News 2007

January 1st was the official start of the merged branches of Thurrock and Basildon.

The Basildon branch had been experiencing difficulties over many months which led to a much reduced committee. It was thought to ensure there was still a presence for people to contact about Multiple Sclerosis in the area, a merge with Thurrock was the best possible solution.

A return to Basildon and Thurrock College was made this year after negotiations on the menu. Many members felt a traditional menu would be preferable to the normal gourmet items produced by the students.

Our first visit was on Monday the 10th with Graham James. Every year the performance by the Graham James choir excels our expectations, and this year was no exception. It was unfortunate that this year Lakeside decided on certain restrictions, namely not to allow the use of power sockets. However the representatives from the school made an excellent move to get over these restrictions of power.

The location this year was on the 'Food Court' which had a seated, captive audience, but it is from the ‘passing trade’ that we get a better collection. We were however, able to raise the sum of £164.88. Thanks go to all the children of the choir who gave their all in their singing. We also appreciate all the work behind the scenes by Julie, Pauline, and all the teachers and parents that helped.

Our second visit was on the 12th with a choir from Hassenbrook. The choir arrived in high spirits and couldn't wait to get going. This year we were on the first floor near the Disney store. The hoarding of a recently closed shop was the backdrop which was not a very favourable spot. Despite the sound of power saws behind the hoarding the choir did manage to sing a range of traditional and seasonal songs. The total collected whilst the children were singing was £160.33. Thanks go to all the children of the choir who gave their all in their singing. We also appreciate all the work behind the scenes by Siobhan and all the teachers and parents that helped.

We also thank our collectors for giving their time, and to Lakeside staff for all their help.

Cecelia and Rob represented the branch at this conference at the Holiday Inn at Basildon. The welcome and introduction was given by Paul Weaver the new chairman of the Herts and Essex region. Dr Mohammad Sharief, MD PhD FRCP, then gave a talk for approx an hour and a half. Due to the time available he limited his talk to three areas. The first was 'what is MS and what are its effects. Secondly he spoke of current treatments and the different medications in the 'pipeline'. Thirdly he spoke on alternative treatments which are used in conjunction with medication currently being prescribed. It would take too long to give all the details, but if you would like more information please send a request to support@r.laing.freeserve.co.uk.

After lunch there was a talk and display from the Taoist Tai Chi society, Colchester. Following this there were people who were available to talk to about Reflexology, Aromatherapy, massage and exercise. It was a very informative day, which was well supported and local for this branch.

Entertainment was from only one 'Rat Pack' performer which had closed in August.

This was a hilarious comedy farce put on at the Palace Theatre, Southend. Only a few of us opted for this show and, I must say they missed a really funny evening. There were stars from the small screen, but it was 'Norman' who stole the show with a magnificently humorous performance. Melvyn Hayes as 'Uncle George' endured a lot of physical activities throughout, being 'knocked out' halfway through, and acting as a rag doll for most of the remainder of the show. A great night out and well worth seeing, pity parking is restricted.

They Came, We Saw, They Conquered

A large group from the Branch visited the Towngate Theatre, Basildon to see 'The Jive Aces'. They are a popular jive and swing band who tour abroad as well as the U.K. They rose above all our expectations and everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Foot tapping was the order of the evening and a demonstration of the jitterbug by a 'not so young' couple brought the audience to their feet with applause. A not to be forgotten evening enjoyed by all of us. Thanks to Lynette for organising the outing. Joyce.

We recently held a Newly Diagnosed evening in Thurrock at the John Tallack Centre. The meeting was aimed at those who, having been recently diagnosed with MS, had not been given much information on the disease. There were many leaflets and vouchers on offer for people to browse and take if they felt they would be of help. We also had a number of members on hand to answer questions, not only on MS. but how the branch could help them.

An Awareness Day was given in the Basildon area on the same lines. The event was held in Bradbury House and we were helped by the Assistant Manager, Bernard O'Brian, who put his artistic training to good use with our posters etc. As in Thurrock, there was a multitude of information relating to MS available, both in literature and from those members present.

Despite requesting information to be put out on the local radio stations, and in the local press, none were heard or seen in the media, other than an item on one radio's web site. Throughout our region, posters were put up in local surgeries, libraries etc, but it is felt that the absence of the meetings being reported in the local media, led to the low turn-out at both events.

Many thanks go to all our members who gave their time and energy to put on both events.

Yet another outing to this popular destination. Due to reports of hold-ups on the M25/M11 other routes were suggested. Those unaware of possible delays met no problems, and arrived around the same time as those taking alternative routes through Brentwood and Ongar. No big cheers were heard at our two tables, but then nobody appeared to be crying about their losses, from that I conclude there were no big winners or losers. The food was reasonable, but appeared to be less than on our last visit. It was a pleasant evening with plenty of laughter from our area. Thanks go to Jimmy, our minibus driver for the evening, and Joy, his co-pilot.

It was with sadness I met with Alan Clark, the head teacher of Graham James School, to offer our thanks to him for his help over many years. Alan started approximately 15 years ago helping us at Christmas, by arranging the school choir to sing at Lakeside whilst we collected.

Around 40 from all over our covered area came to celebrate over 30 years in an established branch. The food from a local 'chippie' was good and enjoyed by all. Kirsty Harrison was able to join us for the evening. Joyce had been busy collecting for the raffle which took £44 in ticket sales. Margaret arranged the refreshments and Rob and Jimmy collected the suppers.

Due to a low response we did not send a group to this event. The weather was very poor and due to the weather conditions many of the presenters were unable to display.

The proceedings started in a manner very similar to last year. The meeting opened with a greeting from Rob and Joyce read the minutes from the previous AGM which were signed by Rob as all agreed they were a true record of the events. There were no matters arising so Rob gave the Branch Annual Report (Branch Annual Report 2007) on what we had been doing over the last 12 months and what was hoped for the future year.

The elections followed, Margaret then took over the proceedings advising the names of the nominees, their proposers and seconders. As no other names were received the committee will remain the same as last years election with the addition of Cecilia who had been co-opted last year. Committee

There then followed a general question and answer session before Rob asked the invited guest Paul Weaver (the Regional Vice Chair) to say a few words. Paul gave a broad overview of the role the Regional Committee.

Rob then asked for a vote of thanks for the outgoing committee, to the volunteers at the Day centre and to the drivers who help us to keep going, to those present for attending and to Paul for the impromptu talk.

Over 20 signed up for this well liked evening event, as it is very popular with our members.
Jimmy was our driver again, as he can be relied on to get us there without getting lost.
Joy was there as well, but, due to an unfortunate incident, did not sit up front with him. Having broken her foot she was relegated to a position behind the driver, on a wheelchair. It was also her birthday, but she didn't let that ruin her evening.
Judging by the laughter to be had from the tables occupied by our group it was again a good

evening out. There were, as usual, winners and losers. The winners will remain anonymous,

whilst we will let the losers tell us themselves there explanation as to why there luck was out.
One of the races was dedicated to us, although we did not have a trophy race as we have had before. There was a problem on race 11 which meant it was made void. Unfortunately they did not delay the next race to take into account people getting there money back. This meant that several could not get their money on the last race in time for the start.

Joyce & Rob went for ideas for outings for the year. A large selection of leaflets were obtained to peruse at leisure. Several coach companies were spoken to about the lack of coaches in the area with good facilities for people in wheelchairs. The lack is apparently due to the insufficient government support to the companies. Without governmental assistance it is uneconomical for a company to have a suitable vehicle, with a lift to raise a wheelchair and passenger onto a coach. There were numerous stalls with samples of cakes, scones. sweets and drinks mainly ranging fruit based or beer. Having obtained a couple of pens with which to write up their notes, the intrepid couple dragged themselves away and will hopefully come up with some interesting venues which could make possible outings.

A total of 16 were there, although some arrived late. So as not to lose the lanes we had to start before everyone coming had got there. It was a very pleasant evening, but no great events were recorded.

Rob B came closest to some excitement, bowling a ball down the lane and getting to the pins just after the boom lifted. Unfortunately they called an early finish on his lane as one of the players was feeling unwell. Karis, the youngest player there made a very respectable 113 on her second game. Champions for the evening were Tony and Tina who scored 122 & 115 respectively on there first game, and this without the side rails up.

The first meeting of the newly formed branch was at the John Tallack Centre on January 5th.

There was a good turn out of over 30 members from both branches. Paul Weaver from the Regional Office was also in attendance to show that there was support from the region for the merger. Unfortunately Kirsty Harrison and Pam Little were unable to come due to illness. The fact that so many turned out from the former Basildon branch, showed there were still people wishing to help those in the area with MS. A good buffet was laid on by Margaret and as almost everyone stayed to the end, the evening was obviously appreciated. The raffle seemed to be dominated by Pat at one end and Simon at the other. Despite putting prizes back they still kept winning, come the end we were looking for someone who didn't win to take a prize.

As a goodwill gesture towards the main Thurrock branch volunteers over the last year, there were vouchers given to Pat, Paula and Ivy from the Day Centre, and Paul, Jimmy and Mike who were the main drivers for the year. Unfortunately due to a technical hitch all but Paula had an envelope with a Lakeside store guide, whilst Paula's envelope was full of vouchers. Thankfully Paula was amused by the situation and all the volunteers ended up with a voucher.

Rob had a further surprise for Pat and presented her with a Shining Star for help over several years.