Thousands enjoy Fish Festival fun

Thousands of people turned out at the weekend to sample local food and celebrate the fishing fleet at the Midsummer Fish Festival.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jun 2016, 12:29 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 23:29 BST

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The free event, now in its third year, was hailed a great success by organisers Hastings Borough Council.

People enjoyed sitting in the sun, listening to live music while sampling some of the best food and drink the area has to offer.

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Held on the Stade Open Space, the festival was opened by Mayor Cllr Judy Rogers.

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Saturday saw a performance, by Hastings Sinfonia, of a moving piece by local composer Polo Piatti he was comissioned to write for the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Cllr Kim Forward, deputy council leader and lead member for marketing, explained “We love our events in Hastings. Tourism is big business for the town, worth around £260m to the local economy and supporting well over 5,000 jobs, and visitors and residents alike love our events.

“This one is particularly special as it celebrates our local fishing heritage, and takes place almost literally on our fishing beach.

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“I was delighted to help open the festival, and then look around the many stalls.

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“The atmosphere was fantastic, with many thousands of visitors enjoying themselves.

“I’ve heard some great reports about it over the weekend, from both stallholders and visitors. One visitor from Swindon apparently enjoyed themselves so much they’re coming back specially for our Seafood and Wine Festival in September.

“The music and entertainment was also superb, to suit a wide range of tastes, from Lumpy and the Lumpettes through to Mad Jack’s Morris.

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“I’d like to thank all stallholders for taking part, and also the Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society, who helped ‘dress’ the marquee with a boat and nets, and also put on a great display and children’s’ activity.

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“Our next fish festival is ‘Seafood & Wine’, over the weekend of Saturday/Sunday 17th/18th September, and I’m already looking forward to that.”

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Related topics:PeopleHastings Borough CouncilQueenHastings