Winchelsea

Today St Thomas’s Primary School is breaking up for the spring break which is slightly earlier this year. Term 4 starts on Monday 25th February at the usual time with the Easter break not so far off on Friday 29th March.

This evening (Friday) the Literary Society is meeting for Best Reads of 2012 so bring an extract of poetry/prose you have enjoyed reading over the year. The Annual General Meeting will also take place during the event and you will need to be at the Court Hall at 7 for 7.30 pm.

There will be a talk at the Methodist Chapel tomorrow morning at 10 for 10.30 am by Angela and Roy Pepper of the local Methodist Circuit. The talk will be on Angela and Roy’s recent trip to the Holy Land and if you can do come along and find out more.

The Fish n Chip van that comes to Winchelsea every Saturday evening will not be calling on the 16th February because the van is having its MOT. However they expect to be back as usual on the 23rd February.

The Sung Eucharist for this Sunday 17th February in St Thomas’s Church will be led by Revd Paddy Buxton and starts at 10.30 am. You are welcome to stay for tea/coffee after the service.

Winchelsea Moving Pictures Film Night begins its 2013 programme on Monday 18th February with the showing of Untouchable. The film starts at 7.30 pm in the New Hall and the cost is £5 entry on the door. Included in the cast is Francois Cluzet and Ann Le Ny and there will be English subtitles. Untouchable is thought to be the most successful French film of all time and is based on a true story. It is described as having both funny and heart-tugging moments without delving too deep.

The Lent group meetings are held in the Rectory in St Thomas’s Street from 7 to 8.30 pm and this year are chaired by David Page. For the next five Wednesdays the topics are: 20th February, The God who hears our cry; 27th February, The Shepherd who guides and guards his people; 6th March, The Son who is the Way the Truth and the Life; 13th March, The God who shares our pain and 20th March, The God who calms our fears. The material used will be from the latest York Course which is a series that has led to much group discussion in previous years and the meetings will end with Compline.

There will be a visit from the Mobile Library to Castle Street on Wednesday 20th February at the usual time of 1.40 to 2.10 pm.

Winchelsea Garden Society is meeting on Saturday 23rd February for its Annual General Meeting. Members will need to be at the Court Hall for 10 am.

A ‘Meet and Greet’ event for members, friends and anybody who would like to learn more about the activities of the local group has been organised by the Rye & District National Trust (contact Danny Rushbrooke 01797 253521). Please come along to Rye Town Hall on Saturday 23rd February from 12 noon until 2 pm.

The Mayor’s Charity Concert entitled ‘A Spring Recital’ will be held on Sunday 3rd March at 4 pm in St Thomas’s Church. This is a concert of choral and instrumental music by King’s College School in Wimbledon. Tickets are £10 p.p. including refreshments and are now on sale at Winchelsea Post Office. All proceeds will go towards the restoration of the Pipewell Gate in Winchelsea.

Curry Night the popular annual fund raiser has been arranged by the Bonfire Boyes to take place on Saturday 9th March at 7.30 pm in the New Hall. The tickets are £14 p.p. and must be booked by calling 01797 224446. Looking ahead the Winchelsea Flyer has made known that unlike 2012 there will be a Winchelsea Bonfire Night this year.

Following last Tuesdays vote in the House of Commons concerning the proposal to redefine marriage (re: same sex marriage) our MP Amber Rudd voted in favour of this bill. This is despite the fact that the Church of England, other main faith groups, 50% of the conservative party and 70% of the population are against redefining marriage. Not only has this bill been rushed through with insubstantial reasons to prop it up but it seems that those in favour have not considered a basic truth, that there are always serious consequences to sinful actions.

Winchelsea Beach

A Camber Castle Wildlife and History event has been organised by Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. This is a chance to go inside Camber Castle and visit the bird watching hide at Castle Water to view various wetland birds. You will need to meet at Brede Lock on Sunday 17th February at 1 till 4 pm and donations for the visit would be greatly appreciated.

Morning Worship at St Richard’s Church on Sunday 17th February will, this week, be taken by Revd Howard Norton. The service begins at 9.15 am.

The Mobile Library will be stationed in Sea Road on Wednesday 20th February as usual from 11.55 am to 12.30 pm.