Cynthia Feast writes: As many of you will know, my period of office as Mayor comes to an end on 2nd April and my final duty will be to preside over the Mayoring event in the Court Hall on that day. I just wanted to take this opportunity of publicly thanking everyone in the Town for their friendship and support throughout the year.

Cynthia and Richard Feast

It has been a great privilege for me not only to hold the office of Mayor, but also to have become so much more involved with, and aware of, all the good things that go on in the Town, thanks to the dedication and commitment of so many people. Richard and I have been grateful for all the invitations we have received to attend events in the Town and I think we have managed to attend almost all of them. It would be quite impossible and wrong to try to pick out highlights; it has all been great fun.

Away from the Town, it has been an honour to keep Winchelsea’s flag flying at events in the other Cinque Ports and towns that are part of the Cinque Ports Confederation. We are looking forward to having a little more time for the garden, but will miss the excitement of office as well.

John Rodley, my deputy for the past year, has been selected to hold the office of Mayor next and I wish him every enjoyment of it, but again, my thanks to all of you.

Flute and Piano Concert on 24th February featuring music by Saint-Saëns, Bach and Dvořák. Tickets for this Winchelsea Arts event are on sale at Winchelsea Farm Kitchen and online here

A Guy Fawkes Society event in Winchelsea New Hall on Saturday 10th March 2018

SOLD OUT!

Ticket price £15 per person (£13.50 for WGFS members).
Ticket price includes evening meal of chilli (vegetarian option available) and dessert. Cash bar available.

This is a ticket only event, please book early to guarantee your places. All are welcome. For tickets and enquiries please call 01797 229087 or email winchelseaguyfawkes@btinternet.com

An evening of entertainment, supplied by a group of local actors performing on the night. All you need to do is relax, spot the clues and decide ‘Who dunnit?’ All profits from this event will go to Winchelsea Guy Fawkes Society.

Jonathan Meyer was welcomed to Winchelsea and Icklesham as our new Rector on Shrove Tuesday 13th February 2018. The institution ceremony took place at St Thomas’ Church on a damp and blustery evening. Jonathan’s family and friends and former parishioners from Oxfordshire joined the congregations of Icklesham, Winchelsea Beach and Winchelsea together with members of the local community in a joyful service led by the Bishop of Chichester. Afterwards, there was a reception at St Thomas’ School with generous catering by Icklesham parish.  The ceremony concluded with the ceremonial ringing of the church bell.  Left to right: Jonathan Meyer; Paul Anderson; Edward Dowler, Archdeacon of Hastings.  Click here for the Winchelsea Parish Website

3rd February and 10th March 2018 are the dates of the first social events of Winchelsea’s newly-formed Guy Fawkes Society

The Sea Road Scratch Band will play on the evening of Saturday 3rd February between 6.30 and 8.30pm. A group of very gifted local folk musicians, playing to entertain. This is a free event at the New Inn and all are welcome.

Our first fund raising event is Saturday evening 10th March at Winchelsea New Hall. An evening of Murder & Mystery with meal. Relax, spot the clues, and guess ‘Who did it?’ Full details to be announced very soon.

Enquiries to winchelseaguyfawkes@btinternet.com
Membership costs £10 for a household and £5 for an individual

WGFS Committee Members
John Clarke: Chair
David Hopkins: Vice Chair
David Morris: Treasurer
Debbie Beverley: Membership & Accounts
Deborah Upton: Secretary
Philip Sidders: Assurance
Peter Cosstick: Co-ordination

 

Winchelsea Guy Fawkes is a new society replacing Winchelsea Bonfire Boyes. We aim to build on the many years of successful events held by Winchelsea Bonfire Boyes, and maintain this special Sussex tradition.

Unlike many other bonfire societies in Sussex, our November 2018 event will not include a bonfire or burning effigies. We do plan to continue with the unique, small (tongue in cheek) theatrical performance, procession and fireworks, which in the past has been enjoyed by all attending.

Our key aims

• Not for profit Society, returning and distributing excess profit back into the Town
• To hold several events in the Town that are both social yet fund raising. These events will also provide income generation for venues (New Hall, Church etc).
• Enable Procession/ Fireworks in November and continue to ensure this event remains a small celebration which is both safe and suitable for all.
• Continue to support other activities including Morris Dancing and Winchelsea Fete. Where possible raise funds at these events for a nominated charity
• Work in collaboration with other associations and societies in the Town.
• Ensure members are kept directly informed of all associated events and activities.
• To create a simple yet robust and transparent accounting process at the end of each operating year, which is circulated to members
• Hopefully, have fun, and give people a nice time

Membership

• You will be the first to hear about our planned events
• Helps to cover administration costs and contributes towards the November event
• Will entitle you (where possible) to a small ticket price reduction on some of our social events
• Actively participate in our planned events, should you desire.
• All welcome

Annual Membership Costs

£10 Household membership
£ 5 Single membership

If you would like to join, please email us:
winchelseaguyfawkes@btinternet.com

When emailing please could you let us know the following:-
Name
Address
Contact Telephone Number
Type of Membership required i.e. household or single

Your personal details will not be shared.

On Saturday 20th January 2018 Troy Smith, Head Gardener at Sissinghurst will talk to Winchelsea Garden Society. Visitors are welcome.

From 16th December Winchelsea Christmas Windows will be lighting up for Demelza Children’s Hospice.  There will be 24 windows taking part and, in a change from previous years, all will be lit together from Saturday 16th until Sunday 31st December.  This means that you can see all the windows on the same day if you wish.  They will go on at 4.30pm and off at 9pm. We are delighted to welcome St Thomas’ School who will dress the Court Hall window.  Badges, and maps showing all the window locations, are available to purchase at Winchelsea Farm Kitchen (as well as small torches) and from The New Inn, The Black Cat Gallery and The Lodge at Winchelsea.  Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has created a window or display and made badges. All proceeds will go to Demelza.