Caring group blow as Jill quits

Mrs Halsall handed in her resignation last Thursday.

The news comes just five weeks after the official opening by town MP Greg Barker of the Caring Community's new offices. The organisation moved to new premises in Sackville Road following the sale of the property opposite which was run as a base for local charities and the dissolution of Bexhill Council of Social Service which owned it.

Mrs Halsall declined to give her reasons for standing down but told the Observer this week: "I am so sorry and so upset that I have had to resign.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the job."

Her involvement with the charity began when she volunteered to help with the shopping service the Caring Community operates for the housebound. When former administrator Ruby Gillham retired, her deputy, Irene Clark, invited Mrs Halsall to take over.

Since then the organisation has grown considerably. Mrs Halsall said this week: "We look after about 600 people for the home library service alone.

"Last year, between January and December, I did 199 Attendance Allowance claims and they all got through. This year, since January, I have done 43. Most of them have gone through. A few are still pending.

"We also do a lot of shopping and visiting and things like that and services like our bathing service and dial-a-ride. I started this things. I have tried to help people.

"It's been my life, my 'baby...'

"I do realise that things have got to alter because of all the new regulations coming in. But I have just loved the job. Officially, my hours were 20 a week but usually I did 30."