Clubs and activities

Technology - especially computers with speech or screen magnification has opened up the world to visually impaired people. Computers with speech or screen magnification allow them to access information, send and receive emails, master programming and compete very much on level terms with the sighted community.  The Computer Club meets twice yearly for computer enthusiasts to exchange ideas and experiences and learn new skills.  Equipment, programmes and useful gadgets and aids are demonstrated and experts in hardware and software give their time to talk to club members.

The Writers’ Forum provides support and encouragement to St Dunstaners of all ages and levels of experience. The Forum is open to everyone with an interest in writing - whether they have already embarked on an autobiography, novel, or poem, or simply feel that writing is something they have always wanted to do.Each year we hold a Writers’ Weekend, where members can meet local authors, playwrights and poets.

How can a blind person shoot a rifle? The Acoustic Rifle Club makes the sport accessible. The target is lit from above and the reflected light is picked up by a telescopic sight attached to the rifle. It is then converted into sound; the nearer the centre of the target, the higher the pitch. The shooter wears headphones and must coordinate ear and trigger finger to obtain the highest pitch. The club shoots in postal leagues and against other clubs. 

Founded in 1984, St Dunstan’s Golf Club aims to encourage St Dunstaners who have played, or would like to learn, to enjoy and improve their game. The commitment and enthusiasm of our club members is reflected in their achievements – current members include a triple World Blind champion, a British Open champion and a British Blind Masters champion.

The club meets for weekends once a month, during the summer, at Rusper Golf Club in Newdigate, Surrey.

http://www.st-dunstansgolfclub.co.uk/

Radio is an ideal hobby for visually-impaired people, as sight is not required and communication is key.

Members of the Amateur Radio Club talk regularly to each other via the air waves and meet at Ovingdean where there is a well furnished ‘radio shack’. The call sign G3STD is well known amongst radio amateurs.

Formed in the 1970s, the Ski Club challenges the preconceptions of St Dunstaners who believed they would never ski again! With both current and past serving members of HM Forces acting as guides, a large number of St Dunstaners up to their mid-seventies continue to enjoy the challenges and the exhilaration of the sport with its challenges and exhilaration. The club has skied in the Italian Dolomites for the past few years.

St Dunstaners currently enjoy sea angling with the Fishing Club. Since their new Secretary runs a fishing business, fly or coarse fishing could soon be added to the agenda!

Activity and interest weeks held at Ovingdean  include ballroom dancing, darts, history, music appreciation and gardening.

There are also opportunities to become involved in a variety of sports.

The Cenotaph Parade is organised by the Royal British Legion on Remembrance Sunday every November to honour those who lost their lives in war. Armistice Day marks the end of the First World War which occurred on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. A St Dunstan’s contingent always joins the parade in Whitehall.