County Chairman John Barnes has invited representatives from over 40 voluntary groups from across the county to a special reception being held on Sunday 25 September at the council’s WoodFair event at Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum, near Lewes.
Invited voluntary groups include the county reps from the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund, Barnardos, Age Concern, Cancer Research, the RNLI and National Coastwatch. Local voluntary organisations invited include the Society of the Friends of Ashdown Forest, Eastbourne Rethink, Lewes and Seaford CAB, Uckfield Volunteer Bureau, Mayfield Community Cars and the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
Councillor Barnes wants to use the opportunity to thank the volunteers in person for their work. He said: “I cannot emphasise enough how important these volunteers are to our community. The help and support they give to people and our environment is vital. The quality of life for so many vulnerable residents would be drastically reduced if it wasn’t for these volunteers and some of the most beautiful areas of East Sussex would be at risk.
“Nationally, this is the Year of the Volunteer and I am focusing on voluntary work as one of my main themes during my time as Chairman. The Bentley reception is our chance to say a big thank you to all our voluntary groups in East Sussex”.
A string quartet from the East Sussex Youth Orchestra will entertain the 90 guests expected at the council reception.
Notes to editors
You are very welcome to send a reporter and or photographer to the Chairman’s reception for volunteers at the Weald WoodFair event at Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum, Halland near Lewes on Sunday 25 September from 3–4pm. For further information please contact Anna Crabtree on 01273 481596.
WoodFair
Around 10,000 visitors are expected to attend East Sussex County Council’s 10th annual Weald WoodFair held from 23–25 September.
WoodFair promotes the vital importance of the region’s wood to the environment and local economy and is the leading woodland, wood-use and woodcraft event in the South East of England.
The three-day event looks at the many varied uses of wood and timber in our every day lives and at how best to look after our woodlands in order to protect our environment, encourage wildlife and support local rural employment.
For more information see our page about Weald Woodfair 2005.
Reference:
05/319/MF
Contact the press team
