Category: Activities

Things we do in the club

Celebrations and Art

Although Helen was announced as this year’s winner of the Paul Hope Award in December, as the announcement was done remotely via a video link, she could not receive the certificate which accompanies the award. This was presented to her tonight

We also had a small Coronation Party, in anticipation of tomorrows ceremonies.

Remains of party food!

Wesley Memorial Church is also a venue for Oxfordshire Art Weeks – with people who use the buildings being invited to create or submit works on a theme of ‘Special Places, Holy Spaces’. This sparked inspiration in some of our members –

It also kicked off some interesting discussion about what made Phab special to its members.

Easter Bingo

Once again, as we like to do in the run up to Easter, we asked member to bring in prizes, and played Bingo to redistribute them.

This year the prizes included some home grown chilies, which the winners turned into a tasty meal, with sea bass and ginger.

Initially we used traditional Bingo calls, such as ’59 – Brighton Line’, but moved on to our own variant, using Hymns from Singing the Faith, thus ‘59 – Lord the light of your love is shining‘ – with audience participation for the catchy ones.

Romeo and Juliet by the Banbury Cross Players

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.

Pancake evening

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.

Wesley Memorial Church Party

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.

Christmas Dinner 2022

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,

Christmas Bingo

One of our Christmas traditions is that we play Bingo for chocolates and other small prizes, brought in by members, and enjoyed by other members. We have our own bingo machine, and re-usable bingo cards, which we mark off with old plastic bottle tops as counters. With a jolly caller, enthusiastic players and plenty of prizes we are all set for an evening of entertainment.