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Home , Band Aid 30, Ellie Goulding

December 2014- Issue 21

Home Matters Supporting People Ltd

Welcome to our Christmas Newsletter,

What a year it’s been, it already seems like ages ago that we spent a lovely day beside the seaside at Weston Super Mare. It’s hard to believe how beautiful the weather was when we are all and preparing for

Christmas. Let’s hope 2015 will bring lots of opportunities to share some lovely days out and more importantly the opportunity to develop new friendships.

There have been so many exciting developments this year, lots of them thanks to your suggestions. We are looking forward to recommencing our walking group in the New Year when the weather improves. We are hoping to find some pastures new to explore.

Our ladies group is going strong, new members are always welcome. In the New Year we are starting a men’s group, more information is available within this newsletter and we have also included information regarding the ever successful cinema group. For all of you who make a new years resolution to

lose weight, eat more healthily, stop smoking, cut down on the drinking, exercise more, learn to cook or would simply like to feel motivated and enjoy the company, see details about our ‘Being Healthy Group’!

Gregg and I would like to wish you all a peaceful Christmas and a healthy and

happy new year.

P.S. Don’t forget to defrost your turkey, hang up your stocking,

And leave a carrot for Santa and a mince pie for his Reindeer!!

Have a good one Jane and Gregg!

Over 15,000 children in the Dudley Borough are currently living below the poverty line. Thousands of children in the borough will have no presents to open on Christmas morning this year. Dudley Volunteer Centre runs an annual toy appeal and it’s been bringing smiles to the faces of local disadvantaged children and young people at Christmas time for years. The operation Santa 2013 appeal reached over 5430 children. Not only were toys, gifts and Christmas food provided, some of the money was used to pay for local Christmas parties at local community groups.

This year they are doing the same again and as ever, have no funds so are relying entirely on donations from the public. Make a difference to a Childs Christmas by donating money to the appeal on https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/operationsanta or by donating NEW items which you can bring into the Office to be distributed across the Dudley Borough.

The Operation Santa 2014 Wish list (NEW ITEMS ONLY PLEASE)

Toys and gifts (BRAND NEW)

Wrapping paper, books, games, toys, colouring books, felt tip pens, crayons, paints, card, colouring books, toiletry sets.

School equipment (BRAND NEW)

Pencil cases, pens, highlighters, pencils, rubbers, rulers, geometry sets, calculators, school bags, lunch boxes.

Clothing (BRAND NEW)

Pants, socks, vests, pyjamas

Christmas treats for the whole family (NO Christmas puddings) Stuffing, gravy, chocolates, sweets, mince pies, chocolate logs, crackers, wrapping paper, labels, trees, lights, decorations.

The food bank is not only used during Christmas time it is used all year round. Essentials would be much appreciated, please check sell- by or best before dates on all perishables.

Milk (UHT or powder, pref semi skimmed), cereals, tinned soup, long life fruit juice, squash, pasta and cooking sauces, tinned beans and spaghetti, tinned rice and sponge puddings, tinned tomatoes, pasta, rice, tinned veg and fruit, tea bags, coffee, dried fruits, biscuits, crackers, tinned meat and fish, kitchen utensils, bowls, mugs, soaps, show gel, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, nappies, baby wipes, toilet rolls.

For more info on The Black Country Food Bank or Operation Santa, contact Dudley Council Voluntary Service on 01384 573381 or email [email protected]

You can keep up to date via the operation Santa blog www.operationsanta.wordpress.com or find out more information about the food bank on http://www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk/

Cinema Group

The cinema club is going well... however, the more the merrier so please join us!

Clients to travel independently there and back, meeting at Merry Hill Odeon Cinema, film to be decided on arrival.

Standard prices are listed below (however, the price is higher for 3D films and new releases)

Wednesday before 5pm= £7 Wednesday after 5pm= £8.70 Tuesday all day= £5.50

2015 Confirmed Dates

Wednesday 28th January, Tuesday 24th February, Tuesday 24th March

Women’s Group

Our ladies group have met three time so far, once at the office and twice at Druckers Cafe in Merry Hill, we decide at each meeting where to meet next. We’ve met as Druckers as we enjoy the nice food and pleasant environment. So far I have met some nice people and friendships have been formed within the group. We are also meeting up outside of the group socially. We are meeting at Druckers next time, so please come along for st lunch and a chat. We usually meet on the 1 Wednesday of every month at 1pm. The next few dates we are meeting are; 7th Jan, 4th Feb,4th March, 1st April, 6th May and 3rd June. New members are very welcome.

By Joy Haddin

Men’s Group

And Men you will be pleased to know, New Year, New Group! At the start of 2015 Home Matters are launching a monthly Men’s Social Group. Here’s what is happening in the first few months!

th Saturday 17 January 11am– Breakfast Sarnies and Quiz @ The Barn, (£3 per person suggested donation)

Saturday 28th February 12pm- Pool Afternoon @ Halesowen Sports Club, B633HN (cost to be confirmed)

st Saturday 21 March- Breakfast and Bingo @ The Barn, (£3 suggested donation) Please let Dave know if you are coming on 07552219518 or for more details

Pantomime

For everybody who likes a good laugh, Dick Whittington is at the Brierley Hill Civic Hall on Friday 16th January at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10.00 per person, upstairs or downstairs seating will need to be stated when booking rd tickets. Please confirm places and pay ticket prices with staff by Tuesday 23 December so the tickets can be booked.

Being Healthy Event

Due to the group being so popular, so many clients and staff doing fantastically well last year. We are starting th the group again on the 28 January. So if you are looking to lose some festive weight, quit smoking or just hoping to lead a healthier lifestyle, come along to the Office 1pm-3pm and have a chat with the Health Trainers from Dudley Health Exchange.

1. When did Good King Wenceslas look out?

………………………………………………………………………….

2. Which Christmas song is; “He’s making a list and he’s checking it twice. He’s going to find out who’s naughty and nice.” Taken from?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Which carol includes “All seated on the ground, the angel of the Lord came down and glory shone

around”? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Name the Angel that brought the news that Jesus was to be born to

Mary? ……………………………………………..

5. What did your true love give you on the 7th day of Christmas?

…......

6. Which carol includes the lyrics 'While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, repeat the sounding

joy'? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. Who had a Christmas number one with "Merry Xmas Everybody" in 1973?

…………………………………………………

8. In the UK 'Pigs in a blanket' refers to small sausages wrapped in what?

……………………………………………………..

9. 'And all the bells on earth shall ring, on Christmas day in the morning...' is taken from which

Christmas carol? ......

10. In the 1971 novelty Christmas song, 'Ernie' was the fastest what in the west?

……………………………………………….

11. In The Carol Hark the Herald Angels sing, who are reconciled?

……………………………………………………………………

12. Where did Chris Rea sing that he was driving for Christmas

......

13. In the carol ‘O little town of Bethlehem’, the hopes and fears of

...... Are met in thee tonight?

14. What did the angel say in the first Nowell?

......

15. Name the original eighth reindeer from the 'Twas the night Before Christmas'

poem?......

16. In the Carol in the Bleak midwinter; what did the earth and water stand like?

……………………………………………………..

Ca n you guess the Christmas songs and Carols from the pictures?

A

Christmas 2013!

B C

D

E F

I G H

J K L

M I S T L E T O E H Q W C Y

G F G H A S E I L P J T H R

T I N S E L B B P E F D R E

U M D B V A T N A S C P I E

R I A S U G C A R O L S S D

K N E B F M D R Z J U S T N

E C L W Y L H P A X Y E M I

Y E K N O D T C U C I V A E

A P D G J G A L R X K L S R

X I X A Y U E G X C D E T N

C E N R V I R G I N M A R Y

F A U X L N W O X P F P E L

M U L L E D W I N E C I J A

Words to find

Mistletoe Mulled wine Bauble

Turkey Joy Joseph

Cracker Wreath Donkey

Tinsel Elves Christmas tree

Carols Gold Mince Pie

Virgin Mary Reindeer Santa

Feed the world, let them know it’s Christmas time again...

Band Aid 30 is the 2014 incarnation of the charity super group Band Aid. The group was announced on 10 November 2014 by and , with Geldof stating that he took the step after the United Nations had contacted him, saying help was urgently needed to prevent the 2014 Ebola crisis in Western Africa spreading throughout the world. The group covered the track "Do They Know It's Christmas? “Written in 1984 by Geldof and Ure. They covered it this time to raise money towards the Ebola crisis in Western Africa . The track has re-tweaked lyrics to reflect the current Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa with all proceeds going towards battling the awful illness. The song was recorded by some of the biggest selling current British and Irish pop acts, including , , , Emeli Sande, and . Bastille and of Mercury prize-winning band Elbow were also on board, along with () and (). For the first time, different language versions were recorded, a French one titled "Noël est là" and a German one titled "Do They Know It's Christmas? (Deutsche version)" with respective artists. ’s massive sales haul outshines ’s first-week sales in 2004 – their version of the song sold 297,000 in its first seven days. The 2014 version of Do They Know It’s Christmas? Has achieved this milestone without physical sales or streaming. Band Aid 20 sold over 200,000 each week for its first four weeks on sale – can Band Aid 30 keep up its sales momentum and beat its predecessor? It’s possible – a physical version is set to be released in December, which means the track is still a serious contender for 2014’s Official Christmas Number 1.

During 2014 the fantastic total of £4162 was raised by Zac and Chris for The Mental Health Foundation and Scope.

What a fantastic sum of money they raised for such worthy causes. They started off the year by shaving off their hair, they packed bags, shook lots of buckets and the finale was a sponsored run which Zac completed as a real hero!

Let us just say that Zac entered the race with a full set of teeth, but ended up after a rather nasty tumble losing his two front teeth and spending the afternoon in A&E. All he wanted for Christmas was his two front teeth.

Unfortunately he’s going to have to wait until January,

But it doesn’t spoil your looks Zac!

What to do with the leftovers...

Turkey Curry

Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 25g/1oz unsalted butter 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped

2.5cm/1in knob of fresh ginger, peeled and grated 1 red chilli, de-seeded and finely chopped

8 green cardamom pods, slightly crushed 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tbsp ground turmeric ½ tsp chilli powder 1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp ground coriander seeds 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed and cut into cubes

570ml/1pt chicken or turkey stock 125ml/4fl oz yoghurt

85ml/3fl oz double cream 1 tbsp lemon juice 6 large handfuls roast turkey, chopped 1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Preparation method 1. - Heat the oil and butter in a large non-stick casserole pot.

2. - Add the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the garlic, ginger, chilli, cardamom, cumin, turmeric, garam masala and ground coriander. Cook over a medium heat until the onion is soft, being careful not to burn the spices. 3. - Add the potatoes and butternut squash and cook until the potato begins to stick to the bottom of the pan slightly.

4. - Add the stock and bring to the boil. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. 5. - Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the potatoes and butternut squash are tender. 6. -Stir in the yoghurt and cream, and then add the lemon juice.

7. -Add the cooked turkey, fold in and simmer to heat through. 8. -Sprinkle with coriander leaves and serve immediately.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, 9And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT! Getting to know our staff at Christmas time...

1. What is your favourite Christmas song?

Wizard- I wish it could be Christmas everyday

2. What is your favourite Christmas tipple?

Champagne

3. If you could have any celeb wrapped under your tree who would it be?

Richard Gere

4. You’re worst or wackiest Christmas present?

A TV control

5. Turkey or nut roast?

Turkey

6. Brandy sauce or custard?

Brandy Sauce

7. Sprouts or no sprouts?

Sprouts

8. Are you a peeker or like a surprise when it comes to your presents?

Surprise

9. The Royle Family or Queens speech?

The Royle Family

10. Angel or star?

Star

Thank you Allison! Wacky hair!

Creative Supports Christmas Meal

Creative Support are hosting a free Christmas meal on Christmas Day

At the Savoy Centre, Northfield Road, Dudley, DY2 9ES.

There will be a buffet, fun, games and activities for people living in the Dudley community who are going to be alone for Christmas.

They are also providing free transport from three pick up points in the area.

For more information please contact the office.

If anybody has any ideas for any other groups we could start please give us your ideas. Also if anyone has any articles for our next newsletter which will be a spring edition please send them to Minty Walwyn at The Barn 82A Park Road, Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 2HP, Email [email protected] or pass them onto staff to be brought in. Again have a lovely Christmas and all the best for 2015.