JANUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER

WEBSITE – Since I wrote in October many things have happened. In fact, 2023 has been a year where we have been able to bring the League up to date with a new website, new leaflets and a new design to the membership forms.

Take a look at the website and you will find you can interact with different aspects which makes it easier for you but if you prefer the old style of doing things then all the information is there for you to access.

If you wish to donate you can through PayPal. Another way of supporting us in what we do is filling out a membership form we have set the amount at £20 annually but you can change this to more or less it’s up to you, but we would appreciate you joining us so we can continue our work within the community.

JOHN HUNT – We would like to mention here that most of the photos on the website and leaflets have been taken by John Hunt who sadly died just before Christmas. He was well known in the village. See Clive Dewings reflection on John. I remember the beautiful photos of wildlife at the Pick and Mix competition especially the birds.

GREEN SHOP – Many people do not realise that the Green Shop is owned by the Hawkhurst Community Hospital League of Friends. This is our main source of income a jewel in our fund raising and without this shop we would be unable to fund the many projects within the Community that we are involved with. Every purchase and donation is going to help someone directly that is in our community.

WRAP was set up by the League of Friends in 2013

We also support Food4Families which is not part of the league, every month.
There is also the continual support for the Community Hospital for the welfare of patients and staff.

During the year we look at many other requests for help. Please contact us through email office office@hawkhurstlof.co.uk or phone. 07355 071950 or go to website and click on the link.

VOLUNTEERING – How about volunteering it is very rewarding – go to the volunteering page for more information. www.hawkhurstlof.co.uk

WRAP – is a day centre for people with dementia. The day centre is open on a Tuesday and Thursday and we are opening for another day which starts on 7th February, this is for people recently diagnosed with dementia and this is on a Wednesday. If you have someone who may benefit, please see website for information. There is a charge for each day and lunch is provided. We are lucky to have a room at Hawkhurst House.

DONATION – We had a donation last year and the amount we received was specified for memory boards at the community hospital. These are now in place, and we thank the family of Phil Jones who made this possible.

We have had a number of donations over the year but many like to remain anonymous. We would like to say thank you to anyone who kindly donated in 2023 and all monies were put to a specified cause,

AGM – We had our AGM in December slightly later than usual and which was well attended.

Dr Dewing our chairman read his report which you can find on the home page. This brought questions and comments from the assembled people. Keith Day asked about the cost for the extension when it is built in the future. The League is mindful of any work that is undertaken, and funds have to be found outside the League if possible. Grants are not so easy to come by, but several have been applied for.

Comments were made by Ali Bradley from The Green Shop and the sterling work that Marianne, paid staff and volunteers do.

The Chairman Clive Dewing and the Trustees all agreed and thanked the staff and volunteers. Without the Green Shop we would not be able to do half of what is needed to be done in the village and surrounding area. We used to rely on membership subscriptions, but times change and what we did on 1967 and years after are not so relevant today.

Dr Dewing and the Trustees also thanked Sarah, staff and volunteers from WRAP for their work with people with dementia this is held on a Tuesday and a Thursday. and Wednesday from 7th February and this will be for people who have just been diagnosed with dementia another important area and we have the expertise to assist.

There is a £50 and we at LoF support the rest of the daily amount needed to run the day centre. We would also like to thank Hawkhurst House for allowing us to use a room and supplying lunch which is all included.

Clare Escombe was there from F4F and thanked the League for their continued support.

We are sure as the year goes by, we will have more items to report on and how we are doing within the community.

Jane Pyne
Trustee – Promoting the League of Friends