Women at the helm

THE Hailsham Club has two women at the helm for the first time in its long history.

The new chairman, elected at the annual meeting in June, is Sonia Edmonds, one of only two women to have held the post. And for the first time the post of hon secretary is also held by a woman, Lin McKeever.

Sonia is determined that, together with the new management committee, she will bring about changes that will move the club forward into a bright new future.

When Sonia joined the club ten years ago, she brought negotiating skills learnt when she worked as a fashion buyer. When she became chairman of the bar committee four years ago, her experience from working in the wine trade also proved invaluable.

Lin set up and ran a successful keep fit and line dance club for ten years and is sure that her 'people skills' will benefit the club.

She said: 'The club's friendly and comfortable atmosphere struck me from day one. I am looking forward to working with Sonia and the committee.

'It may be the oldest in Hailsham, but the club has found itself a young new heart.'

Members have dubbed the women 'the dynamic duo', so they have vowed to work hard together to earn the right to that title.

Tomorrow, Saturday, the club, which is located off the High Street in Vicarage Field, will stage an open day from 11am to 3pm as part of the town's Charter Market celebrations.