News from around the clubs - August 28

Bexhill-on-Sea and District Veterans' Association

THE Bexhill-on-Sea and District Veterans' Association continues to grow as the weeks go by.

It is with great sadness that we as an association had to lay one of our members to rest on August 19.

Alex Beveridge was one of our founder members. Our thoughts are with his partner Eileen at this difficult time.

Eileen wishes her thanks to be passed on to each of our veterans who turned out to pay their respects to Alex on the said date.

The months ahead for the association will be busy. It is planned to have an armed services day parade here in Bexhill on June 26 next year in Egerton Park.

Anyone who is interested in having a stall in the Park on the day can contact one of the numbers or e-mail addresses shown below.

All ex and serving members are invited to join our association. We boast our youngest member of 22 years of age and welcome him on board. He has just returned from a tour of Afghanistan.

We also boast a member of some 90 years of age who served throughout the Second World War.

There are many stories to be told, by these two and of course from all the other members who have served in different areas of combat.

So come along and join in the camaraderie that you were part of once.

The association wishes to thank the patrons and staff of the Royal Sovereign public house for their kind donation of 73 collected in the association's collection tin in the pub.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, September 1 at the Sportsman public house, Sackville Road, Bexhill, at 1pm. You will be made welcome by our chairman and branch secretary.

On Thursday, September 3, the association will be having a get-together in the Sportsman public house at 7.30pm. There will be a few games to play and a raffle.

All proceeds will go towards the purchase of our own Standard (flag).

It will also go to our dedicated charity, Help 4 Heroes. This is an opportunity for you to come along and enjoy yourselves.

For more information on the Bexhill-on-Sea and District Veterans' Association, contact Chris Gadsten on 01424 734204 or e-mail him on [email protected], or call Stuart Marfleet on 01424 220917 or e-mail [email protected]

Rotary Club of Senlac

A WELCOME was extended by Rotary Club of Senlac to Leigh Hicks, a former Scout who attended 19th World Scout Jamboree, in Chile and to guests, members of the Rotary Club of Bexhill.

The speaker began by explaining his father served with the Army Catering Corps, being resident originally in Harrogate.

A former student at Bexhill High School, Leigh joined the Forces as an Army apprentice with the Royal Signal Corps at the age of 16, carrying out basic training at Blandford.

He gained an HGV driving licence when he was 18 years old.

A posting to Germany with the 1st UK Armoured Division as a radio relay operator led to the subject of the presentation '“ Reflections of Iraq and Army Life.

Arriving in Germany with common terminology 'sprog' in November 2002 meant deployment to Kuwait for exercise 'Lucky Warrior'.

In February 2003 military vehicles left in snow, to travel to Kuwait.

As to be expected most soldiers, as young lads were scared.

Training was to be on desert exercises, with members of REME and infantry; in March they joined up with the American Marine Corps, whose equipment was advanced.

On March 20 2003, the first bombardment took place a short distance from the border.

The feeling was a quiet and strange experience being on a hilltop.

Work carried on as normal, in shifts, then 17 advancing soldiers were seen.

Not knowing what to expect, fortunately meant when confronted these of Saddam Hussein's soldiers only wanted to be 'out of the war', and surrendered as POWs.

Eventually the troops moved to an overlooking ridge, viewing poor shanty towns.

The talk went on to describe deployment at Basra Airport and sight of shops and eating places.

Driving in Iraq was indeed risky, with Leigh wearing body armour and helmet.

A visit took place by former Prime Minster, Tony Blair and Richard Branson, who gave aid.

Within five months Royal Signal Corps detachment returned home (back to Germany), having not shot in anger; then back with 7th Armour Brigade 251 Super Squadron.

After eight years as a Corporal soldier it was time for Leigh to decide future working life.

Leaving Aldershot and the Army has meant knowledge and skills in technicalities of communications for new-found career and future.

The army had set disciplines and maturity in an institutional environment in place.

Resettlement, as to be expected was not easy.

Working at a local school and being an instructor for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and completing a Data Network Engineer Course enabled Leigh to start work as an engineer with Drallim Industries.

Many questions followed, in particular on the reactions of the local community in Iraq; also the efficiency of kit worn and workings of electronics.

Rotarian Robin Poll, once a full-time soldier with the Royal Signal Corps, was able to reflect on the regiment and its purpose to serve in wartime communications.

Offering a vote of thanks there was loud applause for a quality presentation delivered with clarity and precision.

Bexhill and District CSMA Group

THIS month's Lunch Club venue was The White Hart at Netherfield on August 4.

Numbers were down a little due to the holiday season but 17 of us attended and had an enjoyable time.

The speaker at our monthly evening meeting on August 18 was Councillor Paul Lendon who described his year, 2007-8, as the Mayor of Bexhill.

What we heard was of an onerous, but enjoyable year, with more than 300 functions attended and meetings with many interesting people including Kate Adie, Michael Aspel and Henry Allingham.

Paul's meeting with Henry Allingham obviously made an indelible impression.

Paul hails from Euston, where his father was a councillor for 30 years and later became a Bexhill councillor.

One of Paul's lasting memories is, as a small child, getting his finger caught in the car door of the local mayor.

One can't help thinking that destiny played no small part in Paul's life.

Paul described how, when Rother was formed in 1974, Bexhill was able to retain a mayor and a Board of Trustees.

He also described the Bexhill Coat of Arms in detail and translated our Latin motto as "Sun and Health", a description confirmed by this year's glorious summer.

One of Paul's particular interests is in the inauguration of a Sussex Day which will probably be June 16.

Dates for our diary: Lunch club on September 1 at The Horseshoe Inn, Windmill Hill. Our speaker on our club night on September 15 will be Lesley White of the 1066 Brewery which,hopefully, will include some beer tasting; but not too much!

A tour of the brewery in Pebsham has also been arranged for Friday September 25 at 12.30pm. The cost is 12 and includes a Ploughman's, tour of the Brewery, beer tasting and a quiz. Booking for this will take place at our September evening meeting.

A "Cockney Night" themed evening will be held at The Wheatsheaf, Little Common starting at 6pm on Wednesday September 23. The cost is 5 each.

Advanced notice is also given here of our Christmas lunch club venue which is also The Wheatsheaf and will be on December 1 and our Christmas dinner will be at Di Paolo's in Bexhill on December 15. Don't forget to book early for the Las Vegas evening at the Cooden Beach Hotel on October 10.

We are still welcoming suggestions for a name for our Newsletter, the first issue of which appeared last month. Articles, news and items of interest for publication in the Newsletter should be sent to Peter Andrews or Edgar Walker.

A wide range of public and civil servants in the area are eligible to join the CSMA. For further information please contact our secretary Tony Calton on 01424 434496.

Sidley Friendship Club

SIDLEY Friendship Club met at Sidley Community Centre on Monday, August 17.

We had a lovely afternoon and Irene demonstrated and helped members to make two cards each.

One was made using decoupage, building up layers to form a 3D card and another using matting and layering and self-adhesive stickers. It was lovely to see all the different ways that people finished their cards.

Our next meeting is on Monday, September 21 at Sidley Community Centre at 2pm.

The cost is 1 including refreshments. A raffle will also be held.

This is an important meeting and we would like as many people as possible to attend.

New members, old members and existing members please come along as there are some important decisions to be made and we need your support and opinions.

We look forward to seeing you all then.

Bexhill-on-Sea Lions Club

ON Friday September 4, Bexhill-on-Sea Lions Club will be holding its 38th Annual Charter Dinner at the Cooden Beach Hotel.

In attendance at this event will be Bexhill Lions first ever female President Avril Earnshaw, Lions District Governor Eddy Warn, Deputy Mayor Cllr Jimmy Carroll, Rotary President Roger Batey, John Dowling Past Deputy Editor of Bexhill Observer and members of Bexhill Lions Club.

Bexhill Bridge Club

Tuesday August 11:

N/S: First '“ Brian Gould and Nigel Gordon

Second '“ Bill Spencer-Smith and David Boots

Third '“ Brenda and David Cross.

E/W: First '“ Angie and Ray Bittan

Second '“ Anne Spencer and Joan Winchester

Equal third '“ Joan and Rob Knights

Equal third '“ Colin Richards and David Gillespie.

Thursday August 13:

N/S: First '“ Brian Gould and Peter Carbutt

Second '“ Ralph and Sally Thompson

Third '“ Bill Spencer-Smith and David Boots.

E/W: First '“ Fergus Cameron and Hazel Oakley

Second '“ Angie and Ray Bittan

Third '“ Karen Berger and Mary Bunyan.

Bexhill Horticultural Society

A MERRY group of members and friends left Bexhill by coach on August 9, looking forward to a busy week following an itinerary packed with a miscellany of interesting events.

Our first visit was Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland. The gardens were built by Britain's best loved television gardener Geoff Hamilton over several years for BBC TV's Gardener's World programme.

Since his death in 1996, his gardens have been open to the public, and are now in the capable hands of his son and daughter-in-law.

After lunch at Barnsdale, we set off on the next leg of our journey towards the Victorian Spa town of Harrogate.

Arriving late afternoon at the Cedar Court Hotel we enjoyed a good dinner, a comfortable night's rest and an excellent breakfast before setting off again. This time we were to visit the RHS Harlow Carr Garden just a short drive from the town centre.

We continued to travel through villages and towns working our way further north. As we approached Penrith the heavens opened, and we lost the panoramic view to mist and spray. Our driver turned off the main road and headed towards Appleby, where a very interesting old Church provided both sanctuary from the weather, and historical knowledge of the middle ages.

We hit a little traffic as we neared Glasgow, but found the Park Inn Hotel without a problem. After dinner some of our group took a stroll up Sauchiehall Street before enjoying a 'wee dram' nightcap and heading for bed.

We were greeted by sunshine the next day, with a free morning to explore the Buchanan Galleries (the nearby shopping mall), or to walk the extra mile and visit the mediaeval Glasgow Cathedral. Here the cross was planted and the ground blessed for Christian burial by St Ninian (397), and the first stone-built cathedral was dedicated in 1136.

Soon it was time for us all to regroup and head for Edinburgh Castle, for one of the highlights of our holiday, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, now celebrating its 60th season.

Just before the performance began to a hushed arena, a lone jet aircraft of the RAF screamed directly over the parade ground.

Applause echoed round the arena as the massed pipes and drums of famous Highland Regiments paraded in, accompanied by bands from the RAF, Australian Federal Police, Auckland Police and Cape Town Highlanders. An awesome sight and sound of 200 of the world's finest pipers and drummers, it was a truly memorable experience which ended with fireworks and a hologram dedicated to Henry Allingham.

The next day found us exploring Stirling. Most of us visited the Castle, and enjoyed the services of a most eloquent and knowledgeable guide. Much restoration is being carried out there, including the weaving of several magnificent tapestries depicting the Capture of the Unicorn.

We found to our delight that two of the

already-completed tapestries had been woven at West Dean College. Sussex pride joined with Scottish pride!

The afternoon was spent visiting the Falkirk Wheel '“ the world's first and only rotating boat lift.

Quite simply unique, this incredible feat of engineering links the historic Forth and Clyde and Union Canals.

This was the last item on our Scottish itinerary, and back at the hotel in Glasgow we had to pack our bags for the long ride home to Bexhill the next day.

On our way we had one more treat planned, a visit to Tatton Park, at Knutsford in Cheshire. We began by looking round the gardens first, as it looked like rain, but the sky cleared and we enjoyed a wonderful walk through meticulously prepared vegetable gardens, and orchards.

The Italian garden and the Japanese garden were the agreed favourites, with beautiful blooms and precision planting, peculiar to their countries.

We thank our drivers Ron and Andy for making the many miles so comfortable and trouble free; Simply Groups, the company which finalised and booked our itinerary; and last but definitely not least, Stuart Wood for all the work he puts in to make sure that we get the best possible pleasure from the holidays and the other outings that he arranges throughout the year.

The XYZ Club

XTRA Years of Zest (for the young at heart) met as usual at 2.30pm on August 14 at Sidley Community Centre.

As members and visitors joined in the activity groups, we chatted about the very successful cream tea we held last month.

The afternoon continued, with some enjoying the 'Knit and Natters' knitting blankets and baby clothes.

Others joined in the 'craft' and were pleased with their efforts in making beautiful cards.

Scrabble required quiet for the players to think, but they managed anyway!

Added to all this enjoyment was the sales table, raffle, also our usual tea and cakes. The afternoon is never long enough for our friendly social club.

Three new members and two visitors were made welcome.

In September, we look forward to June Cox visiting with her talk on Costumes of Yesteryear and bringing along some costumes for us to see.

Come along and join us, we always meet on the second Friday of the month.

For more information, please phone Jeanette on 842605.

Cooden Millennium Afternoon Townswomen's Guild

FOR the August meeting our chairman Mrs Kaye Murphy invited members to a garden party in her garden in aid of our this year's charity.

The weather forecast was rather bad but luckily it developed into a most beautiful day.

Forty members came and enjoyed a restful afternoon in the sunshine protected by gazebos and sunshades.

We had a good tea with sandwiches and home made cakes and a lot of conversation. There were many prizes in the raffle, several small stalls all adding to our charity collection.

That afternoon we raised 200 for St Michael's Hospice in St. Leonards which is our named charity for the year.

A splendid effort. Thanks goes to those who arranged the garden party and to those who supported it. A vote of appreciation went to Kaye for letting members share her garden for this event.

This year is the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Townswomen's Guild. In certain towns throughout East Sussex floral displays have been planted to celebrate the event. at the instigation of the East Sussex Federation.

On Thursday the Bexhill display on the seafront was 'opened' and 'dedicated' by the mayor Councillor Bridget George, and we thank her for her interest and support. Members from local Guilds admired the work of the gardeners who had planted the feature..

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 2 at 2pm at Little Common Community Centre beginning another year of meetings and new events.

The speaker will be Evelyn Newman our Registrar sharing with us some of her many travel experiences.

The competition is for a funny egg cup, if you have one bring it along. We look forward to seeing old and new members and send our best wishes to those who are unable to attend.

East Sussex Bridge Club

Results for the East Sussex Bridge Club week ending August 14:

Monday August 10:

N/S First '“ Karen Berger and Marilyn Rutherford

Second '“ Gary Manley and Vera Kennedy

E/W First '“ John Clark and Inez Richards

Second '“ Les Crawford and Patrick Hutley

Wednesday August 12:

First '“ Patrick Hutley and Inez Richards

Second '“ Kay Peeke and Norman Waterman

Third '“ Brian Gould and Barbara Herold

Thursday August 13:

N/S First '“ Edna Simon and Carol Hutley

Second '“ Gary Manley and Paul Janes

E/W First '“ Irene Heath and Geoffrey Jordan

Second '“ Molly Bryant and Richard Slatter

Results for the week ending August 21:

Monday August 17

N/S First '“ Ann and Peter Preedy

Second '“ John Burke and Richard Mockett

E/W First '“ Alan Miley and Ted Weare

Second '“ John Clark and Inez Richards

Wednesday August 19

N/S First '“ Karen Berger and Richard Beauprez

Second '“ David Hughes and Kay Peeke

E/W First '“ Camilla Buchanan and John Polush

Second '“ Kathie Genders and Sheila Stedman

Thursday August 20

N/S First '“ Edna Simon and Judi Sibson

Second '“ Josie Boryn and Edward Wallbutton

E/W First '“ Vi Boniface and Gary Manley

Second '“ David Bacon and Mary Varela

New classes for Beginners and Improvers start September.

Please contact Barbara on 01424 422118 or 07931884715 for details of classes or sessions.

Hastings and District Association of Wrens

ON JUNE 16 of us met at St Mary Magdalene's church hall and enjoyed a delicious and very lavish cream team and cakes to which we had all contributed.

Afterwards our president entertained us with a lively account of the Centenary of Naval Aviation Flypast over HMS Illustrious to which she had been invited, and also of the service at St Paul's Cathedral and the lunch the next day which she and another member had attended.

On Armed Forces Day ten of us went to the service at St Augustine's Church, Cooden Drive, which had been organised by the Bexhill branch of the Royal Naval Association.

Almost all of us met at the Wheatsheaf in Little Common in July and enjoyed our meal there so much that it was suggested we should hold our Christmas lunch there as well and then for our December meeting have a Christmas tea party.

A small party of members went to Portsmouth and were shown over HMS Illustrious there.

Our next meeting will be on September 1 at St Michael's church hall in Pebsham and if any other ex-Wrens would like to join us they are assured of a very warm welcome. For further details please ring the chairman on 01424 222721.