Free First World War exhibition in Southwick

‘Last Summer of Peace’, an exhibition produced by the Southwick Society, shows pictures and stories of the town in the summer of 1914, just before the outbreak of the Great War.

The exhibition is on display in the coffee shop at Mayberry Garden Centre, in Portslade, and will remain there until Friday, November 14.

As manager Darren Clift explains, the exhibition is one of a few things going on at the family run store, all in the name of raising money for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

He said: “With the extra impetuous on remembering World War One this year, we thought it would be good to do more than our annual charity car wash, so we invited the Southwick Society, who we work with regularly, to put on this fantastic exhibition regarding the local area.

“The British Legion has got a table selling lots of fundraising wares, and we have also posted famous war poems around the garden centre.

“I hope the latter will provide our customers a small moment to pause and reflect as they do their shopping.”

The Southwick Society was formed in 1973 and is a registered charity.

It was formed to protect the interests of the towns of Southwick & Fishersgate when Southwick Urban District Council was dissolved during the 1973 local government reforms.

They run the Manor Cottage, in Southwick, which is holding exhibitions on Saturday mornings between May and September. They also have a regular presence at Mayberry.

The annual charity car wash at Mayberry Garden Centre will take place between 10.30am and 3pm on Saturday, November 8, with the 1140 (Steyning) cadets washing customer vehicles to raise money for the Poppy Appeal.

For more information ring Mayberry on 01273 422747.