Art Club: OUR first meeting of 2008 is on February 1 at St Paul's Church Hall from 7pm-9pm. The new Chairman John Cutting and members of the club would like to welcome new people to come along and join us for a free evening at this meeting or on the fifteenth.

Recorded Music Society: TODAY the society will meet at the Friend's Meeting HOuse in Granville Road to listen to a programme presented Ann, Patricia, Dinah and David entitled Russian Rendezvous', which will feature music by composers such as Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. We start at 7.45pm, all are welcome. For more details call 01255 673586 Camera Club: THE cold and damp of England went away for a short while lat Friday when members were taken somewhere hot'. The place was Namibia and the experienced guides were Ethel and Brian Murphy, who showed some excellent images together with a fine commentary on what they discovered there. Dave Peck is this week's guest speaker, he will be showing his landscape images from around the region together with his new close-up project images.

Wine and Social Club: WE look forward to our first meeting of the year which is on January 25. One of our members will be showing some slides of Canada. Our club meets at 8pm at the Brotherhood Hall, St Osyth Road on the fourth Friday of every month. If you would like to know more please phone Janet on 01255 434132.

Good Companions: The club for singles meet every Friday at The Colbayns Community Centre at 6.30-10pm, for a friendly chat and leisure activities. In our programme for this year we are hoping to arrange outings, walks, theatre trips etc and we also support a number of quiz nights in support of charity, so please join us and make some new friends. Details from 01255 429903 or 01255 475281.

Debating Society: BILL Hartop proposed that the Honours System should be abolished, saying that it was snobbish, divisive and open to abuse. In opposition, Frank Lane said that honours were a public recognition of merit and that 65 per cent of honours went to ordinary people. After a wide ranging debate the motion was defeated. The next debate will take place at the Quaker Meeting House, Granville Road on January 23 at 7.30pm. It will be question time when a panel will deal with questions from the audience on subjects of topical interest.

Colour Slide Club: AT the last meeting a dip into digital was the order of the day, with member's photographs, slide and digital images all made into one digital show. These, in addition to some clever audio visual shows (AVs) were well received and much enjoyed by the members. The next meeting on January 21 will be back to normal with a slide show by Vanessa Latford who will be talking about the wildlife of Canada. For further information please ring Ethel on 01255 863811.

Rotary Club: BOB Welton introduced David Poulton and Peter Terry, both from the Build Centre who lent us, free of charge, sheets of hardboard to enable us to divide the various stands at our successful Leisure and Hobbies Exhibition. Ray Hansen then introduced Christine Thurley, manager of Clarks in Pier Avenue. Christine kindly provided us with the electricity to enable the Santa's Grotto to operate in the town centre. Finally the president introduced Brenda Ellis, who has organised the Christmas Day lunch at the High School for a number of years and Rotary's involvement has increased year by year. Many members have enjoyed working with and for Brenda and this event will hopefully continue with our increasing support. It was announced that 999 children visited Father Christmas at the Grotto. The street collection enabled us to finance in full the Brenda Ellis Christmas Lunch. Thank you to all those of you who donated, we do appreciate your generosity with so many other appeals for your contributions.

Contract Bridge Club: ON January 9 a 24 board Switch Mitchell Movement was played. Results were: 1 A Deeley/J Pajdowski, 2 E Ellis/E Fleming, 3 B Johnston/N Denny. On January 11 a 24 board Switch Mitchell Movement was played. Results were: 1 J Gardiner/P Dolni, 2 R Mascall/N Denny, 3 Andrea and Mike Collins. The club meets at 6.45pm each Wednesday and Friday at Fiske Court, Beach Road. New players and visitors welcome. Please contact the secretary on 01255 671830.

Bocking Elm Ladies Club: THE speakers at our last meeting were Mr and Mrs Roberts who showed some slides on dresses from the 20th century. They then showed some dresses which were worn from the twenties to the forties and some Victorian underwear. The next meeting is on January 21 when we will hear about an animal sanctuary.

Darby and Joan Club: THE first meeting of the year will be at the Red Cross Hall on January 21 at 2pm. Ann Dante will be entertaining. There will be a warm welcome to old and new members.

Chess Club: IN the Suffolk League division 1, Clacton A defeated Manningtree, 2-1. Peter Keffler got a win. Andrew Salmon, John Lambert and Andrew Todd obtained draws. Details from clactonchess.org.uk - new member enquiries to John on 01206 304228.

Royal Marine Association: MEMBERS concluded a successful year with a festive get-together at the Warwick Arms. Our ladies provided a good selection of nibbles. We were treated to some first class entertainment by Lee Kiddy a professional magician, his table tricks were amazing and members were quick to check that their wallets were intact, as he left each table. Our Chairman, Brian Pierson capped a good year by surprising us with his presence, straight from docking with the Queen Mary II. Keith Bowler acted as Master of ceremonies for a successful raffle. Next meeting is on February 12 at 7.30pm