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Are you from around here?
My family’s been here for generations working in the fishing industry, mostly as fishmongers. My father was a fish-hawker, selling fish from a barrow. My wife, Pat, and I had a fishmongers and curers on the High Street for more than 20 years. I was also a volunteer for RNLI for 40 years, driving the tractor for 35 years and head launcher for five.
How did your fish rolls become famous?
We were having a barbeque in the garden one summer, when Paul Joy, a local fisherman, rang up to say he had the chef Rick Stein and his TV crew on his boat, and could they come up and join us. We’ve been cooking fish this way for friends and family forever - whatever the boats bring in, dipped in flour and fried in olive oil. So they came, took some film, and used it in on the programme. After that, the council rang to ask if we’d go and make fish rolls at an event, so we did. It was Pat’s idea to set up in Hastings. I said the rolls wouldn’t be popular, but she was right and everybody loves them. We’ve been doing it for five years now. We even take the stall to events on the coast in Belgium and France - we took 1,500 fish to Belgium last summer. The Belgians showed us how to eat fish with our front teeth, to get rid of the bones, and we taught them how to queue! We use a mix of plaice, whiting, dabs, gurnard. This summer we’ll just do weekends and special events as I’m meant to be retired now.
Favourite local pub?
I don’t have one favourite - I like all the pubs in the Old Town. They all have their own character and I’ve had some good times in all of them!
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Fish and chips?
All our local fish and chips are good - I use them all. I love fish but I like to eat it in season when it’s at its best. Plaice, for example, is literally skin and bone at this time of year whereas in July it’s really fat and tastes totally different. Dabs is my favourite fish, especially in October - it’s underrated because it’s small and not that commercial.
Favourite local place for a walk?
Has to be the Country Park on East Hill. I’m there nearly everyday with my two dogs.
Favourite local landmark?
The Net Shops. They’re unique. They were actually built to store rather than dry the nets - they were dried in the sun first. Some of them have four stories, even a cellar. These days the nets are made from nylon so the way they’re stored isn’t so important.
Best thing about Hastings?
I just love Hastings, there isn’t one thing that’s best. My wife and I are never away long before we want to come back. I like the summer with the tourists and the winter, too. I love the people, the characters, the fishermen.
 Worst thing about Hastings?
Can’t really think of anything - I wouldn’t change anything. We’ve got some of the best beaches on the south coast, some super restaurants, fresh fish, nice old pubs - couldn’t ask for anything more.
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Hastings People: 
