Hastings Winkle Club is still supporting local charities and good causes

The club which boasts Prince Philip and the Duke of Sussex amongst its distinguished membership has its ‘spiritual home’ on Winkle Island in the heart of Hastings Old Town.

The Winkle Club has been fundraising for local good causes throughout its history but 2020 has been a particularly difficult year due to covid restrictions. A socially distanced crazy-golf competition was held back in August but many other planned fundraising events have had to be cancelled or at best postponed. Despite these set-backs, the club is trying to remain upbeat.

“We have survived for 120 years through two World Wars and numerous other crises and we will continue with our objective of helping very local needs some of which need us now more than ever,” said Club Chairman, Christian Burton.

The Winkle Club’s Trustees and Committee met recently and decided to donate to TS Hastings Sea Cadets, the Two Towers Trust, helping to maintain two historic Old Town churches and The Hastings Gateway Club for young adults with learning difficulties, amongst a few others having previously managed donations to the Conquest Hospital Friends, Hastings Food-Bank and the Isobel Blackman Centre Appeal during the current year.

In past years the Club has been able to help on average around 40 local good causes concentrating particularly on small much appreciated clubs and societies such as parent and toddler play groups and those providing activities for those not usually funded by central government or other forms of direct grant.

“This year has been extremely challenging,” said Cub President Richard Stevens, “but we have many new fundraising ideas planned which will happen as soon as we get the green-light.

“We plan to hold a special ‘Winkle Day on Winkle Island for instance with music, a variety of stalls and even sponsored walks around the Island have been suggested.

“We still have permanent collecting features such as our Wishing Well and the Fundraising Sculpture, on Winkle Island, along with collecting boxes in local pubs and other outlets, so the show will go on. Donations can also be sent to : The Treasurer, The Hastings Winkle Club, c/o East Hastings Sea Anglian Association, The Stade, Hastings. We will continue to carry our winkles with pride, The Winkle future is bright.”

Each Winkle Club member carries a winkle shaell they must produce when challenged . Failure to do so results in a fine which goes to local charities.

See also: Lots of free events at Hastings Storytelling Festival