News from around the clubs - August 6

Little Common Photographic Club

Monday April 26 saw the culmination of all the season's trophy competitions, with a Print and Slide of the Year for which members chose their own selection in each category from entries already submitted. Judge was John Boots, ARPS.

From 20 Prints entries, the judge awarded John Pergande Print of the Year with Missing Persons; Dorothy Reeve's Reflections in second place, and John Larkin's Floral Delight in third.

In the Small print category Sue Clarke received Small Print of the Year with Sand Scene.

General Slides received 21 entries, from which the judge selected Sue Clarke's Krimmler Falls as Slide of the Year, followed by Ray Noble's Tobermory Reflections and Loch Arklet as second and third respectively.

From a total of 18 slides Ray Noble again had slides in top two positions with Superb Starling as Natural History Slide of the Year, and Red Squirrel in second place, and third was Brian Reeve's Helophilus wiping its eye.

The final meeting was the AGM on May 10 when there were no major changes to officers and committee, although positions remain vacant for digital secretary and programme secretary - a necessary post if the club is to continue after the forthcoming season.

After a refreshment break, presentation of cups and certificates took place.

Little Common Photgraphic club meets fortnightly on Mondays in the main hall at the Community Centre in Shepherds Close starting at 7.45pm. New members are always welcome and the new season will commence on September 13 at 11am. Members will visit Sheffield Park afterwards, which provides an opportunity to take pictures for next year's set subjects with Flowers for slides and Water for prints.

This is followed just three weeks later by the annual garden party on Saturday August 14 from 2.30pm, when members and their guests can enjoy a social afternoon - including refreshments, courtesy of June and John Larkin at 169 Cooden Drive.

For any further details - please contact Sue Clarke/ publicity on 224979, or John Larkin/chairman on 842364.

Bexhill Aircrew Association

AS the funeral of our legendary and highly valued member Ken Igglesden is to be held on Monday August 9, the Branch's monthly meeting scheduled for that day has been cancelled.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Elsie and all of their family.

Angus Redford, the guest speaker originally scheduled for August 9, has kindly agreed to postpone his talk until Monday October 11.

The branch AGM will be held, as planned, on Monday September 13.

Little Common Ladies' Club

ON Wednesday July 28 Timespan, (Tony and Lizzie Gilks) brought aspects of the years 1939 '“ 1954 to life in a humorous and lively manner. From the moment Tony entered, dressed as a 10-year-old evacuee, we knew we were in for an entertaining evening.

They took it in turns to deliver their presentation. Tony started by recounting details of the Phoney War. He showed us a billeting notice, various types of gas masks and an actual blackout curtain. It was shocking to learn how many deaths were attributed to the blackout. Several anecdotes were told about the Home Guard. Some units only had one gun between 20 men. Besides collecting metals to help the war effort (including aluminium which was never used!) people were encouraged to keep a pig and Tony produced a leaflet that explained how to achieve this. Lizzie talked about the fashions of the day and three of our members volunteered to model coats and hats. Fran Cook wore a utility, home made coat, Joan Ryder had a classic coat by Dior and Pat Smith showed us The New Look with its full skirt and fitted waist.

Provoking much hilarity, Lizzie then produced her collection of underwear and Pat bravely modelled several kinds of bloomers (passion killers!) Corsets appeared and liberty bodices brought back memories of wrestling with rubber buttons.

Before their talk, Tony and Lizzie had set up a fascinating array of artefacts and while refreshments were served, many of us spent time examining the books, medals, food stuffs, cameras, first aid boxes etc. that were on display. There was even a 1953 wedding dress from Marshall and Snelgrove and a repaired bed sheet (sides to the middle!)

Kavina Austin gave the vote of thanks for a most entertaining and nostalgic presentation and after the raffle was drawn, our chairman Pat Grayling recalled the parts that had struck a chord with her, particularly the Home Guard, since her father had been instrumental in forming the Home Guard in his home village.

The next meeting is on September 22, when Sally Bigmore, aided by a band of volunteers, will give a demonstration about dressing for that special occasion. The presentation is called Dress your Best.

Anyone wishing to come along will be made very welcome. Meetings begin at 7.45pm at Little Common Community Centre, Shepherd's Close, Little Common. Telephone 01424 842456 for further details.

Bexhill and District CSMA Club

AT our club night on July 20, Captain Dudley Botting, a Sussex man, gave a very entertaining talk on his life and career at sea.

At an early age he enrolled as a cadet and rose through the officer ranks to eventually become in command of his own ship.

For most of his career he was with British Petroleum and carried cargoes such as jet fuel and crude oil. He described the very serious training required in the running of a ship, which, at sea, is a self-contained unit. Fire fighting courses, medical training, and man management are particularly important.

Captain Botting said that although attention to piracy is currently focussed off the coast of Sudan, it is a problem all over the world. At times his crew have stood by with various means, such as fire hoses to repel possible boarders, especially when moving slowly through narrow straits.

Captain Botting gave his talk with a wit that was much appreciated.

As an epilogue the loss of value of his BP shares should be mentioned.

At our lunch club meeting on July 6, 18 members enjoyed the fare at The Ash Tree at Brown Bread Street and on July 7, in conjunction with our Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells CSMA neighbours, a large group took a return trip on the Kent and East Sussex Railway from Tenterden to Bodiam. This also included a meal.

Future events include a trip to Paradise Park in Newhaven on September 8.

The Christmas lunch club meeting will be at the Woolpack in Herstmonceux on December 7 and the Christmas dinner will be at the Cooden Beach Hotel on December 21.

The recent CSMA Club report showed that the membership currently stands at around 298,000. This is down from past numbers, which approached half a million, but the decrease was expected as a result of the sale of Britannia Rescue and the club reorganisation.

Any questions regarding events and membership should be addressed to our secretary, Tony Calton, on 01424 434496.

Little Common RBL Women's Section

FOLLOWING the exhortation, chairman Hilary Turner welcomed members to our July meeting.

We are looking for a new standard bearer for Royal British Legion events and services. Any member interested, please contact our secretary Mrs J Mantle.

Our Keep Fit members are pictured in the current issue of the magazine, Circular. The group contributes to the Benevolent Fund. If you would like a copy, contact the Secretary.

On September 4 the club is running a coach for those wishing to attend the Tunes of Glory event at Ardingly.

Outings to Chartwell and Maidstone Market have been well supported, and Mrs Masterton has asked for suggestions for further visits.

The county conference will be in November. Competitions for awards include photography, the subject being either Men at

Work or An Historic Sussex Building; a card designed to celebrate the founding and 90th anniversary of the women's section of the RBL; and making a matching hat and glove set.

Most years we are fortunate to win at least one section, so do support our chances this time.

The secretary gave information to members on how to obtain tickets to attend the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in November.

A Poppy Appeal tea party is being held on Wednesday, September 29, at 2.30pm, and a dance, also supporting the Poppy Appeal, will be held on October 9.

Our meeting continued with an open evening and two quizzes devised by our chairman. One, on sweet names, was well answered, showing we seem to be good consumers.

The geography quiz was more demanding and had us all quite perplexed.

A very pleasant evening ended with a selection of music for sing-alongs.

Our next meeting is at 7pm on Wednesday, August 11 at Little Common Club when we welcome members old and new.

Do come and join our friendly gathering.

Little Common Morning Townswomen's Guild

At our July meeting, we were pleased to present a cheque for 650 to Mrs Mary Berriman, who received it on behalf of the Little Common Community Centre, which had been our designated charity for 2009-10.

Three of our members then each gave a short talk on their favourite charities. At the end of this we had a show of hands and the vote was carried in favour of the East Sussex Association for the Blind, which will be our charity for the next season 2010-11.

The first of our new fundraising events will be a grand coffee morning on Saturday August 21 at St Martha's Church in Little Common from 10-12noon.

Admission price of 1 will include coffee and biscuits and there will be an array of sales tables including bric-a-brac, greetings cards, a raffle, and the always popular homemade cake stall.

Please come and support us and help us towards our aim of raising another 600 plus for our next charity.

Our usual meeting will be on August 26 at the Little Common Community Centre at 9.45am.

Highwoods Preservation Society

What's about in August :

August is high summer, a time for insects. Butterflies should be at their most numerous, although we wait to see the effects of the recent bad weather. Our own resident species swelled by migrants from across the continent - gatekeepers, peacocks , red admirals, commas, small tortoiseshells and painted ladies are common species, but also look out for town woodland specialities '“ the elegant and gentle flight of white admirals one of the jewels of the Highwoods. Look for them around honeysuckle, on which they lay their eggs. There have been several sighted this year, which is good news because last year there were hardly any seen.

It is easy to overlook some of the smaller species like small coppers with bright orange wings with dark spots andsSkippers, which are ochre in colour. Underneath the electric wires is a good place to see butterflies.

Dragonflies will also be abundant. Broad bodied chasers have short thick bodies, blue for the male and ochre for the female. Emperors are one of our largest species, the male having a bright blue body and the female vivid green. Another species to be seen is the brown hawker, one of the easiest to recognise, as it is the only British dragonfly with brown wings.

Even now some birds are beginning their migration and other species which have nested in northern climes will be flying south to feed themselves in preparation for the long haul to the southern hemisphere. It is possible for any species to stop around for a few days, so it is worth looking closely at any birds at this time of the year, because it may just be a rarity.

As the month nears its end ,signs of autumn will become more and more evident, berries colouring up and fungi becoming more plentiful.

Weather Wisdom: "If St Bartholomew's Day (August 24) be clear, a prosperous autumn comes that year."

Bexhill Bridge Club

Results for week ending Friday, July 30.

The club held a Great Britain Bridge game, pairs competition on Tuesday July 27.

First N/S Angie Bittan and Ray Burnett, and E/W Sylvia and Maurice Reeves.

Equal Second N/S Brian Gould and David Gillespie and Mr and Mrs L Sterling.

Second E/W Fergus Cameron and Norman Taylor.

On Thursday July 29 a special prize competition was won by the top scorers.

N/S Anita Cullen and Josie Boryn. E/W Ann Hone and Sergio Magri.

It was especially pleasing to record a first place and voucher to N/S Bexhill Mayor, Jim Carroll and his partner Hazel Oakley.

E/W/ first place and voucher went to Pat Burton and Mary Bunyan.

The club meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at St Augustine's Hall, Cooden Drive. New members are welcome. Phone Glynis on 01424 846570.

Bexhill 100 Motoring Club

FRIDAY, July 23 was an important date for all our club members as more than 80 members and special guests witnessed the official opening of their garage/workshop facilities in London Road.

The South Coast College in the old Russells Garage site had invited the club to have part of the smaller garage area in exchange for additional help with their students. This we have accomodated and both are working well.

At 8.30pm Brian Storkey, our club president, along with Lee Dunn cut the ribbon to mark the official opening.

Brian Storkey mentioned it was fitting we should be in the garage as Russells was the first company to sponsor the Bexhill Festival along the seafront during the 1990s and Mr Russell's father meet Renault's founder at the first seafront race in 1902 and subsequently became the Renault agent the flllowing year and remained such until their closure just a few years ago.

Also present at Friday evening's opening were our Classic Car Show sponsor's Ian and Marion Standley of Dray's, Western Road. They said they had been very happy in supporting our show and surprised us all by presenting the club with a unique mirror commissioned for the last seafront show in 2002, marking 100 years from the first race. A lcoal artist had painted a scene on the mirror depicting the Serpollet Steam Car racing in its heyday.

The club chairman thanked everyone present and also introduced four new members to the club. The evening finished with a raffle.

Anybody in Bexhill or surrounding area who has a love of classic cars and would like to join The Bexhill 100 Motoring Club and also take advantage of our almost unique facilities can find us on www.bexhill100.com

World Development Movement

Our July meeting was a special occasion; a party to celebrate 40 years of campaigning for justice for the world's together with an inspiring talk entitled The Climate Debt Crisis. Some 20 local members warmly welcomed guest speaker Kirsty Wright, senior campaigns officer from WDM London HQ, recently returned from Bolivia, where she had attended the People's Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth Rights.

Kirsty came face to face with the harsh reality of climate change when she met a small indigenous community in the high Andes. Ten years ago there were 70 families, now only 40 remain.

Increasingly high temperatures, ruining their crops and their health, have forced many to join the thousands of climate refugees in El Alto, a slum suburb of the capital La Paz. These simple peasants have been driven to change from potato cultivation to fruit, in order to exist. Incredibly, this is happening at an altitude of some 14,000 feet in the foothills of the Illimani glacier, which is melting even in winter.

Like all indigenous people they have a strong connection to the earth and hold their Pacha Mama (their word for Mother Earth) in great respect, ever careful not to upset the balance of nature. Unable to comprehend what was happening, they blamed themselves for their troubles: they must have offended their Pacha Mama. Then they heard about global climate change - it was not their fault but that of the people in the rich world.

Meeting these poor people, who are suffering great hardship due to climate change, to which they have not contributed, (the average Bolivian producing only 0.04 per cent of the world's carbon emissions), had a profound effect on Kirsty. She urged us to support WDM's campaign No New Debt. The rich world has prospered at the expense of the poor and they are the innocent victims of our excesses. WDM is calling for real help now for people in the developing world, not loans, which would make life even harder for them. The debt is ours and it is right that we should repay it as a matter of urgency. To find out more about this campaign see www.wdm.org.uk/climate and for information about the local group call 845225.

Bexhill Royal Naval Association

THE club met on July 26 at Eight Bells of the Second Dog Watch.

The usual reports and comments were made by the various branch officers. The chairman read a letter from the widow of a recently deceased shipmate thanking members for the support in attending the funeral service at St.Augustine's. Our July collections at Tesco and Sainsbury's raised 520 and 425 respectively for our charities.

After Stand-Easy, shipmate Eric Brett gave a most interesting talk about his time in the Navy. Trying to sign on at the age of 15, by giving his age as 16-nearly-seventeen, and alleging that his birth certificate has been destroyed during the Blitz, he found that he was too young to enter as a cook, but was accepted as boy steward. After training he joined the Destroyer Westminster '“ built in 1917 and offering very cramped quarters. Hammock-spaces were limited and many had to sleep on lockers or mess-tables '“ not surprising therefore that the crew received one shilling per day Hard-Lying Money.

He later sailed in the Queen Mary to New York, where all servicemen were notably indulged. However, after horse-riding in Central Park his legs took some time to recover their natural state.

He was then sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia, becoming batman to one Commander Goldsmith, and enjoyed a life of comparative luxury, travelling around with the Commander in seaplanes and Dakotas.

At this time his original desire to cook was encouraged by the teaching of a Petty-Officer cook.

When the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan this pleasant life came to a sudden end, and he shipped home on the Ile de France, and joined the minesweeper Mystic, which involved much hard work.

However, the leading cook was taken ill, and Eric took over the cooking, and was at last able to realize his early ambition, and was rated as a cook.

All those men and women who have served in any branch of the Royal Navy or the Merchant Navy are assured of a warm welcome as new Members. In the response to duty we have found the gift of comradeship. This comradeship is in evidence not only at our branch meetings but also at our Summer and Christmas socials, at our anniversary dinner, and at our annual Trafalgar dinner.

Information about joining the RNA, and dates of meetings and events can be obtained by telephoning 01424 219035.