The Old Town in Hastings
According to Winston Churchill, success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. Which is a polite way of saying that nobody gets it right the first time. The Old Town in Hastings has been around for a millennium, so I think it’s safe to assume that the residents might have tried and failed before to gain some notable recognition. But last month, in what could be seen as an early Christmas present for the traders, the town was given the award for Best Neighbourhood in the country. Quite an achievement really and one of which everyone seems rightly proud – if a little startled.
It is one of five awards given out annually by The Academy of Urbanism, the others this year being European City of the Year (San Sebastián), Great Town award (Frome), Great Street award (Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork) and Great Place award, won by Peace Bridge/Ebrington Square (Derry-Londonderry).
So, if any readers are from these areas, and you haven’t heard of your recent elevation, please feel free to take a bow. I have to confess this award came as news to me, but apparently it has been going for some time, with the judges made up of leading architects, planners and developers who take into account social, economic and environmental factors, along with issues of good governance and commercial success.
In the case of Hastings, they visited during the summer and, according to the chair of the academy, Steven Bee, were particularly impressed with the way in which the Old Town has managed to keep much of its historic fabric and layout intact, yet managed to ‘embrace some contemporary additions that creatively respond to the townscape’. For this read the Jerwood Gallery.
‘The area is walkable, with a lively mix of people and uses, and its successful fishing fleet.’ In short, they liked it and probably had some great fish and chips delivered by a smiley person who liked their job – shock! The downside is that someone had to lose in order for Hastings to win, and in this instance it was Hulme, Manchester. But take heart, to quote George ‘Dubya’ Bush: ‘To those of you who received honours, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you, too, can be president of the United States.’
So, until next year…
It is one of five awards given out annually by The Academy of Urbanism, the others this year being European City of the Year (San Sebastián), Great Town award (Frome), Great Street award (Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork) and Great Place award, won by Peace Bridge/Ebrington Square (Derry-Londonderry).
So, if any readers are from these areas, and you haven’t heard of your recent elevation, please feel free to take a bow. I have to confess this award came as news to me, but apparently it has been going for some time, with the judges made up of leading architects, planners and developers who take into account social, economic and environmental factors, along with issues of good governance and commercial success.
In the case of Hastings, they visited during the summer and, according to the chair of the academy, Steven Bee, were particularly impressed with the way in which the Old Town has managed to keep much of its historic fabric and layout intact, yet managed to ‘embrace some contemporary additions that creatively respond to the townscape’. For this read the Jerwood Gallery.
‘The area is walkable, with a lively mix of people and uses, and its successful fishing fleet.’ In short, they liked it and probably had some great fish and chips delivered by a smiley person who liked their job – shock! The downside is that someone had to lose in order for Hastings to win, and in this instance it was Hulme, Manchester. But take heart, to quote George ‘Dubya’ Bush: ‘To those of you who received honours, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you, too, can be president of the United States.’
So, until next year…