The Whistler – February 2020

Come and Join Us

WHCA held its twenty-first Christmas Social in December 2019 and, judging from the reaction of people on the night and the letters we received about it, we can say that it was pretty darn special.

If you’ve ever thought about joining WHCA, 2020 is the year to make that thought a reality. We are looking for a Hall Administrator. Ideally, someone who lives near the Hall and has, on average, 3 hours a week to spend on bookings, liaising with hirers, a little bit of ‘care’ taking and generally a whole lot of loving West Hill Hall to ensure it stays the way that works for everyone who uses it. Apart from keeping an occasional quick eye on the Hall at weekends, mostly it involves activities that can be done at any time of the day from the comfort of your own home. Interested? Even if you’re slightly intrigued and would like to know more about what being part of the WHCA team entails, Colette would love to hear from you. Write to her at westhillhall@gmail.com and seize the moment to become an active part of the community.

We’re grateful to local artist Adrian Ventura for his marvellous drawing of ‘House Sparrows’ above, which we think complements perfectly Lorraine Bowen’s suggestions later in this issue for attracting more sparrows to West Hill.

 

New at the Hall – Spanish Club Conversation Sessions

Tuesdays 7.30pm – 8.45pm

¡Hola amigos! Whatever your level, come to our Spanish Conversation Sessions on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. We have 3 different groups: beginners, intermediate and advanced level, all working at the same time in their own groups. Practise, have fun and meet lots of wonderful people.

Sessions include games, activities and exercises: all of them encourage speaking and listening.

Spanish Club has been teaching Spanish in Brighton for the last 5 years; doing one-to-one lessons, groups and camps in Spain. We want to help you in your journey and get to know you. Come on your own or with a friend but the most important thing – have fun!
For more information call 07760 665414 or email inefsay@gmail.com

Letters to The Whistler

To all the fabulous West Hill Community Christmas team

Thank you so much for giving us such a fabulously memorable evening. As ever, the food was first rate; the organisation impeccable; the live music perfectly fitting for the occasion; and the sense of community spirit, second to none.  Robin and I feel so fortunate to live in a part of the city that has such a sense of community spirit.  When we describe to friends and family what you all create, they can barely believe it! Continue reading Letters to The Whistler

BE of West Hill

A Christmas tree is not just for Christmas

After the festivities, lots of real Christmas trees are dumped onto pavements and removed by the Council at residents’ cost, when it already provides a tree recycling station at Montpelier Crescent – a short walk for anyone living in West Hill/Seven Dials. Recycled trees are shredded, turned into mulch, and then sold on to grow new trees and plants Continue reading BE of West Hill

If Music Be . . .

DURING THE PAST year I have spent many hours exploring a great variety of music. This time has been spent with a friend who has a great library of CDs and very wide musical tastes. My knowledge and understanding has certainly improved. But anyone today could take the same journey. Why? How? Because the sheer volume and variety of music available to us all is amazing. Modern audio technology enables us to access a huge amount of contemporary music and to recover from the archives almost any music that anyone has ever recorded. It is a fantastic facility. Orsino, in Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ asked if he could have “excess of it” (music). We can have whatever style we enjoy. Continue reading If Music Be . . .