Eastbourne Seniors Forum This Directory has won an award from the Primary Care Trust for its contribution towards health improvement. We thank the East Sussex and Weald NHS Trust and our Advertisers for help in defraying the cost of publication. The information contained in this directory has been provided by various sources, is accurate at the time of printing, and is published in good faith, though we cannot vouch for the quality or safety of the premises or services provided. Updates are posted on our website: www.esf-online.org as they arise, and we reprint the Directory as necessary. The Forum is for everybody over 50, living or working in Eastbourne, who is welcome to join, regardless of ethnic background, disability, sexuality, religious, cultural or political beliefs. Preparation for a healthy retirement should involve seeking out activity facilities suited to one’s abilities and interests, rather than planning to put one’s feet up - and dying of inactivity and boredom! Some will want to concentrate on physical activities. Others will prefer stretching their brains. Spiritual well-being – making and valuing friends, feeling valued for oneself rather than what one does, and having a sense of purpose in life – is also increasingly important in older life. A healthy balance needs to be struck between all three activities; physical, mental and spiritual, just as a balanced diet is necessary for good health. The ESF Health and Well-Being Group has therefore tried to identify the local leisure, learning and sports facilities, to provide opportunities for older people to enjoy themselves and keep themselves fit. Physical strength diminishes with age, so some activity, whether standing, walking or running is essential to maintain muscle power. Some activities, such as racquet sports, need to be backed up by more specific strength training, to avoid muscle strain. All the gymnasia, in Sports Centres and elsewhere, will offer friendly advice and support. This Directory has won an award from the Primary Care Trust for its contribution towards health improvement. We thank the East Sussex and Weald NHS Trust and our Advertisers for help in defraying the cost of publication. The information contained in this directory has been provided by various sources, is accurate at the time of printing, and is published in good faith, though we cannot vouch for the quality or safety of the premises or services provided. We plan to update the printed Directory annually, but updates are posted on our website: www.esf-online.org as they arise Eastbourne Archers. Meets at Langney Sports Club, Priory Lane, Age Concern, Venton Centre, Junction Road BN1 3QY. Tel: 732853. Bourne Arts. Art tuition, leisure drawing and painting. Cavendish and Ratton Community Arts. Provides arts activities for people of all ages. Ratton School, Park Avenue, Eastbourne BN21 2XR. Eastbourne Seniors Club. Alice Croft House, Cornfield Lane, Eastbourne BN21 4NE. Tel: 01323 728157. Leisure Painters. Polegate Community Centre, 54 Windsor Way, Polegate BN26 5AP. Contact Janet Wells Tel: 01323 485044. Monday Art Classes Frenchgate Christian Centre, Frenchgate Road, BN22 9EU. Tutor: Ben Ecclestone. Tel: 01323 504210. Polegate Painting and Sketching Group. Portsdown Art Group. Broadway Church Hall, The Broadway, Pleasure Painters. St Barnabas Church Hall, Kingfisher Drive, Langney BN23 7RL. Contact: Jackie Steggall: 01323 647480. Sovereign Harbour Art Group Tel. For beginners and experienced painters. Christ the King Parish Hall, Princes Road. BN23 6HT. Tutor: Angela Clarke-Beagley Tel: 07914 884378 Eastbourne Astronomical Society Meets in the Memorial Hall, Church Street, Willingdon, for talks, and in Arlington Village Hall, for observation meetings. Contact: Mr R Cripps. Tel: 01323 732067. BADMINTON. Eastbourne and District Badminton Club. (competitive) Hardwick Badminton Club. Meets at the Causeway School, Larkspur Drive, Langney. Secretary: Mr A Potipher 01323 482640. St Annes Ladies Badminton Club. (for ladies only) Meets at the Guide HQ. Hartfield Lane. (off The Avenue). Saints Badminton Club. (for men only) Meets at University of Brighton Denton Road Sports Hall, Meads, Eastbourne SS Ramblers Badminton Club. Meets at Cavendish Sports Centre. Secretary: Mr P Wilkinson. Tel: 01323 640956. TOFFS over 55s Club, University of Brighton, (Eastbourne Sports Centre), Contact: Faris Al-Askar. Tel:01273 643706. INDOOR BOWLS. Eastbourne & District Indoor Bowls Association, 5 Hampden Park Drive, Eastbourne BN22 9ZR. Tel: 01323 506009. Langney Sports Club Indoor Bowls Club, Priory Lane Eastbourne BN23 7QH. Tel: 01323 762245. Secretary Mrs K M Selby. Gildredge Park Bowling Club, The Goffs Eastbourne BN21 1EY. Hampden Park Bowling Association Hampden Park Drive Eastbourne BN22 9QN Secretary Bob Depper Tel: 01323 762392 Parade Bowls Club. Redoubt Gardens, Royal Parade Eastbourne Royal Sovereign Bowls Club, The Greens Princes Park Eastbourne St. Johns (Meads) Bowling Club. Meets at Helen’s Gardens, Dukes Drive Meads. BN20 7XH. Hon Secretary Margaret Way Tel: 01323 731260. Victoria Drive and Eastbourne Ladies Bowls Club Next to Drive Hotel, Victoria Drive. Match Secretary Mr Chris Field. Tel: 01323 416476, Club Secretary Pauline Davies. Tel: 01323 508927. SHORT MAT BOWLS Eastbourne Seniors Club. Alice Croft House, Cornfield Lane, Eastbourne BN21 4NE. Tel: 01323 728157. Shinewater Sports and Community Centre, Milfoil Drive Eastbourne BN23 8ED. Tel;01323 768614. BOWLING, TEN PIN Lloyds Lanes Broadwater Way, Eastbourne BN22 9PZ. Age Concern, Venton Centre, Junction Road Eastbourne BN1 3QY. Devonshire Bridge Club. Westdown House (opp. Esperance Hospital) Hartington Place Eastbourne BN21 3BW. Eastbourne Bridge Club. 1st Floor, RAFA Buildings, Wish Road Eastbourne BN21 4NX. Tel 01323 645876. Eastbourne Seniors Club. Alice Croft House, Cornfield Lane Eastbourne. BN21 4NE. Tel: 01323 728157. Saffrons Bridge Club (Winter only). (Part of Eastbourne Bowling Club) Sovereign Bridge Club. 11 Hobart Quay, Sovereign Harbour North, Pevensey Bay Rd BN23 5PB. Contact Mr H Shirley. Tel: 01323 471749. Wannock Bridge Club. Wannock Village Hall, Jevington Road Polegate BN26 5NX. Contact: Terri Beck. Tel: 07922 153321. CHESS Eastbourne Chess Club, Meets at Edgmond Evangelical Centre, As a source of information, and a means of communication, the Internet is a most valuable medium, and elementary courses now teach the essentials without going into the difficult stuff. You don't even have to buy a computer; most libraries give free access. People with disabilities especially benefit from the internet, as shopping on-line, and E-mailing their friends saves tiring journeys to the shops and pillar box. Age Concern, Venton Centre, Junction Road Eastbourne BN21 3QY. Eastbourne Seniors Club. Alice Croft House, Cornfield Lane, Eastbourne BN21 4NE. Tel: 01323 728157. East Sussex County Council Mobile Office, visits weekly at Sovereign Harbour (car park opp. Yacht Club). Free computer and internet access, and help with adult education and IT courses. Tel: 0345 6080196. South Downs College. Cross Levels Way Eastbourne Tel: 01323 637637. WRVS. Russell Centre, 24 Hyde Road Eastbourne BN21 4SX. Busy Fingers, at Age Concern, The Venton Centre, 6-12 Kilburn Terrace, Junction Road. BN21 3QY. Tel: 01323 638474. Eastbourne Seniors Club. Alice Croft House, Cornfield Lane, Eastbourne BN21 4NE. Tel: 01323 728157. nderida Writers Circle. Langham Hotel, Royal Parade Eastbourne BN22 9QA. Contact: Harry Pope Tel: 01323 734107. New Eastbourne Writers. Bibendum Wine Bar, Grange Road, Eastbourne BN21 4EU. Contact: www.neweastbournewriters.co.uk. Shared Stage Courses.. Contact:www.shapingvoices.co.uk Compton Croquet Club, Compton Place Road Eastbourne BN21 1EA. Tel: 01323 644868. Contact: Ann Fenwick. Tel: 01323 893318. Sustrans, the sustainable cycling charity, has produced a set of cycle maps covering East and West Sussex. They can be downloaded from the web at www.sustrans.org.uk The county offers a superb array of cycling, from traffic-free trails through woodland to the stunning (but more demanding) views from the South Downs Way. They also publish a booklet, “Day rides in Sussex”. The National Cycle Network Route 2 runs from Worthing to Rye, via Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. Route 21 runs from Polegate, via the Cuckoo Trail (11 miles of the old railway bed), Hailsham and Heathfield, on to Forest Row, East Grinstead, Gatwick, to Greenwich. Route 20 is a West Sussex route, from Crawley to Brighton, through little villages and the National Trust property at Nymans Gardens. Route 89 runs along the South Downs Way, following the old tracks and droveways along the chalk escarpment from Eastbourne to Winchester. It is more demanding, and requires an ATB, but can be broken into shorter day outings. The part of Eastbourne Seafront Prom from Fisherman’s Green to “Langney Fortress” (the Water Treatment Works), is open to cyclists. The more crowded western section is not, so cyclists have to walk along the Prom. or cope with the cars on the seafront road, which is difficult. The Council are currently planning to extend the cycle routes. Age Concern, Venton Centre Junction Road. Albany Lions Hotel. With Dance Fusion. Community Wise, Ocklynge Road. Eastbourne Seniors Club, Cavendish Terrace. Eastbourne Town Hall, Grove Road. Polegate Community Centre, Windsor Way, Polegate. Ratton School, Park Lane Entrance. Sussex Downs College, Cross Levels Way. United Reformed Church Hall, Upperton Road. Willingdon Memorial Hall, Church Street, Willingdon. W.R.V.S. Russell Centre, 24 Hyde Road. BN21 4SX Eastbourne Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Prepares G & S operas in concert and stage form. New members welcomed. Eastbourne Operatic and Dramatic Society. (EODS). This has 3 sections, Dramatic, Operatic, and Junior. Provides regular shows. New members welcome, for acting, dancing or singing on-stage, or for working behind the scenes. Contact: EODS, 96 Seaside, Eastbourne BN22 7QP. Tel: 01323 729647. These specially designed classes provide chair-based exercises for the over-sixties and disabled people, who find keep-fit classes too rigorous. They are supervised by trained tutors. They are designed to improve and maintain mobility. A small charge is made. Currently, classes are held at the following venues: Eastbourne - Tutor: Rita Howard Tel: 01323 485631 Eastbourne – Tutor Sandria Reese Tel: 01273 514152 Hampden Park - Tutor: Barbara Minall. Tel: 01323 484490 Willingdon - Tutor: Barbara Minall. Tel: 01323 484490 Osteoporosis Class The Apollo Health Centre, 7 Wartling Road Eastbourne BN22 7PF. Tutor Christine Osborn. Tel: 01323 723311. “Family Roots” Family History Society Eastbourne Fishermans Club – meets at Club house, Royal Parade, Eastbourne .BN22 7AA Tel: 01323 722664. Eastbourne Nomads Angling Club – Meets at Angling Association Club House. Royal Parade BN22 7AA. Tel: 01323 723442. Pike Anglers Club. Hydneye Lake Membership, "especially suitable for the elderly". Fisheries Manager Chris Tingley. Tel: 01323 768956. Eastbourne Allotments and Gardens Society (EAGS). Acts as agents for Eastbourne Borough Council. 800 allotments on 11 different sites. All sites have water and parking facilities, 8 sites have toilet facilities. HQ.Gorringe Road BN22 8XL. Tel:(Administrator) 01323 430970. Eastbourne Pond Club. Monthly meetings at St Marys Church Hall, Decoy Drive BN22 9PP. Chairman Brian Dale Tel: 01323 731369. Hampden Park Horticultural Society. Monthly meetings and visits to places of interest. Meets at St Marys Church Hall, Decoy Drive BN22 9PP. Contact: Mr Fred Lane, 1 Brand Road Hampden Park BN22 9PX Age Concern. The Venton Centre, 6-12 Kilburn Terrace, Junction Road Eastbourne BN21 3QY Tel: 01323 638474. Provides a wide range of services and activities for older people. Eastbourne Seniors Club. Alice Croft House, Cornfield Lane, Eastbourne BN21 4NE. Tel: 01323 728157. Wide range of activities. W.R.V.S. Centre. The Russell Centre, 24 Hyde Road Eastbourne BN21 4SX. Tel: 01323 412279. Lunch and Activities for over 55's. GOLF Eastbourne Golfing Park, Lottbridge Drove BN23 6QJ. Royal Eastbourne Golf Club, Paradise Drive BN20 8BP. Willingdon Golf Club, Southdown Road, Eastbourne BN20 9AA. Eastbourne Orchestral Society Meets in Town Hall, Grove Road. Chairman Mr B Kerry. Tel: 01323 736918. Eastbourne Recorded Music Society – Meets at St Saviours Church Hall, Spencer Road, Eastbourne. BN21 4PA. Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra. Back to Contents. Eastbourne Natural History Society – Meets at WRVS Centre, Hyde Road, Eastbourne. Hon. Sec. Robin Reffel. Tel: 01323 648226. Most meetings are lecture-talks, but there are also visits to excavation sites. The Bird Club. 51 Gildredge Road. Contact Colin Davies. Tel 01323 411610 Cuckmere Valley Petanque Club. Meets at the Old Saxon Nursery Site, Hankham Road, Hankham BN24 5AP. Pitch available at Helens Gardens, King Edwards Parade Eastbourne. The Poetry Circle, at Age Concern, the Venton Centre, 6-12 Kilburn Terrace, Junction Road Eastbourne BN21 3QY Tel: 01323 638474. Beachy Head Ramblers. Sec: J Ferguson Tel: 01323 730915. Eastbourne Rambling Club. Saturday half-day, Sunday whole-day walks, mid-week evening rambles during the summer. Also coach outings to places of interest, holidays and weekends away. Hailsham Ramblers. Fortnightly walks 8/10 miles, and Wednesday walks 5/6 miles (Cuckoo Trail). Sec: Mrs J Davies Tel: 01323 843530. Eastbourne has a fine modern harbour, protected by twin locks from the very high rise and fall of the tide. Dinghy sailing from the beach is popular for the more able-bodied, but the steep shingle beach requires considerable effort in launching and recovering boats. Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club (Coastal Dinghy Sailing/Windsurfing Club, and RYA Training) Royal Parade Eastbourne. BN22 7AA Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club 3 Harbour Quay, Eastbourne, BN23 5QF. Concentus Chorale. Choral Singing. Mus. Dir. Adrian White. Rehearsals at URC Hall, Watts Lane Eastbourne. BN21 2LN. Non-music readers welcome. Downland Chorale. 4-part Choir. Meets at Trinity Church, Coppice Avenue Willingdon. BN20 9PN. Mus. Director. Tel: 01323 484189. Eastbourne Choral Society. Meets at United Reformed Church Hall, Watts Lane. Eastbourne BN21 2LN. South Downs Singers. Meets at St Georges Church Hall, Eastbourne Road, Polegate. Contact: Michael Staff. Tel: 01323 870610. Sovereign Polyphony. (Auditioned, members under 66). Meets at Eastbourne Blind Society Hall, Longstone Road Eastbourne BN22 8DA. Contact: Sue Barrett Tel: 01323 729511. See also Eastbourne Operatic and Dramatic Society, and Bannatynes Health Club, 7 Edwards Road, Eastbourne BN23 8AS. Facilities: Aerobics, Gymnasium, Indoor Pool, Spa. Tel: 01323 505080. Cavendish Sports Centre. Behind the Cavendish Secondary School, Eldon Road. Eastbourne BN21 1UE. Available for public use outside of school hours. Facilities. Large sports hall, Dance studio with spring floor, Fitness suite. Contact Tel: 01323 647683 or 509859. Curves. (Ladies only) 3 Cornfield Lane, Eastbourne BN21 4NE. Workouts for busy women. Tel: 01323 648837. David Lloyd Club. Broadwater Road, Cross Levels Way. Badminton, Indoor Swimming, Tennis, Gymnasium. Tel: 01323 509802. Fitness First. Sovereign Harbour Retail Park, Pevensey Bay Road. Health Club. Tel: 01323 471590. Natural Fitness Centre. The Redoubt, Royal Parade. Various classes and therapies. Tel: 01323 471950. Hampden Park Sports Centre. Brodrick Road, beside Eastbourne Technology College BN22 9RQ. Contact: Tel: 01323 509859. Open to the public, as well as being used by the college during term time. Membership: Adults £10.20, OAPs £4.60. Langney Sports Club. (A Football Association community club) Priory Lane, off Priory Road, Langney BN23 7QH. Tel:01323 766265. Shinewater Sports and Community Centre, Milfoil Drive, Langney BN23 8ED. Tel: 01323 768614. Membership: Adults £15, OAP £7.50 “50+ Activities” (Badminton, Table Tennis, Bowls) Health and Fitness classes, Changing and showering facilities. Sovereign Centre, Royal Parade, Eastbourne BN22 7LQ. TOFFS (The Over Fifty Fives) Club, University of Brighton, (Eastbourne Sports Centre), Contact: Faris Al-Askar. Tel: 01273 643706. Eastbourne Storytellers. A group devoted to keeping alive the art and enjoyment of oral storytelling. Meets at the Drive Public House, Victoria Drive, Eastbourne. Sec: John Goddard Tel: 01323 644206. Motcombe Pool, Motcombe Road, Eastbourne. BN21 1PU Sovereign Centre, Royal Parade, Eastbourne. Tel: 01323 738822. This is a modern complex providing for most water-based activities. University Of Brighton (Eastbourne Sports Centre). Gaudick Road Site, Eastbourne BN20 7SP. Tel: 01273 643706. A 25 metre pool is part of the complex. Join the TOFF's programme (for over 55's) and enjoy all the facilities of this sports centre as an Associate Member of the University. (Cost £155 p.a.) Back to Contents. Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, College Road Eastbourne BN21 4JJ. Secretary: Ian Golledge Tel: 07775 917380. Eastbourne Sports Park Tennis Centre. (Indoor Courts) Cross Levels Way, Eastbourne BN21 2UF. Tel: 649214. Hampden Park Tennis Club. Hampden Park Drive. (Min LTA rating of 9.1 required). Contact: secretary@ hampdenparktennis.co.uk ROMPA Tennis Club, The Pavilion, Upper Carlisle Road, Eastbourne. Secretary: Mr M Steen. Tel: 01323 736009 Tennis in the Park, Gildredge Park, Eastbourne. Lawn tennis facilities also available at the Cavendish and David Lloyd Sports Centres. Tennis courts for hire at Devonshire Park, Gildredge Park, Hampden Park, and Fishermans Green (seafront). Age Concern Venton Centre, Junction Road Eastbourne. BN1 3QY Grange Table Tennis Club – meets at the Willingdon Memorial Hall, Church Street, Upper Willingdon. BN20 9HR. A friendly non-league club. Secretary – Valerie. Tel: 01323 730762. Eastbourne Seniors Club. Alice Croft House, Cornfield Lane, Eastbourne BN21 4NE. Tel: 01323 728157. Table Tennis facilities also available at Hampden Park Sports Centre and Shinewater Sports Centre. University for the 3rd Age. A wide range of leisure groups is available, and visits to many places of interest. Eastbourne Central Branch - Tel: 01323 647329. This is a new innovation, which may well be a useful development in rehabilitation after illness, and in maintaining muscle strength, balance and coordination in older people who are not able to cope with sports centre activities. VOLUNTEERING WALKING, and other ways of getting about. Eastbourne, with its Seafront, the Downs, and a number of Parks, is a splendid place for enjoying nature. However, many older people find that walking is more laborious and less enjoyable than it was. There are alternatives. Buses are free to the over 60’s. The cycle tracks offer mobility without traffic. (See “Cycling”) Powered buggies have a range of some 20 miles, which more than covers than entire seafront, or the Cuckoo Trail as far as Hailsham. The parks are also suitable for powered wheelchairs, but the Downs are too uneven for any except the “Tramper” model. “Powered chairs and scooters need ramped crossings, and Eastbourne has developed a series of “Chairways” to make it easy for people on wheels to get about. You can obtain the “Chairways Map” from the Tourist Information Centre in Cornfield Road. (The Access Guide is no longer published) Shopmobility. Arndale Centre, Terminus Road, Eastbourne BN21 3NW. Powered scooters and wheelchairs available for hire. Booking in advance is advisable. Contact Fred Connell Tel: 01323 439585. Guided Walks. The Eastbourne Downland is a wonderful environment for walking and rambling, and most areas are open to the public. Eastbourne’s Downland Ranger (Tel: 01323 415200) offers a programme of guided walks throughout the spring and summer. These walks are circular, cover about 3 miles and last 2-3 hours. The Ranger is expert in the geology and natural history of the area, and each walk takes in a wealth of history, flora, fauna and geology. There is also a programme of guided cycle rides, and longer distance rambles during the winter months. Beachy Head. 750m walk with spectacular views over sea and lighthouse. Steep in places. Pay & Display parking, with a toilet. Accessible Visitor Centre. Butts Brow to Birling Gap easy access trail. Starts at Butts Brow car park above Willingdon Village, follows the eastern escarpment of the Downs to Beachy Head, and thence to Birling Gap. (Catch a bus back) Cuckoo Trail. 17 Km. of disused railway track, with a good surface. Starts in School Road, Polegate, links to Hailsham and Shinewater Park. Gildredge Park and Manor Gardens. Open space, Bowling Club, Tennis, Childrens playground, Café, Toilets. Entrances from The Goffs, Compton Place or Dittons Road. Hampden Park. Lake, wooded walks suitable for powered wheelchairs, spectacular spring flowers, tennis, bowls, café, and toilets. Entrances from Decoy Drive, Park Avenue, and Rosebery Avenue. Shinewater Park. Footpath and cycle track round a scenic lake, birdlife, fishing, small children’s play area. Pleasantly remote, but no shelter and no toilets. Entrances from Larkspur Drive, and Pig’s Lane. Eastbourne Promenade. During the season, the Dotto Train will take you from Holywell at the west end, right through to the Harbour at the east end. Part of the route is on the road, but the Promenade runs from “Langney Fortress” (the water treatment works) to Holywell. Walking and skating is permitted along the whole length, and cycling permitted east of Fishermen’s Green. Petanque available at Helens Gardens. Café and Sun-lounge at the Wish Tower. Toilets at Langney Fortress, the Pier, Bandstand, Wish Tower, and Holywell. Eastbourne Harbour. This is well worth a visit, to watch the boats and the twin locks operating. Entrance from Atlantic Drive, or from Pevensey Bay Road, where there is a free car park The Water-Taxi will take you on a scenic tour around both North and South Harbours. Moving Fitness. This is an outdoor fitness programme. Each session moves the class through increasing levels of walking and jogging, with muscular strength work. It uses no equipment. Sessions can last up to 1.5 hours, and offer individual workouts to suit the more active older person, but in a group situation. Walking Groups meet at Holywell Tea Chalet (west end of the Prom). Contact: Terry Keen 48 Furness Road BN20 7DD. Tel: 01323 639815. YOGA, TAI CHI etc. Eastbourne Seniors Club, Alice Croft House, Cornfield Lane Eastbourne BN21 4NE. Tel: 01323 728157. Other classes are held at several of the Sports Centres, and churches. |