More Hastings history. Not funicular railways this time but a fascination with winkles! In the fishing museum there is a model of a man wearing a suit made from silver painted winkles. He is the Winkle King.
This is a Google pic cos I didn't take one at the time. His name is Slogger Hoad I believe and his throne is there too.
There'a whole Winkle Society there and a beautiful shiny metal statue a couple of metres high in the street to commemorate this grand tradition.
Famous people from history have been members and have had to abide by its rules and traditions.
For a glimpse in the Winkle world, try what Wikipedia has to say...
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.[1][2]
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 Sir Winston Churchill.[1]
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.
Well, you learn something new every day, but I bet you didn't expect to learn THAT! To visit their official website go to http://winkleclub.webs.com/
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