Winchelsea village voice

Turn up between 10.30 am and noon to purchase the home-made and home-grown produce. Tea, filter coffee and good company will be on hand and all proceeds are in aid of church funds.

The Special Exhibition of the Medieval Gros Tournois coin (c.1270) found in a Winchelsea allotment will be held tomorrow in the museum (above the Court Hall). This is an event by the Winchelsea Archaeological Society which runs from 11 am to 1 pm and entry is free.

A Field Walking Training Day with David Rudling has been organised by Winchelsea Archaeological Society for Saturday 4th March. The event will be from 10 am to 5 pm meeting at the nearby Wickham Manor Farm.

Rye and District Churches are holding A Week of Accompanied Prayer on Sunday 4th March to Friday 9th March. The week is a chance to reflect and pray each day using passages from the Bible and to meet with your prayer companion for about half an hour to share your experience. Prayer companions are from different churches usually outside the area that have had training and experience in the role. If you are interested in taking part you could speak to Rector Howard Cocks to find out more or contact the local Co-ordinator (01797 223652).

Winchelsea Moving Pictures is pleased to present Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, from the book by John le Carrie. Set during the cold war espionage agent George Smiley is called out of retirement to expose a soviet agent in MI6; stars Colin Firth and Gary Oldman. The film showing will be in the New Hall on Monday 5th March beginning at 7 for 7.30 pm until 10 pm.

The Mobile Library will be in Castle Street on Wednesday 7th March as from 1.40 to 2.10 pm.

A wide variety of discussion questions from the course booklet will be considered at the Lenten Study Group’s second meeting on Wednesday 7th March at 7 to 8.30 pm. The sessions are held at 2 High Street (next door but one to the Court Hall) and if you have any questions please contact David Page (226524).

The chance to be Einstein for the evening is part of the fun when you attend the pub quiz at the New Inn. These quizzes are held every Thursday at 8.30 pm and the next one is on Wednesday 8th March. The cost is only a £1 a head, the prize is a £25 bar tab and entry fees go into a draw for a jackpot question. During the time that the questions are being marked a free supper is included.

‘Elementary: Come and Solve a Murder Mystery’ will take place at the New Hall next Saturday 10th March at 7 for 7.30 pm. A bar, raffle and prizes will be available and tickets are £10 which includes a hot supper (contact 01797 223810). The funds raised from the event will go towards the Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital.

It is a matter of great concern for local residents that the Total service station in Rye is due to close in 2 week’s time. This has come about without warning or consultation and it is not clear why it has been allowed to happen. Total has always provided a very useful service both for fuel and various groceries and if there has to be change it ought to be in terms of expansion. This garage will be badly missed and without it there will be fewer prospects for economical growth in the area. There is no doubt that a service station is needed in the vicinity and it would seem appropriate for the present one to be retained under new management if necessary. However in order for progress to be made Rye Council must put some weight behind this matter, on behalf of the public, to ensure that we are not left without a service station.

Cindi Cogswell 31 Highfords, Icklesham