A couple of years ago BBC’s Newsnight ‘adopted’ our seafront
roundabout with the fountain as its centre piece. It was a stunt to demonstrate
if the big society could takeover and run council functions. I had to
ceremonially hand them the ‘key to the roundabout’ – thought quite what they
were going to unlock I don’t know.
But that roundabout is in a very high profile position on
the seafront between old and new towns. What a fantastic location for something
really special. And that’s what Hastings is going to get.
Thanks to the very substantial generosity of the Fairlight
Arts Trust set up by David and Sarah Kowitz a major new piece of public art is
to be created in the middle of the roundabout. Two internationally renowned
artists have been shortlisted and their designs will now be going on public
display so we can all think about what is on offer. Then one of the designs
will become the chosen art feature. The council will make sure the appearance
of the roundabout itself is appropriate to welcome the art feature. I expect
national interest in this major art installation and once more our town will be
centre stage.
Just think – a year ago the Jerwood Gallery opened also
helping to put us very much on the national cultural map. The gallery’s
exhibition has just been totally refreshed with other paintings from Jerwood’s
permanent collection. And I hope everyone has voted for the gallery to host the Museums at Night an event with
Turner Prize nominees the Hastings born and bred Jake and Dinos Chapman.
Back in time a
little further about two and half years ago – the town again hit the national
headline as fire engulfed our Victorian Pier. Now with the success of the bid
to Heritage Lottery and the council’s bid for Coastal Communities money, the
Pier Trust is almost at the point of setting the start date for work to restore
the Pier.
So Jerwood and
the cultural and historic Stade, the Pelham roundabout with an international
quality art feature and then on to a restored Pier – that will be some
promenade. Won’t people outside the town be talking about Hastings?
