June 18 2012.
The members of the Seahaven Branch of 'The Royal Society of St George' and their guests celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of their Patron, HM The Queen, at a formal dinner at the Seaford Head Golf Club on Wednesday 13th June.
Distinguished guests included the Chair of Lewes District Council, Councillor Tony Nicholson with Angela, and the Mayor of Peacehaven, Councillor Eileen Russell and her husband Terry, all of whom are members of the branch. Other guests were the Mayor of Newhaven, Councillor Graham Amy and Marlene, the Mayor of Seaford, Councillor Linda Wallraven and Liz Holland, Dr Peter Fenwick and Ann, from Seaford Rotary and Bob Adams, Chairman of the East Sussex Branch of The Royal Military Association and a SeahavenFM volunteer.
The Guest of Honour was Major Peter Gadsdon MBE MC, Chairman of the Alfriston and District Royal British Legion. He told those present of his time during the Second World War when he was with the Army in Burma. During one of the battles he was presented by his bugler with a goat bell captured from a Japanese Sergeant, and since then he has used it on occasions to call for peace and co-operation between former enemies.
The Chairman, Bob Peedle MBE, welcomed the guests and congratulated the Mayors of the Towns present on their individual efforts to ensure that the Queen's jubilee was so well celebrated.
In his speech he also mentioned that June celebrates the battle of Waterloo, after which discharged and injured soldiers got very little help from official sources and were a liability on parishes and compared it with those service men and women of the Second World War for whom war and widows pensions and today when in addition there is tremendous support from Forces Charities, such as the Royal British Legion, SSAFA Forces Help and Help for Heroes as well as the various service charities.
Those present were reminded that the Seahaven Veterans' and Armed Forces Day is at 2.30pm on Saturday 30th June at the Martello Tower on the Seaford Sea Front. There will be a concert by the Seaford Silver Band and an inspection of a static parade by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex.
The Chairman welcomed the many new members of the branch present, including Councillor Steve Saunders, the former Mayor of Newhaven, and Sharon Bewley.
The Seahaven Branch is almost three years old and after the Loyal Toast, proposed by the branch President, Don Mabey, he presented the Chairman with a new official badge of office. This was a complete and extremely generous surprise to everyone - especially the Chairman. This impressive jewel will be used from now on by holders of the office.
Bob Peedle said: "There was a tremendous atmosphere at this dinner where the food was super and the company so friendly. It was very patriotic. Our members are getting the feeling that we are making a worthwhile mark within the Lewes District with our local aim to help preserve all the best of England, past and present, traditions and history, manners and chivalry, and encourage support for England's National Day, St George's Day on 23rd April each year."
The branch's next event is a lunch on the 17th of July at the Barley Mow, Selmeston, where members and guests will be able to witness the passing of the Olympic torch on its route eastwards from Lewes.
For August the branch will visit Deanlands for a lunch at the Inn in the Park, and then return to Seaford Head Golf Club for a Battle of Britain Dinner in September.
Pictured above: One of the tables of the Jubilee dinner at the Seaford Head Golf Club.