ABC folds

A members-only extraordinary general meeting has been called for 2.30pm on Tuesday, October 24 at Parkhurst Hall formally to wind up the association. Because of uncertainty over the association's customary newsletter the ABC is appealing via the Observer for members to attend the meeting so that a vote can be taken on the constitutional requirement to distribute remaining funds among local charities. The association, founded in 1944 by the late A.E. "Tom" Gardner to give Bexhill a civic voice and responsibility and to provide a social meeting point, had a peak membership of more than 2,000. It is believed to have dwindled to around 200. The society came close to closure two years ago when it was rocked by the mass resignation of its officers. An extraordinary general meeting voted to continue the ABC's operations, which included sub-committees organising outings, luncheons, lectures and concerts. But last month the society announced that it would be unable to stage its customary autumn and winter series of lectures. In its heyday, the ABC through its civic development sub-committee was a force to be reckoned with in the town, commenting - often trenchantly - on town affairs and submitting formal responses on behalf of its members to public consultation. Appealing this week for Observer publicity for the winding-up meeting, society outings secretary Joan Phillips said: "We are practically closed as it is. The office has been shut for a month. We have had to call an extraordinary general meeting for closure. "It is a tragedy - a real tragedy. "I have always had two coaches for our outings and we have been doing other trips. The last was in August when we took 36 people to the Edinburgh Tattoo." The society has had a long recent history of appeals for volunteers to take on key posts. But it it has been wracked by internal dissention. Joan Phillips said: "It is heart-breaking. I have been ill for the last two years because of it. "We have a constitution which says (in the event of closure) the funds must be dispersed to local charities. This is something which must be discussed by the members. "The executive should consist of the four officers and 14 members. It has been discussed by what is left of the executive but we have no officers." Asked why it had been such a struggle to find officers, the outings secretary said: "I don't think we are alone in this. "My generation was brought up to give something back. But today people won't volunteer. They are happy to go to concerts and outings and lectures and luncheons but you can't get younger people to come forward and take over. "But we have so much to thank people for. The sub-committees were all asked to do something to mark the 60th anniversary two years ago and they all did something. We went to the Isle of Wight for five days and there was an anniversary lunch and everthing. "Everyone was so happy..."