Saltdean Doug Streeter 01273 300283 DRAMA GROUP: The Saltdean Townswomen's Guild Drama Group will not produce a pantomime this year. Audrey Pickles, the producer, and cast decided before Christmas to cancel the production due to the death of Audrey's husband Jack.

CHILLY DIP: The Saltdean swimmers who dash daily into the waves from the undercliff beach huts report that the seawater is unusually warm for the time of year and temperatures of up to 10C (50F) have been recorded.

UNDERCLIFF: The Undercliff promenade remains officially closed beyond the Ovingdean Beach Cafe due to the collapse of the sea wall and a subsidence leaving a hole in the walkway.

The council is at work repairing the damage with mechanical equipment and they have kept a path through the shingle up to Ovingdean for walkers. Beyond there it is up to you.

The exceptionally fine weather has brought out many walkers, especially at the weekend.

North Whitehawk Margaret Hothi 01273 623459

NEW DEAL: Free tea, coffee and doughnuts will be available for visitors to the New Deal for Communities 'Check It Out' tour. This is an opportunity to check out the plans and talk to those involved.

Meetings in Whitehawk will be on Wednesday, January 19, Valley Social Centre 2-5pm and 6-8pm, and on Thursday, January 20, Whitehawk Primary School 2pm to end of school and 6-8pm.

There will be a supervised play area for children. Also on Thursday, January 27, there will be a question time at Robert Lodge Meeting Rooms, 7.30-9pm.

Hove to fishersgate Frank Blake 01273 885332

ASSOCIATION FOR BLIND: I attended the millennium party of the East Sussex Association for the Blind, Hove and Portslade Group, at Portslade Town Hall. A brilliant afternoon's entertainment was provided with Dicky Lord on the theatre organ. More than 100 people enjoyed the occasion.

Volunteer drivers and helpers in the kitchen are required for monthly meetings at All Saints' Church Hall, Eaton Road, and Portslade Town Hall, Victoria Road. If you can help in either of these capacities please ring Judy Barrow on 01273 883892 or 07714 459364.

Cycling: The Brighton Mitre Cycling club are having their weekly meeting at St Richard's Community Centre, Egmont Road, tomorrow evening starting at 7.30pm. New members are always welcome and the first year's membership is free. New membership secretary is Peter Evison who can be contacted on 01273 7222729.

GIRLS' BRIGADE: Portslade United Reformed Church Girls Brigade meet on Thursday evenings starting at 5pm. If you have any used stamps please take them to the jar in the porch. The stamps are then passed on to the RNLI.

FRUIT AND VEG: A new organic fruit and vegetable shop has opened in Stoneham Road, serving the people of Poets' Corner with the best and freshest produce. Also stockists of local health food products.

KNOLL & WEST NEVILL Glenys Bowley 01273 882050

PARTY TIME: Despite the weather children, parents and grandparents from the Moyne Close estate turned out in their droves to attend a Christmas party at Goldstone School.

The party started with food and drinks for the children and was followed by a fabulous disco with all ages getting up for a boogie. Santa then visited with gifts for all the children.

The party was the first event organised by the STAR group from the Guinness Trust estate.

The STAR group got together in November last year with the aim of organising an event to bring the estate together and after the tremendous success of the party they now plan to hold other events this year.

Rugg Ratts: In November 1998 two local mums came together with the idea of setting up a parent and toddler group, they both had small children and there was nothing available locally. After a while they were joined by two other parents and the Rugg Ratts Parent and Toddler Group was launched in March 1999.

The group got off to a flying start but then struggled with fluctuating attendances over the summer term, but by the start of September Rugg Ratts had firmly established itself as a quality and well-used parent and toddler group within the community.

At the end of last year the group held a Christmas party for all the children. There was food for the children, a bouncy castle and children visited Santa in his grotto. It was a tremendous success and a great way to end Rugg Ratts' first successful year.

If you would like to come along, Rugg Ratts is open every Tuesday morning during school term time at St Richard's Community Centre, Egmont Road. It cost £1 per family and this includes drink and biscuits, a health visitor is available the first Tuesday of each month.

For more information call Tracie on 885576 or Steph on 424919.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.