Hello everyone. Here is the May newsletter. The next newsletter will be published at the end of June. I hope to see you all at the next meeting at 2.00pm on Monday 26th June 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.
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
Our new website is up and running now. You can 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 (£6.00 per annum) before you can have lessons, which cost £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.
Disability Advocate
The service is provided by A4e and the telephone number is 0800 288 8712. They are based at A4e, 2nd Floor, Victoria House, Victoria Street, Taunton, Somerset TA1 3JZ. The A4e website is www.a4e.gov.uk. The service will offer help if you need assistance with care arrangements, equipment, housing, blue badges, etc.Â
President’s Report
It has been a very busy month, have seen two grant officers, so dressed for the occasions!! I am extremely lucky that all the people I work with give me fantastic support. Most are all in their middle forties, most of them at the top of their professions and keep me very much abreast of what is happening and treat me as an equal. They are all great people to work for and be a part of their business lives. All the organizations I belong to, in one way or another, help our organization. It seems like one big happy family. Brilliant.
This last week was asked to go on BBC news. Oh no was my comment, but I did help them with a query which took about 20 mins. I do see life!!
This newsletter takes about 3 weeks to prepare and some members are very quick to comment when something is wrong or a mistake has been made BUT they do not offer to come and help with the publishing of it. Perhaps they should and then they can see for themselves how long it takes.
I have been offered 3 places at TRUCE for men or woman to learn how to make a bird-table, feeder or box. This is all free and well supervised. Please let me know if you want to go. It is in Mart Road.
Thanks Margaret for arranging the trip to Barnstaple. We had 4 buggies and believe me the town knew we had arrived. We all had a great time and came back laden. Always a good sign.
My daughter Tricia, who is an associate member of the United Fellowship of Hypnotherapists, has just got 96% in her exams, which now makes her able to become a full member. Well done to her.
Most of us working in the voluntary sector have had to have our CRB checks done. This is necessary when working with the disabled and vulnerable. Please remember this, as it is important. Have had mine done.
Have been writing this whilst the rain tips down outside, it has now stopped so am off into the garden again to do some more planting. I do a bit and stop a bit, but just lately the stops are getting longer!!
Write to you next month, but will see a lot of you at Philip Hobbs stable on Tuesday 30th May.
Congratulations to Andy Machin for being nominated to go to the forthcoming RNIB Assembly (Royal National Association for the Blind). We hope to hear about it all in due course.
Jean
Chairman’s Report
This will only be a short letter as I am going on holiday on the 12th so this is being written in advance of the meeting. By the time I get back another month will be done and dusted and time continues to fly by.
We however have plenty to look forward to with all the events that have and still are being arranged for our members. Talking about events it is very obvious that we are getting very little support from you at the coffee mornings that are held every six weeks or so. It is just the usual stalwart members that loyally come to them. I do think that many more of you could make the effort to support Margaret and her team as they do these things to raise money for the WSDA for which you as members benefit from in the long run. They are lovely social meeting where we can gossip over a nice cup of tea or coffee with a choice selection of biscuits or cake. There is a lovely table of homemade cakes and savouries and other goodies that can be purchased. We also have a small Bric-a-Brac stall where you never know what you might find, and if you yourselves have any contributions that might raise a bob or two we shall be pleased to receive them. There was a mass of lovely of lovely plants at last weeks “DO†which proved very popular. So come on folk turn up at the next one on the 17th June and support your Association.    Â
I am going on holiday to Brighton to see my family and friends that I haven’t seen for about two years. I am also looking forward to meeting long lost relatives that I have traced through Genes Reunited. We are trying to arrange a big family reunion in Croydon, which is where my roots are so this will be very exciting sorting out the jigsaw of who is who and how we have all changed since childhood, many I haven’t seen since I was ten years old and then of course there will be all the off spring. I will relate more about the event in a future letter and then it might encourage others that are just beginning to delve into their history.
Vice Chairman’s Report
Hi Mary here, again
I received my monthly magazine from the Polio Foundation and there were a few items of interest that I thought someone may be interested in, so I have enclosed the relevant information for you to read.
WEEKLY WELFARE BENEFIT RATES FROM APRIL 2006
Disability Living Allowance
Care component Highest £62.25
  Middle £41.65
  Lowest £16.50
Mobility Component Higher £43.45
  Lower £16.50
Atendance Allowance Higher £62.25
  Lower £41.65
Carer’s Allowance  £46.95
Incapacity Benefit
Long Term   £78.50
Short Term (under 65) Lower £59.20
  Higher £70.05
Income Support
Personal Allowances
Single Under 18 Usual Rate £34.60
  Higher £45.50
 18 to 24  £45.50
 25 or over  £57.45
Lone Parent Under 18 Usual Rate £34.60
  Higher £45.50
 18 or over  £57.45
Couple Both under 18  £34.60
 Both under 18, one disabled £45.50
 Both under 18, with a child £68.65
 Both 18 or over  £90.10
Dependent Children  £45.58
Premiums
Family   £16.25
Pensioner Couple  £83.95
Disability Single  £24.50
 Couple  £34.95
Enhanced Disability Premium , Single £11.95
  Disabled Child Rate £18.13
  Couple Rate £17.25
Severe Disability per qualifying person £46.75
Disabled Child  £45.08
Carer   £26.35
Bereavement  £28.80
Pension Credit
Standard Minimum Guarantee
 Single  £114.05
 Couple   £174.05
Additional amount for severe disability
 Per qualifying person £46.75
Additional amount for carers  £26.35
Savings credit Threshold – single £84.25
  Threshold – couple £134.75
  Maximum – single £17.88
  Maximum – couple £23.58
Capital disregard   £6,000.00 (no upper limit)
Care homes   £10,000.00 (no upper limit)
Retired Pensions
Category A (or sometimes B)  £84.25
Category B (lower)  £50.50
Category C (lower non-contributory) £30.20
Bereavement Benefit
Widowed parent’s allowance  £84.25
Bereavement allowance Standard rate £84.25
  Lower rate £25.28 £78.35
Statutory Sick Pay
Standard rate  £70.05
Earnings Rules
Carer’s Allowance  £84.00
Limit earnings from councillor’s allowance £81.00
Permitted work earnings (from October 05) £81.00
I went to Barnstaple with the group and we had a good time shopping. We had a good laugh on the bus as all of us were in good spirits. (Not the alcoholic type I may add).
I also have some more news interest. It only applies if you have your gas or electric or both from British Gas you may be eligible for a rebate on your bills of up to £90.00. Applications are open now for 2006/2007, and as they are limited to the first 300,000 eligible applicants, it is a good idea to get in early. In order to apply you will need to be supplied with Gas and be on at least one of the following benefits:
Disability Living Allowance
Attendance allowance
Pension Credit
War Disablement Pension, which includes either a Mobility Supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance.
Disablement Pension, which includes Constant Attendance Allowance.
Carer’s Allowance.
Severe Disability Allowance.
Child Tax Credit, with an annual household income of £14,600 or less
Working Tax Credit with an annual household income of £14,600 or less
Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income-based job Seekers Allowance.
The rebate is paid in two Parts, on the last bill of 2006 and the first of 2007. For eligible gas customers this is two payments of £30, and for electricity customers two payments of £15. If you get both your gas and electricity from British Gas you can apply for both rebates.
To apply call British Gas on 0845 601 2006. Â
Treasurer’s Report
At this month’s meeting we raised £28.75 at the raffle and received £8.20 for the Almoner’s fund. We also collected £19 for the forthcoming raffle when the prize will be a hand made Wooden Mobile Digger donated and made by Mr. David Court. The raffle will be drawn at the next coffee morning.
David (the treasurer) wants to update you on his news. Some of you may be aware that his grandson, Greg, was in a bad car accident recently. The news is good and he is out of hospital now after receiving skin grafts, and having various operations. We hope he makes a speedy recovery.
Events’ Committee Report
Our Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy on May 6th was very successful after expenses we made £102. Thank you very much to all that helped and supported us.
We had a good time at Barnstaple on the 12th May; I had my first ride on a scooter. It was quite an education as people just walk in front of you as though you are invisible, and I can assure you I am big enough to be seen! Thanks to Jean and Glenn I had no mishaps.
Please remember it is our trip to Philip Hobbs stables on May 30th for all those that have booked, and you should know by now who is taking you. If not please ring me.
On Monday June 12th we are going to Blackdown Garden Centre anyone wishing to go please let me know as soon as possible as we have to arrange transport.
Please do come and support us on our next Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy, it is on June 17th we do need more things to sell so if you have anything please bring it with you or give me a ring if you need it collecting.Â
Poets’ Corner
CUCKOO’D !
The cuckoo comes in April and, until June, will surely stay,
Evil is the bird’s intention, for dirty tricks she’ll play!
She’ll search along the hedgerow, to find a nest display;
To lay an egg inside it, for her new born babe to stay.
It will grow up very quickly and other nestlings will kick out.
Then all the food that Mum and Dad deliver just fills one very large mouth.
A friend of mine did find one and from the nest did take.
From inside his trouser pocket the bird just wanted ‘out’.
Not long into the struggle, there came an awful shout!
No need to ask him, what all the noise was about!
He just shouted, “Get me to a doctor,
It’s biting large lumps out.â€
…………………..
       Len Cross
Articles, letters and e-mails
AUSTRALIAN HOLIDAY 2006
We arrived in Sydney at 6.45am and got a taxi to go to our hotel this is where the fun starts, we drive to address of hotel and cant find it so we keep looking, after about 30mins the taxi driver went into the nearest hotel and, guess what, it was the one we had been booked into but it had changed its name 5 YEARS BEFORE, but it was a very nice hotel, even though we had booked breakfast it hadn’t been arranged, this was just one of the little glitches that we encountered, before this we found that we hadn’t even been booked into a hotel or our visas applied for.
We spent three days in Sydney (The Gay and Lesbian Parade was taking place outside of our Hotel and we got some lovely?? Photos) and took a day trip the Blue Mountains, it was a wonderful day, a visit to the Zoo, a trip on the scenic railway and a hair raising ride where we ended up standing on our feet as we plummeted down a steep cliff, before leaving to pick up the motorhome, then once again the fun begins, we arrive at the office at 10am to be told that the m/h is in the repair shop being fitted with a new alternator and could we please go and sit in the cafe next door, the staff kept us up to date with progress, which wasn’t good, after 5hours we went back to the office only to be told that it wouldn’t be ready till 4pm, so off we go again, (after the second phone call to Christian who is the Boss in Cairns) only to return at 4pm to be told that it wouldn’t be ready that day and that they had bought another m/h in Brisbane and it was being driven down overnight and would be ready at 10am next morning. We would be put up at the airport hotel with dinner and breakfast thrown in also that we would be credited with 2½ days m/h/ hire. We finally left at 3pm the next day; WE ARE FINALLY OFF.
We made our way to Bendigo the Big Sheep as it is known, then carried on to Gundagai (where the dog sat on the tucker box 5 miles from Gundagai) staying overnight and carrying on to Wagga Wagga the next morning, after seeing my friends who live in Wagga we made our way to the caravan park where we spent the night leaving the next morning for Canberra (from Sydney to Wagga was a round trip of 18 hours).
We arrived in Canberra the next morning and found a lovely caravan park with a bus stop right outside the gate, had a lovely day in Canberra shopping and arrived back exhausted, left next morning for Queenbeanne and Cockington Village which is a model village based on the one in Torquay Devon, we never got there, we got lost so instead of going back to the park in Canberra where we had booked in for 3 nights we decided to carry on to Bateman’s Bay just down from Sydney. Again we found another lovely park right on the beach, there were fishermen cleaning a big fish and standing around them were 6 lovely pelicans they were really close to us and didn’t seem a bit bothered that we there.
We spent the rest of the time going up towards the Sunshine Coast stopping at many beautiful places, too many to name. We stayed with my friends John and Marian up at Hervey Bay for 4 days and we saw thousands of flying foxes (like very large bats) going to plunder the nearest fruit farm. We timed them and they took 27 mins to fly overhead.
We then made our way back to Brisbane and I booked into a motel for 2 nights while Sylvia went off to stay with two friends, Joan and Fred who emigrated from Minehead over 40 years ago. We met up at the airport to begin the long journey home.
We had a wonderful time and came home exhausted.
Beryl Scott
Is the Old Girl giving you grief? Join the club
MEN must remem¬ber that as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to main¬tain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger.
When you notice this, try not to shout at them. Some are oversensitive, and there’s nothing worse than an oversensitive woman.
My name is Ron. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Julie.
When I took ‘early retirement’ last year, it became necessary for Julie to get a full-time job, both for extra working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age.
I get home from the golf course about the same time she gets in from work.
Although she knows how hungry I am, she always says she has to rest for half an hour before she starts dinner.
I don’t shout at her, instead I tell her to take her time and just wake me when it’s on the table. I generally have lunch at the club, so I’m ready for some home-cooked grub by evening.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we’d finished eating, but now it’s not unusual for them to be left on the table for hours. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won’t clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this.
Another symptom of ageing is complaining. For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour, so I just offer encouragement.
I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three days. That way, she won’t have to rush about so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn’t hurt her (if you know what I mean).
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to take a break when she had only half finished mowing the lawn last week.
I just tell her to make herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and sit down for a while and as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me, too.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Julie. I’m not saying that showing this much considera¬tion is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Nobody knows better than I do, how frustrating women can be as they get older. However, just use a little more tact and less criticism of your ageing wife and all will be well. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.
Signed. Ron
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Ron was found dead on January 27th. A Callaway Big Bertha Driver golf club, bent in half and covered with blood, was discovered lying beside the body. The police are still looking for his wife.)
Submitted by Len Cross , Original came from Bruce Baker, Pinner, Middx.
Bet you didn’t know all this!!!
Amazing but apparently true!
In the 1400’s a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick thicker than his thumb. Hence we have “the rule of thumb”.
Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled “Gentlemen Only…Ladies Forbidden”…and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.
Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
Coca-Cola was originally green.
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000.
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king in history:
Spades - King David.
Hearts - Charlemagne.
Clubs -Alexander the Great.
Diamonds - Julius Caesar.
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter “A”?
A. One thousand
Q. What do bullet-proof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All invented by women.
Q. What is the only food that doesn’t spoil?
A. Honey.
In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase……… “goodnight, sleep tight.”
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts… So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them “Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.” It’s where we get the phrase “mind your P’s and Q’s”.
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. “Wet your whistle” is the phrase inspired by this practice.
Don’t delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it……….
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
Amazing huh?
~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~
At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!
Contributed by Jude O’Brien
Don’t Do It!
Don’t burn your bridges behind you
Don’t change horses in midstream
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched
Don’t cry over spilt milk
Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face
Don’t have too many irons in the fire
Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Don’t put the cart before the horse
Don’t shut the gate after the horse has boltedÂ
FOR SALE
Mayfair Electric Buggy (red) with front basket and an attachment at the back for crutches, walking stick, etc. 25 miles range maximum. A battery charger is included in the price. Please ring Mrs. Mason, 01643 821241. £600.00
Handy Numbers
Age Concern Information Line 0800 00 99 66 www.ageconcern.org.uk
Arthritis Care 0808 800 4050 www.arthritiscare.org.uk
Breast Cancer Care 0808 800 6000 www.breastcancercare.org.uk
CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) Minehead 01643 707484
Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 167 1677 www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Depression Alliance 0845 123 2320 www.depressionalliance.org
Diabetes UK 0845 120 2960 www.diabetes.org.uk
Help the Aged 0808 800 6565 www.helptheaged.org.uk
NHS Direct 0845 46 47 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Prestige Mobility (Customer Focus Team) 0970 787 1975
www.prestigemobility.com
Samaritans 08457 09090 www.samaritans.org.uk
Somerset Association for the Blind 01823 333818 www.sab-fund.org.uk
Stroke Association 0845 303 3100 www.stroke.org.uk
Winter Warmth Helpline 0800 085 700 www.dh.gov.uk
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Monday 26th June at 2.00pm at the Seahorse Centre. I hope to see you there.
