News from around the clubs - June 5

Hastings & St Leonards Probus Club

AT the recent AGM, at which we celebrated our 30th anniversary year since formation from the St Leonards Rotary Club in 1979, the officers had the chance to expound on the business activities that took place during the past year. The Club committee welcomed eight speakers at our meetings and seven social occasions that we well attended and enjoyed.

It was sad to record that during the year we had lost nine long-standing members through bereavement.

It was noted that an increase in membership had taken place from the previous year with more potential members being considered.

Officers elected for 2009/2010 are: president: Bernard Crisp; chairman: Brian Gibbons; vice chairman: Patrick Warren; secretary: Terry Saunders; treasurer: David Sawyer; team leader-social secretary: Bernard Mallion; speakers' secretary: John Belsey; orchestral organiser: Bill Austin; almoner: Mike Blunden.

Planning for next year's programme is under way and it all looks very encouraging. Our secretary '“ Terry on 01424 819185 '“ has application forms for information packs for any retire (or semi-retired) professional or businessman who may like to know, and possibly enjoy the fellowship with the Hastings and St Leonards Probus Club.

Royal Naval Association: Bexhill-on-Sea branch

SHIPMATES were pleased to welcome another new member, to hear reports from the treasurer and from the social secretary, and to have news of various events concerning the Navy in various parts of the country.

The arrangements for the service which the RNA has organized for the celebration of Armed Forces Day are well in hand. It will take place at St Augustine's at 3pm on Saturday, June 27. Our Standard will be paraded, together with that of the British Legion.

After "Stand-Easy" we heard an exhilarating talk by Wing-Commander Patrick Coulcher, illustrated by a truly comprehensive shewing of slides. His subject was the Natural History of Beachy Head and Seaford. The speaker proceeded at a rattling pace, as did the slides, and he shewed dozens of our wild birds, some sadly no longer to be found in this part of Sussex and others, newcomers or newly resident with us as a result of current climate changes. Likewise we saw and heard about many orchids and other plants, some of them rare, some vanishing, many of great value, and about our adders, dragonflies and mayflies.

We also saw evidence of the continuing erosion of the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, now accelerating because of the construction of the Marina and of the removal of tons of shingle. On one occasion, when the speaker was in an apparently precarious position on the cliff-top, seeking to take a photograph, he was accosted by an anxious member of the Beachy Head Chaplaincy, seeking to assure him that life is after all worth living, and that he should not throw himself off!

In passing the speaker described some of the wrecks which litter the area, including the remains of a Great War U-Boat and a Wool Clipper . The Australian captain of the latter wished to show off to some passengers by hoisting all sail, but he overdid it, and his ship was run aground and lost. There is also to be seen a section of the track from a Sherman tank. Two Canadian soldiers were trying out the controls, contrived to get it stuck in first gear, drove it over the cliff, and lost their lives.

Shipmates also signed on for duty on Saturday June 6, collecting at Tesco's for our charities.

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 words of our branch prayer, "In the response to duty we have found the gift of comradeship." Details of membership and dates of meetings and events van be obtained by telephoning 01424 219035.

Macmillan Cancer Support: Little Common and Bexhill Committee

AN enjoyable evening was had by all who attended our recent New 2 U Sale at Yvonne Robertson House. Thank you all for coming along and supporting Macmillan, the evening was a great success and we raised 800.

A special thank you to Lynda Kivity-Ray and her staff for allowing us the use of the residents' lounge. Also to Heather who acted as a personal shopper for the evening and to Kathy Harmer from A Touch Of Glamour who kindly loaned us a selection of mannequins to display the hats.

There were many bargains to be had including designer labels as people had been very generous in donating items of clothing. The event also included a raffle.

The money raised will go towards funding a speech therapist working with Bexhill patients with mouth and throat cancer.

We look forward to seeing you all at our next event.

Sidley Friendship Club

SIDLEY Friendship Club met at Sidley Community Centre on Monday May 18.

It was good to see so many people as we know a lot of our members were on holiday that week. We were also pleased to be able to welcome four new members.

During the meeting we held a quiz on Sidley. This was very interesting and I think several members including myself learnt some new facts on Sidley, ie. The Battle of Sidley Green in 1828 between smugglers amd customs men. It was surprising how long ago some of the events of Sidley happened. It seemed like only a couple of years since the college in Turkey Road closed but in fact it was back in 2001.

This was followed by tea and biscuits and our usual raffle.

On June 13 Sidley Community Association will be holding an open day with various stalls.

Sidley Friendship Club will be holding a tea and cake stall to help raise funds for Sidley Community Association. Donations of cakes would be appreciated on Friday, June 12 between 2pm and 4pm.

If you live in Sidley please come along and support the event and everyone who uses the rooms at The Centre. If you want to know what goes on at Sidley House please come along and see on that day.

Our next meeting is on Monday June 15 when we will be having a talk on folk & barge painting.

New members are welcome, we meet on the third Mocday of the month at Sidley Community Association (Sidley House) from 2pm till 4pm. The cost is 1 including refreshments.

Society of Bexhill Museums

On Tuesday May 19 we took a party of 48 museum members and some of their friends by coach - although four travelled by car - to the Azur restaurant at St Leonards-on-Sea for lunch.

After a lengthy detour because of roadworks we arrived at our venue, a superb recently-opened building with huge windows enabling diners to look out onto the beach and the sea.

We were escorted to five large round tables and from then on we were in the hands of the staff, who did an excellent job of serving us, a tall order considering our numbers.

The tables were beautifully laid out, and the food was superb with a good choice of main course and desserts.

A very pleasant time was had by all, and when it was time to leave, our coach was waiting, ready to ride us gently home to recover.

Hastings and District Association of Wrens

THE chairman welcomed us to our May meeting at the new venue, St Mary Magdalene Church Hall.

She thanked the president for taking the meetings while she was unable to be present, and the members were thanked for all their cards and messages.

Our new treasurer was welcomed and the outgoing treasurer thanked for all her work during her seven years of service.

A letter of thanks for the 30.35p Christmas donation we had given them had been received from St Michael's Hospice, several invitations to events to be held on Armed Forces Day, including one from the Bexhill Branch of the Royal Naval Association to their church service at St Augustine's, Cooden Drive.

Our tea-party and luncheon were discussed, and it was decided that members would bring contributions for a cream tea in June, and that we should have our July luncheon at the Wheatsheaf in Little Common again this year.

Our president was invited to the centenary of Naval Aviation Fly Past over HMS Illustrious on May 7, and she and another of our members attended the service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral the following day.

Any ex-wrens interested in joining the branch will be most welcome.

For details please ring our chairman on 222721 or the secretary on 211102.

Little Common Photographic Club

MONDAY April 27 saw the culmination of all the season's Club Trophy competitions, with the Print and Slide of the Year for which members chose their own selection in each category from entries already submitted '“ Judge was Bob Webzell, ARPS, who gave constructive comments on all the entries.

From 29 Prints entries, the judge awarded Brian Reeve Print of the Year with a smaller image entitled Broad bodied chaser; Basil Ludkin's black and white print The Lonely Chapeau in second place, Dorothy Reeve's Sand and Pebbles third. Similarly, Small print category received 12 entries, with Sue Clarke being awarded Small Print of the Year with Otter; and. Gwyneth Ludkin's Racing at Thorney Island and The Poser in second and third place respectively.

General Slides received 18 entries, from which the judge selected Brian Reeve's atmospheric ruins The Crowns Mine as Slide of the Year, followed by Sue Clarke's Dusk second and third was Dorothy Reeve's Near The Edge. From a total of 13 slides John Larkin made a clean sweep to achieve Natural History Slide of the Year with Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, as well as Great egret and Griffon Vulture in second and third place respectively.

Final meeting was AGM on 11th May where the only change to officers and committee was chairman, with John Pergande stepping down and John Larkin agreeing to take over for one year. After a refreshment break presentation of cups and certificates took place. Little Common Photographic 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 14. However, during the summer break there will be the usual group outing '“ this year to Knole Park in Sevenoaks on Wednesday, July 15, followed three weeks later by the annual garden party on Sunday, August 9 when members and their guests can enjoy a social afternoon, 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 Horticultural Society

As it's our 80th anniversary this year, we are celebrating by having a jazz and open garden event, with a display of classic cars, on Sunday, June 14, from 2.30-7.30pm. Music from 4pm.

This is being held at Southings Manor, Westfield, TN35 4SL.

Bring your own picnic and enjoy this lovely garden. Car parking on site. Contact for tickets and further details call 842804, or any member of the committee. Proceeds in aid of Glyne Gap School, so please come along and support us.

Royal Sussex Regimental Association

THE Eastbourne Branch had their May meeting at the TA Centre, Seaside, Eastbourne. We had a very good attendance. The Exortation was recited by our Chairman, Chris Rollason, and silent tribute was observed.

Our Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting. These were proposed and seconded and duly signed by our Chairman. Arrangements are in hand for a Sunday lunch with wives/partners, and also our annual dinner.

Our chairman then introduced our speaker, Alan Cooper, who gave an extremely interesting talk entitled Escape from Dunkirk which covered a particular area of WWII. This was a subject of great interest, with many questions being asked.

Our last meeting was on Wednesday, June 3 when our speaker was be Richard Shenton, who served 20 years in the Royal Navy; spending time in the Falklands War, and that was his subject for the evening.

Any ex-member of The Royal Sussex and Queen's Regiment would be most welcome to come along. We are represented at many military events in the town, and have social outings to places of interest, also our annual dinner.

Please telephone Chris Rollason 01323 506012 or Peter Wilmshurst 01323 483924 for further details.

Little Common WI

LITTLE Common WI held their May meeting in the Community Centre, with President Pauline Rosner welcoming everyone.

The Marshdown Group held their Spring meeting on May 12, hosted by Sovereign WI. It was very much enjoyed by several of our members.

A new members tea afternoon held at Jean Griffin's home was a great success. Another such afternoon to be held in June.

This was the month we discuss resolutions. This year we had just one to ponder on '” the decline of the honey bee. Dorothy Pope chaired the lively discussion, ending with a unanimous vote for it to go forward.

A Taste and Bake tea was arranged for refreshments, members bringing along a slection of their favourite recipes. Most mouth watering!

A stall selling books and plants did brisk business.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, June 17 at 2pm. The speaker Mrs Trish Foley on Starters and Puds Made Easy.

For further details contact 845688

Bexhill and District Group of the Civil Service Motoring Association

THE May meeting of the Bexhill and District Group of the Civil Service Motoring Association was held at the Cooden Beach Hotel on May 21.

The speaker was Roger McKenna and his subject Leonard Cheshire VC. Mr Mckenna said that Leonard Cheshire was brought up near Oxford. At the outset of the Second World War he obtained a commission in the RAF and became the most decorated RAF pilot being awarded the VC the DSO plus two bars and the DFC. At one time, aged 25, he was the youngest Group Captain in the RAF.

The next meeting of the group will be at the Cooden Beach Hotel on June 16.

On June 2 the Lunch Club met at the White Horse Bodle Street Green; June 3 there was a treasure hunt and cream tea at Rye and on June 19 there will be a visit to Bentley Wildfowl Park. On a Saturday evening in October it is hoped that with our help csma HQ staff will stage a fun casino evening at the Cooden Beach Hotel.

Membership of the Group is open to all members of the Civil Service Motoring Association who live in Bexhill, Hastings, Eastbourne or the surrounding area.

For all details of Group activities ring the secretary, Tony Calton, on 01424 434496.