Zumba is a very popular activity for us.
For various medical reasons quite a few of our members did not come, so our numbers were lower than normal. Due to the heat some who normally enjoy Zumba decided to stay in chat in the John Wesley Room.
Those who did join in were glad they did, as we enjoyed a varied programme of music and movement and had a really good time.
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!
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
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.
We could indulge our inner Robin Hood or Shane in safety with rubber tipped arrows and Nerf gun darts.
For those who wanted to find their inner peace there was a Yoga session
We sat down for some sandwiches for lunch.
Lunch was followed by even more activities!
Boccia is always popular, and it was good to be able to join together with people from other clubs for a game.
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.
Some of our members chose to make friends with the animals
The hotel laid on a lesson in wine appreciation, with an experienced member of staff to take us though the wines on offer.
Bingo is another popular activity.
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.
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.
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)
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!
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
For a bit of variety we did seated Zumba this week. Although we were sitting down, by the end we knew we had been exercising!
Due to electricity supply issues at Wesley Memorial Church, where we normally meet, we had a change of scene. Those who were making their way to Phab independently met at McDonalds in Botley, and then walked the short distance the the Hall of Botley Women’s Institute, where George Martini – who normally leads us for Zumba, had already been running a session. The minibus went straight there.
Fortunately we were able to make a last minute booking for the W.I. Hall, which had lights and power for the music, so we had a very enjoyable Zumba session – this time largely seated.
George is qualified in several areas of Zumba from the high energy versions we enjoy at Zumbathons to slightly more sedate version we did today, which still left us feeling exercised!
George will be running a session at the Phab Fun Weekend in November, so something to look forward to for those who are going to that.
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.
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 !
One of the highlights of our online sessions, when we could not get together in person during the Covid pandemic were our Zumba sessions with George Martini.
These allowed people to participate who would not have been able to get to an in-person Zumba session. Also, as one member observed ‘You can turn your camera off and really go wild !’. On the other hand being together and being able to see how others are doing can be inspiring as well as inhibiting.
George is always very positive and encouraging with us, and makes sure the sessions match our abilities. We are already looking forward to having another Zumba session in our next programme.
We continued to meet for Friday chat online, but this was our first chance to have Zumba with George Martini, who welcomed the New Year with some new routines.
We are still meeting online only for the time being, but are looking into possibilities to meet up safely.
Unfortunately the worsening Covid-19 situation meant that we were unable to meet in person at Wesley Memorial, but several of us, including some who could not have come in person anyway, were able to get together on-line and chat.
We rounded off the evening with some Christmas themed Zumba, run by George Martini.
We are looking forward to a better year in 2022 !
