This year’s pantomime at the Oxford Playhouse was Sleeping Beauty, and their production featured time travel, true friendship, intelligence, bravery, and a selection of 80’s hits.
Author: john
Phab Weekend in Bournemouth
National Phab organised a weekend in Bournemouth, a great opportunity to get together with other Phab clubs to socialise and do some fun activities together.
A group of 21 of our members signed up for the event, had been looking forward to it for months, and now it was finally time!
Friday 29th November – Getting there, and Dinner
With so many members going, and different needs, not only in terms of accessibility and support, but starting points and work commitments, transport is complex. Our minibus started it’s journey in Kidlington, one car started from Botley, with a pick up in Abingdon, another car from Marston, another from the Oxford Eye Hospital after it’s passenger (not the driver!) had an appointment there and then picked up luggage in Abingdon. The fourth car started after work from Banbury – collecting a passenger in Kidlington.
We did all arrive at the Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth, and checked in. There was an additional check in step for people with additional needs, to prepare evacuation plans for anyone who might require extra assistance, and the hotel were able to lend Strobe Light Alarms to deaf visitors.
At 7pm we had an evening meal, with options of fish pie, chicken curry, a vegetarian option, with a selection of vegetables.
This was followed by singing by the accomplished Lee Austin – who had entertained us for several years at Chichester, and a Karaoke, Games and a Disco. Some of us retired to the quiet of the bar for a chat before making our way to our rooms
Saturday 30th November – activities
A wide choice was available for breakfast between 8 and 9, though this was too early for some, who preferred a lie-in. There were cereals, and fruit salad (a little crunchy, but real, not tinned), toast and croissants , with jam made on the premises. The hot buffet had a similarly wide selection with fried and scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, tomatoes (real ones, grilled, not tinned), and so on. It did tend to run out of some items from time to time, but was being replenished all the way through till 9.
After breakfast, or just getting up for the sleepy heads, we had a selection of morning activities.
Indoor Archery and Nerf guns
We could indulge our inner Robin Hood or Shane in safety with rubber tipped arrows and Nerf gun darts.
Yoga
For those who wanted to find their inner peace there was a Yoga session
Lunch
We sat down for some sandwiches for lunch.
Lunch was followed by even more activities!
Boccia
Boccia is always popular, and it was good to be able to join together with people from other clubs for a game.
Arts and Crafts
Zumba
George Martini and a group of Zumba enthusiasts were staying at the Hotel at the same time, so he kindly had a break from his Zumba to lead a session for us.
Creature Teacher
Some of our members chose to make friends with the animals
Wine Tasting
The hotel laid on a lesson in wine appreciation, with an experienced member of staff to take us though the wines on offer.
Bingo
Bingo is another popular activity.
Gala Dinner
Have split up for all the activities everyone gathered for the Gala dinner, with a pre-dinner drink in the bar beforehand.
After we had eaten there was dancing, and a professional photographer, so some left with a memento of their weekend.
Sunday 1st December – Worship, quiz, Sunday lunch and home
We had brought the Oxford Phab projector, but it’s bulb blew before the service, and the hotel were able to lend us one so everything was set up just in time. As on previous weekends Mary had put a lot of thought and preparation into the service, and the attendees included several who had been to the services in Chichester in previous years.
We also fitted in breakfast and packing, leaving our rooms clear for cleaning, and many enjoyed Lee’s entertaining quiz.
Sunday lunch and raffle draw
After a Sunday Lunch with lemon chicken, roast potatoes etc, the raffle was drawn, with some of our members winning prizes (and, as is the way with raffles, some not)
Homeward bound
With a slight re-arrangement of passengers to accommodate different destinations, our four cars and minibus set off on the return trip. There was someone who could act as a navigator as well as the driver in each vehicle, in case of major incidents en-route, but our return was uneventful. Although we had enjoyed the weekend it was good to be home!
Christmas Crafts and so much more
We had Christmas Crafts on the programme, and some members did indeed make Christmas cards – hand made cards from a friend, family member or someone you have supported through the year are very special.
We also had the Hama beads and other craft activity available.
The Hall was set up with tables and chairs for an event on Saturday, but this was no obstacle (or and obstacle we could work around!) to a little football. This is so much more challenging and interesting than playing in a large empty field! We play with a foam ball, which is less risky than a real football would have been.
We also played Boccia, another Phab favourite.
It was good to see some less familiar faces too – Phab is a social club, so the more people to socialise with the better!
A hybrid AGM
For various reasons quite a few of our key members found it difficult to come to Wesley Memorial Church for out Annual General Meeting, however we were able to run it as a hybrid meeting.
Tom, our Chair conducted the meeting, as we accepted the minutes of the last meeting, and elected a new committee from the nominations which had been submitted earlier. His review of the year reminded us of all the good times we have had together.
We postponed a decision on the Roy Lewis Award, the recipient of which will be decided by the committee, rather than the full meeting.
We accepted an updated Safeguarding Policy, and are grateful to Mary for her Safeguarding expertise in creating it to fit our needs. We will schedule Safeguarding training into our next programme.
The Treasurers report showed that, although we have sufficient reserves, we are running at a deficit, and we discussed fundraising options.
Although not the most exciting of Club Nights, it is an opportunity for the whole membership to see the more administrative side of the way the club works, and to provide ideas on where we should be going.
We look forward to what next year will bring.
Zumba getting us moving
As the nights draw in, and it is dark and cold outside it can be hard to get going on a Friday night, but luckily George Martini came to do a Zuma session with us.
In the interests of solidarity we had a seated session, but that did not mean that we were not using a lot of energy. George’s infectious enthusiasm swept us away, and we are really looking forward to his Zumba session at the Phab Fun Weekend
Boccia – in the church
Normally we play Boccia in the Hall, but as the church had been booked for a science fair and the John Wesley room were we normally chat was laid out of lectures so we resorted to the Atrium (which is a pleasant space, but a bit long and thin to chat, and has a slight slope – not ideal for Boccia.
Luckily there was enough room in the main part of the church – and most or the chairs had been moved – so this became our Boccia area.
And a good time was had by all – they had even put up festive bunting for us!
A quiet sociable evening
Some members who could not come last time were able to make it this week, so we still had holidays to chat about.
For some of us politicians saying stupid things will guarantee topics of conversation which are unlikely to dry up.
Together again at Wesley Memorial
After a break for holidays we tend to start our programme with a couple of nights where we chat and find out what we did during the break.
We also looked at the Autumn/Winter programme, which includes a Phab Fun Weekend in Bournemouth, a visit to the Pantomime and our Christmas Dinner.
Off to Avon Tyrrell again!
Last year’s holiday in Avon Tyrrell was so successful that as soon as we returned from it we booked again for this year, and members who had been on, or heard of the previous trip started looking forward to it.
Friday
We travelled in our minibus and 5 cars, which allowed some members a later departure to come after work, but the majority set off from various locations around Oxford before 11am, and arrived at Avon Tyrrell at lunchtime. We sat in the sunshine and enjoyed the packed lunches we had brought.
Some of our more mobile and adventurous members wolfed down their lunch and tackled the Tree Top Trail, making their way on wobbly ropes and other obstacles though the trees, ending up sliding down a zip wire.
After 3pm we moved into our cabins and unpacked, and awaited our new innovation. Last year we had seen a Tesco delivery to the campsite, and resolved to try this ourselves. In previous years we have had to shop on previous days, store all the food for the group, and pack and transport it in the minibus along with our luggage. This year it all arrived in a van, and and was swiftly moved into fridges, freezers and store cupboards.
Although we had just stocked up on food there is nothing like Fish and Chips eaten by the sea, so we placed an order at Mr Pinks and set off for Milford-on-Sea.
When we returned to Avon Tyrrell to chat and play games we were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Saturday
Traditionally we like to start with a good cooked breakfast, with bacon (if wanted), eggs, sausages (with a vegetarian option), beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, toast etc. This set us up for an active day.
We divided into groups so that everyone who wanted to could do Climbing, High Ropes and Canoeing, all coming together in the middle of the day for a picnic lunch by the lake.
Climbing
Avon Tyrrell have a climbing wall tower offering different degrees of difficulty. They also have seat harnesses which can provide additional support for a wheelchair user, and most importantly, experienced instructors who know how to use the equipment to give people of all abilities a safe, yet personally challenging experience.
High Ropes
The High Ropes are really high
Picnic lunch
Before we started the day’s activities we had made sandwiches, which we ate by the lake.
Despite having had a substantial breakfast we found an active morning in the open air had given everyone a good appetite.
Canoeing
At the lake they lash two canoes together for stability and to have a hoist for safe boarding.
Dinner time
All our various afternoon activities we were gathered Avon – the largest of the cabins we were staying in – for a meal of pasta carbonara or pasta with tomato and basil.
Campfire
After we had eaten Simon, our pyromaniac-in-chief, presided over a fire where we toasted marshmallows and sang campfire songs.
Sunday
The day started very early for some as one of our members, who had gone to bed early on Saturday evening, was becoming worse rather than better, and around 2am we rang for an ambulance. As it had been a Saturday night on a fine evening the ambulance service was very busy with revellers who had come to harm, and we were a long way from the concentrations of people. As our member’s condition was alarming but not immediately life threatening I waited up, watching for the ambulance which arrived around 8am taking the patient to hospital – accompanied by Mary, our club leader, in a car. All this happened before most of our members were awake.
Sunday morning breakfast was simpler, but still plentiful, with cereal, toast, yoghurt and fruit available and plenty of fruit juice, tea and coffee. We then washed up, stripped beds and packed our bags and the kitchen utensils and uneaten food so we were ready to depart after lunch
Archery
Archery is very popular with our members. This is due to the friendly and encouraging staff and the special brackets they have which hold a standard longbow and allow it to be fired by someone who would not otherwise be able to participate.
Homeward Bound
We had booked a roast dinner (with vegetarian option) at Avon Tyrrell house. This meant that we only had to load the minibus and other vehicles and we were ready to depart. As Mary, the member who was still causing us concern, and a car, were still at the hospital we had to rearrange our homeward arrangements regarding who was in each vehicle. Some members were not returning to Oxford but were travelling on to another holiday, but this was not unexpected.
Luckily we were able to rendezvous with Mary and the recently discharged patient at Sutton Scotney services. A combination of a recent change in medication and anxiety over being in unfamiliar surroundings had caused their symptoms, and there were able to transfer to the minibus for the journey home.
With a universal feeling of relief we were all looking forward to getting home and glad that our worries were over…
Or were they?
An accident on the A34 just north of the M4 junction had closed it completely in the Northbound direction. The minibus has a Satnav, but it is not aware of traffic conditions, and only ‘knows’ that the closed A34 was the best way to Oxford. Chris, who was driving does not know the area around Newbury, and there was no one on the minibus who could act as a navigator. Fortunately I was a passenger in one of the cars behind, but mostly in sight of, the minibus, so was able to send directions, over a mobile phone. The roads we used were very minor, often only wide enough for a vehicle in one direction, and were filled with northbound traffic. Anyone who had intended to go in the other direction must have changed their minds, so we made slow but steady progress. The battery levels on my phone dropping worryingly and as a rear seat passenger I had no way to recharge it , so it was a huge relief when we finally emerged back on the the A34 north of the incident and were able to finally get everybody home.
The sun shone on our Garden Party
In a unseasonably rainy July the sun came out for the Wesley Memorial Annual Church Garden Party, which raises money for Phab.
There were plentiful cups of tea, and scones with jam and cream, cakes and conversation.
To add to the atmosphere and scratch choir sung madrigals!
