Local charities gain from ABC dissolution

At a presentation ceremony in the residents' lounge at Yvonne Robertson House in Hastings Road, the ABC's remaining assets were shared between four local charities.

The ABC, founded as a town civic society as the Second World War ended by the late Tom Gardner, had struggled for some years to find members willing to serve as officers.

Members of the ABC voted at a special meeting in February 2007 that application should be made to Hastings County Court to dissolve the 62 year-old organisation.

The meeting to wind up the association had been chaired by solicitor Richard Howlett, of Menneer Shuttleworth, acting on the instructions of the four remaining executive members of an organisation which no longer had any officers.

Under the ABC's constitution, the executive had nominated four local charities to share in the dispersal of its funds.

The February 2007 special meeting voted in favour of each in turn.

On Wednesday afternoon, former ABC outings secretary Joan Phillips joined Richard Howlett in presenting 12,426.66p each to Bexhill Branch of the East Sussex Disability Association, the League of Friends of Bexhill Hospital, Barby Keel's Animal Sanctuary and the Society of Bexhill Museums Ltd.

When the ABC dissolved, the four remaining executive members were, in addition to Joan Phillips, luncheons secretary Brenda Mitchellhill, luncheons chairman Peter Mitchellhill and outings committee member Bob Sumner.

Each was present for Wednesday's ceremony.

Explaining the background, Joan Phillips said: "It is so nice that we have four local charities here."

Richard Howlett said the money including legacies left to the ABC before its dissolution.

For the League of Friends, garden party chairman Douglas Mayne thanked those responsible for the donation and assured them the money would be well spent on behalf of Bexhill patients.

Ann Kellett, joint chairman of Bexhill branch of the East Sussex Disability Association, said the money would assist in taking disabled people out to lunch each month.

Museums Association head of fund-raising John Betts said the cost of fitting out the museum extension had risen and the money would help in ensuring top quality exhibition areas.

Barby Keel, now recovering well from breast cancer surgery, said: "I would like to say thank you on behalf of the animals. They can't speak for themselves. But I can speak for them. This money will go a heck of a long way."

Bob Sumner presented a bouquet to Joan Phillips in recognition of her work in closing the ABC's affairs.