About Pip
Pip grew up in the village of Little Common, East Sussex, with deep family ties to Hastings, a place long celebrated for its creative spirit. Coming from a family of artists, Pip was surrounded by creativity from an early age. Several family members, and Pip himself feature in the community-run gallery, reflecting the multi-generational passion for the arts that continues to shape the space.
His childhood was spent exploring the natural beauty of the Sussex coastline and countryside, places that still inspire his creativity, photography and community work today. After a successful career in performance, Pip’s creative path expanded to include the art of juice therapy. Inspired by his mother’s healing journey through a plant-based diet, he trained under Jason Vale as a Natural Juice Therapist. See the Juice page for more details.
At Pip’s, his vision is to create a community-run gallery where art and community meet. This is a space for exhibitions, workshops, and shared expression. Drawing on his background in both the arts and holistic practices, Pip brings people together to explore creativity in all its forms, nurturing connection, inspiration, and collective wellbeing.
Discover Pip’s family history at No. 4 George Street below.
Pip’s family history at No.4 George Street
Pip’s family has deep roots in Hastings, dating back to 1066 when his ancestors fought alongside William the Conqueror in the Battle of Hastings. No. 4 George Street, one of the oldest houses in the area, was built in the 1700s, partly on the old sea wall, with foundation stones taken from the caste ruins on the West Hill. During WWII, Pip’s grandmother and her family took shelter in the cellar, where candle niches are still visible. Originally a coal house, the building features exposed beams, some made from old ships timbers, with some of the timbers finding their way into the nearby pub, ‘Ye Olde Pump House’.
We believe it was Pip’s great, great, great grandfather, John Miles who founded the ‘Miles’ business in the early to mid 1800’s. After John, it was his son, Alfred Miles (great, great grandfather) who took on the shop and had it as an Opticians around the mid 1800’s. Alfred then shared the shop with his son Ronald Miles (great grandfather) around the early 1890’s and the shop became an Opticians and a Cutlers.
Ronald had three children, one of whom was Pip’s grandmother, Muriel Miles. The two brothers and Muriel lived with their mother Dorothy Miles, who was commonly known by family and friends as ‘The Dutches’, in the flat above the shop in the early 1900’s.
Around the 1940’s, the brothers Gordon and Arthur Miles (great uncles) became the business owners, buying the shop next door and together they ran ‘Miles Bros’, taking after their father’s profession, as Cutlers and also offering the maintenance and sales of garden tools and lawn mowers.
Finally, Pip’s father, Ian Hersee bought 4 George Street in 1986. He ran the ‘Cole House Art Gallery’ and converted the flat above where he lived with his first wife and eldest son, Myles (with a Y!).
Myles continues to live above the shop with his family today!
This makes Pip the 6th generation of his family to take on No.4 George Street. There is a rich history in this building and Pip is honoured to follow in his ancestor’s foot steps by continuing to contribute to the Hastings community, just as they did for so many years, playing a big part in Hastings history!
Want to collaborate with us at Pip’s?
Are you a local small business, practitioner or creative looking for your next class, event, or exhibition space? We’d love to hear from you! Pip’s intimate studio space, with its welcoming environment, in the heart of Hastings Old Town, is available for hire!