News from around the clubs - August 13

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Bexhill Alliance

RDC director of services Tony Leonard warned members of Bexhill Alliance that the road of regeneration for the town is a long one. "We are on a journey, this is where it starts and consultation is critical".

Graham Burgess, head of regeneration, set the scene explaining that with the availability and ease of foreign travel many English seaside towns, including Bexhill, had experienced a decline in their popularity as holiday and leisure destinations and consequently their prosperity.

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In trying to attract new businesses to the area he continued the town, had an image problem to overcome. Bexhill like many south coast towns is popular with retired people and this had led to it being tainted with a 'Costa Geriatrica' image and although incorrect this was the image that many potential businesses investors held of the town and this perception needs to be changed if inward investment is to be attracted.

The De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill Museum, the Sidley Goods Yard development and Next Wave were all helping to change outsiders' view of the town and were all examples of the partnership working that is required for regeneration to take place.

Mr Burgess said that RDC can act as an advocate, service provider, enabler, employer and deliverer of services to aid regeneration but must work in partnership with East Sussex County Council, government grant aiding organisations, Network Rail, Hastings Borough Council, the voluntary sector and businesses to achieve the level of improvement in the town centre that residents and investors wish to see.

Each of these potential partners has their own objectives, success criteria, priorities and constraints and it was not always possible for RDC to obtain the outcomes they sought on behalf of residents. The failure to date to persuade Network Rail to provide station access via Devonshire Square was an example of this.

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Current regeneration work in-progress includes the link road and the soon to be completed high school but Mr Burgess warned that uncertainties over the funding of the link road and the future of the regional development agencies, through which government funding for regeneration is channelled, presented real challenges to the progress of regeneration

Work specifically to regenerate the town centre has now begun with the establishment of a town centre steering group but Tony Leonard warned that it would be long game and that there is not RDC capital money earmarked for regeneration.

The steering group will be guided by the Local development Framework and the Beyond Green public consultation as they consider the various concerns, prioritise them and work up specific proposals that will then be the subject of consultation with the local community. "There is no plan lying in a bottom drawer waiting to be sprung out "

In the lively question and answer session that followed particular concern was voiced about the steering group. What were it's terms of reference? Why was there no public representation on it?

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The audience felt that public consultation at the outset, not when plans had already been formalised, was essential if public support was to be galvanised.

Other questioners raised the issues of pedestrianisation, parking, the poor condition of some town centre shops and the state of the road surface in Sackville Road and whilst it appreciated that large scale regeneration took time to achieve questioned why the council did not make efforts to improve the footpaths, make shopkeepers maintain

their shop fronts and make more use of

floral displays to make the town more attractive.

Responding to a question on the siting of a quality hotel for the town Mr Leonard said that attempts to find a suitable site continued but said that the council would not be making any public land available for it.

On some issues opinion was divided but there was a strong consensus amongst the audience that real regeneration was dependent on improved transport principally the A21 and rail journey times to London.

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Mr Leonard said that RDC is working with other local authorities along the route of the A21 to secure funding for its improvement and had acted as an advocate in trying to obtain faster links with London.

Future talks in the Alliance's Parkhurst Hall programme of talks on the work of the council will be on planning, Wednesday September 8 and finance Wednesday October 13.

The meetings are open to Bexhill Alliance members and invited guests. To attend or for more information call 01424 216033 or visit www.bexhillalliance.co.uk.

Bexhill Horticultural Society

Patricia Reilly writes:

On a sunny morning 43 members of Bexhill Horticultural Society boarded an executive Rambler coach for a five day break in Gloucester.

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The first stop on our exciting itinerary was at Basildon Park, a National Trust property, in Berkshire. This was where the film Pride and Prejudice was made. After a tour of the house, and a snack lunch we made our way to Mapledurham Lock for a Thames river cruise to Goring. Our driver had a somewhat harrowing experience negotiating the coach down narrow lanes to get to the riverside, testing his driving abilities to the full!

Successfully aboard, we all enjoyed the peace and calm of the river, such a contrast from the busy motorways. It was a very relaxed group that rejoined the coach, and settled back for the remainder of the drive to our hotel on the outskirts of Gloucester.

The next morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we set off again. A party of 25 were destined to visit Prince Charles garden at Highgrove, whilst the remainder of the group were dropped off in the beautiful surroundings of Westonbirt Arboretum.

Highgrove was indeed worth the wait (some of us had been on the waiting list for several years!) We were warmly welcomed by volunteer staff, offered iced water and excellent toilet facilities in the purpose built visitors centre. After watching a Welcome to Highgrove video by the Prince, we met our guide for our tour of the gardens. Mrs Linnie Singer, was a delightful companion for two hours. Her knowledge of the grounds, the many unusual gateways, memorials and sculptures and their history, kept us totally enthralled, and the time just flew. It was an amazing visit, which we will all have to remember in our minds '“ there are no cameras allowed! After collecting the rest of the group from the arboretum, we made our way to Dyrham Park. Here we were to enjoy touring the Baroque style Mansion House, and some of the tranquil gardens. There have been deer in the park since 1620. St. Peter's Church adjoins the estate grounds, and the oldest part of the church dates from 1280. This is a parish church, and services are held regularly most Sundays for the villagers of Dyrham and Hinton.

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Day three found us at Westbury Court Garden, Westbury-on-Severn, the finest example of a Dutch style water garden in the country. Laid out 1696-1715, and rescued in 1967 by the National Trust, it is a delightful haven. Many plants now grown are authentic to the period and the style of the garden when it was first created.

We then continued over the border to Wales, visiting Dewstow Hidden Gardens and Grottoes at Caerwent. This was another lost garden until 2000, and was a magical experience for all of us. The underground grottoes were created from huge boulders and filled with ferns and marginals and pools all beautifully restored after being buried during the 1940's when the ground above had been used for growing food during wartime. Our day was not yet over '“ we continued into the Wye Valley, stopping at Tintern, where some of us visited the remains of the Abbey, and then we made our way back to the hotel via the Forest of Dean.

Day four found us stepping back to the 1940s for a special day on the Severn Valley Steam Railway. Each year they celebrate the ending of WWII, and we were treated to rides on trains of that era brought out for the occasion '“ you could actually smell the mothballs! Many locals were dressed in fashions of the era, and we were issued with replica ID cards that were stamped by a Home Guard Platoon on the platform before we boarded the train. This was another very memorable visit. We had lunch in the station buffet '“ ham, but no spam!

On again to Droitwich Spa, where we visited Hanbury Hall, another NT property, and which was crammed with famous paintings, and some of the original furniture. The sunken parterre garden has been recreated, and is almost restored to its original glory.

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We returned to the hotel for our last dinner together before packing ready to leave next day.

On our way home, we visited the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens at Burford, and enjoyed free time for lunch in Burford town. On then to Oxford for our last visit which was to its Botanical Garden, followed by a quick glimpse of some of the colleges, before heading for home.

This was declared to be the best ever holiday arranged by Stuart Wood, and we are all very grateful for all the effort he puts into planning the various itineraries.

Society of Bexhill Museums Ltd

On Wednesday 21 July, 49 members and friends set off for an outing to Squerryes Court and Quebec House in Westerham, Kent.

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Squerryes Court is a 17th century manor house and has been the home of the Wardle family since 1731, and was built in 1681 on the site of a previous medieval house.

After coffee on arrival, we were split into two groups for a most interesting tour of part of the house, since the other part is still occupied by the Wardles.

After the tour there was lunch in the restaurant or picnics in the gardens, which extend to 20 acres with a lake and restored parterres.

The house was the main location for the BBC's production of Jane Austen's Emma.

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After lunch we visited nearby Quebec House, a National Trust property, which was the childhood home of General James Wolfe of the Battle of Quebec fame, and which was full of family memorabilia.

We then returned to Squerryes for afternoon tea and cake before leaving for home at 4.30pm.

A memorable day out with good weather!

Bexhill Environmental Group

BEG (Bexhill Environmental Group) got off to a flying start on August 4. The group's first meeting was packed out with standing room only for some. Michael Bernard, the newly-elected secretary, said it was a brilliant night.

"After toasting the birth of BEG in organic, local fruit juice, we discussed a range of ideas to take forward including community tree planting and marine environmental action.

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"We also spent some time talking about the campaign called LOAF - as in the expression "use your loaf" - which stands for Locally Produced, Organic, Animal Friendly and Fairly Traded, especially in relation to Bexhill farmers market."

Michael added, "We are all concerned about sustainability and LOAF is part of the solution to the problem.

"It looks like BEG is going to be a group that actually does things to help the environment, starting with the environment right here in Bexhill.

"Baby BEG has taken its first breath of life, and that's what we are all about."

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BEG will be at the next Bexhill farmers' market in Parkhurst Hall, from 9am to 12noon on Thursday August 26 with two very contrasting contributions.

BEG's John Anderson will be there so that market visitors can talk with him about his tips for alternatives to insecticides in the garden.

Also, BEG's Michael Bernard is challenging visitors with a Scrabble contest. Michael said: "Everyone who plays me at Scrabble will win a prize and anyone who beats me will win up to 5 to spend in the market.

"We will be playing fast to get in as many games as possible.

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"And we will have points bonuses for spelling the names of market products, such as cheese, eggs, fruit and veg.

"BEG is moving to a bigger venue for its next meeting on Thursday, September 2, at 7pm in the Friends Meeting House, 15a Albert Road."

Contact 07989 781199 for information.

XYZ Club

It has been brought to my attention that some of your readers have missed reports from XYZ.

The club is very active, meeting each month on 2nd Friday at Christchurch hall from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Come for a visit or join us.

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We have been busy fundraising for the club, had our usual activity groups throughout the month with Scrabble, knitting for fun, and lunching out.

Sadly our outing to the White Rock was cancelled by the theatre due to unforeseen circumstances.

Our next meeting is today (Friday).

The Speaker is Lesley Fairweather to tell us about the crisis ambulance.

Lesley hopes to bring the ambulance along for us to see inside, as it is not like usual ambulances. This should be very interesting.

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As well as our usual meeting and activity groups this month we will be lunching out at the Wheatsheaf, and next month a mystery coach trip and cream tea has been arranged.

Our club is very friendly, we have lots to do and really enjoy each other's company. Come and see for yourself, you will be very welcome.

For more information contact Jeanette Hunt on 842605.

Bexhill Hanoverian Study Group

IN July, instead of the usual monthly meeting, the Bexhill Hanoverian Study Group enjoyed a coach outing, firstly visiting Fort Amherst, then on to the Royal Engineers Museum.

At both venues, our visits were enhanced by guided tours in the company of knowledgeable experts whose patience and good humour made each visit both entertaining and informative.

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On Tuesday August 17 we are "back home" at the Manor Barn for our programme planning meeting, followed by a talk by Mr John Dowling on Bexhill in Wartime. Mr Dowling's experiences during his career at the Bexhill Observer have made him a popular and respected figure and we are looking forward to learning more about the history of Bexhill.

Visitors are welcome and entrance is 1. The meeting at Manor Barn starts at 7.30pm.

Bexhill Horticultural Society

After a very wet stormy night, it was with some trepidation that a party of members of the society boarded a coach for an outing at 8.30am on Monday July 12. Our destination was The Secret Gardens of Sandwich. It was cloudy but dry, and we enjoyed the journey into Kent, and a coffee stop at Bybrook Barn garden centre near Ashford. This is an amazing centre, selling not only plants and all garden paraphernalia, but also books, china and glass, pottery, cards and many other items. It would make a good day out all on its own!

Rejoining the coach, we motored on (through a short shower), to the Secret Gardens. Set in the heart of the town of Sandwich and almost entirely enclosed by ancient city walls, the gardens are an oasis of calm and tranquillity. In their midst stands The Salutation '“ a manor house designed by the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who, with the help of his famous gardening partner Gertrude Jekyll, also designed the gardens.

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For some reason the gardens were neglected and lost to the wilderness for 25 years, but with the help of an amazing team of gardeners they have now been restored to their former glory and we set out to enjoy wandering along the paths to admire them.

In the tropical border visitors can see the rare Wollemi Pine, and further on Lake Patricia with its island. The perennial borders were crammed with a vast assortment of plants and shrubs and the vegetable garden had several interesting old varieties. However, the weather decided to change, and a sudden deluge sent us all running for the shelter of the small shop. As the rain persisted many visitors decided to abandon the garden for the shelter of some of the local eateries and enjoyed a long leisurely lunch until the rain stopped. Returning to the garden, although many of the walkways were now very wet, we were able to visit the areas we had missed earlier and to buy plants and souvenirs in the now pleasantly empty shop.

This was out first wet outing for many years, but we all agreed that the rain had not spoiled our enjoyment, and our organiser, (and vice president) Mr Stuart Wood, was congratulated on yet another delightful day out.

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