Winchelsea

Literary Duo: The Literary Society meets this Friday October 19th to hear Dr Richard Ormrod who will be talking on “Radclyffe Hall & Una Troubridge; a Duo to Remember”. Dr. Ormrod is a literary academic, who has taught for the Open University. He is a published biographer, journalist, reviewer and poet. His latest book, a critical biography of the poet Andrew Young, was published by Lutterworth Press on August 30th this year. He is currently preparing a book on C20th war poetry, and a collection of his own poems. The meeting starts at 7 for 7.30pm in the Court Hall. Non-members are welcome and £5 includes the talk and a glass of wine.

Hidden Winchelsea: On Saturday October 20th at 2.30pm, FOAM (Friends of the Ancient Monuments) are hosting a talk in the New Hall to be given by Nathalie Cohen, National Trust Archaeologist. This talk is entitled ‘Hidden Winchelsea - Archaeological Investigations and Discoveries’. Nathalie gave a well-attended talk as part of the WAS spring programme and although WAS members will be subject to the £6 FOAM entrance fee the Society is pleased to flag it up as a talk not to be missed. Three further WAS talks are planned with speakers booked, and details of these will be out soon.

Polio Day: This Wednesday October 24th is World Polio Day which focuses on an intensive campaign to eradicate the disease in the three countries that are still affected. These countries are Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. Although there has been progress in the last thirty years, all the while one child has the poliovirus, children in other countries are at risk of contracting the disease. The Rye and Winchelsea Rotary Club supports the Rotary’s ‘End Polio Now’ campaign which involves international fund-raising projects. Last year on October 24th Canterbury Cathedral was illuminated in purple in the evening to publicise the campaign. This year (October 24th) it is the turn of St Thomas’ as the Rector Jonathan Meyer has kindly agreed for the exterior of the church to be lit up in purple from 6pm to 10.30pm. The significance of the colour purple is that it is the colour of the dye used to mark the little finger of every immunised child. So far the colour which stains for about 3 days, has been put on the little fingers of 2.5 billion children with still more to go!

Bookshop activities: The Rye Bookshop will be running fun Halloween-themed activities and story times all week during this October half term week so children and parents do take notice. In addition, Rye Bookshop will be joined by some fantastic children’s authors over the next weekend. The first of these is on Friday October 26th at 12pm, when author Chris Parsons will be a reading and signing his brilliant Children’s book ‘Paramedic Chris’, along with paramedic Chris who the book is based on!

Judges’ Service: The East Sussex Judges’ Service was held last Sunday in St Thomas’ Church with Rector Jonathan Meyer. A significant number of invited guests attended the service at St Thomas’ Church and these included The High Sheriff of East Sussex, Major General John Moore-Bick CBE DL, The Presiding Judge, The Honourable Mrs Justice Theis DBE, The Resident Judge for Lewes Crown Court, Her Honour Judge Christine Laing QC, The Deputy Chairmen of the Sussex Central Magistrates’ Bench, Mr Ian Wedge JP and Mr Simon Corello JP, Chairman of the Sussex Eastern Magistrates’ Bench. After the service invited guests went to the New Hall for a reception, while the High Sheriff hosted a second reception in the church for the congregation. Funds for the Organ Appeal have now grown to almost £80,000 through donations from the recent Flower Festival and from the retiring collection at Sunday’s service. The annual Judges’ Service celebrated at Westminster Abbey, dates back to the middle ages when judges prayed for guidance at the start of the legal term commencing at the beginning of October. The importance of this tradition is clear in the wording of the Judges’ prayer which goes: ‘At the beginning of the legal year, we gather in the presence of almighty God, who is the judge of all and who knows the secrets of our hearts, to renew our commitment to the service of the Crown and of all people in the cause of justice.’

Road Closure Message: A series of road closures on the A259 are planned during October and November by Highways England to carry out resurfacing work, including high friction surfacing. The work will be undertaken at night from 8pm to 6am, Monday to Thursday at three local areas. These areas are Butcher’s Lane to Broad Street on October 22nd to October 25th; Wish Street Roundabout to Rother Bridge Rye on October 29th to November 16th, with no works over the Bonfire weekend (November 3rd to 5th) and Strand Bridge to Wish Street Roundabout on November 19th to November 21st from Tuesday to Friday. Butchers Lane to Three Oaks is now well into its second year of road closure due to pipe works and continues to be unusable as an alternative route. An update from Southern Water is much overdue as to progress and completion of this work. While the resurfacing is taking place traffic heading east will be diverted west, and vice-versa, to follow the A28 route. For residents living within the road closures you will need to approach the gatesman at the road closure point who will arrange an escort to your property. To leave your property you will need to phone 0845 612 2888 and there may be a short wait. Despite the inconvenience the sections of the A259 completed so far make for a good smooth drive!

Winchelsea Beach

Quiz Night: Winchelsea Bowls Club is holding a Quiz Night on Saturday October 20th in the Community Hall. The Quiz is in aid of the Bowls Club and doors are open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. There will be a Ploughman’s supper provided with the option for vegetarian and you will need to confirm your choice of meal as the caterers need to know numbers. You should also bring your own refreshments and glasses, plus there will be a Raffle. If you would like to be involved please contact [email protected] as soon as possible to book your table. The tickets are £10 per person and teams of up to 6 people per table are required, with a prize for the winning table.