St Leonards and Hastings are two such vibrant towns that there always seems so be something going on, be it a music festival a food fair or a simple market. Sometimes I get the shop invovled with specific happenings or workshops but I always try and promote our local area so have listed below some events that may be of interest.
Herald the arrival of the Snow Queen and her court as we are drawn into winter…! The beautiful frost fair is back, with the winter market on Kings Road from 10am and the parade at 1pm. Wrap up warm and join the fun.
Hastings Fat Tuesday music festival is the UK’s largest Mardi Gras celebration which showcases Hastings’ thriving music scene – opening its doors to a wealth of musical talent and music fans alike.
Hailed as Hastings’ answer to SXSW in Texas, or Brighton’s Great Escape festival, Hastings Fat Tuesday is one of the jewels in the town’s cultural crown and celebrates its 15th year in 2024.
For all the details head to https://hastingsfattuesday.co.uk
St Leonards is open for late night shopping Thursday 14th and 21st December. Shops open until 7.30pm. Music, mulled wine, workshops and street entertainment (weather permitting!!)
A unique annual literature festival of creative responses to a heritage book. This year join us to explore The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole. For all the details check out atownexploresabook.com and keep your eyes peeled for ships and maps in windows all around St Leonards-on-sea.
Lots of lovely independent shops in St Leonards will be opening their doors until 7.30 on Thursday 1st and 8th December. (there may be the odd tipple on offer too, if you’re lucky!)
Herald the arrival of the Snow Queen and her court as we are drawn into winter…! The beautiful frost fair is back, with the winter market on Kings Road from 10am and the parade at 1pm. Wrap up warm and join the fun.
Coastal Currents Arts Festival is an annual celebration of arts and culture across the 1066 region. Featuring Open Studios and a host of events, exhibitions and performances.
As part of the festival local jeweller Veronique Pullen will be exhibiting her full range of AWESOME jewellery in the shop. Come take a look and chat to the legend herself!
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September
The popular Kings Road street market is back! First Saturday of the month 10-4.
For more information including details on becoming a trader visit www.sussexconcepts.co.uk
Hold on to your seats because St Leonards Festival is back and this year’s bigger and better than ever! For all the details of this years festival check out https://www.stleonardsfestival.org
A unique annual literature festival of creative responses to a heritage book. This year join us to explore Rumer Godden’s Whitbread prize winning novel The Diddakoi, on its 50th anniversary of publication. For all the details check out atownexploresabook.com and keep your eyes peeled for Joe the horse in windows all around St Leonards-on-sea (including a rather large one in Paisley and Friends!!)
An explosion of public illuminations, live music, performances and much more on the streets of St Leonards on the last Thursday of March 2022. Plus Kings Road Spring Party and late night shopping!
All details at Hastings Last Thursday
Hastings Fat Tuesday music festival is the UK’s largest Mardi Gras celebration which showcases Hastings’ thriving music scene – opening its doors to a wealth of musical talent and music fans alike.
Hailed as Hastings’ answer to SXSW in Texas, or Brighton’s Great Escape festival, Hastings Fat Tuesday is one of the jewels in the town’s cultural crown and celebrates its 12th year in 2022.
For all the details head to https://hastingsfattuesday.co.uk
It’s that time of year again. Come and soak up a bit of Christmas cheer courtesy of your local independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. The lights will be sparkling, dancers will be prancing around the tree and you never know you might even hear a bit of Wham wafting on the chilly breeze!
As the sun goes down, join the Lightwalkers in Warrior Square Gardens.
more info: www.stleonardsfestival.org
Its back and sure to be a fun filled day for everyone, and it’s free!!
For all the details go to www.stleonardsfestival.org
The artists involved in this are fantastic humans, so I’m sure this event is going to be fantastic too! Check out all the details HERE.
As part of this year’s A Town Explores a Book festival here’s a free colourong page with lots of owls and pussy cats to colour.
Battling through lockdowns, this exciting Literary festival is back and this year we are exploring Edward Lear’s 1871 anthology, Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets.
Embarking on April Fool’s Day 2021, the community of St Leonards on Sea and its visitors will be marking the 150th anniversary of a celebrated anthology of nonsense poetry, prose and illustration that contains the first publication of the nation's favourite children’s poem (poll of 2014), The Owl and the Pussy-Cat. Explore the skill of remarkable writer, artist and musician Edward Lear in covid-adjusted experiences and, if you aren’t local, through our online programme produced by Isolation Station Hastings and ongoing explorations on our three social media channels.
For more details and individual events go to atownexploresabook.com and keep an eye out in my window for a little bit of nonsense!
Just for fun here’s some of my doodlings for you to download and colour in. If you fancy sharing on social media please hashtag paisleycolouringpages so I can see your creations.
Just for fun here’s some of my doodlings for you to download and colour in. If you fancy sharing on social media please hashtag paisleycolouringpages so I can see your creations.
Just for fun here’s some of my doodlings for you to download and colour in. If you fancy sharing on social media please hashtag paisleycolouringpages so I can see your creations.
Join me (Claire Paisley) for a creative evening making a Pajak.
Polish decorations, Pajaki, were traditionally made with dry straw collected from the fields during the harvest season. They were usually prepared during late autumn for Christmas, but they were also hung in rooms for the arrival of spring and for the celebrations of Easter. These modern take on a tradition use paper straws, pom poms, fabric scraps and ribbons to create a fun colourful centre piece decoration for a special occasion or just to brighten up a corner!
All materials provided but if theres a specific colour you would like to use let me know, or feel free to bring along your own yarn and fabric.
The session will run from 6-8pm £30 p/p contact me to book or pop in the shop
Come and join maker Laura Morden from The House of St Leonards for a couple of hours and make your own macrame plant hanger.
2-4pm. All materials provided plus tea, coffee and there might even be cake! For more details contact me or pop in the shop. £35 a ticket
Paper crafting has seen a real growth in popularity and it’s easy to see why. The materials are accessible, eco friendly and the results last much longer than their fresh counterparts. Paper flowers make great gifts, wedding decorations or embellishments for your home.
During the session, you will make your own paper flowers with professional paper designer Laura Reed, following her step by step instructions. Laura will teach you her tips and techniques for petal forming, folding and curling as well as how to construct stems and different flower centres. You will then have the chance to practice your new skills by designing and making your own flowers using lots of beautiful papers from her stash. If you have some paper at home that you would like to experiment with, please do bring it along.
You will leave the workshop with at least three stemmed paper flowers and the skills that you need make more flowers at home.
The workshop will run 6-8pm, all materials and refreshments provided, £30 p/p contact me or laura@laurareeddesign.co.uk to book or for more details, or pop in the shop.
As part of the Kings road late night shopping events, join artist Felicity Truscott to make your own festive willow star!
Session will run 6-8pm all materials and refreshmnets provided. £25 p/p contact me to book or for more details.
Details to follow, but save the date for this years wonderful Frost Fair, there’ll be a parade, the usuual market stalls, street food and a fabulous atmosphere around central St Leonards to celebrate the festive season.
Come and spend a fun and colourful evening with designer Miesje Chafer on this 2 hour Christmas garland making workshop. You will use a range of paper punches and screen printed paper to cut out and design your own Christmassy garland, which will then be stitched together on a sewing machine.
Suitable for ages 14+ although all under 16's must be accompanied by an adult. We will be using sewing machines, however no experience is necessary.
Workshop will run from 6-8pm £25 p/p
Jewellery. Join jewellers Elaine Partington and Veronique Pullen and they’ll help you to create your own fine silver, link chain bracelet.
All materials are included plus tea, coffee and there might even be cake! For more details or to book a place please contact me or hello@elainepartington.com, or pop in the shop. £45 a ticket
Come and join maker Laura Morden from The House of St Leonards for a couple of hours and make your own macrame wall hanging.
All materials provided plus tea, coffee or Laura has been know to bring prosecco! For more details contact me or pop in the shop. £35 p/p
The popular Kings Road street market started in its present form as part of the St Leonards Festival in 2013. Regular monthly markets have run from March/April through to late November since 2015 and have quickly become a seasonal favourite to this fashionable part of St Leonards-on-Sea! The new season starts on Saturday 6th April, then every first Saturday of the month.
Showcasing new businesses from crafts to vintage, promoting the eclectic range of St Leonards independent traders, this market continues to grow. Grab a bite to eat at a range of street food stalls, sit and watch the world go by, find that unique something for a gift or for the home, there's something for everyone.
For more information including details on becoming a trader visit www.sussexconcepts.co.uk
