Please support your community Archive Resource Centre
The Archive Resource Centre (ARC) has been established to store and record the history, documents, maps, photos, memories, events, etc of Fairlight, Guestling and Pett, and, indeed, surrounding neighbourhoods. We were established in 2022, with the website, www.thearc.uk , set up late 2022. The ARC has its own room, files and equipment in the Pett Methodist Chapel, convenient for the three parishes, and with disabled access and facilities so easy to visit. We try to be open on Thursday afternoons but can open on request.
We recently ordered a fireproof cabinet to house irreplaceable documents and photos, which should be delivered shortly. This was funded by an initial generous donation from the Fairlight Residents’ Association and then further donations from the Isabel Blackman Foundation, Pett Older People’s Project and Pett Flower Show. Huge thanks to all of them for their support.
Last year we had great audiences for Lorna Vahey’s talk about her parents (Lorna went on to give her talk to the Pett WI and the Fairlight History Group) and for Andy McConnell from the Antique Roadshow. This year, our celebrated local artist, Annie Soudain, spoke to another large audience about her time in Pett Level and Fairlight. Events are free to Friends. However, organising these events takes time away from our main raison d’être: collecting and cataloguing collections and helping with enquiries, which now we are established, have increased in volume.
Paul Petley has taken over as Chair of ARC and his enthusiasm and energy is already making a difference. We have also had some changes in our Committee; both John Case and Donna Gilbert have stepped down, but they remain Friends and thankfully will continue to help when they can. They have both been instrumental in building our vision, reputation and public awareness. Thank you both, we would not be where we are without you. New ‘blood’ and ideas are always necessary to keep any organisation moving forward and we are fortunate to have Ken Hatch joining us. He has recently joined the Committee of the Fairlight History Group and is one of the officers for the Pett Methodist Chapel, our home, so he helps to bring us all together.
It isn’t just money that is important, but volunteer help with scanning, indexing, cataloguing. Even a few hours a week would make a difference. We know, as volunteers ourselves, how difficult it can be juggling between family, chores, hobbies, holidays and occasional days away. Retirement seems to be busier than having a job and raising children; why is that? We also know that many people already belong to other groups which keep our communities ticking over. To those we say thank you. It is to those who have yet to dip their toe in the volunteering pool – and would like to start small and from their home – that we are primarily after! Using your computer and scanner, or if you love arranging talks and events to help raise our profile (and funds). Or just folding and distributing leaflets locally.
New material is being added to our website regularly: recently PLPT nature leaflets, the building of the replacement for the Venetian Bridge in Pett Level, the history of the Rye Bay Auxiliary Coastguard (these last two from John Moon) and the forgotten art of the Sussex Posy, which is still being made annually in Spring by Fairlight resident, Bernard Cruttenden. Please look at our website, add any comments and email us if you find any mistakes or have additional information or thoughts. This is a community website and many of you know far more than we do: we are delighted to be corrected! And please do not throw anything interesting out about the area before letting us see (or scan it if you would like it back), it could be an important piece of our growing jigsaw.
And last, back to the main subject heading… We hope you will think to support us going forward and with that in mind, I attach a Friend form to complete which you can post or scan and email to us We accept cash, cheque or BACS (reference your name, but send or email us your details). And maybe you could set up a Standing Order for April 30th/May 1st starting next year; this is easy to do if you have internet banking (e.g. I can do it) but I also attach a form to hand into your bank. We know from our own experience that there are many requests for our hard-earned and diminishing funds, but the £15 each Friend pays to support what we are doing, keeping our history and stories safe, helps toward our annual overheads. You, and future residents can benefit from this local resource.
Thank you so much.
If you would like to be removed from our email list, please just reply and tell us.
Fran Rogers
archiveresourcecentre@outlook.com
Located at Pett Methodist Church