Newsletter April 2016

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Christine Hutchinson
5 years ago
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Many of us know Cath as she is the physiotherapist from the rehab hospital in Leamington Spa. The session is good for our balance and certainly tests our coordination.

1 Stratford-upon-Avon and District Newsletter Therapy Day Another very successful therapy day: five trained wonderful therapists worked hard all day offering many different therapies, such as head and shoulder massages, manicures, and reflexology. A new very popular therapy was the hot stone massage. Before lunch we all experienced a half hour session with Cath Heynes doing Tai Chi. Many of us know Cath as she is the physiotherapist from the rehab hospital in Leamington Spa. The session is good for our balance and certainly tests our coordination. Exhausted therapists went home at the end of a very busy day, meanwhile most of us went home very chilled and relaxed after our pamper/therapy sessions. And looking forward to the next therapy day on 1st October. We must not forget the super lunch, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer were up to their usual high standard people enjoyed the millionaire shortbreads and other tasty treats, we certainly didn't have any food left over. Jayne prepares to give reflexology to one of our members (data protection prevents us from identifying the feet!). 1

2 We couldn't have had a successful day without our volunteers, unfortunately Mairi, who normally helps, was unwell and we wish her a speedy recovery, so Cathy and Rita worked very hard in the kitchen. Thank you very much to them both and to Chris, Erick and Paul who erected and dismantled the gazebos and moved the tables around for us. We must also thank the two Carol s and Angie for organising the event. (See p7 for some of the comments from the day) Branch Annual Meeting Our Annual Meeting is to be held at St Andrew s Parish Centre, Church Lane, Shottery, CV37 9HQ (next door to the Shakespeare Hospice) on Saturday 9 th April. Please arrive for coffee at 10.30am. The meeting will begin at 11.00am and there will be lunch afterwards. Everyone is welcome to come to the meeting but, if you want lunch at a cost of 5, please contact Angie Vaughan so that we can cater for the right number of people. We hope to have a good turnout; it is important for us to be able get your opinions on the way that the Branch is operating. We look forward to another visit from Lyndsay Smith, the Local Networks Officer for the England Central Region of the MS Society. Lyndsay wants to talk to everyone at the meeting to share the information about the Local Network Review which is looking at how the MS National Centre can give better to support to local branches. There is plenty of space for parking at the rear of Shottery Parish Centre and the building is accessible to wheelchairs; there is usually someone around who can help you if you need assistance to get from the car park. Please let any member of the committee know if you are coming and will need some help. 2

3 Date for your diary We have two events to tell you about for Saturday 28 th May. One of these is a Cake Break/Garden Party in Alcester being organized by Caroline Hackett. The event will be held from 11.00am to 2.00pm and will be in the garden of Pear Tree House, Primrose Lane, Oversley Green, B49 6LG. Caroline has supported us with Cake Breaks in the past and she has pleaded with us to go along, take a cake if you wish but please be prepared to eat cake! More news of this next month. On the same day, from 10.30am to 1.30pm people on the other side of Stratford will have the opportunity of supporting us by attending a Plant Sale being organized by Ellen and Dave Arnold at their home in Atherstone-on- Stour. As well as plants there will be cakes and other refreshments. We would be pleased if we could have some volunteers to help with this event. More details of this next month. Norfolk holiday lodge for rent The North Norfolk branch of the MS Society has a fully accessible purpose built holiday lodge available to hire for people with MS, their carers and families. It is situated at Cherry Tree Park, Burgh Castle, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. It sleeps six people with a double room with overhead hoists running into a wet room; a twin room with en-suite shower and a bed settee in the lounge. There is parking for one car and a mobility scooter to use during your holiday. Dogs are welcome with a refundable deposit. For details of the Park amenities please visit The cost is from 300 Saturday to Saturday. Financial assistance could be available through the MS Society Short Breaks and Activities Fund from National Centre. Care can be booked privately through Norfolk Carers Trust. For information please contact Sue on or justbobandsue@yahoo.co.uk 3

Building Society staff raise money for Branch funds Staff at the Coventry Building Society in Stratford got off to a great start with their fundraising for us.

Our treasurer Paul Vaughan drew the winning tickets Karen tackles monster trek to raise MS funds I am competing in my biggest challenge to date, hoping to raise money for the MS Society, writes Karen

4 Building Society staff raise money for Branch funds Staff at the Coventry Building Society in Stratford got off to a great start with their fundraising for us. They approached a number of businesses in the town to ask for raffle prizes and then sold tickets in the branch. In just two weeks the sum raised was 330 well done to everyone involved with that! Our treasurer Paul Vaughan drew the winning tickets Karen tackles monster trek to raise MS funds I am competing in my biggest challenge to date, hoping to raise money for the MS Society, writes Karen Beasley. Jack, Amy and Charlotte from Coventry Building Society who did most of the ticket selling for us. I will be walking the London 2 Brighton Challenge event on the 28th May. It's a non-stop plod for 62 miles or 100 kilometres without sleeps! If you would like to sponsor me or if you know anyone else who would, please, please go to my page at Just Giving nbeasley1 4

5 Shipston Drop In It seems that The George Hotel at Shipston will not be ready for quite a while yet. The Fosseway Garden Centre had been a very nice place to meeting but it isn t very accessible for people without transport. Our Drop In for March was moved to The White Bear in Shipston and, as we go to press, we don t know if it went well. Ann called in beforehand to look at the facilities. She felt that there is easy access with parking at the back. We plan to have a table near the rear entrance which will accommodate scooters walking frames etc. Ann said there was a lovely fire blazing and it had a very homely atmosphere. We will probably go there again this month (26 th April). If you want to double check this, please contact Ann on for more information. Volunteers needed especially new ones! Two events in April both require volunteers! We do seem to rely on the same loyal team at these events; it really would be good to see some fresh faces to help support the Branch in its fundraising efforts. If you think you can help please get in touch with Angie Vaughan for more details (contact details on back page). Sunday April 17 th : Bucket Collection at Stratford Racecourse Saturday April 30 th : Street Collection in Stratford. Please help at either of these events, for just an hour of your time we would be very grateful. As you know, the ability of the Branch to support people with MS depends heavily on fundraising. The more people we can get out at these community events the more money we will raise to fund our services. 5

6 100 Club Naomi Shearing of Phoenix Cards attended our Stratford Drop In on 16th March so we asked her to perform the draw for this month. The three winners this month: 1 st Prize of 20 to Carol Dennis. Two 2 nd Prizes of 10 to Mairi Macdonald, and to Shirley Walsh. Contact Angie Vaughan or Carol Fox for details of how to join the Club (contact details on back page). Therapy Day Feedback It was really nice to meet new people at the Therapy Day and have chat with them. Very friendly therapists. Good to see some men at the Therapy Day! Calendar dates For a full calendar of events: visit Classes: Yoga: Mondays: 2 pm. Physio and Exercise classes: Fridays: 11.45am and pm. (Ring Cathy for availability) Drop in for a chat on Tuesday 12 th April at Church House, Butter Street, Alcester 10.30am Noon. on Wednesday 20 th April at Stratford Artshouse, Stratford- Upon-Avon 10.30am - Noon. on Tuesday 26 th April (to be confirmed) at The White Bear Inn, High St, Shipston-on-Stour CV364AJ 10.30am Noon. Our services to people living in Stratford are kindly sponsored by a grant from the Stratford Town Trust. 6

Branch Committee Ann Bartlett 01608 666161 Support Officer a.e.bartlett@btinternet.com Carol Dennis 01789 261720 carolmdennis@googlemail.

7 Branch Committee Ann Bartlett Support Officer Carol Dennis Carol Fox Joint Fundraising Officer Elaine Wilson Branch Secretary piracantha@hotmail.com Julie Hunt julie@huntsengineering.co.uk Chris Huxley Membership Secretary chris@huxleys.plus.com Janette Palmer tjpalmer29@hotmail.co.uk Angie and Paul Vaughan Angie - Joint Fundraising Officer Paul Treasurer Vaughan-12@tiscali.co.uk Other Branch contacts: Communications Officer Cathy Millwood ms-stratford@hotmail.co.uk Press & Publicity Officer Ellen Arnold ellen.arnold1960@gmail.com Website & Facebook Editor Richard Davies mrdavies2004@yahoo.com Newsletter Editor Clive Griffiths clivegr@sky.com Branch Helpline and website Find us on Facebook and Twitter: - stratfordms Other useful contacts MS Specialist Nurses Sylvia Lyons, Jeannette Spicer & Wendy Hartland Community Neuro-rehabilitation Team Extn CAB Helpline: UBUS (for accessible transport) South Warwickshire Carers Support Service MS Society Contacts: National MS Helpline: Respite Care Enquiries: Grants Team: Short Breaks: Publications: or also available from online shop This newsletter is published by the Stratford-upon-Avon and District Branch of the MS Society. Any views expressed in the publication are individual and not necessarily the view or policy of the Charity and its supporters. Multiple Sclerosis Society. Registered charity nos /SC Registered as a limited company in England and Wales

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