Winchelsea

Pyramids of Kush: Winchelsea Archaeological Society has a programme of autumn talks commencing on Saturday October 13th at 2.30pm in the New Hall. This talk concerns 'The Pyramids of Kush' and will be given by Stephen Gray, Architect and Archaeologist. Stephen travelled to Sudan in the brief period of stability between the end of a civil war and the secession of South Sudan, visiting and surveying the pyramids and studying their construction. There are now more pyramids in Sudan than in Egypt and Stephen's talk will set the pyramids in their part of Ancient Egyptian chronology and compare and contrast with the Egyptian examples that inspired them. The talk is free to WAS members and non-members are welcome at an admission charge of £3.

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, although venues are yet to be confirmed details of these will be out soon.

Winchelsea Arts: St Thomas’ Church will be hosting the accomplished pianist Fiachra Garvey this Saturday October 13th at 7.30pm. The tickets are on sale at the Farm Kitchen or online at winchelsea-arts.org.uk. Fiachra is the founder and artistic director of the West Wicklow Festival and he will be playing works by Brahms, Field, Chopin and Rachmaninov.

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Judges’ Service: The East Sussex Judges’ Service will be held in St Thomas’ Church this Sunday October 14th at 10.55 for 11.15am. Rector Jonathan Meyer will be leading this service to which all are welcome, although it will not be a Eucharist, but Communion will be available from 9.30am in St Richard’s Church. A significant number of invited guests will attend the service at St Thomas’ Church and these include 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 will process to the New Hall for a reception, while the High Sheriff will be hosting a second reception in the church for the congregation. Funds for the Organ Appeal have grown to almost £90,000 through donations from last weekend’s Flower Festival and part of the retiring collection at Sunday’s service will also go towards the Organ Appeal. 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.’

Mayor’s Day: The Mayors of the other thirteen Cinque Ports will be spending an afternoon in Winchelsea on Wednesday October 17th. Some will be making return visits while for others it will be their first time in the town. Refreshments will be served in the New Hall after which David Hopkins will be giving his fascinating talk on the Maritime History of the Cinque Ports. Before departing they will visit some of the cellars, the Church and the Museum.

WAS Cellars: The Archaeological Society has organised a town tour and visit to the cellars of Blackfriar’s Barn on Wednesday October 17th. If you would like to attend please phone 01797 224637 to book your place, or simply turn up on the day by the Town Well in Castle Street at 2pm. The tour begins with a guided walk around the town looking at the historic sites and includes access to the medieval cellar of Blackfriar’s Barn. This is the largest cellar in the town and contains etchings of ships in the plasterwork. The tour is about 90-minutes and the cost is £8 which includes a cellar guide booklet and admission to the town museum in the Court Hall where the tour ends. As usual funds raised from these tours will go towards supporting archaeology in the town.

Literary Duo: The Literary Society next meets on 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.

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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 are good to drive on.

Winchelsea Beach

Dance Evening: This Saturday October 13th is an opportunity to take to the floor and dance the night away in the Community Hall from 7.30 to 11pm. Tickets can be purchased at Suttons on Sea Road or phone 01797 224820 and the cost is £10 each with a Fish and Chip supper. Also note that there are no tickets sold at the door.

St Richard’s: The twice monthly Holy Communion service at St Richard’s Church will next take place this Sunday October 14th. This service starts at 9.30 till 10.30am and will be followed by light refreshments. The Judges’ Service at St Thomas’ Church begins at 11.15am on Sunday and all are invited to attend the service which will be led by the Rector.

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] by October 14th 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.