WRAC Association South East Area

Chairman: Mrs Kate McGregor

Secretary: Vacant

Bexhill-on-Sea Branch

Chairman: Mrs Desiree Lye

Secretary: Mrs Jenny Nye

For the second year running, we decided not to have a January meeting for which most of our ageing membership was quite grateful: the winter of 2009/10 was an especially cold one throughout the country. So in February, after a two month gap, we had plenty to tell each other over tea and biscuits!

In March we had a visit from Jackie Streeter, a Community Support Officer. She brought with her a selection of headgear worn by officers according to the duties they have to perform; these are being shown by our WRAC audience in the attached photograph taken by PC Bunny Warren who often drops in for a cup of tea and to give us the odd word of advice.

Jackie Streeter at the back of the room. Standing next her, under the policeman's helmet is Jenny Nye, Bexhill Branch Secretary

Jackie is about to go off to college to do a course on becoming a Police Constable. She gave a good and informative lecture and we feel sure that she will pass the course with honours. We enjoy our relationship with the local Police and are happy to exchange greetings with them when we are out shopping.

In April we had Hot Cross buns and showed off our Easter bonnets. Our May meeting coincided with the General Election and on that day our speaker was the District Commissioner for the Rother Fire and Rescue Service, no less, who gave us a brisk and pleasant talk before rushing off to be sure that voting was proceeding smoothly. It was. According to news reports difficulties began later in the evening due to under manning of voting stations.
Our June speaker was Clifford Jones on the subject of "Elements of Chemistry". He has given us three interesting talks on disparate subjects, is a practised speaker and is now a friend.

To come, we have our strawberry cream tea and at least two more talks: one from a Sussex Air Ambulance representative and one from PC Bunny Warren; then the Christmas party in December and the Christmas lunch in the same month at the local golf club which our Secretary has already booked.

We were very pleased to welcome a new member, Pamela Locke, in April but we have lost two one-time Chairmen, Vi Town and Jean Atkins, due to mobility problems. However, both are staying in touch and are very supportive of our branch. We send them our greetings and love and promise to stay in touch by letter or telephone.