News 2002

Christmas Buffet 2002

Donation I was a guest at a Corringham Rotary Club meeting this week, where they presented me with a cheque. The Rotary Club members had held a collection outside Asda's in Tilbury and collected £350, to which they were able to add a further amount, bringing the total to £400. We thank the shoppers in Tilbury for their generosity and to the Rotary Club for picking us as the beneficiary. Rob.

Carol Singing 2002

We gathered at Lakeside Shopping Centre, by the Christmas tree, on Monday 2nd December, to collect on behalf of our branch. Our choir was from Graham James Primary School with the headteacher, Alan Clark, conducting.

For several years they have helped us out at Christmas, and this year was no exception. The children played with enthusiasm and gusto and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as did the audience that surrounded them the whole time they were there.

Our total for collecting was £472.56

We thank the shoppers for their donations, Lakeside Shopping Centre for allowing us to collect, Alan Clark for arranging the choir, the teachers and parents that helped behind the scenes, our collectors for giving their time and finally but by now means least the children of the choir.

Click here for pictures

A good turn out by members. And a chance to catch up with old friends from last halloween.

There were several masks and assorted headgear about.

The suppers from the local 'chippie' were good and plentiful. Drinks were laid on, both hard and soft.

Joyce brought some bags with mystery items inside and members tried to guess their contents.

A very pleasant evening, even with the uninvited guest.

Warners Weekend

This was a great Turkey and Tinsel weekend. Members travelled down on the minibus or under their own steam.

A variety of events were entered, and won, by our members including

table tennis,

fun darts, target golf and snooker.

Events took part in also included 'Skittle the Snowmen',

'Reindeer Racing'

and of course Bingo. There was line-dancing tuition and a few quizzes. The whole weekend was one long string of events and some stamina was required.

Luckily most of the entertainment was indoors as this was the weekend of the gales!

The food was very good,

as was the evening entertainment.

With dancing every night to keep in trim.

In all a great 'condensed' Christmas and New Year as can be seen from the pictures below.

Newly Diagnosed Night

On Friday 18th Oct a newly diagnosed night was held. This night was especially for local people who have been recently diagnosed with MS. However , for the first time we had no new people come along. It would appear this was due to the late announcement in the Gazette.

New Hall Vineyard Trip

It was the Festival Weekend when we had out trip to the vineyard. There were many craft stalls demonstrating the skills of all sorts of craft workers. Their products were very reasonably priced and the cake stall did remarkably well with some of us buying our Christmas Cakes (well laced with brandy) all ready for icing when the time arrives.

"The Mummers" acted out an old English play in the amusing way which is traditional. There were fencing displays, fire eaters and stilt walkers, as well as tours of the vineyard. On a wagon, refreshments were plentiful and there was a seafood stall well supported by our members. Maybe the oysters were the attraction!!!

All visitors were given 4 free tastes of wine. The time went very quickly and it was difficult to see all the attractions, so I hope we can make it again next year. Finally, thank you to our driver for all his help, and for giving up the tastings for obvious reasons.

Joyce

Newmarket

As usual the racing day out proved very popular and some 60 members and friends went.

Lunch wasn't provided this year, most people took a picnic while others went to eat at the racecourse. In previous years, we have always been very lucky with the weather, but not this year. However, after eating our picnics in the rain and getting soaked cheering home our horses in the first 2 races the sun came out for the rest of the day. After racing, we all returned to the coach, where winners and mostly losers enjoyed a variety of cakes, fruit, beer and wine.

As usual a great day out, and look forward to next year.

Article provided by Marilyn and Frank.

Harlow Dogs Some of our female members trying to get the low down on the best dogs to back.

We had a great evening at the Harlow dog stadium. We were in the executive suite, so had even better seats and a grander view than our last visit. We were invited to present the prize for the M.S. Stakes but unfortunately none of us had backed the winning dog. The meal and drinks went down a treat and after a very enjoyable evening we made our way back to Grays.

Meal at Thurrock Technical College.

Quite a number of branch members went for a gourmet meal at the "Tech". The varieties of food were numerous including guinea fowl, shanks of lamb, salmon and other things I cannot remember the names of. Drinks flowed freely and when the sweet trolley arrived we were spoilt for choice. Everybody said they enjoyed the evening and we hope to repeat the evening when the college re-opens after the summer break.

Diamond Wedding

Eileen and Ernie Wakening celebrated their Diamond Wedding last month. What an achievement. We send them all our best wishes and may they have many more happy years together.

Marathon

Dave Bartholomew, (known as Bart), a friend of Rob Brandon, ran in the London Marathon. He accomplished it in less than 4 hours and raised the sum of £584.20, which he has donated to the Branch. Well done Bart, and thank you from all our members.

Donations

The donation for the marathon runner has already been mentioned however two others were received which were: Eileen and Ernie asked that for their diamond wedding anniversary instead of flowers donations were made to the branch - many thanks to them and to their future together. A donation was also received from some of the Methodist Church (Hathaway Road) members. Following the death of one of our regular donators, instead of flowers some of the mourners put towards a donation to us of £80.

Insurance

We have received a leaflet from the Society National Centre, giving details of insurance services. Marilyn has details or you can call for more information or a quote on the following freephone number: 0800 7833 157

Smoking

The hospital trust has asked us not to smoke in the building where we hold our Friday social evening. Thurrock hospital, including the John Tallack Centre, has a non-smoking policy.

AGM

This year's AGM was held on Friday March 22nd. There were 23 members in attendance and the meeting went very smoothly in record time.

Frank gave a report on the events from the last year before the elections took place. Before going to the elections however, Frank presented a bouquet of flowers and a bowl and matching vase to Jean Mills for the excellent work she and her husband Mike had done, over several years, as Treasurer and Day Centre Co-ordinator.

This year's elections were then carried out. All nominees for this year's committee were elected unanimously.

Cheese and wine were available after the main business was concluded, and the rest of the evening was spent catching up on gossip.

Day Centre

Some recent photographs at the day centre, showing some of our members hard at work,

and others just relaxing.

More Donations

We have recently been presented with a cheque from Thurrock and Basildon College, which has been used to purchase a new computer for use at the day centre.

Pictured is our chairman Frank Ross receiving the cheque and computer keyboard.

Scooter

From money donated to us from the Mardyke Rotary Club we have purchased a motorised scooter for members use on outings etc. For more information contact Marilyn.

Donation

Following the carol singing for us at Lakeside by the pupils from Graham James school, a collection was had at the school after one of their Christmas events.

This resulted in the school sending the branch a cheque for £73.54 for which we thank them very much.