Having experienced severe difficulties recently with renewing existing bank mandates when treasurers or other signatories change, the Sussex Branch has begun the process of implementing single banking. Our initial experience has been extremely positive, particularly in terms of the speed of implementation. We have been convinced that although the actual initial changeover will involve extra work — particularly for treasurers — thereafter changes in signatories in particular will be considerably easier.

The Sussex Branch of SSAFA is being sponsored in 2016 by the Sussex Province of The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) as its charity of the year. Inaugurated in 1822 it is the oldest largest fraternal organisation in the UK and, indeed, worldwide. The order is designed to aid members, their families, dependents of former members and other charitable organisations and many members of the order are themselves ex-Service and are pleased to have the opportunity to pay something back — hence their generous support.

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• The Trefoil Trust
• The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes — Sussex Province
• The Craft Club
• East Grinstead War Memorial Limited

On a glorious Saturday in June a small group of veterans from ‘The 99/100 Group’ which is affiliated to SSAFA Hastings & Rother Division gathered together in Hastings, caught a coach to to an area of outstanding natural beauty in Brighton and embarked on their first experience of sculpting Portland Stone at Stanmer Stone Carving Studio, a part of Stanmer Organics.

Work commenced about 9.30 and by 12’o’clock, it was essential to enjoy a BBQ and cold drinks. Needless to say, tea was ‘on the go’ all day. Then it was back to work through to 3pm. Aching wrists and a degree of tiredness was apparent by all, but they were smiling.

The results and artistic merit varied. Our RN representative showed creativity but kept to straight lines, those with Army backgrounds went for figurines, or so they said. Our RLC veteran attempted his interpretation of Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’. The pencil outline depicted some similarity but a general consensus suggested that more work will be needed on the stone itself. Perhaps he merely wanted the scream to be a reaction? Notwithstanding, it was a great ‘away day’ for all and everyone now has a new memory of a good place and time when friends enjoyed something different together.

The 99/100 Group is affiliated to SSAFA Hastings & Rother Division and funded by The Silver Lady Fund, based in Bexhill on Sea. The group, named after two bus routes that converge on Hastings, from the West and East of our area, is dedicated to providing non-clinical support (wellbeing and coping) for veterans coupled, where appropriate, with the traditional services from SSAFA. The group's members have met every fortnight for the past 12 months. During this time. The group has received 40 referrals, although not all have participated fully. The group is now poised to meet the challenges of a second year and in addition to the regular meetings, a new office has been established, facilitating a drop-in option during the week, specifically for new referrals and one to one interventions. The same office will also be used by SSAFA Hastings as a triage service for any veteran or family in our area requiring assistance or advice.