Thekingsroad’s Blog

World renowned street artist EINE (think Banksy + alphabet) has painted the shutters of SOM in Kings Road with a big S. The idea is that he paints different letters of the alphabet on various shop shutters. He’s done a few around Robinson Street in Hastings town centre. Next time you walk or drive past after hours, check it out. It’s different. http://www.einesigns.co.uk/gallery.php?state=thumbs&gallery_id=7

I am delighted to report that Jempsons are opening a new bakery at the old Wilsons premises. This is truly fantastic news for Kings Road, as I genuinely believe it will have a hugely positive long term effect on this much neglected road. Well done Jempsons for spotting a glorious opportunity. I suspect the perception of Kings Road will begin changing in earnest next year. This is the best thing that could have happened here.

Yes its that time of year again – already.

Christmas Markets and Festivities
Kings Road, St Leonards
Saturday 12 and Saturday 19 December
10am to 4pm

Come to the heart of St Leonards for a truly unique festive experience that will include:

• Christmas gifts and craft stalls
• a spectacular ice sculpting display on 12 December
• circus skills workshop on 19 December
• street entertainment
• fantastic street and shop lighting displays
• carol singing
• brass band concerts

Someone once told me you can tell the good estate agents by how well they do when times are tough. After all its not difficult to be successful when times are easy. Bairstow Eves opened its doors 2 years ago in Kings Road. Talk about a challenge! They could not have opened at a more difficult time, and yet they have etablished themselves through sheer hard work and resilience. I respect that. Judging by all the for sale and sold boards I keep seeing they must be doing pretty well. If you or someone you know is thinking about selling, pop in and have a chat with Alex, Jenny and Emma at their friendly branch at 9 Kings Road. Here you’ll find a service second to none

St Leonards demonstrates its multicultural credentials again with the opening of ‘Mama Putt’s Kitchen’. This joint specializes in Afro Caribbean fayre and is a reminder of the unique diversity of this area. No wonder the newspapers are extolling the virtues of St Leonards again this week  (see right hand panel for new articles). 

Mama Putt’s Kitchen
29 Western Road
St Leonards on Sea
TN37 6DJ

Gill’s recent ‘unseen 1960’s photography’ exhibition (scroll down for previous post) has been highlighted in an article in the Daily Mail this month. The article tells the story of the hitherto unknown photographer, Brian Wenske, who was amongst other things Michael Caine’s driver in the 1980’s. So now we know who took these amazing photos, which document a unique period in modern British history. Nice to see someone getting their ‘15 minutes’.
Here’s to you Mr Wenske :-
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1209940/Revealed-Mystery-photographer-s-dusty-box-negatives-treasure-trove-Sixties-showbiz-portraits.html

Gill’s latest exhibition features the work of Rebecca Rachael Youssefi. You can find out more about Rachael’s impressive portfolio by visiting  http://www.martinpearceart.com/page27a.html . The exhibition runs from 7th – 28th August. I really dig the 3 Goddesses.

Following on from their wonderful exhibition of unseen 1960’s photography, Gills are now featuring the works of accaimed local artist Jem Turpin. The paintings are highly expressionistic and display a distinctly Spanish flavour. To see some more examples of  Jem’s excellent work, visit http://www.martinpearceart.com. If you like what you see, hurry on down to Gills – apparently they’re selling like hotcakes

Many of you will already be aware that Wilsons bakery has closed. This is a big blow for Kings Road as Wilsons was a a much loved establishment here. With a history dating back 100 years, Wilsons was quite literally a cornerstone of the community. It will be sorely missed. Now every cloud has a silver lining and I hear on the grapevine that Jempsons bakery is being considered as a possible replacement. If this is true, it would in be a fantastic addition to Kings Road, bringing as it would many new visitors to the area. Watch this space….