Rootschat Meet No 4 in Historical Hastings.

[kerryb]

We shall miss you Jane but maybe next time!

Kerry

[alllegs]

Argh - I'm not sure I'll be able to make it now either....  I was supposed to have my tonsils removed last week buy the op was cancelled, they've re-scheduled me for September 21st (providing they don't cancel me once again!), it is supposed to take 2-3 weeks to recover...I guess I'll just have to see how I feel....

Sorry guys
Love
Legs
xxxxx

[JillJ]

I'm another one to drop out I'm afraid!   A long way to drive and I would need to take out a mortgage for the train fare, not to mention a couple of nights in hotels!

Hopefully next time...!

Jill

[Cal241]

eeeeK! Sorry I have to too. Really really wanted to come down to Hastings.   

Logistically it is will be a nightmare due to work & Child commitments that have come up the week leading up to the Saturday!

Hope to meet up with you all at another meeting
Have a great time and look forward to the photos

Cal   

[sarah]

Awww what a shame 

We are going to miss you. Really looking forward to Hastings, not long to go..

Sarah

[Lesanne]

  As I shall be coming across from West Sussex, I could always pick up at Worthing, Shoreham and Brighton.
   If you fly to Gatwick, the Express goes straight into Brighton.
   
          Give me a shout.   

[acorngen]

Bugger Chris you could have done this for the 16th Sept.  Will be down then for my daughters birthday and I could have bored you all with my arguments for why the Battle ground as stated by English Heritage isn't the battle ground.  Best Fish and Chips in Hastings can be got from the dolphin up the old town.  You should also add into the trip up there a look around the Shipwreck centre where  they have many items of archaeological importance including finds from the Amsterdam which was an East India trading ship which went down off the coast of Bulverthythe.  Its an amazing little museum and as good if not better than the Fishermans museum which after all is one room with one boat in it.  I agree the net huts are a great sight and there are the fish stalls there as well.  If your going up to the ladies parlour keep your eyes downward as every time I have been up there I have come away with a hand full of worked flint which dates back to the Neolithic and a few peices of Mesolithic.  Shame there would not be time for a tour of the caves which are amazing or even the castle itself.

Anyways if I can afford a trip down the weekend after I get back from Prague I will meet you all at Battle but don't pencil me in as coming

Rob

[acorngen]

Hi

I have only just found this thread. Chris please can you send me details of accomodation? As I am venturing south from sunny Nottingham I will probably stay Friday and Saturday. My next job is to look on multimap as I don't know where Hastings is.

Jane

Jane travelling from Nottingham get on the M1 and head south.  Then join the M25 and head clockwise signposted dartford and stanstead.  Go over the bridge and continue on to Junction 5.  Mid way between 4 and 5 get into the middle lane and stay there.  At Junction 5 dont bear to the left but continue straight on joining the A21.  This road is a nightmare although the last  3 trips I have missed all the accidents.  Continue on the A21 passing through Flimwell and Hurst Green along the way.  After passing hurst green you will drop down Silver hill which is a steep twisting road.  Cross the roundabout and drive for approx 2 miles.  Watch the speed camera as you get to the pub.  After the pub turn right on the new roundabout and follow this road for a couple of miles.  At the next roundabout turn left.  This is battle.  1/2 mile down there is the abbey.  Good luck parking   now that was assuming you was driving.

If going by train take the train from Nottingham to St Pancras then using the Northern Line go to Charring Cross.  From there take the train to Hastings ( it usually leaves platform 5 or 6.  After alighting at Battle station cross the bridge and turn left.  Walk to the top of Station road and turn right.  As soon as possible cross the road and walk up the hill.  Follow the path around and keep walking this will bring you to the abbey green which is in fact not green but tarmac   Used to be a car park but they took that away.

I would guess Chris is planning on the Olde Tea Rooms as the drinking spot.  This used to be the monks accomodation and according to records was also the place where the monks would receive their blooding each year. ( deliberately cut to bleed the impurities from within them) how true it is though is anyones guess.  One interest for those who like buildings.  Walking from the abbey to the railway station you have a line of terraced houses on the right ( you will need to cross the road to see it) but where as today we would have stepped roofs to match the slope of the hill these properties do not.  The room follows the slope.  As you get to the mini roundabout look at the hill on the left and the view.  That is my argumented site of the battle as it fits better the historical evidence and the logical route from Hastings using known roman and saxon roads.

Anyway I will shut up because I could go on forever about the village and town I adopted and fell in love with

Rob

[kerryb]

Rob

I have a friend who states the same place as you for the real site of the battle.  Not getting into that argument here but who knows!!!!

I will be at the meet that day and am looking forward to it.  I worked in Battle for 2 years and it is one of my favourite towns in Sussex.  Hastings of course is a gem amongst seaside towns!!!

Kerry