West Somerset
Disability Association

Events’ Committee Report
The last event run by the old committee is the Christmas lunch.  This will be at The Wyndham Arms, Williton, on December 5th at 12.30 pm.  The Menu is included in the newsletter.  The price will be £12.00 for members and £15.50 for non-members.  Booking will be taken at the next meeting.
The new committee is starting to get organised.  We have one definite outing planned.
Saturday 15th December: Curtis McGee (Irish Singer) Royal Ordinance Factory Social Club, Puriton.  The cost is £6.00 at the door. Free transport is booked, and arriving in Puriton at 6.45.  Ring  BERYL 01643 709825 OR  SYLVIA 01643 704637 to book.
Possible outings include Christmas Shopping in Clarks Village, Taunton or Barnstaple;  Minehead Pantomime; Coffee mornings.  Phone us at the above numbers if you are interested or if you have any other ideas.
Beryl Scott and Sylvia Griffiths

Hello everyone!  The next meeting is on Monday 26th November at 2.00 pm. We had the AGM at the October meeting and an amended list of contacts, showing the new committee members, can be seen on the next page.  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 in the vicinity of the building. 
Our address: The Seahorse Centre, Stephenson Road, Minehead, TA24 5EB

West Somerset Disability Association Trustees
Martin Greenwood, Chair; Peter and Heidi Morse; Sue Horne; Tim Poat; 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:  Gordon Wright  01643 703930
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:
  Beryl Scott   01643 709825
  Peter Kilner  01643 821464
  Sylvia Griffiths  01643 704637
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
Here I am, back in the land of working!!  I really do not recommend having a fall.  It’s the everyday problems of coping.  Never mind everybody has been very kind and the physiotherapist was brilliant.
It’s been a peculiar year, first we didn’t know where to go or what to do to get grants and then in March all the doors opened so was very busy filling in forms.  Please remember we have to work six months in advance and even now am awaiting results on two.  Fingers crossed.  We have got three in at this moment in time which have come from the Somerset Partnership Fund at County Hall.  I had to give a presentation one evening, in Minehead, for the Strategic Partnership Fund, little knowing when I arrived what was expected of me.  Oops, my heart left me I felt sick, too late to put some notes together, a lot of councillors there and general public from the voluntary sector, the members of the board and trustees.  I felt like the T.V. programme going into Dragon’s Den!!  Ten minutes later, we were awarded the grant.  I could not believe it but was very elated.  Oh, the predicaments I go through for the group!!
If anyone is disabled, and our group is, and you want to go to the Regal Theatre, when booking please tell them your difficulties and you will be taking a carer with you, and with Lewis Lintern’s permission you can go two for the price of one.  I have seen him and that is o.k. 
We have a voluntary admin. Officer called Sarah and she is deaf, BUT communicates very well.  Thanks Sarah.
Thanks must go to Mary for all her hard work on presenting a new leaflet, which is now at the printers.  When they arrive, help will be needed to get them out everywhere.  Thanks.
I want to thank the speakers at the meeting.  Dee, from A4e was very informative about what they do and the Master Thatcher, Keith, was very interesting as well, telling us about thatching and teaching us about corn dollies.
Have a good Christmas everyone and keep well
Jean

Chairman’s Report
This has been an interesting and varied year. In November, Eunice Greenway died. At her memorial service, we learned more about her interesting life. A great pity was that no one from the association knew she was in Minehead hospital, so did not visit her.
There were two shopping trips in time for Christmas. They were to Street and Barnstaple, and were enjoyed by those taking part.
In May seven of us went to southwest Ireland. A lovely self-catering bungalow had been found by Martin Greenwood, the chairman of our trustees. He had arranged a suitable vehicle, met us at the airport and took us round the very beautiful area. We also had a boat trip on Lake Killarney and a visit to the theatre.
The trip to Windsor was enjoyed by those taking part.
Marlene had a Quiz Night at the Social Club, She made over £300 and treated us to a very nice meal at the Royal Oak at Hillcommon.
We also had a good sausage and mash meal at the village hall at Allerford.
The computer room is very busy, giving computer training to members.
Jean and I had a talk with helpers from the Somerset Association for Blind. They were impressed with our program. As a result, Claire Packwood comes to our meetings and she has arranged for Sue to stay for the full meetings.
We had a meeting with the trustees recently. They explained that because of new regulations from the Charity Commission, in future ALL moneys received must be noted and receipts given.
Our Monday meetings have been successful. Subjects have included A4e, about financial and other problems and AtWest about transport. We also had a lady with a “Little Owl” perched on her arm all the time she was talking. So, all in all it has been a good and varied year.
Steven

Vice-Chairman’s Yearly Report
Here we are again! The end of another year and what have I done? After getting over a few health problems I then had to designed new leaflets for Jean to advertise the group for when anyone goes to any events. 
I have still managed to keep the Thursday morning IT sessions with Chris going and I must say it has been very interesting of late as I have been kept on my toes with some of my students who have really put me to the test in more ways than one.
I have been doing a variety of computer teaching and card making.  This has been sometimes very good but also very frustrating, especially when one has to go into basic details and learners still can’t get to grips with what they are doing.
Enough of that!  It is sad that we have had some deaths in the group.  Les Pike a long time member died recently also Gerald Graddon, Pat’s husband and a member of the group passed away also a few of us have lost family members.  We offer them our sympathy.
Mary

End of Year Report on Finances: 2007
As you know, I do the bookkeeping for the group and try to keep abreast of the expenditure.  This has been a difficult year for the committee and at some of the meetings we have all been very despondent, not knowing whether we would be able to keep the IT suite going for more than six months, which the previous committees worked very hard for.  In fact as you know, we gained the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.  This has been due to the fact that grants are hard to come by this year, due in a lot of cases to lottery funds going to the Olympic Games.
Jean has worked very hard attending meetings, networking and spending very very many hours filling in numerous grant forms for which we did not have great expectations, by listening to other groups in the same position as ourselves.  (No wonder she wants to retire!)
But in the last three weeks we have had good news of at least three grants, which will now give us the opportunity to carry on and hope that we shall find more cash in the future.
At the moment, we are solvent and our bank is looking forward to receiving a cash injection in the very near future.
The fact that we may be able to cover most of our running costs with grants enables the group to use monies gained by your numerous efforts to subsidise some of our more pleasant activities such as outings. These were curtailed this year by the very wet weather.  I will appeal to you all to support them and we do need your support, as it is extremely off-putting to arrange events and have people not turn up.  This can also be very costly, as some of you book outings, tickets are bought and then you back down.  This we cannot afford.
Molly Newstead

Treasurer’s Report
We reorganised how we ran the raffle this month and instead of everyone bringing prizes and everyone taking a prize home, we decided to have only two big prizes.  They were a meal of chicken, potatoes and vegetables; and a basket of fruit.  Mary won the meal and Richard won the fruit.  This was a success and we raised £53, which is more than usual.

Events’ Committee Report
The last event run by the old committee is the Christmas lunch.  This will be at The Wyndham Arms, Williton, on December 5th at 12.30 pm.  The Menu is included in the newsletter.  The price will be £12.00 for members and £15.50 for non-members.  Booking will be taken at the next meeting.
The new committee is starting to get organised.  We have one definite outing planned.
Saturday 15th December: Curtis McGee (Irish Singer) Royal Ordinance Factory Social Club, Puriton.  The cost is £6.00 at the door. Free transport is booked, and arriving in Puriton at 6.45.  Ring  BERYL 01643 709825 OR  SYLVIA 01643 704637 to book.
Possible outings include Christmas Shopping in Clarks Village, Taunton or Barnstaple;  Minehead Pantomime; Coffee mornings.  Phone us at the above numbers if you are interested or if you have any other ideas.
Beryl Scott and Sylvia Griffiths

Poets’ Corner

Imagine

Imagine an organisation that keeps in touch with it’s community,
Imagine an organisation that reaches out for every opportunity;

Imagine an organisation that works well with partner agencies,
Imagine an organisation that can come up smelling of fragrancies;

Imagine an organisation being able to have another celebration,
Imagine no more with the West Somerset Disability Association.

Martin Greenwood, Trustee WSDA

Congratulations Jean and team on your recent efforts including Jean’s great
presentation to the Somerset Strategic Partnership to secure another grant.
  

This poem was written by John Christopher.

Dyslexic Child

He struggled in the class each day
And found it hard to write.
The teacher got quite cross with him
He went home sad, each night.

His spelling wasn’t very good
The others laughed at him.
They didn’t try to be his friend,
They said that he was dim.

He played at games but found them hard
And in despair, he cried.
He was dyslexic but, who cared?
And knew how hard he tried.

Dyslexic child, who fights for you?
The world seems so unkind.
Who understands the way you feel
And looks within your mind?

Who sees you as you really are
Frustrated and so sad?
Who knows that all the things you do
Are not meant to be bad?

You cry for help with silent voice,
They turn and walk away.
They just don’t want to stop and help.
They have no time to stay.

Dyslexic child, you live with me,
You know me oh! so well.
The world goes by and doesn’t see,
I’m trapped inside this shell!
Submitted by Len Cross.

Articles, letters and e-mails
Our new volunteer Administration Assistant
I am Sarah Woodgate, I am profoundly Deaf; also I help by doing voluntary work as an Administration Assistant for West Somerset Disability Association at The Seahorse Centre on Monday mornings.  I like going out shopping and going to the library to use the computer for the Internet. I am very good at cooking, I can make pies, scones, cook meats like beef steak at home. Sometimes I walk with my grandparents outside in Exmoor, North Hill to Selworthy and Allerford to Bossington. I like to spend time with my family and step-family too. I love being with animals like dog, cat, hamster, guinea pig, horse, rabbit, mouse, I am very good with animals being caring and give them love. I grew up with them since I was very young also I learned about them from my best friend. I have known them very well since I was young.

This is my hope. An opportunity to prove I know about IT things and show to other offices or work places later.  You never know the possible opportunities, which may come in a few weeks or months.

Sarah

Sounds Familiar
Just a line to say I’m living
That I’m not among the dead
Though I’m getting more forgetful
And mixed up in the head.
I’ve got used to my arthritis
To my dentures I’m resigned
I can cope with my bi-focals,
But - ye gods - I miss my mind.
Sometimes I can’t remember
When I’m standing by the stair,
If I should be going up for something
Or have just come down from there.
And before the fridge often
My mind is full of doubt
Now did I put some food away
Or come to take some out?
So remember I do love you
And wish that you lived near,
And now it’s time to post this
And say goodbye, my dear.
At last I stand beside the post box
And my face it sure is red
Instead of posting this to you
I’ve opened it instead!  

Submitted by Jean Crosby

Remember (from Mary Court)

…a layer of dust protects the Wood beneath it.

Dusting

“A house becomes a home when you can write “I love you” on the furniture.”

I can’t tell you how many countless hours that I have spent CLEANING!
I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect - “in case someone came over.” Then I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!
Now, when people visit, I find no need to explain the “condition” of my home. They are more interested in hearing about the things I’ve been doing while I was away living life and having fun. If you haven’t figured this out yet, please heed this advice.
Life is short. Enjoy it! Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake a cake or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need?
Dust if you must, but there’s not much time, with rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world’s out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it’s not kind. And when you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make more dust!
Share this with all the wonderful people in your life!
I JUST DID.
It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

Information from WSDA
We have heard that there is a group of wheelchair users in Taunton, who do Line Dancing.  This is on Wednesday afternoons.  They are looking for new participants.  If anyone is interested, they should contact Rita Sandiford on 01823 274703. 
We have been sent copies of the following publications and if anyone is interested in seeing them they can be passed on to you.
· Somerset Insight.  September 2007.  The magazine of the Somerset Association for the Blind.
· Motability Car Price Guide for October to December 2007
· Celebrating the Journey - a report of the activities of the Disability Rights Commission from 2000 to 2007.  The Commission has now been replaced by the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, so this is a final report.  A DVD is included.
· A Taste of Exmoor.  We have their Christmas menu and their regular menu has been updated; we have the new menu. Copies can be got from us or from A Taste of Exmoor at 01643 709856 or 07919 816197.  They are closed for the Christmas holiday from 16 December to 2 January.
For Sale
2 x Knitting Machines:  Singer L K 100 good condition
Empire-Knitmaster MOD250   £20.00 or near offer.
Ring Mary on 01643 702129
Equipment on offer
The WSDA have also been given the following items of equipment, which we can pass on to anyone who wants them in exchange for a donation to our funds.
· Scanner (Simplex DP 30M)

Handy Numbers
Age Concern Information Line 0800 00 99 66 www.ageconcern.org.uk
Arthritis Care 0808 800 4050 www.arthritiscare.org.uk
A Taste of Exmoor: Home cooked food delivered to your door! 01643 709856 or 07919 816197
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 meeting will be on Monday 26th November at 2.00 pm at The Seahorse Centre. I hope to see you there.

Christmas Lunch Menu

Date of Lunch 5th December 12.30

Wyndham Arms, Williton

Starters
Vegetable Soup with roll and butter
Traditional Prawn Cocktail
Pate on toast

Main Course
Roast Turkey with Stuffing, pigs in blankets, boiled and roast potatoes
Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes and stuffing
Grilled Salmon with prawns, and hollandaise sauce with roast and boiled potatoes
Vegetable lasagne
Cheese and Broccoli Bake

All main meals served with vegetables and gravy

Sweets
Christmas Pudding with homemade Brandy Sauce
Apple Pie with Crème Anglaise
Sherry Trifle

All sweets served with a choice of ice cream, cream or custard.

Mince Pie, Coffee or tea or Liquor Chocolate

Members  £12 each  non members £15.50