Who'd have thought The Supremes would want to save our cliff...CAN THE Former Ladies of the Supremes stop Fairlight's cliff erosion in the name of love?
The three current members of the legendary Motown act stepped assuredly into the debate surrounding the area's encroaching coastline when they struck a pose atop the receding cliff last week (left).The trio - comprised of Freddi Poole, Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne - made the surreal appearance on their way around the UK on a two-week tour.
The Fairlight Coastal Protection Trust, set up by residents to force action on the crumbling cliffs, probably weren't expecting this sort of star power to become involved in the cause.But the coup was no accident, thanks to an association dating back nearly 40 years between the act and Fairlight Cove resident Jim Saphin.
Jim became president of the Diana Ross and The Supremes Fan Club Of Great Britain in 1966 (pictured right). In his four years in the role, he enrolled almost 1,000 members from Great Britain and Europe, and had the opportunity to meet the ladies whenever they visited the UK.He said: "In January of 1968, The Supremes were booked to play a two week engagement at London's Talk Of The Town. During this time I arranged a fan club reception at EMI House in London.
Original members Diana Ross and Mary Wilson together with Cindy Birdsong (who replaced Florence Ballard) gladly signed autographs and posed for photographs with many of the fans."In 1970 when my career jeopardised my continuation of the fan club, I was obliged to resign as President, although my admiration for their music has never died to this very day."I have managed to stay in touch and maintain my friendship with almost the complete line-up of The Supremes, and there was eight Supremes in all."
Jim was pleased to welcome the support of the trio for the trust, which must raise £57,850 by mid-September towards a geological survey integral to the prevention of cliff erosion.
The scheme will also be funded by DEFRA and Rother District Council.If this does not go ahead, the trust fears 200 homes could be lost to the sea in the next century.Jim said: "It was a real thrill for me to have Lynda, Scherrie and Freddie come visit in my hometown. They asked me to offer their sincere support to the members of The Fairlight Cove Preservation Trust and hoped that a speedy resolution would soon be found to save the cliffs."
11 August 2005
11 August 2005
