Andy Hemsley

England

Writer at Hastings Observer

Journalist, writer and dreamer living by the sea

Featured in: Favicon

hastingsobserver.co.uk Favicon

inews.co.uk Favicon

sunderlandecho.com Favicon

sussexexpress.co.uk Favicon

shieldsgazette.com Favicon

blackpoolgazette.co.uk Favicon

northamptonchron.co.uk Favicon

portsmouth.co.uk Favicon

peterboroughtoday.co.uk Favicon

northumberlandgazette.co.uk + 33 more

Articles

23 stunning Hastings jack in the Green pictures that you haven't seen

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Andy Hemsley

They were taken by Ruth Wilson, a member of the Hastings Photographers group. Thousands of people turned out for the Jack in the Green celebrations on Monday to watch the colourful and noisy procession make its way through the streets of the Old Town. 1. Jack in the GreenJack in the Green Photo: Ruth Wilson2. Jack in the GreenJack in the Green Photo: Ruth Wilson3. Jack in the GreenJack in the Green Photo: Ruth Wilson4. Jack in the GreenJack in the Green Photo: Ruth Wilson
Bexhill Continental Street Market returns this month

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Andy Hemsley

The popular Bexhill Street Market is back and is being held over the weekend of Saturday may 17 and Sunday 18. It takes place in Devonshire Road from 9.00am to 5pm. The road will be closed to traffic from 6am to 7pm on both days. The market is organised by Bexhill Lions Club. There will be many stalls for people to enjoy, including regular French traders offering a wide range of food products to tempt the taste buds as well as clothes and wine.
Crowning of Hastings May Queen takes place this weekend

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Andy Hemsley

The crowning of the ninety second Hastings May Queen takes place on Sunday at Alexandra Park. People are invited to join the free festivities, which commence at 1pm, by the bandstand and cafe in the park, and involve an afternoon of music, Morris dancing and Maypole dancing. The family friendly event also has face-painting, a garland contest and a Punch and Judy show. Deck chairs are provided and people are invited to come along and bring a picnic, with sunny weather forecast.
In 15 pictures: Beacon lit in Hastings to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Andy Hemsley

The beacon on the East Hill was lit on Thursday night as part of the national celebrations to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The event was organised by Hastings Borough Bonfire Society and local Sea Cadets. Members of Hastings RNLI were also in attendance. The flame from the beacon was used to light a ‘peace lamp’, a Welsh miner’s lamp, normally kept in the Mayor’s Parlour in the town hall, which was last used in the event held to mark the end of World War 1.
In 22 pictures: Hastings veterans take part in VE Day commemoration

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Andy Hemsley

They were joined by members of Hastings Winkle Club. Attending the gathering was Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Andrew Blackman, Hastings MP Helena Dollimore and Mayor of Hastings Judy Rogers. Pictures by Roberts Photographic. 1. VE Day at Winkle Island in Hastings on May 8 2025. Photo by Roberts Photographic. VE Day at Winkle Island in Hastings on May 8 2025. Photo by Roberts Photographic. Photo: Alan Roberts2. VE Day at Winkle Island in Hastings on May 8 2025. Photo by Roberts Photographic.
This is where you can enjoy a cheap pint for VE Day

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Andy Hemsley

The Tower pub in St Leonards is holding a VE Day celebration today with pints of lager, bitter and cider at just £2.50 a pint. The popular community pub has been decked out in patriotic flags and is offering Hawkstone lager – made famous by Jeremy Clarkson – at £2.50 a pint, as well as VE Say bitter and white peach cider from Seacider at the same low price. The friendly pub is a regular in The Good Beer Guide and has won a number of awards for being the best community pub in south-east Sussex.
Hastings to hold beating the bounds tradition.

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Andy Hemsley

People are invited to turn out and take part in the old tradition of beating the bounds. The joint Hastings Local History Group and Old Hastings Preservation Society event starts at 10.30am on Saturday May 17 opposite the Bo-Peep pub next to the A259 / Bexhill Road. The aim is to ‘beat the bounds’ of the western part of the Liberty of Hastings Boundary. The Liberty is the area whose inhabitants had the rights and duties of a Cinque Port.
Beacon to be lit in Hastings tonight to mark VE Day

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Andy Hemsley

A beacon lighting ceremony will take place on the East Hill at Hastings tonight to mark the anniversary of VE Day. It is being organised by Hastings Borough Bonfire Society who took part in a similar ceremony for the anniversary of D-Day. The beacon will be lit at 9.30pm to the song of ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’. The Last Post will be played. The Bonfire Society will then light the lamp for piece, which will be brought down from the hill and placed in St Clements Church in the Old Town.
Historic 1945 VE Day celebrations captured from Hastings Old Town pub window

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Andy Hemsley

A rare photo of VE Day celebrations in Hastings Old Town has been uncovered by the landlord of the Jolly Fisherman pub Oliver Bostwick. And it was taken in 1945 by the then landlord of the Jolly Fisherman Ernest Read. The picture shows hundreds of people gathered on what is now East Beach street, on the seafront, with flags flying. You can see the fishing beach in the background. Oliver, who found the image in the library archives, said: “It is a panorama shot and an amazing photograph.
In 20 pictures: Children scramble for hot pennies as Sussex town holds unique Mayor Making ceremony

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Andy Hemsley

One of the oldest and most unique Mayor Making traditions in the UK took place in the town of Rye over the bank holiday weekend. It saw the newly elected Mayor throwing hot pennies from an upper window of the town hall for children in the street below to scramble for. The origins of the popular annual tradition appear to be lost in the mists of time but may stem from when Rye, which is one of the Cinque Port towns, had its own mint.