Winchelsea

Cindi Cogswell

31 Highfords, Icklesham

The summer month of June begins tomorrow (Saturday) with the Church Market and stalls selling plants, home-made produce and hardback books. Drop in if you are passing. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the historic surrounds with coffee/tea and good company. Opening times are 10.30am to 12noon and proceeds will go towards church funds.

After a coffee at the Church Market you may be able to fit in a visit to Winchelsea’s ancient cellars in Castle Street at 2pm. There are over fifty, mostly vaulted cellars in the town and Winchelsea Archaeological Society has arranged a 90 minute guided tour to some of them. Bookings can be made by contacting 01797 224446 or emailing [email protected] for both tomorrow and the next tour on Sunday June 9. The cost is £5 per person and funds go to archaeology in Winchelsea.

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The Sung Eucharist at St Thomas’s Church will be led by Rev Paddy Buxton. All are welcome as from 10.30am this Sunday 2nd June and this date also marks the 60th Anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

It is interesting to look back at the Ceremony and appreciate its significance today. Here is a part of it. When the Queen entered Westminster Abbey on Tuesday June 2 1953 for the Coronation she was received with the memorable anthem Psalm 122, 1-3, 6, 7.

I was glad when they said unto me:

We will go into the house of the Lord

Our feet shall stand in thy gates:

O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city:

that is at unity in itself.

O pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

they shall prosper that love thee.

Peace be within thy walls:

and plenteousness within thy palaces.

At the Enthronement the Orb with the Cross was delivered to the Queen by the Archbishop with the words:

Receive this Orb set under the Cross,

And remember that the whole world

is subject to the Power and Empire

of Christ our Redeemer.

Winchelsea’s Secret Gardens are on view again twice this June. First on Saturday June 8 from 1 until 5.30 pm under the National Gardens Scheme and on Monday June 10 from 2pm until 5.30 pm in aid of the Memorial Hospital, Rye. There will be 10 gardens open on both days with plants for sale and teas will be served in Winchelsea New Hall from 2pm. Wesley’s Methodist Chapel will also be open to visitors on the Saturday from 2pm till 5pm. In spite of the slow season there are bound to be lots of good things to see. Admission cost is £5 per person, children under 12 free and dogs are not permitted. On arrival visitors will be given a map at the first garden they visit to show them where everything is.

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There are Cellar Tours next weekend arranged by FOAM (Friends of the Ancient Monuments and Museum) and bookable in advance by contacting 01797 229525 or by email: [email protected] Times and dates for the tours are Saturday June 8 at 10.30am and Monday June 10 at 11am, meeting at the Town Well, Castle Street. The cost is £5 per person which includes a booklet and all proceeds are used to help maintain the ancient monuments of the town. Also on Saturday June 1, The premiere of the Diamond Jubilee Film, will take place in the New Hall at 11 am. This has been a year long project which grew from a spontaneous open party held to celebrate the Royal Wedding into a more organised programme of events throughout the year. Everyone is invited to come along and view their minutes of fame and to learn more about the project. Refreshments will be provided during the event.

A guided visit to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve has been arranged by FOAM for Sunday June 9 at 2pm. Dr Barry Yates the RHNR Manager will be leading the tour which lasts about 90 minutes to two hours. It is recommended that sensible shoes are worn for the walk and children and dogs (on lead) are welcome. If you would like to make a booking contact 01797 223559 or email: [email protected] . On the day please meet at Rye Harbour car park at about 1.50pm and donations for the tour will be gratefully received for the Pipewell Gate Repair Appeal.

A summer picnic at Smallhythe Place has been organised by The Rye and District Association of the National Trust for Saturday June 22. This will be from 5pm and will be followed at 6pm by a performance in the Barn Theatre of Celebrating Shakespeare, a light hearted romp with the bard devised and directed by Peter Mould. It promises to be an amusing and entertaining event. Tickets at £12 per person must be ordered from Ros Adkins by returning the order form included in the last News letter or by calling 01797 253763. They can also be purchased at Smallhythe Place reception desk prior to the event. As numbers are limited it is important to get your order in now.

The Edward III illustrated talk last Thursday week raised £365 for church funds and a similar amount for the Pipewell Gate Repair Appeal. Once again thank you to Alan McKinna for organising the event and for all who helped and supported it.

Winchelsea Beach

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The monthly Evening Prayer Service is this Sunday June 2 at St Richard’s Church. This service will begin at 3.15 pm and is Lay Led and followed by light refreshments.

An evening of bingo will be held on Wednesday June 5 at 7pm for 7.30pm in the Community Hall. Families and friends are always welcome and refreshments will be available.

The date of Icklesham Parish Council’s next full council meeting is Monday June 10. On this occasion it will be at Rye Harbour Village Hall commencing at 7.15pm.

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