Basingstoke & Deane Over 55s Forum

Transcription

1 Basingstoke & Deane Over 55s Forum NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2016 Welcome to your autumn issue of the newsletter yes, autumn was heralded in with a spectacular harvest moon: it woke me up shining through the bedroom window. I do hope you were all able to make the most of the HOT weather; we had to top up your supply of vitamin C ready for the winter. Ironically, while writing this I am sniffing and sneezing and feeling quite sorry for myself!! I am in danger of being electrocuted as I m dripping onto the keyboard!! While on the subject of changing seasons, don t forget to book your appointment for the flu jab. ELECTORAL REGISTER You will all have received the form to complete with your details for the electoral register. We have been asked to remind you all that if you haven t done so please complete the form and return it in the envelope provided, on line, by text, or over the phone. If you don t do this you will not be able to vote in any forth coming elections. Being on the register is also important if you want to apply for credit as it is accepted proof of your address. MEMBERSHIP We still have people requesting to be put on the reserve list. As it is getting near the time for renewing memberships don t forget, if you renew before the end of the year it will cost you 5 after that it will be 6. If you do not renew by the end of January you will be deleted from the database. AUGUST OPEN FORUM Graham welcomed members and guests to the August Open Forum Meeting and gave the usual Health and Safety notices. He went on to announce the results of the monthly free prize draws for June and July. The winners were Mrs S Chivers and Mrs C Gardner. Graham then offered congratulations on behalf of the Forum to member Ann Vicars who has been elected President of the Basingstoke Lions. 40 Years of Catching Smugglers Our first speaker was Malcolm Nelson who gave a talk on his time as a Customs Officer with extracts form his book "Forty Years Catching Smugglers". Unfortunately there were problems with the microphones which we had difficulty in resolving so we were unable to record much of the talk. Malcolm spent much of his time at Heathrow, mainly dealing with drug smugglers. He described the various ways that people tried to evade detection eg in handbags, under wigs, suitcases with false bottoms. Dogs are very useful in detecting drugs but the big question is whether to stop the smuggler or pass it on to the investigation team for them to follow the drugs to the next level? Dogs can also be used to smell money, even when it is hidden in a suitcase. Malcolm described a number of cases, how the people were identified as smugglers eg form of dress, body language, and what happened when they were stopped. He rounded off with an outline of the contents of his book which was purchased by a number of members. St Michael's Hospice Home Care In a change to the programme, Teresa Duarte was our second speaker who explained that she was "standing-in" for Sue O'Flinn and would be talking about the new service offered by St Michael's Hospice. The Home Care service started about 18 months ago, with the aim of supporting people in their own homes. The carers are specially trained and are assessed so that they can be matched with the patient and their needs. The service covers Basingstoke, Tadley, Overton and Oakley and each visit lasts 30 minutes.

2 The carers offer a high quality service and provide companionship, housekeeping, personal care and help with getting out and about. The cost is per half hour and all members of staff have guaranteed hours, resulting in good working relations and high staff retention. There were a number of questions about the service which resulted in the following additional information: All profits go to St Michael's Hospice. The service is based at St Michael's Hospice, Aldermaston Road. The care is varied and includes medication, washing, cleaning. All staff are paid, there are no volunteers involved. There are no male carers at present. The work is mainly daytime but runs on a shift basis. Walking Football Our final speaker was Isabel Sakias who explained how walking football came about and the main features of the game. Hampshire are pioneers in the sport which is targeted at the over 50s. There is minimal physical contact and there are frequent rest breaks for participants. The oldest player is 90 years old and everyone is assessed for fitness before they can join the club. A Forum member came forward to describe his experience of walking football and said it is most enjoyable and he hoped that more would join. The sessions are held at the Sports Centre in the town centre from to every Tuesday. The first session costs 2 and Isabel urged members to go along and "give it a go". Contact details: Flo Lunn or Sally Lewis Following the presentations, Graham reminded everyone about the dates of the Forum, New Age Kurling, the Fitness sessions and the Variety Show on 1st October at Queen Mary's College. He raised the proposal to change the Forum's accounting year end from 31st October to 31st December. This was approved on a show of hands. Graham also mentioned the possible changes to company pensions, the HCC survey on possible Unitary Authorities, the Manydown development and the "Waste War" between Berkshire and Hampshire. On behalf of Gerald, Graham gave an update on Hospital matters and the current status of the Forum trips. He reminded members about the musical event for people with dementia or Alzheimer's disease which will be held at the Carnival Hall on 6th November. EVENTS 2016 On the 9th September coaches left Basingstoke for the Wisley Flower Show and it was a splendid day with plenty of stalls and flower tents. Several members came back with plants for the garden, so Basingstoke should look great next year. FREE TRIP to Bristol - there were 2 coaches on the 20th August, unfortunately the weather was disappointing, but those who went on this trip had a lovely time doing what they wanted to. A third coach went on the 19th September, it rained going and coming back, but during the 5 hour visit it was mainly dry. BRICK LANE MUSIC HALL will be on the 11th October The show, is the "Best of British", a celebration of British talent from television to stage and screen, with a great British tea. We have 3 coaches booked and, to date, 148 places have been sold. The cost is which also includes the coach travel. At time of going to print there are 5 places left. CLARKS SHOPPING VILLAGE will be on 24th October and there are 13 places left. Cost of the coach fare FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT LONGLEAT will be on 27th November 2016 which coincides with the 150th anniversary of the birth of " Beatrix Potter". Visitors are promised charming fairytale settings with favourite characters such as Squirrel Nutkin, Jemima Puddleduck, Jeremy Fisher and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Longleat's famous safari animals will also be presented in the dazzling display. The only section our coaches will not go, is in the Monkey

3 enclosure. There are only 4 places left. Cost for members, which includes the entrance fee and coach. CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. We have a group of 158 with 3 coaches booked. Sold out. Gerald will be soon looking at trips for 2017 as there have been several suggestions over the past few months, plus a trip that could not be included in CARNIVAL CHORUS After our longer than usual summer break due to holidays etc we have started rehearsals again and we have recruited three more members including a man!! We have a performance booked with the Westside community centre on the 19th October and I have had our first request for Christmas from the Memory club at Viables. MOVEMENT AND STRETCH We are still enjoying our sessions at the Carnival Hall every Thursday morning. Why not come along and give it a try. With the season changing you tend to sit in doors more so come along and have a good stretch to help keep your joints going during the cold weather. It s only an hour on Thursday mornings from to and costs 15 for 6 sessions, also open to non members. NEW AGE KURLING. 2 new dates have been arranged for the New Age Kurling at the Carnival hall, will be 17th October & 14th November pm to 4pm. Why not come along and join in the fun. All welcome OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST PLANNED CHANGES TO PENSIONS Graham wrote to our local MP, Maria Miller to voice our concerns about the planned changes to pensions which have been publicised recently and he has received her reply as follows:- Dear Mr Finlayson, Thank you for contacting me about reports in the press of planned changes to the rules for defined benefits (or final salary) pension schemes. I understand your concern about these reports. Please let me assure you that the Government is acutely aware of the need to protect the retirement incomes of people who have worked hard and saved for a pension over many years. In the UK we have a robust and flexible system for regulating pension schemes and I have been assured that Ministers are working closely with the sector to work out the best way forward for defined benefit schemes. Giving people security and dignity in retirement is a key priority for the Government. The "triple lock" ensures that the basic State Pension increases every year by the highest of earnings, prices or 2.5 per cent and, as a result, it is over 1,100 higher in 2017 than it was in Universal pensioner benefits such as Winter Fuel Payment and free bus passes have also been protected. While the Government looks at ways to make our pensions system more secure, its first priority will always be to ensure that pensioners receive the protection and fairness they deserve. Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. With best Wishes, Maria Miller PEACE GARDEN PROJECT Cllr Jane Frankum, Basingstoke s Mayor is calling on community-minded residents for volunteers to help Basingstoke s Peace Garden to bloom in time for a special tribute to the 100 th anniversary of the end of First World War in 2018 and the part local people played during the war. She is asking for those volunteers to dig for victory at the new garden in the War Memorial Park between the London Road entrance and the aviary. She is hoping that

4 residents and businesses will come forward to help in many ways from fundraising, sponsorship and getting involved with the construction and planting. A steering group has been working on the design of the garden which can be viewed on the council s website. BASINGSTOKE HARD OF HEARING CLUB This club meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 2-4pm at Church Cottager in the large hall. They are a friendly group of people who all have hearing loss. There is a loop system fitted in the hall and they have speakers entertaining them, organise outings and have a raffle. New members are always welcome and are invited to join in the fun, have a chat and a cup of tea. For more information you can contact Krystyna on BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE ACCESSIBILITY CHECKER DisabledGo, the national disability organisation, has been working in Basingstoke since 2011 to provide an Accessibility Checker giving information about the accessibility of all kind of places across the area, including parks, leisure centres, restaurants, tourist attractions, shops and more. You can view this information at and every place in the checker has its own access guide, which includes details of parking, entrances, toilets etc. This guide covers everything for all disabilities including sight and hearing impairment, autism, dementia learning disabilities etc. To get more information about this scheme you can contact Rachel Carter at DisabledGo on or Rachel.carter@disabledgo.com. ELECTRIC CARS The Council has asked us to remind you that if you own an electric car, there are two charging points in the town centre. The charging point in the Central car park will charge from zero to 80 % in 30 minutes and users can park free of charge for the first 30 minutes. The Churchill Way car park will charge in around three to four hours and normal parking fees apply. Users of this charging point will have to download the app and set up an account before being able to use it. There are charging points at Fleet Services and the Little Chef at Popham on the A303 Westbound. The council hopes that more people will consider investing in an environmentally-friendly electric car. DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER MUSICAL AFTERNOON We are currently organising an afternoon of music and song for those living with Dementia, Alzheimer's and Mental Health problems, on Sunday 6 th November at the Carnival Hall from 2pm to 4.30/5.00pm. Invitations have been sent to all the local care homes, Viable Memory Club, the Memory Tree Social Club and Neighbourcare, for their clients and families. Basingstoke & North Hampshire Hospital is involved and will by bring along Memory Music boxes. Park View Junior School Choir, Carnival Chorus and Keith French will be playing the music for a Grand 'sing-along'. There will be tea/coffee, fruit juice and biscuits during the afternoon. It is FREE, so if you have a family member or a friend who you think would enjoy this entertainment then please bring them along, but you must book with Gerald by the 3rd November SPORTING MEMORY GROUP The aim of this project is for community volunteers to help run and sustain free weekly reminiscence groups for people over the age of 50, more predominantly for isolated men living with dementia, depression and loneliness. The aim is to engage them in social activities and help them to recall memories of watching or playing sport and to help them to connect with other people to share their memories. Once sparked, the desire to have a go at physical activities can return to help promote physical as well as mental health. Volunteers need only commit to a couple of hours each week and initial and ongoing training would be organised. If you would like more information on this project you can contact Angie Mills-Curtis, who is the area project coordinator on or angie@sportingmemoriesnetwork.com or visit the website

5 INDOOR BOWLS The head coach at Loddon Vale indoor Bowls Club, Colin Roberts has contacted us to offer our members a social evening the chance to have a go at playing bowls. He has told us to let you know that you are never too old to take up the sport (they have active members of 90+ who are still going strong!). They have a team of qualified coaches and the only equipment required is a pair of flat soled shoes or you can play in stockinged feet they do have plastic covers you could use. Colin has said that he would be willing to come along to give a short talk to our members about the sport. If you are interested and think you might like to take up the sport speak to Gerald. SUSSEX JAZZ KINGS The Susses Jazz Kings are having a Halloween Party on Saturday 29 th October at The Barn, Viables Community Centre, organised by The Lions. The tickets are 15 each and a light buffet will be served. For tickets you can call or jhibberd440@btinternet.com. Due to a computer problem The Lions contact list has had to be reconstructed. If you are on that list and you find that your details are incorrect please send an to mauricehockley@hotmail.com. MEMBERS CORNER Thought you might like the following poem;- As Time Goes By When the years flash by in the blink of an eye, no sooner the start than the end. When the bells of Time have a hollow chime, and bits of you creak as you bend. When that wavy hair is no longer there and nothing hangs quite where it should, And the spirit is willing for all that is thrilling, And, oh, but you would if you could. Well, don t lose hope on that downward slope, relax and enjoy the view, Let the edifice crumble as pipes groan and grumble, That s the façade, never you. Life s swift little feet can never defeat that secret, quite hid and unseen, Which no-one can know, but undoubtedly so Deep inside you are still seventeen. This is for all our golfing members:- Jack Nicklaus was being interviewed by a really gushing reporter. Singing his praises, the reporter then said, You really know your way around a golf course! What s the secret? Jack replied The holes are numbered! Did you know In 1784 The Kettle War between the Netherlands and the Holy Roman Empire consisted of just a single shot which hit a kettle!!!!??? That s all folks! OPEN FORUM MEETINGS The open forum meetings are always held on a Wednesday. The following dates are for 2016 and could be subject to change: 10 th August, 12 th October and 17 th December (Please note that the AGM will be held in February 2017) Marian Wilson Editor September 2016 Newsletter