Wonderful Winchelsea is home to many a curiosity and despite its small size it offers enormous amounts of history. An organisation who pride themselves on protecting and maintaining certain elements of that history is FOAM, or to give the group their full title Friends of Ancient Monuments.
CommunityAd had the pleasure of talking to Stuart who has been been on the committee of FOAM for about 11 years, during that time he was Secretary for 5 and Chairman for 3 years.
What is the main purpose and activities of FOAM?
The main purpose is to help the town Corporation raise funds to repair and maintain the various Ancient Monuments and the Museum in Winchelsea. This involves events such as talks and the main provider of funds, the guided medieval cellar tours. The latter are public and run from April to October most weekends with a number of private tours as requested by various organisations eg Historical societies, holiday companies etc. The tours have been suspended for the last 2 years, but are expected to commence again in April 2022.
Rye and Winchelsea have such a fascinating history don’t they, why is it important that it is preserved and celebrated?
Unless the various aspects and buildings are protected, they will disappear together with a rich historic culture which is important to the whole ethos of Britishness.
Do you have a favourite aspect or period of Winchelsea’s history?
The first 100 years of the establishment of New Winchelsea 1297 when it reached its period of greatest importance. Following the silting up of the estuary and burning and destruction by attackers from France and Spain, its importance lessened and the town fell into rural poverty for centuries until rediscovery by the painters and poets during the 18th century and its positional importance preventing possible French invasion during the Napoleonic ward of the early 19th century.
The original Winchelsea was destroyed and is now under the sea. Edward I realised the old Cinque port was too important through the provision of shipbuilders and sailors for the Monarch. Its people must be saved and he ordered a new town to be built on raised ground.
If any readers are interested in becoming a Friend, how should they go about doing this?
If further information is required or if people wish to join and help, they may contact our website. The whole of Winchelsea is of course of interest, it is in a very attractive rural area with fine interesting and varied buildings, all in addition to its Historic background.