West Somerset
Disability Association

Hello everyone! May is a month of Bank Holidays so I hope the weather will stay fine for us. THERE WILL BE NO MEETING AT THE END OF MAY, because the Seahorse Centre will be closed for the Bank Holiday. The next meeting will be on Monday 30th June 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 in the vicinity of the building.
Our address: The Seahorse Centre, Stephenson Road, Minehead, TA24 5EB

West Somerset Disability Association Trustees
Terry Venner (Chair); Martin Greenwood; Peter and Heidi Morse; Sue Horne; Tim Poat; Una Wright.

Transport
Dave Willett organises a taxi for partially-sighted people to come to the Monthly meetings. This must be booked with him. If you booked to come and you can’t make it, PLEASE RING HIM, to cancel it.
If you cannot access other transport you can register with Atwest community transport 01643 707090 and use the SLINKY bus to come to meetings. You must have a bus pass.
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 862167
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:
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 or wsomersetdisability@yahoo.co.uk
Web Site: www.westsomersetdisability.org.uk

Computers
The newsletter is also on our website with news of our activities and forthcoming events. Please tell us your e-mail if you have one, as an e-mailed newsletter is free but we must pay to post them. Help us to help you!
If you would like computer training, please us know or talk to Chris our IT instructor. You must be a member of our association (£10.00 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.

Chairman’s Thoughts
Hello all!
Sorry I missed last month but things are frantic at home at the moment, as those of you that were at the meeting will know we are moving from a six bedroom B & B to a two-bedroom bungalow. You all know the problems: what to keep, what to throw, what to sell, what to give away. Still things are beginning to go well now with friends helping at every stage.
In some ways it reminds me of the WSDA group which was founded as a self-help group and to help others in need, I know it has diversified into social activities as well but its foundation was and is to help! After all, every single member in the group has something to offer even if it is only a friendly ear or a cheery smile so it is not only the committee that is here for you, you are also all here for each other.
I leave you with a comment from my father-in-law who always said, “˜Life is like a bank you can only take out so much before you have to put some back.’
See you next meeting which will you please note is now in June.
Gordon

Vice-Chairman’s Report
Hi Mary here,
Here we are coming into the month of May (how time flies) and the weather is still rather unsettled. I hope the weather improves by the time we go to Cricket -St-Thomas or we shall all be rather disappointed as most things are outside but never mind I am sure we shall all have a good time.
It was very nice to see Jo Horne at the meeting, Jean and I have known her for some time and she is very pleasant to talk to.
It was decided at the meeting that we have a speaker every other month and in the months between the speaker we have a game of Bingo or perhaps a little qiuz to test out our grey cells and help fill the time.
l would like to thank the two people who managed to put some suggestions in our grumble come idea box, it was greatly appreciated, who ever it was Thank You.
We had three prizes for the raffle this week as someone kindly donated a box of chocolates. The Chicken Dinner was won by Jean Kent, The Basket of Fruit was won by Margaret Bruford and Pat Graddon won the box of Chocolates. Thank you for your support for the Raffle.
Now please note the day trip to Cricket-St-Thomas apart from the two who are being picked up from home would you please be at the SEAHORSE CENTRE AS THE BUS WILL LEAVE AT 9-30 PROMPT.
I must also remind all members that there will be no MEETING in MAY as the Seahorse Centre will be closed for the Bank Holiday. So we shall look forward to seeing you all in June.
As most of you know that Steve Brinkman is doing a sponsored walk at the Rugby Club 28th & 29th of June go along if the weather is good and you have nothing better to do and support him if you can I am sure he will appreciate it. All proceeds will go to Cancer Research.
Bye for now see you in June.
Mary

Treasurer’s Report
The raffle raised £43. Well done everyone!! If you have not yet renewed your subscription and want to remain a member, can you sent me a cheque payable to WSDA (or to the West Somerset Disability Association) to my home address at 5 Harepark, Allerford, Minehead, TA24 8HL.

Events’ Committee Report
Coffee morning
Saturday 10th May from 10.00 to 12.00 at the Carantoc Centre, Millett Close, Carhampton. Bring-and-buy sale. Come and support us.
On Thursday May 15th will be an outing to Cricket St Thomas wildlife park Chard, Somerset. A bus has been organised to take us there. If you need a scooter or buggy when you are there can you phone 01460 67220 to arrange it. Thank you.
On Tuesday 10th June: trip to Weston-Super-Mare. A coach has been booked.
On Saturday 2nd August: Taunton Flower Show. A coach has been booked.
On Tuesday November 25th: Christmas shopping in Clarks Village, Street.

Announcements

NIGHT-TIME SPONSORED WALK.
On Saturday-Sunday 28-29 June 2008, at the Rugby Club through the night, I will be doing a SPONSORED WALK for Cancer Research, with 20 or 25 carers. It will last from 10.00 in the evening until next morning. We will be reading out messages.
I need some help from you to name the group of us something nice and strong.
I have things to sell as well before that day. There will be a sponsorship form going around to shops and the Seahorse Centre.
For Sale
COMPUTER DESK
One corner pine computer desk for sale pine £130.00 – £150.00 six or seven years old. It’s little bit knocked about from travelling down here.
By Stephen Brinkman

For Sale
2 Parker Knoll chairs; high-back, good condition. One at £100, the other one at nearest offer.
01984 631246

Articles, letters and e-mails
From Clarice Brinkman
Yes, I am still alive!
I can’t get to the WSDA meetings because I now live in my wheelchair and have visiting carers twice a day, morning and evening.
Steve looks after me very well. He leaves my breakfast for me to help myself, cooks my lunch and lifts my legs into bed. He also does all my weekly grocery shopping – I don’t even have to write a list!
My family visit me from High Wycombe, Suffolk and Birmingham and Sue is now back, from her six-months holiday in Australia.
Fortunately, I grew up in a family of boys so I’m used to watching all the sports programmes and I go to bed early and rise early.
I’m always sure I will be better tomorrow so I’m still surprised when I wake up in the morning and my legs still won’t work. I’, convinced I’ll walk again – then I’ll be back at the Seahorse Centre.
Clarice

NOAH, THE ARK AND THE FLOOD
In the year 2007, the Lord came unto the prophet Noah, who was now living in England and the Lord said, “Once again the earth has become wicked and over populated and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing, along with a few good humans.”
He gave Noah the computer generated drawings saying, “You have six months to build the Ark before I start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.” Six months later the Lord found Noah weeping in his boatyard, but no Ark. “Noah!” He roared, “I am about to start the rain! Where is the Ark? “Forgive me Lord,” begged Noah, “but things have changed since I last built your Ark. I needed building Regulations Approval because the Ark was over 30 cubic metres I have been arguing with the Fire Brigade about the needs for a sprinkler system. My neighbours claim that I have obtained planning permission for building the Ark in my garden, even though it is a temporary structure. The Local Area Access group complained that my ramp was going to be too steep and the inside of the Ark was not fully accessible. The Department of Transport demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving the power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark’s move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they didn’t believe me! Getting the wood was another problem. All the decent trees have Tree Preservation orders on them or are in a Site of Special interest set up to protect the Brown Train Spot Owls but they would not listen! When I started gathering the animals the RSPCA insisted I was confining the wild animals against their will and that the accommodation was too restrictive. Then the Environmental Agency ruled that I could not build the Ark until it had conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I am still trying to resolve an argument with the Equal Opportunities Commission on how many ethnic minorities I have to include in my building team. The Trade Unions say I cannot employ my sons they insist I have to hire only accredited workers with Ark building experience. To make matters worse, Customs and Excise seized all my assets claiming that I am trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species and non permitted foodstuffs. So, forgive me Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish the Ark.” Suddenly the clouds cleared the sun began to shine and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked “You mean you are not going to destroy the world?”
“NO,” SAID THE LORD. “THE GOVERNMENT BEAT ME TO IT.”
Contributed by Jean Crosby

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
Free Directory Enquiries (with adverts) 0800 100 100
Help the Aged 0808 800 6565 www.helptheaged.org.uk
Hospital Transport 01278 727444
NHS Direct 0845 46 47 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
MIND (National Association for Mental Health) 01643 708 765 deborah.melmoth@mindinwestsomerset.org.uk
Open DAWS (Cathy McGill) 01643 821112
PALS (Patient Advisory and Liaison Service) Ruby Haq 01278 437013 www.somerset.nhs.uk/pals
Piper Lifeline (Cynthia Lewis) 01643 709234
Prestige Mobility (Customer Focus Team) 0970 787 1975 www.prestigemobility.com
Samaritans 08457 09090 www.samaritans.org.uk
Sky Helpline for the Disabled 08442 410333
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
THERE WILL BE NO MEETING AT THE END OF MAY, because the Seahorse Centre will be closed for the Bank Holiday. The next meeting will be on Monday 30th June at 2.00 pm.