After Eight Club
The After 8 Club meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month - an opportunity for the women of Burwash Common, Burwash Weald and Burwash village to get together, share experiences, hear talks or try new things. Most meetings start just after 8.00pm and are held at The Pavilion, Burwash Common.
Club activities are wide-ranging - recent and upcoming activities have included an Archery 'taster' session, trying out the sport of Curling, local quizzes and expert talks on Maritime Wildlife Rescue and teaching in Malawi. We have regular summer and Christmas parties for members.
New members are always welcome - for more information contact Jan McCartney on 01435 882 117 or Claudette Neville on 01435 883 043.
After 8s are currently involved in a project to make ceramic poppies in memory of each of the men from Burwash Parish who died in the First World war. The poppies - which will be displayed in Burwash and Burwash Common in November as part of the 100th Anniversary commemorations - have had their first firing and were painted on August 28. Local potter Mary Clarke, who has donated her time and expertise to the project, has now taken the poppies for their final firing.
The painting session:
The craft stage:
Club Updates
The September meeting was a talk about marine wildlife rescue. It started outdoors with some very hands-on rescuing going on for a poor dolphin who was beached on the playing field! It was very amusing (thanks to the willing volunteers) and made a serious subject light hearted yet stick firmly in our minds. We continued indoors for a wonderful talk with visuals of seal, whale and dolphin rescues - some quite harrowing.
Stephen, from the rescue centre, made us realise the massive task of re-floating these huge creatures, especially when a whole pod of whales beaches, gets re-floated and then beaches again. They are also in a race against time as all these creatures will not survive too much stress, handling or dehydration. Thank you Birdie for organising this great evening for about 30 After Eighters plus guests and to Sheila, Kate and Kate for providing refreshments and to everyone who cleared up at the end.
The Marine Wildlife Rescue association benefitted from the fee we paid them plus £104 in donations (which gives them a further £20 in gift aid) and £40 in book purchases and they were also delighted with the evening.
In October we have two outings. The first on Wednesday 10th is a trip to the Spitalfields area organised by Sandra. We will walk around that area including a private tour of the unique Denis Severs House. Details for this will be sent nearer the time to those who are going on this trip but please get the £12 house entrance fee to Sandra before the end of the month. The followimg evening,Thursday 11th we are quizzing with the Rotherfield Thursday Club for about the 11th year running. It's always a great evening, albeit a bit lop sided as there are about 10 of them and 40 of us but we mix the teams up and it's very light hearted, good fun and friendly with great food provided. Please arrive at Rotherfield village hall in as few cars as possible by 7.30.
THE FETE was a resounding success with the A8 club contributing in so many ways (teas, barbecue, assault course, kids games, bric a brac, bar, dog show) but mainly on the After 8 cakes & produce stall which raised a record amount of £286 for the playing field and pavilion. The total amount raised at the fete was £5,496 - flabbergasting! Thanks to everyone for their support.
POPPIES. For those not at the last meeting this is an update on the poppies. The 100 or more poppies are finished and are stored in Kate's barn. We have paid Mary for the materials and firing but she very generously gave her time and expertise to tutor and help us make the poppies. She is as passionate about this anniversary as we are. What happens to them after the anniversary is up to the two villages - they might want to use them on an annual basis - but if not we will get the chance to buy them from ourselves. Apparently they are very beautiful after firing - something to be proud of to honour the fallen. Jan McCartney 882117
NB Don't forget to change the date for the Rotherfield Quiz to Thursday 11th October.
Upcoming events 2018 -19 (Events at the Pavilion unless specified otherwise)
| 11th Oct | Quiz - away to Rotherfield Ladies |
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| 7th Nov |
Talk: Forensic Investigations. Arranged by Brenda Open evening, everyone welcome |
Teas
Sheila & Mavis |
| 13th December | Christmas Dinner at The Bear. Arranged by Brenda (NB Thursday) |
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2019 9th January |
Talk: Conspiracies of the World. Arranged by Carla. |
Teas Chris & Pauline |
| 13th February | Bowling and meal. Tunbridge Wells. Arranged by Lynda. | |
| 13th March | AGM |
Teas Claudette & Anne |
| 18th April | A Night at the Dogs. Meal. Arranged by Lynda. Details tbc. |