News 2004

Halloween Supper

Not too many scary outfits this year - perhaps we can do better next year !

Collecting at ASDA

Well done to all the collectors who braved the icy breeze from the front doors to collect for the branch. Our total count was £323.24

Charity Fair

	This is the table sale on saturday. We made £88.75p. Joyce

Nashville Nights & Dixie Days

This was a pleasant evening listening, and sometimes singing along to Country tunes. There was a pleasant mix of old, new and not so well known tunes to start. There was perhaps a bit too much chat, and most of the renditions were 'in the style of' rather than 'stars in their eyes copies'. However, most of our group could be seen at some stage, singing and clapping along. Their best singer was Maria Lee, who comes from just up the road in Basildon. All in all it made a refreshing change from just putting on a Country music CD.

Newmarket trip

We awoke to the sun shining and no prospect of rain as we headed off to Newmarket. There were 41 people travelling to the races in either the coach or minibus, which Kevin had volunteered to drive.

Arriving at the racecourse we were welcomed with a cool drink of Pimms in our Gazebo and then headed off into the races.

Myself, Marilyn and Rob's dad put our names down to have a guided tour of Newmarket. We were lucky to get a place and headed off on the jeep for a tour of Newmarket racecourse, also a stop at the start gates we were able to walk on the track and watch the race.

All very exciting and very quiet away from the crowds in the distance. Most of us had at least one winner on the day.

After the last race we headed out to the minibus where the food was already on display and lots of cool drinks at hand. Jackie and her friend shopped, prepared and displayed all the food, which was great, and we thank them for their work. Wine, beer and soft drinks flowed whilst we tucked into the wonderful food.

After the crowds had dispersed we packed up and arrived home around 8.30pm after a long but lovely day.

Margaret

Collection at Morrisons.

Thanks go to those who gave up their time to stand at Morrisons to collect for the branch. Their efforts on the day helped the branch funds to the tune of £342.59. Let's hope more people can help when we collect at ASDA on Oct 23rd.

BUTTERFLY FARM VISIT

Out trip to the Butterfly Farm, officially called 'Tropical Wings Butterfly and Bird Garden' was a great success. The weather was fine and everybody was in a jovial mood..

We arrived about 10.45 a.m. and went straight to the butterfly house. This was similar to the tropical house in Kew Gardens, full of various trees and foliage, which included banana trees, which were in full fruit.

The bananas grow upwards and do not hang down. The butterflies were flying everywhere and were really beautiful colours as were the tropical birds.

We then went to the bug house. What impressed me was the worker leaf carrying ants. They started from one side of a very thick rope. Carried their load which seemed quite big compared to their size, deposited it and then went back and started all over again. On view were hundreds of chrysalises all in varying stages of breaking out into butterflies. When you think some of the final butterflies are about 6 inches wide it was interesting to see how they are formed.

Our next stop was the gardens where there are various animals and birds. Displays by them are going on all day. It was very similar to a zoo but much more open space and picnic area. There were rabbits, wallabies, goats, lambs, eagles and vultures and beautiful parrots to name a few.

We had a reasonably priced meal in the restaurant and finished off with visits to the craft shop and farm shop. We all made various purchases and finished off with blue ice pops to cool us down. To anybody who saw us leaving the butterfly farm that day, we do not always have blue teeth, tongues and lips.

All in all a very good place to visit, suitable for all ages and we all enjoyed ourselves. Thank you to Kevin who drove the vehicle for us and was good company all day.

Report by Joyce

Newly Diagnosed night

We had three new people come along to the evening to find out more about MS and what we do in Thurrock. Hopefully they will return to our social evenings and join in some of our activities.

Evening Meal

Riverview Restaurant at Thurrock College was the venue for our meal out. All those booked were unfortunately unable to make it, and missed out on an excellent meal. The food was cooked and presented by the students at the college and it made a pleasant change to have a meal out, that didn't come straight from the microwave. The were several gourmet items on offer prepared in special ways I am not qualified to explain, but made the taste buds tingle in anticipation. I only heard terms of approval for all the items tried. If you fancy this type of meal at a reasonable price then try it yourself.

AGM

This year's AGM was held on Friday March 5th. There were 14 members in attendance and the meeting went very smoothly.

Marilyn read the minutes of last years AGM as Rob had difficulty with her writing. Richard then gave a report on the events from last year and ended by thanking the committee members for their help during the year. Lynette then gave a report on the statement of accounts. The elections then followed, the officers and two other members that had been proposed were all elected unanimously. Rob was also elected as the Branch Voting Delegate. Hunt Smee & Co was re-elected as Branch Auditors. The floor was then opened to the members present for any questions. A couple were asked and given satisfactory answers. Rob asked for a vote of thanks to the committee members who had not stood this year and for those who were continuing. Following the meeting we had drinks and nibbles.

Bowling

A group of 16 of us, including 5 children, met up at Hollywood Bowl on Sunday evening (25th Jan) for a bit of fun. We split into two groups on Alley 19 & 20.

There was plenty of banter and rivalry between the two groups and cheers were in abundance. There were many styles on display from the delicate bowling of Allison and Angela on lane 19,

to the demonic bowling of Darren and Rob B. on lane 20, both trying to be Fred Flintstone.

Darren appeared to be trying to bounce the ball just in front of the kingpin, whilst Rob B. just wanted to demolish all the pins.

Nevertheless all the players enjoyed themselves.

Alley 20 won the first game with Frank getting the highest score. In the second game the pressure was on Rob L. as the last bowler, in the final frame, to win it for Alley 19, and get a high score. The top scores were:

Game 1 - Lane 19 Richard with 113: Lane 20 Frank with 124

Game 2 - Lane 19 Rob L. with 133: Lane 20 Sam with 124

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