Winchelsea

After an icy start at the beginning of the week the temperature for March, as forecasted appears to be getting warmer. Over the weekend it is expected to rise to 8 degrees C then steadily reach 12 degrees on Thursday with possible lightening and rain. Today begins the first month of spring and snowdrops have been sighted but so far there are fewer daffodils this year. This is a good time to plant potatoes, asparagus and sweet peas but despite dry bright spells it is wise to do it gradually.

There will be a Church Market tomorrow (Saturday) starting at 10.30 am to noon. Home-grown and home-made produce will be on sale as well as plants and hardback books. Also coffee, tea and good company are at hand with proceeds in aid of church funds.

Also tomorrow, beginning at 3 pm, there will be a historical talk by Professor Nigel Saul of Royal Holloway University of London, on Richard II and Henry IV (1430-1630) in St Thomas’s Church. Winchelsea Archaeological Society (Reg. Charity) is hosting the event and entrance cost will be £4 p.p. or free for members and under-16s.

The morning services at St Thomas’s Church on Sunday 3rd March begin with the 8 am Eucharist led by Revd Dick Dengate. At 10.30 am Revd Paddy Buxton will be leading the 10.30 am morning worship. After this service you are welcome to stay for tea/coffee.

Since organist Roger Marvin’s departure to Ashford Iain Kerr and Peter Hatch have both kindly stepped in to help with the music and Marion Lovell continues to work with the choirs. However for the long term the church has advertised for a replacement organist and duties include running the senior and junior choirs, Sunday services, major festivals weddings, funerals, concerts and other events. If you know of anybody who is able to undertake this role the number to contact is 01797 223458 for the churchwarden.

The Mayor’s Charity Concert, ‘A Spring Recital’ is this Sunday 3rd March at 4 pm in St Thomas’s Church. Musicians and the Choir of King’s College School, Wimbledon will be performing and refreshments will be available. The tickets are £10 per person and can be purchased from the Post Office or at the door; the proceeds will go towards the restoration of the stone arch, Pipewell Gate, in Winchelsea. This ancient monument gave access to the Pipe Well and to the Ferry which once travelled across the River Brede to Rye.

The New Inn is holding its popular weekly pub quizzes on Tuesday 5th March. Come and have fun as from 8.30 pm.

There will be a visit from the Mobile Library to Castle Street on Wednesday 6th March. This will be from 1.40 to 2.10 pm. If you are going to the next Literary Society meeting you might like to look up John Weston’s poems as this will be the theme on Friday 15th March.

Winchelsea Bonfire Boyes are holding their annual hot and tasty Curry Night on Saturday 9th March at 7.30 pm in the New Hall. The tickets are £14 each and you will need to contact 01797 224446 for bookings and all proceeds will go towards bonfire night.

Winchelsea Beach

The monthly Evening Prayer service at St Richard’s Church will be at 3 pm this Sunday 3rd March and will be Lay Led.

The Mobile Library will be in Sea Road on Wednesday 6th March, as from 11.55 to 12.30 pm. There is a good range of books to choose from and local information at hand.

FOSTS (Friends of St Thomas’s Primary School) are holding a Jumble Sale on Saturday 9th March from 2 to 4 pm in the Community Hall. If you would like to donate any items please contact 07778947123 or bring things along on the day. Entrance is 20p and tea, coffee and juice will be served. Do come along and support this event as all money raised will be used for essential classroom equipment.

A Spring Beach Clean, to include observing the first Wheatears and Sandwich Terns while helping remove the winter’s rubbish will take place on Saturday 9th March. Members of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve will be serving hot soup at the end of the clean-up. Please meet at Rye Harbour car park at 10 am to be finished by 1 pm.