Your local charity supporting blind & partially sighted people ISSUE 50 JUNE & JULY 2017 Editor: Jo Wood Ivy nears her century - Congratulations! Popular member and regular visitor to the Centre, Ivy Fudge, celebrates her 100th Birthday next month. Ivy has Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration; she believes she first came to our Society soon after it reopened as a Social Centre in 1998. Ivy was born in Romford; moving here as a toddler. She enjoys telling stories about her childhood; I was a naughty little girl who got into lots of trouble! I used to take the boys caps off through the school fences! Ivy was in the Winton and Moordown Girls School choir and netball team, where she won a couple of cups. She became a cashier/bookkeeper at a grocer s in Charminster and was married for over 50 years. I live in the same lovely house that we had built for us in 1939. I cope quite well on my own; I still go up and down the stairs, even though my daughter put me a bed downstairs, I don t use it! I ve got 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Ivy enjoys sharing her memories of watching air raids over Bournemouth in the war; of winning a Glamourous Grandma competition on holiday at Pontins near Torquay and of extensive travels across Canada, America and Europe. Ivy enthuses, I like coming to the Society for the lovely company; (continued on Page 2)
I ve made lots of friends over the years and I enjoy the activities. I especially like the quizzes and playing cards on Wednesday afternoons. My Dad taught me to play when I was about 6! Everyone at our Cards Club knows what a card shark Ivy is, always quick with her adding up at Cribbage and full of cheeky comments! As her daughter Pam says, she does love to win! Ivy continues, Well goodness knows what I d be doing if I couldn t come to the Centre! It s good that the minibus comes to collect me and they kindly help me on and off it. It s an effort getting ready sometimes but I manage and I think I m still winning! The lunches are good here too, it saves me the trouble of doing it for myself, although I used to do a lot of cooking and often had twelve people over to Sunday dinners. Ivy added, I don t want my birthday to come too soon but I hope to get my telegram from the Queen like my Mum did, who lived to 101. Ivy s daughter, Pam, reiterated what our Society means to her Mum; She really loves it there; it s wonderful and an absolute godsend to the family as we are relieved to know she is with you and looked after. Sight and Hearing Resource Centre Have you ever visited our Sight and Hearing Resource Centre? It is open from 10am-1pm, Monday-Friday Our Centre consists of two rooms where you can discover the latest equipment available to help both sight and hearing impaired people. Assistive Technology We run AT courses throughout the year when visually impaired people can learn to use tablets, computers and mobile phones. One to one tuition is given and teaching is tailored to suit individual needs, with learning at your own pace. For more information or to reserve your place on a future course, contact Yvonne from RNIB on 01722 345440 2
Archery Have you ever thought of trying Archery? Or do you think that your reduced vision would limit your ability in this sport? People are amazed when we tell them about the skills of our blind or partially sighted members shooting arrows in our Hall on Tuesday evenings during the winter or outside at Canford Magna during the summer. Why don t you come and find out what it s like? at Berkshire on 7th May, proving that all their hard training over the winter months has been well worth it! The second match at home to Surrey on the 14th resulted in a fantastic winning draw against last season s league winners. The next fixtures are: home to Gloucester (11th June) and away to Kent, (travelling in the Bournemouth Blind Society minibus) on 9th July. Good Luck Dolphins - keep up the great work! Walking Group The Group enjoyed their first walk this season along the seafront at the end of April. We can provide minibus transport for you to join our really friendly group, who receive expert tuition by instructors from Sagittarii Archery club. Please call the office on 01202 546644 for more details or to book a trial session - don t miss out on this exciting opportunity! Cricket The Dorset Dolphins VI Cricket Team had a great victory away Our next walks are: Friday 30th June - The New Forest, with Picnic included. Friday 28th July - Avon Heath Walks are suitable for people who don t require walking aids. Transport cost is 5. Please phone us today on 01202 546644 to book your place on our next walk. 3
Fundraising Thanks We thank everyone for their continued support of our Society: We were delighted to receive 2034 from the Co-op Local Community Fund. (Chief Executive Philip is shown below with the Manager and Deputy Manager of the Queens Road Store) This money was raised from local Co-op customers and the donation will be specifically used to develop a sensory garden at our Centre. We offer a big thank you to the Wessex Chorus who have raised 1,942 from their partnership with us since July 2016. We really appreciate the support the Chorus have given us and are delighted that we will continue to be their chosen charity. We look forward to their July Summer Extravaganza concert. We have also received recent generous donations from both Bournemouth Rotary Club and the Vortigern Lodge. 153 was collected in the Easter raffle - thank you to all who took part. 173 was raised from our Tea Dance in April. Thank you to Martyn from In2Ballroom for holding this event and to Tesco s for providing financial assistance towards the tea. Staff raised 337 at the Kinson Fete/Donkey Derby by running a toy tombola and games. As an independent charity, we rely heavily on donations and fundraising to keep providing our vital services to local blind and partially sighted people. Balls Eye Club Winners of the 1st draw of the Balls Eye Club on 27th April were: A. Dacombe, I. Fudge and C. Simmons You can still join the Club at any time during the year. Phone 01202 546644 for more information or to arrange for a Standing Order mandate to be sent to you. 4
Summer Extravaganza with Wessex Chorus Saturday 15th July 2017 7.30pm in The Rooper Hall Tickets 5 Refreshments for Sale The Wessex Chorus is a Bournemouth Community Choir. It is a not-for-profit organisation with the aim of raising funds for nominated charities by their joyful singing. 2018 will be the Chorus 10th year. So far the choir has raised thousands of pounds and donated to various causes including the Alzheimer s Society, Round Table Children s Wish, Youth Cancer Trust and Bournemouth Help and Care. Bournemouth Blind Society is proud to be their current nominated Charity. We hope as many of you, your friends & family as possible, will attend this special concert to help raise funds for us. 5
Holiday Season As we approach the traditional summer holiday season, it is good to know that there are several companies who can provide holidays specifically tailored for visually impaired people. Companies that some of our members have used include: Vision Hotels offer holidays in hotels in Devon and the Lake District. They are currently advertising special Tinsel n Turkey breaks for November/ December 2017. For more information, please contact Melrose Jones on 07872 421770 Traveleyes adopt a hands-on approach to experiencing the world in a multi-sensory way that benefits both their blind and sighted travellers alike. Traveleyes restores a higher level of independence to vision impaired travellers, making the world more accessible. Please call 0113 887 4275 for more details. Green Island Holiday Trust provide holidays in cottages at Holton Lee for local disabled people. A varied programme of activities includes boat trips, visits to other towns and attractions. 24 hour care and support is available. For more information, please phone 01202 375006. In the Community Geraldine and Marie will be attending a Living with Low Vision exhibition at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital Eye Unit on Wednesday 14th June (2-4pm), along with various other organisations. Everyone is welcome to attend this exhibition; there is no need to book and refreshments will be available. Cards Club Do you like playing Cards? We are looking for more people to join our Wednesday Cards Club (2-4pm). We play both Whist and Cribbage, with volunteers on hand to provide assistance. Why don t you come along and give it a go? We use Braille or large print playing cards, have lots of fun banter and refreshments. We can also provide transport in our minibus for you. 6
Tuesday Drop in Café Have you ever visited our Tuesday Café? This is a great opportunity to meet new friends and chat about similar experiences in a friendly and lively environment ALL visually impaired people are very welcome to attend We usually serve cooked breakfasts but offer roast lunches on the last Tuesday of each month are always pleased to offer a few extra special days out during the summer months. We have a visit to the Branksome Dene Community Beach Hut on Monday 5th June; our annual Garden Party at the home of Councillor Nicola Greene on Thursday 6th July and a BBQ/Games day here at the Centre on Monday 31st July. Please book early for these popular events as transport places are limited! AFC Bournemouth Minibus Transport is available if booked in advance ( 4.50 for a round trip) Please call 01202 546644 We hope to meet you soon! Our Tuesday Café can help reduce isolation for visually impaired people and give them something to look forward to each week! Summer Specials In addition to our usual mix of quizzes, music, Arts & Crafts and other great activities, we We were delighted to have recently been shortlisted as AFC Bournemouth Supporters Charity of the Season 2017/18. This has raised Bournemouth Blind Society s profile within the community and been especially welcomed by all our members who support the football team, either as fans attending the matches or by listening to commentaries on the radio. We thank everyone who took the time to vote for us. 7
Saturday 17th June 2017 Doors open 7pm - Quiz starts 7.30pm In our Rooper Hall Tickets: 10 (includes Fish & Chips) Prizes for winning team Raffle & Cash Bar To book your team or for more information, call 01202 546644 Bournemouth Blind Society 5 Victoria Park Road Bournemouth BH9 2RB Tel 01202 546644 Supporting blind and partially sighted people to remain independent and part of the community www.bournemouthblindsociety.uk Company No: 5792657 Charity No: 1114570 8