This October we’re celebrating International Older People’s Day. Marked on October 1st, it’s a day created by the United Nations more than 30 years ago to celebrate life as you age, encourage people to socialise and, most importantly, have fun!
Here in East Sussex, we continue the celebrations throughout the month with what is known as the Ageing Well Festival, with a range of events planned by the East Sussex Seniors Forums. These include everything from catch-ups over a cuppa to screenings of some cinematic classics.
So pop the kettle on and peruse what’s on offer. Individual booking details for each event are listed below, and the events are grouped by area to help you find what’s going on near you. Enjoy!
Eastbourne
Talk by Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance Charity
Eastbourne Seniors’ Forum
Thursday 6 October 2022, 2pm to 4pm
St Saviourʼs Church Hall, South Street, Eastbourne, BN21 4UT
A talk by a representative from Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance Charity about their history and the vital service they provide for the community. It will include the roles different members of the team play in providing the service.
Cost: Free
Booking: No
Catering: Not free
Transport: The venue is an approximately 10-minute walk from Eastbourne station and near several bus routes. Limited parking outside the church and on streets around the venue. Free on-street parking is limited to two hours.
Contact: Email gill.morris518@btinternet.com • Phone 01323 722256
Hastings
Age Friendly Activity and Taster Session
Active Hastings and Hastings Voluntary Action
Monday 3 October, 10.30am to 1.30pm
Ore Community Centre, 455 Old London Road, Hastings, TN35 5BH
A chance to learn about the physical activity opportunities for older people in Hastings, what Hastings becoming an Age Friendly Community means to you and how to get involved. Pop along for a coffee and a chat or take part in some taster sessions. Join in with seated-exercise, try a dance class, or have a go at New Age Kurling. See a timetable of activities on Hastings Online.
Cost: Free
Booking: No
Catering: Free tea, coffee and biscuits included
Transport: There is a free car park at the venue
Contact: Cath Donovan Email activehastings@hastings.gov.uk • Phone 01424 451051
Age Friendly Coffee Morning and Introduction to Learning Opportunities
Hastings Voluntary Action
Tuesday 4 October, 10.30am to 12.30pm
Coast Restaurant, East Sussex College, Station Plaza, Hastings, TN34 1BA
Age Friendly have teamed up with East Sussex College to showcase the Coast Restaurant and also some of the adult learning opportunities available. Information about courses, a cookery demo and some tasty treats prepared and served by College Hospitality and Catering students. Plenty of time to chat and make new friends too!
Cost: Free
Booking: To book a place email using the contact details below
Catering: Free refreshments prepared and served by students from the college: tea, coffee, pastries, etc
Transport: Nearest bus stops are at Hastings station directly outside the college building. Nearest public car park is in Priory Meadow Shopping Centre 5-10 minutes walk from the college.
Contact: Email debby@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk • Phone 07513 234307
Physical Activity Information and Taster Event
Active Hastings and Hastings Voluntary Action
Wednesday 5 October, 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Four Courts Community Centre, Sydney Close, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN38 9DD
A chance to learn about the physical activity opportunities for older people in Hastings, what Hastings becoming an Age Friendly Community means to you and how to get involved. Pop along for a coffee and a chat or take part in some taster sessions. Join in with seated exercise, try a dance class, or have a go at New Age Kurling. For a timetable of activities please go to www.activehastings.org.uk/olderpeoplesday
Cost: Free Booking: No Catering: Free refreshments
Transport: Good bus access from town centre and Hollington (buses 22 and 22A and then short walk)
Contact: Cath Donovan • Phone 01424 451051
Hastings Museum Visit
Hastings & St Leonards Seniors’ Forum
Thursday 13 October, 11am to 2pm
Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, John’s Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings, TN34 1ET
A chance to explore the Museum and get together over coffee and light lunch.
Cost: £5
Booking: Yes, contact Ann Lowndes using the details below
Catering: Yes
Transport: Buses go down Bohemia Road, it is a short walk to the town centre. Free parking.
Contact: Email lowndesann@yahoo.co.uk • Phone 01424 439861
A Talk on the entertaining story of the GPO Film Unit by Howard Smith
The Arts Society Rother Valley
Monday 17 October, 1.30pm doors open for 2pm start The Hastings Centre, The Ridge, Hastings, TN34 2SA
Our friendly and welcoming society has nine talks a year on a wide range of topics. Members meet at an excellent venue on third Monday of each month, excluding July, August & December. Talks are given by distinguished experts. Interesting visits are also offered.
Cost: Try this talk as a visitor for free, quoting Older People’s Day
Booking: No, but to check availability phone Jenny on 01424 421344
Catering: No but they can be bought from the café at the Centre
Transport: Good bus routes to the Conquest Hospital opposite, and there is plenty of parking: pay for 2 hours max (coins). Free for Blue Badge holders.
Lewes
Annual Outing to Battle
Meridian Mature Citizens Forum
Saturday 1 October First pick-up: 11am, bus stop at Denton Corner, then on to bus stop at Lower Place, Newhaven and finally bus stop in the Peacehaven Co-op car park bus stop (opposite the Joff). Look out for our Regency Coach.
This has become our favourite outing. Lunch at the Star Inn at Normans Bay. Then on to Battle with an easy stroll around it’s many little shops and numerous tea rooms for tea and cake.
Cost: £15
Booking: Required
Contact: Kate Davies Email: katedaviesofpiddenhoe@gmail.com • Phone Kate on 01273 516207 or Mo on 01273 512048
Tuesday Friendship Group
Ascension Church, Peacehaven
Tuesdays 4 / 18 / 25 October, 9.45am to 11.45am
Ascension Church Hall, Bramber Avenue, Peacehaven, BN10 8HR
Tuesday Friendship Group is a social, drop-in coffee morning. Activities include knit and natter, playing cards, dominoes and there is usually a jigsaw puzzle on the go. We are a friendly and welcoming group of people, who love meeting new people and making new friends and having fun together.
Cost: £1
Booking: No
Transport: There are buses to the South Coast Road and then a 3-5 minute walk from there to the Church Hall. There is free on-street parking.
Contact: Lynda Alsford. Email lalsford@yahoo.co.uk • Phone 07864 714 019
Film Matinee at the Hillcrest Centre – film, tea and cake
Meridian Mature Citizens Forum
Wednesday 5 October, 2pm to 4pm Hillcrest Centre, Bay Vue Road, Newhaven, BN9 9LH
The Duke: An uplifting true story starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren about the theft of a priceless portrait and the very funny consequences that follow soon after.
Cost: £5, pay on the door Catering: Tea and cake after the film
Booking: Yes, for catering purposes call Kate Davies on 01273 516207 or email katedaviesofpiddenhoe@gmail.com
Transport: Free parking
Contact: Email info@meridian-sf.org.uk • Phone Kate on 01273 516207
Tour of Seaford Cemetery
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Tuesday 11 October, 10.30am and 1.30pm for 1 hour and 30 minutes
Seaford Cemetery, Cradle Hill Road, Seaford, BN25 3JH
There are many fascinating stories behind the casualties we commemorate from both world wars at Seaford Cemetery, including Canadian and West Indian soldiers. Come along to find out more about them and the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. As with all cemeteries there may be uneven surfaces. The tour will go off the path.
Cost: Free
Booking: Required, contact Sarah Nathaniel using the details below
Transport: Buses to Seaford town centre, and parking is on site or on Cradle Hill Road
Contact: Email sarah.nathaniel@cwgc.org
Photographic walk – Capturing the Colours of Autumn
Lewes Senior Forum
Thursday 6th October, 2pm to 3.30pm
Meeting outside the ticket hall at Lewes railway station
Being playful with your camera. Looking at shapes and form with the autumn colours. Have a creative aspect of seeing. Gentle walk though Grange Gardens in Lewes and surrounding streets including a visit to the Priory ruins, taking photos on the way. Please bring your cameras or mobiles to take your own photos, and walking stick if necessary.
Cost: Free
Booking: Required, contact Angela Whitney using the details below
Transport: Next to Lewes railway station and on a bus route, payable parking in surrounding streets or the station car park
Contact: Email angela.whitney@icloud.com • Phone 07758 628110
Zoom Coffee Time Talk – London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
Friends of Lewes
Zoom Meeting organised by enquiries@friends-of-lewes.org.uk
Our next Friends of Lewes Coffee Time Talk is planned to be given by Tam Large & Mike Sewell who will describe their Veteran Adventures on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. From Zero to Hero – driving a 120-year-old car to Brighton on the world’s oldest motoring event.
Cost: Free to all Members of Friends of Lewes and Members of the Older People’s Group
Booking: Yes please do book a place and we will send you a Zoom Link
Transport: No just sit at home with a cup of coffee and join in on line
Contact: Please apply for a link by emailing Diana Freestone enquiries@friends-of-lewes.org.uk
Who are the Commonwealth War Graves Commission?
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Tuesday 18 October, 1.30pm for 1 hour
Trinty Church, St John Sub Castro, Abinger Place, Lewes, BN7 2QA
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cares for the 1.7 million casualties of the First & Second World Wars. Come along to learn more about our history, the work we continue to do today all around the world and some local stories.
Cost: Free
Booking: Required, contact Sarah Nathaniel using the details below
Transport: Parking at Wharf Car Park in North Street
Contact: Email sarah.nathaniel@cwgc.org
Food Quiz
Lewes Senior Forum
Wednesday 19 October, 2pm to 4pm
The Main Lounge, Clevedown Sussex Housing and Care, Barons Down Road, Lewes, BN7 1EY
Think you know your borscht from your brawn? Your Madeira from your Madeleine? Come and test your knowledge of all things culinary and laugh over those confusing tastes, smells and sensations at our mystery tables. Cleanse your palate with tea and delicious cake in the company of old and new friends. There may be prizes!
Cost: Free
Booking: Please book ahead Catering: £2 donation
Transport: All Brighton buses 28 and 29 from Lewes bus station stop outside the venue at Southdown Avenue. Cross the Brighton Road to return. There is free but limited visitor parking on site.
Contact: Polly Senter. Email contactlandsvs@gmail.com • Phon: 07840 762326
Rother
Singing Down Memory Lane
Bexhill Dementia Action Alliance
Tuesday 4 October, 10.30am to 12.30pm
Bagnall Room, Bexhill Caring Community, 25 Sackville Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39 3JD
A relaxed, friendly session of music and singing for people with dementia and their carers. You don’t have to have a good voice to come along – just the ability to have a bit of fun!
Cost: £3, carers free
Booking: Contact Lin Smith using the details below
Catering: Tea and coffee, biscuits and a raffle included
Transport: Bus number 99. Two-hour free parking and paid parking in the De La Warr car park
Contact: Email bexhilldaa@gmail.com • Phone 07763 776200
Dementia Awareness
Bexhill Dementia Action Alliance
Friday 21 October, 11am to 1pm
St Augustineʼs Church Hall, St Augustineʼs Close, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39 3AZ
Are you or a loved one affected by dementia? Come along to learn more about dementia, and to talk to local organisations involved in the support of people with dementia and their carers.
Cost: Free
Booking: Required, if you stay for lunch
Catering: Tea and coffee and a sandwich lunch
Transport: Bus number 99, and free parking
Contact: Email bexhilldaa@gmail.com
Fairlight Friday Lunch Club
Marsham Older People’s Project
Every Friday all year round, 9.45am to 2pm
Fairlight Village Hall, Broadway, Fairlight (near Hastings), TN35 4DA
Fun and friendly lunch club held weekly. We offer entertainment, a home-cooked two-course meal and light refreshments and a chance to make new friends. (Please note there is a slope into the building which is all on one level and there is a disabled WC.)
Catering: Yes
Cost: £6, includes meal
Booking: Required, contact Annette Holmes using the details below
Transport: 101 bus from Hastings and Rye stops at Knowle Road / Waites Lane and the village hall is a short walk from the bus stop; free parking
Contact: Email mopps.fairlight@gmail.com • Phone 07703 585329
Seaford
Film at Seaford Cinema
Seaford Seniors Forum
Thursday 27 October, 2pm start
Seaford Community Cinema, 8 Saxon Lane, Seaford, BN25 1QL
Downton Abbey – A New Era: The Crawley family goes on a grand journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the dowager countess’s newly inherited villa.
Cost: Free
Booking: Required, contact Lin Neeve using the details below
Transport: Good bus service to Seaford Library and a short walk to the cinema. Public car park adjacent.
Contact: Email linn625@gmail.com • Phone 01323 490958
Wealden
Crowborough Community Café
Crowborough Dementia Forum
Thursday 29 September, 2pm to 4pm
Oasis Community Café, Beacon Road, Crowborough, TN6 1AS
For a lovely free afternoon at our Community Café. Free entertainment and refreshments. Everyone welcome!
Cost: Free
Booking: No
Transport: Buses into Crowborough high street; no railway line; no parking at the venue; plenty of free parking within walking distance
Contact: Email wellbeing@wealden.gov.uk • Phone 01323 443322
Musical entertainment from Rob Tompsett followed by afternoon tea
Hurstwood View Care Home
Tuesday 4 October, 2.15pm to 4pm
Hurstwood View Care Home, Linum Lane, Five Ash Down (near Uckfield), TN22 3FH
We will be having a singer to entertain us for the afternoon with a selection of cakes and drinks to enjoy. It will be a good afternoon to meet new people. It is also in a safe setting with nurses and carers on site to assist. We have toilet facilities and easy access to the building.
Cost: Free
Booking: Required
Transport: Short walk from bus stop on the main road, free parking
Contact: Sam Harding, senior activity coordinator. Email hurstwoodview.activities@barchester.com • Phone 01825 731700
Tour of Snatts Road Cemetery, Uckfield
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Thursday 6 October 2022, 10.30am and 1.30pm for 1 hour
Snatts Road Cemetery, Snatts Road, Uckfield TN22 2AL
There are many fascinating stories behind the casualties we commemorate from both world wars at Snatts Road Cemetery. Come along to find out more about them and the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Please note the site is accessible, but surfaces are not completely flat.
Cost: Free
Booking: Required, contact Sarah Nathaniel using the details below
Transport: Buses to Uckfield Town Centre. Limited parking on site.
Contact: Email sarah.nathaniel@cwgc.org
Fish & Chip Lunch
Wealden Senior Citizens’ Partnership
Friday 21 October, 2pm to 4pm
The Belmont Centre, Belmont Road, Uckfield TN22 1BP
A chance to meet new friends or chat with old ones. There will be entertainment.
Cost: £6
Booking: Yes, contact Linda Graham using the details below
Transport: Bus to Uckfield town centre and then walk to the centre; no parking at the centre but there is a large public car park nearby
Contact: Linda Graham Email lindagraham@wealden-scp.org • Phone 01892 770487, or Dee Probert Email finkagaindp@hotmail.co.uk • Phone 01892 654278
Crowborough Community Café
Crowborough Dementia Forum
Thursday 27 October, 2pm to 4pm
Oasis Community Café, Beacon Road, Crowborough TN6 1AS
For a lovely free afternoon at our Community Café. Free entertainment and refreshments. Everyone welcome!
Cost: Free.
Booking: No
Catering: Free refreshments
Transport: Buses into Crowborough high street; no railway line; no parking at the venue, but plenty of free parking within walking distance
Contact: Alan Penney Email alanfpenney@gmail.com • Phone 07887 643382
Pine Grove Pictures presents “Singin’ In The Rain”
Crowborough Community Centre
Tuesday 27 September, 1.45pm to 3.30pm (doors open 1.15pm, film starts 1.45pm)
Crowborough Community Centre, Pine Grove, Crowborough, TN6 1FE
Please join us for a lovely free afternoon at Crowborough’s Community Cinema. Free entry and free refreshments. Everyone welcome! A silent film star falls for a chorus girl, just as he and his jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920’s Hollywood. One of the great classic movies starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds – what more can we say!
Cost: Free
Booking: No
Transport: Buses into Crowborough High Street; limited parking at the venue; plenty of free parking within walking distance
Contact: Email enquiries@pinegrovepictures.org.uk
Dance-Ability – Exercise to Music Class
Dance-Ability
In October venue tbc, 3pm to 5pm
Watch and participate in Low Level and/or Medium Level ETM classes to experience for the great benefits dance provided for ageing, and age-related problems.
Cost: Small charge
Booking: Required
Contact: Email abilityaccess@hotmail.com • Facebook page: Ability to Access/Dance-Ability • Phone 07942 493177
Older Carers Spa Day
Care for the Carers
Two dates in October, please contact at the below email for dates and to book. 10am to 5.30pm
Ashdown Park Hotel, Forest Row RH18 5JR
Carers will benefit from one spa treatment, use of the health club facilities (including swimming pool), lunch, afternoon tea and the opportunity to spend time in the beautiful grounds.
Cost: Free
Booking: Required. Spaces are very limited so contact Hannah at Care for the Carers using the details below (please do not contact the hotel directly)
Transport: No public transport. Car park onsite.
Contact: Email info@cftc.org.uk • Phone 01323 738390
