Month: December 2022

Helen has won the Paul Hope Award !

Phab, as a National Organisation, has many amazing volunteers, and celebrates their contributions with a number of awards. One of these is the Paul Hope Award, and Helen, our chairperson for several years was nominated. We hoped she would be as successful as Simon and Mary,

The winners of the awards were announced at a teleconference, attended remotely by Phab members from all over the country, and by several of our members, including Helen, gathered at Wesley Memorial Church. During this we heard many of the exciting things Phab has been doing. Baroness Campbell gave an inspiring address, and said that she looked forward to meeting the winners in person at the House of Lords in a future reception.

Finally we heard the news that Helen had won !

The Phab Awards 2022 can be viewed on YouTube.

Christmas Dinner 2022

For many years Oxford Phab has joined together for a traditional Christmas Dinner, to which we invite people who have been particularly supportive, or have some special connection with the club. Due to Covid we had not been able to do this since 2019, which made this one particularly special.

A team of volunteers peeled potatoes, parsnips, made stuffing, cooked the turkey joints, laid the tables and prepared the feast for the arrival of members and guests.

  • Mary collected turkey joints early |
  • Mass vegetable cooking

As the diners were arrived they gathered in the hall, and chatted and tackled the Christmas Quiz, with questions ranging from ‘Where was baby Jesus born ?’to ‘What is the most fragrant real Christmas tree ?’

We all moved into the John Wesley Room, and enjoyed a delicious meal, with turkey and all the trimmings, or a vegetarian pie, followed by home made Christmas pudding, or fruits and meringue (or both for those who still had room !)

  • Kelly’s cake

We were also pleased to be joined by Kelly’s family, who had brought a cake, as this would have been her birthday,

Christmas Bingo

One of our Christmas traditions is that we play Bingo for chocolates and other small prizes, brought in by members, and enjoyed by other members. We have our own bingo machine, and re-usable bingo cards, which we mark off with old plastic bottle tops as counters. With a jolly caller, enthusiastic players and plenty of prizes we are all set for an evening of entertainment.