Archived Newsletter - Autumn 2007

Hello everyone and welcome to the Autumn edition of the Devon Newsletter. I am sorry but, by necessity, this is going to be a slightly shortened version and without any graphics!  To explain!  I am currently off sick as my back has decided to “come out” again!  I am afraid that I have been off for several weeks but am very pleased to say that I am, at last, on the mend. I am, therefore, typing this edition from home. I must say that in all the 16 years I have worked for the Association I have never had more than 2 weeks off sick so this has come as a big shock to me and everyone else! I would like to say a very big thank you to Pat for taking over in my absence, she has rather been thrown in at the deep end but has coped remarkably and we are extremely lucky to have her. Thanks also to Val and Linda who have, inevitably, had extra work to do and also had the added problem of the erratic trains to contend with. My thanks, also, to Linda (our Treasurer) who has taken a lot of the financial work on for me and also had to face our auditor without me! I didn’t escape that entirely though as he rang me at home and asked some questions!! Lastly, thanks to Shirley who had to manage a Trustee meeting without me, the first I have missed in 16 years! Not only did Shirley have to Chair the meeting but had to produce the minutes as well so I think she well deserves the holiday she is away on as I type this. It seems really early to be sending out the autumn newsletter but I wanted it to get to you in time to remind you all about our Fun Social Event and AGM which is taking place on Monday, 3rd September, more about that later. I, personally, hate the idea of autumn coming as it means that summer is over and what an awful summer it has been.  I’m glad I have a fortnight in Spain booked for the end of September as it will ensure I eventually get some sunshine! Anyway, I hope you all had a good summer I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the AGM.

Since the last newsletter (and before I went off sick) I had the pleasure of meeting members at the Paignton Club and also Vision OM at Ottery St. Mary who were facing a crisis as their leader resigned.  I am pleased to say that, following a crisis meeting, it was decided that the club would continue with Anne Decent at the helm, Anne is to be ably assisted by volunteer helpers who agreed to take on various tasks and we are looking forward to welcoming them to Station House shortly for a group visit.  I also appreciated attending the Exeter Society AGM and had a lovely time at the St. Dunstans Reunion lunch where it was great to meet friends old and new.

As I have said previously, it is our one big event of the year on Monday, 3rd September when we are trying something a bit different this year to accompany our AGM.  As you know, there is no annual show this year but instead we intend to have a fun day/social event to precede the AGM.  This will all take place at the same venue as last year, i.e. The America Hall, de-la-rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter.  If you have not been to the America Hall before we can provide you with a map, just give the office a ring on 01392 876666.  The fun part of the day will start at around 10am when all kinds of lovely home made refreshments will be on sale.  We will have the usual stalls, draw, tombola, bric a brac, nearly new etc. as well as this year we will be having a display of high tech equipment by Abilitywise of Newton Abbot.  Julian and Jenny from Abilitywise are brilliant and will be able to answer any of your queries with regard to computers or any of the high tech equipment available these days to help make your life a little easier, such as CCTVs and reading machines.  We will also have lots of ideas for Christmas stocking fillers on sale such as DCAB mugs and supermarket trolley tokens as well as our yummy Christmas puddings and also our diaries.  I am pleased to say that we actually have, in the shop, our small yellow diaries and hope, fingers crossed, to have the large desk diaries in time for 3rd September.  We have actually had our hands on them once but, unfortunately, the printer moved Christmas and they had to be sent back to be put right!  We probably wont have our calendars in time for the 3rd September but you can always put in your order and we will send it out as soon as we get them.  We would like the 3rd September event to be an occasion to meet up with old friends from all over the county, home cooked lunches will be available and our more formal business AGM will commence at 2.30pm.  Please try and come along and make this a success for us.  Club leaders, have you organised transport?  It would certainly be a nice day out for your members.  I look forward to seeing you all there.

It may seem to some of you that the Association is not doing much for visually impaired people at present but please remember our shop, resource centre, low vision clinic, clubs, computer lessons, AGM and this newsletter!  However, please be assured that Shirley and the Trustees are working very hard behind the scenes to move the Association forward with the help of our Strategic Consultant, Peter, and our Club Facilitator, Louise, who are very busy at present on our behalf.  It is hoped that at least one new venture will be started before too long so there are exciting times to come for the Association.

There was no take up for the Christmas break advertised in the last newsletter so we wont be pursuing that avenue but Trustees would be interested to know if there is anyone out there who would like to take a holiday, but would need to take a sighted guide with you and cannot afford to pay for two to take someone with you? If this applies to you, then please give us a ring in the office as we may be able to help you. 

I have some bad news now I am afraid, Doris Sexton, one of our Trustees for several years, died in July.  Doris was well into her 90s and many of you will know her from the group holidays and also her articles in past newsletters on behalf of Tiverton and Cullompton Clubs as well as her accounts of the group holidays she so enjoyed.  Doris will be sadly missed by all her friends and colleagues.

Some happier news now!  Our esteemed President, Miss Olive Wakeham, MBE, celebrated her 100th birthday in July with a party for members of her family and friends.  Shirley represented the Association and had a very nice afternoon, she was able to report that Olive looked extremely well and thoroughly enjoyed all the attention and champagne!

After training to be a children’s nurse, Olive later moved into general nursing and then, after the War, started to work as a home teacher for visually impaired people. She taught canework, campanology, rug making, knitting, Braille and moon to visually impaired people in their own homes.  Olive has seen many changes in the provision of services for visually impaired people and spent more than 80 years caring for others. I am sure you will all want to join with me in sending Olive all our good wishes.

I only have one Club report this time, I know many of the clubs break for the summer but it would be nice to know what you are all doing so, come on clubs, send us a report for the next newsletter

Peg Jago has sent the following on behalf of the EXMOUTH CLUB and she says “Exmouth Club for the Blind finished the spring session with two events, a drive along the seafront and back to The Pavillion for tea and also a visit to Stan Herbert’s garden in East Budleigh for the afternoon.  Stan has a huge garden with all sorts of things in it from bonsai trees to topiary trees shaped like rabbits and small animals and a large wild rhubarb by the stream.  Masses and masses of geraniums and fuchsias amongst other things.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.  I was particularly thrilled as Stan had put me in the conservatory and his dog, Watson, who had only seen me a few times before, suddenly spotted me and came up and put two paws on my lap and cuddled me.  I had a wash and kiss session, I had the best wash I have had for weeks!
Just afterwards, we heard of the death of dear Joe Grainger who had been our President for the last 3 or 4 years.  Stan took me to the funeral, Kay also came to represent the Club.
I was thrilled to be able to speak to Olive Wakeham and give her best wishes from myself and the Club on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
We are off now until 27th September as they are having building work done on Rest Haven (where we meet) but I look forward to welcoming members old and new then.”  Thanks for this Peg.  I was also sad to learn of the death of Joe Grainger, some of you may remember Joe from several years ago when he was a trustee of the Association. It was only a couple of weeks before he died that I spoke to him and he seemed to be getting on well so it was a shock to us all.

I make no apology for repeating this but please do be careful who you let into your home.  There are lots of con men (and women) out there who are trying all sorts of ploys to get themselves into your home and once inside they will steal anything they can but they are particularly looking for cash.  They are currently saying they are from utility companies such as the water board to gain access. ; Anyone who is genuine will have made an appointment so please be careful and think before you let anyone you don’t know into your home.  Meter readers will have identification on them and you can also arrange a password with your supplier so that anyone having to come to your home will give the password to you so that you know they are genuine.  Don’t become a victim but take these simple precautions and keep yourself safe.

If you would like to stop receiving all the junk mail that comes by post these days, you can register, free of charge, with the Mail Preference Service, this will, they say, stop 95% of your junk mail but still allow solicited mail through.  Just call 0845 703 4599 or you can do it on line by visiting www.mpsonline.org.uk.  The service also handles complaints if companies persist in sending you mail.
If you currently have someone in to read your post for you, you could considerably cut down their work load by registering with this service.

For those of you who are computer users, did you know that research shows there are more germs on your keyboard than on a toilet seat!  What an awful thought, particularly for someone who is currently using a keyboard!!  You can try turning your keyboard upside down and shaking it over a wastebasket then run the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner over it.  You can also clean the keys with a dry microfibre cloth and, to finish off, wipe it with a tumble dryer sheet which will freshen it up and keep the dirt attracting static at bay!  I always think a good blow helps!

I like this Native American proverb which says “Judge no man until you have walked for two moons in his moccasins”.

Don’t forget our fun event and AGM on September 3rd and also that our shop is open from Tuesday – Friday 10am until 1pm when Valerie and Linda will be delighted to help you.  You can use our resource centre, by appointment, and see all our high tech equipment plus our computer system.  Also don’t forget our low vision service which is completely free of charge and very popular so you will need to ring for an appointment, which is always on a Thursday.  If you don’t currently have a magnifying glass or the one you have is very old, then just give us a ring and Rod will do whatever he can to help you.  Also, don’t forget that we have Carole in Totnes on clinic days, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Optima’s premises in Totnes where she will be happy to see you.

I hope to make the next edition a bit longer but, for now, best wishes to you all from Sue (at home), Pat, Valerie and Linda (all working hard in the office) and Carole in Totnes.

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