& Deane Over 55s Forum

NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2018 Welcome to your final Newsletter of 2018; it's hard to believe that another year has almost gone! Unfortunately, our Newsletter editor, Marian, is unwell so Gerald and I have had to step into the breach. I did think the letter might be shorter than usual but I am pleased to say that we have come up with lots of information which we hope you will find useful. I hope you will all enjoy reading the Newsletter and that you will benefit from some of the information. Just a reminder that this is YOUR Newsletter and we do welcome any articles, poems, items of interest or even pictures that you think are interesting or amusing. We hope that you all enjoy our varied activities and find the Open Forum meetings informative and enjoyable. If there is a particular subject or issue you would like to be addressed, please let us know. We represent all the older people in the community, whether they are members or not, so please let us know if there is a particular issue you would like us to raise with the relevant authority. We still welcome visitors to our meetings but have to ask them to wait to be seated until after the members who are attending are settled. For health and safety reasons, we have to comply with the capacity number for the Carnival Hall. As you know, we had to place a limit on the number of members and, for the reasons explained, we will have to continue this limit in 2019. By the end of January there will be vacancies as we will know how many members have not renewed their membership. Just a reminder that, with Christmas rapidly approaching, the town is very busy so make sure you have your bags secured and go inside your bank to use the cash machines, it is much safer. Once again, we are appealing for members to join the committee. None of us are getting any younger and having additional support in our activities such as Minute taking and "under studying" other roles will help keep the Forum going in future years. If you would like to know more about what is involved, please speak to Graham or Gerald, we will be only too happy to explain what we do. MEMBERSHIP Don't forget that, if you have not already done so, you should renew your membership subscription by the end of January or your name will be deleted so that those on the waiting list may be offered a place. Also, if your membership has expired, it will not be entered into our monthly free prize draws. As the Forum's finances are still on a very sound footing we have not only been able to keep the subscription at £6 for a further year but have again reduced the fee to £5 for those members who renew before the end of December 2018. We are also happy to confirm that we will again offer a FREE coach trip in 2019 to all those members who had paid for 3 or more trips in 2018. For those members, who pay by cheque, it would be appreciated if you ensure it is only for membership and any payment for a trip or trips is made on a separate cheque. This does help with our accounts and makes life easier for our auditor. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2018 Once again, the AGM will take place at the February meeting so that our accounts will be up to date and the annual audit completed by our independent auditor. Copies of the Annual

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Reports and Accounts will be sent to all members and will be formally presented to members at the meeting. FLU JAB REMNDER Marian did mention in our last Newsletter about booking your appointment for the flu jab and this is just a reminder for those of you who have not yet had it done. OCTOBER OPEN FORUM A summary of the October Open Forum meeting is attached at the back of this Newsletter. WELFARE & DONATIONS We have sent "Get Well" cards to Mary New - Douglas Wilson - Brian Stroud - Pat Neal - Marian Wilson - Rosa Barker - Wendy Green - Jean Davis - Jane Bechelet and Megan Lewis. Sympathy cards have been sent to the families of Jan Stones (several members of the Forum attended Jan Stones' cremation) - Ted Blackall and Sid Penney. Members have come back to Gerald to say that this is a wonderful idea and much appreciated by all those receiving cards. LINE DANCING You will recall the Forum's Line Dancing sessions had to be cancelled due to lack of support. Well, Gerald is pleased to report that the instructor who took our sessions has now started her own sessions at the Carnival Hall on Wednesdays, from 2pm to 3pm, at a cost £5.00 per session. If you are interested, please contact Sue Hughes on 01256 331046. CARNIVAL CHORUS The Carnival Chorus has started back for their weekly sessions and, since the start of November, they started on the Christmas Carols, as they have a number of bookings leading up to Christmas, including: • 21st November "Westside Community Centre" • 24th November "Cafe Dome", • 2nd December "Rowan Lodge" Newnham • 4th December "Headway" • 9th December "Milestones" Leisure Park • 11th December "Basingfield" • 12th December Open Forum Meeting • 14th December "Memory Club" and • 18th December "Tesco" (to be confirmed) MOVEMENT & STRETCH Movement & Stretch sessions are still held every Thursday from 11am to Midday, at the Carnival Hall. These sessions are very well attended, with up to 21 members and non members taking part. These are gentle exercises, suitable for all over 55s, so if you are interested, why not come along and give it a try. Cost to Members £2.50 and £3.50 to Non Members, which is really great value. EVENTS FOR 2018/9 By the time you read this Newsletter, we will have attended the Cockney Christmas Special trips on the 26th November and 3rd December. At the time of going to print, there were 87 on the 26th and 153 on the 3rd. A full report on these trips will be given in your January 2019 Newsletter. Other trips arranged to date are: 8th to 10th March 2019 - a Cabaret Weekend in the Queen's Hotel, Eastbourne; the cost includes return coach travel a free drink with 2 evening meals, entertainment and Sunday Lunch, all for £99.00! Unfortunately, there are no single rooms available.

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12th & 13th April - A trip to Norwich, visiting Sandringham on the way up, then staying overnight at the Holiday Inn, Norwich. On 13th April, a chance to look round Norwich and then, in the afternoon, a trip on the Southern Comfort Paddleboat on the Broads, cost £119.00. 17th to 20th May - a 4 day break to YORK, staying at the Best Western Burn Hall Hotel. On the 18th, a trip to Scarborough, then on to Whitby, where we board a steam train to Pickering, then back to our hotel. On the 19th, a guided tour of York, then leisure time for you to look round the many attractions in York. Cost £279.00. Other trips to be arranged are: Rosebourne Garden Centre with afternoon tea, Tea Pot Island (they have over 8.000 Teapots with over 2000 for sale) and Leeds Castle. Malvern Flower Show, Stratford River Festival, Kew Gardens, and Brighton. Since the last Open Forum meeting, it has been announced that tickets were going on sale for the "Dolly Parton 9 to 5 Musical". Gerald purchased tickets for the 19th June 2019 , and has tried to contact as many members as possible to advertise this Musical. If you are interested in going to the musical, please let Gerald know and he will try and get more tickets for another date. The price is £67.50 which includes all coach travel, show ticket and a 2 course Carvery Lunch at the Strand Palace Hotel. Gerald spoke to Richard Trueman (Truemans Coaches) recently who stated that he is purchasing 3 new coaches in early 2019 to replace the 2 old green and 1 blue coaches. They are the same model as the green and blue coaches but bring his fleet up to date. HOSPITALS FOUNDATION TRUST Gerald attended a Council of Governor meeting at Andover on the 13th November 2018 and the subject was raised about the general public being members of the HHFT. If you are not a member, I strongly recommend you do enrol. By being a member you have the ownership of your hospital and you can have your say. The more members we get, the stronger we can all be. There is also a newsletter sent to you several times throughout the year, keeping you informed of what is going on etc . It is FREE. If you wish to join, ask Gerald for an application form, which he will gladly get or send to you He will also have forms with him at our December Open Forum meeting. OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE THE POST OFFICE IN BASINGSTOKE The Post Office has recently issued a proposal to move the Post Office in Street to a new location in the W H Smith's premises in the Malls. There will be a newly built dedicated open plan Post Office area located to the rear of the W H Smith store on the ground floor. There are two entrances into the proposed premises which are level, one with automatic doors. There will be four serving positions, three open plan positions and one traditional screened position which will also provide travel money services. There will be no cash machine and the nearest alternative external cash machine is over 2 miles away at Watson Way Post Office, 57 Watson Way, Basingstoke, RG23 8AW. The Post Office is consulting with the public and wants your feedback, especially with regard to the following: • How easy is it to get to the proposed new location? • Are the new premises easy for you to get into and are they easily accessible once inside? • Are there any other local community issues which you believe could be affected by or affect the proposed move? • If the move were to proceed is there anything we could do to make it easier for customers?

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Further information is available at: https://www.postofficeviews.co.uk/national-consultation- team/copy-of-nt-offsite-template-3/consultation/intro/ It is vital that you make your views known, otherwise the move will just go ahead. You can provide your comments either using the web site postofficeviews.co.uk, or by email to: [email protected], or by post to: FREEPOST Your Comments, or by telephone: 03452 66 01 15, Textphone: 03457 22 33 55. The closing date for comments is 12th December 2018 . BASINGSTOKE & DEANE BOROUGH COUNCIL BUDGET The council is now consulting on proposals for its budget for the next four years. Feedback from the consultation that runs until 5pm on Wednesday 2 January 2019 will be considered before setting the final budget at the Council meeting on Thursday 28 February 2019. More details and an online survey are at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/budget2019 . HAMPSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE "Ageing Well Events" This is a great opportunity to socialise and find out more about what services are available in your local area. Meet representatives from organisations like; Age Concern, Andover Mind/Dementia Advisors, Basingstoke Wellbeing Service, The Sports Centre, Alzheimer's Society, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Basingstoke & Deane Community Leisure Trust. Dates are 21/12/18, 18/01/19, 15/02/19, 15/03/19 and 19/04/19. The venue is Basingstoke Fire Station. BASINGSTOKE & DISTRICT DISABILITY FORUM Monthly get-togethers for anyone affected by any type of disability; come for a chat and to enjoy FREE tea/coffee and biscuits. First Tuesday each month. Speakers: 4th December - Helping you to cope with anxiety and stress through Emotional Freedom technique, 8th January 2019 - South West Railway talk by their disability access and inclusion manager. B&D MAYOR'S CIVIC CAROL SERVICE The Mayor of B&D, Councillor Sean Keating, will be holding a traditional family Carol Service at St Joseph’s Catholic Church on Sunday 9 December 2018 at 7pm and would be delighted if you, your family / friends were able to join him Chaplain, Fr Chris Whelan , will be taking the service and the Heritage Orchestra, Belles of St Martin’s Choir, Basingstoke Ladies Choir and St Anne’s Catholic Primary School Choir will be leading the carols. The Mayor also invites you to join him after the service for a glass of mulled wine or soft drink along with a mince pie, or two! There will be no charge to attend although donations would be appreciated towards programmes and refreshments. Any money raised on the night will go to the Mayor’s Charity Appeal 2018/19 CELEBRATION OF VOLUNTEERING On the 11th October 2018, at the Basingstoke & Deane Council Offices, your Chairman & Secretary were invited to attend the Basingstoke Voluntary Action "Celebration of Volunteering Award". These awards were supported by the Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane Cllr Sean Keating. The following was put on the screen for all to read: "Both Gerald & Graham have acted as Secretary & Chairman respectively for the major part of the life of the Forum and have been instrumental in its growth over the years, to the extent that the membership has had to be limited to 650. During this time, the benefits to members have been constantly extended and numerous issues have been taken up on behalf of ALL older people in the Borough. We would like to thank them for their dedication and commitment they have given to the group."

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TWO MORE SCAMS Scam Call Alleged to be from HM Tax Office A member had a scam call this morning saying they were from HM Tax Office and they had been trying to get hold of him to inform him that he owed a lot of money. He immediately put the phone down as the tax office would certainly not send such message. If you are in any doubt about a call, hang up. Advice can be found at Action Fraud: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk Scam Email Alleged to be from PayPal One common scam is perpetrated on folk who have PayPal accounts and come in the form of e-mails looking very much like the genuine article - EXCEPT that the issuing address (at the bottom of the email) is NEVER the real address of that organisation. It's easy to print out and keep a copy of the PayPal's real a ddress, which is at the bottom of their emails. (Users in GB will normally be communicating via Paypal's Luxembourg office. Their website gives lots of advice). MEMBERS CORNER Some amusing quotes: • Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go. (Oscar Wild) • Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition. (Marilyn Monroe) • To err is human. To blame it on someone else shows management potential. (Anon) • A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it. (Bob Hope) • A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man. (Lana Turner) Some "Cracker" jokes: • What happened to the man who stole an Advent calendar? He got 25 days! • What do they sing at a snowman's birthday party? Freeze a jolly good fellow! • What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck? A Christmas Quacker! • What kind of motorbike does Santa ride? A Holly Davidson! • Why is it getting harder to buy an Advent Calendar? Because their days are numbered! OPEN FORUM MEETINGS 2019 Open Forum Meetings are always held on Wednesdays. The following are the dates for 2019 but may have to be changed due to circumstances beyond our control: February 13th , April 10th , June 12 th , August 14th , October 9 th and December 11 th . The AGM will take place at the beginning of the February meeting. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS The Chairman & Executive Committee wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR .

Graham Finlayson & Gerald Merritt "Editors" – November 2018 Newsletter

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OCTOBER OPEN FORUM Chairman Graham welcomed members and guests to the October meeting and, after running through the usual Health and Safety notices, he thanked the many helpers, especially the committee and their partners. He then announced the results of the latest monthly free prize draws, the winners being Mrs J Morris, Mrs R Saunders, Mrs M J Davis and Mr M Knight. Graham said that the Variety Show had been another successful event and was enjoyed by all those who came along. Finally, he reminded members that a number of mugs had been donated by a company and would be available in the small hall. The ARK Centre Charity As the original speaker, Susie Bleeker, was unable to attend, Mark Jones stepped into the breach to tell us all about the latest developments at the ARK Centre at Basingstoke Hospital and the fund raising charity. He commenced by demonstrating that the majority of people had been affected by cancer, either personally or through family or close friends. He then went on to outline his background as a journalist and described how he came to work in the charity sector; he had 3 interviews for the role of director of fund raising. Mark said that only 40% of sufferers are treated in Basingstoke, the remainder have to travel to Southampton for radiotherapy etc. The Centre will enable far more to be treated locally. Although some funding will be provided by the HHFT, the aim is to raise £5 million from charitable donations; £1.9 million has been raised to date. Whilst the original aim was to build the Centre on the site of the proposed new hospital by the M£ motorway, this is now unlikely. A number of organisations have made significant contributions to the charity and Mark also described the fund raising activities by groups such as the "ARK Raiders", who have raised £216,000 so far. He went on to describe how the "Raiders" started, including their journey from John o' Groats to Lands End. Next year, there will be a special day of fund raising "For the People by the People". In reply to several questions, Mark said that Plan B was to build in the Hospital grounds but NOT in the car park. He was very pleased when a number of members offered to make donations and confirmed that he could take cheques. South East Water This presentation was given by two members of the SE Water Customer Care Team, Vikki Matthews and Vanessa Fraser. They outlined the different tariffs that were available for people with medical conditions, for those on benefits, single occupancy premises and for those on low incomes. They also described the "Helping Hands" arrangement for customers who have fallen behind with payments for reasons such as bereavement or redundancy. If there is a mains burst, the Customer Care Team will deliver bottled water to those who are unable to collect it themselves and will even open the bottles for the less able. In March, they delivered over 1,500 bottles and not one person asked for their ID. Vulnerable customers are given a password and should ask for it if someone claiming to be from the water company calls on them. If they come to repair a leak on a customer's property, a member of the team will arrange to be present. In response to questions, Vikki said that any leaks on the house side of the meter was the responsibility of the householder but you would not be charged for the water loss. SE Water is about the middle of the table on leaks from the mains, 81% have been on the customers' properties. One problem is that permission has to be obtained from the Highways Dept. to dig up the road in the case of a burst main and this can take weeks! Following the presentations, Graham reminded members of the dates for the meetings in 2018 and encouraged members to take advantage of the fitness classes. The line dancing sessions had been suspended due to falling numbers but would be resumed if there was sufficient demand. Graham also said that the Membership fee had been kept at £6 for a

6 further year, reduced to £5 if paid by the end of December this year and a free trip would again be offered in 2019 to those members who had been on 3 or more trips in 2018.. Gerald reported that the Hospital now had a new chair for the trustees, Steve Erskine and a new chief nurse, Julie Dawes, who replaced Donna Green. The recent CQC report was not as bad as it might seem and a number of the issues had already been addressed. The main problem is a lack of nursing staff. Gerald outlined the latest status of the trips and said there were still qualifying members who had not taken up the offer of the free trip to London. He also mentioned that, if you were booked on the Postal Museum trip and used a walking stick, it should be a folding one, otherwise you would not be allowed on the train. Finally, Gerald gave details of the trips arranged so far, for 2019, and outlined those that are planned.

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