Societies

Archaeological Society

WAS was set up to undertake a comprehensive geophysical survey of the buried remains of medieval Winchelsea. The aim is to help archaeologists understand the precise layout and nature of the buildings of the medieval town. The Society was set up by a group of residents in 1999 with the encouragement of the then East Sussex County Archaeologist, Dr Andrew Woodcock, and now operates under the supervision of his successor, Casper Johnson. WAS conducts geophysical surveys with its own resistance meter and raises money to fund ground-penetrating radar surveys. Survey work tends to take place between March and November, but the precise dates depend on the weather. The Society is able to provide watching briefs on small local developments and can assist in the identification of finds. Other research is also undertaken, eg it is currently involved in the sorting and analysis of pottery dug out from a cellar. It promotes wider public appreciation of Winchelsea's heritage by organising lectures and guided tours --- including tours of the medieval cellars for the public and special tours for groups such as historical societies. The Society is deighted to assist visiting archaeologists. You can contact WAS online or via the Winchelsea Community Answerphone on 01797-225333.

Bonfire Boyes

The Bonfire Boyes organise the annual Bonfire Night celebrations in Winchelsea, helping to maintain a tradition that is particularly strong in Sussex. Although a small society, the Winchelsea Bonfire Boyes have earned a reputation for putting on magnificent firework displays. The event is very popular with families, given that the Bonfire Night celebrations in towns like Rye and Battle are very crowded and can be intimidating for small children. To volunteer, call the Winchelsea Community Answerphone on 01797-225333.

Winchelsea Conservation Society

Set up in 2008 to lobby against inappropriate planning proposals and encourage sympathetic development, but almost immediately became moribund. The Society has commented on just one planning application.

Friends of the Ancient Monuments

The Friends is a registered charity formed to raise funds to pay for the maintenance of the Court Hall and the ancient monuments owned by the Corporation (the Court Hall, Town Gates and Town Well). The Friends run afund-raising events over the year. Contact Roger Neaves on 01797-226263.

Friends of St Thomas's Church

The Friends is a registered charity that was formed in 1956 to raise funds for the maintenance of the fabric of St Thomas’s Church. However, following a very substantial bequest to the Friends in 1970 by Dr Edmund and Vida Jones, they now concentrate on managing and dispensing the bequest. Contact Robert Beecroft on 01797-223159.

Friends of St Thomas's School

Formerly, the PTA of St Thomas’s School. The Friends run events to raise funds to buy and maintain facilities at the school. Given the small and dwindling number of pupils who now live in Winchelsea, the Friends tend to focus on the school’s main catchment area, which is Winchelsea Beach.

Friends of Winchelsea Methodist Chapel

The chapel was built in 1785 and John Wesley preached in it in 1789. The chapel retains many of its original features, including the pulpit. By the 1980s, a shrinking congregation reduced the frequency of services to monthly. In 1994, responsibility for the chapel passed to the Hastings, Bexhill and Rye Circuit, who established the Friends. Membership of the Friends is open to anyone with an interest in the building, its history and the local Methodist heritage. The annual subscription is £1. If you would like to join the Friends, contact Mrs Stella Webb at 127 London Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN37 6AU. If you would like to visit the chapel, contact John Campbell on 01424 217804.

Garden Society

Formerly, the Gardeners' and Allotment-Holders' Society, then the Gardeners' Society and now the Garden Society. The Society organises two horticultural shows: the Spring Show in April and the Summer Show in August (which is part of the Summer Fete). The money from these two events is donated to local charities and funds the annual planting of bulbs in the verges around the village. The Society also organises outings to famous gardens and arrange a lecture at their AGM. Contact Cynthia Feast on 01797-222629.

Literary Society

The Literary Society meets every month, except in summer, usually on the evening of the third Friday of the month, in the Court Hall for literary readings and discussions of books and poetry, generally on topical themes. Some members read: others prefer just to listen. The Society also organises occasional trips to the theatre. Contact Howard Norton on 01797-226524.

Millennium Artefacts Society

This group raises funds to maintain the Town Sign on German Street, the beacon on the former site of the windmill, and the Millennium Tapestry in the Church, all of which commemorate the Millennium in Winchelsea. Their principal fund-raising event is an exhibition of paintings by local artists in the Court Hall over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The contact is Trevor Aisher on 01797 229173.

Museum Committee

This is a group of volunteers who look after the former Winchelsea Corporation’s Museum on the upper floor of the Court Hall. The Museum is open every day between May and September. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the curator, John Freeman, on 01797-226270.

National Trust – Rye & Winchelsea Centre

Notwithstanding the name, there is no real connection with Winchelsea. The Centre is a group of local National Trust members, who stage social and fundraising events in support of the Trust. Specifically, they raise money for Lamb House in Rye, Bodiam Castle and other local Trust properties. The group organises outings, guided walks, illustrated talks, barbeques, musical evenings, an annual bridge lunch, a theatre club and many other events, often at Trust properties. Contact Marion Brunt on 01424-883566.

New Hall Management Committee

The New Hall Management Committee is a registered charity set up to manage the New Hall, which is Winchelsea’s village hall. It is situated on Rectory Lane, next to the Cricket Field (see the Town Map). The Hall is available for private functions. It can seat over 100, but is not equipped to handle more than about 50 people and has only mixed sets of glasses, crockery and cutlery, domestic cookers, no dishwasher and sometimes unpredictable hot water. The heating is also an issue in the winter. To book the New Hall, call Donald Cameron-Clarke on 01797-226414.

New Hall Society

Not to be confused with the New Hall Management Committee. The Society is a registered charity that exists to raise funds for the maintenance and improvement of the New Hall. A number of fund-raising events are held during the year.

Parochial Church Council

The PCC is elected annually by registered members of the ecclesiastical parish. It publishes a monthly Parish Magazine and sells cards and booklets about the Church. The contact is John Rodley.

Second Wednesday Society

This was formerly the Winchelsea Women’s Institute. It now arranges talks in the Court Hall by local speakers on various topics accompanied by tea. The Society meets at 2:30pm on the afternoon of the second Wednesday of every month except August. To join, contact Peta Cameron-Clarke on 01797-26414.

Tree Society

A very informal society set up to try to reverse the loss of major trees in public areas in Winchelsea and preserve the remaining treescape. The Society raised money to fund the planting of an English oak in the Churchyard to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Winchelsea Singers

The Winchelsea Singers is the local choral society for those who enjoy singing. They meet on Tuesday afternoons from 2:00pm until 4:00pm at the New Hall between September and April under the direction of their conductor, Jean Taverner. The Singers present a light opera in the autumn, a carol concert at Christmas, Fun Performances at the end of January, and a choral work in the spring. New members are welcomed --- no audition required.

Winchelsea Players

Winchelsea's amateur dramatics society. Founded in 2006 by local resident Monica Janssens. Specialising in well-known plays, mostly comedies, the Players' productions have been well-received. Their last production was Noël Coward’s comedy classic Private Lives. Annual membership costs £5 a year and entitles you to priority booking. 

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