Normally our games of Boccia are pretty similar to anyone else’s, but this is something you don’t see in the Paralympics.
The red ball is on top of the white !
For comparison – this is how it should look
Evening at Donnington Social Club
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.
Wheelchair Dancing – and Pancakes !
When we went to the Crafts Day at Hounslow Phab we brought back a quantity of surplus lemons, as well as all the items we made that day. These went well with the pancakes we cooked in the new John Wesley room kitchen at Wesley Memorial Church. We also had a sugar, bananas, squirty cream and a selection of chocolate and other sauces.
To work off all these calories we went through to the Hall for a spot of Wheelchair Dancing, arranged though the Wheelchair Dance Sports Association, sponsored by National Phab, and provided by West Oxfordshire Wheelchair Dance.
Once we had warmed up we really got into it !
As you can see in this video !
Amazing Love
Some Oxford Phab members performed in the Musical “Amazing Love“, while others came to watch. All those who took part, and hopefully those who watched, found it inspiring and uplifting.
It was written by Jack Godfrey, a member of Wesley Memorial Church, and who came to Phab from time to time – and tells the story of John and Charles Wesley. This might not sound like the most promising material for a musical, but the Wesleys had an exciting life and Amazing Love features a fire and a storm at sea, both accompanied by appropriate special effects, as well as scenes at Oxford University and the Colony of Georgia. We also learnt the less widely know “Tale of Jeremiah‘s Wife”.
Here we see, in the background, Oxford Phab members Penny, John, Sarah, Mary and Karen. Note the simple, but effective 18th century costumes.
In the background are Mary, Sarah, Karen and John from Oxford Phab looking on as John Wesley talks to Sophie Hopkey.
Here John (on the upper level), Mary and Sarah are joining in the finale.
Up in the gallery Simon was running a Followspot to illuminate principle characters, and helped with the setting up and taking down of the lighting rig.
This video was shot during the setting up of part of the Fire! scene. The production version of the scene used more fire effect lighting systems and a smoke machine.
Rehearsing for the musical and thinking about some related issues led to the article Amazing Love, Demographics and Mass migrations on my blog.
Crafts Day at Hounslow Phab
We filled the minibus with enthusiastic crafters, and went to spend a day at Hounslow Phab.
We could make bunnies,
or cards,
or decorated bags – as well as picture fames, jewellery and a host of other options.
It was also good to meet up with our friends from other Phab clubs.
Normal Club with Boccia
As well as a little celebrating …
we played Boccia in the Hall.
This is the first time we used our new Boccia ramp (a piece of guttering).
Moonrakers concert
We were lucky to have the chance, once again, to see The Moonrakers back at Wesley Memorial, in another concert with proceeds going to the Open Doors Project.
Here are some of the Phab members, watching Moonrakers setting up.
Normal club -and hockey in the Hall
Our club night was enlivened by a new mini pool table, kindly donated by Tanya.
As well as our usual cups of tea, we played Hockey in the Hall.
We did not play the official Floorball rules, but members came in and picked up a stick and joined in !
Warning, the video above was taken whilst playing – do not watch if you get seasick !
This is how it looked as a spectator a little later.
We had a great time, and enjoyed making use of the space.
Normal Club – back in the John Wesley Room
We are back in the John Wesley Room for the first normal Club of 2017.
The John Wesley Room, and kitchen have been refurbished since we last used them, and we enjoyed the new look.
The larger hatch was well used for cups of tea.
and the new stainless steel kitchen looks very smart
as well as – to the delight of those who have used the kitchen for a long time – retaining the traditional clothes airer, to be seen at the top left of the picture.
The chilly weather is a good time to look back on things we have done in the past, in this case our holiday to Eurodisney in 2005.
We are also looking forward the the Moonrakers concert next week.
Pantomime – Cinderella at Oxford Playhouse
Did we enjoy our traditional trip to the Pantomime at Oxford Playhouse ?
Oh no we did’nt
Oh Yes we Did !!!
As in previous years we cheered the hero, booed the villain and generally entered into the spirit of things.