For My Brother Charlie – An Autumnal Poem
By Peggy Maskell (Oct ’02)
I’msitting on the train again The trees and fields are resting now
But now it’s Autumn, and And though the Winter’s near
The leaves are falling to the ground There’s many trees still full of leaf
Red, russet, green and brown. When they really should be bare.
It’s cooler now, with dew and haze We’ve had an Indian Summer
To greet you when day’s dawning Or so the experts say
The clocks go back with longer nights The sun’s been warm far longer
And a coolness in the morning. Causing Nature to lose her way.
But there are lots of berries
On holly, shrubs and trees
Let’s hope it’s not the age-old sign
Of Winter snow and freeze
Some recent photos from our Groups
Dementia-Friendly Cinema at the Towner:
The film on Wednesday, 2nd October is “Sing Sing”, an American drama film based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison. The film centres on a group of inmates involved in the creation of theatrical stage shows through the program. It stars professional actors Colman Domingo and Paul Raci, alongside many real-life formerly incarcerated men who were themselves alumni of the program. I have posted a trailer on our Facebook page, but it can also be found on YouTube – please do watch it as does look a very interesting film.
The November film will be on Wednesday, 4th.as soon as I know what it will be, I’ll announce it at the Groups and will post details (including a trailer) on Facebook.
As always, the films start at 2.00 p.m., carers are free, everyone else is £5.00. You can prebook on the Towner website or pay by card or cash on the day(please allow extra time for queuing). There is nearby parking – for Blue Badge holders there is a free carpark immediately behind the Towner; otherwise, the “pay & display” Devonshire Park carpark further up College Road, and free local on-street parking if youare lucky enough to find a space!
New Music/Singing/Dancing Group
From Wednesday, 6th November, we have a new regular group on the first Wednesday of each month, starting at 2.00pm at Christ The King Church Hall. I’m hoping to get a variety of different professional singers/musicians each month, who’ll hopefully get you up dancing too (only if you want to, of course!!).
I know this clashes with the Towner Cinema, but not everyone goes to the cinema and it was the only day when the hall was free which did not clash with another dementia group or people’s day care. I’ll continue to share and advertise the Towner film each month, so you can make an informed choice of which activity to attend.
And in Other News
Trustee AngelaJumbo and I were promoting Memory Lane as guests of Kathy Harding on SeahavenRadio. Kathy was lovely, veryprofessional, yet easy to talk to. Thetime went SO quickly. There were so manythings we’d wanted to mention, yet ran out of time - mostly “Thank Yous” to everyonewho supports Memory Lane in any way, plus all the other groups who supportpeople with dementia and their carers.
If you missedit, I hope this link still works – https:/player.autopod.xyz/687742
Angela, TrusteeLorraine Saunders, Volunteer Liz Cotton and I shared a Memory Lane stand at theSussex Masons Abseil Fund-raiser in Peacehaven recently. It was a fun afternoon, both watching thebrave folks launching themselves over the cliff face and meeting the Masons andother charities present, whilst promoting Memory Lane.
And last, butnowhere near least, our MLE Volunteer and Friend, Margaret Jordan, shared thewonderful news that her great-niece, Lizzie Jordan, won a Gold Medal forBritain in the Paris Paralympics!!! Lizzie is a blind cyclist, having lost her sight after nearly dying froman E-Coli infection which put her in an induced coma for two months in 2017,when she was only 19.
This picture isfrom the World Championships in Rio, where she also won Gold!!!
Advance warning: C-word Events!!
Pre-Christmas Outing to Hilliers Garden Centre on Thursday, 14th November, approx. 12-midday onwards. Hilliers will be “dressed” for Christmas and has a variety of other outlets for Christmas shopping. I’ve already booked our exclusive use of their function room – so we could eat lunch together and leave our coats etc. safely whilst we look around the Centre. But I need your feedback before we finalize some of the details.
I need to know (a) whether you are interested in the trip, and (b) whether you need help with transport or could make your own way there, plus whether you could offer anyone else a lift. Obviously, I could book a coach for us all to travel together, but that is rather expensive for such a short journey. But, depending on the feedback, I could organize a minibus or wheelchair taxi for those who need it.
Pantomime – This year it’s Snow White at the Devonshire Park Theatre. As usual, I’ll book seats with step-free access. Again, I need to know who is interested in attending, and whether you want to go before or after Christmas. Before Christmas, I’m looking at the matinees on either Tuesday 10th or Thursday 12th,and after Christmas I’m suggesting Friday 27th December (as there is no Indoor Bowling in December). Again, please let me know your preferences. The cost will be £10 a couple.
Christmas Party – just a date for your diary really!! Our December Saturday Club is being hijacked in favour of a Christmas party!! It willbe at St Wilfrid’s Church Hall in Pevensey Bay, from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. We’ve got the lovely Kathy Harding fromSeahaven Radio deejaying for us!! Shewants to know of any special musical requests so she can ensure she has themavailable to play for you!! So,something else to let me know!! And, of course, there will be food, games, presents, and Santa!!!!!
Monthly Cash Draw:
The July winners were: The August winners were:
1st prize £100 Carmen Hagel 1st prize £100 Roger Francis
2nd prize £40 Keith Robinson 2nd prize £40 Madeleine Furminger
3rd prize £20 Sheila Speed 3rd prize £25 Susan Joy
Our grateful thanks to Carmen who kindly donated half her prize back to Memory Lane
If you, or a friend or relative, would like to donate regularly to Memory Lane, please consider joining the Monthly Cash Draw. A minimum of £10 a month secures your own dedicated number. £20 doubles your chances with two dedicated numbers. Half the funds each month are paid out in prizes; the other half goes towards funding Memory Lane activities. Please ask Deb or one of the Volunteers for more information.
DebCrook
MLECo-ordinator and Newsletter Editor
