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EASTBOURNE SENIORS CLUB
founded 1954 - Registered Charity No. 261787
www.eastbourneseniorsclub.org.uk
a brief history

Alderman Croft, then Mayor of Eastbourne, launched a public appeal in 1951 to raise funds for the purpose of establishing a Club for Eastbourne's older persons. The public appeal raised just over £3,600. As it was insuffient to purchase a property, the Croft Appeal Committee was formed under Alderman Croft's chairmanship. Its sole function was to raise enough money to purchase a suitable property in a central position in the town which could be adapted for use as a senior citizen's club.

Alderman Croft asked the late Mrs Nora Little (who eventually became President of the Club and was the wife of the Town's then Welfare Officer, Mr Vernon Little) to organise a Sale of Work. This she did with tremendous enthusiasm, approaching all the organisations in the Town, asking each to be responsible for a stall. The Sale was held in Holy Trinity Church Hall and raised £400 more. Its success encouraged Mrs Little and

the Croft Appeal Committee to consider something more ambitious. In due course various events were held in the Town Hall raising a further £2,600. All these events were opened by Her Grace Mary, Duchess of Devonshire.

During this time the present property came onto the market and was acquired for use as a Club. It was an old warehouse and needed a great deal of adaption before it could be used. The "Eastbourne Senior Citizens Club" - now the Eastbourne Seniors Club - was opened on Thursday 3 June 1954, and the building named Alice Croft House in memory of Alderman Croft's mother.

To ensure the smooth running of the Club a Management Committee was formed comprising two Trustees and other responsible people plus one nominated by the Town Council. There is now both a Board of Trustees and a House Committee.

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