Author: john

Fish and Chip Night

Fish and Chip Nights are always popular, although they do require a lot of organisation behind the scenes, researching possible chippies, getting menus and taking orders and money before the night. It is good to find somewhere which can deliver a large order – we tend to be in the upper twenties for order numbers – to the city centre.

Despite some complications everybody ended up well fed, but also not overwhelmed with excessive quantities of chips, which in a time when people are more aware of the issue of food waste, is a good thing.

Ten Pin Bowling

Even though we squeezed into two lanes, which is a tight fit for our group, as wheelchairs and walking frames need room to maneuver, we had an enjoyable evening, with some very respectable scores.

We appreciated the way Hollywood Bowl no longer play loud background music, so we can socialise while waiting our turn.

Birthday and Beetle

Nell has been coming to Phab for many years – not every week, as it is a long trip down from Cumbria. We were pleased to be able to celebrate her 90th birthday, with a cake, and a card.

She then joined us in playing Beetle – and had the highest score !

  • Helen did the most artistic Beetles

Normal Club without Boccia

We had Boccia on the programme, but had a committee meeting before club started, and discussions about our plans for the year, and hobbies and interests continued from there, so we never got round to getting the Boccia out.

Simon, having bought his laptop in for the committee meeting, showed me some of his videos of preserved railways.

Our Boccia referee, being deeply into politics, had a knowledgeable chat about the candidates for the Labour Party Leadership, and on other current topics our members hold views from staunch royalist to ardent republican we had plenty to talk about.

First Normal Club of 2020

Since our first meeting of the year had been going to Motown The Musical, this was our opportunity to get together and chat. We caught up on books we are reading, what we did over Christmas, politics, astronomy, and the evening flew by.

We are also looking forward to all the activities in the new programme for Winter and Spring 2020.

phab_programme_Winter_Spring_2020Download

Motown – the Musical

Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?

Lyrics from Dancing in the Street, one of the Motown hits

After a Christmas break we Oxford Phab Members were ready for a brand new beat, which we found at the New Theatre, when we went to see ‘Motown – the Musical‘

The show is full of hit songs, performed by an energetic cast, and worth coming out on a cold January Friday for.

Christmas Dinner 2019

Preparing Christmas Dinner for over 30 people involves quite a bit of preparation, planning and shopping for ingredients – even before the day of the meal. This year some of the items I won in the box of Christmas goodies which was second prize in the raffle at the Six Counties Kidney Patients Association Christmas meal could be put to good use.

The red box on the right contained stuffing and gravy granules which we used.h

We went to Wesley Memorial Church after lunch and got stuck into the preparation.

  • Tables set up in the John Wesley Room
  • Parsnips being peeled
  • Christmas puddings steaming
  • Some of out turkey rolls ready to go in the oven
  • What is Christmas Dinner without Sprouts
  • Crackers and table decoratoins
  • Stuffing ready for the oven

When our members and guests started to arrive Penny kept us entertained with game of Higher or Lower.

While the entertainment was happening in the Hall, the kitchen team were busy (in both kitchens), doing the final preparations.


We had turkey – supplied by Hedges Butchers, who not only gave us a good price, but provided cooking advice – pigs in blankets, bread sauce, roast potatoes, parsnips, sprouts, carrots, peas, and vegetarian options.

The main course was followed by real Christmas Pudding, or strudel, Viennetta, mixed fruits etc.

It was a lovely way to close the year for our members, and to say thank you to our guests who have supported the club in many ways.