Winchelsea
Winchelsea is a small town in the non-metropolitan region of East Sussex, within the historical area of Sussex, England, situated in between the High Weald and also the Romney Marsh, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) south west of Rye and also 7 miles (11 kilometres) north eastern of Hastings. The town bases on the site of a middle ages town, founded in 1288, to change an earlier community of the same name, in some cases referred to as Old Winchelsea, which was lost to seaside erosion. The town becomes part of the civil parish of Icklesham. It is claimed by some locals that the community remains in fact the smallest community in Britain, as there is a mayor and corporation in Winchelsea, but that claim is challenged by places such as Fordwich. The mayor of Winchelsea is picked annually from among the members of the company, that are referred to as freemen, as opposed to being chosen by public ballot. New freemen are themselves chosen by existing participants of the firm. Thus, in its current type, the corporation is successfully a relic of Winchelsea's days as a 'rotten borough' (when Winchelsea elected 2 MPs but the number of citizens was limited to about a loads, sometimes fewer). The company lost its remaining civil and judicial powers in 1886 yet was protected as a charity by an Act of Parliament to keep the subscription of the Cinque Port Confederation. The mayor as well as corporation in Winchelsea now have a mainly ceremonial duty, together with responsibility for the recurring care and maintenance of the primary detailed ancient monoliths in the community and the Winchelsea museum. Winchelsea comprises neither a local government district, civil parish nor charter trustees area.
