Bexhill 100 Motoring Club gives away £4,000 to charities

August Bank Holiday Monday did not enjoy the best of weather but the show was an outstanding success and there were certainly sunny smiles at the Cooden Beach Hotel on Sunday evening when the club staged a gala awards evening.

A video of a previous show was being screened in the Strand Room as guests arrived for an evening which included a buffet supper.

The master of ceremonies for the event was Barry Lawson.

Cheques for 1,000 awaited Homecall, Bexhill Caring Community's Dial-A-Ride service, Hastings and Rother Multiple Sclerosis Society and Bexhill branch of East Sussex Disability Association.

Sean Woodhouse, who had nominated the charity, presented the Homecall cheque.

On behalf of Homecall, local organiser Jenny Private explained how the county-wide charity had been forced to announce the ending of its voluntary home-visiting service for the visually-impaired from the end of this month.

However, response to her appeal on behalf of more than 60 clients in the Bexhill area had enabled the local service to be saved, thanks to the generosity of donors such as the 100 Club.

Dave Dickens-Smith, who had nominated the charity, presented the Caring Community cheque to organiser Margaret von Speyer.

As Dial-A-Ride driver Peter explained, running and maintaining the charity's bus which provides mobility for people who would otherwise be housebound is costly. The tail-lift alone requires a health and safety certificate every six months.

Peter Nowak presented the MS Society cheque to Jane Tuppen. The group is part of the national charity and raises funds locally to support local sufferers.

Roger Gillett presented the cheque to Mary Plucknett of East Sussex Disability Association.

She said the club was founded 37 years ago when a few people began taking out disabled people in their cars. Today, it had 191 members, of whom 81 were taken out every month for a country ride and a meal.

Chairman "Digger" Brodrick said the Bexhill 100 Motoring Club had around 140 members, of whom around 60 were presented for the gala evening.

"That says something about the club as a whole.

"Everyone is a volunteer, Everyone gives their time. No one gets paid."

He added: "This is a chance for me to thank every one of you.

"Give yourselves a big pat on the back.

"Well done!"

Awards won at the show were presented by their sponsors.

Best Commercial Vehicle, sponsored by S. and S. Taxis, went to Mike Hallett;

The Car and Costume award, sponsored by E. and D. Dray Ltd,, to Clive Gross;

Best Classic Car, sponsored by the Bexhill Observer, to Wesley Drimmie; the Shine and Show Award, sponsored by Car Crazy Motor Store, to Terry Blackman; Best Motor Cycle, sponsored by Rowallen Fisheries, to Chris Barrow; Best Custom Car Award, sponsored by Coversure Insurance Services, to Colin Hyams; Best 100 Club Members' Car (the Ron Heat Award), sponsored by Linda and Dennis Thompson, to Dave Dickens-Smith and Sheila; the 100 Club Chairman's Award (the Brodrick Trophy) for services to the club, to Charlie and Frances Rowland.