Senior Citizens' Tea Party 21.10.11

   "By George! The Party was great!"

Spearheaded by the two main afternoon's entertainers, Julie George and Carol George (no relation!), once again Bexhill Rotary Club hosted their annual grand Tea Party for the senior citizens of Bexhill on Friday 21^st October.

From the very start, the party venue, St. Augustine's, was buzzing in anticipation with Rotarians and their wives preparing sandwiches, cakes and many other delights so when the guests arrived everything was set for a great afternoon.  On arrival, each guest was greeted by a trio of St. Richards' Interacters, President Sophie Barrett with Patrick Hills and Bella Cornford.  After everybody was seated in the hall with a cuppa in their hand, Bexhill Rotary President, Frank Field, welcomed everybody and requested that all mobiles and hearing aids should now be switched off to maximise their enjoyment!

The entertainment then got under way with Julie George and her troupe of singers, J.A.C.S. (Julie's Adult Community Singers), singing a wide range of songs from folk, pop to classics, much to the enjoyment of the audience.  This was followed by a scrumptious tea elegantly served by Rotarians and their wives and the Interacters whilst Rotarian Brian Cope played some jazzy stuff on his guitar.  After tea, it was the turn of Carol George to entertain by singing a long list of popular songs starting with "Something tells me I'm into something good", and so it proved to be with everybody singing the last song, Vera Lynn's "We'll meet again".

To wind up the proceedings, the Mayor of Bexhill, Cllr Stuart Wood, who had been in attendance all afternoon thanked Bexhill Rotary for putting on such a good show and saying how much he and the guests had enjoyed themselves.

Organising chairman, John Cooper, was really pleased with how the party went with over 90 people attending and, he said, "judging from feedback, it looks as if everybody is looking forward to the next party in a years time!"

Roger Batey

Pictures show the party in full swing

+ the Mayor, Cllr Stuart Wood, joining in the fun with guests

TRAFALGAR DAY TEA PARTY

On Trafalgar Day 2011, the, SS Party, a 'Community Class' Ship, powered by the revolutionarily 'Bexhill Rotary Engine' and commanded by Captain Field (army retired), undertook a voyage of discovery around the lighthouse to St Augustine's Bay, to the delight and delectation of a passenger complement of some 90 of Bexhill's Finest Citizens. They were accompanied by Citizen in Chief, Mayor Stuart Wood and his Lady, all resplendent in the Forecastle as the ship weighed anchor, hoisted the Blue Peter and headed to sea at full steam ahead!

The passengers were entertained throughout by 'sirens of the sea' who sang shanties and songs, evoking memories of yesteryear and were given three 'Hip Hip Hurrahs' for their efforts. The success of this voyage was down to the combined effort of the ships company and their wives and partners. Of whom the following are mentioned in Dispatches: