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Events Through the Year. |
Events in 2008
Each year there are numerous events in Winchelsea to satisfy all interests, and open to all. Below we highlight a number of these. Look out for further information on this web site as it is updated during the year or in the Town where these functions are advertised.
Traditionally the year in Winchelsea is launched by the annual Easter Monday Mayoring held in the Court Hall.
1. Easter Monday Mayoring
There has been a mayor of Winchelsea for over 700 years, with records dating back to 1295. The mayoring ceremony takes place annually on Easter Monday, and since 1665 this has been held in the Upper Court Hall. The ceremony recognises the continuing existence of the last surviving unreformed Corporation of England and Wales and comprises an Assembly of the Freemen of Winchelsea followed by the "Annual Sitting of the Hundred" the principal business of which is the installation of the Major for the coming year.
The new Mayor is attended by twelve Jurats of the Town, selected annually at the Mayoring. The Mayor is assisted by the Town Clerk, the Chamberlain and the Sergeant-at-Mace. The ceremony is open to the public and takes place at 11 o'clock in the morning.
At this year's ceremony Jurat Alan McKinna was elected Mayor and he appointed Jurat Tony Moore as his Deputy. Prior to this election, the Freemen of the Town elected two new Freeman: Mrs Peta Cameron-Clarke and Mr John Spencer. Their investiture as Freeman of Winchelsea recognised their unique contribution and service to the Town and its Community over many years.
2. The Court Hall Museum
The Court Hall, in which the mayoring takes place, is one of the oldest buildings in the Town. Today the Upper Court Hall is a splendid repository of the artefacts of the Town which trace its history back to its foundation in 1295.
As you enter the Museum the first view that greets you is the span of magnificent medieval beams and roof trusses which support the old roof - a truly splendid sight. Additionally, the unique Mayoral Wall Boards which grace the West and North Walls of the Museum are particularly special to Winchelsea. There has been a mayor of Winchelsea for over 700 years and each is individually celebrated on the Wall Boards dating back to 1295.
The Museum is open every day commencing May until the end of September 2008.
3. St Thomas' Church
Winchelsea's splendid 14th century Church,
dedicated to St Thomas the Martyr, is the venue for many of the events
organised by the local organisations throughout the year. The splendid
stained glass windows were designed by Edward Strachan and dedicated in 1933 are a spectacular
sight not to be missed.
In addition to its religious ceremonies the Church is a focus for many special Town events and celebrations, including Concerts and Memorial Services. A key event in the Town is the Patronal Sunday
which this year will be held on 6th July 2008 commencing at 10:30am. The service is the
annual celebration of our patron saint St. Thomas the Matyr at which the Mayor and
the Corporation of Winchelsea attend in ceremonial dress.
4. The Winchelsea Singers
Winchelsea has its own choral society and every year, under their conductor Miss Jean Tavener,
they run concerts and a fun evening. The music varies from classical and
religious to the annual pantomime! Concerts often take place in the church
of St. Thomas in the heart of Winchelsea but others such as the annual Fun
Evening are held in the New Hall.
While many members live in Winchelsea
others come from the surrounding villages. The Winchelsea Singers are
always delighted to welcome new members. If you are interested please
contact Mrs Charlotte Beecroft on 01797 223159.
5. Morris Dancing
The long-established Morris Dancers from Sussex come to Winchelsea each Spring Bank Holiday Sunday and give us a superb traditional performance in Castle Street. This year the event will take place on Sunday 25th May at 5:30pm outside the Castle House.
This is a splendid setting for a very ancient and very English form of entertainment including all the old dances and a very lively "Fool".
6. Open Gardens Day
Behind the walls of Winchelsea lie some small but enchanting gardens, often called "The Secret Gardens of Winchelsea". These are lovingly cared for by their owners and on one day a year are opened to the public in aid of the charities that make up the National Gardens Scheme.
Make a date in your diaries for this marvellous event. This year the gardens will be open on Saturday 14th June. The gardens will be open from 2 pm to 6pm with teas on sale in the Church Hall. Look out for the details in the local press, on notices about the Town or of course in the National Gardens Scheme yellow book which gives details of all the gardens in the country that are open. If you have not visited us on this day then you are in for a treat but come early - it has become increasingly popular.
As in previous years, the gardens will also be open the following Tuesday, 17th June to sponsor a specific local charity, namely SIMCAS. SIMCAS is a charitable organisation which does such a splendid job in providing emergency doctors at local emergency incidents. Teas will again be on sale in the New Hall thanks to the support of the Friends of the Ancient Monuments.
7. Opera in Winchelsea
On 21st June 2008, the Garden Opera Company will perform the Don Pasquale, Donizetti’s comic
masterpiece, in the gardens of Greyfriars in Winchelsea. The owners, Jim Dunn and Arthur Whieldon, are delighted to welcome all to the splendid setting of Greyfriars House to enjoy a picnic in these hallowed grounds prior to the performance of the marvellous opera Don Pasquale performed by the world renowned Garden Opera Company. Tickets are £35 each for the opera. All proceeds will go to support a number of local charities. The charities are St. Michael's Hospice, Demelza House Children's Hospice, SIMCAS and Hastings and Rother Counselling Service. For more information and to make a booking, please contact the booking office on 01797 222723.
8. Annual Summer Fete and Flower Show
This is the principal event of the Winchelsea Gardeners' Society for the year. The Society also hosts a number of smaller events and shows throughout the gardening year. This year the Summer Fete will be held on Saturday
2nd August commencing at 1.30pm. The event has all the ingredients of a really traditional English village fete including:
- Flower, vegetable and cookery competitions with prizes of silver cups for adults, novices and children
- Tea and cakes for sale
- Children's dancing
- A dog show
- Side shows and stalls selling cakes, bric-a-brac, books and many others
- Coconut Shy
- Children's Entertainer
- Music from the Flat Cap Dance Band
9. Painting Exhibition - Summer Bank Holiday weekend
Winchelsea holds a number of painting exhibitions throughout the year, usually in the Lower Court Hall, which makes an ideal location. Some are run commercially by local people, some by teachers who exhibit the work of their students.
The highlight of our artistic year is the now-traditional Winchelsea Art Exhibition which is held over the Summer Bank Holiday weekend and organised by the Millennium Artefacts Society. The exhibition runs this year from Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th of August. The event is held to raise funds to support the upkeep of the various Millennium Artefacts in the Town, namely the splendid Town Sign opposite the New Inn, the Millennium Tapestry in the Church and the Town Beacon at the site of the old Windmill.
A varied selection of local art by gifted local artists provides an excellent opportunity to acquire a local memento from this lovely part of Sussex. To find out more please contact Trevor Aisher on 01797 229173.
10. Friends of the Ancient Monuments Events
The Friends of the Ancient Monuments is a charitable organisation who, through fund raising events, support the Winchelsea Corporation in the maintenance of the Ancient Monuments in the Town - primarily the three Town Gates, the Court Hall, the Town Well and the Queen Elizabeth Well.
Each year the Friends hold a variety of functions, lectures, tours of the ancient cellars, entertainments and suppers to which all are invited throughout the year. Look out for the local advertisements, then come along and expect to have an entertaining and enjoyable evening. Some of the events planned for the year include:
- The traditional Flea Market on 14th June (day of Winchelsea Open Gardens)
- Cellar Tours on 25th and 26th August (contact Dominic Leahy on 01797 2274488 to book)
- Wine Tasting in a Winchelsea Cellar (mid October date to be confirmed)
- Talk on Winchelsea's History by Malcolm Pratt on 13th October in the New Hall
- Festive Christmas Carols in the Court Hall on Friday 19th December in the Lower Court Hall.
11. Winchelsea Cricket Club
Winchelsea has one of the oldest cricket clubs in the country founded in 1795 and certainly one of the pitches with the most marvellous view, that of the Brede Valley. You will find the cricket pitch beside the A259, or Rectory Lane as we still call it. A new pavilion was built to celebrate the Millennium and friendly fixtures are held throughout the summer with a series of home and away games.
If you would like to participate in whatever role, as a player, an umpire, a scorer or helping with teas, please contact Alan Pope on 01797 226550.
12. Winchelsea Bowls Club
The club started on its present site in 1946 and has wonderful views of the Brede Valley. The club has over 30 members from Winchelsea and surrounding villages. Members compete in a variety of matches from friendly fixtures and competitions to the more serious league events. It is a very friendly club. If you would like to join write to the Chairman, Mr J.P. Priestley, 3 Hiham Gardens, High Street, Winchelsea.
13. The Literary Society
The Literary Society meets on the third Friday of the month during Spring, Autumn and Winter in the Court Hall to read and discuss literature and poetry around a chosen theme. Regular events are posted in the Town. At meetings members read and listen to pieces of chosen authors. Some members read others just prefer to come to listen and enjoy an accompanying glass of wine! If you are interested in joining please contact Alan McKinna on 01797 225125.
14. Second Wednesday Society
The Second Wednesday Society is a lively organisation that arranges interesting talks by local speakers on various topics accompanied by tea. The Society meets at 2:30pm in the Lower Court Hall on the second Wednesday of every month except August. To join and find out more, please contact Peta Cameron-Clarke on 226414.
15. Winchelsea New Hall - Christmas Market
At Christmas the New Hall Management Committee run a Christmas Market in the New Hall. This year it is planned for the first Saturday in December, just at the time we are all beginning to think about those Christmas gifts and provisions.
Starting early in response to the bargain hunters, from about 10 am onwards, you will find a range of stalls selling handmade Christmas gifts and decorations, homemade Christmas fare such as cakes, mince pies and jams and chutneys, Christmas plants and shrubs, books, candles, paintings - even old records and tapes. You will also be able to buy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake sometimes mulled wine too.