The Dolphin Inn, Rock-a-Nore, Hastings
At the end of our street, a long flight of steps leads down to Rock-a-Nore, the road that runs behind Hastings' iconic fishermen's huts. The steps come down beside the Dolphin Inn, shown above. I frequently take this route for the dogs' early morning walk, and shortly after we moved in I got to know the landlord, Mark, since he's usually tidying up the terrace outside the pub when I pass. He's always been a cheery soul, with a ready smile. We're not beer drinkers,so I've apologised to him for not frequenting his pub, but he doesn't seem to mind.
A couple of days ago I bumped into him and he told me that they had just learnt they had been awarded the CAMRA award for South Coast Pub of the Year, coming first out of some 280 possible candidates. He had said on a previous occasion that Hastings is a real ale hub, which he has obviously taken advantage of. But the award is given on more general criteria, including ambiance and welcome, so it's a great achievement.
It hadn't occurred to me before, but the real ale drinkers in Hastings are part of the general community that appreciates good things to eat and drink - the fish that can be bought beside and opposite the Dolphin are wonderfully fresh, for example, and there are all sorts of goodies to be had in the local shops if you're a foodie. What's good about all of this is that it shows the full range of interests that the town can cater for - from highbrow stuff in the Jerwood Gallery through to real ale and fish and chips like you've never had before.
Congratulations to Mark and his team!
Antony Mair
Seagulls queuing for a snack
