Saltdean Doug Streeter 01273 300283 PORTOBELLO: The inquiry continues at the Meridian Centre most weekdays from l0am-4pm. Anyone interested in the arguments for and against the siting of Southern Water's large sewage plant on our heritage shore and cliffs can listen in at the public inquiry at the Meridian Centre for the next few weeks even if they can only spare a few minutes at a time. An empty hall does not show how great is local concern. A continual flow of local people would.

Central Hove Averil Older 01273 772071

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The re-furbished tea bar at Hove courts in Holland Road is run by the WRVS and more helpers are needed. The bar is open between 9am-3pm five days a week. Contact Beryl Archer on 01273 694343.

TRADESMEN LIST: The Goldstone Valley Residents' Association is in the process of updating their list of recommended workmen and would like to hear from anyone who can add to the list. Contact Arthur Green on 01273 506068 with the name, address, phone number and trade.

ACTING FOR YOUNGSTERS: The New Venture Theatre are a very talented group of amateurs who perform in Bedford Place, off Western Road.

They have won numerous awards and are doing a great deal to encourage locals to go into a career in acting. A few past members can be seen on TV today. Many youngsters from the youth section gain confidence and skills from their weekly sessions.

Under 14 classes are on Saturdays from 10am-noon, 14-19-year-olds are welcome on Wednesdays between 6-8pm. New members can phone 01273 597626 for more information.

lower Bevendean Robert Brown 01273 602002

POLICING: Bevendean Community Association held its first open evening on Thursday. The topic was Policing in Bevendean. The north sector commander, Insp Dave Stringer, gave an outline of his sector. He stated that Bevendean was only one of nine sectors he was in charge of. Bevendean was not considered high in problems from the crime figures he had to hand.

PC Justin Hamblock did not attend as he was on other police work. A question and answer session with the inspector took place. Most questions were about youths causing problems on the estate. There was a feeling that the local beat officers, which will number four from next week, do not achieve a high enough profile in the community.

The public wanted to know why response to 999 calls took a long time. The crowded hut of 50 people had impressed on the inspector for the need for quicker response times, more high profile beat officers to visit local shops and local organisaton on the estate.

The inspector asked if he could return in two months to see if new measures had worked and answer questions he could not answer at the meeting.

DIARY DATES: There will be an Autumn Bazaar in the Church Hall on Saturday, 10.30am-2.30pm. Come and see the great gifts

and presents you can buy for Christmas.

Also on Saturday at 7pm in the Salvation Army Community Church, Leybourne Road, there is an evening of song by the Brighton Salvation Army Choir. Admittance £1. For tickets contact: Envoy Pauline Findland on 01273 621196.

EASTBOURNE Mary Barlow 01323 725754

SINGERS wanted: The Heritage Singers, a choir which rehearses in St Mary's Church Hall, Decoy Drive, on Wednesdays from 7.30-9.30pm, welcomes new members. Call 01323 847241 or 895230.

St Gregory's Church, Victoria Drive, would also like singers and musicians for the 9.30am Mass on Sundays. Call 01323 736644.

HOSPICE: St Wilfrid's Hospice raised £2,487 at its recent autumn fair and £2,054 from its flag day.

The local branch of the Catholic Women's League also presented a cheque for £1,000 to the hospice manager, Stephen Gilbert.

Tonight the hospice holds its annual Bonfire Night celebrations at the Berwick Inn, Berwick (call 01323 644500 for details).

FRENCH CIRCLE: Cercle Francais of Eastbourne had its joint screening of An Autumn Tale (with the Film Society) at the Curzon Cinema on Wednesday. It holds its next talk tonight at 7.15 at St Philip's Hall - a talk on Boulogne by Diane Robertson. Call 01323 485403.

BIRD WALK: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is having a walk from the lake in Lottbridge Drove on Wednesday. Booking is required, tel: 01273 775333.

Saltdean and Rottingdean Ray Wootton 01273 302872

PENSIONERS: Our Saltdean Senior Citizens' Club meet in the Community Centre on Friday afternoons at 2.30pm. On November 12 there's dancing. Annual subscription is just £4. Call 602039.

BAZAARS: Saltdean's St Martin's Church hold their Christmas Bazaar in the Church Hall, Longridge Avenue, tomorrow from 10.30am. Attractions include morning coffee, light lunches, crafts, cakes, bric-a-brac, jewellery, plants, Christmas goods, toiletries and a Christmas Grotto. Proceeds to church funds.

There is also a bazaar in Rottingdean Village Hall tomorrow from l0am-12:30pm. Books, plants, bric-a-brac, cakes, toys & games, children's corner and refreshments. Admission 20p, children free. Proceeds to the St Margaret's Home and Overseas project,

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE: Saltdean Oval WI hold their AGM in the Community Centre on Thursday at l0am, There will be a competition featuring an autumnal picture or photograph. Call 305448.

PRESERVATION SOCIETY: Following a busy year, Rottingdean Preservation Society held their AGM at St Margaret's School last night. Tributes were paid to treasurer Mike Browning and membership secretary Georgie Wilcox for their excellent work over a long period of time. The annual report also mentioned the regrettable demise of several High Street businesses over the years.

REMEMBRANCE: As part of the Royal British Legion Remembrance in Rottingdean on Sunday there will be a brief service of dedication at the War Memorial at noon, On Thursday, November 11, at 11am, maroons will signal the start of two minutes' silence.

FLOWERS: Rottingdean Flower Club present the Christmas Flower Shop on Saturday, November 13, at St Margaret's Cottage from 10.30am-12.30pm. There will be Christmas arrangements, silk flowers, accessories, a cake stall and raffle.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.