OUR BBQ ‘DAY IN’ - 5TH SEPTEMBER 2010
At our volunteer’s meeting in June, some discussion turned to the volunteer’s day out and where we should go. It had been mentioned earlier in the year and talk of trips on steam trains, river boat rides or a visit to gardens had all been discussed. Carolyn had worked to find out costs etc, when Pauline, our receptionist, had the idea (on June 22nd to be precise), of a ‘Day In’. That is a day out where we all stay in! and so after lot’s of yeses and that sounds like a good idea! a BBQ party was born.
So, in August we had our first and last planning day. What food should we have? who would do the cooking, should we charge? what about a vegetarian option, drinks and Karaoke? (Pat and Dianne are desperate for a Karaoke party), but they were headed off at the pass, as they say in the old cowboy movies .
Music in the background was the order of the day, along with a small charge of £5.00 to include 2 guests. It gave family and friends a chance to see our workplace, where we spend our time as volunteers. The option to bring your own beer and wine, if you wanted to, held a certain charm for me, as an ex-licensee (who now drinks cups of tea in pubs, most of the time, these days). For once the car would stay at home and the magic bus pass would come into play, so with a bag of ice, courtesy of our local supermarket, along with some beer, and spirit in every sense, Sally and I set off, with a friend we had invited, to enjoy the day. We arrived in plenty of time, and things were well under way, after a technical hiccup or 2 (the table top was burning, due to the heat of the throwaway BBQ’s), but these minor problems were soon sorted out. Tom, Maureen's husband, with his able helpers (Neurosupport staff) and Thomas the Jones lending his helpful hands, were in full charge of the BBQ.
Having a BBQ was always going to be a problem, given our English weather, and although I had arrived in shorts to try and encourage the sun to show, it managed to keep itself hidden most of the day. With the help of a gazebo, Tom did a great job cooking the food, while we and 2 of our trustees Mike Boggild and David Britt, all enjoyed the results of his labour inside. There was plenty to eat and drink, served up by some wonderful people young and old. The food was
delicious, burgers, sausages, salads and the usual mixture of rice etc: not forgetting the strawberry gateau. A wonderful day, with good food, company and laughter enjoyed by all. I think someone said that laughter is good for you and if that's true, we must have all come away feeling better, because there was plenty of laughter, on the day we had our ‘Day In’.
The photos were taken by our very own poet laureate, Gordon W. Milward, plus part of this article as well, so thank you, Gordon for your help in putting this together.
Alan Clark (& Gordon W. Milward).
VOLUNTEER UPDATE
Wendy Mitchell, one of our volunteers on reception, (who has done more years than me as a volunteer) will be going into The Walton Centre for an operation at the end of September. From our conversations it may be a long recovery and I along with all of you and the staff would like to wish her well.
Also this month we will see some new faces starting the road to volunteering when they attend the induction course, so if you see any new faces say “Hello” and introduce yourself.
CONTACT DETAILS:
If you have something that you would like to include in Neuro News, contact me on my email alan.clark200@hotmail.com or leave details at reception. Check out our website http://neuronewsletterspart1.blogspot.com/
You can also find the link through the Neurosupport website.
THEATRE TICKETS
One of our volunteers, Janet, can get discounted tickets for certain shows. She has obtained a discount for the following 2 shows:
Calendar Girls £17.00 on Wednesday, 29th or Friday, 1st October
Sound of Music £16.50 on Tuesday, 12th October (first night)
A third option is behind you, Oh no it’s isn’t! Oh yes it is (that time of year)! Panto time– and taking names for:
Aladdin - (possibly) on Thursday, 16th December
Janet can check for alternative available dates and supply leaflets if needed. If you would like to take advantage of these offers or speak to Janet. You can contact her by leaving a message in the library pigeon hole or email info@neurosupport.org.uk
‘IT’S A KNOCKOUT’
The 22nd of August saw Neurosupport make it’s very first venture into the alien world of ‘It’s a Knockout’. Our team consisted of staff, volunteers, and I think someone who just happened to be standing in the wrong place, at the wrong time, signed the form and he was in, (our joker in the pack, our very own “Ringer”), but more of that later. The team threw themselves, quite literally in some cases, (as the pictures show) into the spirit of the day.
I took the easier(?) option, (that’s my hat, chair & balloons in the photo) and helped on our information stall, (which I have been doing on and off since 28th September 1998 when I first started my induction course). Our tombola had it’s second airing, with prizes donated by all, as well as footballs, soft teddies and (pink?) elephants, to encourage people to the stall. It was again a great success. I even got to talk to our very own Lord Mayor.
However while myself and others were enjoying the sunshine and I must say, a more sedate approach to the day, things on the other side of the field were developing “what have I got myself into” thoughts. A certain Geoff Shaw, our volunteer on reception, who in his words thought he was “reasonably fit”, will now give you his story. He is the fit(!) looking one on the left of the picture. Alan Clark.
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I awoke to beautiful sunny Sunday morning, birds singing, church bells ringing and It’s a Knockout calling. A shiver went down my spine (and the rest of my body later!!) but presuming this to be another sign of fairly advanced middle age, I worried not and set off with gusto to Mossley Hill Athletics ground for Fun Fun Fun. Everyone was in an expectant mood as the music system beat out a fair rhythm, and the tension mounted before the games began (I know now what it must be like before the World Cup Final). I took part in most of the events, and handsomely won the sack race and rope climbing (slowest time wins, right?) got wet and eventually wandered off into the sunset with a vacant look on my face. (First time for everything).
Many other charities from Liverpool took part, and judging by the amount of water most people were wringing out of their tee shirts, everybody had a great time. Hopefully, if I’m not too busy doing a shoot for The Bionic Man this time next year, I’ll be there. Bring it on!!!! Geoff Shaw.
P.S.
We did finish a respectable 14th of the 17 teams who took part and as Geoff says “Bring it on”, and our Joker? I think he had the last laugh, he was seen entering the beer tent never to be seen again. Alan.
Remembering Malcolm Hawkins
This photograph is how I shall always remember my ‘mate’ Malcolm. I first met him when he arrived at the (then Glaxo) Centre some years ago. He had retired from work, following an operation to remove brain tumours, and had come to join the library team. As time rolled along, I learnt he was a passionate photographer, who did not hold with these new ‘fan-dangled’ digital cameras, and I watched him determinedly look for his favourite film & paper, (as Kodak and other well known companies stopped producing them) rather then be forced to ‘downgrade’ to a digital. He was a keen member of the local camera club in West Kirby, where he lived; his work has been displayed in various venues, won several competitions, both in the UK and abroad. His unique way of looking at life, showed in his pictures and was a pleasure to see. As anyone who has seen, bought (or been gifted) one of his photographs will know. So it was a surprise to learn one set of his recent photographs, had been taken with one of those fan–dangled gadgets. He had been persuaded, via one of his fellow snappers, to borrow (& use) a digital camera. Malcolm had found a whole new way to express himself and there was no stopping him now. He loved music, especially jazz, and looked forward to the Matthew Street Festival, where he mixed his joy of music with his love of photography. He liked to go to music nights in the local wine bars & pubs, preferably on a curry night, and if he heard music & liked it, would often just follow the sound to find the source. This is how he found the South African drums, he joined the band , learnt to play the drums and performed with them at the Empire in Liverpool. Sadly an event I missed.
When Suduku puzzles arrived, he quickly became an avid fan, and tried to impart the secret to completing them to me (without success, as my brain wouldn’t function in the way required). He often spent his train journey home solving them. However they did not stop him falling asleep (a side effect of the tumours) on the train and would wake to find he had been at his station for some time….luckily he lived at the end of the line and the staff checked the carriages for left luggage.
Malcolm’s battle with his medical condition was constant and ongoing. In the Autumn of last year, he was told he would need to have an (his 3rd) operation to remove yet another tumour. Sadly, whilst the tumour was removed, complications during and following the procedure, left him paralysed. He spent the next 10 months in the Walton Centre before being moved to a nursing home, where he died at the end of August.
Malcolm’s passion for life, his humour and need to explore and learn new things, I found inspirational and daunting at the same time. He never seemed to let things get him down and took life on the chin, no matter what it threw at him. His love for his wife, Moira, their family and life long friends (‘the gang’) shone through.
Malcolm, you were a good friend and I will truly miss you. Su xx
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