Inside this week's Hastings Observer (March 24)

We lead on the news a much-heralded waste partnership contract, designed to save East Sussex councils £30million over a decade, is set to end nearly four years early. The East Sussex Joint Waste Partnership agreed a ‘mutual exit’ from the contract with Kier as the deal was deemed ‘no longer suitable’.

This week’s edition is also a Hastings Half Marathon special, with eight pages of pictures and results, including a full list of finishers.

Other news featured in this week’s paper includes an £890,000 grant for Hastings Borough Council towards the building of a new visitor centre in Hastings Country Park, which will be a completely sustainable straw building, and work starts on a three-month project to help an historic greenhouse in Alexandra Park start a new, working life.

Also in Alexandra Park, red birches were planted at a service this week to create a lasting memory of former council leader Jeremy Birch.

Hastings Pier was celebrating this week after being named one of a number of buildings to be shortlisted for a top architecture award, and the paper details a community-led yarn bomb to be hosted on the iconic structure over the next few weeks.

Other news includes a report from a Rough Sleeper and Street Activity Workshop, a look at how Ore station will be benefiting from a much brighter look, views sought on proposed changes to parking and campaigners fighting against ‘unfair’ women’s state pension changes marching in London.

The paper also runs a tribute to much-loved musician Chris Hutchinson, whose stage name was ‘Mellow D Man’, who died on Thursday (March 16), aged 68.

The RNLI announced this week it would patrol two beaches in Hastings over the summer for the first time in the charity’s history, and St Michael’s Hospice has been announced as the official charity partner of Priory Meadow Shopping Centre with the support of a family who have raised thousands for the hospice in memory of a much-loved father.

Our ‘behind the headlines’ two-page feature this week looks at the vital work of the SERV Sussex ‘blood runners’ - the unsung heroes who deliver blood around hospitals throughout the night.

There are two pages of pictures from the Crowhurst and District Horticultural Society spring show, and two pages of pictures from the culmination of the Hastings International Musical Festival.

Nine pages of sport leads on Ben Fish’s victory in the Hastings Half Marathon, and a look ahead to Hastings United’s ‘crucial’ next two matches.

Nine pages of entertainment listings takes a look ahead to the 18th Beatles Day, and includes a list of the top ten things to do this weekend.

On top of that, there is the usual court listings, letters pages, puzzles and essential information. There is also a chance to win train tickets to London for a day out at one of the top tourist attractions.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.