Here’s the programme for this year’s much-awaited Herring Fair down at The Stade

Saturday 18 November

11.15am to 11.45am

The Sean Fennessy Duo

Marquee Stage

Sean gets the festival started with great vocals and a superb selection of songs and melodies.

 

 

12noon to 1.30pm / 2pm to 3pm

Billingsgate cooking demo

Classroom on the Coast

Join CJ Jackson (of Masterchef and Sunday Brunch fame) as she souses, rolls, sours and smokes the silver darlings. You’ll get to taste everything, and take home a pack of herrings and recipes.
Tickets: adult £15.50 / child £8, available from Hastings Tourist Information Centre (01424 451111).

 

12.15pm to 1pm

The Kimberleys

Marquee Stage

Well-established figures in English folk circles, The Kimberleys are in town this weekend for the Hastings Fleadh, a celebration of traditional Irish music. Bold and imaginative arrangements that stay true to the traditional heart of the material.

 

1.15pm to 2pm

Stone Junction

Marquee Stage

This acoustic trio play an eclectic mix of transatlantic, contemporary and original folk. Three-part harmonies with guitars, mandolin, banjo, accordion and whistles.

 

2.15pm to 2.45pm

Now & Then

Marquee Stage

Pure vocal harmony heaven, with four vocalists and not an instrument in sight.

 

 

3pm to 4pm

The Martin Blackman Trio

Marquee Stage

This local trio cover songs by artists such as The Stones, Springsteen, The Eagles and Tom Petty. A laid back, easy-listening end to the afternoon.

 

 

Sunday 19th November

11.15am to 12noon

Now & Then

Marquee Stage

The folky foursome are back for another session of vocal harmony heaven.

 

 

12noon to 12.30pm

Herring Celebration

Fishermen’s stalls

A Herring Fair tradition. Join Hastings’ fishermen and friends as they have their nets blessed and celebrate the local catch. Now & Then will lead a sing-around of ‘Shoals of Herring’.

 

1pm to 2pm

Thai House cooking demo

Classroom on the Coast

With popular restaurants in St Leonards and Rye, The Thai House is known for its delicious and authentic food. Watch Chef Petch cook up one of his most popular dishes – with tasters of course! FREE

 

12.45pm to 1.30pm

Milton Hide

Marquee Stage

Jim and Josie Tipler’s voices blend with a rare warmth, enhancing their mix of excellent original songwriting, traditional folk songs and eclectic covers.

 

1.45 to 2.45pm

The Salts

Marquee Stage

A long-awaited return to Hastings, The Salts deliver sea shanties with attitude! Great instrumentalists producing wonderful four-part harmonies.

 

2.30pm to 3.30pm

Wild Feast cooking demo

Classroom on the Coast

Local foraging tutor Sarah Watson of Wild Feast will show you how to prepare a delicious dish of herring pickled in spiced crab apple vinegar. Come and have a taste! FREE

 

3.15pm to 4.45pm 

The Sugarloaf Band

Marquee Stage

Time to push back the chairs and get your knees up for a traditional ceilidh dance in celebration of our wonderful Hastings fishing fleet and a good haul of herring.