It is always exciting when our members take the initiative to raise money for our club activities, especially since this is the first such event since our online Donations system moved from BT MyDonate to Virgin Money Giving. Please support his activity – where he will stay up all night to watch the election results, and remember to vote yourself. You may not be as interested in politics as Tom is, but we are fortunate to live in a country where we have the opportunity, and we should not waste it.
Oxford Phab members were very happy for the opportunity to help Leslie and Caroline, two of our members, celebrate their wedding.
We gathered at Wesley Memorial Church to go down to the Registry Office for the ceremony.
Leslie and Caroline go by car, the rest of us make our own way.
The ceremony was lovely and the Registrar and staff very helpful, followed by the traditional photo opportunity on the steps.
Then it was back to Wesley Memorial for the reception, where Phab members and their families and friends had been involved with makings cakes and sandwiches, decorating the Hall, preparing music and tidying up afterwards.
We followed our previous Club Night with Indoor Tennis in January with another tennis session, giving members an opportunity to have a bit of exercise.
This session was more co-operative then competitive with a focus on trying to have longer rallies across the net. Impressively, given how high the ceiling is, the ball managed to be bounced off the sound deadening blocks a few times, which returned it in random directions. Luckily we play with a soft foam ball, which is safer for players, spectators and fitments.
Due to the snow and the expected transport disruption there will be no Phab on Friday 2nd March 2018.
We hope George will be able to Zumba with us another time, meanwhile wrap up well and stay safe.
Once again we had a warm welcome at Donnington Social Club, where we were chatted and played snooker.
We even had a visitor who had come all the way from Sweden to see Phab in action !
Taking the minibus and a car, we set off on Friday morning, hoping we might even arrive at the coast in time to see the sea before we checked into the hotel. Unfortunately the A34 was completely closed southbound, leading us to enjoy a scenic tour of Hampshire instead, with a highlight of the services at Sutton Scotney.
Finally we arrived at the hotel, checked in, unpacked and mingled with members from other Phab clubs in the bar until it was time for dinner. Chatting in the bar
Dinner was a buffet, with a selection of hot dishes, and was accompanied by entertainment and followed by disco and karaoke . Part of the buffet – before we ate.
Saturday
After a buffet breakfast, and a presentation by the CEO of Disabled Motoring UK, we split into groups for activities in the morning and afternoon with a buffet lunch in between.
Edible Christmas Crafts
In the this activity we learnt how to make a snowman, a wreath and a mug of chocolate out of marshmallows, biscuits and other edible goodies. Edible Christmas goodies Room full of Christmas crafters
Amazing Animals
We saw, and in some cases got close to, a range of animals.
Hissing cockroach
Tarantula
Python
Baby Hedgehog
Barn Owl
Dinner
We got dressed up for a posh dinner.
Dinner was followed by a Disco.
Sunday
After an Act of Worship for anyone who wished to attend, and who had got up in time, there was a Team Building exercise, once again making things out of edible material.
This was followed by a full Sunday Lunch, with Roast Beef, Pork or Turkey, and then we had a wrap up session and all went home.
Darren and Maria, who are getting married later this year, had a combined Hen and Stag party at Hinksey Heights Golf Club.
We had an abundance of Hen and/or Stag party themed drinking straws, ice cubes, pasta ! There was also plentiful and tasty meal.
There was fancy dress – here are some of the Pink Ladies
There was singing
and presents for the bride and groom to be
We also, sadly, said farewell to Mary, who had been making us welcome at Hinksey Heights Golf Club since we started being their Captain’s charity, but is moving on to pastures new. She had put a lot of effort into making this party very special, and we hope she will stay in touch.
When does a Phab holiday begin ? The official start was everyone assembling at 10:30 to board the Minibus, and three cars (we were joined by another one later with members who had to work during the day on Friday), and set off for the New Forest.
Before that plans had been made, food and other supplies bought, meals cooked and frozen and a host of other activities to make sure the holiday was a success.
The actual loading was very much the same as in 2015 and 2016, and the journey uneventful, but we were still pleased to arrive, have a picnic lunch in front of the house, and then, once our chalets were free, unload.
As always we were made very welcome at Donnington Social club, where we enjoy a change of scene and a chance to sit and chat.
We could also watch the club members play darts, which we did not join in – I think they play at a higher skill level than we do.
