
	Shoreham Fort Newsletter	In this Issue: Happy New Year Start as we mean to go on... Annual General Meeting
January 2015
Happy New Year So another year has come to a close and it's time to reflect on the year that we've had.... We were very fortunate last year that Gary Baines, our Chairman, received funding from the Shoreham Harbour Regeneration, making the role of Management Coordinator at Shoreham Fort his full time job. This has enabled the charity to grow from strength to strength and to get our voice out there. It has also meant that we had a permanent member of staff on hand to deal with the difficulties we came across during the year. Time is a valuable commodity to us and I think it only fair to say that if it weren't for the funding, making it possible to dedicate all the time needed to resolve the issues encountered, there would have been some very different outcomes. Unfortunately we found out in December there is no funding available this year from the same pot but, rest assured, we are doing everything we can to try and secure more from other sources. If there are any bid writers out there who fancy doing a bit of 'charity' work for us then please do get in touch with me via email secretary@shorehamfort.co.uk as this would help us enormously. As previously mentioned, the charity really has grown from strength to strength this year and outreach has been one of our biggest achievements. Our contact and involvement with schools and colleges has increased and the number of community groups that we reached was incredible. 2015's diary is actually rather busy already and there are even a couple of bookings creeping into 2016... Our involvement in the Imperial War Museum's (IWM) Centenary Partnership is something we are incredibly proud of and we aim to keep momentum flowing for the remaining centenary years with various projects and partnerships that we are involved with. We were very fortunate to be invited to the pre-opening open day at the IWM London to view the new WW1 exhibition and the refurbished museum. If you get a chance to go and see the exhibition, then do. Our own Centenary event on 4th August saw us tie in with the Royal British Legion Riders Branch and the 'Bikers' Beacon' truly was something amazing, with riders from all over Sussex coming to us and aiming their headlight towards Shoreham Camp. At 10pm on the dot the headlights were extinguished and our Jubilee beacon was lit by the High Sheriff of West Sussex. This was our 'lone candle' for the national Lights Out Campaign. We couldn't have asked for a more poignant and fitting tribute for those who lost their lives. Top top it all the RBL raised £846.60 for the Poppy Appeal. We also became involved in the Adur and Worthing council initiative 'On Your Doorstep Campaign' last year along with the Sussex Top Attractions Forum. By being an active part of both of these, we are working with others to try and not only bring people into the area but keep local people local. Add this to the Talks and Tours, Easter Fun Day, Military History Weekend and Heritage Open Day you can see that we really have been doing everything possible to promote Shoreham Fort to as wide an audience as possible. Sharon Penfold Secretary Start as we mean to go on... What a great start to 2015 with the first volunteer day on the 4th January. We had supporters coming and introducing themselves, old friends popping in to say hello, took delivery of a special painting by Daisy Dawson which Gary won in a prize draw. had family treasures given on long term loan by a local resident. Including this fascinating little pot and tray - Can anyone tell us any more about it as we've not seen one before? Added to that, Geoff did his first tour to the public and bloomin' well he did too..... :) Here's to a year of many more exciting and fun volunteer days which we would love to see you at. There's not many places you can get a cuppa for a suggested donation of only one pound and there is quite often home made cakes which are a must on a Sunday too. Happy New Year everyone - may it be positive and prosperous All that is left for me to do now is to remind you of our up and coming AGM..... Annual General Meeting Our AGM this year will be held at the Sussexs Yacht Club (map) on Thursday, 22nd January at 19:00. This will give you an overview of our progress over the past year and an insight of what is to come in 2015. Following the meeting, at 19:30 there will be a talk by local historian Trevor Povey. At our AGM last year Trevor gave a talk about Shoreham Port's past. The subject for this year's talk will be “Mystery Towers and Concrete Ships”, which proves to be very interesting. As usual, everyone is welcome for the talk, but if non members would like to come to the AGM the please contact us so we have an idea of the numbers coming. See you there.		Join us... Annual General Meeting 22 Jan 2015, 07:00 pm Easter fun day and Launch 05 Apr 2015, 12:00 pm Military History Weekend 06 Jun 2015, 10:00 am Military History Weekend 07 Jun 2015, 10:00 am Heritage Open Day 13 Sep 2015, 11:00 am Remembrance Evening 08 Nov 2015, 06:00 pm Open Day, Tours, and Volunteers 18 Jan 2015, 11:00 am Want to help? We're always in need of equipment, tools, and items at the fort... here's a few things on our wish list: Projector Purchased with funding raised through a week of community fundraising in Shoreham Branch A big THANK-YOU to Santander for their donation! Doors for Food for Fort and Nissen Hut A big THANK-YOU to Vevo Vision for their donation! Sponsors We have four main events of the year, the biggest being our Military History Weekend - Sponsors of any of our events would be very welcome - please contact us at secretary@shorehamfort.co.uk Expertise Bid writers Architects Fundraisers Wheel Barrows & Shovels We are always in need of tools and our poor wheel barrows keep getting punctures.... Barrack Block That would be really lovely........ If you're able to help, or have contact with someone who can, then please let us know Research Do you recognise one of these names? Perhaps a family member or friends family? S.Earthey W.Pullen H.Vergoe Let us know - They might be connected to the 1st Sussex Artillery Volunteers who were based at Shoreham. Any information is greatly appreciated. Connections