Winchelsea

On Thursday May 16 the talk on Edward III will take place in St Thomas’ Church at 7pm. Tickets are £7 per person on the door or from Winchelsea Post Office and funds raised will be shared between the church and the Pipewell Gate Appeal. Professor Mark Ormrod will be recounting Edward’s 50 year reign and military prowess as the man who launched the Hundred Years War in 1337 at a time when the Black Death was spreading over England and Europe. When Edward ascended to the throne he was the young grandson of Edward I who founded ‘New’ Winchelsea. The Town and all the Cinque Ports were very busy at this time, suffering attacks from the French. During the Hundred Years War period Edward triumphed at the Battle of Winchelsea in 1350 which was fought against the Spanish fleet off the coast near Winchelsea and Rye. He also granted all seven Cinque Ports the right to elect two members of Parliament. Dr. Ormrod is a well-known medieval historian who has been a Professor at York since 1995; among his many publications is a distinguished book about Edward III published in 2009. He is currently the Academic Coordinator for the Arts and Humanities at the University, which this year celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its establishment. It is hoped that there will be a good attendance, not just from Winchelsea but from other Cinque ports. The speaker and the audience will be welcomed by the Speaker of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports, Jurat Stephen Turner, Mayor of Winchelsea. Later this month the Speakership will rotate to The Mayor of Rye.

Winchelsea Literary Society is holding a talk on The Metaphysical Poets which will be given by Lorna Challand. This will be on Friday 17th May at 7 for 7.30 pm in the Court Hall. John Donne is considered the leading exponent of this 16th century style of verse. A man of contradictions he was both spiritual and carnal throughout his life and this inner conflict informed much of his writing.

The annual Fun Quiz Night at the New Hall takes place next Saturday 18th May and doors open at 6 for a 6.30 start. Teams of up to six are requested and if you wish bring your own alcohol. The tickets are £8.50 per person which includes a delicious supper of Farm Shop sausages and home-made sandwiches. For the Quiz winners there will of course be prizes and a raffle will be held during the evening. It is essential to book up and the number to contact is 01797 223810 or email: fundraising@ryehospital.org.uk and this event is in aid of the Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital.

Following the voting day last Thursday the County Council election results for Rye and Eastern Rother are: Keith Glazier (Con.) 963 votes, 36.1 per cent share, down from 1,572 votes in 2009; Mike MacKenzie (UKIP) 884 votes, 33.2 per cent share; Nick Warren (Lab.) 647 votes, 24.3 per cent share, down from 407 votes in 2009; Peter Hillier-Palmer (LibDem.) 171 votes, 6.4 per cent share, down from 1,000 votes in 2009; turnout was 36 per cent down from 42 per cent in 2009. With UKIP’s success in coming second we now have a four party state in this area.

Winchelsea Beach

A Saltmarsh Habitat Walk has been organised by the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for Sunday 12th May. This is an opportunity to find out how the saltmarsh recreation project is working and to watch the sea coming in on a high spring tide. During the two-mile walk you will be able to observe many different waders, gulls and terns. If you would like to come along please meet at Rye Harbour car park for 10 am to 1pm and donations will be appreciated.

Icklesham Parish Council will be holding its full Annual General Meeting on Monday 13th May. The venue is the Community Hall, commencing at 7.15pm.

The next St Richard’s Fellowship Lunch will be on Friday 31st May in the Community Hall, as usual at 12 for 12.30 pm. You are welcome to attend and will need to book in good time by contacting 01797 227168.