Winkle Club
Encyclopedia
The Winkle Club is an internationally famous charitable organization
formed in 1900 by Hastings fishermen to help the under-privileged families of Hastings Old Town
, in East Sussex
, in the south of England
.
The Winkle Club headquarters, located at the Fishermen's Institute, opened in 1882. The building was given in trust for the use of Hastings Fishermen; the ground floor area, now used as the bar and clubroom, was initially used by the fishermen for making and repairing their nets.
Apart from some specially selected local residents, Winkle Club members have included some very illustrious personalities such as the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Lord Montgomery, Sir Norman Wisdom and Winston Churchill
.
Each Winkle Club Member (or 'Winkler') carries a winkle
shell which they must produce when challenged to 'winkle up'. Failure to do so results in a fine which goes towards local charities.
During special occasions, members of the Winkle Club gather together on Winkle Island
at the foot of All Saints' Street. Winkle Island is the venue for many of the club's outdoor events. The giant winkle that stands on the pavement (see photo), was used as a collecting box in the past.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
formed in 1900 by Hastings fishermen to help the under-privileged families of Hastings Old Town
Hastings Old Town
Hastings Old Town is an area in Hastings roughly corresponding to the extent of the town prior to the nineteenth century. It lies mainly within the eastern-most valley of the current town...
, in East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
, in the south of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The Winkle Club headquarters, located at the Fishermen's Institute, opened in 1882. The building was given in trust for the use of Hastings Fishermen; the ground floor area, now used as the bar and clubroom, was initially used by the fishermen for making and repairing their nets.
Apart from some specially selected local residents, Winkle Club members have included some very illustrious personalities such as the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Lord Montgomery, Sir Norman Wisdom and Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
.
Each Winkle Club Member (or 'Winkler') carries a winkle
Common Periwinkle
The common periwinkle or winkle, scientific name Littorina littorea, is a species of small edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk which has gills and an operculum, and is classified within the family Littorinidae, the periwinkles....
shell which they must produce when challenged to 'winkle up'. Failure to do so results in a fine which goes towards local charities.
During special occasions, members of the Winkle Club gather together on Winkle Island
Winkle Island
Winkle Island is at the heart of Hastings Old Town in East Sussex, England, in the United Kingdom. The island is part of a unique area in Hastings called 'The Stade' and the stretch of shingle beach from which Hastings' famous fishing fleet has been launched every day for over a thousand...
at the foot of All Saints' Street. Winkle Island is the venue for many of the club's outdoor events. The giant winkle that stands on the pavement (see photo), was used as a collecting box in the past.