The ‘silver darling of the sea’
Hastings Herring Fair 18th & 19th November
The Hastings fishing fleet have been catching herring off local shores since at least the 1600s, when records began. This year you can celebrate the undervalued ‘silver darling of the sea’ in its many wondrous forms, from bloaters to buckling and kippers, as well as other seasonal fish.
As well as delicious fish dishes, stalls will be selling various local produce, wines, ciders, hot food and veggie delights. There will also be a beer festival run by the First in Last Out pub and microbrewery. Confirmed traders so far include Webbe’s (of Webbe’s Rock a Nore and The Wild Mushroom), Judges Bakery, The Old Market, Jali Indian Restaurant, Olly’s Fish Shack, The Red Lion, The BBQ Project, Carr Taylor, Biddenden Vineyards and Harbourne Vineyards. Henny’s Vintage Caravan will also be bringing their horsebox bar and café in a caravan.
Learn to create seasonal fish dishes from the professionals with cooking demos in Classroom on the Coast. The famous Billingsgate Seafood Training School will be hosting workshops on Saturday 18th November at 12 noon and 2pm, dedicated to the herring. Learn to make cider-soused herrings, rollmops, herring ceviche, oatmeal herrings, home-smoked kippers, and herring roe on toast with parsley and capers. Sessions last 90 minutes and cost £15 – which includes a pack of recipes and 1kg of herrings to take home with you.
There will be plenty to entertain you too, thanks to a fantastic music line up with a folky flavour, to include a ceilidh and of course sea shanties. And throughout the weekend there will be children’s sea-themed craft activities in the Stade Hall, as well as traditional net making techniques at the Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society stall in the marquee.
Please note that because the site can get very busy, and there are lots of young children and very hot cooking equipment around, only assist dogs are allowed into the marquee.
Open 11am to 4pm.Free entry Hastings Old Town.
www.visit1066country.co/fishfestivals
