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 en...

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...

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...

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 me...

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 15-0...

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 ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

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...

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 ht...

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 se...

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...

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

Wise women get together and share their creative bounty at Soundcastle in Rock House.

A huge thank you goes out to Rachael Perrin, Katy Baird and Tara Reddy. Mike Willis sends us ‘postcards from abroad’ (actually, St Leonards).

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 27-11-2025

Fo...

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

A lovely warm and comforting experience was had at Leigh Dyer’s this week.

A huge thank you goes out to Leigh, Dawn Dublin, Dean Stalham & Mike Willis for making it a most memorable episode.

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 20-11-2025

For further in...

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

A massive thank you to our big hearted hosts, Bob & Isobel & Yogi the dog.

To Disco Daly, Chris Young of Hastings Comedy, John Knowles the 1st & Kate Tym of Penny Pinchers fame and the ubiquitous Mike Willis - you were brilliant!

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 13...

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

A big thank you to our prodigious guests this week; the melodic, the esoteric and the insatiable film buff at Tadhg Mae Projects in Hastings Old Town. Bjorn Dahlberg, Harriet Onslow-Delaney, Julia Andrews-Clifford

Aired 30-10-2025

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...

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

A big thank you to our superlative guests this week; a peaceful poet, a sumptuous painter, a dj who packs the house… oh, & Mike at Dave Valentines Courthouse Records.

Thom Kofoed - https://thomkofoed.com/

Lucas The Peaceful Poet - https://www.instagram.com/lucasthepeacefulpoet/

Wendy May - DJ - https://www.instagram.com/wendymayslocomotion/

Mike Willis - https://mikeslist.uk/

For Nova Twins gig...

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

Filming and editing by Rakesh Solanki

A big thank you to our stellar guests this week; singers, storytellers and Bonfire folk.

Mike Willis

Keith and Heather Leech From Hastings Borough Bonfire Society

Nikki Gerrard and Steve Corke: Sweeney Todd BATS

Stella Landau and Catrina Lafferty: Lifted Up Community Choirs

Mandy Curtis: Hastings Storytelling Festival

Sean and Daniel of Greyskull Coffee and Bacon

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

With thanks to our lovely guests:

James Matthew Thomas

Kate Hodges

Despo Hawkins & Gail Small

Mike Willis

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Aired 09-10-2025

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To find any links to events and contacts mentioned please visit out YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@ourtownhasplenty

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Anyone thirsty? fill our cup and keep this podcast doing what it...

We were delighted and honoured to be invited chez Benoit Viellefon, in sunny St Leonards on Sea. A consummate host, he treated us to the best coffee, company, conversation and… musical collaboration.

Sit down and enjoy the world of Benoit, meet prodigy guitarist Jarrod Elks and our first feline guest of the podcast, the wonderful Fifi.

The conversation spanned music, musicality, time, space and philosophy with a good dose of homegrown humour thrown in. Entering Benoit’s immaculately presented home was like going back in time to an era where the well-made and well-presented came abov...

Dawn Dublin was our esteemed guest on the podcast this week, and we are so lucky to have her here in our town!!! Tune in to listen to our conversation, spanning her early years in St Leonards and the birth of the St Leonards Film Society, bringing life energy and community to the Observer Building, local and hyperlocal change making and place making. All this and much more is explored here.

Empowering and uplifting communities, finding pleasure in the everyday, and being unafraid to call out systems that do not work for us – Dawn is a powerhouse, an...

The fiery haired, force of nature that is Sarah Jane Morris, generously shared her couch with us this week, as our very special guest. The theme throughout is... and then it all changed. Grab yourself a drink, tune in and hear about those changes in part 1 of Sarah's fascinating story.

Web: https://www.sarahjanemorris.co.uk

Loved this?! Show us your appreciation, fill our cup! www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty

Get in touch:

Email ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

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Facebook https...

Well well plenty people! We have a wonderful interview to share with you, with Hastings born & bred poet, artist, performer and chanteur Oli Spleen! Listen / tune in to hear two wonderful poems recited, don’t miss out on the Poet Town launch, at the Observer Building Thursday 18 September… and if you miss it, follow and purchase the book, link below! Oli was an absolute delight. Unafraid of going deep and going dark, with his writing and his boundless creativity. More of you, Oli, please!

Follow Oli Spleen on the socials, you tube and more:

Instagram: http...

On Our Town Has Plenty this week, we welcomed a woman of many hats, Rae Edwards. Sunshine & Wellness Nutrition, where we discussed menopause & women's health. Thanks for the kefir Rae!

For all the links & socials, visit: https://www.sunshineandwellness.co.uk

Aired 11/09/2025

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

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This week, we got to visit Rogue Gallery in Norman Road, where powerhouse painter Susan Diamond has her latest exhibition, 'State of the Art'. https://www.instagram.com/susandiamondartist/

https://www.rogue-gallery.co.uk

Aired 04/09/2025

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The sheer delight for Our Town Has Plenty to host local poet and great man Time Barlow.

https://hastingsbookfestivalfringe.substack.com/p/welcome-to-the-hastings-book-festival

https://timbarlowwrites.substack.com

Aired 28/08/2025

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Email ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

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

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Our Town Has Plenty welcomes Bev Francis & Susie Simms to talk about their next big event and what's behind Frock Up Friday.

Frock Up Friday: https://www.frockupfriday.com

Tickets: https://www.frockupfriday.com/event-details/frock-up-friday-festival-2025

Aired 15/08/2025

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Email ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

Instagram @our.town.has.plenty

Facebook www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Our Town Has Plenty welcomes Choreographer & Movement Director Darragh O'Leary, as he shares how our bodies tell their stories.

Darragh Dance: https://www.afri-co-lab.org/darraghdance

Afri-Co-Lab: https://www.afri-co-lab.org

Almeida Theatre, Islington: https://almeida.co.uk

Aired 31/07/2025

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Email ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

Instagram @our.town.has.plenty

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Our Town Has Plenty welcomes Chris Connelly. The towns poshest cockney brings us the big scoop, you heard it here first! The exclusive on headliners at Hastings Book Festival, Coastal Currents and other stories.

Web: https://www.hastingsbookfest.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hastingsbookfestival/

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

Coastal Currents Web: https://coastalcurrents.org.uk

Aired 17/07/2025

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Get in touch:

Email ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

Instagram @our.town.has.plenty

Facebook www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Our Town Has Plenty welcomes the inspirational genius that is Brook Tate! Brook brings us the wonderful, colourful back story to his life and the journey he is on with Multicoloured Maths.

Web: https://www.brooktate.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooktate/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brooktate/featured

Aired 10/07/2025

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Get in touch:

Email ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

Instagram @our.town.has.plenty

Facebook www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Caf & Patsy review "Behind the Washing Line" by Bev Lee Harling. Launching the album 'Ploughing the Salt Sea' - held at The Stables Theatre, Hastings on 20th of June, 2025.

Bev Lee Harling: https://www.bevleeharling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bevleeharling/

For tickets: https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/whats-on/event/ploughing-the-salt-sea-2025/

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Instagram @our.town.has.plenty

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Our Town Has Plenty welcomes John Knowles & Bob Tipler to talk about "AMERICA GROUND THE MUSICAL" and the special event being held at Henry Ward Hall in Hastings on Friday 11th of July.

Go to the website here for more details: https://theamericaground.com

Aired: 03 / 07 / 2025

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Email ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

Instagram @our.town.has.plenty

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Get in touch:

Email ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

Instagram @our.town.has.plenty

Facebook 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 Jamie DeAth 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

Get in touch:

Email ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

Instagram @our.town.has.plenty

Facebook www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Aired 19-06-2025

Our Town Has Plenty welcomes Karen Arthur. Karen is an author, broadcaster, menopause diversity campaigner, and founder of 'Wear Your Happy' – a movement that celebrates conscious clothing choices for better mental wellbeing. Check out the links below for more information:

Bio site 👇🏾 https://bio.site/thekarenarthur

Insta handles 👇🏾 @thekarenarthur @menopausewhilstblack @grandmaslocs

Linktree to purchase book 👇🏾 https://linktr.ee/grandmaslocs?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Let’s read with Lyla and dad episode 👇🏾 https://open.spotify.com/show/6mX3Vpv4AWfzIVpvRq7oYc?si=AzuprS6GTYq29YhwVvc02A

Podcast 👇🏾 https://youtube.com/@thekarenarthur?si=BxORytcguGJ...

Caf and Patsy talk about what's going on in our colourful town of Hastings & St Leonards.

With thanks to Linda King and Karen Arthur for being our fantastico guests this week.

Have a look at our interviews on our channel: www.youtube.com/@ourtownhasplenty

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 12/06/2025

Our Town Has Plenty welcomes Linda King to talk about her life, art and 'The Last Hurrah' - her final show. As she closes this chapter of her journey, her work will be on display for all, and to purchase.

https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/articles/culture/arts/the-last-hurrah/

Aired 10/06/2025

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Get in touch with us:

Email ourtownhasplenty@gmail.com

Instagram @our.town.has.plenty

Facebook www.facebook.com/ourtownhasplenty

Caf and Patsy talk about what's going on in our colourful town of Hastings & St Leonards. Filming and editing by Jamie De'Ath

With thanks to Chris Young of Hastings Comedy Festival for being our guests 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 05/06/2025

Our Town Has Plenty welcomes Chris Young to talk about the Hastings Comedy Festival. Check out the links below for more details.

Hastings Comedy Festival: https://www.hastingscomedyfestival.com

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hastingscomedyfestival/

Our Town Has Plenty welcomes Elouise Kempton

Bodyworks Hastings - #MorningCoffeeThoughts Bodyworks Hastings https://www.bodyworkshastings.co.uk/

Bodyworks Community Access https://tinyurl.com/3f3xyx33

Bodyworks Hastings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodyworkshastings/

Our Town Has Plenty welcomes Bev Lee Harling.

Bev Lee Harling: https://www.bevleeharling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bevleeharling/

Behind the Washing Line & Ploughing the Salt Sea - Album Launch !!!

20 June at The Stables Theatre

https://stablestheatre.co.uk/behind-the-washing-line/