How We Have Enjoyed Ourselves

2025

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Talk by Sue Riches

14 October "Stroll to the Pole" Around 40 members and guests listened in awe as Sue shared her experiences and dangers of walking across the polar ice cap in 1997 to the North Pole as a member of an all-women's relay team. And what a walk! Pressure ridges, leads of open water, rubber ice, storms, continual daylight, etc. Pulling laden sleds. Falling into Arctic waters. Exhaustion. Comradeship. All vividly brought to life with the help of striking photos. An illuminating afternoon for us all sitting in the comfort and warmth of Thakeham Village Hall with a lavish tea ahead of us. Thanks Sue.

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Guided Tour of Shoreham Fort

23 September  A group of twenty were educated, mesmerised and inspired by a visit to Shoreham Fort. We were escorted by the Chairman of the Friends of Shoreham Fort, Chris, who gave an in-depth description of the background to, and history of, the fort. What we really picked up on - and were inspired by - was Chris' long-held vision of turning what had become a dilapidated ruin into a must-visit memorial to the fort but also a modern community facility.

As ever, after the event we retired for lunch at the Amsterdam for some and the  Chipwick for others.

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Coffee Morning

​16 September At the Findon Manor Hotel, 20 members and guests enjoyed coffee, cakes and friendship.

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Annual Skittles and Barbecue

28 August Again at The Spur, Slindon, this was another hugely successful evening, enjoyed by the 29 participants with excellent food and convivial company.

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We had a game of Killer (3 Lives) Skittles - which, after tense final rounds, resulted in Judi Collins winning the ladies prize, and Cliff Palmer the mens.

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The evening concluded with the presentation of prizes  to the winners by Mike Lefroy our new Chairman of the Social Committee, who then thanked Hazel and Richard for organising this event and hoping there will be many more to follow.​

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Midsummer Walk

7 August A circular four-mile walk from The Badgers, near Petworth followed by lunch at that pub was enjoyed by a small but select band of ramblers.

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2024-25 President's Ladies' Lunch

29 July Held again at the West Sussex Golf Club, 41 members and guests attended this event.

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Coffee Morning

21 July  Enjoying the warm morning sunshine, the country views and each others' company, some 25 members and partners met for coffee, tea, biscuits and a chat at the Sportsman's Inn, Amberley

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Annual Summer Holiday

23 - 27 June  A large group of members, their partners, Friends and members of other clubs enjoyed our club summer holiday in Cornwall. Staying at a lovely hotel in Newquay, the group made a number of visits including the Eden Project, Lost Gardens of Heligan and St Ives.

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Early Summer Walk​​​​​​​​​​

18 June  Eight club members enjoyed a morning walk from the centre of Bramber, past the castle, to Bramber water meadows, before following the River Adur to St Bololphs. Then the return to the Castle Inn for an enjoyable lunch.

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Coffee Morning​​

30 May  We were due to have our Coffee Morning at the Queens Head. However, they had to have unscheduled plumbing work that day, so we needed to change venue at short notice. Natalie, at the Crown Inn, Cootham kindly accepted us and was most helpful. As ever, the 37 attendees enjoyed good coffee and pleasant fellowship. Only two people did not receive the change-of-venue e-mail, went to the Queens Head and were redirected. Everybody understood the situation and forgave the two late-comers - a topic of conversation for a quite a while!

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Visit to Knole House

23 May  We visited Knole House, Sevenoaks traveling by car. Fourteen members and guests revived themselves after the journey with a cup of coffee. Some then enjoyed walking around one of the wonderful parkland walks.

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Inside the house, we first visited the show rooms, which were covered in paintings by notable artists Then we went on a private tour of the attics  which were very interesting and included a lot of old and unused furniture. We also saw the intricate roof structure and channels to deal with rainwater (on the inside). We were also shown witch marks and graffiti written over the years.

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Spring Walk 

29 April  Sixteen members and guests met at 10.30am at the Foresters Arms Kirdford for coffee and biscuits before commencing the 3½mile circular walk at 11am. The weather was gloriously sunny and warm - it was a real pleasure to be walking in the countryside with friends. The terrain consisted of, mostly level, paths alongside fields some with horses and rare breed sheep and cows, streams with bridges and several woodland areas deckedwith bluebells and other lovely wild flowers. Altogether very enjoyable. Photographs were taken of members and surroundings by Brian Stow.

Returning to the Foresters Arms at 1pm everybody was ready for their very excellent lunch. Service was promptand the staff attentive. Leaving at 2.30pm all members expressed how much they enjoyed the walk and lunch.

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Visit to Eltham Palace

23 April  We had another very successful day out this week with a trip by coach to visit Eltham Palace. Being the beginning of the school term immediately after Easter, it was relatively quiet and the Club enjoyed both the gardens and a private guided tour of the Palace without having to make the usual allowances for other visitors.

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Coffee Morning

20 March. Our second of the year, this was another great social event at The Crown, Cootham. Some 30 members, spouses and friends enjoyed a good chat, coffee and biscuits.

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Afternoon Quiz

4 March  Our popular quiz event at the Methodist Hall, Sullington was attended by 38 members and guests. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon during which Andrew provided the questions, Sheila marked the answers sheets, and Vanessa and Anna provided excellent tea and cakes.

​​​The winners were "The Singles" team - Rob, Tim, Mike and guest Michael - who each received a suitable prize. The winners of the Wooden Spoon were the aptly-named "Old Crocks" team (who shall remain anonymous!). But win or not, everyone had a great time.

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Ten-pin Bowling Match

27 February  Skillfully organised by Euan Crowther, our annual match against Chanctonbury PROBUS Club was an enjoyable, sociable and close-run competition. The match was followed by lunch at the Black Horse during which Paul Weaver announced the result, awarded the coveted trophy to our winning team of Andrew, Cliff and Richard, and presented a bottle of wine to the player with the highest score - embarrassingly himself! As we won, Chanctonbury Club will organise next year's competition. 

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Winter Walk

19 February  Nine members and partners enjoyed this month's walk starting from the Half Moon Inn at Northchapel. We walked through woods, along farm tracks past four farms and across fields, returning to the Half Moon for an excellent lunch at this historic inn where a warm log fire awaited us.

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​​​​​​​​​​​Coffee Morning

22 January  At the Queen's Head, West Chiltington, 38 members, wives, partners and friends enjoyed coffee and cakes in convivial fellowship.

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Viennese Concert

5 January  Held at the Assembly Hall, Worthing and featuring the Worthing Symphony Orchestra, we enjoyed a wide selection of long-established music with a few less familiar pieces. Sitting in the balcony gave us a good view of the orchestra with excellent sound.

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2024

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- a busy year thanks to our social committee -​

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26 November Coffee Morning at the Labouring Man, Coldwaltham​​​​​​

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21 November  Lunch at Northbrook Catering College Arundel Restaurant cooked and served by the catering students​​

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15 November  Three days away at the Thursford Christmas Spectacular​​​​

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29 October  Antiques Afternoon with Simon Langton at the Old School House, Storrington

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18 October ​​​ Autumn Walk from, and lunch at, the Black Horse Inn, Atherington

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23 September  Coffee Morning at the White Horse, Mare Hill, Pulborough

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​​​​​4 September  Wine tasting and lunch at the Court Garden Vineyard

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22 August  Annual skittles and BBQ at the Spur, Slindon​​​

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19 July  Coffee Morning at the Findon Manor Hotel

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26 June  Pétanque match at Shipley, followed by lunch at the George and Dragon

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20 June  Early Summer Walk followed by lunch at the Three Crowns, Wisborough Green

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30 May  Coffee Morning at The Labouring Man, Coldwaltham

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17 May  Visit to Polesden Lacey House

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26 April  Spring Walk near Lurgashall, followed by lunch at the Three Horseshoes, Lickfold

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17 April  New Age Kurling at Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Storrington

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27 March  Coffee Morning at the White Horse, Pulborough

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19 March  Visit to Vitacress Wholesale Nursery, Runcton

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27 February  Winter Walk planned but cancelled due weather. Lunch at the Three Crowns, Wisborough Green went ahead​​​​​​​​​

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5 February  Annual ten-pin bowling match against Chanctobury PROBUS Club at the Out of Bounds centre in Rustington, followed by lunch at the Black Horse, Findon
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24 January  Coffee Morning the Crown Inn, Cootham

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17 January  Quiz Afternoon at Sullington Village Hall

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7 January  New Year Concert at the Assembly Rooms, Worthing

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2023

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29 Novembe r  Visit to Chawton House

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20 November  Coffee Morning at The Labouring Man

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20 October  Autumn Walk and lunch at The Three Crowns, Wisborough Green

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​​​22 September  Coffee Morning at The White Horse, Pulborough

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​​​23 August  Summer Walk and lunch at the Chequers Inn, Rowhook

17 August  Skittles and BBQ at The Spur, Swindon