The Stewards of Wesley Memorial Church invited us to their Annual Church Party – a joyous occasion and an opportunity to mingle with members of the congregation.
There was an icebreaker quiz – featuring pictures of church members as children, and more recent images and we were challenged to match them up.
This was followed by a ploughman’s supper with plentiful bread, cheese, salads etc, followed by deserts which had been contributed by church members. It was another chance to chat with people from the church, either renewing acquaintances or making new friends.
The evening was rounded off with a Barn Dance, where we worked off some of calories taken on due to too many tempting treats during the meal.
Part of Scottish cultural tradition is the celebration of the works of Robert Burns around his birthday, January 25th. We celebrated early, but enthusiastically, and in our own style.
Although some regard whisky as a an essential part of the tradition, we had IRN BRU (“It’s yer aither national drink!”).
We had the music of the pipes, using a mobile phone rather than bagpipes, but the haggis was still paraded around the room, and ‘Ode to a Haggis’ was read.
We then tucked into a tasty meal of haggis, swede and carrot, and mash (with a vegetarian haggis available)
We rounded off the evening with home made flapjacks (or Scottish shortbread if preferred)
What better way to start a New Year than with a game of Bingo? As we usually do members brought a selection of edible and other small treats for prizes, and we played Bingo. We start the session playing for a horizontal line, then two lines, and then a full house. The first to achieve each of these picks a prize, and if they win again later they pick a small prize, such as a small chocolate. We exchange playing boards after each Full House until the last game of the evening, which continues until everyone has won something.
Committee members had started a little earlier with a hybrid committee meeting, which enabled us to start the planning for the next sessions.
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.
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.
Marsham Court HotelSome rooms have amazing sea views
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.
A nerf dart is lodged between the yellow ball and the frame – Good shooting!The bottom left target has been hit.
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
George is pleased with his throw!
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!
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!
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.
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
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!
