February 12 2014.


This year’s annual general meeting of the Seahaven Branch of The Royal Society of St. George was held at the Green Man, Ringmer on Monday. The major event of the evening was the election of a new president, made necessary following the death of its first president, the late Don Mabey MBE. Laurie Holland was unanimously elected to the post. Laurie was the first mayor of Seaford and is now, amongst his many charitable commitments and offices an Honorary Freeman of the town of Seaford.

Maeve Mabey, who organises the fund raising at the branch events, presented her late husband’s Jewel of Office to the Branch, which chairman Bob Peedle MBE then placed around the neck of the new president. The new post of vice president was created at the meeting and its first elected incumbent is Steve Saunders from Newhaven. New committee members were Jan White, Frank Holland, Liz Holland and Linda Wallraven.

The chairman outlined the year’s activities, especially the church service and formal dinner in Alfriston to celebrate St. George’s Day. Other events will include HM The Queen’s official birthday, the Battle of Britain and Trafalgar Night, as well as the usual lunches. The committee was charged with liaising with other local organisations and councils and help with any of this year’s commemorations of the start of the First World War.

On display were pictures of HM The Queen, Patron of The Royal Society of St. George, and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. These had been given to the branch by member Colonel Keith Barker.

When the AGM was over members were treated to a splendid buffet provided by the Green Man. When the night’s raffle was drawn, another £100 had been added to the funds. The branch’s surplus funds are used to buy gifts for worthwhile local organisations and charities.

The chairman announced that a special tribute to Don Mabey will be broadcast on SeahavenFM, 96.3fm, and on line on www.SeahavenFM.com on Saturday the 8th of March from 3.00pm. The programme will include details of his life in the RAF, the RAFA, the Seaford Head Golf Club, the Seahaven Branch of The Royal Society of St. George and as an honorary Freeman of the Town of Seaford.


Pictured: The new Branch President, Laurie Holland, with the royal pictures presented recently by Colonel Keith Barker.