Clubs & Societies
Notes: email addresses should replace the * character with @ before use. Please see our Contacts page for organisations not listed here who have their own website pages - a number of smaller societies and ad hoc bodies are not included in the list below

General enquiries and questions, info@winchelsea.com

Friends of the Ancient Monuments & Museum: R Neaves, foam*winchelsea.com 01797 226263
The Friends of the Ancient Monuments is a charitable organisation who, through fund raising events, support the Winchelsea Corporation in the maintenance of the Ancient Monuments in the Town - primarily the three Town Gates, the Court Hall, the Town Well and the Queen Elizabeth Well.  Each year the Friends hold a variety of functions, lectures, tours of the ancient cellars, entertainments and suppers to which all are invited throughout the year. Cellar tour bookings:  cellars*winchelsea.com Dominic Leahy, 01797 227488, John Freeman, 01797 226270 - membership form

Garden Opera (June, details provided each year): Bookings, opera*winchelsea.com 01797 222723
On 20th June 2009, the Garden Opera Company will perform "The Barber of Seville", in the gardens of Greyfriars in Winchelsea. The owners, Jim Dunn and Arthur Whieldon, welcome all to the splendid setting of Greyfriars House to enjoy a picnic in these hallowed grounds prior to the performance staged by the world renowned Garden Opera Company. Tickets are £35 each for the opera. All proceeds go to support a number of local charities, notably St. Michael's Hospice in Hastings

Garden Society : Secr. Cynthia Feast, garden*winchelsea.com 01797 222629
The Garden Society organises trips to gardens across the SE of England, helps organise the annual Winchelsea "Open Gardens" days in June, and the Annual Spring Show and and Summer Show. The Summer Fete and Flower Show is the principal event of the Society for the year. The event has all the ingredients of a really traditional English village fete including: Flower, vegetable and cookery competitions with prizes of silver cups for adults, novices and children, Tea and cakes for sale, Children's dancing, A dog show,Side shows and stalls selling cakes, bric-a-brac, books and many others

Second Wednesday Society : Peta Cameron-Clarke, 2ndWed*winchelsea.com 01797 226414
The Second Wednesday Society is a lively organisation that arranges interesting talks by local speakers on various topics accompanied by tea. The Society meets at 2:30pm in the Lower Court Hall on the second Wednesday of every month except August

The Literary Society: Howard Norton, litsoc*winchelsea.com 01797 226524
The Literary Society meets on the third Friday of the month during Spring, Autumn and Winter in the Court Hall to read and discuss literature and poetry around a chosen theme. Regular events are posted in the Town. At meetings members read and listen to pieces of chosen authors. Some members read others just prefer to come to listen and enjoy an accompanying glass of wine!  Subs: £10p.a., tea 50p, non-members Talk and tea, £3.50/talk

Winchelsea Cricket Club : Mrs J A Turner, cricket*winchelsea.com 01797 226642
Winchelsea has one of the oldest cricket clubs in the country founded in 1795 and certainly one of the pitches with the most marvellous view, that of the Brede Valley. You will find the cricket pitch beside the A259, or Rectory Lane as we still call it. A new pavilion was built to celebrate the Millennium. Sunday friendly fixtures are held throughout the summer with a series of home and away games.

Winchelsea Bowls Club: John Priestley, 3 Higham Gardens,bowls*winchelsea.com
The club started on its present site in 1946 and has wonderful views of the Brede Valley. The club has over 30 members from Winchelsea and surrounding villages. Members compete in a variety of matches from friendly fixtures and competitions to the more serious league events. It is a very friendly club

Winchelsea Millenium Artefacts Society: Trevor Aisher, millenium*winchelsea.com 01797 229173
The annual Winchelsea Art Exhibition is held over the Summer Bank Holiday weekend and organised by the Millennium Artefacts Society.  The event is held to raise funds to support the upkeep of the various Millennium Artefacts in the Town, namely the splendid Town Sign opposite the New Inn, the Millennium Tapestry in the Church and the Town Beacon at the site of the old Windmill

Winchelsea Singers: Charlotte Beecroft, singers*winchelsea.com  01797 223159
Winchelsea has its own choral society and every year they run concerts and a fun evening. The music varies from classical and religious to the annual pantomime! Concerts often take place in the church of St. Thomas in the heart of Winchelsea but others such as the annual Fun Evening are held in the New Hall. While many members live in Winchelsea others come from the surrounding villages. The Winchelsea Singers are always delighted to welcome new members