Things we do in the club
Many people beyond our regular member help to keep Phab operating, and our annual Christmas Dinner gives us an opportunity to thank some them by inviting them to eat with us. We had our turkey and all the trimmings, with a tasty vegetarian alternative.
After a eating and chatting there was enough for those who still had room to go back for second helpings.
One of our traditions at Christmas and Easter is that we bring small prizes to Phab and play Bingo to redistribute them.
As well as festive chocolate bars etc we have chocolate brussels sprouts and other small prizes for people who win a second time. We also try to make sure we have prizes for those of us who can’t eat chocolate.
We sometimes vary from the traditional bingo calls, this time, since we meet in church hall, we uses the names of Hymns from Hymns and Psalms, for example “25 – He’s got the whole world in his hand”, rather and “25 – Duck and Dive”.
Banbury Cross players put on a production of Cinderella for our pantomime entertainment. The production, written by a member of their company, starred our very own Helen as the Fairy Godmother, allowing her to utter the famous words ‘Cinderella – you shall go to the ball!’
We have been meeting up with Banbury Phab for 42 years, but have not seen them since their Halloween disco in 2019. Thirteen of us (an ominous number for a spooky night) went in our minibus to Banbury, where we were made welcome with hot dogs and Halloween themed snacks.
Several Phab members, both from Oxford and Banbury, had put a lot of effort into seasonal costumes, and one of our members was awarded first prize for her costume with green face paint, and real ivy. Helen, our chairperson, was looking very witchy with her blue wig, witches hat and Hogwarts gown.
We also had a selection of terrifying accessories…
The main event of the evening was a magician, who performed some incredible tricks, even more amazing as we, the audience, had a view from the sides as well as in front of him, as he made things appear and disappear, chopped up and restored a piece of rope and borrowed, and eventually returned – intact – items such as a watch, a mobile phone, a signed ten pound note, and a ring, from members of the audience.
What could be better on a Friday the thirteenth than watching a Horror Movie ?
Watching a musical with your Phab friends, and various toy sheep (some of them are not that keen on horror films)
and eating burgers and hotdogs (veggie sausages available!).
George Martini and his Zumba Instructor friends kindly laid on a Zumba session for us from 11am until 12:30 – a morning of high energy activity which sped by. Phab members, friends and supporters paid £10, came and danced and had a great time and raised over £300.
Afterwards we were able to restore the burnt-off calories with home made coffee cake, courgette and poppy seed buns and tea or coffee.
We were also delighted to be joined by one of our original members, and had an opportunity to chat and reminisce.
Sometimes we serve refreshments in the John Wesley Room of Wesley Memorial Church, raising money for club funds. This time the church was open as a historic building, as part of the Oxford Preservation Trust Open Doors Weekend.
Chatting to the many people from all over the world who came to see the beautiful city were we are privileged to meet was a joy, and hopefully some of them will come away with some awareness of Phab and what we stand for. We also raised money for Rainbow House, a drop-in centre for accompanied pre-school children, which also meets at Wesley Memorial.
For our last meeting before we break for Summer we took advantage of having a talented chef amongst our members. Maria made cookie dough, to which we could add a variety of toppings of our choice.
Maria baked them, assisted by Darren, and they emerged from the oven transformed! (and with a delicious aroma)
… and were eagerly eaten!
It was a great night, and we look forward to resuming in September.
Once again the sun shone on the Annual Wesley Memorial Church Garden Party. Many scones were made, and consumed with clotted cream and strawberry jam. In the interests of science both the Cornish method (jam first, cream on top) and the Devon method (cream first and then jam) were tested, and the conclusion ? – More research needed!
The swimming pool was available, as well as impromptu games of football and badminton, and to top off the event a choir sang madrigals.
It was a welcome opportunity for Phab and church members to mingle and chat.
Thanks to many generous donations the event also raised over £500 for Oxford Phab.
We had a very tasty meal at Hinksey Heights Golf Club. Although we were in a marquee the last time we went the weather was unsettled so we ate and chatted in The 19th Hole.
Conversations ranged from Tall Ships to Tall (and not so tall) People, and we got to catch up with some old friends.
