At 4:30pm on Saturday, December 14 the lights of twenty-eight windows, with inventive and engaging Christmas designs and tableaus, were switched on in Winchelsea. Debbie Cosstick, lady mayoress of Winchelsea, escorted me around the town to look at, and photograph, the windows.
Debbie explains: “It’s been a long-standing tradition for Winchelsea to decorate and light its windows for Christmas. This year is no exception with over thirty properties hosting a window with a Christmas music theme and I would like to thank the Winchelsea Christmas Windows team 2024 for all their support in making this happen.
“Maps / trails which take you to all the participating properties can be purchased for a £1 donation and are available from the New Inn, the Little Shop and Winchelsea Farm Kitchen. The maps have been wonderfully designed by Richard Plumb and make it easy to follow the trail which starts at the New Inn and ends at the Court Hall. All proceeds from the sale of the maps will be donated to Demelza children’s charity.
“So, if you’re bored with all the repeats on TV and have lost interest in that never-ending game of Monopoly, please visit Winchelsea for a stroll around town. The windows will be lit every evening from 4:30pm to 9pm until December 31. We look forward to seeing you. Please remember to bring a torch.”
Winchelsea and Demelza children’s charity
Peter Cosstick, mayor of Winchelsea takes up the baton.
“On the April 1, 2024, the day I became mayor, the new mayoress of Winchelsea, Debbie announced that her chosen charity would be Demelza East Sussex.
“Debbie and I have had strong links with Demelza over the past 20 years. A few months ago a visit to the Demelza hub in St Leonards proved to be a very humbling and tear-jerking to say the least, yet very inspirational, with over ninety children and families in our area receiving care and support from this amazing positive team. Thank you Donna and Liz for the tour, and an eye-opening insight as to what you do.
“Since April, the Winchelsea community have been busy raising funds for this local worthy charity through a variety of ways, including quiz nights, a race night, a special children’s church service, a music night, a dedicated tour of Winchelsea cellars, a mini auction and many more.
“On Saturday, December 14, a special community event was held in the New Inn to present the funds raised to members of the Demelza East Sussex team based in the hub at St. Leonards. The New Inn was packed with members of the community celebrating this brilliant achievement.
“A fantastic amount of £3,211.07 was presented by Debbie to Donna and Liz from Demelza. These funds have been allocated to support all the wonderful care and support the East Sussex team provide in very challenging circumstances, as well as providing new equipment for the Demelza hub (with more funds to follow!). The evening was a great success and finished with traditional carol singing.
“My deepest thanks go out to everyone in Winchelsea who have either raised funds or made donations during the year. In addition, I am so grateful to the Rye Windmill Guest House, The Mermaid Inn and the Harbour Master for their additional support. A brilliant example of how communities working together can achieve so much.
“Wishing you all a very peaceful, healthy, happy Christmas and New Year.”
Paul and Debbie Ramsey, landlords at The New Inn, want to thank Peter and Debbie Cosstick for supporting the pub and all their events and fundraising endeavours which enables them to help the community.
Image Credits: Ian Kingham , Jonathan Murphy , Jonathan Murphy , Kt bruce .