West Somerset
Disability Association

Hello everyone!  It’s the end of May and summer is here now!  Here is the latest newsletter. We have decided that for the moment the newsletter will appear every other month instead of every month so the next one will appear at the end of July.  The next meeting is here on Monday 25th June and the one after that will be on Monday 30th July, at 2.00 pm.  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
   
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. 

President’s Report
Hello everybody,
Wow!! What an excellent holiday Martin gave us in Ireland.  We did nearly 1,000 miles and saw such dramatic scenery.  His and Vera’s bungalow was beautiful and set in a fantastic position with sea and mountains all around very tranquil.  Our bungalow was very good and large.  We had a few mishaps, but laughter put it right!!  Ryanair were excellent with us and saved seats on the aircraft for us both going and coming back.  When we came back via Shannon there were about 200 U.S. Army soldiers on route home from the war zone.  They had been out there for 4 months and had just flown in from Italy and waiting for their flight to the States.  They were dressed in desert uniform and were immaculate.  It was quite a sight. 
Have sent off two more grants, they are very time consuming so fingers crossed.
Sam Rawle from West Somerset Council is coming to talk to us at the June meeting about the Disability Equality Scheme.  I have met her and she is very with it and wants this paper correct.
The newsletter from now on will be every 2 months, which will give you all time to get your letters in.  Please don’t forget the quiz night on June 15th at the Social Club in North Road starting at 7.30pm prompt.  There will be some good prizes for the raffle.
The party going to Yeovil on Friday June 22nd by coach to the Low Vision Equipment and Information Exhibition organised by Somerset Association for the Blind, will start at 8.30am picking up Stephanie first, then Steve, Claire, Pam, Mary, Sue and Chris, me, and being in Williton by 10 to 10-15 to pick up Andy and Bev.  Please all be ready.  Guides available for us when we get off the bus, and refreshments are available.  I am sure you will all be amazed as to what is available to help you.  I am looking forward to going.
Keep well everybody
Jean

Chairman’s Report
There is no Chairman’s report this time owing to technical problems.  Steven apologised for this and asked us to pass on his thanks to all the people who made the Ireland trip such a great success.

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 £20 for the raffle and £11.71 for the Welfare Fund.
David Kendall

Events’ Committee Report
Proposed Outings
12.06.2007 Windsor Castle – picnic will be provided.  Cost £24.00
15.06.2007 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
17.07.2007 Allerford Museum and Cream Tea at the Post Office.
04.08.2007  BBQ at The Seahorse Centre   Cost £6.00

Poets’ Corner
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
The magnificent seven arrived in Ireland, in Ryanair’s flying machine:
Donald, Pat, Steve, Shirley, Richard, Margaret and our President Jean.

A large bungalow in County Kerry their hideout to live the Irish dream
And as we toured beautiful landscapes, everywhere was painted emerald green.

We spotted heavenly beaches and fields of yellow iris by every stream
But when we parked up by any shops, boy-oh-boy, they were all very keen.

With the bus full of hats, tee-shirts, shoes and even leprechauns could be seen
The visit seemed to be going exceptionally well, beyond everyone’s wildest dream.

But then there was the problem of Donald, full of beans, energy and steam
Happily breaking beds, devouring chairs and blocking pipes, his strength unforeseen.

And not to be outdone, Jean in the shower was feeling moody and mean
As she pulled down her curtain pole and everything was nearly seen.

Then our last day was here, to Martin’s pad for scoffing scones, jam and cream
What a super week, funny, entertaining and everyone helping to make a winning team.

Martin
See you next year?

A Summer’s Day in April.

The sun was warm and very bright,
So off we set, to Penzance, feeling right.
For mile after mile we travelled, enjoying every mile,
Then the clouds just gathered and killed our pleasant smile.
Raindrops descended and made it hard to see,
Then the fog collected, nothing worse there be.
The next day, not much better and at night, the fog quite thick.
We had been out for the evening, the drive home made me sick!
The Sunday so much better, the summer sun returned.
We relaxed by the sea, read our books, which up to now, we’d spurned.
And so the week continued, as day by day we burned.
St. Michael’s Mount our venue, always in our view.
A café most convenient, for an Ice cream or a brew.
We watched people paddling, then three horses joined them
It’s good for their feet too
Motor cycles too, were active, why, I haven’t got a clue.
Alas! The week soon over, homeward we returned.
On the way we called on family, in their Palace in the Park.
We were greeted very warmly, without a lot of fuss,
No, we were not dreaming, that is how it seemed to us.
We toured the parkland around us and walked the railway track
 And we sat on Meddon Station, as if waiting for a train.
Now, this is William’s project, for the second time around.
Here, there are lots of acres and much more open ground.
Now when this ‘Great Western Railway’ is completed
And Dr Beecham not around!
May we please come back and visit, and walk this hallowed ground?

……………………..

Len Cross
NB: ‘The family’ is my niece and her husband.  William is their son.

Articles, letters and e-mail

IRELAND HOLIDAY
Our group set off on 11th May travelling by courtesy bus to Bristol Airport in excellent weather.  Arrived and checked in luggage so we could then relax and take some refreshment.
Our flight took off just after six pm and within the hour we were in Shannon Airport, after a very smooth flight, where we were met by Martin who made us feel welcome.
After a tiring journey by minibus, we arrived at our lovely bungalow, which was our home for the next week.
Martin had worked out a sightseeing programme for us, which included the Ring of Kerry to admire the wonderful scenery en route.  Lots of mountains and lakes, old Irish thatched houses and many castles, mostly ruins.  Also included was the Dingle peninsula.
In Tralee theatre – the National Folk Theatre – Martin acquired some free tickets and we all enjoyed the show about Ireland in the long ago – beautiful singing and dancing.
A day trip included a boat trip along Muckross Lake in beautiful sunshine with full commentary by our boatman.
Taking in visits to Killarney, Tralee and Listowel our time passed very quickly but not before Martin took us to his lovely home for a delicious cream tea.
The week held many hilarious moments and passed all too quickly and with an excellent flight back to Bristol, we were met by our minibus for the final leg home, stopping on the way for a lovely pub meal.
Many thanks, Margaret and Jean, for the first-class organisation and especially to Martin for giving so much of his time to make sure we had a memorable holiday.
Donald Parsons

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
The next meetings will be on Monday 25th June and Monday 30th July 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
Carrot and Coriander                                            1.00   
Leek and Potato                                                   1.00   
Vegetable                                                             1.00   
Main Dishes (All dishes served with seasonal vegetables unless indicated)
Beef Stew With Dumpling And Mashed Potato     4.00   
Chicken Casserole With New Potatoes (Vegetables Included) 4.00   
Chicken Breast In Mushroom Sauce With Mini Roast Potatoes 4.00   
Cottage Pie Topped With Mashed Potato            4.00   
Fish Pie Topped With Mashed Potato                  4.00   
Lamb Hotpot Served with Mini Roast Potatoes    4.00   
Pork Sausage Casserole Served With Mashed Potato 4.00   
Pasta Tubes With Chunky Vegetables In Tomato & Basil Sauce 4.00   
Desserts
Apple Crumble Served With or Without Custard 1.00   
Bread and Butter Pudding Served With Or Without Custard 1.00   
Milk Chocolate Mousse With White Chocolate Swirl 1.00   
Fruits Of The Forest Trifle                                  1.00   
Lemon Cheesecake                                            1.00   
Extra Items
Home made White Loaf                                     1.00   
Home made Brown Loaf                                   1.00   
TOTALS    
NAME
ADDRESS   
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
DELIVERY DATE REQUIRED
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.

Somerset Partnerships for Older People Project (POPP)
 
Somerset Active Living at Alcombe

Wednesdays 11.00am – 2.00pm fortnightly during term time
Alcombe Methodist Church Hall, Lower Meadow Road, Alcombe TA24 6AN

Drop in to the Somerset Active Living session at Alcombe for a coffee and chat, to meet new people, find out about local services, use the Book and Magazine Swap and enjoy a tasty and nutritious lunch – watch it being cooked and take away the recipe!  Feel free to come and go as you please.  All are welcome.

13th June 2007
11.30  Talk by Gloria Percival from Independent Age – national charity which aims to promote independence by providing  practical and financial support for older people.
1.15 Quiz

27th June 2007
11.30  Short talk by Liz Stewart from Open DAWS (Disabled Activities in West  Somerset)
1.00 – 2.00 Exmoor Birds of Prey talk by George Pile (NOTE: LIVE BIRDS!)

18th July 2007
Outing to Clarks Village in Street – limited places – BOOKING ESSENTIAL

25th July 2007
Activities to be announced.

Admission, talks and activities FREE OF CHARGE. 
Tea/coffee, fruit/biscuits 40p
Suggested donation of £1.50 for lunch
For more information contact Andrea Fox, Tel: 01643 708913 or andrea.fox@ageconcernsomerset.org.uk