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Day Centre News

How was your summer? The Day Centre has had a very successful summer, all of our planned arrangements took place with no cancellations due to poor weather.

The children at Winterbourne School entertained and gave us tea. Thank you and well done to all the talented youngsters and Teachers. We hope you have had a good summer break.

Mr. and Mrs. S Rebdi invited us once again to visit and enjoy their wonderful garden at The Grange, we sat by the river enjoying scrumptious scones, biscuits and tea, a great afternoon out.

A couple of weeks later in spite of the tragic loss of her dear husband Tony, Maureen Atkinson gave us a wonderful afternoon of fun, games, ice cream and a sumptuous assortment of sandwiches and cakes. The sun shone and it was a truly lovely day to spend in Maureen’s garden. Maureen is our entertainments organiser and always plans our fantastic and varied weekly programme and we all really appreciate all of Maureen’s hard work.

The all day coach outing to Swanage was again very good, the rain held off although it was overcast, we still enjoyed our steam train ride into Swanage. We walked to the town centre and had a very large fish and chip lunch followed by ice cream (a must for a day by the sea) in a restaurant overlooking the sea. The sun came out as we made our way to the coach. The ride home through the countryside was very enjoyable.

Our next outing is in memory of the late Brian Lowe who died earlier this year. Mary and the Family have made a donation which will be used for a cream tea at The Golden Acres Garden Centre. Brian loved his outings and we know we will have an enjoyable time. Mary and some of the family will join us for this occasion. After that we have to wait until November when we will once again be off to Haskins and Hobbycraft, near Bournemouth for Lunch and Christmas Shopping. This is a favourite trip for many of the Guests.

During October we have an extra special Birthday to celebrate, Bourne Valley Day Centre will be 30 years old and plans are in place for a wonderful celebration. We have already made a commemorative mosaic that is hung in our meeting hall for us to enjoy on a weekly basis.

On 21st October we will celebrate with a party and lots of other ’surprises’. When not out and about we have our monthly Table Sales and Church Services. Look out for the Bumper Christmas Sale on the 2nd December, do come along and support us and take advantage of some amazing bargains.

Every month we have a Craft Afternoon, our Guests are very talented and continually amaze me, whatever is suggested they will have a go, the results are really good. During December we will have a Carol Service, make a Christmas Table Decoration, enjoy a Lunch at the Black Horse Inn at Hurdcott and also finish the year with a Christmas Party.

Friday at Bourne Valley Day Centre is very lively, active and happy and we have a wonderful group of Helpers and Drivers all volunteers who give of themselves and their time very willingly. We are not full and there are several places waiting to be filled so if you have read this report and would like to join us or know someone we could help, do please get in touch. There’s no need to be lonely at home, don’t be shy just get in touch. For a small weekly amount we supply transport, a two course hot meal (supplied by The Black Horse Inn at Hurdcott) lots of company and fun. Remember you’re never too old to try something new.

Once again just to say THANK YOU to all the wonderful Trustee Committee, Helpers and Drivers who make Friday special for so many people.

Would you like to join us as a Guest, Helper or Driver? – If so please do get in touch.

Pam Hall, Organiser
611681

Extracts from the ANNUAL REPORT
01 MARCH 2008 TO 28 FEBRUARY 2009

Background
The Bourne Valley Day Centre was set up in 1981 to offer companionship and help to elderly residents of the Bourne Valley who either live alone or with members of their family, in line with Social Services policy to keep people in their own homes for as long as possible. Subsequently this has been extended to former members who have moved into residential homes or sheltered housing within reasonable travelling distance of the Centre, usually Salisbury, and to individuals referred by Wiltshire County Council Social Services Department.

The Day Centre meets every Friday in the Methodist Church Hall in Winterbourne Dauntsey. Geographically, guests come from the Bourne Valley between Cholderton and Ford, served by the A338 North East of Salisbury and those former residents who have moved to Salisbury . Help is provided by a band of people living in the community who assist on a rota basis. Meals are supplied by 'Farm Cottage Foods', and are delivered to the door in bulk containers. An annual grant comes from Wiltshire County Council Social Services Department, without which the Centre could not operate. There are growing links with 'Age Concern Salisbury' through Field Officer Pippa Webster.

The Day Centre is contactable during sessions through a mobile phone, No 07980 966082.

The Chairperson - Gordon Geddie reports:
I can start my report in no more fitting way than by thanking Pam Hall, our Organiser, who has continued to run the Day Centre with great efficiency , good humour and unstoppable energy. She is never fazed, no matter what situation arises. I also thank all Trustees in their various responsibilities and volunteer helpers and drivers for their loyalty and hard work without which the Day Centre could not run. This has been an interesting and active year that has seen the number of guests increase; the Day Centre represented at the International Day of Older People event in the City Hall in October 2008 and a number of trustees and helpers attending various courses.

The Organiser - Pam Hall reports:
I'm delighted to report this year that the Day Centre has really gone from strength to strength. After reporting last year how low the numbers were, this year is the complete opposite with numbers now standing at 21.

All areas are running smoothly, our meals provided by Farm Cottage Foods are a huge success with no one minding paying that little bit extra for them. We all consider we are getting good value for the amount paid.

I would like to encourage some more people to become helpers as some weeks now with a higher number of Guests attending we are a little thin on the ground.

Our entertainment remains at its usual high standard, thanks to Maureen's continued dedication and the variety is much enjoyed by the Guests. Gordon Geddie, Hilary Geddie, Sylvia Harvey and I all attended a new First Aid Course in January , as some of our previously taken course certificates had expired. This ensures that there is always a Trained First Aid person in attendance on a Friday.

The Day Centre this year is really thriving and so at this point I would like to thank the Committee, Helpers and Drivers because without them the Day Centre would not be such a happy place to be on a Friday.

Transport Co- ordinator - Terry Hall reports:
We still have to juggle our few drivers but we have coped well during the year. Outings we arranged during the year were as follows:

April 2008 Coach trip to Burley for Cream Teas

June 2008 Coach trip to Bournemouth, lunch at Harry Ramsden's and then a ride on the land train to Boscombe Pier

Sep 2008 Golden Acres for a cream tea

Nov 2008 Coach Trip to Basingstoke for Christmas Shopping, number of guests well down, I think it is too much for some them so they decided not to attempt it

Dec 2008 Drivers took the guests to the Black Horse for a most enjoyable Christmas Lunch

If you are interested in any of the above and would like to come along and meet us do give me a ring.