News from around the clubs

Bexhill and District Probus Club MARGARET von Speyr, manager of The Bexhill Caring Community was the speaker at our meeting on May 28. Margaret started her talk with a brief history of the organisation, which was formed in 1965 by Canon Townrow of St Peter's Church. The intention was to help the aged and infirm of the town. By 1981 a permanent office had been established and in 2004 the move was made to Sackville Road. Now a charitable company limited by guarantee, it aims to help all above the age of 18 years. Margaret continued by listing and describing the many and varied services provided, these include Dial-A-Ride, community car service, library service, equipment loan, home-help and gardening, form-filling and general caring. The charity now helps some 4,000 each year, and in 2006 was awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Margaret concluded her talk with a request for volunteers and donations. Especially for help with a new community room, which still needs 30,000 to complete the works and as much practical help as possible. Margaret then answered the many questions put to her by members, and proceedings closed with a vote of thanks proposed by Michael James. Our next speaker on 25 June will be Neil Arnold the author of Mystery Animals of Kent. Neil has spent 20 years collecting evidence of mystery cats in Kent, Sussex and London. NHS Retirement Fellowship JUNE has arrived, and it is again time to welcome members and guests to our annual strawberry and cream tea party, prepared by our tea hostesses and members of the committee. Try your luck with your special summer raffle, with lots of excellent prizes, and enjoy a friendly get-together again with ex-colleagues and new friends. Many thanks to David Starkey for standing in at short notice as our guest speaker for May, who kept us very interested with his stories of life in the Metropolitan Police Force. The summer outing it to Ashburnham House and gardens. This will take place on June 29. The local branch of the National Fellowship of Retired NHS Workers meets at Bexhill Health Centre on the third Monday afternoon of each month. If you require any further information about joining our group, telephone the secretary on 222246 or 210934. Bexhill Hanoverian Study Group AS the final event celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Bexhill Hanoverian Study Group is planning a special walk around the Old Town starting at the Barrack Hall Grounds at 5pm on Tuesday, June 16. This will be led by Mr Fred Rye, one of the founder members. The walk will end in Manor Barn Gardens. From 6pm, a social evening is planned. There will be a buffet, with slides, displays and background music. We hope many local people will join BHSG members to discuss the history of Bexhill and find out more about the group's research. This special event is possible due to the kindness and generosity of the Old Town Preservation Society. For many years they have encouraged interest into Bexhill's history. During the early 19th century, the Hanoverian troops arrived in England and several thousand of the King's German Legion were stationed in Bexhill from 1803 to 1814. Tickets including buffet are 5, and for further information telephone 01424 212130. Bexhill and District Gardens and Allotments Society THE world-famous Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, rare trees and shrubs at beautiful Exbury Gardens stunned Bexhill visitors recently. Forty-seven members of Bexhill and District Gardens and Allotments Society stepped from their Rambler coach into a 200-acre haven of captivating colour and alluring aroma. For more than four hours the New Forest tourist attraction held the Bexhill party in its thrall. The rich variety of the planting ensured that at every turn there was a fresh vista of shrubs still at the peak of perfection. From the History Tree where growth rings chart the landmark events of the last 300 years to the Sundial Garden, where a virtual waterfall of wisteria cascades from a pergola, the garens are packed with interest. Visitors can take an Exbury Buggy from vantage point to vantage point or ride on Exbury's steam railway. For the fit, there is a seemingly endless succession of paths leading to points of interest and exquisite beauty such as the Japanese Bridge, the Camellia Walk, the Winter Garden, the Azalea Bowl or the American Garden. The round of applause given by Gardens and Allotment Society members to our chairman Dick Lancaster for organising yet another memorable trip was richly deserved. Bexhill Bridge Club Results for week ending May 23: n Tuesday, May 19 First N/S '“ Nigel Gordon and Brian Gould Second N/S '“ Bill Spencer-Smith and Don Bailey First E/W '“ Norman Taylor and Ray Bittan Second E/W '“ Inez Richards and Patrick Hutley n Thursday, May 21 First N/S '“ Christine Palmer and Judi Sibson Second N/S '“ Colin Richards and Ray Bittan First E/W '“ Anita Cullen and Richard Slatter Second E/W '“ Inez Richards and Shirley Bodle Results for week ending May 30: n Tuesday, May 26 First N/S -'“ Hazel Oakley and Martin Dahl Second N/S '“ Bill Spencer-Smith and Brenda Cross First E/W '“ David Gillespie and Brian Gould Second E/W '“ Don Bailey and Inez Richards n Thursday, May 28 First N/S '“ Maurice and Sylvia Reeves Second N/S '“ Brenda Cross and Sally Thompson First E/W '“ Colin Richards and Brian Gould Second E/W '“ Inez Richards and Patrick Hutley HMS Bulwark, Albion and Centaur Association Did you serve in any of the light fleet carriers, HMS Bulwark, HMS Albion, or HMS Centaur? Our association is open to anyone who served at any time on these ships, although our home port is Portsmouth. This year's AGM and social were away from base at Sand Bay Leisure Resort, Kewstoke, Weston-super-Mare. We send a magazine three times per year and have events including AGM/Socials, sea-days with our new ships and anniversary commemorations at home and abroad. Enquiries to Leigh Easton, Membership Secretary, Glenmoray, Hayford PI., Cambusbarron, Stirling, FK79JX, or e-mail at ngsfo@tiscali.co.uk or visit our website at www.bulwarkassoc.plus.com Hastings and Rother Decorative Fine Arts Society OUR lecture on June 15 is entitled The Secret Life Of Painting: Symbolism and Meaning, by Clare Ford-Wille. This will uncover and explain the hidden language of objects and symbols in painting and sculpture. What might a candle, a lion, a mirror or a fish tell you about the real meaning behind the picture? It is not only the interpretation of individual objects which may enhance an understanding of the whole, but sometimes the use of colour, or a painting within the painting, or the whole composition which may resonate with a secret life of meaning, waiting to be revealed. Clare has an Honours Degree in History of Art, Birbeck College, University of London. She has lectured for many years on almost every period of the fine arts, from Charlemagne to the late nineteenth century, and has led art study tours. Regular commitments include Centre for Lifelong Learning, London University, National Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, WEA, Morley College, the City Literary Institute, the Art Fund and National Trust. Our next outing is on June 18 when we will visit Mapledurham Estate and Watermill - including a river trip and afternoon cream tea - tickets can be purchased at the above meeting. We meet at the Arthur Easton Centre in the grounds of St Michael's Hospice, Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards-on-Sea on the third Monday in every month (except July and August) at 2.30pm. Visitors (4.50 per visit) are always veary welcome. Further details can be obtained by telephoning the Membership Secretary, Glenis Malone on 01424 435629, e-mail: glenis_malone.co.uk, our website: www.nadfassussexarea.org.uk East Sussex Bridge Club HERE are the results for the East Sussex Bridge Club week ending May 22: n Monday, May 18: N/S First - Pauline Kazi and Phyllis Davis Second - Jim and Muriel Parr E/W First - Inez Richards and John Clark Second - Patrick Hutley and Les Crawford n Wednesday, May 20: First - John Clark and Vi Boniface Second - Josie Boryn and Barbara Herold Third - Sue Russell and Andy Eames n Thursday, May 21: N/S First - Deirdre Pudney and Joan Clifford Second - Vi Boniface and Gary Manley E/W First - Alan Miley and Ted Weare Second - Diana Middleton and George Stevens HERE are the results for the East Sussex Bridge Club week ending May 29: n Mon 25 May N/S 1. Gary Manley and Mike Ayres 2. Sue Slade & Aileen Austwick E/W 1. John Clark and Inez Richards 2. David Bacon and Kay Peeke n Wed 27 May N/S 1. John and Maggie Hunt 2. Annie Garry & Claire Weston E/W 1. Colin Richards and Gerald Askew 2. Barbara Draper & Joanna Newcombe n Thurs 28 May N/S 1. Carol Hutley and Patricia Bacchus 2. Josie Boryn and Edward Wallbutton E/W 1. John Burke and Richard Mockett 2. Joyce Hammett and John Parkman For enquiries regarding sessions or lessons please contact Barbara on 01424 422118 or 07931884715. Cooden Millennium Afternoon Townswomen's Guild OUR meeting this month was well attended and Mrs Kaye Murphy our chairman welcomed members to what became a very interesting afternoon. Birthday cards were given out and one new member was introduced. The fish and chip lunch next month will be ready for12.30pm and is well supported. Our outing to Ardingly is on Thursday with only one seat left on the coach. We are visiting Ashburnham Priory on the afternoon of June 23 and on July 28 we have an outing to Lancing College final details will be given at the next meeting. Francis Abbott's coffee morning raised over 100 for our charity being the St Michael's Hospice. Well done Francis. With no meeting in August, Kaye will be holding a garden party in her garden on August 5 at 2.30pm, with proceeds to our charity. Our chairman Kaye will be representing the Millennium Guild at the AGM in Birmingham in June where the National Executive Committee report on the year's work and activities. The mandate at this meeting will be on the subject of lifelong anonymity for those causing or assisting in the death of others. The Townwomen's Guild feels that lifelong anonymity should not be granted by the state where premeditation can be proved. Full details of the mandate are in the Guild's national magazine. . Our talk this month was on the Air Sea Rescue Service. Our speaker Mr David Carey was a helicopter pilot with the service so was well equipped to describe its work and function. The history of the service goes back to the Second World War when launches were used to save pilots who had been shot down and landed in the sea especially during the Battle of Britain. These were followed by small helicopters who could carry only one passenger to the large yellow Sea King machines that we see today. These yellow giants have a crew of just four and can carry 18 survivors.They have a speed of 140 miles per hour and can stay in the air for six hours. The helicopters can refuel on navy ships and oil rigs.to extend their flights. The work of the Air Sea Rescue is just as its name says to save life mainly at sea but over land as well. Of the four crew two are flyers with a winchman and the member lowered on the cable. This wire can be 245 feet long and the operations are guided by hand signals as no radios are suitable. It can be very hazardous especially in the rough weather they often encounter. The helicopters operate 24 hours a day and at night radar is used as no visibility. Mr Carey screened some colourful slides of the work of the rescue service and questions afterwards showed that members had gained a good insight into the need for organisation and its lifesaving function with great job satisfaction. A very interesting presentation. Our next meeting is on July 1 at 2pm. Our speaker will be from St. Michael's Hospice '“ our charity this year. Bexhill 100 Motoring Club A SPECIAL event was held on Sunday May 31 on the seafront between the Sailing Club and the Sackville where we held a car and costume competition for our members, celebrating our 10th anniversary. A magnificent 53 cars turned out on what was a glorious sunny day. We were joined by the Bexhill Museum who exhibited their reproduction Serpollet, the 'Easter Egg' record-breaking steam car on which the skeletal sculpture on De La Warr Parade is based. The turn-out of people was well above expectation and the crowds all enjoyed our display. It was lovely to see the seafront so full. The car competition was won by Ray and Pauline Forward with their well decorated MG TD and Peter and Jean Brown won the costume competition. Please visit our website to find more information about the club and what we do '“ www.bexhill100.com Little Common Ladies Club Our guest speaker at our meeting on May 27 was Mrs Sandra Melvin who spoke to us on My Life in Bexhill. Mrs Melvin is chairman of BexhiII in Bloom and has worked for many years with her committee to make our town a more attractive place, receiving many prizes and awards in the process. She was responsible for bringing the straw statue of Big Ben to the town being the first person to apply for it, applying online at seven in the morning. She also runs the Bexhill information centre with the help of many volunteers. She reminded us that Bexhill's motto is Sun and Health a very fitting motto for our lovely town. Outings have been arranged to visit Arundel on June 10 and lunch at the Langham on September 24. Our next meeting is on June 24 in the Community Centre at 7.45pm. Visitors and new members welcome. Bexhill and District Branch Aircrew Association FORTY members and guests gathered for a most enjoyable lunch in the convivial atmosphere of the Wheatsheaf in Little Common at 12.30pm on Wednesday May 27. The guests of honour at our monthly meeting and lunch in the Albatross Club on Monday June 8 were the Aircrew Association's Council Chairman, Air Commodore Des Richard, and his wife Janet. Following his report on the current state of the association including membership matters and the council's perception of the way ahead, the floor was thrown open to members for a wide-ranging discussion of current issues which continued informally after those present had moved upstairs for lunch. Following last year's highly successful gala fund-raising quiz, musical and bingo night with raffle in aid of Bexhill RAFA Albatross Club, the branch will be repeating the event at 7pm on Saturday July 4. Tickets including supper which, together with the main programme, will have a slightly American flavour to mark its coincidence with Independence Day, are now on sale at the Club. Roger Smythe, the speaker at our next monthly meeting on Monday July 13, will uncover research into a dramatic space-related incident. Highwoods Preservation Society SUMMER is the time for insects. An oak tree is home to near 300 different species of insect. If the weather is warm there should be plenty of butterflies about. Look out for the yellow Brimstones around the Alder Buckthorn bushes, which is the main food plant for their caterpillars. Other butterflies around are, Commas, orange and brown with scalloped wings. The bright orange/black/yellow Small Tortoiseshells, the beautiful Peacocks, the delicate orange/brown Small Coppers. The beautifully marked Painted Ladies and the familiar Red Admirals, are migrants having flown all the way from the Mediterranean. Unfortunately recent Junes have been wet and windy, the worst weather for butterflies. ]More species of British butterflies have a brood emerging in June that any other month, so the weather in June is crucial for future generations, lets hope its hot and dry this year. If it is the result will be many more butterflies for the rest of the year. Dragonflies and Damselflies should be come more common as the month nears its end.. Damselflies are the smaller more delicate insects, which generally fold their wings along their bodies when at rest. Dragonflies are more robust and hold their wings at 90 to their bodies. These spectacular insects have a most unusual life cycle. Their larvae are totally aquatic and this stage may last for two to for years depending on the species, but as soon as they emerge (by climbing out of the water up vegetation) the adult cycle only lasts a few weeks. In most dragonfly species the male and female are different colours. So far 12 species have been identified in the woods. Look for them around the ponds but also in the open rides as they search out insects for food.

News from around the clubs - June 12