News from around the clubs - August 14

Rotary Club of Senlac

YEAR-LONG preparations bore fruit at the annual Senlac Classic Car Show at Bodiam. There were rays of sunshine interspersed with cooling rain, but the rain could not put anyone off the many choices of entertainment and interest, in particular an array of spectacular cars, many seldom seen on public display.

The target of 180 cars was met and the cars entered the positioning lanes. Later in day there was a cavalcade with a commentary explaining the technicalities whether it be from early 1930s or any stage of 40 years of modern motor engineering.

Two well known bands played throughout the day, namely Battle Town Band and Lumpy and the Lumpettes.

The show was opened by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for East Sussex to a fanfare of pipes and drums performed by Edinburgh Bagpipe Company.

The popular Old Star Morris dance team accompanied by their musicians performed on two occasions to add variation and interest into the entertainment programme.

Other attractions included the ever-popular falconry display, presented by Steve Rainton with his array of owls, from small Little Owl, Short-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Snowy Owl, Barn Owl to Long-eared Owl which allowed children a memorable experience.

Crockery smashing, children's rides, coconut shy, craft stalls, charity stalls, trade stalls and ever-popular hot dog and hamburger kitchen together with Rotary Ladies home-made cakes and liquid refreshments added to the family day outing.

The proceeds for the day were in excess of 5,000 which will be in aid of Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Family Association (SSAFA), Hastings and Rother Multiple Sclerosis Society and Homecall together with other local charities. Rotary Club of Senlac wishes to thank all visitors to show for their generous support and participation.

Society of Bexhill Museums Ltd

TUESDAY, August 4 was the day of the next outing for the society members and friends, with a later start time for pick-ups from 11.15am!

This outing was to Finchcocks Musical Museum near Goudhurst in Kent. Finchcocks is a fine Georgian Manor House set in a beautiful garden surrounded by parkland. It now houses a celebrated collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments of which more than 40 are in full working order.

Our group was 40 strong and was implemented by a small group of three or four disabled and helpers.

Arriving at 12.30pm it was time for a picnic lunch in the garden or in the restaurant where it was possible to buy drinks and/or home made cakes.

At 2pm there was a short introductory talk by Mrs Burnett on the history of the house, followed by Mr Burnett giving us a musical recital on many of the different keyboards together with a most informative and amusing discourse on the various composers.

This recital lasted for one-and-a-half hours. We also had an added bonus of a short recital by a newly formed trio of two sopranos and accompianist who happened to be practising at the house. We also had a taste of modern jazz with a Norwegian twist by the Finchcocks curator, Alastair Laurence.

After this extravaganza, Mrs Burnett took us on a tour of the house showing us lots of other historic instruments. At 4pm we were provided with a cream tea in the restaurant, after which there was time for a wander around the garden, before departing for home at 5pm.

This was a most delightful outing enjoyed by all. Our next outing is on Friday 4th of September to Hever Castle in Kent, for which we still have a few seats left!

Bexhill Hanoverian Study Group

AS THE study group ends the season celebrating its 20th anniversary, we are looking forward to the 2009/2010 series of lectures and talks.

Our next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday, August 19 in St Peter's Community Centre, Church Street, Bexhill Old Town. The new programme will be introduced to our members followed by a talk by Mr Peter Cole on Heraldry and the KGL.

Visitors will be very welcome.

For further information telephone 01424 212130.

Bexhill Bridge Club

Tuesday July 28

N/S: First '“ Bill Spencer-Smith and Brenda Cross

Second '“ Leonard and Maureen Stirling:

Third equal '“ Mike Finch and Molly Freeman; Ralph and Sally Thompson.

E/W: First '“ Fergus Cameron and Norman Taylor

Second '“ Anne Spencer and Patrick Hutley; Brian Gould & David Gillespie.

Thursday July 30

N/S: First '“ Glynis Bailey and Shirley Bodle

Second '“ Anne Hone and Sergio Magri

Third '“ Brian Gould and David Gillespie.

E/W: First '“ Allie van der Lee and Inez Richards

Second '“ Molly Bryant and Richard Slatter

Third '“ Anne Spencer and Joan Winchester.

Tuesday August 4

N/S: First '“ Bill Spencer-Smith and Colin Richards

Second '“ Mary Davidson and Nigel Gordon

Third '“ Pauline Stephenson and Peggy McSweeney.

E/W: First '“ Angie and Ray Bittan

Second '“ Don Bailey and Inez Richards

Third '“ Brian Gould and Fergus Cameron.

Thursday August 6

Simultaneous pairs

First '“ Shirley Bodle, Pat Cuthbert, Joan King and Victor Williams;

Second '“ Molly Freeman, Peter Carbutt, Beryl Allen and Louise South.

Third '“ Karen Berger, Inez Richards, Joan Shepherd and Verity Burgess.

Wilton Bridge Club

Tuesday, August 4

N/S First '“ T Wood and B Kerr

Equal second '“ E Simon and W Forbes

Equal second '“ K Berger and J Knights

Equal second '“ V Boniface and J Dishman

E/W First '“ P and P Ashdown

Second '“ J Clark and I Richards

Third '“ M Rutherford and K Genders

Wednesday August 5

First '“ J Dewell and L Alexander

Second '“ T Weare and M Bunyan

Third '“ J Rhodes and P Dunnill