Special Events
January
Fun Evening
An annual pantomime staged by the Winchelsea Singers over two nights, Friday and Saturday, at the end of the month.
February
Curry Night
A very popular annual fund-raising event staged by the Winchelsea Bonfire Boyes to raise money for Bonfire Night.
April
Mayoring
Easter Monday. Officially called the Annual Sitting of the Hundred. The Mayoring continues the roll of Mayors which dates back to 1284. Historically, this was the day when the Freemen of the Town of Winchelsea elected their mayor for the year. He then selected 12 jurats, who would provide the town’s councillors and magistrates. Since the Winchelsea Corporation lost its civil and judicial authority in 1886, the ceremony has been merely a ritual and the number of Freemen has generally been limited to 13, just enough to provide a mayor and 12 jurats. As when Winchelsea was a rotten borough, new Freemen are elected by existing Freemen usually only when one of their number departs (either from Winchelsea or this life). This contrasts with Winchelsea's sister town of Rye, where the Mayor is chosen by and from elected Town Councillors. The ceremony is held in the upstairs room of Court Hall, from whence the Jurats process to the New Hall for refreshments. By invitation only.
Spring Show
The first flower show of the year. Held in the New Hall. Organised by the Garden Society.
May
Asparagus Evening
Another very popular annual fund-raising event staged by the Winchelsea Bonfire Boyes to raise money for Bonfire Night. A meal of poached salmon fillets, first crop Jersey new potatoes and ½ lb per person of local asparagus. Usually preceded by a wine tasting. A glorious celebration of spring.
Whitsun Cricket Mismatch
This is a knockabout match between two strictly amateur teams of residents that takes place on the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend. The Fixtures —- full-time residents —- plays the Occasionals —- part-time residents. All ages play. The younger players are usually the best, as most of the adults have not played cricket for years, if ever. However, the real purpose of the match is to have a cricket tea. Everybody brings a contribution. The result is a sumptuous celebration of a great English institution. It’s also great fun. Held on the Cricket Field. Everybody is welcome (especially if they bring something for tea).
East Surrey Morris Men at the Castle
Since 1957, the East Surrey Morris --- one of the original six sides that founded the Morris Ring in 1934 --- have called Winchelsea every Whitsun Sunday on their annual tour of Kent and Sussex. They dance outside Old Castle House, formerly the Castle Inn, in Castle Street from about 5:30pm. Since the Castle Inn closed, they have been entertained by Mrs Fran Packard and, until his death, her husband, Reg. The Morris Men are usually accompanied by other teams, including the Bedford, Greensleeves and Long Man. A collection is taken for charity.
June
Open Garden Day
Each year, Winchelsea participates in the National Garden Scheme. Several gardens are opened for one afternoon, attracting over 1,000 visitors to the Town. The ticket money goes to the national organisers for disbursement to national charities (the scheme was started in 1927 to fund the District Nursing Service, but now supports many worthy causes). Money from the sale of refreshments and plants is donated to local charities. The allotments in Back Lane are also opened for those fed up with flowers.
Opera in Winchelsea
The Garden Opera Company perform in the gardens of Greyfriars in Winchelsea each June. Tickets are £35 per head for a seat on the 'lawn': rather more for a seat on the 'terrace'. Budget for raffle tickets too (£5 a time!).
August
Summer Fête
The high point of the social summer in Winchelsea. There is not a lot to do (to put it mildly), but if the sun is shining, it is pleasant to wander around and meet other residents. Includes a dog show. Held on the Cricket Field. At the same time, in the New Hall, there is the Summer Show of the Garden Society, who organise the whole Fête.
Shakespeare in Winchelsea
The talented Rain or Shine Theatre Company perform Shakespeare in the delightful setting of the garden of Cleveland House in Winchelsea. The audience is invited to picnic on the lawn. The garden opens at 5:30pm and the performance starts at 7:00pm, with a 20-minute interval at about 8:30pm, and ends at around 9:40pm. The performance takes place outdoor rain or shine! You must bring your own seating (we also suggest a rug). There is no bar, so bring your own drinks as well. There is quite easy wheelchair access. Tickets cost £12 for adults and £6 for children under 16. You will not be bothered with raffles or other fund-raising. The play for 2009 will be "The Taming of the Shrew" and will take place on Friday, 21st August 2009. For more details, call the Winchelsea Community Answerphone on 01797 225333 or e-mail will@winchelsea.net.
High Summer Hog Roast
An annual fund-raising event by the Winchelsea Tennis Association towards the building of a public tennis court in Winchelsea, now held on the Saturday of the August Bank Holiday. A whole pig is spit roasted and paraded through the audience before the crackling is stripped and passed around, and then the meat is carved and served with apple sauce and a large range of delicious salads. There is also a vegetarian alternative to the pork! The whole event is accompanied by the sound of the excellent Sussex Brass. This event is very popular with families, whose children spend most of the evening running round in a mob on the Cricket Field outside, occasionally coming in to refuel. The Hog Roast is probably the largest social event in Winchelsea, with up to 120 people attending. Held at the New Hall and, if the weather is fine, spilling out onto the Cricket Field.
Summer Cricket Mismatch
This is a knockabout match between two strictly amateur teams of residents that takes place on the August Bank Holiday weekend. The Fixtures —- full-time residents —- plays the Occasionals —- part-time residents. All ages play. The younger players are usually the best, as most of the adults have not played cricket for years, if ever. However, the real purpose of the match is to have a cricket tea. Everybody brings a contribution. The result is a sumptuous celebration of a great English institution. It’s also great fun. Held on the Cricket Field. Everybody is welcome (especially if they bring something for tea).
November
Bonfire Night
The annual celebration of the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot. Organised by the Winchelsea Bonfire Boyes. A popular event with families. Bonfire Night begins with the Guy being paraded through the village on a cart. A torchlight procession marches through the village to the bonfire field. The Guy is placed on top of the bonfire. Those members of the procession carrying torches gather around the bonfire, recite the Bonfire Prayer and then thrust their torches into the bonfire to light it. All are welcome. A collection is held on the night.
December
Carols by Candlelight
The main Christmas carol service in Winchelsea. Held in St Thomas’s Church.
Street Game
Each Boxing Day in Castle Street, there is medieval mayhem as three teams try to get the Frenchman’s Head into a single goal in a game with no rules. This is a game that echoes the gruesome entertainment in a besieged medieval town. You won’t believe it until you see it. It’s fast and furious, but great fun and just the thing to blow off the cobwebs after Christmas Day. You can talk about your heroics and show off your bruises for the rest of the day. The Game is also an ideal way to entertain and exhaust visiting youngsters. Visitors to Winchelsea are very welcome to join in, but everyone playing or watching do so at their own risk! To watch or play, just turn up at 11:00am in Castle Street. Then, off to the New Inn.
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