Indeed. I went to Hastings in 1996-1997 on my English language academic year and then I lived in Bexhill with my first bf, and despite of me now living in Suffolk, I will always return to my first home of Hastings, at least 3 times a year. Can't wait to go back next week
I was looking for Jean Smith and found this. There is something about the light on the sea in Hastings. You captured it briefly in the view down the hill to the sparkling ocean. Once born by the ocean, you always come back, and stay as long as you can.
i went to school there in the late 60s took my first lsd there worked and lived there in the mid 70s for a year and then came back down in the early 80s and became a full on heroin addict the place has been host to some of the darkest moments of my life moved back to london in around 86 and in the 90s had a house in st leonards under offer but it did not go through. i still live in london . There is something about the curse of hastings that is very real i think
Hi Michael. I've only just found your exceptional (and moving) film. As a St Leonards resident I've never seen anything that captures the place so well. I'm in the Kino on Norman Rd most days. If you'd like to meet for a drink I'd love to introduce you to Russel and Olga who own and manage the cinema because this should really be up there on their screen. I think they'd be more than happy to screen it. With your permission - I'll send them the link? Congratulations on this wonderful piece. Stanley.
Very well done I certainly enjoyed your words about the town I live in born in and we have had our problems but also a feeling of warmth I love this town when away it’s good to be back
What a great video! I love Hasting and St Leonards, i want to live there something keeps making me return back month after month until i finally live there :)
Very, very lovely. Excellent little film and I enjoyed the John Cooper Clark style narration too. Loved the reference to sometimes looking like you're "living in a dream" Well done!
Michael, you need to do many more of these, melancholy Mesmer. You are rather jolly good at this and you also seem to have found Crowley's exorcist steps 09:55. More please.
I lived in St Leonards had a shop in Bohemia Road in 1969, this film depresses me because the whole area has been a slum for years and it got worse in the last 30, l left UK and have been watching its decline from afar, its not the town its the people.
Bah humbug. I moved here ten years ago and found a vibrant, creative, eccentric little scene that was thriving under the radar. This is partly due to the fact it had become run down and so was affordable to those pursuing creative or unconventional paths. A real bohemia that instantly felt like home. As for the people, it's probably the most colourful, creative and genuinely likeable crowd of people I've ever had the good fortune to find myself living among. Bohemia where you had your shop is in the process of revitalising itself and is home to a growing number of cool, small, independent shops. But I'm sure you'd have no sense of that, given you're happy to just "watch its decline from abroad," with your 30 years out-of-date opinions, unlike the community of people I know here, who love and care about the place and are actively involved in helping in its revival.
Beautiful movie of Hastings and amazing narration Thank you
A wonderful poetic commentary. Echoes of Sir John Betjeman.
Wonderful, thank you. You've captured its soul as we know and love it.
This is the best and most realistic portrayal of St Leonards that I have seen.
Thank you.
I’ve only watched 30 seconds of this and I love it already - sterling work.
I love this mate, how did I not know you was tinkering with this ❤
Indeed. I went to Hastings in 1996-1997 on my English language academic year and then I lived in Bexhill with my first bf, and despite of me now living in Suffolk, I will always return to my first home of Hastings, at least 3 times a year. Can't wait to go back next week
I was looking for Jean Smith and found this. There is something about the light on the sea in Hastings. You captured it briefly in the view down the hill to the sparkling ocean. Once born by the ocean, you always come back, and stay as long as you can.
It's so soooo good ❤❤❤❤❤
i went to school there in the late 60s took my first lsd there worked and lived there in the mid 70s for a year and then came back down in the early 80s and became a full on heroin addict the place has been host to some of the darkest moments of my life moved back to london in around 86 and in the 90s had a house in st leonards under offer but it did not go through. i still live in london . There is something about the curse of hastings that is very real i think
I miss Hastings, my first home. So home sick
Hi Michael. I've only just found your exceptional (and moving) film. As a St Leonards resident I've never seen anything that captures the place so well. I'm in the Kino on Norman Rd most days. If you'd like to meet for a drink I'd love to introduce you to Russel and Olga who own and manage the cinema because this should really be up there on their screen. I think they'd be more than happy to screen it. With your permission - I'll send them the link? Congratulations on this wonderful piece. Stanley.
Truly wondrous!
Brilliant summary. I share your feelings.
This is a mesmerising watch. So good.
Excellent. Great vioce. Kim hi x
Very well done I certainly enjoyed your words about the town I live in born in and we have had our problems but also a feeling of warmth I love this town when away it’s good to be back
This is fabulous.
I live in Hastings originally from London. What a powerful video and yes the curse is set upon me.
HAHAHAHA..Failed in London, tried Hastings. Spells..
Me too. I'm still trying to find a mutual exchange. Someone in Hastings wanting Suffolk
Amazing work. Thank you.
I came here from South London 22 years ago and wouldn't want to live anywhere else now!
This is a great view of this very special place! London or here are the only places I would want to live. 🤗 🌈
Totally captures Hastings! Evocative and beautiful, thank you so much!
my pleasure - watch out for the next instalment coming soon ...
What a great video! I love Hasting and St Leonards, i want to live there something keeps making me return back month after month until i finally live there :)
Me too. I'm terribly homesick
move here it's ace
Very, very lovely. Excellent little film and I enjoyed the John Cooper Clark style narration too. Loved the reference to sometimes looking like you're "living in a dream" Well done!
The video content is so excellent, congratulations
A joy to view!
Great film and so nice to see Popeye Ron 7:04 who is sadly no longer with us. RIP Ron.
This is great. The quality is amazing.
My town :) great watch
Blown away, the words that were missing to articulate Crowley's curse have been discovered
Great piece.
Fantastic.
wonderful thankyou
That was good xxx
Michael, you need to do many more of these, melancholy Mesmer. You are rather jolly good at this and you also seem to have found Crowley's exorcist steps 09:55. More please.
got another spookier one in the pipeline
Great, can't wait! @@michaelsmith-wr4tq
The curse is real. I left and I can't stop thinking about going back.
i don't wanna leave!!
Not many outsiders know that television was invented in Hastings.
RE: Crowley curse... take a pebble from the beach and break the curse. If you can call it that! I think it's a magical place.
People also used to say you had to kiss the winkle on winkle island to break the curse.
Not just a pebble. It has to be a hag stone. A stone with a hole through the middle.
@@RyakkiBaka I have one. Keep going back though...
Please, whereabouts is that market lane please?
It's called George Street. It runs parallel to the coast road at the east end of Hastings.
it runs behind the library and the Observer Building but is not used that often - though they do nice one offs at festivals, exhibitions and so on
@@michaelsmith-wr4tq Gotham Alley
Throw a hag stone into the sea , then you can leave .
I lived in St Leonards had a shop in Bohemia Road in 1969, this film depresses me because the whole area has been a slum for years and it got worse in the last 30, l left UK and have been watching its decline from afar, its not the town its the people.
Bah humbug. I moved here ten years ago and found a vibrant, creative, eccentric little scene that was thriving under the radar. This is partly due to the fact it had become run down and so was affordable to those pursuing creative or unconventional paths. A real bohemia that instantly felt like home. As for the people, it's probably the most colourful, creative and genuinely likeable crowd of people I've ever had the good fortune to find myself living among. Bohemia where you had your shop is in the process of revitalising itself and is home to a growing number of cool, small, independent shops. But I'm sure you'd have no sense of that, given you're happy to just "watch its decline from abroad," with your 30 years out-of-date opinions, unlike the community of people I know here, who love and care about the place and are actively involved in helping in its revival.