Winchelsea Village Voice

1066 HISTORY FESTIVAL talks take place this Saturday October 31st in the New Hall.  Beginning at 11am Kathleen Tyson (MA (hons) Medieval history) will be speaking on “A Tale Told: A Bard’s View of the Bayeux Tapestry”.  In her talk Kathleen will discuss the unravelling story of the Tapestry frame by frame and its link with a bard.   There will be a second talk at 2 for 2.30pm on “The Bayeux Tapestry Through The Ages: Embroidering, Restoration, Conservation” given by Dr Alexandra Makin.  Dr Makin is a member of the Scientific Committee for Research for the Bayeux Tapestry and works with the team at Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux on a number of projects.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.zeffy.com/ticketing or on the door and the cost is £5 for members of WAAHS and WCS and £10 for all others.

WRA AGM will be in the New Hall on Saturday November 7th at 11.30am and teas/coffees will be served from 11am.  The Residents Association Annual General Meeting is later than usual this year to allow time for the Church Market.  During the meeting Icklesham Parish Clerk Jenner Sands will be speaking on her role and the work of the Council in the local area.  Adam Hart will then introduce Neighbourhood Watch and the planned meeting with Winchelsea’s new PCSO. WRA will also be giving more detailed information on the current scale of traffic and the particular problems it is causing in the High Street.   Note the date in your diary and do come to the AGM as it’s an opportunity for residents to raise questions and find out how the WRA are supporting the maintenance of the town.

RBL QUIZ 2026 will be held on Sunday November 8th in the New Inn at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.  The format is as for other similar events, that is tables of up to 4-7 and an entry fee of £4 per person. Please book a table directly with the New Inn, or speak to Jerry Moss.  It would be great to again have plenty of support for this initiative and proceeds are in aid of the Royal British Legion charity.  

POPPIES 2026 for Remembrance will be available until Wednesday November 11th with donation boxes and trays containing a variety of products.  The usual places for poppies in Winchelsea are The Little Shop, The New Inn, and The Farm Kitchen, and at Winchelsea Beach the Co-op, Sutton’s Shop and The Ship Inn. 

WESLEY’S CHAPEL in Rectory Lane is holding an hour of reflection titled:  ‘Remember the Fallen’ (of Winchelsea) at 10.30 for 11am on Saturday November 14th.  This is not a service but a time of recognition, remembrance, and reflection with words and music so that “We will remember them”.     Everyone is welcome to share in this moment of gratitude for the millions of servicemen who fought and died in the two World Wars defending our nation and its Christian values from devastation.   “And there were found among them mighty men of valour” (1 Chronicles 26:30-32, reference to King David’s army 1000 BC)    

ADVENT WINDOWS 2026 is an essential part of Christmas in Winchelsea as are the popular Christingle markets and Christmas Fairs in many British towns. In the lead up to December 25th Winchelsea’s own annual Christmas Fair will be held on Saturday November 21st at 10.30am to 3pm in the New Hall.   The Advent Window displays are an opportunity for volunteers to offer time, effort and creativity to produce captivating window scenes with a Christmas sparkle.  These windows always give much pleasure to residents and visitors as they tour the town to observe the displays.  Last year a significant amount was raised for charity and again in 2026 proceeds will go to a local charity.  This year’s theme will be ‘Christmas Music’ and the window scene can be linked to a Christmas carol or any piece of music that relates to Christmas.   If you would like to take part in making a window display please email: [email protected]   The plan is that each evening from 1st until 17th December a window is lit in turn and then, on Friday 18th December the remaining windows 18-24 are lit which will mean that all windows will be lit for the weekend prior to Christmas. Switch on times are 4.30 to 9.00pm each day.

MERRY OPERA returns to Winchelsea on Saturday February 20th, 2027 to perform Rossini’s Barber of Seville.  Earlier this year the Merry Opera Company entertained the town with Cosi fan tutte and this next highly recommended performance will be in the New Hall at 7.30pm. Don’t forget to note the details  in your diary.  The bar opens at 6.30pm and also during the interval.   Tickets can be bought online at www.merryopera.co.uk  and the proceeds will go to the New Hall.  This show which promises to be “energetic, romantic and mischievous” is directed by John Ramster and sung in English by a cast of professional opera singers.