The WHCA AGM was held at the end of April and we were really happy to welcome two new members to the committee, John (who already helps with the Hall garden) and Wendy. We’re always looking members of the community to help us with the business of the Association, the main activities of which are looking after West Hill Hall, helping with community events (ideas and action) and contributing to creating six editions of The Whistler a year.
Over the next few editions we introduce the current Trustees, who explain why they volunteer to keep this 42-year old community association alive and kicking.
The Annual General Meeting of the West Hill Community Association, at which the accounts will be adopted and the committee elected, will be held at 7:15pm on Tuesday 24 April 2018 at West Hill Hall.
The aims of WHCA are to maintain West Hill Hall for community use and to publish The Whistler to encourage communication in the local area. Refreshments and bonhomie are free. All are welcome. The business of the AGM will be followed at 8:00pm by our perennial favourite, the Quiz. Things are never taken too seriously at our monthly Quiz nights and we welcome new participants as well as quiz setters. Go on, give it a try. It’s a great way to meet new people in a relaxed and fun atmosphere and get involved with local activities.
We’re looking for new members for the management committee, whose voluntary activities include organising community events held in the Hall; taking an officer role (Chair, Treasurer, Secretary); managing Hall bookings; caretaking the Hall in between bookings; general Hall maintenance inside, and outside in the lovely ‘not so wild’ Garden; writing and collating articles/adverts for The Whistler (for the printed copy and online). In this edition and the next couple, we introduce the current Trustees, who explain why they volunteer to keep this 42-year old community association alive and kicking. Would YOU like to join us?
Image by Will Bradley, a contemporary of Aubrey Beardsley
Looking Forward
This year there is much to look forward to at West Hill Hall. Our monthly Quiz Nights are as popular as ever and we are really grateful to our ever growing band of Quiz setters. It’s a really rollicking evening of fun and fiendish questions, as well as being a great way of meeting local residents and raising money to help us look after the Hall.
Our series of local history talks continue in May and October.
In this issue we also look forward to commemorating 120 years since the death of West Hill local boy, Aubrey Beardsley, and remembering it is 100 years since the first steps to Women’s Suffrage in the UK. It turned out to be one small step for womankind – still a long way to go.
Beardsley 120: The Death of Pierrot
In 2018 a series of events will commemorate 120 years since the death of Brighton-born artist Aubrey Beardsley. The events are co-ordinated by Alexia Lazou (aka Victorians Valued), including tours and talks. Details of the programme are on beardsley120.eventbrite.co.uk. Some of the events are free entry/donations and some associated events have an admission charge. For further information please see website or email: victoriansvalued@gmail.com
Bite-Size Museum Talk Aubrey Beardsley: 120 Years After The Death of Pierrot
Tuesday 27 March 12pm, Brighton Museum. Free with admission, members and residents free.
Brighton-born artist Aubrey Beardsley died in 1898 at the tragically early age of twenty five. Come and discover more about him, see two of his original drawings close up, and hear about some of the ways he has been commemorated during the 120 years since his untimely death. With Alexia Lazou, Collections Assistant.
‘Father Christmas up to date’ from Life Magazine 1896
Season’s Greetings
2017 has been a year of refurbishment and renewal at West Hill Hall. The guttering at the back of the Hall was repaired to complement the newly constructed pathway and retaining wall. Then, in May, the courtyard was resurfaced and a decking area was built at the side of the Hall so our new band of volunteer gardeners could rest their weary muscles from their hard work transforming the garden. The biggest expense was the total refurbishment of the kitchen, which was in dire need of renovation. Our favourite decorating / constructing / plumbing / electrifying wizards Simon and Pete of Skydec took three weeks to complete the upgrade.
In 2018 we want to tackle the toilets and convert one of them into a disabled loo. It won’t come cheap so we’ll be fundraising by holding our monthly Quiz, twice-annual local history talks, and more. We look forward to seeing you!
In this issue, under a marvellous poem about refugees, you’ll see a small piece about Paddington Bear taken from The Big Issue sold to your editor by Darren, that Seven Dials stalwart who’s often to be seen selling The Big Issue outside the Co-op. He has plenty of copies and it’s well worth a read to see the full article. It’s amusing and thought-provoking.
We’re excited at the prospect of welcoming local residents to the annual West Hill Social on Saturday 9 December – tickets are on sale at Bright News.
There is much to look forward to at West Hill Hall this Autumn.
First date is the one you’ve already saved, 10 October at 7.30pm when Sarah Tobias will be giving WHCA’s Autumn local history talk on the ‘Hidden History of Brighton’s Parks and Gardens’.
Next is the annual Christmas Fair on Saturday 25 November from 11am.
And finally, we will be holding WHCA’s 20th West Hill Christmas Social on Saturday 9 December. Everyone is welcome but it’s a strictly ticketed affair. Tickets go on sale on November 15 in Bright News – don’t leave it until the last moment to get them as this event is always a sell-out. This year, along with a sit-down Indian meal, the chance to catch up with friends and neighbours and make new friends, we’ll be featuring local musicians. Can’t wait.
To get you in shape for the Autumn, there are four new weekly daytime classes at West Hill Hall on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. See the information from our new starters in New at the Hall.
Gluck – Art and Identity
18 November 2017 to 11 March 2018,Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
The 20th century artist Gluck (1895-1978) now also recognised as a trailblazer of gender fluidity, is the subject of this major new exhibition. Born Hannah Gluckstein into a wealthy Jewish family, the artist adopted the name Gluck and created a controversial masculine identity in the inter-war years. Gluck soon became known for striking portraits, land/seascapes, stage scenes and floral paintings.
This landmark exhibition will take the approach of a forensic investigation, bringing together key artworks with other surviving evidence of Gluck’s life including clothing, accessories and photographs.
Everything you ever wanted to know about life in Brighton (OK, and Hove)
The Whistler 