Caring Community Ploughman's Lunch

More than 70 visitors to Grosvenor Park tucked into this hearty and wholesome fare when they took part in a fund-raising event organised by Bexhill Caring Community.

The ploughman's lunch was held to raise money for refurbishment to the back of the Caring Community premises in Sackville Road.

The plan is to repair and redecorate the large room behind the office space so it can be used as a community asset.

It was hoped money would be made available through the People's Millions, but the application for funds was not successful and the Caring Community is now aiming to collect the necessary 30,000 itself.

Manager Margaret Von Speyr said that 70-80 tickets had been sold for the ploughman's lunch and added: "This has been a fantastic response to our first fundraising event towards this project.

"I hope that we will get more support from the community over the next few months as we do more fundraising. The community room will be used not only by ourselves but, I hope, other organisations and as a possible drop-in centre as well. We are just trying to get the money - we are going to have to do a big push on it after Christmas."

Alongside the tables where visitors enjoyed lunch with a glass of wine or soft drink was a bring-and-buy stall and raffle run by Myrtle Bagnall, chair of trustees.

She said: "It is good to see so many people here because it is the first time we have done this, so it was a bit of a shot in the dark - but very successful."

Councillor Joy Hughes was one of the guests - also a trustee of the Caring Community.

She commented: "We are doing this to make people aware of what we do and also to raise funds, which we always need, to continue our good work. It's lovely - we are pleased to be here. Grosvenor Park were very kind to let us have this lovely room - it is beautiful, and there is plenty of space, and the facilities are absolutely excellent."