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Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival 2009:
Programme of events and activities

Fish on a grill and a glass of wine

This year the festival promises to be even better than ever!  Celebrate our unique, award-winning fishing heritage and succulent seafood.  Complementing the catch are award winning local wines and if you're not sure how to pair your fish and wine up, let expert tutors guide you through the ins and outs.  Stuck for ideas on how to cook your favourite fish?  Local chefs will be offering cooking demos.  Soak up the atmosphere in the seating area with a glass of wine and watch the chefs being put through their paces.

No dogs allowed on the Festival site (assist dogs excepted).

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East Hastings Sea Angling Club

The angling club 8pm: a nautical-flavoured evening and special guests.

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Saturday 19 September

The main festival site opens at 11am.

Entertainment for all from wine tasting to food stalls serving delicious dishes, live music to tales from the titanic.  Street entertainers, and a children's area will ensure that everyone has fun.

Dancing with Dabs

Dancing with Dabs participant A colourful and musical parade of fishy effigies - 'Dancing with Dabs' launches the festival.  Rousing accompaniment will be provided by some infectious percussion.
This ten year old tradition involves Radiator Arts group working with local school children to create paper sculptures that reflect the community in which they live.  The children parade their vivid artwork along the seafront to the festival site, where their arrival will mark the beginning of a weekend of fishy festivities.

Procession route: starts outside Iceland in Breeds Place - through underpass into Town Centre - out onto the seafront via the Harold Place underpass - towards Old Town (behind the crazy golf course and the boating lake) - arriving beside the Lifeboat station shortly before 11am for official opening of the festival by the Mayor.

Pretty Crafty

10am - 4pm: special festival Arts and Crafts Fair at Butler's Gap in historic George Street.

Haul Aboard

11.30am: a brief trawl in words and photographs through the past and present of the Hastings fishing fleet with George Greaves in the Fishermen's Museum.

Wine Tastings with organic English wines from Sedlescombe Vineyards

Grapes 12noon - 1pm: in the wine tasting marquee with Roy and Irma Cook.  Tickets: £12.50.

The Cajun Dawgs

the Cajun Dawgs 2pm - 3.15pm: traditional Louisiana French Cajun Music with Swamp Pop, Rockin' Blues, Country and early Rock and Roll - in the entertainment marquee.

Wine Tastings - English wines and curry

Wine bottles and spices 2pm - 3pm: Carr Taylor Vineyards and Jali Restaurant present award winning wines and curry nibbles in the wine tasting marquee.
Tickets: £12.50.

Supa-Hi-Life

Supa-Hi-Life 3.45pm - 5pm: Supa-Hi-Life recreates the spirit of warm nights in Ghana with rhythmic power and soaring guitar solos in the entertainment marquee.

Wine Tastings - the art and science of making wines with Plumpton College

4pm - 5pm: an introduction to wine making as well as sampling some of the superb wines made by the students of Plumpton College and Winery in the wine tasting marquee.  Tickets: £12.50.

Lianne Carroll

Lianne Carroll 5.30pm - 6.45pm: Lianne Carroll has a regular spot at Ronnie Scotts and won 'Best female jazz vocalist' at the Jazz Awards.  In the entertainment marquee.

Titanic Survivor

7.30pm: The story of one man's life and his amazing escape from this terrible disaster is told at the Shipwreck Heritage Centre.  Tickets: £10.

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Sunday 20 September

Main festival site open 11am.

Day two of the festival and still plenty to do.  Watch the food cooking demonstrations throughout the day, sample delicious dishes and wine, listen to talks on local history, and enjoy more live music and street entertainment.

Jazz Breakfast with Terry Pack

Terry Pack Doors open 9.30am: music 10am - 12noon: Terry Pack is an established bass player and composer, best known for his work with The Johnny Mars Band, The Enid and as a session musician with artists as diverse as Samantha Fox and Brian May.  Tickets: £10 per person to include breakfast (under 14s free with an adult but the breakfast is not included).

Seafood and Veg

From 12noon onwards chefs will be cooking using locally sourced fruit, vegetables and locally caught fish, in the wine tasting marquee.

The Fabulous Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers

The Fabulous Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers 1.15pm - 1.45pm and 4pm - 4.30pm: back by popular demand this authentic vintage jazz dance troupe has been performing together since 2001, and has entertained all over the country.

Swing Street

2.15 - 3.30pm: this local 14-16 piece swing band will be playing in the entertainment marquee.

SouloXoPress and the Blues Brother Show

5.15pm - 6.30pm: SouloXoPress present 90 minutes of non-stop classic Soul, Tamla Motown and R'n'B in the entertainment marquee.

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All weekend

Catch up with these activities throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Children's Play Activities with In2Play

11am - 5pm: sea-themed crafts and maritime merriment on the beach next to the entertainment marquee.

Fantasy Island

11am - 4pm: Winkle Island will be converted to a sea theme with live music and a tropical feel.

Pirate School with Butler & Brown

Butler and Brown poster 11am - 5pm: wandering entertainment with silly sea dogs, Pirates Butler and Brown.

The Story of the Stade

12noon: a guided walk led by local historian Steve Peak - meet at the main festival site.

Net making & more...

12noon: watch the local fishermen at the main festival site making nets, splicing ropes and showing the knots they use to help them bring sustainable fish ashore.

Punch & Judy Show

Punch and Judy Saturday - 12noon, 1.30pm and 3.15pm:
Sunday - 12.30pm, 1.45pm and 3.30pm: on the beach next to the entertainment marquee.

Stade Orientation Walk

2pm: What does RX on Hastings boats stand for?  What's a Boy Ashore?  What's the link between a Hastings fish and chip shop and Shakespeare?  Find out the answers to all these questions on the walk.  Adults: £2, under 16: £1.

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Participating Vineyards

Battle Wine Estate

Battle Wine Estate prides itself on producing English wines of a consistently high quality.  Only the very best grapes are sourced from the Estate's own extensive vineyards.  The Estate also produces a range of delicious fruit liqueurs and exciting kir.
Telephone/fax: 01424 870449
website:www.battlewineestate.com

Biddenden Vineyards

Kent's oldest family owned vineyards and the county's largest producer of ciders and apple juice invite you to taste their selections of wine, traditional non-carbonated strong Kentish cider and pure apple juice.
Telephone: 01580 291726
Fax: 01580 291933
website: www.biddendenvineyards.com

Carr Taylor Vineyards

Carr Taylor Vineyards in Westfield have won a cellar-full of awards for their sparkling, still and fruit wines. The vineyard and shop is open daily between 10am to 5pm for tours, free wine-tastings, gifts, hampers and refreshments.
Telephone: 01424 752501
website: www.carr-taylor.co.uk

Harbourne Vineyard

Established in 1979, the wines are grown, hand-made and bottled at the vineyard.  Only hand picking and manual basket presses are used and traditional methods are employed throughout the process.  The wines are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.  All wines are bottle aged.
Telephone: 01797 270420
website: www.harbournevineyard.co.uk

Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard

England's premier organic vineyard, established in 1979.  An independent family business producing estate-bottled, award winning English whites, oak-matured red and quality sparkling wines.  The vineyard is open daily for Vineyard and Woodland Nature Trail plus Wine tasting.  Situated 8 miles north of Hastings.
Freefone 0800 980 2884
Fax 01580 830122
website: www.englishorganicwine.co.uk

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Eat and drink your way around the town!

Penbuckles

English Cheesemonger and Vintner
Specialist independent shop stocking a wide variety of the finest English cheeses and wines, alongside a complementary range of award winning local foods . Free tastings available all weekend.
Telephone: 01424 465050

St Clements Restaurant

Michelin Award winning restaurant cooking fish dishes from Hastings fleet's daily catch.  Tuesday to Friday lunch 2 courses for £10.  Tuesday to Thursday dinner, book between 6.15 - 7.15pm and get a free glass of wine with your meal (please mention when booking).
Telephone: 01424 200355
website: www.stclementsrestaurant.co.uk

Rock-a-Nore Fisheries

Fish smokers and curers.  Oak-smoked on the premises: salmon, trout, kippers, haddock, buckling, hot smoked salmon and more.  No artificial colours or preservatives.  Accredited to sell local MSC certified fish.  Wide selection of fresh local fish.  Recommended in Rick Stein's 'Seafood Lovers Guide'.
Telephone: 01424 445425
website: www.rockanore.co.uk

The Jenny Lind Inn

In the heart of the old town, regular live music and a great selection of real ales.  Michelin trained chef creates delicious meals, sourced from local fishermen and farms, plus accommodation above makes it a great place to enjoy a relaxing break.  Function room also available for business meetings/conferencing.
Telephone: 01424 421392
e-Mail: info@jennylindhastings.com
website: www.jennylindhastings.co.uk

Harris Restaurant and Tapas Bar

Now 14 years in the High Street.  30 fish, meat or vegetarian tapas dishes cooked to order.  Tapas feast for two (10 tapas for £22.50) and fish platter (£13.50) always available.  Sample our local fish inspired festival lunches.  Our home made desserts are a must.
Telephone: 01424 437221

QOL@Spike's Fine Food Stores and Café

Established neighbourhood café/deli.  A warm, friendly meeting place offering excellent home cooked meals and snacks, for which most of the produce is sourced locally.  Unpasteurised cheeses a speciality.  Frozen meals available.  Licensed.
Contact: Spike Smilgin Humphreys
Telephone: 01424 424364
e-Mail: qol@spikesfinefoods.com
website: QOL@Spike's Fine Food Stores and Café

Land of Green Ginger

Join us for excellent coffee, weekend brunches, lunch and tea.  Local and seasonal produce.  Gorgeous, handmade cakes and savouries.  Fairtrade, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.
Telephone: 01424 434191
e-Mail: thornton@btinternet.com
website: www.landofgreenginger.org

The 1066 Bakery

The town's leading buffet supplier for parties, funerals, meetings, weddings and corporate events with fresh exciting food daily.  All our sandwiches are made with freshly baked bread, handmade fillings and love!
Telephone: 01424 437007

The Wild Mushroom Restaurant

Fine Dining, Eclectic style of Modern European Cusine, AA Rosette, Michelin Bib Gourmand.  Fresh local fish and meats.  Lunch: Tuesday to Sunday Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday
Telephone: 01424 751137
website: www.webbesrestaurants.co.uk

Webbe's Rock-a-Nore

Our new fresh eatery in the heart of Hastings Old Town Fishing Quarter.  Serving the freshest local fish, seafood crustacea, steaks and taster bar.  Open 7 days a week.
Telephone: 01424 721650
website: www.webbesrestaurants.co.uk

Webbe's at the Fish Café

A vibrant lively café, Webbe's A La Carte Restaurant and Webbe's Function Suite, seating 70.  AA Rosette.  Serving fresh fish and seafood from the local ports of Hastings and Rye.  Home of Webbe's Cookery School.  Summer: open all week; Winter: closed Mondays.
Telephone: 01797 222 226
website: www.webbesrestaurants.co.uk

Alibi Meze Café and Bar

Offering authentic Eastern Mediterranean appetizers and small dishes in the heart of the Old Town.
Telephone: 07984 064724

Ali Ali

Just opened and specialising in meze style fish dishes.
Telephone: 07984 064724

Arcade Fisheries

Where quality counts.  Established since 1937 and one of the oldest fishmongers in the town, specialising in wet fish, smoked fish and shellfish.  Suppliers to many of the local resturants and catering trade.  Marine Stewardship Council certified.
Telephone: 01424 435459

Battle Cider

Established in 1995, Battle Cider is a dynamic young company which bases its products on traditional cider making techniques.  We use a range of old English cider apples and desert apples grown in orchards around East Sussex.
Contact Lucy on 07958 943 151 for orders - barrels available for parties at a good rate
Telephone: 01424 774821
website: www.battlecider.co.uk

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Thanks to...

... everyone!

Hastings' fourth annual Seafood and Wine Festival could not have happened without the support and enthusiasm of many local individuals and businesses.  A big thank you for all their time and effort must go to the advisory group.  Special thanks to the Hastings Fishing Fleet Mike Raxworthy for entertainments, Alan Taylor of Broxbourne Plant Hire, Steve Bennett from East Hastings Sea Angling Association, Steve Warne from RNLI, Paul Harding from Stagecoach for their support and The Stag Inn for hosting the meetings.  There is not enough space to mention everyone, but a hearfelt thanks to all those who have helped during the festival.


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this page was last updated: 13 August 2009