Your local charity supporting blind & partially sighted people

ISSUE 40 OCT/NOV 2015 Editor: Jo Wood

Bournemouth Blind Society supports AFC Bournemouth

The town has been gripped with ‘football fever’ over the past few months as we have excitedly celebrated AFC Bournemouth’s promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history. If anyone believes blind or visually impaired people can’t still passionately support football teams, they would be very wrong! Here at Bournemouth Blind Society we have many Cherries fans who have been delighted with their team’s progress and wish to share their AFCB stories with you. (Read more on pages 5-8)

Arts & Crafts paintings, drawings, quilting, pottery, sewing and knitting. Many people are surprised when we discuss our Arts & Crafts activities, wondering how blind or visually impaired people create artistic work.

Group patchwork quilting

Member Brian explains, ‘I thought my days of painting were finished when I went blind but my son told me they do Arts & Crafts here and to give it a try. I can’t see to get the colours, it’s just guesswork or from memory! I wish they did the class every week - everyone who works here is so lovely.’ Member Freda adds, ‘it’s a lovely class, we are all happy doing it. We do all have poor Future Arts & Crafts sessions: eyesight and mine is almost Monday 12th October totally gone, but I enjoy Monday 16th November coming and they tell me my Monday 30th November paintings are rather good!’ Come & join us! Over the past year our group Thank you Jackie, Celia and have proudly produced some Margaret for all your support, wonderful projects, including inspiration and enthusiasm! 2

Assistive Technology Dorset Dolphins

Following the success of the two previous courses held here, Yvonne Brooks from Action for Blind People will be offering a new 6 week course starting on As the Dorset Dolphins V.I Tuesday 10th November, with Cricket team near the end of both morning and afternoon their second competitive sessions available. season, Bournemouth Blind 3-4 people attend each Society again provided their session. minibus and driver for the T10 One-to-one tuition with a mini tournament at Leicester volunteer is given, plus University over the weekend of support from a specialist. 11-13th September. One-off sessions can also be Captain Steve Bailey explains, arranged. ‘it was a competition between two groups of Northern and Assistive Technology helps Southern sides in 10-over people communicate by either games. Awards were then voice or magnification on their presented, such as for best computer, tablet or mobile newcomer and best totally phone. blind player.

Please call 01722 345440 for I am really proud of the way further details or e-mail: the players have performed as yvonne.brooks@actionfor a team this season, they have blindpeople.org.uk always been willing to go to training and confidence has Yvonne says, ‘come and learn been raised, together with what you want to learn at your performance levels and team own pace and in a relaxed and spirit. The team have been informal atmosphere and really amazing! We now look environment.’ forward to next season.’ 3 In the Community Tuesday Drop in Cafe

We had an Information stand Cooked breakfasts are served at the Bournemouth Lions Club on Tuesdays from 10.30- ‘Healthy Happy Living’ event at 12.30. Roast lunches can be Bournemouth School for Girls booked for the last Tuesday of on Saturday 19th September. each month. Minibus transport can be arranged. Come along Philip is giving presentations to to join this friendly group, the RNIB volunteers in Dorset make some new friends, have on 3rd October and to the fun and a good chat! Trefoil Choir in Bournemouth on 10th November. Walking Group Unfortunately our August walk If you know any group who to the New Forest was would like a presentation about cancelled due to wet weather visual impairment and our but we enjoyed our last outing work, please contact Philip on of the season to Christchurch 01202 546644 or e-mail: Quay in September. philip.tarrant@bournemouth blindsociety.uk Hearing Club Our Hearing Club will meet on Wednesdays 14th October and 11th November (10.30- 12.00) Optional activities can be arranged. Chiropody We now look forward to further Chiropody appointments can walks next year. be booked for Wednesday If you have any ideas for 14th October and/or 25th venues or know anyone who November (£16). Transport is would like to join us or available for £4. volunteer to ‘guide’ on the Please phone 01202 546644 walks, we will start walking to book your appointment. again next April. 4 AFCB & Bournemouth Blind Society

Redknapp was our Manager. They told me I would have to wear a big furry suit. I was up for it as I’d already done some promotional stuff as ‘Eddie Echo’ when I was a driver for them. It was great fun, I went out before the match and at half time. Nowadays mascots go out and dance around but in those days we weren’t Ernie Batson, age 62, (left in allowed on the pitch, we just photo above) only has 4% walked along the bottom end sight in his right eye and an of the Main Stand to the South acrylic left eye. He’s supported End, saying hello and shaking the Cherries for over 46 years hands with the kids. I did it for and also worked for the Club. around 4 or 5 seasons, only at He believes he was the first home games but I did go to ‘Cherry Bear’ mascot. Ernie Highbury for a Junior Cherries was a steward at Dean Court Cup and there were other for over 19 years, looking after mascots there - the Arsenal crowds at the Brighton Beach Alligator, Southampton Dog End and in the Family Stand. and Millwall Lion. I fell over on He explains, ‘I became a the pitch, the ball hit me on the steward as I wanted to do head and went in the goal! something for the club as well I was a steward when Leeds as support it. When I first came down on that fateful became a steward I remember Bank Holiday, we all had to a Head Policeman laughing at stick together and cover each me and I said, “well, it’s better other’s backs!’ to have the rogue you know Ernie’s favourite player was than the rogue you don’t!” And Tony Nelson, who taught him my knowledge of being a fan to play football at East Howe helped me to do the job! They school in the 60’s. Ernie was a asked me to be Cherry Bear disabled ticket holder until he in the early 80’s, when Harry became too ill to attend. He 5. now watches the Cherries Dave sits with the wheelchair on his 60” TV. ‘It used to spectators near to the be diabolical to follow a match goalmouth. He says, ‘I can’t when they played with an all see loads but I can tell what’s white ball as you missed it going on by following the when it was kicked up against crowd noise. The Club is great the light or sun, it’s so much with fans with disabilities, I just easier to follow a coloured or find it a little annoying when yellow ball. some people walk past us As an Arsenal fan I used to go wheelchair users but it’s a to Highbury and listen to the great atmosphere amongst us, match on headphones. The we’re always singing “Red only problem is that you get a Army” and “Eddie Howe’s delayed reaction, my carer Barmy Army”. We really do would be laughing and telling have such a great crowd!’ me to sit down as the team had John Garard (photographed scored 20 seconds before I on front cover) is 45 and both started cheering!’ visually and hearing impaired. Dave Blown, 62 (right in John doesn’t allow his photo) has had sight problems disabilities to stop him being since age 16. He explains, one of AFCB’s more vocal ‘I’ve had 7 strokes, each time fans! He says, ‘I’ve got half my sight gets a little worse. I sight with tunnel vision so it’s can’t see at the sides or up and best when I sit at the back of down, so when the goalie the North Stand; I find it harder kicks the ball out, I can’t see and miss things if I am closer where it’s gone!’ to the pitch. Dave has supported AFC since I’ve been a fan since I was 1976 when he moved here. little. My first game was when He’s been a disabled season Dave Webb was Manager, we ticket holder for the past 3 beat Oxford United 2-1. I’ve years and says ‘I think I’m the seen many lower league lucky mascot as we’ve had all matches over the years - I was these promotions since I have the only boy at Exeter Royal been going! I always believed Deaf School to support AFC in my heart of hearts that we’d and took quite a lot of stick for get to the Premier League, it! I’ve waited my whole life we’ll definitely stay there!’ always believing we’d one 6 day play in the highest league, my friends who joked about it are the embarrassed ones now! I’ve seen some great games - I was there in ‘84 when we beat Man Utd 2-0 in the 3rd round of the cup. I’ve had a season ticket since ‘The Great Escape’ season. In the 1980’s I used to help out at the ground, clearing out rubbish. I remember at one match the ball hit me and goalie Gerry Peyton came to check if I was OK.’ John has already travelled not only describe the game, to Anfied, Upton Park and but also give background Carrow Road this season. information and gossip. The Husband and wife Pete matches are made clear for Russell (age 65) and Barbara me, as if I could see what is (59) listen to Cherries matches happening. I am amazed at on Radio Solent. Barbara how they can tell which explains, ‘to get the full effect players are kicking the ball of a match you need to soak from their commentary boxes up the atmosphere of the - they must have great people around you but as eyesight! I feel really involved football is such a fast moving in what’s going on! game, if you are blind or With the enthusiasm of other visually impaired, it would be people at our society I have very difficult to follow without become a quite recent fan. I some description. As I am remember a few years back totally blind, in order to get the when we were losing due to full experience of a match, I two own goals, I joked that we would rather be at home should form our own blind listening to a commentary team and play them and we where two experts (Kris could probably do better! It’s Temple & John Williams) give lovely that lots of us here their own points of view and share an interest in our local 7 team. It’s really brought us together and it’s so exciting that we’re now up there with the “big boys!”’ Barbara concluded by telling how husband Pete worries that when he listens to games, he’s a jinx and makes them lose so he sometimes goes out into his shed during matches! printed on. He explains, ‘I put And it’s not only our members them on as this club is all who are fans! Chief Exec Philip about families, just like was a regular as a teenager, Bournemouth Blind Society is editor Jo is a season ticket like a family to so many. I’ve holder and the others ‘put up’ been surprised at how many with all the weekly match chat, people here are interested in sharing the highs and lows! the football and enjoy talking about it. It’s quite humbling that people like Dave still go and support even though they can’t see the game properly!’ AFCB and Bournemouth Blind Society share similar historical timelines; the football club traces its roots back to 1890, moved to Kings Park and signed its first professional player in 1910. Bournemouth Blind Society was founded in Staff were thrilled to be visited 1911 to aid local blind people. by Cherry Bear mascot at their Long may we both thrive and fundraising stall at the Kinson serve the needs and interests of the local community! May Day Fete. Volunteer minibus driver Pete Good Luck Cherries for the Balson (age 64) has been a rest of this season from all lifelong fan. He proudly wears of us here at his new Cherries shirt with all Bournemouth of his grandchildrens’ names Blind Society! 8 Quiz Night Fundraising

Our last fundraising We were delighted to receive Quiz Night of 2015 £544 from Glenhurst Manor’s is on Saturday Summer Garden Party. 28th November. Doors open at 7pm We thank Roman Press for for a 7.30pm start. £88 from our empty toner and Teams of 6-8 people compete ink cartridges. If anyone has over 6 rounds of friendly fun, any of these to donate, this is with an interval to enjoy Fish & an excellent way for us to Chips and Ice-creams. raise further funds! Tickets are £9 and a Raffle is drawn at the end of the We are grateful to Martyn and evening. Robert for donating the Guests may bring their own proceeds of ‘In2Ballroom’s’ drinks or purchase from our Summer Dance Raffle and Bar - drinks are sold at Photo sales. reasonable and competitive prices. All profits go to We have received donations In Bournemouth Blind Society. Memory Of J Ross, H Mitchell and S Young. Please phone Caroline on 01202 546644 or e-mail: We were given a donation caroline.simmons@ from Bournemouth 7th Scouts. bournemouthblindsociety.uk if you wish to join us and book We thank Councillor Anne Rey in your team! for organising a bucket collection at Bournemouth For your diary: Council.

2016 Quiz Night Dates We thank everyone who Saturday 5th March attended our Summer Dance Saturday 18th June and helped raise over £500. Saturday 24th September Saturday 26th November Thank you to everyone for their continued support and generosity. 9

Sight & Hearing lined notepaper book for £5.

Resource Centre We also have VIP A6 diaries with covers, selling at £5.20 Opening Hours: and A6 diary inserts at £4.80. Monday - Friday Useful Tips

10am - 1pm

Everyone is welcome to visit Appropriate lighting is the most our Resource Centre - no important aid to vision. appointment is necessary. Different types of lighting can Our friendly staff and make a great difference: volunteers can offer full demonstrations of specialist Task lighting - getting the light equipment for sight and source as close to the object hearing impaired people as possible is often of great which they may then order or benefit. purchase. General lighting - colour and

Planning for the future? Want brightness of the general to get organised?! lighting is very important. We already have our A3 2016 Bournemouth Blind Society Daylight - this is the best form large print calendars for sale at of light. Daylight simulation £4 each. bulbs are a great help.

Control of lighting is important - through a dimmer switch, curtains, blinds or tinted glass.

Directional lighting - being able to control the direction of light is important - use an adjustable angled lamp.

Watch out for more useful Following a customer request, information for visually we have also produced a impaired people in the next Bournemouth Blind Society A4 edition of our newsletter. 10 Volunteers Monday 21st December - Members’ Christmas Lunch ‘No act of kindness, no matter and Entertainment* how small, is ever wasted’ (Aesop) *Your invitation to the Christmas Lunch and booking Do you have any spare time form will be sent out to you at you could donate to a local the beginning of November. charity? Just a few hours a week could greatly assist us! Activities Bookings

We are looking for volunteers Please don’t forget to check to join our friendly team and your Activities Calendar to help make a difference to the find out what’s going on lives of local visually impaired during October/November. people. We are pleased to be able to We currently urgently require offer 2 lunch outings: new Befrienders, Minibus Monday 5th October - Escorts, Hearing Resource The Broadway Pub Centre and Activity assistants. Thursday 5th November - The Old Bridge Tea Rooms

If you or anyone you know If you are interested in would like more information, attending either of these, please call 01202 546644. please book early as transport places will be limited. Christmas Events We are also delighted to offer Apologies if this seems 2 new musical entertainment a little bit early to afternoons: mention but Christmas Bittersweet Harmony is just around the (26th October) corner so here are some dates Paul Hammond for your diary: (19th November)

Wednesday 16th December - You can book Activities, Members v Staff Cards Lunch and Transport by Tournament (1.30pm) phoning the office on 01202 546644.

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2 GREAT ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

The Andrew Bingo Night Cannon Band

Saturday 10th October Saturday 14th November

The Rooper Hall The Rooper Hall 5 Victoria Park Road 5 Victoria Park Road

7.30pm 2.30pm

£10 (includes Supper) £10 (includes Tea)

Tel: 01202 546644 Tel: 01202 546644 to purchase tickets to purchase tickets Bournemouth Blind Society

5 Victoria Park Road, Bournemouth BH9 2RB

Tel 01202 546644 (General Enquiries) Tel 01202 522184 (Community Services)

Supporting blind and partially sighted people to remain independent and part of the community

www.bournemouthblindsociety.uk

Company No: 5792657 Charity No: 1114570

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