Demands on preservation society are three times its income

In his annual report, chairman Michael Kent says: "As the accounts explain, despite the society being endowed with what to many will seem as a large sum of capital, the income generated from both this capital and from Manor Barn is never enough to meet all the requests made of it.

"For example, each year we received requests for help from all parts of the community that would cause us to support events and projects to a level of probably three times our income.

"Obviously, is we were able to use capital in support of these projects our income would have to suffer."

The chairman says: "Capital can only be spent once; income can last a little longer!

"The society benefited from the late Mrs Phyllis Dunn's generosity in leaving the residue of her estate to Old Town Preservation Society and I would urge anyone with a like mind, who would like to assist the society in continuing its aims in the knowledge that all the officers are conscientious, unbiased and unpaid.

"Please consider donating or leaving a bequest to the Old Town Preservation Society.

"Please remember that the society is the responsibility of the members, the executive committee carries out functions that it believes are the wishes of the membership.

"If any member has an idea or project please bring it to the attention of the secretary."

The chairman comments on negotiations since the last annual meeting on its offer to contribute to the improvement of Manor Gardens.

"Although progress is at a glacial pace we are making progress and maybe next year..."

The society has paid for out-of-keeping modern street lights in the Old Town Conservation Area to be replaced with period reproductions.

The modern lights cannot be removed until all the reproductions are operational, prompting a "mischievous" contributor to the Observer's letters column who is clearly not a dog-lover to complain at the sudden increase in the number of lamp posts.

The chairman says: "I can assure you that the old lamps will be removed as soon as it is practical to do so....

"The lamps have been a major project and the enthusiasm of Mark Brittle in organising and liaising with East Sussex County Council will see that the scheme will be completed in a few weeks."

The annual meeting will be held at 7pm on Monday in Manor Barn,