MPs and representatives gathered in Parliament last week to mark plans for an upcoming Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum.
Among those in attendance were Helena Dollimore MP, Kevin Boorman, chair of the Hastings Pride in Place Board and Sarah Broadbent of the 1066 Country Tourism Board.
Ms Dollimore said: “The Bayeux Tapestry wove the story of the Battle of Hastings into our national history.
“Having attended local state schools and gone on to study history at university, I’m delighted that children from 1066 Country will get free priority access to see this piece of our local heritage on the national stage.”
Headteachers from 1066 Country schools were also present, celebrating a scheme organised by Ms Dollimore to give pupils in Hastings, Rye and nearby villages priority booking to view the exhibition ahead of general admission opening to school groups from other areas.
The exhibition will run from September 2026 to July 2027.
Baroness Twycross, museums minister, praised Ms Dollimore for championing the region’s connection to this national moment.
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She also encouraged visitors to the London exhibition to explore 1066 Country itself.
Ms Dollimore said: “I also want to encourage people who go to the exhibition in London to come and visit us here in Hastings, Rye and the villages and boost tourism.
“We have a wealth of small, fantastic independent pubs, restaurants and hotels, which work exceptionally hard to give our visitors a warm welcome.”
Ms Broadbent said: “The excitement is building around the forthcoming Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition, and to hear so many voices championing 1066 Country and the opportunities that this once in a generation event will offer our visitor economy is heartening. It will be our moment in the spotlight, a chance for everyone to learn about 1066 Country ‘then’ through the Tapestry, and ‘now’ through the rich tourism offer that our region works hard at and is so proud of.”
Mr Boorman echoed the sentiment, highlighting the potential tourism boost for the area.
He described the tapestry as “remarkable” and said he hoped the exhibition would benefit both young people and the wider community.