Busy bees (!) working in the Monk’s House

Orchard on a garden volunteer day

Newsletter No 54

Winter 2017

www.seaford-sussex.co.uk/nt

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Letter from the Chair

I do hope that everyone has enjoyed the summer season and that you have visited some of the lovely National Trust properties in the area, including the one with this chair…do email me if you recognize its location.

The last chair was identified by one person…..well done! A small prize is on its way. It was the unusual chair at Michelham Priory. The chair this time is a NT one … The summer outings seem to have been popular as were our other social events – thanks to all those involved.

We have some fantastic outings planned for next year to a wide variety of places. Do get your applications in quickly as I am sure they will be very popular. One outing with a difference is the one which is very local but rarely visited. I have been very fortunate in arranging a tour of both Filching Manor and the motor museum there. The house is amazing and the collection of vehicles in the museum is fascinating – not just vehicles…much, much, more. This is an evening visit followed by tea and cakes… We managed to clean up the White Horse in August. A five year old with her family helped us and we featured on BBC Sussex. I would

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like to make this an annual event as it is great fun and good to have a really white horse looking out over the Cuckmere valley. Again I feel that Seaford Association continues to thrive thanks to our excellent committee as well as to all of you. We have over 400 members which is brilliant. Do keep on spreading the word about our association – including the interesting speakers at our meetings and the many social events. We again have our Autumn Lunch and Autumn Fair coming up. Do support these and all our other events. I know you will enjoy our latest round of speakers – don't forget our new venue of the Con Club. This will be our new home for a while at least. I look forward to seeing you all very soon. With best wishes

Helen

Enclosures with this newsletter

Holiday booking form

Membership Renewal form

Outings form

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New Members

We welcome the following members who have joined our Association since the last Newsletter and hope they will enjoy participating in our events:

Mr R H & Mrs R Chapman Mr C & Mrs G Grimble

Mrs D M Hawes Ms M Jones

Mr J & Mrs N Lockyer Mrs M B Richards

Mrs J S Smith Mrs B J Varndell

Mr A E Woodthorpe Mrs L J Young

Newsletter Deliveries

We are continuing to deliver the Newsletter by hand in order to save the costs of postage, which will enable us to contribute more to our chosen NT projects. Thank you to the volunteers who do the deliveries, and if anyone would like to join us by delivering a few in their local area I would be very pleased to hear from you. Many thanks.

Wendy Platts, Membership Secretary

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2018 Subscription Reminder

Membership subscriptions for 2018 are due on 1 January and should be paid within 60 days. A renewal form is enclosed and you are invited to make a contribution towards the Association’s National Trust projects. Subscriptions for the year are £7.00 for a single member and £3.00 for each additional member at the same address. The completed form should be sent with a cheque payable to National Trust Seaford Association and a STAMPED SELF ADDRESSED ENVELOPE to:

The Membership Secretary NT Seaford Association

17 Sandringham Close, Seaford BN25 3EB Whilst we would be very sorry to lose any members, it would be much appreciated if you could let me know if it is your intention not to renew your membership. Many thanks.

Wendy Platts, Membership Secretary Telephone: 490833 or 07989 077079

email: wendyplatts@sky.com

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Autumn Lunch – 2 November 2017

The autumn lunch, held at Blatchington Golf Club for the first time, was attended by 90 members from the NTSA and was most enjoyable. The raffle prizes, provided by the committee, collected over £190 towards our funds.

The speaker was the Collections Curator of the Towner Gallery, Karen Taylor, who gave us a short talk on Eric Ravilious, an English painter, designer, book illustrator and wood engraver. He grew up in East Sussex, and is particularly known for his watercolours of the South Downs.

Rosemary Heasman

Many thanks to Rosemary for arranging the lunch. Must be a nightmare

seating everyone! Ed

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Outing to Standen Thursday 15 March 2018 – Depart 8.45am with usual pick-up points. Travel time approx. 1 hour. Depart Standen 1.00pm Cost £15.00. Refreshments not included After the wonderful talk about Standen the committee thought a trip there was in order. This house is one of the finest examples of the Arts and Crafts movement, which also has many examples of the fine designs of William Morris. It is ‘dressed’ for a weekend stay in 1925, so you can imagine you are a guest of the family. The Servants’ Hall has been reopened as a design studio. The space has been transformed into a creative room where we can trace the creation of the Standen collection of wallpapers and ceramics. The Butler’s Pantry is recreated with bespoke wallpaper and furniture designed by Peter Thwaites and Rebecca Aird, in the Arts and Crafts ethos. The five-year restoration of the UK’s most important Arts and Crafts garden has been completed. It showcases year-round seasonal highlights and an award-winning plant collection. Over the years many features, such as the swimming pool, had been hidden by other planting! A visit to this graceful and elegant home of James and Margaret Beale is well worthwhile.

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Outing to Petworth

Thursday 19 April – Depart 8.45am with usual pick-up points Travel time approx. 1hr 20mins Cost £16.00. Refreshments not included. Depart 4.30pm National Trust Seaford member Brian Freeman, a volunteer at Petworth will very kindly give us an introductory talk on our journey to this ‘house of art’. On arrival you can head for a coffee before you wander around this fabulous house containing the finest collection in the entire National Trust of sculpture and art including that of J.M.W. Turner, Van Dyke, Reynolds, and Blake. Outside is a woodland pleasure ground and acres of ‘Capability Brown’ landscapes and a deer-park with glorious views of the South Downs National Park. There is a coffee shop, the Audit Room Restaurant offering fresh seasonal food, barista-style coffee and tempting homemade cakes, as well as a gift shop, a second-hand bookshop and plant sales. Even if you have visited this House before, Brian will be able to direct us to places less visited!

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Filching Manor and Motor Museum

It is on the Friston to Wannock road A visit to the manor and museum has been arranged for 10 May at 7pm at a cost of £8 including light refreshments and guided tour. This is a super opportunity as the museum is sadly not open to the general public now. The owner, Karl Foulkes-Halbard, has very kindly offered our National Trust group the chance of a private viewing. Please meet at the manor, where there is ample parking, by 6:50pm. We will be shown around by Karl. The Manor House is an amazing and very beautiful building. The motor museum contains a fascinating collection including Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird K3. The majority of the cars displayed there are in working order. Please bring friends and try to fill your car.

Helen Roberts

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A Slice of Middle England!

Sunday, 20 May – Friday, 25 May 2018

Our holiday will be for six days (five nights) and we will be staying at

the 4-star Eastwood Hall Hotel, Nottingham.

The hotel stands in two acres of spectacular grounds and combines the

beauty of a period property with every modern convenience. There is

a swimming pool and all rooms have tea and coffee making facilities.

Sunday. We leave Seaford Station around 8.30am after a taxi has

picked you up from your home. With a comfort stop en-route we

continue to Canons Ashby (NT) where there will be a lunch stop and

time to explore the house and gardens. Mid-afternoon we continue to

our hotel.

Monday. After a leisurely breakfast, leaving about 10am, we drive to

Lincoln for time in this historic city. We have included a guided tour

of the cathedral, one of Europe’s finest gothic buildings. The city itself

is divided into two parts – one at the top and one at the bottom of The

Steep Hill. Time too for lunch and then mid-afternoon we return to our

hotel.

Tuesday. After breakfast we drive through the lovely Derbyshire Dales

to Bakewell for a coffee stop. Famous for its pudding it is still possible

to visit the original shop. We then drive to Chatsworth, the seat of the

Dukes of Devonshire and still home to the Cavendish family which is

set in expansive parkland complete with one of the most famous

gardens in England. There will be time to enjoy lunch and also to

explore the United Kingdom’s favourite country house before returning

to our hotel.

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Wednesday. We travel through Belper to the edge of the Derbyshire

Dales, with a morning stop in Ashbourne in the Dove valley. The town

is noted for its cobbled market square. From there we travel along the

southern edge of the Derbyshire Dales to Leek (Wednesday is market

day!). There is a good range of cafés for our lunch break. From here

we take a scenic drive through the heart of the Dales to Buxton and

then onwards to Hartington with its tea rooms, duck pond and gift

shops.

Thursday. On this day – the highlight of the holiday – we have a full

day in The National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.

It is the UK’s living and lasting memorial to commemorate and celebrate

those who have given their lives, or suffered, in the service of their

country. Arriving by 10am we join, if you wish, the Act of

Remembrance held each day at 11am. Included is a 50-minute ride

on the land train with commentary. Also included is entry to the

exhibition and plenty of time to explore and appreciate some of the

most beautiful and moving memorials. A special and completely

different visit.

Friday. Leaving after breakfast we enjoy a drive across the Vale of

Belvoir to Rutland, with a coffee stop en-route. We continue our

homeward journey and head for the Marriott Northampton, where an

early buffet lunch is included. We return to Seaford where our

waiting taxis will return you to your home.

The cost is £550 per person. Single room supplement is £60 per

person.

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PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE PRICE INCLUDES:

Taxi from, and return to, your home (please note this applies to

Seaford and Alfriston only

All gratuities to driver, courier, hotel and tour guides and travel by

executive coach (with lovely driver Mike)

Five nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast

Guided tour of Lincoln Cathedral

Admission to Chatsworth House

Donation to National Memorial Arboretum

50-minute ride on land train and entry to exhibition

Two course buffet lunch on the way home

Throughout the holiday we will have the services of Lisa from Avalon

Tours. Toilet facilities are available on the coach.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE CANCELLATION TRAVEL

INSURANCE FROM THE DAY YOU FINALLY BOOK THE HOLIDAY.

IT MUST COVER MEDICAL EXPENSE IF NEEDED, LOSS OF

MONEY AND LUGGAGE.

Insurance can be obtained from Avalon (£27.50) and an application will

be on the booking form.

A lot of people have already verbally expressed their interest in a

holiday next May. Please note NO ROOMS will be reserved until the

booking form is completed and sent to me at:

49 Beacon Drive, Seaford BN25 2JX

Ann Thompson

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Outing to Hever Castle

Tuesday 19 June 2018 – depart 8.45am with usual pickup points and leave at 5.00pm

Cost £33.00 including entrance and garden tour (HHA members also have to pay this amount as it is for the garden tour) Lunch not included Hever Castle and gardens are spectacular. It was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and is full of beautiful furniture and tapestries. It also contains the Book of Hours Room. The award winning gardens are beautiful. They include an Italian garden, a Tudor garden, a blue corner and a rhododendron walk. There is also an amazing collection of model houses through the ages, beautifully furnished... a feast for the eyes. There are several places to eat at Hever or you can have a picnic – lots of options available.

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Christmas Fair

Yes, Christmas will soon be here but

before that our annual Christmas Fair

takes place! It is on Saturday,

25 November in St Leonard’s Church Hall

from 10am to 11.30am.

If you did make cakes and put them in your freezer please let a

committee member know so that someone can collect them or

please bring them along on the day. If you have any contributions

for the bric-a-brac stall, puzzles, books and unwanted gifts too, we

will try to collect them from you if you are unable to come to the fair.

Nonetheless your committee would love to see you there. As you

know there are always refreshments available too!

Elfriede Hussain

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SUDOKU

1 7 2 4 3 6 8 2

3 5 7 1 5 9 4 8 5

1 7 2 6 1 9 3 2 5 7

Answers on page 18

Navigation

(This is a radio conversation released by the American Navy)

1. Please divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.

2. Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the south to avoid

a collision.

1. This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again divert YOUR course.

2. No, I say again you divert YOUR course.

1. THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER ENTERPRISE. WE ARE A

LARGE WARSHIP OF THE US NAVY. DIVERT YOUR COURSE

NOW.

2. This is a lighthouse. Your call……...

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‘Name that tune’

1. Bleached Yule

2. Singular yearning for the twin anterior incisors

3. Righteous Darkness

4. Arrival time 2400 hrs – weather cloudless

5. Loyal followers advance

6. Far off in a feeder

7. Array the corridor

8. Bantam male percussionist

9. Nocturnal noiselessness

10. Frozen precipitation commence

11. The quadruped with the vermilion proboscis

12. Delight for this planet

13. Give attention to the melodious celestial beings

14. The dozen festive 24 hour intervals

Answers on page 18

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BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR

COACH OUTINGS AND EVENTS

Please note that prices include transport, entrance fees and gratuities. Refreshments are not included except where specifically stated. National Trust Membership cards (not just Seaford Association cards) must be taken on any outing to a National Trust property – otherwise the full entry charge will be payable by the member.

CHEQUES should be made payable to National Trust, Seaford Association. A separate

cheque for the full amount payable must be sent in respect of each outing or event applied for. A cheque made out to cover more than one outing will not be processed, nor will a post-dated cheque. You MUST include ONE stamped addressed envelope for the

return of your tickets. Failure to do this will result in applications not being dealt with until after those correctly submitted.

APPLICATION FORMS will be processed in the order in which they are received. Two people wishing to sit together MUST enter both names on the same form. Names must be

given in all cases. The person completing the form must give their full address (including postcode) and telephone number, including the dialling code if not 01323. When the maximum number has applied, further names will be kept on a waiting list.

CANCELLATIONS – Members wishing to cancel a booking must inform Mr. J. Hall (see

below). If the ticket can be resold, a refund will be made, less £2.00 per ticket to cover costs. If you have to cancel at short notice, please telephone Mr. Hall, (tel. 891581).

Members are reminded that these outings are intended for Members of the Seaford Association. If space permits, it may be possible to allow seats for non-members. Preference will be given to National Trust members. Those who are not will not be covered by the Trust’s insurance and are responsible for their own cover.

INSURANCE – Please note that the National Trust Insurance for personal accident cover

does not apply to members over the age of eighty. Members in this category should consider their own requirements for this cover. There is no age limit for public liability cover.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – If any member has health or mobility problems which mean that

he/she is likely to need assistance during the day, they must bring a companion with them who can undertake this help. Couriers are responsible for up to 53 people and cannot devote particular attention to just one or two people, however much they would like to do so.

BOOKING FORMS to be sent to;

Mr. J. Hall, 9 Hazeldene, Seaford, BN25 4NQ

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SUDOKU – Answers

3 8 9 7 6 2 4 1 5 7 5 4 9 8 1 2 6 3 2 1 6 4 3 5 7 8 9

5 7 8 2 4 9 1 3 6 6 2 1 8 5 3 9 7 4 9 4 3 1 7 6 5 2 8

4 3 2 6 9 7 8 5 1 8 6 7 5 1 4 3 9 2 1 9 5 3 2 8 6 4 7

Answers to ‘Name that tune’

1. White Christmas

2. All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

3. O Holy Night

4. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

5. O Come, All Ye Faithful

6. Away in a Manger

7. Deck the Hall

8. Little Drummer Boy

9. Silent Night

10. Let it Snow

11. Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer

12. Joy to the World

13. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

14. The Twelve Days of Christmas

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National Trust – Seaford Association

Committee 2017

President: Ann Thompson 01323 892150

Chair: Helen Roberts 01323 892750

Vice Chair: Sheila Guyatt 01323 899573

Secretary: Rod Evans 01323 370840

Treasurer: Michael Staples 01323 894893

Membership Secretary: Wendy Platts 01323 490833

Fund Raising Events: Elfriede Hussain 01323 896373

Afternoon Tea and

Autumn Lunch: Rosemary Heasman 01323 897959

Holiday Organiser: Ann Thompson 01323 892150

Publicity Officer: Sheila Guyatt 01323 899573

Archivist: John Creasey 01323 896462

Day Trip Organiser: Sandra Newns 01323 899845

Committee member: Doreen Robinson 01323 896399

Non-Committee Posts

Ticketing Officer: John Hall 01323 891581

Winter Programme: Heather Collis 01323 890066

Outings: Carole Lowe

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Diary Dates 2017-2018

2017

25 Nov Autumn Fair at St Leonard’s Hall – 10am to 11.30am

30 Nov

Waddesdon Manor – see this lovely location beautifully

decorated for Christmas plus outdoor stalls and enjoy a

Christmas lunch

2018

17 Jan Illustrated talk on Aerial Photography by Philip Lane

21 Feb ‘Clarkson Rose and Twinkle’ – 50 years of Seaside Entertainment, including Seaford. Talk by Brian Freeland

15 Mar Outing to Standen

21 Mar ‘William Pitt and the Martello Towers’ – a talk by Geoff Hutchinson

24 Mar Spring Fair at St Leonard’s Hall. 10am to 11.30am

19 Apr Outing to Petworth

10 May Outing to Filching Manor and Motor Museum

20-25 May Holiday – A Slice of Middle England

19 June Outing to Hever Castle

19 July Horse drawn barge with cream tea on Kennet and Avon canal

23 Aug Outing to Sissinghurst

Sept (tba) City & Village London People’s post – new postal museum

17 Oct Talk TBA

Nov (tba) City & Village Christmas outing to Canterbury and Faversham

21 Nov AGM plus talk TBA

24 Nov Christmas Bazaar

Printed by Tansleys, Broad Street, Seaford

Talks to take place at 2.30 pm in the

Constitutional Club, Crouch Lane, Seaford BN25 1PU

(Transport available on request)