Our Town Has Plenty

Patsy and Mike talk about what's going on in our curious town of Hastings & St Leonards. Filming and editing by Rakesh Solanki

Nestled in our beloved Tonka on the seafront we were treated to a delicious breakfast by our very generous host, Kim Duke. Mary Valentine brought delicious smells, Rosa Amor enthused us all with Hastings International Piano Competition and Sophie Malpas’ playful paint splattered wellies made us smile. Mike sang and co-hosted like a boss.

A huge thank you to Kimberely Duke for hosting us at Tonka.

Our Town Has Plenty is entirely self funded by us. If you like this podcast or are mentioned, you can always donate via www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Aired 12-2-2026

For further info and links to events and sites mentioned, please see the relevant episode on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ourtownhasplenty

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Anyone thirsty? Fill our cup and keep this podcast doing what it does best – capturing the magic and the magic makers of Hastings & St Leonards on Sea. www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Get in touch:

Email [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/our.town.has.plenty/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Patsy and Caf talk about what's going on in our curious town of Hastings & St Leonards. Filming and editing by Rakesh Solanki

As a new creative dawn breaks over 2026, James Young, from Hastings Writers Workshop, invites us into the sacred space on Trinity street. Hannah Deeble & Sam Willett brings us the first festival in the Hastings calendar, Hastings Fat Tuesday. Juliet Russell brings her polyphonic joy with Rustavi and Vocal Explosion. Stella Landau from Lifted Up Community Choirs shares exciting news of youth choirs at the De La Warr Pavilion. Mike sings a transitional song to Caf on her last show.

A huge thank you to James Young for hosting us this week.

Our Town Has Plenty is entirely self funded by us. If you like this podcast or are mentioned, you can always donate via www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Aired 5-2-2026

For further info and links to events and sites mentioned, please see the relevant episode on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ourtownhasplenty

______________

Anyone thirsty? Fill our cup and keep this podcast doing what it does best – capturing the magic and the magic makers of Hastings & St Leonards on Sea. www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Get in touch:

Email [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/our.town.has.plenty/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Patsy and Caf talk about what's going on in our curious town of Hastings & St Leonards. Filming and editing by Rakesh Solanki

In the setting of the wonderful Mudworks ceramics studio we had songs, tears and lots of laughter with Chantelle Duncan & Isabella Campi, Sarah Jane Morris, Henry Normal, Dean Stalham & Mike Willis.

A huge thank you to Chantelle Duncan & Isabella Campi of Mudworks, St Leonards for hosting, pastries and lots of giggles.

Aired 29-01-2026

For further info and links to events and sites mentioned, please see the relevant episode on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ourtownhasplenty

______________

Anyone thirsty? Fill our cup and keep this podcast doing what it does best – capturing the magic and the magic makers of Hastings & St Leonards on Sea. www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Get in touch:

Email [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/our.town.has.plenty/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Patsy and Caf talk about what's going on in our curious town of Hastings & St Leonards. Filming and editing by Rakesh Solanki

What a community can really look like. This week we explore pre-loved furniture with Kate at HFS, feeding families with dignity with Barry Ashley of The Grumpy Cook and supporting young film makers with Polly Risbridger of The Bright Foundation… and Mike Willis on guitar!

A huge thank you to Kate Davidson and the team at HFS.

Aired 22-01-2026

For further info and links to events and sites mentioned, please see the relevant episode on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ourtownhasplenty

______________

Anyone thirsty? Fill our cup and keep this podcast doing what it does best – capturing the magic and the magic makers of Hastings & St Leonards on Sea. www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Get in touch:

Email [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/our.town.has.plenty/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Patsy and Caf talk about what's going on in our curious town of Hastings & St Leonards. Filming and editing by Rakesh Solanki

Easing our way gently into a new year, a new season but with a strong awareness that we need to all go gently. Both of our guests, Liv Long (Improv on Sea) and Marky Sparky (The Bavard Bar) provide such a wonderful service to our town, that we are very lucky to have.

A huge thank you to Jensy and Raul of Guacamaya’s Nest Cafe in George Street, Hastings.

Aired 15-01-2026

For further info and links to events and sites mentioned, please see the relevant episode on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ourtownhasplenty

______________

Anyone thirsty? Fill our cup and keep this podcast doing what it does best – capturing the magic and the magic makers of Hastings & St Leonards on Sea. www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Get in touch:

Email [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/our.town.has.plenty/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Local people know it as Barnaby’s Lounge, but today we go inside to talk to this incredibly talented family and find out how it all began. From a remote Shetland croft to the heart of Hastings town, enjoy this lovely peek into one of our town’s most captivating families.

https://barnabyslounge.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/barnabyslounge/

https://www.josephinedavies.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/chris_powell_chef/

Aired 08/1/2026

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Get in touch:

Email [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/our.town.has.plenty/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Patsy and Caf talk about what's going on in our curious town of Hastings & St Leonards. Filming and editing by Rakesh Solanki

So this week, to celebrate Christmas and the end of the season, we had an audience as well as amazing guests at Rikki’s Pump House Cafe in Alexandra Park. Cheers Rikki!

It was also Blair MacKichan’s birthday, and he brought tales from the studio. Mike Hatchard’s gift was Rupert the Bear. Olivia Post was hilarious on balloons and Mike Willis was on cocktails.

A huge thank you goes out to our audience who, as guests, made 2025 a fantastic year for Our Town Has Plenty! Additional woofing by Coby the dog!

A huge thank you to Rikki Finegold at The Pump House Cafe & Deli, our host!

Aired 19-12-2025

For further info and links to events and sites mentioned, please see the relevant episode on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ourtownhasplenty

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Anyone thirsty? Fill our cup and keep this podcast doing what it does best – capturing the magic and the magic makers of Hastings & St Leonards on Sea. www.kofi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Get in touch:

Email [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/our.town.has.plenty/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Patsy and Caf talk about what's going on in our curious town of Hastings & St Leonards. Filming and editing by Rakesh Solanki

Fond tales of Hastings were shared today with our wonderful guests Sally Underwood and Helen Sharpe. And Megan Skinner made us think of what still needs to be done for Hastings’ most vulnerable. Brava!

A huge thank you to Sally Underwood, our host. What a treat!

Aired 11-12-2025

For further info and links to events and sites mentioned, please see the relevant episode on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ourtownhasplenty

______________

Anyone thirsty? Fill our cup and keep this podcast doing what it does best – capturing the magic and the magic makers of Hastings & St Leonards on Sea. www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Get in touch:

Email [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/our.town.has.plenty/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Patsy and Caf talk about what's going on in our curious town of Hastings & St Leonards. Filming and editing by Rakesh Solanki

Bringing opera back into the community with our host Jenny Miller; bringing yoga back to the masses with Karen Simnett and bringing gales of laughter with our chuckling, spangly Santa, Adam Wide. And Mike always brings the music and corny gags. We bring it all today!

A huge thank you to our guests and especially to Barefoot Opera’s Jenny and Alan for hosting us so warmly. Our Town Has Plenty is entirely self funded by us. If you like this podcast or are mentioned, you can always donate via www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Aired 4-12-2025

For further info and links to events and sites mentioned, please see the relevant episode on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ourtownhasplenty

______________

Anyone thirsty? Fill our cup and keep this podcast doing what it does best – capturing the magic and the magic makers of Hastings & St Leonards on Sea. www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Get in touch:

Email [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/our.town.has.plenty/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

An aluminium light-up tree, complete with tinkling bell sounds, has taken the place of the traditional Christmas tree in the square (not really a square) with no name, the pedestrianised area of Robertson Street where the tree goes every year.

Patsy and Caf interview John Bownas, manager of Love Hastings, the Hastings Business Improvement District AKA our local Town Centre Manager.

The tree has sparked controversy, and much yarn-spinning in local Facebook groups, where John is doing his best to clarify bits and bobs about how it came about, where the money came from, and where folk might be able to apply for money to fund important local initiatives.

In response to the growing conversations, and to bring the key questions to the fore, Our Town Has Plenty’s Patsy Solanki approached John Bownas to clarify some key points in an interview where comments about the tree were put forward (both positive and negative), and clarifications were sought.

Tune in to find out more. Hastings Business Improvement District/ Love Hastings – more information: https://lovehastings.com/hastings-bid/

Pride of Place – follow the story on this opportunity to direct funds towards community initiatives with human resource (revenue) funding earmarked: https://www.hastings.gov.uk/regeneration/plan-for-neighbourhoods/ltp-more/

Buy us a ko-fi to keep us going… we do this without funding www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty or donate to us via paypal, using [email protected] as our address

If you have a story you’d like to share, or an event or venue that you’d like us to feature please do get in touch with us. We’re here to amplify. Ta!