Our talented Chair, Helen, was playing the part of Nurse, in a production of Romeo and Juliet, performed by the Banbury Cross Players at The Mill theater.
All the characters delivered a strong performance, and the well timed delivery and acting meant that the authentic Shakespearean language was not a barrier to following the action.
The strong bond between Juliet and her Nurse, and the complexity of their relationship was well played by both actors, and we were glad of the opportunity to see it.
Zumba is always popular, and what better way to liven things up when the nights are still cold and gloomy than with an energetic Zumba session with George Martini !
Out next holiday at Avon Tyrrell is getting closer, and we wanted to have a look at the accommodation options. As Oxford Phab members have diverse needs it was important to see, in person, a chalet we were considering booking to assess its suitability. A couple of the committee went down to the New Forest on a reconnaissance visit
We not only were given a guided tour of the chalet, but were able to discuss our activity plans with one of the staff.
It was good to have a chance to explore the site at leisure.
There is a games court beside the main house, which we may use for tennis, badminton, basketball or similar.
Access is via a ramp beside the house
Everything is shaping up for a good long weekend break, from Friday May 25th to Sunday May 28th, so Oxford Phab members should make sure leave the time clear and book once the booking form is out.
Pancakes are always popular, and Mary made sure we had plenty to enjoy.
We had a variety of fillings available, though the traditional lemon and sugar was the most popular.
We were also joined by a musical friend of one of our members, who played the guitar and sung a number of songs for us. Their kindness was appreciated by our members.
With some members off sick with various winter bugs, and others unable to come our numbers were a little low, but we still enjoyed getting together for a chat and cup of tea or coffee. We did not do an organised activity this evening, but talked about books, politics, family and social history, and a multitude of other topics.
As we are now meeting fortnightly we are all looking forward to our next meeting, on February 17th where we hope to see more of our members, and eat pancakes !
Adam was a member of Oxford Phab in its early days, and despite being Deaf – he communicated mainly via a Light Writer – and in a wheelchair, he was very sociable, finding friends wherever he went. He died, suddenly and much too young in 2007, but I am publishing this poem, which he wrote, in celebration of his memory and the times we spent chatting on Phab holidays.
Fairer World
In my fairer world
Everybody will help everyone else
In my fairer world nobody would have to bully anybody
In my fairer world
All the parents would go round evenly
In my fairer world everybody would eat ice cream once a week.
Everybody could have a job
Everybody could have a bath when they wanted
Everybody could spell and read and write
Everybody would have enough to eat
In my fairer world
In my fairer world
There is no war, no drought and nobody minds
Giving things to other people
In my fairer world
Nobody minds if you are black or white or thin or fat
Nobody minds if you are clever or not
In my fairer world
In my fairer world everybody's got something to say
And everybody wants to listen
In my fairer world
Nobody whacks anybody about or does nasty things
In my fairer world
It doesn't matter whether you are rich or poor or old or young
Or where you live
Or what you wear
Or how you talk
Of if you are in a wheelchair
Like me.
Like many other social activities the Wesley Memorial Church party, normally held in January, had not taken place since 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Having decided it was time to resume the tradition they kindly invited Phab.
The evening began with socialising and a quiz, involving identifying a range of people, each famous in their own way, ranging from John Wesley to Little Mix, from pictures posted on the walls of the John Wesley Room.
This was followed by a bring and share meal in the Hall, where church members had made a variety of tasty salad, and brought little sausages, crisps and other snacks. This was followed by range of desserts and fresh fruit.
Once everyone had eaten their fill, and while a stalwart team in the kitchens laboured over the clearing up, we played several games of Beetle.
We had planned to start the New Year with a quiz in our first meeting of 2023. Unfortunately the Phab member to had kindly offered to organise the quiz was worried they might pass on a cold, for flu, and we felt it was best to postpone the quiz for later in the year. The make up of out membership keeps us aware of the pressures on the NHS and the chances of infecting the clinically extremely vulnerable.
As Christmas had occurred since we last met there was plenty to talk about, and we look forward to doing the quiz in the future.
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.
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,
