What Makes You Tick?

This question is particularly directed to the person or persons who stole the stone lions which guarded 18 West Hill Street, which were so beloved of its late resident, Pam Bean. This act of vandalism and mean-spiritedness is in stark contrast to acts of community spirit that, thank goodness, still abound. Again, Vinod Mashru and Bright News staff came to the rescue of your editor, Sylvia, when she was incarcerated indoors for over a week on account of the excessive snowfall in December. With a rapid response system they rushed up the hill with necessities, eg batteries one day, bottle of wine the next. How convenient to have a local convenience store right on our doorstep.

Talking of convenience, look out for the newly installed PayPoint terminal in Bright News over the next few weeks, which will allow customers to make payments to settle their gas, electricity or water bills, or to pay for their TV licence, Council Tax or to top-up pay-as-you-go mobile phones.

Over 60 hardy residents also braved the weather to attend the Community Christmas Carol Concert at the West Hill Hall. They gathered in the candlelight around the piano and Bela Emerson was there with her cello.

The sun is battling to shine amid these dark and bitterly cold days, long may it continue into the new year. We wish you a great year ahead. Find out what makes you tick at the Brighton Science Festival, 13 Feb – 6 March and to the lion thief, think about doing the right thing and return the lions to their rightful place.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Last year’s editorial, on the brink of a new decade, looked back on the previous decade as one of change but also as one of consistency. We looked forward to more of Pam Bean’s sales but now, sadly, they will be one of the many memories we have of her.

The Whistler has been published by the WHCA for more than 30 years and we’d like to keep it going for many more decades. It’s delivered free to households, libraries and businesses as well as being online with some different articles. The print and distribution costs are covered by adverts, and we have many regular contributors. We’re always looking for new ideas and new writers – particularly someone to take over the long-running Gossips & Grumbles column. We’d like to hear what you think about The Whistler – tell us what you want to read and, better still, send us your letters and contributions.

The West Hill Action Team, a Council initiative for local action, held three meetings in 2010, the last one in November in the West Hill Hall. The priorities for action from those meetings were more info about local services, dog fouling, graffiti and speeding. Let us know what your priorities are.

Home Grown

Have you seen the amazing new windows at the Hall? It was a very difficult and big job to replace all the enormous windows but beautifully planned and executed by Simon Kelly of Sky Dec. He lives locally and advertises with us. The wooden frames were made locally by Lee McCatty of Compton Avenue. So you see, the enterprise was all home grown with the Association paying the bill.

The Whistler received many compliments following the last issue which was dedicated to the kind and generous soul who was Pam Bean, a tireless worker for the good of others. It is difficult to talk of future events without her but Vinod and Meena Mashru of Bright News are planning for the possibility of another of their marvellous Christmas parties. The proposed date is Saturday 11 December.

CALLING ALL GARDENERS
Have you any outdoor plants you need to get rid of? Can you take cuttings?  Any contributions would be gratefully received for the garden at West Hill Hall. Many thanks from the West Hill Community Hall Gardening Group. Please contact Sue on telephone number 01273 321648 email sue@suewilliams44.fsnet.co.uk 

No Contest

From the time I moved into the Community 18 years ago, I was aware of a dynamic figure. A slight, but vigorous, woman who moved like a streak of greased lightning along the streets of West Hill. And then it was her conversation which fascinated, well-read and travelled, she contributed points of interest to any chat.

The lasting remembrance in my garden is how she helped to rid my lawn of rambling buttercup. Sitting quietly one day having a cup of tea, she suddenly leapt to her feet and systematically and energetically dug over a postage stamp of grass in my garden, where the damned weed had taken over. “You’ve got to get the whole root”. It was no contest. Pam identified and uprooted the invaders and only sat down again when she was satisfied they were vanquished. Hurrah for Pamela Bean.

Sylvia Alexander-Vine