Winchelsea

Open Gardens charity: This is a second opportunity to visit the Open Gardens event since the same nine gardens (Alards, The Well House, Periteau House, Cleveland Place, Cleveland House, The Armoury, Backfields End, Chestnut Cottage and The Orchards) will be open for Hospice at Home on Monday June 20th from 2 till 5.30pm. There will be teas available in the New Hall between 2 till 5pm. Mayoress Ann Spencer thanks everyone for their support towards the Open Gardens charity day. She is also pleased to add that over £7000 was raised during the past year and as a result vital equipment has been purchased by the Hospice at Home team for the benefit of their patients.

Painters and Potters: Hayesland Painters and Potters is holding its 20th Annual Exhibition in the Court Hall this weekend as from Friday June 17th to Monday June 20th. Items in the exhibition are for sale and all are invited to come inside and view the works of art. The opening hours are from 11am till 5pm on all four days.

Father’s Day: Sunday June 19th is the day when fathers can look forward to breakfast in bed and being showered with gifts from his wife and children. It is one of the few main events in the year which is celebrated worldwide; the others being New Year, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. However, in our time many fathers are absent or have not fulfilled their job so it is good to know that the Lord God Almighty will meet the role of a father and protect single mothers: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” - Psalm 68:5. In choosing the language of the family to relate to humanity God describes his love as that of a caring parent and has a special place in his heart for orphans and the fatherless.

EU referendum: The New Hall will be open from 7am till 10pm on Thursday June 23rd to cast your vote in the EU referendum. Everybody who has registered is eligible to vote in this important election which will decide our future independence and national security.

Church in the news: Al Jazeera TV recently sent a team to St Thomas’ Church to use it as a backdrop for an article on Britain and Europe. As with most of the media they are currently reporting on the referendum and considering not just costs but the benefits of a UK exit from the EU.

Building stones: ‘The Geology of the Weald and its Building Stones’ is the title of the talk given by Frances Harper at the Winchelsea Archaeological Society’s next meeting. Entrance fee is £4 p.p. and free to members and under 16s. All are welcome to attend and the talk will be held at 3pm in the Court Hall on Saturday June 25th.

‘Sounds and Sweet Airs’: To mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, the Pegasus Choir return to Winchelsea with a programme of choral works and solo songs. The concert includes music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gerald Finzi, Bob Chilcott, Roger Quilter and EJ Moeran as well as works showing how Shakespeare has caught the ear of composers elsewhere in Europe, such as Switzerland’s Frank Martin. Along with excerpts from some of Shakespeare’s best-loved poetry, the concert promises to transform Winchelsea into Prospero’s isle of ‘noises, sounds and sweet airs that give delight’. Involved in the production are: Matthew Altham – director; Graham Wood - organ and piano; Nigel Ashton, Ann Rachlin, Jennifer Smith and Robin Whitehead - readers. Tickets cost £13 (£6.50 under 18s) at the door or online at www.winchelsea-arts.org.uk. This is a Winchelsea Arts Concert and it takes place on Saturday July 2nd at 7.30pm in St Thomas’ Church.

Winchelsea Beach

Patronal Festival: St Richard’s Church will be open from 10am till 5pm this weekend on June 18th and 19th. There will be a Flower and Crafts festival with a seaside theme, to celebrate the local community, for all to come and enjoy. Throughout the weekend refreshments will be freely served and grateful thanks for all donations received. On Sunday at 3.30pm a ‘songs of celebration’ Evensong service will be held for St Richard’s Patronal Festival. St Richard became the Bishop of Chichester in 1245. He is the patron saint of Sussex and his saint’s day is June 16th. Saint Richard’s famous prayer which contains the lines ‘May I know Thee more clearly, Love Thee more dearly, Follow Thee more nearly’, was adapted for the song ‘Day by Day’ in the popular 1971 musical ‘Godspell’, based on the Gospel of Matthew.

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