East Worthing John Hobbs 01903 237440 stamp collectors: At the meeting of the Goring Philatelic Society, 12 members displayed ten sheets each and never had such a varied show been seen in one evening. The evening started with Cinderella material, followed by London Places of Interest; Great Britain G 5th photogravure issues; entertainment; Australian Military envelopes; Chinese postcards, and many more.

Members of the Worthing Postal History Society were given a rare treat when the stamps and postal history of South Australia and New South Wales were exhibited. The variety of early issues and their marvellous condition was a joy to behold.

Members of the Worthing Philatelic Society were entertained by Ian McQueen from Bournemouth who displayed some of his vast collection of airmail envelopes, showing the various rates, routes and markings.

Forest Row and Ashurst Wood Pauline Maynard 01342 823618

KEEP FIT: Body conditioning classes are being held in the Village Centre in Ashurst Wood on Tuesdays 9.15-1030am or Wednesdays 7-8pm. This class, run by the Fitness League, is for ladies of any age and there are a few places still available.

By request, a more gentle exercise class has begun in Forest Row on Tuesdays 2.30-3.30pm for more mature ladies. Some of the exercises are seated. This is held in the Community Centre. For more details ring 328224.

Mixed ability yoga classes have also begun in Forest Row, with a Beginners Class too. Call 01342 822716 for more details.

MILLENNIUM: Forest Row Parish Council would like some ideas from villagers on how to commemorate the millennium

in some permanent way. Suggestions so far include a fountain, trees and a weather vane, but your ideas would be welcome for consideration too. Ring Mike Humphries at the Parish Office on 01342 822661.

CONCERT: Members of Forest Row Choral Society (formerly the Michael Hall Choral Society) are well into rehearsals for their Christmas concert, but new members would still be welcome. No auditions are held and the society is open to all enthusiastic singers.

The programme for the Christmas Concert includes Messe de Minuit by Charpentier and this will be held in Holy Trinity Church on December 18. Call Mary O'Sullivan on 01342 322959.

SUMMIT: A former Forest Row student has scaled France's tallest mountain, Mont Blanc.

Alexander Tonnet, who was a pupil at Michael Hall School, has been considering the idea for a couple of years, but his first attempt was aborted because of bad weather. Alexander is now director of a computer company and has set his sights on Mount Kilimanjaro in East Africa for his next climb.

HERSTMONCEUX AND WARTLING Dianne Town 01323 833841

MACMILLAN FUND: The coffee morning held recently on behalf of the Macmillan Nurses at both Emjay Music and the Community Centre in Herstmonceux was a great success. A total of £181 was raised.

SPEECH AND DRAMA: A reminder about the Workshop to be run by Joy Bryant in the Village Hall either on Monday or Wednesday. If you are 11 years and upwards, no upper age limit and are interested in going along, then call Joy on 01323 833607.

Lancing Gordon White 01903 761910

FLOWER SHOW: The Lancing Horticultural Society show is at Boundstone Hall on Saturday, November 6, 2-4pm. Plant sales, raffle, refreshments, charity stall. If you wish to show, then further information is on 01903 755402.

DANCE: The mayor and mayoress of Worthing invite you to their 1940s Swing Dance. A salute to the war years with Aidan Kerney and the Boundstone College Band. Ian Flitcroft at the Wurlitzer, Assembly Hall, Worthing, Friday, November 19. 7.30 for 8pm. Tickets £7 from Pavilion Theatre Box Office or at the door or phone 01903 820560. Proceeds in aid of the Mayor's Charity - Gifford House.

Billingshurst Madeleine Woods 01403 783253

CHARITY CONCERT: The rafters of St Mary's Church rang out with rich and enthralling voices on Friday when students of Ann Lampard, Head of Voice at the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music, came to entertain.

The Lampard Ensemble gives concerts to raise money for charity, which in turn allows each member experience in performing. This time it was to raise money for the Billingshurst Barnado's Helper Group.

From grand opera to folk music, lullabies to music hall, the talented young people gave their all with unpretentious brilliance.

SALES MORNING: Saturday was the morning for bargain-hunting. Heaped jumble, homemade cakes and toys were on sale at Trinity United Reform Church Hall, which raised them a handsome £137.

The Unitarian Chapel echoed its library history with a book sale and the Macmillan Support Group raised £129 at their Jumble Sale in the Village Social Club.

FAREWELL: Parishioners of St Mary's Church gathered to bid fond farewells to Alison and Tony Mothersdale on Sunday.

Lay preacher Alison gave the sermon at the 10am Communion Service while Tony served at the altar. The couple were sent on their way to Somerset with thanks for all they have done for Billingshurst and a toast to future happiness. A large parcel revealed a statuette of St Francis of Assisi to grace their new garden.

Wilmington and arlington Kenneth Quicke 01323 483709

PHONE MAST: The planning of a mast for Vodaphone was not supported by Long Man Parish Council. Members said from the documents this could be the first of many and the public at large was very much against it.

Village Club: Thanks go to David Greenwood who once again organised a very successful Flower Show and there was plenty to interest the visitors.

Congratulations go to the cup winners and thanks to John and Sue Cotton who were the guests of honour.

There will be an Evening of Nostalgia next month where old books and Church records of the three villages will be on display. If you have anything to add with relevant memorabilia, call Mark Potter on 870081 or Angela Morris on 870269.

BUS SERVICE: The Cuckmere Community Bus are opening a shopping service to Brighton to be introduced each month between October and March on an experimental basis. After pick-up in the villages the bus will travel non-stop to Brighton and the fare will be £3 adult single, £4.95 adult day return.

Lewes and Ouse Valley Pauline Cherry 01273 476876

HArvest FESTIVAL: Rodmell's Harvest Supper was well attended and as usual the hall was beautifully decorated with straw bales, hops and fruits, flowers and berries of many kinds. The supper was superb, various salads, jacket potatoes, ham and turkey followed by home-made apple pies and cream, all washed down with wine and coffee.

Musical entertainment was by Sheila Mann and Pauline Cherry. There was also a successful raffle.

The Harvest Thanksgiving service was also very successful, with a church so packed that late-comers had to stand. Our village school children sang and entertained us with songs and stories that all had a moral to them.

The church was beautifully decorated and refreshments were served after the service.

Yapton & Ford John Dickeson 01243 551972

RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION: The public meeting arranged by the Yapton and Ford Residents Association on October 13 attracted an audience of 140 residents. The three main points that came out of the discussion were, traffic, vandalism and lack of policing.

The meeting was opened by the chairman, Gary Tompsett, who firstly introduced two members representing the police, the first speaking of the need to enlarge the Neighbourhood Watch in the area. There are already 469 households covered but more would be welcomed.

The pelican crossing has been interfered with on a number of occasions. Arising from the discussion a member of the audience suggested that the residents association write to the police saying that the people of Yapton are dissatisfied with the standard of policing in the village.

Other items mentioned were rubbish outside the shop, which is not cleared, dog-fouling and planning matters still unresolved.

HAstings Josie Lawson 078035 47206

BONFIRE: Hastings bonfire celebrations on October 9 attracted more than 20,000 people. Cheers were heard from the Stade. Sussex Bonfire Societies, accompanied by drums, town criers and an 18ft dancing skeleton courtesy of arts group Same Sky, was enjoyed. The sky was a mass of beautiful colours.

Tourism managers were full of glee also as the information centre reported all Old Town and Town Centre accommodation sold out.

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