Mens' club's island outing a highlight

The focal point of the day was an exceptionally leisurely lunch at the ancient Buddle Inn, a one time haunt of smugglers who, some say, are still there in spirit.

Prior to that a visit was made to the Arreton Barn craft centre with its several separate working areas creating goods for sale and outlets for a range of local produce.

The historic church of St George and a carp pond nearby added to the attraction.

In the afternoon a call was made at the Pearl Place high above Freshwater Bay.

Here the beautifully presented arrays of all things pearl were factory made and a total contrast to the morning visit.

While on the island every opportunity was taken to marvel at its diversity of seascape and landscape in such a small area. On the way home to Bognor Regis a presentation was made to the current chairman, Bill Davies, in recognition and appreciation of all the responsibilities undertaken during his year of office.

At the main July meeting of the club, speaker Richard Burton reminisced over his early years as a salesman in soft furnishings and later hardware and lighting.

As a young lad growing up in the wilds of the west country he was fascinated by the turbaned Sikh calling door to door on his bicycle with two huge suitcases filled with exotic merchandise, the weekly visit of the general store van to his house with its persuasive owner cum salesman and the demonstration patter of the Kitchen Devil man at local fairs and markets. He could not see his future in service or on the land as was the family tradition.

At a wage of 4.5s at the age of 16 he achieved his desire in a 'Grace Brothers' emporium in Taunton where he learnt his trade under the Captain Peacock, Mrs Slocombe, Mr Humphries and the others of the day.

With many anecdotes from little old ladies who always wanted to see just one more sample or swatch to the floor manager who took pride in selling the cleaner's bucket to a customer and in between the daily physical grind of humping carpet squares and linoleum rolls, Richard kept his audience both amused and interested. In addition to his in house training he had the great good fortune to be sent to Tiverton to be initiated into the mysteries of lace making, Uxbridge for Sandersons fine fabric printing and Witney for blankets.

Here he was told of the annual sheep to shop race, the record at that time being eight and a half hours from the shearing to a blanket on display in Harrods.

Details about the club are available from secretary Wilf Archeron on 01243 821388.