This small but perfectly formed free museum is absolutely crammed full of fishing memorabilia through the years. So much so that I’ll guarantee that you won’t be able to take it all in on a first visit. The museum is housed in what originated as a fisherman’s chapel, the place where fishermen and their families would go to pray for a safe and fruitful fishing trip before embarking on their journey. It somehow seems that this setting is so perfect for this tribute to the fisherfolk of Hastings town, both past and present.

In pride of place is the Enterprise, one of Hastings’ last sailing boats (lugger) to survive in its original condition. It was built on the Stade in 1912 and was a working vessel until 1955 when the Hastings Preservation Society took over the responsibility for her. At 29 feet long I assumed that they’d dismantled her and reassembled in the museum. Not so; they actually removed part of the wall to bring the boat in whole. What dedication to preservation, Let’s just hope they don’t decide to move the museum to another site!

There’s a display of stuffed birds including the giant albatross with its massive wing span, general fishing memorabilia, wall charts with historical text, looped videos, and stories of local personalities.

One of the ones that’s bound to catch your eye is the figure of the Winkle King. Apparently, the Winkle Club was formed in 1900 by a local landlord (of the Prince Albert pub, which no longer exists) who, with a group of concerned fishermen, decided that they wanted to raise money for less fortunate families. One of those present pointed out that a rival pub had a similar idea and had formed an acorn club, the rules being that any member seen without an acorn would pay a fine which would be used for charitable purposes. Apparently, a fisherman called Alec Chatfield queried "why an acorn" and felt that something more "Hastings related" would be preferable. Now we move into the mythology of the story as it is then alleged that someone walked into the pub with a bucket full of winkles. That sparked the idea the club would be called the "Winkle Club", and members not sporting a winkle would be fined (initially one penny). Over the years, there have been some famous members (Winston Churchill, the Queen Mother, Lord Montgomery) and the "Winkle King" is one of those who took the his vows very seriously. It’s now a registered charity and at "Winkle Island" on All Saints Street, a giant winkle acts as a collection box for public donations.

Check out the information about Alfred "Biddy" Stonham, local entertainer and eccentric who, dressed in a fisherman's jumper and short trousers, would paddle a wooden tub out to sea and perform tricks, standing on the rim of the tub whilst spinning himself round, doing handstands and usually falling into the sea at some point in his show.