Little Common Ladies Club

On Wednesday 24th February members of Little Common Ladies Club had a really entertaining evening when Stuart Wood gave a talk on his life experiences.

Stuart told us he was born in Newport, Monmouthshire (as it was called then). His father did not enjoy good health but was very involved in the Church being church warden and superintendent. His father was also interested in horticulture and that is where Stuart’s interest arose. Stuart was in the church choir earning half a crown at weddings!

Stuart left school at fifteen and worked for the local parks department where he helped with flower arrangements at the civic centre, mayor’s parlour and judges chamber. After two years practical experience he went to Usk agricultural college and then to Pershore horticultural college. Having qualified he worked as a demonstrator at the college. Stuart then became a horticultural instructor at a senior approved school in Hertfordshire and Longport remand home Canterbury.

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Stuart then went on a social work course at Cardiff going on to work at Dr Barnardo’s as house master, finally arriving in Bexhill where his parents had moved to. He became a member of St Peter’s Church and in 1974 was offered the position of matron at Oakhaven, an unusual job for a man! He was there for sixteen years until the home closed down. Not being able to get a permanent job due to the recession Stuart went back to his first love - horticulture. He got involved in the community and joined the horticultural society becoming chairman helping to rebuild the membership numbers.

Stuart told us all about the Millennium celebrations in the Old Town when local flower groups got together for a wonderful flower show. Stuart got involved in politics and was Chairman of the local branch of his party. He had a wonderful year as Mayor but his wife was very poorly during his mayoral year and sadly died.

Stuart has had a very varied life and has met lots of interesting people along the way. Happily Stuart remarried last year after getting engaged in the old chapel of St Faiths at Westminster Abbey.

Committee member Jacqueline Davies, gave the vote of thanks, having known Stuart for many years through the Bexhill and Little Common horticultural societies and sharing happy memories of the Millennium celebrations. A cheque was presented to Stuart for his favourite charities, being NSPCC and the PDSA.

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Our next meeting will be on March 23rd when Club member Doone Ellerton will give a talk entitled ‘My Fair Lady’.Anyone wishing to attend will be most welcome. Meetings begin at 7.30pm at Little Common Community Centre, Shepherd’s Close, Little Common. Call 01424 843337 for further details.

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