Hailsham

PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY: Thursday’s meeting was a special competition entitled Street Photography judged by Dave Mason. There were 47 prints entered and the results in the Print section were : 1 - Farewell Kiss, Pat Broad, 2 - Just Walking in the Rain, Mike Sales, 3 - The Look, Janet Monk. Highly Commended: The London Wall – Mike Sales, Don’t Drop It - Terry McGhie, Figure Under The Bridge – Hugh Milsom, Communication – Alan Bousfield, Four Friends and a Barber – Roy Morris. PDI’s section: 1 - The Back and Beyond, Fiona Flower, Earning a Living - Peggy McKenzie, 3 - Relaxing in Bexhill, Fiona Flower. Highly Commended: Boots - Gerald Hartley, Brighton Dome – Terry Maskell, New York Night – Sean Keen, The Attraction of Bubble – Bob Sharrard, Happy Holidays - Ray Beckwith, Bhang Shop - Roy Morris. David Mills thanked Dave on behalf of all the members for judging. As there were just over one hundred entries Dave had done an amazing job of talking about each picture with such enthusiasm and giving such positive critique.

SHOEBOX APPEAL: Simon Rooksby of Computers for Charities says: Many thanks to all for your support for this year’s Christmas Shoebox appeal. Well done to Kathy and Rowland Jenkins with amazing support to sort, pack and weigh tonnes of donated items. Also Carolyn Fogg and youngsters from Tomorrows People for the final boxes to arrive. This week we distribute to aid the homeless, Food Bank and then drive out on16 December to Eastern Europe. Computers for Charities will reopen Monday 9 January. Have a blessed Christmas and I trust a bright 2017.

SANTA’S ROAD TOUR: Here is the Rotary Club sleigh tour timetable for this week. Friday 16th - Polegate Nursing Home, Cackleberry Cl, Ingrams Way, Arlington Rd West, Coopers way, Carpenters way, Millers Rise, Meadow Rd, The Holt. For a full timetable visit their Facebook page or pick up a copy of What’s on in Hailsham.

CHURCH SERVICES: The St Mary’s Hailsham Parish Church services for the Countdown to Christmas are on

Saturday 17 at 3pm there is a Concert of carols and Christmas music (with Wealden Brass and festive refreshments). Sunday 18 at 8am Holy Communion, 10.30 am Holy Communion 6.30 pm Carols by Candlelight - a service of carols and readings followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Christmas Eve 4pm and 6pm Christingle Family Carol Service - two identical services, choose the time that suits you best, 11pm Holy Communion. Christmas Day 8am Holy Communion 10.30 am Christmas Family Celebration. Sunday 1 January 8am Holy Communion 10.30 am All Age Special for a New Year.

CORINTHIAN CHURCH: This Sunday there is a service at Primrose Hall, London Road at 11am followed by refreshments. The Medium on this occasion is Rev John Collins.

BONFIRE BINGO: This evening support your local Bonfire Society at the Charles Hunt Centre 7pn for eyes down at 7.30pm.

HOME ALONE: If you will be on your own this Christmas day, you are invited to join others at The Link Coffee Shop, Market Square, Hailsham for Christmas lunch. Places must be booked, so if you would like to go along, please call in at The Link for a form or phone Kay on 01323 441079 during working hours. Limited transport is available. Starts 11.30am with coffee and lunch is at 12.30pm. Amusements throughout the afternoon ending with the Queen’s speech and a piece of Christmas cake at 3.30pm. No charge for the day, but donations welcome for Tear Fund.

FUN WITH FLOWERS: A huge audience came to watch Kevin Loveland demonstrate 10 festive lower arrangements in support of Environment Hailsham. The floral extravaganza took place in the Hailsham Parish Church. Kevin entertained the audience with humour and hints on arranging flowers, and along with teas and a raffle, the event raised £1000.

FOODBANK: What have they been up to? The Newsletter reports that during the summer they served 562 hot meals over the holiday club fortnight. There will be a one-day Christmas Holiday Shack in December. Keep an eye on social media Kids Count Project about baby pack distribution. The Foodbank Van has had signposting printed on the side by Chilli Graphics and SM Motors on the Diplocks helped them with the Service of the van. They are now a part, along with six other groups in the town, of Fareshare Foodcloud with Tesco which gives leftover food to charities which would otherwise have gone to landfill. During Harvest they collected an amazing 1845kg of donations and the Green Token scheme at Waitrose earned them £405. Over the recent Foodbank collection over 2 days in Tesco Hailsham, they collected over 800kgs of donations. The Hellingly Foodbank distribution point has been moved to Hailsham which is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. Hellingly Beavers got a visit to explain about the work of the Foodbank. Finally, is there anyone out there who might like to help produce the Foodbank Newsletter. If so, contact Julie on 07474 671350 or email [email protected].

HAILSHAM FM: Our local radio station will be broadcasting online during the week leading up to New Year from Tuesday to Sunday all day. If you would like to drop-in for a chat about your organisation or an interest you have that listeners would find useful or interesting, please get in touch with Hailsham FM via Facebook or their website. The AGM 7.30pm and Social 8.30pm is on Tuesday 3 January at the Kings Head in South Road.

ALLOTMENTS: The Society is planning open days at the Battle Road site next year to raise awareness. There will be relevant stalls possibly from the Horticultural Society and Health Living Club etc. They are hoping to raise their visibility within the town and gain public support.

VOLUNTEERING: The Community Groups Forum is looking to set up a pool of volunteers as each organisation represented has difficulty getting help when it is needed sometimes. This, it is hoped, will be a pool of people who do not have to give the commitment to joining a club, society or other organisation but can be called upon to help with for example, a fundraising event to help set up or run a stall, do a little occasional admin, type a newsletter, provide transport, source raffle prizes etc. If you would be interested in occasional volunteering opportunities, there will be more information soon. Enquiries about this group should be made to Michelle Hagger at Hailsham Town Council offices. Similarly, if you are an organisation that needs volunteer help then also get in touch. There will be a Facebook page set up in the New Year of help offered and wanted.

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