John was our treasurer and one of the founding members of the Forum. He was an active member, always ready with a smile to greet attendees at our Forum meetings, and participating in the social activities such as the Lunch Club and day trips. He was very conscientious about his role as Treasurer and was meticulous in his record keeping. Despite several health challenges over eight years and ‘taking each day as it comes’, John loyally performed his duties as a member of the committee. He was a gentle man with a lovely sense of humour and will be greatly missed. We send our condolences to his children Nigel and Alison and other family members.

We are grateful to Tania Brightmore who is currently assuming the role of Treasurer.

How would you like to enjoy an entertaining afternoon of humorous anecdotes from Gervase Phinn and a cream tea at the Old Swan Hotel? And, at the same time, you could be helping to raise funds for the Friends of Harrogate Hospital. Funds which could finance projects such as making a playground, so that small patients at the hospital might actually want to go outside for some fresh air and exercise.  For further details, please follow this link.  Gervase Phinn

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association are currently looking for volunteers who could care for their puppies for one year within this area. This involves teaching them basic commands and valuable socialisation skills. This role is full time as the puppies cannot be left for more than a couple of hours a day. Therefore, it is a perfect opportunity for volunteers who are recently retired, looking for a companion or something to do to increase their socialisation. All food and veterinary costs are covered by Guide Dogs within the role.  Please follow this link for further information.    Guide dogs

The wooden frame is soaked in the village pond, then packed with wet clay & over the course of the three days before Ascension Day, the delicate task of forming the picture with flower petals & other natural materials is completed. Each petal is put in separately & they overlap like roof tiles so that rain will flow off the picture. Beautiful!

TISSINGTON WELL DRESSINGS VISIT.

On a hot, sunny day, 19 members enjoyed a special visit to Tissington in the beautiful, green, Derbyshire countryside.

This pretty village, complete with duck pond, was comfortably busy with visitors wandering around the six wells, admiring the creative & stunning handiwork of the villagers in their annual thanksgiving for the continuous gift of water. The dressings always have a biblical theme & one featured Jesus’ first miracle – changing water into wine at the Wedding at Cana – sadly, only water was flowing from this well as usual!

Refreshments were available from Herbert’s or the Village Hall. Numerous small marquees & stalls were to be found around the village along with several small businesses. The shopaholics amongst us were tempted by all the locally produced “goodies”to be found in the sweets & vintage home ware shop, candlemakers, gift shop, butchers (Derbyshire Oatcakes!) & plant nursery.

Also to be visited were St. Mary’s Church on  the hill & the small Methodist Chapel, which backed onto the fields. This had a simple, very appropriate water feature surrounded by stones & small plants on the altar.

A tour of the Hall & gardens completed the afternoon, made interesting by David, the guide, & his wife.  The FitzHerberts are one of only 200 families in the country who can claim that they still live in the house that they built over 400 years ago.    It is thanks to the commitment of the current owner, Sir Richard FitzHerbert, that the Estate’s farms, small local businesses & ancient traditions are all thriving within an unspoilt village atmosphere.   Sir Richard took a break from his duties as a parking steward to acknowledge our visit & chat briefly, before we boarded the coach “ tired but happy” as the saying goes.

Tania Brightmore

Here are some tips about 5 essential winter care accessories. Also, you can get more winter driving advice on our ‘Topical News’ page.

This booklet was inspired by and created with the words of people with dementia to give readers ideas on how to make the lives of people with dementia more pleasant, allowing them to be more socially included and no longer feeling alone.  The booklet was created with funding support from the Life Changes Trust.  You can download the booklet and an accompanying film here.