News from around the clubs - July 30

Rotary Club of Senlac

The Rotary Club of Senlac welcomed David Palmer, representing a local home in Robertsbridge caring for persons afflicted with Prada Willi Syndrome. The talk was fully illustrated and allowed Rotarians to understand how the onset of the syndrome affected an individuals life. At the beginning of 1950 Dr Prada Willi/Lambert concentrated on researching the causes of the medical condition. One in 59,000 nationally are diagnosed with Prada Willi Syndrome. To include Robertsbridge there are four maintained homes in the area. An organisation known as New Directions Ltd was formed 12 years ago to support one home. The first homes were initiated in 1998, specifically in Northampton where New Directions opened. At the present time there are four homes within Hastings and Rother area. Active support by 1,000 families has now grown to 3,500 operating within England. By 1990 research reported good progress with regard to recognition and understanding of the disease - current research is studying the symptoms.

The syndrome is related to brain injury, trauma or occasional surgery and symptoms are concentrated around 'food issues'. From afterbirth babies experience difficulty with sucking and feeding; walking and talking usually occur later than average, between two and four years old. The disease is related to 'obsession with food and eating; continual hunger; disorder within brain and poor muscle control. Observations of individual cases declare learning difficulties (mild), have uncontrollable temper tantrums and rages, also stubborn traits in speech and behaviour. Mention was made of advances in use of growth hormone for children.

In 2010 it is estimated life expectancy can be around 40-year period; within some homes age range can be recorded as between 20 '“ 60 years. Characteristics associated with disease are known to be: high pain threshold, skin picking, emotional immaturity, behavioural challenges, lack of vomit reflex, insatiable appetite and problems with anaesthetic.

Diet management is centred around extra calories everywhere; fat juices (gravy); jam in rice pudding; low calorie yoghurt; semi-skimmed milk; thick bread (not medium) and butter or margarine. Concerning behavioural management there were 'challenges to themselves'.

Rotarian Henry Band spoke of the causes and overall knowledge of the syndrome being little known and therefore it was very much an educational explanation which allowed members in attendance to understand the nature of the disease. A sincere vote of thanks was accorded, to which Rotarians and guests applauded. Join Rotary - telephone:01424 211717.

The Twenty Ten Club

Unfortunately the speaker for our July meeting failed to turn up which was very disappointing, but it did give us longer to solve the quiz and to take more time over the strawberries and cream tea, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Our day trip to travel from Kintbury on a horse-drawn boat was also a great success and members had time to wander around Hungerford afterwards before returning home. The next meeting on August 12 will have a speaker from Bexhill Furry Friends, who will talk about the way animals help those people who can't have pets of their own. If anyone would like to join our friendly club, there are still a few places left on our membership list. If you would like more information, please ring 842946.

You will be very welcome at any of our meetings which take place on the second Thursday of each month at the Sandhurst Hall, Little Common Community Centre at 2pm.

Little Common Women's Institute

THE meeting was opened by Hilary Rhodes with the singing of Jerusalem.

After the usual notices, there was a talk by Ray Shayler, who is a volunteer at Scotney Castle. He was instrumental in uncovering the well-documented history of the Hussey family which included the complete wedding outfit worn by the lady of the house. There is a full display of the wedding event at the castle.

Ray brought with him beautiful slides and the talk was both interesting and humorous.

Our next meeting is a garden party to be held at St Martha's Church Hall on Wednesday August 25 at 2pm, when there will be a fashion show by Eastex and Dash of Bexhill. There will also be a raffle and good quality bric-a-brac and afternoon tea. Non-members are welcome - tickets are 2 and are available on the door.

Bexhill and District Aircrew Association

Members enjoyed a brisk whiff of salt air when our meeting on Monday July 12 was addressed by Captain Carl Bagwell, harbourmaster and senior pilot of the Port of Rye.

Setting the scene with a brief exploration of Rye's 800 year record and its place as one of the original Cinque Ports, responsible in earlier years for providing defence against French incursions, he brought us up to date with an intriguing insight to how it operates today.

Although officially classified as a small port, Rye is a very active one, home to the largest fishing fleet on the South Coast and used by a steadily growing range of commercial shipping as well as the recreational sailing fraternity. The harbourmaster's role is a complex one, embracing oversight of a wide range of functions, ensuring that the harbour and its approaches are safe for all users whilst taking account of environmental issues, conservation and the pressures of tourism. An extremely interesting and frequently amusing presentation, it was very well received by all present.

The guest speaker at our next meeting on Monday August 9, Angus Redford, will broaden our horizons a little further with a talk on The South Coast and Channel.

Members are reminded that annual subscriptions should be forwarded to the Hon Sec by September 1.

The branch AGM will be held on Monday September 13.

Bexhill and District Gardens and Allotments Society

MEMBERS took a coach to Detling, near Maidstone, to soak up the atmosphere on the final day of this year's Kent County Show.

They enjoyed such diverse delights as cuddly piglets to watching a swooping Second World War Spitfire fighter, majestic heavy horses to dramatic buggy racing.

The White Helmets Army motorcycle team performed its thrilling routine, vintage tractors paraded sedately and there were intriguing finds among the trade stands.

Society members naturally took a keen interest in the show's fruit, flower and vegetable classes, comparing judges' comments with their own shrewd assessments.

Another of chairman Dick Lancaster's hugely enjoyable days out ended with the homeward run past fields of sunlit cereal crops before customary and welcome refreshment at The Rainbow Trout, Broad Oak.

East Sussex Bridge Club

Results for the week ending July 23:

Monday July 19:

N/S First - Vicky Penfold and Pam Gyton

Second - Kathie Genders and Angela Viola

E/W First - David Bacon and Kay Peeke

Equal seconds - Judi Sibson and Marjorie Fairlie; Patrick Hutley and Les Crawford

Wednesday July 21:

N/S First - Josie Boryn and Barbara Herold

Second - David Hughes and Kay Peeke

E/W First - John Clark and Vi Boniface

Second - Judith O'Connor and Sylvia Benford

Thursday July 22:

N/S First - Gary Manley and Vi Boniface

Second - Marilyn Rutherford and Ted Weare

E/W First - Molly Bryant and William Pender

Second - Garrick Oliver and Marion Boswell

Friday July 2:

First - Valerie and Patrick Scrase

Second - Vera Bishop and June Watt