Winchelsea

Tomorrow (Saturday) The Friends of the Ancient Monuments & Museum have invited Louise Barton of the Lydd Airport Action Group to Winchelsea. She will be giving a fascinating talk on “Lydd Airport and the Dungeness Peninsular - Conflicting Interests on the Future of Romney Marsh” which will be followed by tea with cakes and sandwiches. The talk will be introduced by Dr Michael de Smith, Teaching Fellow at University College London and Chairman of the charity FOAM and it will be held in the New Hall (by the A259) at 3 pm. Tickets are £5 on the door which includes the tea.

Winchelsea Archaeological Society has arranged a talk at 3pm tomorrow in St Thomas’ Church. Professor Anne Curry of Southampton will be giving the talk which is entitled: Henry V. He was King of England from 1413 and his military successes in the Hundred Years War and Battle of Agincourt brought him close to conquering France. The cost is £4 on the door for non-member and free for under-16s with the proceeds in aid of WAS.

As we head rapidly towards winter don’t forget that the clocks go back one hour at 1 am, to Greenwich Meantime, on Sunday 28th October. This means an extra hour in bed this Sunday morning and from 4.30 pm less daylight on the weeks leading up to Christmas. Also St Thomas’ Church will close to visitors at 4 pm daily.

On Tuesday 30th October the New Inn will be holding its weekly Pub Quiz starting at 8.30 pm. Nibbles will be available with drinks throughout the evening.

The Mobile Library will be in Castle Street during the afternoon of Halloween on Wednesday 31st October. Please be there anytime from 1.40 to 2.10 pm.

Winchelsea Singers will be presenting the Merry Widow by Franz Lehar on Friday 16th November at 2 pm and Saturday 17th November at 7 pm. The venue is the New Hall and refreshments will be served and on the Saturday evening a bar will be available. Tickets are £10 per person and are now on sale at Winchelsea Post Office.

Last year following the death of Shelagh Sinclair and her burial next to husband Spike Milligan the family removed the grave headstone for alterations. Months passed and there was growing speculation as to when the headstone would be returned given that visitors travelled miles to see the grave and read the inscription. All is now back in place as just recently the new headstone appeared in St Thomas’ Churchyard with Shelagh’s name added to it. Once the word gets around this should please the visiting Spike enthusiasts and the grave is easy to find, being about 10 feet from the church door.

The Parochial Church Council recently voted on whether to allow women priests to officiate at St Thomas’ and St Richard’s Churches during the interregnum before a new Rector is appointed. A secret ballot was conducted at the PCC meeting last Friday and all 18 members were present or had nominated a proxy. The results were: 14 in favour of female priests, 3 against and 1 incomplete ballot paper. With the inclusion of women priests this will now give access to a wider pool of ministers to conduct the services.

Every Saturday at 6.45 pm the Fish n’ Chip van comes to Winchelsea. You will find it on the corner of Monks Walk and Back Lane and yes, always delicious and worth waiting for.

Winchelsea Beach

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve has arranged a Camber Castle Exploration walk of two miles tomorrow (Saturday) at 1 pm. This is an opportunity to explore the castle, the birdwatching hide and the Castle Water wetland for early winter wildlife. Please meet at Brede Lock for 1 to 4 pm and donations would be greatly appreciated.

In the morning of Halloween, on Wednesday 31st October, there will be visit from the Mobile Library to Sea Road. This will be as usual at 11.55 to 12.30 pm.

If you are looking for an alternative to a night of Trick-or-Treating on Wednesday 31st October, come along to the Community Hall for an evening of Bingo. The session will begin at 7.15 for 7.30 pm with light refreshments.