Spring Newsletter

President’s Message

Hello everyone, as this season comes to an end, welcome to the April Newsletter.

This year we have had another full season of monthly talks thanks to our ever conscientious programme manager Mike who is already working on September onwards.

The talks have been varied, and attendance above average this year due to the number of guests attending, peaking at 47 in February.

As we now move towards the summer, our thoughts turn to visits, the only one firmed up at present is to the Brighton Engineerium in Hove on Sunday 10th May, but if anyone has ideas for others, please let myself or a committee member know.

The Coffee mornings continue each month, with folk meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Spotted Cow and the last Thursday of the month at the Swallows Return with partners, room available if you want to give it a go.

During the year I set up a WhatsApp group enabling messages to be sent out quickly to the membership should something happen like unavailability of venue or speaker.

Thankfully we have not had to do this, but if anyone, who isn’t in the group wishes to join, please let me know and you can be added.

The AGM and talk will start off our new season on Tuesday September 15th and once again the usual cry goes out for new members to join the committee.

We do value the input of the membership to arrange talks and visits as new / different thoughts bring fresh ideas. So if you feel this is for you, please talk to me or anyone else on the committee for more information.

I would like to place on record, my sincere thanks to my fellow committee members for ALL their hard work and long may it continue.

All that remains is to wish you all a pleasant summer, keep your eye on emails from Mike and look forward to September when we can do it all again.

Take Care and stay safe.
George Woollard
President

Programme Of Events

20 Aug 26 10:00

Coffee Morning (members) The Spotted Cow, Angmering

27 Aug 26 10:00

Coffee Morning (with partners) The Swallows Return, Worthing

15 Sep 26 14:30

AGM followed by a talk by Roy Allen entitled 'Asking Questions' Field Place, Worthing
Read more…

17 Sep 26 10:00

Coffee Morning (members) The Spotted Cow, Angmering

24 Sep 26 10:00

Coffee Morning (with partners) The Swallows Return, Worthing

View All Events

New Members and Speakers for Talks

The RCEA needs new members and speakers to ensure that we can continue as a thriving organisation. Please think of appropriate people you know and encourage them to come along to our talks and hopefully join the RCEA.

We also need more speakers to give talks to us at our monthly meetings on Tuesday afternoons from September to April.

We are aware that many members have the knowledge from their working careers to provide interesting talks. If you are willing to give a talk, please let us know.

New Members

Simon Norris-Jones (Shoreham)

David Lemon (Steyning)

John Willis (Ditchling)

Nicholas Lewis (Redhill)

Geoff Burchett (Lancing)

Stephen Dexter (Henfield)

Ray Parsons

The RCEA (Sussex) does not normally publish obituaries of members.

However, Ray Parsons was a ‘one off’. He was our oldest member at 93 who regularly attended meetings and both types of coffee mornings. He gave several talks since joining the RCEA in 1987.

The following was posted on the Brighton Tram 53 Society Facebook page:

‘Back in September I interviewed 93 year old Brightonian, Ray Parsons. Ray had some wonderful memories of the Brighton trams, he loved the illuminated ones and shared some very interesting memories of the system and what it was like to use. He was very sharp and a pleasure to speak to. I have to sadly report that he died on 16th January. It was thanks to his daughter Sally that we organised the interview. Ray, you will be missed. Guy’

Derek Webb

RCEA Insurance

Members need to be aware that the insurance policy that the Association holds is solely for the protection for the assets and liabilities for the Association as an entity. The policy does not provide cover for personal injury or loss to individual members. Members attend the Association's events at their own risk although under some circumstances there may be some cover from the insurance arrangements of the venue owner.