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

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!

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!

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!

Brass Band Concert

The National Methodist Youth Brass Band came to Oxford for the weekend, staying at Wesley Memorial Church, and giving a concert on Saturday night, to which Phab were invited.

They played a varied and entertaining programme of music, interspersed with introductions to some of the band members, and their various experiences, such as the punting some of them had been doing during the day.

At the interval there were tasty cakes baked by members of the Wesley Memorial congregation.

The event raised over £500 for the Rose Hill Community Cupboard, a local charity.

Indoor Curling

We played several games of Indoor Curling, for which the Hall at Wesley Memorial Church is ideal, as a large space with a smooth wooden floor. The game has a mat for a target and ‘stones’ which roll on ball bearings.

It works well for Phab as it can be played by a seated player, and does not require sweepers, or an ability to ice skate.

Hand Crafted Pizzas

Using home made pizza dough, Maria’s passata recipe, and a selection of ingredients such as olives, cheese, ham, sweetcorn and pineapple, our members could create a pizza of their choice.

These creations – labelled with appropriate names on greaseproof paper, were then cooked in the church ovens by our team of talented cooks, and then enjoyed!

We rounded off a culinary evening by celebrating a birthday, with a delicious home made cake!