Winchelsea

Sea Cadets: Mayor John Spencer invites all to a fund raising event for the Rye Sea Cadets on Saturday February 18th at 10am in the Lower Court Hall. There will be 3 short talks, in one of which Winchelsea Corporation’s Sea Cadet Jack Brown will be describing his training in the Sea Cadets. This will be followed by coffee/biscuits etc. and time to socialise, a raffle and very possibly a brief auction.

Adventures, Alps & Aunts: The Literary Society holds its monthly meeting next Friday February 17th at 7 for 7.30pm in the Court Hall. Dan Richards will be giving the talk on Adventures, Alps & Aunts. His third book Climbing Days was published by Faber in June 2016, and saw him set out on the trail of his great-great-aunt, Dorothy Pilley, a prominent and pioneering mountaineer of the early twentieth century. For years, Dorothy and her husband, I. A. Richards, had remained mysterious to Dan, but the chance discovery of Dorothy’s 1935 memoir marked the beginning of a journey. Following in the pair’s footholds, he travelled and climbed across Europe, using Dorothy’s book as a guide. Having learnt the ropes in Wales and Scotland, he scrambled in the Lake District and topped summits in Spain and Switzerland, ending with an ascent of the severe serrate pinnacle of Ivor and Dorothy’s climbing lives, the mighty Dent Blanche in the high Alps of Valais. Light refreshments on arrival and non-members are requested to make a small donation towards the event.

Pipewell Gate: Also known as the Ferry Gate it was originally built with a crenellated battlement to defend the entrance from the road to the ferry across the River Brede. The Gate was destroyed by the French in 1380 and rebuilt in 1404 by the then Mayor John Helde. More recent repairs on the Pipewell Gate arranged by Mayor John Spencer and the Corporation during 2016, are now completed and the result is very good. The Gate with its entrance leading onto the A259 had been damaged mainly by cars crashing into it, as well as by weed growth and lately the use of water-resistant cement repairs to the walls. Despite the challenges to its longevity from Heavy Goods Vehicles passing each other where the road narrows the stone structure was not about to fall down although it did need some attention. An application for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund proved unsuccessful but funds from the Corporation and generous donations from the town contributed towards the cost of the repairs which amounted to £36,000. The aim was to improve the longevity of the structure by removing as much as possible of the modern, very hard cement. When trying to remove the hard cement, especially on the roof much care had to be taken to avoid damaging the original stones. Work was then done to replace the hard cement with lime mortar which allows the walls to ‘breathe better’ and prevents dampness. The saplings and weeds were sprayed with weed killer and after the dead vegetation was removed lime mortar was applied to residual holes and cracks in the roof. Four angular new looking Quoin stones which had been an eyesore were given distress treatment and the corners were smoothed out. After which a more sympathetic matching of these un-weathered stones with vegetable dye was achieved and they now blend in well with the rest of the stonework. A roll of stainless steel mesh painted black and mortared in some centimetres from the outer wall surfaces was fitted to stop birds nesting and this looks very effective. The works were completed on time and within budget and the Corporation are now looking at repairs to the Court Hall and an appeal for funding may be launched soon. There is no doubt that these historical monuments deserve quality care and maintenance as they are important to both present and future generations.

Big send-off: St Thomas’ Church was packed last Sunday morning with friends, relatives, and the congregations of all three churches for Canon Robin Whitehead’s parting service. The choir sang beautifully and members of the churches gave the readings which concerned the redeeming light shining in the darkness. The readings were taken from Isaiah 58: 1:9; Psalm 112; 1 Corinthians 2: 1-12 and Matthew 5: 13-20 which concluded with ‘Whosoever therefore shall break one of the least of these commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ‘(verse 19) After the service church warden John Rodley gave an encouraging speech in which he went through some of Robin’s interests and activities during his three years’ ministry in Winchelsea. Robin will continue living in the church house for a few more weeks until he is able to move into a new property, so expect to see him with his Red Setter around the town. Refreshments of coffee, wine, delicious canapes and biscuits were served during the social gathering which followed this farewell service.

Winchelsea Beach

Valentine’s Dance: As Valentine’s Day approaches on Tuesday February 14th there will be a Valentine’s Dance at the Community Hall tomorrow February 11th at 7.30pm. The cost is £10 and tickets can be purchased from Suttons on Sea Road or by contacting 01797 224820 but no tickets are sold on the door. A fish & chip supper is included in the price and the rock n’ roll band Something Else will be entertaining throughout the evening.

St Richard’s: The next service at St Richard’s Church will be on Sunday February 12th at 9.30am and visitors and friends are always welcome. In the interregnum period before a new Rector is appointed, following the retirement of Canon Robin Whitehead, minsters from the local community will be conducting the services at all three parish churches.

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