Old Town to celebrate Rossetti's legacy

Their story is a 19th Century tragedy and in a couple of weeks a festival will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the marriage of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Elizabeth Siddal in the Old Town.

The artist was a frequent visitor to Hastings, where he felt the clear sea air was perfect for painting '“ in a letter to his mother in 1854 he wrote: "Yesterday I saw the sun rise over the sea '“ the most wonderful of earthly sights."

In 1860 he and Elizabeth stayed at 5 High Street, before they were married at St Clements Church, but on previous visits he stayed at The Cutter on the seafront.

Although curvy by today's size-zero standards, Siddal, a painter and poet in her own right, was so exhausted on her wedding day she had to be carried to the church.

And she struggled with her health until her sad death in 1862, when she took an overdose following the birth of her stillborn baby.

Rossetti was a founder member of the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, established in 1848, but his artistic career was stalled by Lizzie's death, and he even buried the bulk of his poems in her grave.

Now the Old Town community are putting on the festival to celebrate the

life, love and work of Rossetti and his wife.

From May 22 to 31, local artists like Ron Nicola, Jane Marriner, Alan Wright, Simon Hookey, Bruce Williams and Beth Boorman will be displaying work including paintings, stained glass, photography and wood carvings, many of which will be based on Rossetti's work.

They will sit alongside the church's own art such as the Sanctuary Light, and projects from local schoolchildren.

The celebrations will include a concert on Saturday, May 22 and a sung evensong on Sunday, May 23.

Organisers are looking for volunteers to help out with the festival '“ in particular they need people who can sit in the church so the display can be kept open throughout the day,

Anyone who is interested should call Keith Leech on 01424 716576 or email [email protected].