News from around the clubs - August 7

Little Common Photographic Club

ON Wednesday July 15, five members and a guest enjoyed a summer outing to Knole House and Park on a day that started showery and windy.

However, after a tour of the house (where photography is not permitted) the weather improved to provide an opportunity for taking photographs from the house courtyard and exterior, the fascinating deer and even a walk around the gardens '“ only open on a Wednesday '“ ready for the club trophy competitions during the forthcoming season, which include set subjects of trees for slides and faces for prints.

With a gradual change from side format to digital images, Little Common Photographic Club is looking to introduce digital image projection and has included a couple of lectures in the new programme relating to this, and has also created an officer post for digital secretary, for which Val Greenwood was elected at the May AGM.

These details were omitted from our last report, as was the information that Gwyneth Ludkin has taken over as programme secretary.

It is hoped copies of the programme will soon be available as after several months' summer break, the 2009/10 season will start on Monday, September 14 with a friendly slide evening.

This first meeting will also be an open evening to welcome prospective new members.

So if you enjoy taking photos '“ either prints including digitally produced or slides '“ why not come along to this friendly evening to see if you would like to join?

Little Common Photographic Club meets fortnightly on Mondays in the main hall at the community centre in Shepherds Close, at 7.45pm.

Finally, a reminder that our annual garden party is taking place this Sunday August 9, from 2.30pm onwards, when members and guests can enjoy a social afternoon including light refreshments, courtesy of June and John Larkin at 169 Cooden Drive, Bexhill. For details about the club, contact Sue Clarke (publicity) on 224979 or John Larkin (chairman) on 842364.

Bexhill Rotary Club

DURING his visit to Bexhill Rotary Club on Tuesday July 21, District Governor Euan Eddie was asked to present the Four Avenues of Service Citation to one of the club's most senior members, John Lepine Wilson.

This citation enables the Presidents of clubs to personally recognise a club member for outstanding efforts and service carried out, thereby reinforcing the importance that Rotary places on the personal involvement of each club member in Rotary service activity.

Only one nominee is eligible per club each Rotary year.

John, a chartered surveyor by profession is quite an extraordinary character, well into his ninth decade who only recently celebrated scoring a hole in one at Cooden Beach Golf Club where he is a member and, coincidentally where Bexhill Rotary Club hold their fortnightly meetings.

During 30 years of continuous service in Rotary he has been a member of four different clubs around the country and joined Bexhill club six years ago.

His responsibilities over his Rotary "career" have included being chairman at different times, of all of the service committees, club vice president, Club Secretary and magazine editor.

He has also served with Rotary regional administrators or District as it is known, as sports officer.

His international service includes having arranged exchange visits between British clubs and those in Italy and Norway as well as taking part in fundraising activities in support of Rotary International humanitarian projects.

In his brief acceptance speech John said that he was a little taken aback because when Immediate Past President Richard Harrison was describing his life in Rotary, he thought it sounded like an obituary, if a little premature.

Little Common Ladies Club

AT the start of our meeting on Wednesday our Chairman Mrs Patricia Grayling read letters of thanks received from Mrs J Private from Homecall and the chairman of the Little Common Community Centre thanking the Ladies Club for the generous donations made to them.

The evening was followed with a talk given by Mrs Helen Poole on Michelham Priory: Past and Present.

The house dates back to the 13th century and at that time was surrounded by a moat.

During the early years it was a monastery and believed to have been built with stone from Chiddingly Quarries.It changed from being a monastery upon the dissolution of monasteries by Henry VIII at which time parts of the house were destroyed and the remainder sold.

From that time it went from one owner to another '“from a Mr John Foot from Arlington, to Mr Herbert Pelham and then into the hands of the Child family, who eventually sold it and went to New Zealand

In 1920 it then became the property of James Wyn. In the summer of 1925 Richard Beresford Wright purchased it and added a new wing. Christmas 1928 there was a fire and parts of the house were destroyed and the rest badly damaged, the moat was frozen so the Fire Brigade were unable to get water.

During the war London evacuees were sent to Michelham, and in 1940 to 1942 Canadian soldiers occupied it.

In 1951 Richard Beresford Wright sold the house to a Mr Storey who in 1959 gave it to The Archaeological Society.

Today the house is open to visitors, has its own resident ghost and has been featured in several films. Wedding ceremonies are now held there.

Mrs Grayling thanked Mrs Poole for a very interesting talk and we all agreed that even though many of us had been to Michelham Priory in the past another visit in the future would make an excellent day out.

Our next meeting is September 23, and the talk is First Impressions by Katie Day. Visitors will be very welcome.

A reminder to members of our lunch at the Langham Hotel on Thursday September 24.

Wilton Bridge Club

Tuesday, July 28

First: A Cullen and B Hinnigan

Second: J Clark and A Spencer

Third: P Hutley and I Lawrence

Wednesday, July 29

N/S

First: P Hutley and N Gordon

Second: K Berger and A van der Lee

Third: V Boniface and T Weare

E/W

First: I Richards and I Lawrence

Equal Second: A Stone and V Burgess

Equal Second: E Pavey and K Genders

Highwoods Preservation Society

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 tow 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. Silver Washed Fritillaries can be found occasionally feeding on bramble; they are one of our largest butterflies with orange and brown markings. It is easy to overlook smaller species like Small Coppers with bright orange wings with dark spots and Skippers, which are ochre in colour. Underneath 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."

Don't forget our summer walk, Saturday August, 11 at 10.30am. Given a fine morning there should be plenty of butterflies and dragonflies to see. Meet in the car park off Peartree Lane (north). It will last about 1 hours. There's also a summer walk on Saturday, August 15 at 2.30pm, meet in the car park. Walk will last for about 1 hours.

Bexhill and Battle UKIP

LAST Sunday, August 2, the Bexhill and Battle UK Independence Party held its annual garden party at the Brownbread Stud, Ashburnham. Besides the tea and cakes made by Fern Plews there was croquet, swimming and several other garden games for members and friends to enjoy.

During the afternoon an orphan foal had to be fed from the bottle and members were intrigued to see how quickly the foal drank a gallon of milk.

Members took the opportunity to thank the host, Tony Smith and also to congratulate him on being selected to stand for the Party as their Parliamentary candidate in the next General Elections.

More than 100 was raised including 25.50 from the raffle and Tony pointed out that there needed to be more fundraising to meet the 500 deposit required to stand in the elections. He said that in the 2005 elections he gained enough votes to retain his deposit and expected to do much better standing against incumbent MP, Greg Barker this next time round. Tony suggested UKIP members might consider sponsoring all or part of the deposit. To contact Parliamentary candidate, Tony Smith, ring 01424 893922 or email [email protected]

Bexhill Widows Widowers and Mature Singles Group

WE MEET every Tuesday for a fun social evening from 7.30pm to 10.30pm in the Concert Hall, Royal British Legion Club, Town Hall Square in Bexhill.

Recently we have enjoyed a 1960s night with The Goodall Brothers and a Country And Western night with DJ Stan the Man.

We also enjoyed a musical river cruise on the Medway and visited the Chestnut Tree hospice for children near Arundel.

We enjoy holidays twice a year next to Bournemouth in November '“ doubles and twins still available, open to all.

We would especially like to welcome more men who are finding difficulties coping with single life.

We have several members from Hastings and St Leonards and other local areas, and welcome like-minded people.

All enquiries to our chairman on 01424 212294, or secretary on 01424 712803.

Bexhill Chess Club

ON Tuesday, July 21 Bexhill Chess Club played the first-ever match against a Bexhill College staff team.

The results were as follows (Bexhill CC names first):

Joe Blake 2 draws versus Simon Lawrence

Paul Lendon 0-2 v Chris King

Ian Brown 1-0 v Aaron Pain

Jim Frost 1-0 v Aaron Pain

So a tied match, 3-3, played in a very friendly spirit and the first, we hope, of many such encounters.

Bexhill College have applied to join the Mid-Sussex Chess League and we wish them them success in their endeavours.

J. Sharp

President, Bexhill Chess Club

Bexhill Club of Past Rotarians

IF YOU go down to Brede High Woods today, you need not go in disguise.

There are no Bears '“ Teddy or otherwise '“ but there are lots of other creatures. Adders (dogs beware!] and other reptiles live there. Slow-worms thrive. So do fallow deer, wild boar, dormice, butterflies and moths. The names of some of the butterfly species are magically romantic in themselves: White Admiral, Green Hairstreak and Silver Washed Fritillary. They send us looking in those books about nature and the countryside, which most of us have (or thought we had), to see for ourselves.

Dr. Patrick Roper is a freelance ecologist who spoke to us about this interesting site, which is so near to us. Brede High Woods was acquired by the Woodland Trust less than two years ago. It lies between Sedlescombe and Brede and is open to the public. It contains a great variety of flora and insects as well as fauna: some of them very rare. Dr Patrick described it as "a microcosm of the High Weald of Sussex, which has some very ancient woods within it". Interestingly, it is not "managed" in the sense normally understood by the term "woodland management", but by minimum intervention. This consists of coaxing and fostering, together with a bit of managing in the normal sense. It sounded magical and probably unique. We will put it down as a special place to visit and The Woodland Trust as well worth supporting.

Little Common WI

MEMBERS of Little Common WI met on July 16 in the Community Centre, and were warmly welcomed by President Pauline Rosner.

The county celebration at Michelham Priory on July 6 was enjoyed by several members '“ a sigh of relief that the rain held off!

A new members afternoon held at Pat Creed's home was a great success, enabling us to get to know our newest members.

Our annual garden party is to be held on August 26 '“ cream tea and cakes, bring and buy, books and plant stalls. Monies raised to go to the Sarah Lee Trust.

Congratulations to Sheila King who took part in the monologue competition '“ it had to be a 500 word piece, mentioning the WI and President. The Sussex entries were judged, and Sheila's was chosen to go forward to the national judging.

Members with July/August birthdays were invited to the Birthday table to partake of cakes made by the committee. In place of a speaker, we had a social event with games and a quiz. It proved great fun, with much hilarity.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 16 at 2pm. The speaker will be Mr GM Matthews (Butcher). For enquiries, ring 845688.

W. Milne

Bexhill and District CSMA Group

A SUCCESSFUL joint lunch with our neighbouring Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells CSMA Group was held on June 25 at The Wheatsheaf, Little Common. It was attended by 45 members and friends

At this month's lunch club, 20 plus members had an enjoyable meal at The Ash Tree, Brown Bread Street on July 7.

At our monthly evening meeting in The Strand Room at the Cooden Beach Hotel we enjoyed a talk about Gilbert and Sullivan given by Alan Spackman, who is the production co-ordinator for Opera South East based at The White Rock in Hastings. Alan is also well known in the area for his involvement in local quiz evenings. Alan outlined the history ,including the ups and downs, of that well-known duo's collaborations, the Englishness and wit, of which, form an important part of our culture.

Alan gave brief outlines of the most important events and productions and then treated us to many of their musical offerings. The excellent recordings being conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent and featuring the voices of Elsie Morrison, Geraint Evans, George Baker and others.

It was a pleasant change to have music at one of our evening meetings.

Future events for your diary include a Cockney night theme dinner on September 23 at The Wheatsheaf, Little Common starting at 6pm. The cost is only 5 per person for a three course meal. Numbers are limited so don't be left out! Then on Friday, September 25 at 12.30pm a tour of the 1066 Pebsham Brewery has been arranged. The cost is 12 and includes a Ploughman's, tour of the Brewery, beer tasting and a quiz.

At our evening meeting on August 18 the speaker will be Paul Lendon who will tell us about his year as the Mayor of Bexhill.

An important date, not to be missed, is October 10 when we are having a Viva Las Vegas casino evening in the Strand Room at the Cooden Beach Hotel. This event is being organised by our CSMA Club headquarters' staff. Tickets are 12 per person and members can purchase them by ringing 0845 365 6801. Members can also obtain tickets for family and friends. Don't forget to have your membership number to hand.

More details of this and any other matter can be obtained by telephoning our secretary, Tony Calton on 01424 434496 or our chairman, Des Hall, on 01424 222679.

This month saw the inauguration of our newsletter and we look forward to receiving contributions from our members about their hobbies , holidays ,interests, whatever.

Contributions should be sent to Peter Andrews or Ed Walker and, of course, we are still looking for a suitable name for the newsletter. Any suggestions ?

Little Common Morning Townswomen's Guild

THE Chairman Mrs Margaret Kirk welcomed 61 members and three visitors to our meeting on Thursday, July 23.

We commenced our jollifications with a sound rendering of Happy Birthday to two of our long-standing members. Mrs Mary Langley who had become 92 years 'young' and Mrs Connie Taylor who has notched up 90 years '“ congratulations ladies!

June Mantle, our secretary, gave her usual entertaining rendering of reading the minutes and we were reminded of a collection box in aid of the hospice for all those odd 'nuisance' pennies.

We do seem to be having a sad lack of support for our coach outings and holidays, Doreen has had to cancel numerous trips. This, of course could be due to the present financial crisis when we all seem to be tightening our belts and coach companies and hoteliers appear to be outpricing themselves.

Doreen has done a wonderful job arranging really great daybreaks and holidays but is so dispirited she feels she is unable to continue '“ what a shame '“ she has worked so hard for such a long time. Our grateful thanks Doreen, we will miss your efforts!

Mrs Pam Magsun represented us at the Guild Meeting and it seems a very good time was had by all. This is 80 years celebration of Townswomen's Guild and we have 34,000 plus members throughout the country. Most towns are marking the event with a floral garden display. Ours at Bexhill are the gardens by the De La Warr Pavilion.

After a break for coffee and the raffle we were joined by Mrs Delphine Sarkey and Mrs Dawn Lott from SSAFA, who were presented with a cheque for 1,000, SSAFA having been chosen as our charity for the past year.

After the presentation we were entertained by June Mantle with a musical quiz. The meeting closed at 12.50pm.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, August 27 at Little Common Community Centre at 9.45am. All are welcome.

Bexhill Probus Club

ON Thursday, July 23, Bexhill Probus Club enjoyed lunch at the Cooden Beach Hotel where 35 members and guests, which included John Dowling as guest speaker, were present.

The ambience of the room, and the quality of the food delivered with professional skill, set the scene for our speaker who gave a charming talk, enigmatically entitled 'a Lady Named Latona' This happened to be the name of one of the small craft that helped return the BEF from Dunkirk to their embattled shores. This was a fitting close to an enjoyable event.

Anybody interested in Probus is invited to ring 01424 219745. The next meeting will be at the Conservative Club, Amherst Road, Bexhill on 7 August.

East Sussex Bridge Club

Week ending July 24

Monday, July 20

N/S

First: Edna Simon and Richard Mockett

Second: Betty Rignall and Vicky Hodnett

E/W

First: Patrick Hutley and Les Crawford

Second: Muriel and Jim Parr

Wednesday, July 22

First: Eileen Stray and Janet Ince

Second: Diana Hunt and Marilyn Rutherford

Third: Tessa Leonard and Judy Steward

Thursday, July 23

N/S

First: Pauline Kazi and Phyllis Davis

Second: Iris Marsh and Brian Bradley

E/W

First: Marilyn Rutherford and Ted Weare

Second: Garrick Oliver and Marion Boswell

New classes for Beginners and Improvers starting in September. For details of these or session times please contact Barbara on 01424 422118 or 07931884715.

Rotary Club of Senlac

AN IDEA born nine years ago was brought to life when Rotarian Harold Lawrence visited the Rotary Club of Senlac to tell the story of the "1066 Specials".

The inspiration developed from knowledge of his great nephew. Meeting 20 people to arrange formation of a football team did not immediately gain necessary action during an 18-month period. Eventually the 1066 Specials came into existence with Harold as chairman and Adrian Gayland, as Secretary. A 500 grant was advanced by Rother District Council.

Professional coaches were engaged. Advertising the Specials took place. From four children the membership has grown to 100, gaining both Rother and Sussex Sports Awards. The Specials are registered as a Football Association Chartered Club, with a logo to be proud of.

Rotary Club of Bexhill supported Harold, when elected as President during his year of Office. Disabled children join the Specials knowing there are no pressures, only fun and opportunity to learn life skills. The atmosphere is one of happiness '“ it is a family club where there is no bullying and conduct witnessed of a sympathetic nature. Saturday mornings is a time to kick a ball and view autistic youngsters at ease. Progressing, members can obtain a Level 1 Coaching Badge.

A wheelchair football team ensures children with impaired disability can share in personal enjoyment away from, in many cases difficulties unseen. Outreach is to two special needs schools. Football Association coaching is ever present.

A special needs football team has financial difficulties in hiring sports halls and raising enough money annually to support necessary expenditure. Such children disadvantaged in society (25 per cent within population) need purpose-built sports centres. Locally it is to be hoped land will be found in the Pebsham Countryside Park.

The project needs dynamic wisdom, a commitment to raise and donate money to raise a state-of-the-art sports centre, to serve generations to come. If sympathetically designed the centre could be only special needs property in UK. Complex training could take place for Paralympics. Harold concluded that his vision was a long story, a long journey and necessary to keep faith.

Rotarians were captured by one man's sincerity, known humour, commitment, endeavours, dedication and determination to provide a community service of immense value. Rotarians and guests applauded loudly.

Royal Naval Association Bexhill branch

AT the sound of Eight Bells of the Second Dog-Watch, all present stood as usual for the Branch Prayer.

Afterwards the secretary gave news of various reunions so that those who had served in the ships mentioned might gather with their former shipmates. Shipmates who had signed on for duty collecting for our charities at Sainsbury's and the Co-op in August were given copies of the rota.

The collection at the Armed Forces Day Service which was organised by the RNA, raised 233 for the Help for Heroes Fund.

Alan Mercer has assumed the rle of branch standard-bearer.

After "Stand-Easy", Chairman Eric Woodhouse gave a most interesting deeply-researched and illustrated talk about a man whose name is very little known, yet lived a remarkable life.

An engineer and ship-builder, he built the first iron-clad, he built warships for several nations, including Japan, he built the first cruise ship, he built the first atmospheric railway '“ using trains without engines, for which he constructed the first fly-over, and he was a Member of Parliament for 15 years. He was Joseph D'Aguila Samuda, (1813-1885] a Portuguese Jew. The iron-clad was HMS Thunderbolt, and those who have visited Chatham Dockyard will have walked on Thunderbolt Pier. Surely Joseph Samuda should be as well-known as Isambard Kingdom Brunel!

Samuda's grandfather Abraham had been surgeon to the King of Portugal, but at a time when Jews were being persecuted he was obliged to flee with his family, aboard an English ship, to Holland, and thence to England.

In 1863 Samuda built the troopship Tamar, plying at first to India, taking British troops to fight in the Afghan Wars. "Tamar" gave its name to the Royal Naval base in Hong Kong, which your scribe well remembers.

Nobody found all the answers to this month's quiz, but the prize went to the best entry. Others were lucky in the monthly raffle.

At the cremation of shipmate Don Newnham it was standing-room only in the main chapel. Our Standard was paraded, medals worn, and 25 shipmates lined the entrance.

All 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 words of our branch prayer, "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 and at our annual Trafalgar Dinner. Information about RNA, can be obtained by telephoning 01424 219 035.