Winkle Club hands out donations

The meeting heard that more than 40 local good causes will benefit this year as a result of Winkle Club fundraising efforts.

In attendance were Sir Kenneth Warren, President, Michael Foster D.L. High Sheriff of East Sussex and Cllr. Bruce Dowling, Mayor of Hastings.

Representing the beneficiaries were spokespeople from the Hastings Scout Group Beaver Colony and Jean Gillam for the Hastings Pensioners’ Association.

Silver Winkles for outstanding service to the Club were presented to Robert Shaylor and to Don Hawley.

Richard Stevens, from the Winkle Club, said: “We have now formed a small Fundraising and Promotions sub-committee which has come up with many new ideas to help us raise money for local good causes and it is proving to be very successful.

The club had a busy and successful year, raising £1,000 when it transformed Winkle Island into a ‘Fantasy Island’, in conjunction with the Seafood and Wine Festival.

The Club joined forces with the High Street Traders to help with the Old Town’s Children’s Christmas Party, in December complete with procession from Winkle Island to the venue for fish and chips and entertainment.

It also maintained its long-standing tradition of singing carols for the residents of Old Hastings House on Christmas Day.

Before Christmas, the Club delivered 50 Christmas parcels to deserving folk all nominated by committee members or local churches.

The Winkle Club has a number of events planned for this year including a new Jazz fest music event on the Stade Open Space on Sunday June 5.

Garry Fellows, a member of the Winkle Club’s Fundraising Committee, and event organiser. said: “Apart from the main stage and arena on the Open Space, we also want pubs and clubs to sign up to the idea of ‘Jazzfest.’

“We know that Jazz is very popular in the town and we have several resident Jazz musicians who have chosen Hastings as their home.

“If any of these would like to get involved then please phone me on 07955721725 or email on: [email protected].

“We shall also as always need helpers on the day so please call if you can lend a helping hand.”

Richard Stevens said: “We are always trying to think of new ways to raise money for local good causes and this idea of a ‘Jazzfest’ could really take off and might well develop in to an annual event.”

The Winkle Club was originally formed by Hastings fishermen to help the under-privileged families of Hastings Old Town.

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