Hello everyone. Here is the February newsletter. The next newsletter will be published at the end of March. See you all at the next meeting at 1.50pm on Monday 27th March at the Seahorse Centre, Minehead.
At the meeting everybody must sign in, in the attendance book provided and if you come to the Seahorse Centre at other times sign in at Reception and remember to wear a visitor badge at all times. There is no smoking allowed inside or at the front of the building. You can go round to the back of the building for a quick smoke.
The address of the Seahorse Centre is: Stephenson Road, Minehead, TA24 5EB
Transport
If you booked to come by taxi to the monthly WSDA meeting and you can’t make it, can you PLEASE RING DAVE WILLETT, who organises this transport, to cancel it. PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU!!! Transport queries about outings should be addressed to the Events Committee.Â
Useful Telephone Numbers
West Somerset Disability Association Committee Members
President:  Jean Gilbert   01984 641197
Chairman:  Dorothy Lloyd  01984 639636
Vice Chairman: Mary Court   01643 702129
Secretary:  Molly Newstead  01984 634739
Treasurer:  David Kendall  01643 863505
Transport for the monthly WSDA meeting only:
   David Willett  01643 708592
Members’ Representative:
   Marlene Saunders  01643 702972
Events Organisers: Margaret Bruford  01984 656367
   Sylvia Griffiths  01643 704637
   Rita Sandiford  01643 703469
IT Tutor   Chris Brinkman  01643 708025 Mobile 07971 285878
Seahorse Centre IT room   01643 702021 or 07971 285878
   Messages (Reception) 01643 705000
E-mail: wsomersetdisability@tiscali.co.uk
Web Site: www.westsomersetdisability.org.ukÂ
Computers
We have a new web address and our website will be up and running very shortly. You will be able to see the newsletter there as well as photos of our activities and news of forthcoming events. Please give us your e-mail address if you have one, as it costs us nothing to send you your newsletter by E-mail but we have to pay to post them. Please help us to help you!
If you would like to do some computer training please let one of the committee members know or talk to Chris our IT instructor. You must be a member of our association before you can have lessons, which costs £2.00 per hour. If anyone has a problem with their computer at home and would like help from Chris he will then advise the committee as to the problem and the committee will then decide what to do.Â
Disability Advocate
From 1st January Richard Pitman has no longer been the Disability Advocate for West Somerset. However the service is still provided and will run from the DIAS (Disability Information Advocacy Service) office until the end of March and then the service will be taken over by A4E. The service will offer help if you need assistance with care arrangements, equipment, housing etc. The telephone number remains 01823 327453. DIAS website is www.dias-somerset.org.uk and A4e website is www.a4e.gov.uk Â
President’s Report
Hello everybody, hopefully this time you will all get my report, having spent 2 hours on the last one in January, I was not a happy badger!!
Here we go. The Website is nearing completion and Broadband is now up and running. This was from a grant we managed to obtain from South West Foundation. Thanks to them and to our Grant Officer.
We have as an area a new Advocacy in A4e, no details as such are through yet, but will keep you informed.
There is a new website for Motability operations. It is www.motability.co.uk and makes it easier to choose a short list of the cars you want to go and look at, the price you can afford, the sill heights for accessibility to the car. Talking of driving please make sure you have your eyes tested at least once a year as just lately there has been a large national press coverage on people having Nystagmus, still driving and because of this disease have killed people. Very sad.
Please don’t forget Social Services do a sitting service. If you are looking after someone and need a couple of hours to do something, go shopping, go to the hospital for yourself or even have your hair done, that person need not be left on their own. This is an excellent service, one which I have used, and all the ladies who came were delightful. Please use it, and don’t feel you have to be housebound.
If you are using the new bus, which takes wheelchairs, please ring and book your time you are wanting to go and the time you are coming back, as it runs on the normal bus timetable. The telephone number is 01823 252679 and ask to speak to a supervisor who will book this for you.
We all want to thank Catherine for doing all the posters on the computer for our coffee mornings and to the ladies who distributed them in Minehead round the shops. The first coffee morning was great and everybody enjoyed it. It was great to see Terry Venner there, (he is one of our Trustees) really working hard and we couldn’t have managed without him, also of course our faithful duo, David and Josephine making the coffee, and Norman, another councillor. What a team!! It would have been really good to have seen a lot more members there as it was only for 1½ hours, as is each of them, but I did have a lot of people ring me and say, for one reason or another, that they were not able to make the first one. Hope to see you all at the next one on March 25th. Same venue Friends Meeting House, Bancks Street, opposite the Library at 10-30 till 12pm.
If anybody has a record collection they want to put on C.D. please contact Andy Machin.
Am working from home this time, so hopefully, although the phone has not stopped ringing, you will get this report!!
Chairman’s Report
The monthly meeting for February took place on the 27th and was attended by 30 members, not such a large turn out as usual but never the less it was quite lively with plenty of “chat time†which I know you all enjoy. Jean gave us an insight in her talk about how we function and how funds are applied for to support our activities e.g. the computer suite, and how we manage to employ a professional computer tutor to teach our members who are interested in learning this medium of modern technology. She also explained to the members that the committee do all their work on a voluntary basis and receive no payment for their time.
Glen Clarke one of our newer members made two huge “death by chocolate†cakes, which were enjoyed by all with a lovely cup of tea, made by Josephine and David. Thank You Glen for your generosity, as you know we all enjoyed the cake.
It was proposed that we might introduce a suggestion box. Members who might like to have a say but are perhaps to nervous or shy to speak up at meetings could put their feelings, or ideas in writing and then the committee could study these and take on board your thoughts. You can be anonymous or sign as you wish. Several hands went up so we will introduce one at the March meeting and see what response we get.
March the 1st heralds the first day of spring I heard a newsreader say, but with this very cold weather we are experiencing it doesn’t seem a bit like it. On the other hand there are the signs of the approach of a new season. Newborn lambs can be seen and the catkins and daffodils are in bloom or pushing their way up out of the soil to get ready to brighten up lives. The evenings are getting lighter now and in four weeks time we will be changing the clocks, and that will make us all feel better.
We have got several members who are unwell at the moment so we do send you our love and get well soon message.
I have been out of action with a “lovely†bout of flu, which has kept me housebound and out of action. I daresay a good many of you have also had the infection so we can sympathise with each other and those that have got it now “get better soonâ€.
Those of us that went on the trip to Snowdrop Valley had a very enjoyable day, a lovely lunch at Blackmoor Gate was enjoyed, but Snowdrop Valley was a great disappointment. However the company was good and we enjoyed a few laughs.
Dorothy
Vice Chairman’s Report
Hi Mary Here,
Well what a start to the year, I hope that you are all well and ready for the activities that are planned for you to partake in. There are also lots of activities lined up and quite a selection there is too. There are coffee mornings planned at the Meeting House in Bancks Street each month.(see the events committee for further information). We had our first coffee morning last Saturday and it was good for the first one, I must say I found there to be the usual lack of members. I have to say that the coffee mornings are much better than the yearly Fetes, much less tiring.
We had a lovely trip to Trago Mills, and it was a nice trip and a nice atmosphere all round. Trago Mills is so different now; you can actually see where you are going and what you are looking for, such a difference to the old days. We also had a discount on all that we purchased, which was nice. I came home laden with all sorts of craft things and I saved some money with the discount of the day.
Then we went to Snowdrop Valley and Blackmoor Gate. We had a nice lunch and it was good value as they did two for the price of one. After lunch we headed for Snowdrop Valley, when we had everyone back in their cars off we set to see the Snowdrops but somewhere along the way we lost one of our cars, we had to meet up at Wheddon Cross to pick up the tickets to go through the valley, still no sign of the missing car so we all went off to see the Snowdrops. The Snowdrops were very few in number and it was a bit disappointing but not to worry it was still a nice day.Â
Treasurer’s Report
This is a reminder that the subscriptions are now due and anyone who has not yet paid should either send a cheque to David Kendall, 5 Harepark, Allerford, TA24 8HL (made payable to WSDA or West Somerset Disability Association), give the money to one of the committee members or bring it to the next meeting. At the February meeting we raised £30 from the raffle, £11.35 from the Almoner’s Fund and £9.50 from the sale of Sylvia’s baking. Thank you Sylvia once again. Since the beginning of the year we have started charging for the computer classes and this has raised £213 already. This goes toward the running costs of the computer classes: ink, paper and other supplies.
Events Committee Report
On February 9th we went on a trip over the moors to Blackmore Gate for lunch which was very good, and then onto Wheddon Cross and back through Snowdrop Valley, sadly there was very few snowdrops to see, but never the less the weather was very good to us and the scenery was great.
Our first Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy Sale on February 11th was very successful, after expenses we made £46.60. Thank you very much to all that helped and supported us.
On March 23rd we have a trip to Lynmouth for Lunch at the Corner House Restaurant, the main course will cost £5 and sweets will be extra, there is a choice of Beef or Turkey. Names as soon as possible please as I have to arrange transport.
Please note the next Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy is on March 25th we do need your Support. It’s the same place and time: Friends’ Meeting House, Bancks Street, Minehead; 10.30 to 12 noon.
At our April Meeting we are going to do a Devon Cream Tea. This will now be free but we will need your names at our March meeting if you want to come.
On May 30th we will be having a visit to Phillip Hobbs Stables at Bilbrook to see the lovely race horses. Further details will be announced later.
Margaret Bruford
Poets Corner
A Spring in Your Step
Daily grows the light of day,
By shorter nights, is how we pay!
New grass growing, Oh! So green
Birds in love are once more seen.
The robin pipes, the blackbird sings,
And toadstools grow in circled rings.
Listen to the bleating of the newborn lambs,
See new life, as nature plans,
Buds in the hedgerow, swelling, round
Golden daffodils still abound.
If across the valley, you can hear the Church Bell ring,
Then surely this is a brand new spring.Â
Contributed and written by Leonard Cross.
Articles, letters and e-mails
What a lovely day we had last Thursday when on a trip to Snowdrop Valley. The journey out to Blackmore Gate for lunch was very good and not very eventful. I followed Jean Gilbert. Lunch was very good and not too expensive and we were well looked after by Margaret Bruford who collected our orders and the money – Well Done.
My big mistake was getting lost on the way to the valley taking the wrong road and ending up at Tiverton making a round trip of 114 miles but from what I hear missing nothing and probably seeing more Snowdrops at the side of roads than were seen in the valley. Nevertheless a good day. Thank you.
Molly Newstead.
GREETINGS FROM IRELAND
Well at last I have time and something to say about Ireland, having experienced a few weeks here. First of all, the views of the mountains both to the rear and to the front of bungalow are really magnificent - from seeing the sun rise behind the MacGillycuddy range to watching the darker moods when the clouds abound above the snow top peaks.
The shops in small towns are akin to going back in the past. They weigh things on old type scales with 1lb, half pound weights etc., write out receipts in the absence of automatic till rolls and are not worried if you don’t have quite the right money by a few cents. The large supermarkets such as Tesco in Killarney and Tralee are quite different and like those at home, although it is nigh impossible to find many brands that I am use to such as Batchelors cup-a-soup and their wonderful Asparagus flavour.
The people are very friendly and there is a great community spirit amongst them. I have been to a Senior Citizens gathering they hold in a Community Centre in a townland (village) about 10 minutes away, where we have lunch, a bit of dancing for the exercise, a chat and bingo. They have made me very welcome and they pick you up in the mini-bus and bring us back. This week we are going to the Anvil Bar for a pub lunch and during the Spring and Summer they have a few trips. I have now been issued with a free travel pass, which entitles me to travel free on all internal transport including trains – what a perk for the 70’s and over, and I just qualify!Â
It is a bit of a headache getting used to the Euro. The post is only collected once a day and the postman comes in his own van anytime between 12.30 and 2pm. There is no Saturday collection or delivery. Have found the Irish people to be almost constantly cheerful and seem not to worry too much about anything.
I hope you enjoy the following bits of humour:
‘No Problem’
an Irishman said to us, if someone says to you ‘no problem’ it is not a problem to them but it may well be to you !
‘Last request’
Mary Clancy went up to Father O’Grady after Sunday morning mass and she was in tears. He said, ‘So what’s bothering you, dear ?’ She replied, ‘I’ve got terrible news, My husband passed away last night’ The priest said, ‘Oh, Mary, that’s terrible. Tell me, did he have any last requests ?’ She said, ‘He did father, ‘Please, Mary, put the gun down’ …….
bye for now
Vera Davis
PS. Best regards from Martin, who will do an article for your next edition about accessibility in County Kerry.
My Son’s Wedding Weekend
The Weekend of my son’s wedding was a weekend my family and I will always remember as one of the happiest of our lives. Nothing spoilt it apart from rain on Saturday morning.Â
My daughter Emily and future son-in-law Andy drove my housemate Ken, guide dog Maple and myself to St. Merryn, Cornwall. The first stop was the farm belonging to my son William’s future parents-in-law where we met other members of the family and were given a sumptuous Cornish tea. There was fruitcake, sponge cake, malt loaf, scones with cream and jam.
Maple had an immediate hit with Sandra, Tabis’s mum, who took her on a tour of the farm, just right after the long car journey.
Ken and I were staying with William, his best man Greg and ushers at Woodlands, a guesthouse near the farm, while the bride and bridesmaids prepared for the next day.Â
We had a rehearsal at about seven o’clock and I realised that William would very soon be married and that I must always try to give him good advice if he asked for it. I must also try to never take sides in my son’s favour or against him until I am absolutely sure of all the facts of the case.Â
Ken and I settled in to our very comfortable guesthouse before Andy drove us to a nearby pub for supper. I was very impressed with how William, his ushers and best man made a great effort to include me in the conversation. After all, I am twenty years older than any of them and some young people wouldn’t take the trouble.Â
Maple and I slept very well that night and the next morning we all had the full, Cornish breakfast except Maple, who has to have a special diet.Â
During breakfast it started to rain, really rain, and it didn’t stop raining until we came out of the pub where we had gathered for refreshments. Tabis put a big red bow on Maple’s collar, to match the bridesmaids’ outfits, and she acted like a super-model for the rest of the weekend.Â
The church looked and smelt wonderful. William and Tabis made their vows and exchanged rings and if I hadn’t started thinking about my husband Geoff I would have been the happiest Mum in the world. He would have been so pleased that William was married to a lovely girl like Tabis, but he died three years ago of cancer and so his absence was the only cloud over the weekend. The choir sang beautifully and Andy read so well.
Now the rain had almost stopped and official photos were being taken, plus video and all the family mobiles were in use taking stills and videos. Even the sun came out to celebrate the wedding.Â
It was now time for us all to pile into cars and drive to Newquay for about half-an-hour to the hotel where we were having the wedding reception and staying the night.Â
We settled in to very comfortable rooms, which had all facilities, and after about ten minutes Andy and Emily came to tell us that we were wanted in reception. The guests from both the bride and groom’s sides lined up to shake hands with the two families. This is a Cornish tradition and I really enjoyed it. It meant that I talked to everyone who attended the wedding.Â
It was now about half-past four and time for the speeches and the wedding breakfast. We sat on the top table and I was between my daughter Emily and Tabis’s father. We all toasted the bride and groom with champagne and the master of ceremonies introduced William.Â
William stood up, we all waited, and the silence seemed to go on forever. I, his Mum who should have been able to help him, could think of nothing to do, absolutely nothing. Then I heard Tabis’s Mum say ‘have a drink, William’ and a few seconds later he made a superb speech.Â
The rest of the speeches were also very memorable and I shall always be grateful to Tabis’s Mum, indeed to all her family. William has entered a great family.Â
Now we were ready for the wedding breakfast and were shown the menu. Most of the top table opted for roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Maple was tied where she could watch the whole dining room, between Emily and Andy. Many of the guests came to pat her and make a fuss of her so she had a lovely time.Â
A very experienced waitress, who had been at the hotel for years, looked after us at the top table and she couldn’t do enough for us. She recommended the Pavlova, my favourite, and it was scrumptious.Â
It had turned into a beautiful late afternoon and we all mixed and mingled, drank tea and coffee, drank champagne to toast the bride and groom many times and took photos.Â
We got ready for the disco, which Tabis’s parents had organised both families and more friends who couldn’t come the wedding service or wedding breakfast.Â
The room where the disco was held was huge with a lovely dance floor and bar at one end. My nephews all offered me drinks because Tabis’s Dad had mentioned during his speech that I had paid for the drinks we’d had during the wedding breakfast and suggested that everyone might like to offer me a drink that evening. I managed to keep to tonic with ice and lemon till about half-past eleven when Baileys took over and I got up the courage to dance….
Earlier in the evening I had a lovely talk with Claire, my nephew Nick’s girl friend. I don’t meet her very often and I really felt I knew her a bit better. One of William’s friends, who also lives on Exmoor, came over for a chat and we talked over old times when my husband Geof and I used to give him and William lifts. Meanwhile Ken was talking to Vicky, one of William and Tabis’s friends.
Dancing began, as far as I can remember, at about eight o’clock, and William and Tabis led the dancing with one by themselves which was R.E.M.’s ‘At Your Most Beautiful.’ It was beautiful, very much one of my favourite songs.Â
It was a really fun evening when Andy and the Baileys I’d drunk finally persuaded me to venture down the steep steps onto the dance floor. I can remember dancing with Andy, my brother Chris and I think a couple of my nephews…. Then we all got into a circle and sang with the music. It was a really fun family evening. Thank you John and Sandra! I heard you arranged an excellent buffet supper but I’d eaten far too much wedding breakfast to try it.Â
The next day we all managed to be down for another good Cornish breakfast by half-past nine. There was a great deal to talk and laugh about the previous night. John and Sandra suggested that we all meet up for lunch at another pub at St Mawgan so the party went on a bit longer. After lunch, before we all went home, we said goodbye to William and Tabis and cheered and waved them off on their honeymoon.
Contributed by Stephanie Witherick, who many of you know has been blind from birth.
Tongue in Cheek Tale
What Senior Citizens Are Worth
Did you know that we old folks are worth a fortune?
We have very silvery hair, gold in our teeth, stones in our kidneys, lead in our feet, and gas in our stomachs! I have become older since I saw you last, and a few changes have come into my life.                Â
Frankly, I have become a frivolous old woman! I am seeing six gentleman everyday! As soon as I wake up Will Power helps me out of bed, then I go to see Jimmy Riddle and then it is time for my breakfast with Mr Kellogg, followed closely by the refreshing company of Mr Tetley or my other old friend who I only know by his initials P-G!
Then comes someone else I don’t like at all: Arthur Itis-he knows he is not welcome, but insists on being here, and what is more, he stays for the rest of the day. Even then, he does not like to stay in one place, so he takes me from joint to joint. After such a hectic day I am glad to get to bed (and with Johnnie Walker too!!) what a hectic life! Oh yes, nearly forgot I am now flirting with Al Zheimer!
The vicar came to call the other day and said that at my age I should be thinking about the Hereafter. So I told him I did all the time. For no matter where I am, the bedroom, the kitchen, the sitting room or the garden, I ask myself, “Now what I am Here After?â€
Well I’ll close now and hope that Will Power is a close companion too, but do make sure that his friend Emma Royd does not creep up on you from behind!!! And watch out for the crafty one Gerry Atric! Â
Contributed by an anonymous Senior Lady.
We thought this tale was great fun to read so thank you anonymous Senior Lady.
My Mother Taught Me******Â (continued)
13. My Mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE. “ I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.â€
14. My Mother taught me about BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION. “Stop acting like your Father!â€
15. My Mother taught me about ENVY. “There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.â€
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. “ Just wait until I get you home.â€
17. My Mother taught me about RECEIVING. “You are going to get it when you get home.â€
18. My Mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE, “ If you don’t stop crossing your eyes they will freeze that way.â€
19. My Mother taught me ESP. Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?â€
20. My Mother taught me HUMOUR. “When the lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.â€
21. My Mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. “If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up,â€
22. My Mother taught me GENETICS. “You’re just like your Father,â€
23. My Mother me about my ROOTS. “Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?â€
24. My mother taught me WISDOM. “When you get to my age, you’ll understand.â€
25. My Mother taught me about JUSTICE. “One day you will have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!â€Â   Â
Handy Numbers
Winter Warmth Helpline 0800 085 700 www.dh.gov.uk
Arthritis Care 0808 800 4050 www.arthritiscare.org.uk
Help the Aged 0808 800 6565 www.helptheaged.org.uk
Prestige Mobility (Customer Focus Team) 0970 787 1975 www.prestigemobility.com
Breast Cancer Care 0808 800 6000 www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Depression Alliance 0845 123 2320 www.depressionalliance.org
Stroke Association 0845 303 3100 www.stroke.org.uk
Diabetes UK 0845 120 2960 www.diabetes.org.uk
Age Concern Information Line 0800 00 99 66 www.ageconcern.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 167 1677 www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Samaritans 08457 09090 www.samaritans.org.uk
NHS Direct 0845 46 47 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Monday March 27th at 2.00pm at the Seahorse Centre. I hope to see you there.
