold out.
Nick will introduce the film and answer questions afterwards.
Cost £10 to the Association
Sunday 6th December
2pm Annual General Meeting
Following the formal business, Dr Hilda Kean will present a history of the Association.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
On Sunday 20th September
Ken Brooks gave a very interesting presentation on THE HASTINGS LIFEBOAT
He explained how our local lifeboat has evolved from a simple rowing boat to a sophisticated and efficient life saving vehicle. The first lifeboat in 1858 was followed by similar boats with gradually improving safety equipment. By the 1960s the Hastings lifeboat had diesel engines, radar and an echo-sounder, and today the most recent is powered by water jets. Certainly one of their greatest rescues was the saving of troops at Dunkirk in 1940 by the Cyril and Lilian Bishop lifeboat.
On Sunday 14th June
Barbara Atkinson gave a very interesting talk on The Brede Steam Giants and their fascinating history.
On 24th May
12 members enjoyed a very interesting visit to the Hastings Contemporary art gallery on the Stade. Gaynor Wilson, Development and Events Manager gave us an introduction to the gallery and then Simon Hobson took us on a tour of the current exhibition around the theme of Odyssey introducing us to some interesting and unusual interpretations.
Saturday 25th April:
2pm A talk by Andrew Blackman and Haydon Luke on Fairlight Place
All those who attended enjoyed this fascinating talk about the past and present of this building..
Fairlight Place is one of the oldest and most important buildings in the district. It is part of old Fairlight, high up but set back from the cliffs, off Barley Lane, that ancient thoroughfare leading down into Hastings Old Town. It is a Grade II listed building, the listing dating from 1951 – one of the earliest in the area. It is mentioned in Pevsner’s Buildings of England and in numerous other publications.
Andrew and Haydon will unfold the remarkable story of a very special building which has, over the years, hosted many well-known people as diverse as the Duke of Wellington, Louis Philippe (the last king of France) and Cecil Rhodes. In more recent times the house became near derelict and the talk will include the striking account of its rescue and restoration.
Sunday 8th March:
2pm A talk by Elaine Luke on local author, Malcolm Saville
Entrance £5 to Association funds
Sunday 25th January:
We enjoyed a very interesting talk by Steve Dine from Empress Coaches
an interesting and varied talk about a company that has been very much part of the fabric of Hastings over the last 97 years complete with some fascinating photographs; from its beginnings and through the 1930s, its operation through the dark times of World War two and the boom years of the 1950s and 60s to the present day when Empress has diversified and adapted to ensure the company continues to thrive.
