News from around the clubs - January 8

Bexhill Club Of Past Rotarians

By tradition, our December meeting has a low business and a high fellowship content. In 1993 Frank Chaplin established a custom of serving fruit cake and mince pies to appreciative members, accompanied by a `cup that cheers' . This year Frank brought a choice of Port, Ginger wine or Armagnac. His wife Audrey made the delicious fruit cake as usual, but this year, the Northern Hotel supplied the excellent mince pies.

John Marlow conducted a teasing quiz: eg. Guy Fawkes did not die on a bonfire, but what did happen to him? .

Finally, six members `appointed' by President Derek Mills had about five minutes each to speak on What Christmas Means To Me. This turned out to be both nostalgic and stimulating. Who remembers receiving an electric torch for Christmas? And reading with it under the bedclothes? This was a big deal for people of our generation because few of our families were well off and toys were much simpler than today. Hanging up a stocking - sometimes a pillowcase - was accompanied by a strong sense of expectation. The mince pie and wine left for Father Christmas were always consumed by him - only crumbs and an empty wine glass remained!

The substance of the Christmas story was also remembered. Two speakers quoted from John Betjeman's Christmas poem: "And is it true'¦., This most tremendous tale of all'¦A baby in an ox's stall? The maker of the stars and sea become a Child on Earth for me?"

The last speaker was the Rev Paul le Sueur, who brought it all to a fitting conclusion.

Bexhill Recorded Music Society

THe new sessions will commence on January 13 and thereafter on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 2.15pm, at Parkhurst Hall, Parkhurst Road, Bexhill.

Come and enjoy an afternoon of music in good company and a friendly atmosphere. Interval with tea and biscuits.

New members are required and visitors at a nominal fee are very welcome.

Details from 01424 222729.

Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Group

THE usual excellent Christmas lunch held at the Hydro, Eastbourne, heralded our last get-together for 2009. Special thanks are due to Phyl McLean for the magnificent raffle at the lunch (free prize for everyone) and also to Ullian Armstrong for her organisation of the event overall.

It was good that due to overnight snow we only had four cancellations although, sadly, one was to have been our guest speaker.

A good year has been enjoyed on the whole with only one outing having to be cancelled due to lack of numbers. Currently our coffee mornings always attract 40 or more members and friends and we try to add a little extra such as a quiz, speaker, cake or book stall, plus Phyl's very good raffle.

Sadly during the year some of our members have been quite unwell and we wish them all the best for the year ahead.

Our coffee mornings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month (with the exception of December) at the Sailing Club, Marina, commencing 10am. If you are a retired Civil Servant, please do come along: we will be delighted to see you.

East Sussex Bridge Club

Monday December 21:

N/S First - John Clark and Inez Richards. Second - Edna Simon and Barbara Hinnigan.

E/W First - Vera Smith and Geoffrey Jordan. econd - Molly Bryant and Iris Lawrence.

Thursday December 24:

First - Ted Weare and Barbara Herold.

Second - Vera Smith and May Willis.Monday December 14:

N/S First - David Bacon and Kay Peeke.

Second - Pat Neate and Joy Fieldman.

E/W First - John Clark and Inez Richards. Second - Patrick Hutley and Les Crawford.

Wednesday December 16:

N/S First - Karen Berger and Richard Beauprez. Second - Claire Weston and Marion Bisson.

E/W First - Camilla Buchanan and John Polush. Second - Norman Waterman and Inez Richards.

Thursday December 17:

N/S First - Carol Hutley and Barbara Hinnigan. Second - Josie Boryn and Edward Wallbutton.

E/W First - Molly Bryant and Iris Lawrence. Second - Irene Heath and Geoffrey Jordan.

For enquiries please contact Barbara on 01424 422118 or 07931 88 415.