Winchelsea

A tour of St Thomas’s Church and the town is due to take place today (Friday) at 2 pm by a number of French visitors. The large group consists of forty civic officials from St Valery sur Somme and they will be escorted around Winchelsea by a Blue Badge guide. Historic St Valery sur Somme is famous for its cobbled streets and medieval ramparts overlooking the bay, as well as being the place where William the Conqueror assembled for battle in 1066, Joan of Arc rested before being burnt at the stake in Rouen and where the WWI Battle of the Somme took place. The civic officials will be interested in building local community trust, developing ideas and improving municipal planning. After leaving Winchelsea they will be en route to Battle which is their twinned town.

This weekend Winchelsea Art, the annual exhibition of pictures for sale will be in the Lower Court Hall. Opening times are 10 am to 6 pm on August 24th and 25th and 10 am to 3.45 pm on Bank Holiday Monday August 26th. Paintings by local artists are for sale at various prices and a Grand Raffle will be held. There is no admission cost and the proceeds from the exhibition are in aid of Winchelsea Millennium Society to preserve the town sign, beacon and tapestry.

The annual Hog Roast, served with applesauce and a range of salads is held tomorrow (Saturday) at 7.30 pm in the New Hall and if the weather is fine moving out onto the Cricket Field. All proceeds from the meal will go towards the Winchelsea Bonfire Society to support the fireworks display in November.

A Sung Eucharist will be held in St Thomas’s Church on Sunday 25th August and will be led by Revd Howard Norton. This service will begin at 10.30 am.

Coming soon is the Winchelsea Garden Society’s Autumn Flower show which will be held at 2 pm on Saturday September 7th in the New Hall. Entries (for members only) must be submitted by 7.30 pm on Thursday September 5th to Catherine Thomas, 4, Hiham Green ready to be staged between 10-11am on the morning of the show. Everyone will be very welcome to come along and enjoy the results of an amazing summer in the garden along with teas and delicious homemade ice-creams, as well as a raffle and plant stall.

Icklesham Parish Council currently has some vacant allotments in Winchelsea. If you are considering growing your own produce and would like an allotment or would like to join the waiting list for other sites in the wards the number to contact is 01424 445974 for the Deputy Clerk of IPC.

All households in Winchelsea should by now have received a free copy of The Diamond Jubilee Year in Winchelsea film which captures a year of unique events in the town. If not please phone 226382 and if you would like extra DVD copies in a special presentation case they are on sale at £5 and would perhaps be gifts for friends or relatives.

Winchelsea Beach

Don’t forget there is a Table Sale in the Community Hall tomorrow (Saturday) plus refreshments. Plenty of bargains are at hand and the sale begins promptly at 11 am.

There will be communion service in St Richard’s Church on Sunday August 25th at 9.15 am and all are invited. Revd Howard Norton will be leading the service.

A guided tour of the History of Camber Castle has been arranged by Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for this Sunday August 25th at 2 pm. Camber Castle was one of Henry VIII’s artillery fortifications built in the 16th century to protect the huge Rye anchorage and its circular towers are clearly visible for many miles along the coast. Access to the castle is across the fields from Rye or Winchelsea Beach (no vehicular access) and admission is £3 adults, £1.50 concessions and free for accompanied children.

The fortnightly Cash Bingo evening is this Wednesday 28th August with light refreshments available. Doors are open as usual at 7 for 7.30 pm in the Community Hall.

Winchelsea Beach Youth Club is looking for volunteers to help. The club is for young people aged between 11 and 16 and the activities include pool, football, darts, table tennis, crafts, cooking music, computer games and basketball. It is held on Fridays from 6.30 to 8.30 pm in the Community Hall and volunteering would involve helping with the activities and running the tuck shop. The number to contact is 07717311633 or email nataliehollands@hotmail.com