Hastings Christmas Soul Party is going ahead

Due to the closure of its usual venue, St Mary in the Castle at the end of October, The Christmas Soul Party organiser Mike Raxworthy has been forced to find another venue to hold this very popular Christmas charity show.

Mike says that after searching out many local venues, all of whom wanted in excess of £1,200, he was almost tempted to give the whole project a miss this year.

But then East Hastings Sea Angling Association Club came to the rescue.

Mike said: "Steve Shoesmith, who puts on the music at The East Hastings Sea Angling Association Club, kindly offered me his venue free of charge, as a gesture for charity.

"And we've settled on Saturday 17th of December for the Christmas Party of the year."

With the Cost of Living Crisis affecting so many local people, Mike has reduced the ticket price, this year, to only £5 for members and £7.50 on the door for non-members. Purchase in advance, and tickets are available from behind the bar in the club for only £5.

The venue is at the Stade, Rock-a-Nore Road, opposite the lifeboat house.

As usual, the evening features The Fabulous 15 piece Blues Brothers and Soul Sisters Show and supported by The Kytes. The event opens at 7pm and goes through to 11.30pm.

Mike said: “This year the party is in aid of Surviving Christmas, the amazing local charity that delivers a 100 Christmas Hampers to the aged and lonely throughout December, as well as putting on a Father Christmas day for one-parent family children.

“On Christmas Day and Boxing Day they provide a two-course Christmas lunch for the homeless and needy with plenty of entertainment.”

Mike added: “The event is in it's 26th year and has raised almost £200,000 for local charities over that time! If you haven't yet been invited to a party this Christmas, this is the one for you.”

You can find out more about the Surviving Christmas charity by visiting the website at www.survivingchristmas.co.uk.

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