Category: <span>HOT Topics</span>

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HOT is delighted to be the recipient of a Google grant to support local journalism during Covid-19.

Posted 19:08 Wednesday, Aug 19, 2020 In: The HOT Planet

If you’re out for a stroll along Hastings seafront, keep an eye open for a series of posters running the length of the seafront from the town centre to just beyond London Road. The posters, which were commissioned by Women’s Voice, mark the 50th anniversary of the first national Women’s Liberation Movement (WLM) Conference, which was held at Ruskin College, Oxford, in 1970. Ann Kramer, chair of Women’s Voice, explains.

Posted 18:50 In: Campaigns Tags: ann kramer Women's Voice

Tackling Hastings’ problems of housing and homelessness

The arrival of Covid-19 has worsened the chronic problems of homelessness and rough sleeping which already afflicted Hastings. HOT’s Nick Terdre talked to Cllr Andy Batsford, Hastings Borough Council’s lead for housing and homelessness, about how the situation has been tackled since the virus turned our lives upside down, and the worrying prospects now looming up.

Posted 10:18 In: Local Government

Coronavirus statistical update: test and trace finally goes local

The government has finally accepted that if test and trace is to work properly, local expertise and resources need to be incorporated alongside the centralised system, though there is as yet no indication that local authorities will be given extra funding to do local contact tracing. Separately the Department of Health and Social Care is said to be planning a merger of NHS Test and Trace with the pandemic response work of Public Health England. Research and graphics by Russell Hall, text by Nick Terdre.

Posted 10:14 Tuesday, Aug 18, 2020 In: Covid-19 Tags: coronavirus Darrell Gale Dido Harding Nick Terdre Richard Parker-Harding Russell Hall

Hiroshima Day commemorated

Last week saw the annual Hiroshima Day commemoration in Hastings. First held by Hastings Against War (HAW) in 2005, Hiroshima Day has been staged here annually since 2007. John Enefer reports.

Posted 19:45 Wednesday, Aug 12, 2020 In: Campaigns Tags: Fernando Bauza Hastings Against War John Enefer Setsuko Thurlow Stewart Rayment

Land for the people: the story of community land trusts

On Common Ground is a collection of essays about community land trusts (CLTs). Its many voices range from academics to professional organisers and community activists. Together, they tell stories which explain what CLTs are, how they work and why they matter. Shelley Feldman, herself a member and employee of the Heart of Hastings CLT, found the book a fascinating and inspiring read.

Posted 11:03 In: Grassroots Tags: Dave Smith John Emmeus Davis On Common Ground Shelley Feldman

Planning application at Rye Harbour threatens wildlife and local community’s well-being

HOT’s Erica Smith visited Rye Harbour to investigate what has been making the villagers lose sleep at night.

Posted 11:16 Monday, Aug 10, 2020 In: Campaigns Tags: Dr Barry Yates Erica Smith Long Rake Spar Rye Harbour Sussex Wildlife Trust

Knotty problem of a mobile testing site for Hastings

While Hastings Borough Council and its partners review options for an alternative site for the mobile testing unit, the original choice of the Stade open space appears to run counter to one of the key criteria. Nick Terdre reports.

Posted 19:01 Wednesday, Aug 5, 2020 In: Covid-19 Tags: ESCC HBC Kevin Boorman mobile testing unit Nick Terdre Stephen Kellher Waltham Forest