May 4th, 2020.


It has been a frustrating month for the 100 members of the Seahaven Branch of The Royal Society of St George because they were not able to celebrate England's National Day on the 23rd of April in the usual way.

Normally there is an ecumenical church service at St Andrew's Church in Alfriston followed by a Banquet in Deans Place Hotel. This year, because of the effects of COVID-19, very necessary restrictions caused all plans to be cancelled. Even so, many members flew the flag at their own homes and raised a glass to England and St George.

In the evening, all branches of the Royal Society were asked to consider supporting the BBC's evening fund raising show, which the Seahaven Branch did to the tune of £500, a figure that will be enhanced by the Charitable Trust of the Royal Society. All in all some £13,000 was raised by members nationwide.

The branch also presented £100.00 to the Seahaven Food Bank, enabling them to buy more food items for those local families who need it.

Members are now all looking forward to a return to normal activity when restrictions are lifted.

The only disturbing thing has been that Facebook has deleted some pictures of the flag as being racist or insulting. There is nothing racist about the flag of England and it is part of the Union Flag. If St George's Flag is racist then logic dictates that the flags of St Andrews (Saltire), St Patrick and the Welsh Dragon are likewise racist. All the flags of the UK need respect for what they stand for.


Pictured above left - Branch member Sheila Thomas wearing her uniform as a volunteer with the Newhaven Station of the National Coastwatch Institute raises St George's Flag in her home in Seaford. Above right - Branch chairman, Major Bob Peedle MBE flew his flag also in Seaford.