AUTUMN 2019 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDS OF SHANNON COURT here are few things in life that help bring a smile to your face, but for us here at Shannon Court it is a new kitchen T(see page 3) and when two are installed, the smiles of staff, residents and the residents’ families were bigger than ever. New kitchens for Davis and Alvernia had been discussed and cogitated about for years and years. The projects had been put on the back burner (excuse the pun!), but with the combined persistence of Magda, the Home Manager, and Diana, the Facilities Manager, they got their own way to have INSIDE THIS NEWSLETTER the new kitchens installed sooner, rather than later. Chairman’s Message 2 As with all installations of kitchens there was a certain News 3 amount of disruption, but the staff rose to the challenge and Editor’s column 4 coped really well to ensure that the residents were unaffected. Laughter the Best Medicine 5 The kitchens look wonderful, with features you would expect to find in your own kitchen with a few additional Shannon Court Charity Golf Day 6-7 features to assist our residents living with Dementia. Masonic History - Ben Franklin 8-10 So next time you are visiting Shannon Court, call in and WW2 Memories appeal 11 come and open some cupboards in our new kitchens. Eight Exercises for Wheelbound Management Seniors 12-13 The Rivers of Surrey 14-15 When a wish comes true . Quiz Time 16-17 One of the residents at Shannon Court had a wish to take Reminiscing the B&W TV 18-20 part in Ascot Ladies’ Day. When we offered to take her to Ascot she said that this would be too much strain for her, Advertising appeal/Answers 21 but she would love to celebrate that day with residents at Shannon Court Garden Party 22-23 Shannon Court. Come and Join us 24 The whole team and residents made every effort to make that wish come true and to make this a special day for If there is anything that you wish me to cover in Christine. this newsletter, please don’t be afraid to contact me. I shall be looking for some import from you. If you wish to write a letter or submit an article about any subject, Masonic or otherwise, please do so. Remember, this is your newsletter, for your enjoyment. W.Bro. Peter Cartwright Editor 134 Radnor Avenue,Welling, Kent DA16 2BY e: [email protected] t: 07399 500 796 Chairman’s message Robin Ilott ell, this is my first column as the Chairman of The Friends of Shannon WCourt and the first thing I would like to say is a big thank you to my predecessor and good friend Dr Mike Robinson, who put his heart and soul into the job and was a pleasure to work with. So, welcome to the Autumn edition of the newsletter, which rounds up the last 6 months and also tells you what’s ahead for the home and the residents. We had a very successful Golf Day and Garden Party, both of which were well attended and enjoyed by all, as well as raising funds for the ‘Friends’ to give the residents those little extra comforts they so richly deserve. As always, we do need more members, so please consider becoming a ‘Friend’. The form can be downloaded at www.fosc.org.uk/become-a-friend-of-shannon-court/. It’s only £20.00 per year and all monies received go directly to help the residents, who are our primary concern. Why not take time to visit the home and enjoy a cup of tea with the residents, your company would be greatly appreciated. Just give the home a call to see when the best time to arrive is, or come along to one of our quarter days, the dates are in the agenda below – remember, not everyone has someone. So, coming up we have the Band & Corps of Drums, the Christmas Panto (Oh yes we do!), and Christmas Carols with the Provincial Choir. I am always keen to hear your thoughts on how we can improve, so please do not hesitate to contact me with any suggestions you may have; my contact details are below. Robin Ilott, Chairman 22 Bridefield Crescent, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO8 8QY t: 023 9225 5804 m: 07802 583834 e: [email protected] or [email protected] Events Calendar at Shannon Court 2019 Band of Corps of Drums 30 Oct. 18.30 Don’t miss Residents & Relatives A spectacular The Band & Corps of Drums Meeting 8 Dec. 11.00 evening of music from the Get Together 8 Dec. 11.45 cadets in their original at Shannon Court on regimental uniforms. Xmas Choir Concert 18 Dec. 18.00 30th October 2020 Meet the cadets, at 6.30pm Christmas Panto 3 Jan. 19.00 residents and staff Friends Joint Sunday Lunch 1 Mar. 12.30 afterwards and enjoy at Betchworth Park a light buffet with our compliments – although Get Together 8 Mar. 11.45 donations are gratefully Ladies’ Night 24 Apr 18.30 received. Golf Day 14 May 09.00 at Betchworth Park Please come along and support the residents. AGM 7 Jun. 11.00 Garden Party 28 Jun. 13.00 2 News DAVIS – DINING ROOM A few weeks ago, we researched Dementia-friendly colours, cutlery, etc., and as a result have implemented a newly-refurbished dining room, and also introduced a hydration station for residents with pictures of food to encourage residents who have a poor appetite. There is a display fridge, to enable residents day or night who have dementia to help themselves to food and drink. JANE AUSTIN EVENT by Jenny Colquhoun. Each year, Alton have a Jane Austen/Regency week. I know that Sarah is a fan of Jane Austen, the novelist, and has watched all the adaptations for film or television. Last year Sarah was involved in one of the days when we visited Chawton House on a guided tour. We enjoyed a Regency Picnic in the middle of Alton and the day ended by joining a discussion about the novel Emma. For the visit, I made Sarah a Regency-style dress and chemise, based on an 1810 design, and lent her a bonnet, bag and gloves. Sarah, bless her, was so exhausted that she fell asleep during the discussion. This year’s discussion is about Mansfield Park. I gave Sarah a copy at Christmas so she was able to do some advanced reading. In preparation for the day and in true Regency manner, I embellished Sarah’s dress with even more lace and also made her a reticule in the same fabric as her dress and also gave her a pair of lace gloves to own for herself. This year we have learnt not to be too ambitious and trying not to do too much in a short space of time. On Tuesday 25th, I am going to be Sarah’s Ladies Maid and assist her with her “dressing”. The pair of us will be wearing our best Regency finery when we visit and do a bit of promenading as well shopping. This will be followed by a spot of lunch and then we will join in the Tea Time discussion at the Assembly Rooms. This year, hopefully, she won’t come back as exhausted and no doubt she will be ready for the 2020 Regency Week. 3 Editor’s column – W.Bro. Peter Cartwright N the last edition, I enthused over the I beginning of spring. Now some many months later, after a mostly glorious hot summer, we are on the brink of welcoming a symphony of autumn colours in late September. As the oak, horse chestnut and sycamore change the colour of their leaves from greens to an array of browns, oranges, auburns and olives, it is a sight to behold. How beautiful nature is. How wonderful is the gift we see around us in an English autumn. Many people who have travelled to New We must remember that this fragile earth so England will say that that place is the most often mis-treated by humans, is so finely colourful in autumn. But in old England, and balanced that we must take due care to particularly in the beautiful countryside in and protect and cherish nature’s greatest gift. around Surrey, there are areas unsurpassed in their visual delight. I love not man the less but nature more. BYRON “Positive people are more likely to live to the age of 85 or more” (New study via BBC). Over the next few years, we’ll support 10,000 older people to have a more positive outlook on life, through our £1 million partnership with @ageuk. As part of our commitment to tackle loneliness and isolation in later life, we’re funding Age UK’s “Later Life Goals” project in 13 local areas across England and Wales, which is supporting older people to set personal and achievable goals to help them out of loneliness or isolation. Find out more about our support for older people: www.mcf.org.uk/impact-later-life 4 Have a laugh A doctor accidentally prescribes his patient a laxative instead of a coughing syrup. Three days later the patient comes for a check-up and the doctor asks: “Well? Are you still coughing?” The patient replies: “No. I’m afraid to.” aughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster to bring your mind and Dentist: “This will hurt a little.” body back into balance than a good laugh.