Winchelsea Village Voice

WINCHELSEA 1066 History Festival is holding a talk this Saturday October 24th in the New Hall at 10.30 for 11am.  “What was the English landscape like when the Normans invaded?” is the name of this intriguing talk given by Dr Michael Bintley (Associate Professor of Medieval English Literature at the University of Southampton)  Dr Bintley will describe what the countryside of England was like in 1066  using evidence from texts, material culture and the Bayeux Tapestry.  He is also the author of ‘Settlements and Strongholds in early Medieval England culture’ (published 2020)  Please book online at www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/annual-gala-5527 for tickets which are £10 to non-members. 

AS SURE AS CLOCKWORK time goes back an hour each autumn to Greenwich Meantime and remains so for the next 6 months.  It will soon be time to put your clocks and watches back 1 hour on Sunday morning October 25th and the days will be shorter with increasing darkness at 5pm. 

REMEMBRANCE DAY usually involves a service at St Thomas’s Church, Winchelsea.  However, as the church is closed until December 13th while new lighting is being installed, there will be no Service of Remembrance in the church.   Instead the Mayor David Page will lead the normal wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial in Winchelsea churchyard at 11am on Remembrance Sunday November 8th. Then, to celebrate Armistice Day on Wednesday November 11th, a silence will also be held at the same War Memorial. 

OUTLET SALE for St Michael’s Hospice is held on two Saturdays: October 24th and November 28th at 10am to 12pm in their Donation Centre.  The address is Unit 1, Queensway Avenue South, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN38 9AG.  This a chance to pick up some great items at low prices, from furniture and homeware to fashion, craft materials and more.  Included are one-off pieces, everyday essentials and creative supplies for your next project.  The Sale is open to all to come and browse for possible hidden treasures, and every purchase helps support the local hospice.

QUIZ NIGHT will take place on Friday October 30th in the Tudor room at The mermaid Inn Rye, in aid of the charity Rye Health and Care.  All are invited to come along for a spooky night out and doors open at 7 for a 7.30pm start.  Teams of up to 6 are required and there will be great prizes and extra points for teams that dress up for Halloween.   The tickets are £5 per person and to reserve a table either email [email protected]   or phone 01797 228842.  In addition, please bring your own snacks and a Licensed Bar and Raffle will be available.

“NUT-CRACK NIGHT” was the historical name for Halloween in Great Britain and Ireland.  This is because Halloween falls at the end of October and the autumn harvest.  During the season there is usually a surplus of nuts such as hazelnuts, sweet chestnuts and the non-edible conkers which are used in Halloween wreaths and as eyeballs in pumpkins.  Of the many chestnut trees in Winchelsea and Icklesham, most are now in leafy abundance and laden with their produce.  Even so the venerable ancients among them dating from 350 to 500 years old are located in Sheffield Park (near Uckfield)  These gnarled and monumental chestnut trees, still with their canopies of leaves were around at the time of King Charles II and the Great Plague.  In their strength and durability they are reminiscent of the Village Blacksmith in the poem of that name by Henry Longfellow (1807-82) which begins:  “Under a spreading chestnut tree The village smithy stands; the smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands, And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands”.   Longfellow was inspired by a hardy village blacksmith who worked under a magnificent chestnut tree in his hometown in Cambridge Massachusetts (USA)  Longfellow was also a Christian who worshipped the one powerful God of the universe and his poem represents God’s might for “He is wise in heart and mighty in strength – who has hardened himself against Him, and succeeded?” (Job 9:4) And through His grace “God has both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his power” which concerns the Lord Jesus and the resurrection of all who trust in Him. (1 Corinthians 6:14)  

WINCHELSEA BEACH is holding a variety of social events at the Community Hall on Sea Road in October.  Beginning on Wednesday 28th there will be a FAiR COFFEE MORNING from 10am to 12.30pm with coffee, tea, cakes and pastries all free of charge.   FaiR (Friends Altogether in Rother) is a charity supporting residents over 65 in Rother by improving wellbeing through advice and social connections.  During the event there will be information stands and a speaker.  MONTHLY BINGO with afternoon tea will take place on Wednesday 28th at 2.30 for 3pm.  Each game costs only £1 and there will be cash prizes depending on the number of players, so do come for the fun.  The monthly FELLOWSHIP LUNCH will be on Friday 30th at 12.30 for 1pm.  All are welcome to this free homemade lunch and donations will be requested towards a local charity.  To reserve your place please contact 07927 107678.  As it is Halloween at the end of the month Winchelsea Beach Community Association has organised an exciting HALLOWEEN DANCE and ROCK’N ROLL EXTRAVAGANZA with the popular 4 piece band Something Else.  This will be a “Funtastic Halloween Party” held on Saturday 31st  at 7pm until  10pm so dress to amuse or impress.  The cost is £10 which includes a chilli supper and you will need to bring your own drinks.  If you would like attend please phone 07927 107678 as tickets must be bought in advance.