Author: john

Secure (https) version of the Oxford Phab website now available

The Oxford Phab web site is now available over a secure (encrypted) connection at https://oxford-phab.paladyn.org
As the pages are public this is mostly a building block to allow for improved privacy and security should this be required for future developments.
Thanks to the Let’s Encrypt project for the SSL Certificate.

AGM and Art and Crafts Night

We decorated cards and bags with a Christmas theme. .
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More craft activities – powered by chocolates, which were the prize for our Team Building entry on the Phab South East Weekend.
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Treasurer’s report at the AGM
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Lee receiving The Roy Lewis Award. for all the discos he has run for us.
Dot was unable to attend but wss awarded the Roy Lewis Award in absentia,  for organising transport for many years.

Phab South East Fun Weekend – Sunday

After breakfast and an optional, but well attended and inspiring Morning Worship session, we went into a Team Building activity.
We worked in teams, Oxford Phab had the assistance of the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association, and given supplies of cake, swiss roll, chocolate buttons, fondant icing, icing sugar and similar ingredients and told to construct something related to a season.
wp-1448189680642So what can you make from cake ?
wp-1448189754034This is not a snowman – once coloured in this will be a maypole dancer !
wp-1448192033873Here is the final result – there is a maypole, complete with dancers – one in a wheelchair, a cake stall and a coconut shy – for added realism the coconuts are glued to the stands !
wp-1448192414437Other groups made a bonfire, a snowman, a ski scene and other seasonal themes, but after much deliberation ours was declared the best !!!
wp-1448192808870For added realism our spring fête ended in a washout !
We finished the event with presentations and lunch, and then went home on the minibus.
 

Phab South East Fun Weekend – Saturday

After breakfast and an introduction session we split into groups. I went for Food !

Morning Workshop – Cookery

wp-1448103260014Paul taught us to cook a range of tasty dishes, using simple ingredients and – for the cooked dishes – a single ring portable gas cooker.
wp-1448107614251Simple deserts – cheesecake and banoffi pie
Paul also cooked Chicken in mushroom sauce, a Paella, and a Chorizo, New potato and Haddock One Pot – all within 2 hours on a single ring, from scratch.
wp-1448107679428Unfortunately I had eaten most of the One Pot (and all of the Paella and Chicken), before I remembered to take a picture !
This was followed by a buffet lunch – people who had other sessions were probably hungrier than I was.

 Afternoon Workshop – Amazing Animals

The guy from Amazing Animals brought a range of animals for us to see, or  – in some cases – touch.
wp-1448116620645Anyone who wanted to could hold a Hissing Cockroach
wp-1448117140046This is a giant stick insect
wp-1448117488206This is a Cane Toad – which we were not allowed to handle, as it secretes a toxic fluid.
wp-1448117933938And this a giant bullfrog.
wp-1448118789690Here is a friendly Boa Constrictor
wp-1448120704694and a very friendly parrot !
There were also hedgehogs, a tortoise and a giant rabbit.

Wine tasting

wp-1448126645477As well as the Cookery demonstration Paul ran a most informative wine tasting session – he took us through six wines from a light fruity white to a full bodied red, and we were all surprised at what good value his choices were.

Evening Dinner

wp-1448134672113Our evening meal was accompanied by a raffle, party poppers, gift bags and balloon rockets – most of which were aimed at our good natured entertainer, who encouraged the various tables to take their best shot.
There was also wheelchair dancing and a disco.