'We've fined each other for charity since 1900'

An East Sussex organisation where members can fine each other to raise funds for local causes is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

Hastings Winkle Club members raise cash by fining other members £2 when they are found to not have possession of their winkle shell when asked to "winkle up".

Fishermen founded the organisation in 1900 to fund a Christmas party for the town's children.

Chairman Christian Burton said supporting good causes remains "at the centre" of the charity's work.

In addition to running the Christmas party annually, the club said it issued £350 grants to about 40 local charities and community groups.

Another regular event is the club's winkle tossing contest, which sees participants throw shells into numbered containers to collect points.

The organisation can count Sir Winston Churchill and military commander Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery as former members.

Churchill's gold winkle shell is part of the collection at the ex-prime minister's former family home, Chartwell.

The club currently has about 250 members, with nominations from existing members required to join the organisation.

Mr Burton has been a member for over 30 years. His father is a former Hastings Winkle Club president and his great-great-uncle was a founding member.

The club made King Charles III a member during the monarch's visit to Kent on Thursday, according to Mr Burton.

To celebrate its 125th anniversary, the club is hosting a Hastings Sinfonia concert on Saturday.

"It's something that I have wanted to do and the committee have supported me on that," Mr Burton said.

Hastings Winkle Club said it would also organise a celebratory church service in September.

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