So it was a great pity last year when it was, in effect, a flop, resulting in the Round Table organisers, calling a halt to the festival this year. When we reported on that a month ago, there was a massive reaction and now, it appears, it may be saved. A final decision will be made in the next couple of days, but it looks increasingly likely that there will be a festival in early July. And, of course, that would be great news. We must remember that the Round Table is a group of volunteers, and they have to take the massive financial risk. We must also reflect that if the event does go ahead, it won't be full of big names that cost thousands of pounds to attract, it will be performances by local artists. And that may just prove to be very popular. The Observer has given its firm backing to the event, and a commitment to the Round Table that if they go ahead we will give them maximum publicity. So watch this space - by the time next week's Observer is on the streets, a final decision will have been made. Let's hope it's a yes, and let's hope that the Round Table can stage a great festival and at the same time raise thousands of pounds for local charities. After all, its charity that benefits from a successful festival.

NEWS of another two shocking attacks on women late at night will do little to convince local people that the streets of Hastings and St Leonards are safe. Police are now linking the two incidents, and there have been a number of similar attacks over the past year. Worrying times indeed. A colleague of mine was walking their dog a quarter of an hour in Freshwater Avenue before the latest attack. This must serve as a reminder to us all to be vigilant at all times.

OUR Park Lane Give-away has been an amazing success, and still it goes on. We have now given away about half of the money, and some of the people that Russell has been able to help are just amazing. There are so many groups worthy of support, and the Park Lane Group is endeavouring to help as many as it can. Once this appeal comes to an end, we will be looking at alternative ways to help those who haven't been successful this time around. We have had more than 100 requests so far. A big thank you to the Park Lane Group.

ONE of the greatest spectacles each year is the Race for Life event in Alexandra Park, for women only and raising money for Cancer Research UK. I was surprised to learn this week that the Hastings event isn't yet full - there are around 1,000 spaces left.

LAST week I mentioned that Hillcrest School is considering withdrawing from the Government-run Creative Partnerships scheme.
I implied there had been a row betwen the two - and indeed was told so on good authority - but the school's headteacher Lindsay Hart said: "We have done some fantastic work with Creative Partnerships over the last three years.
"At this moment in time, there are so many other developments going on at the school and we don't want to spread ourselves too thinly.
"We are planning to continue with projects but in our own time. However, the decision is not final yet."
Catherine Orbach, East Sussex director of Creative Partnerships, said the decision to withdraw from the scheme - which promotes creative learning - has not yet been finalised.
Councillor Jay Kramer raised the issue at an East Sussex County Council this week.
She asked whether council resources had been provided for the continuation of the programme in schools involved in the Ninestile Plus project.
The question is being looked into.