Hello everyone! Isn’t time flying by! Here is the April newsletter and before we know it, it will be high summer. The next meeting is here on the last but one Monday of the month, that is Monday 21st May, at 2.00 pm. The last Monday is a Bank Holiday so The Seahorse Centre will be closed. As usual, sign the attendance book and if you visit The Seahorse Centre at other times sign in at Reception and wear a visitor badge. There is no smoking allowed inside or at the front of the building. You can smoke at the back if you want to.
Our address: The Seahorse Centre, Stephenson Road, Minehead, TA24 5EB
West Somerset Disability Association Trustees
Martin Greenwood, (Chairman); Peter and Heidi Morse; Terry Venner; Una Wright.
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:  Steven Elliott  01643 702321
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’ Representatives:
 (Minutes) Marlene Saunders 01643 702972
 (Welfare) Margaret Bruford  01984 656367
Events Committee:
 Sandra Kendall  01643 863505
 Shirley Williams  01984 632265
  Â
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.uk
Computers
You can see the newsletter on our website as well as news of our recent activities and forthcoming events. Please give us your e-mail address if you have one, as an e-mailed newsletter is free to send but we have to pay to post them to you. Please help us to help you!
If you would like 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 tell the committee of the problem and they will then decide what to do.
Disability Advocate
The service is provided by A4e (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
Hello everybody, here I am refreshed from my holiday, after being poorly it was just what I needed, but just after we came back Margaret, our welfare lady, with whom I went, caught with a virus so that was the wrong way round for her!! The flight to Jersey was excellent, the Hotel good, very clean and the food was excellent, we ordered buggies and they were waiting for us on our arrival, so off we went and did a lot retail therapy. Now we are looking forward to our next trip to Ireland on May 11th there are 7 of us going and the bungalow which has been designed for the disabled, and which Martin found for us, looks great. He is meeting us at Shannon airport with a Mini bus, and taking us around for the week in the Ring of Kerry area. It will be great to see him.
The coach is booked for the Sight and Sound Village at Yeovil on Friday June 22nd and I need names please, as any seats we have left, the Somerset Association for the Blind will be using.
Please will as many of our members as possible support Marlene’s Quiz Night on Friday 15th June at 7-30 at the Social Club in Minehead. She will be on the hunt for good prizes. Last year it was excellent and we all had a good laugh, but must admit some of the questions were a little hard, so we have asked for easier ones!!
Please when you come to our monthly meetings, can you remember to bring a prize with you. We know that you support the raffle but sometimes there are not enough prizes to go round, and then we have long faces. Oh yes we do!! Thanks.
Thanks to Alison Tanton for coming to tell us about the POPPS group. She is quite shy at giving talks but is very good at organizing her sessions at Alcombe and Withycombe. It is quite daunting standing up to talk to so many people but we all have to do it!! Even me!!
When you remember, contact Brian at Atwest to test your wheelchair if you are taking it with you on any of the coach trips. The telephone number is 01643 709701. Otherwise you might be refused.
Just a quicky to say thanks to David and Josephine for making the teas for us at our monthly meetings. I always give a smile of relief when I see them arrive. Thank you also to Glen for the cake; it was delicious, as always.Â
That’s all for now, take care, and if you hear of any member who is ill please let Margaret know, and she will send a card.
Jean
Chairman’s Report
Hello all,
For those who were not at the meeting, I will repeat a tale I told then. I decided to look up our web page. I put in WSDA into Google. I got a page that I did not recognise. There was a picture of the president. But it was not Jean. It was a balding man with a moustache. (Of course, with the magnification, I do not get the full picture all at once, so I had to scroll down). Scrolling down, I learnt the site was the Washington State Dentists Association. Yes, I had not put UK into the address.
At the meeting on Monday, Alison Tanton told us about POPPs. Yes, it means Partnership for Older People Project. She explained that they give money to support a variety of schemes that groups have thought up. They cover a number of different ideas, so, if you have a scheme that might need money to get off the ground, give her a call. Her phone number is 01398 323826.Â
The next meeting is on the 3rd Monday of the month, the 21st May (the last Monday is a bank holiday). See you all then. That is after some of us have been to Ireland for a week.
Best wishes to all,
Steven
Vice Chairman’s Notes
Hello Mary here,
I have been unwell these, past few weeks so I have not done a lot of anything, but last Thursday I had a good try at Fundraising. I spent the entire morning trying to get hold of Roman Abramovich’s address or E-mail address as I thought he would be a good candidate to donate some money to our charity.
Mr Abramovich is the owner of Chelsea Football Club and is a very rich young(?) man, so I shall keep trying. I also thought of Mr Branson who again is very generous with his donations.
I am trying for donations as we do need some help as our funds are very low, if any one has any ideas they are very welcome to come to us with them.
I just found the following information.
To all scooter users:
The Department for Transport have confirmed that all Class 3 scooters and powered must be registered for road use, licensed in the Exempt Disabled Taxation Class and display the appropriate Tax Disk.
To register and licence a Class 3 scooter or powered wheelchair you will need to complete form V55/5 for a used vehicle or V55/4 for a new vehicle. Then take or send the form to the nearest DVLA office. Alternately phone 0870 243 0444 quoting your Post Code. You are also advised to insure your vehicle.
Well I have no more news at the present moment, so I will say bye for now, Best wishes Â
Mary
Treasurer’s Report
Could all members who have not paid their yearly subs, please send their cheques payable to WSDA, to Dave Kendall’s address. Thank you.
David Kendall, 5 Harepark, Allerford, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 8HL
At the meeting, we collected £26 for the raffle and about £17 for the Almoner’s Fund.
Thank you to Judith O’Brien’s daughter, Charlotte who donates £13.50 to the WSDA, as a result of a sponsored sit-in/silence. Thanks, Charlotte.
David Kendall
Thank you to Pat Graddon for her subs and her generous donation at this very difficult time. We send our best wishes to her and Gerald.
From Sandra Kendall
Events’ Committee Report
URGENT
Anyone who would like to come to Windsor Castle, please let the committee know as soon as possible by phoning either Sandra (01643 863505) or Shirley (01984 632265) and tell us if they will need a buggie.
Proposed Outings
22.05.2007Â Lynmouth for fish and chips.
31.05.2007Â Bath and West Show
12.06.2007 Windsor Castle – picnic will be provided.  Cost £24.00
15.06.2007Â Quiz night at 7.30 at the Social Club, Minehead, organised by Marlene.
22.06.2007 Sight and Sound Exhibition, Yeovil. (For visually impaired people) Coach from Minehead and Taunton.
23.06.2007  BBQ at The Seahorse Centre   Cost £6.00
10.07.2007  Bristol to look around the SS Great Britain Cost £10.00
17.07.2007Â Allerford Museum and Cream Tea at the Post Office.
04.08.2007  BBQ at The Seahorse Centre   Cost £6.00
Poets’ Corner
From Judith O’Brien:
One for the Newsletter received via my cousin Heather in Canada
My forgetter’s getting better,
But my rememberer is broke
To you that may seem funny
But, to me, that is no joke.
For when I’m “here” I’m wondering
If I really should be “there”
And, when I try to think it through,
I haven’t got a prayer!
Oft times I walk into a room,
Say “what am I here for?”
I wrack my brain, but all in vain!
A zero, is my score.
At times I put something away
Where it is safe, but, Gee!
The person it is safest from
Is, generally, me!
When shopping I may see someone,
Say “Hi” and have a chat,
Then, when the person walks away
I ask myself, “Who was that?”
Yes, my forgetter’s getting better
While my rememberer is broke,
And it’s driving me plumb crazy
And that isn’t any joke.
CAN YOU RELATE??
Please send this to everyone you know because
I DON’T REMEMBER WHO I SENT THIS TO!!
Articles, letters and e-mails
From Rob and Catherine Davies
We will be moving on 16th May. We have enjoyed being with you all and we look forward to reading the future newsletters. Here is our new address:
9 St Pauls Garth
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 1UB
News from Wimbleball
Improvements to the disabled sailing facilities: 2006/7
After much hard work and many months of planning, organizing and fundraising (mainly by a small team of dedicated individuals) we are pleased to be able to see the improvements made for our sailing facilities for the disabled.
• The club now has wheelchair access to a pontoon from which people can be craned on and off boats.
• Our fleet of two boats has been doubled by an unexpected gift of an unused nearly new Trimaran albeit with many missing parts, which we have been able to obtain from elsewhere.
• Recently we have bought a new Access dinghy with full electric controls. It is taking a while to get used to this new way of sailing!
• An ‘ATV’ wheel chair. (Thanks to the engineering skill and adaptability of Jo)
To mark the acquisition of these new facilities there will be an opening ceremony and
open day at 12.00 noon on Saturday 7 July 07 until 5pm.
During the day every effort will be made to allow disabled visitors to have a taster sail. They will be made club members for the day at the nominal charge of £1pp.
There will be disabled toilet facilities available on the day.
Contributors are also invited and they too can have a taster sail if they wish.
All this is with grateful thanks to the following organisations and individuals who gave the money (almost £14,000) and equipment needed. Listed in no ‘particular order’
Awards for All (Nat. Lottery), Alan Will, Colin Allen, Dorothy Beasley, George Penny, Haven Banks OEC, Juliet Prentice, Jo Smith, Joyce Smith, Lloyds TSB, Maureen Shearlaw, Melodie New, Peter Moore, Residents of Seymour Street Wellington, South West Lakes Trust, Terry Quinlan, Wellington Town Council, West Somerset District Council, Wimbleball Sailing Club, Wimbleball Sailing Club Disabled Section, Wyvern Waste. Thanks also to Liz Stewart for her help with the lottery application, the Exmoor National Park staff for their help, Mike Bishop for his and the sailing club’s officers for signing grant application forms so many times.
Thanks also to all the club members who spent hundreds of hours assembling all the bits and pieces and solving all the many problems that arose.
A record number of disabled people sailed in 2006 (40 different people clocked up 223 sails). We look forward to an even better one in 2007. JoS.
A special thanks is also made to Jo Smith who has been the driving force behind all these improvements
From Gail Sloman
Computer Equipment
We still have the following items which have been given to the Association and which are surplus to requirement. They are available for any member in exchange for a donation to the WSDA funds. If you are interested then please contact Chris Brinkman (07971 285878) or any member of the committee, whose phone numbers are given on page 2 of the newsletter.
• Internet keyboard.
• Volumes 1 to 10 of ‘PCs made easy’ (Windows 98): Readers’ Digest.
• Volumes 1 to 4 of ‘PC KnowHow’ for Windows 95, in four ring binders.
Handy Numbers
Age Concern Information Line 0800 00 99 66 www.ageconcern.org.uk
Arthritis Care 0808 800 4050 www.arthritiscare.org.uk
AT West Community Transport 01643 709701
Blue Badge (Disabled Parking Scheme) 0845 3459133 or 01823 335285
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
Piper Lifeline 01984 635100
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
Talking Newspapers 01984 640 471
Winter Warmth Helpline 0800 085 700 www.dh.gov.uk
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Monday 21st May at 2.00 pm at The Seahorse Centre. I hope to see you there.
A Taste of Exmoor
Menu Ordering Sheet
TO PLACE YOUR ORDER TELEPHONE NICOLA ON 01643 709856 OR 07919 816197
OR HAND COMPLETED FORM IN ON NEXT DELIVERY. FREE DELIVERY. NO MINIMUM ORDER
OR POST TO 3 PARKLANDS RISE, MINEHEAD, SOMERSET, TA24 8UD.
Menu Item                       Cost per dish £        Number Required          Total Cost £
Soups  Â
Carrot and Coriander              1.00 Â
Leek and Potato                      1.00 Â
Vegetable                               1.00 Â
Main Dishes  Â
All dishes served with seasonal vegetables unless indicated.  Â
Beef Stew With Dumpling And Mashed Potato                       4.00 Â
Chicken Casserole With New Potatoes (Vegetables Included)Â Â 4.00Â Â
Chicken Breast In Mushroom Sauce With Mini Roast Potatoes 4.00 Â
Cottage Pie Topped With Mashed Potato                              4.00 Â
Fish Pie Topped With Mashed Potato                                    4.00 Â
Lamb Hotpot Served with Mini Roast Potatoes                       4.00 Â
Pork Sausage Casserole Served With Mashed Potato              4.00 Â
Pasta Tubes With Chunky Vegetables In Tomato & Basil Sauce 4.00 Â
Desserts  Â
Apple Crumble Served With or Without Custard                      1.00 Â
Bread and Butter Pudding Served With Or Without Custard     1.00 Â
Milk Chocolate Mousse With White Chocolate Swirl                 1.00 Â
Fruits Of The Forest Trifle                                                   1.00 Â
Lemon Cheesecake                                                            1.00 Â
Extra Items  Â
Home made White Loaf                                                      1.00 Â
Home made Brown Loaf                                                     1.00 Â
TOTALSÂ Â Â
NAMEÂ Â
ADDRESS
 Â
Â
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERÂ Â
DELIVERY DATE REQUIREDÂ Â
PAYMENT REQUIRED AT TIME OF ORDER OR DELIVERY BY CASH OR CHEQUE.
CHEQUES PAYABLE TO ‘A TASTE OF EXMOOR’. SORRY WE ARE UNABLE TO INVOICE.
