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Bourne Valley Day Centre

Jenny and Florrie cutting the cake for the Day Centre's 29th Birthday Party

Day Centre coach outing to Haskins - December 2012. Sketch by Freddie Hicks


Bourne Valley Day Centre

The Methodist Hall, Winterbourne Dauntsey
Every Friday 10am to 3pm

Future Events


Day Centre News

SPRING 2013 REPORT, from Pam Hall,

Spring already – how time flies. Weather still extremely chilly but there is always a warm and friendly welcome on a Friday at the Day Centre. Have you visited our Monthly Table Sale yet? If not do give us a try it's always the first Friday in the month, look out for the posters. We would love to have some more visitors for this event. All the money raised is used to give our Guests various entertainment and Summer Outings, so do please drop in and support us.

During the lead up to Christmas our Carol Service, Christmas Lunch and Party all went very well. Father Christmas visited and our Friends ‘Scrape the Barrel’ a local folk group led a lovely musical afternoon with everyone singing songs and carols.

We are now well into 2013 and have already enjoyed a lunch outing to the Hampton Inn, played musical bingo, had a visit from Wendy Leat our Community Support Police Officer, who gave us lots of tips on keeping safe. We have had a Bird Quiz, exercised to music and celebrated Chinese New Year making a curly snake and a lantern. Unfortunately we did have to cancel on the 18th January due to the snow blizzard but thanks to a great clear up team, we were back on the 25th and enjoyed an afternoon talking about favourite animal toys, ornaments or photos, everyone brought something to show, with lots of happy memories being recalled.

Future events in the lead up to Easter include

  • a talk on ‘Keeping Hens in the Garden’
  • A visit from Nelson House Motobility, who are going to discuss gadgets and appliances etc., for making living easier and more comfortable
  • Just before Easter we will be making cards and decorating Biscuits
  • After the Easter break we will be looking forward to the Summer Programme which will include several outings for a Cream Tea and visits to local gardens.
  • As well as all the fun and good times this year we are also having some very sad times. Two Guests have died this year. Joyce Rutt from Newton Toney died on the 5th January she had been coming to the Day Centre for 4 years and is sadly missed. Alice Rothwell died on 9th February, Alice who was deaf and dumb joined the Day Centre in 1995, she is also very much missed and will be remembered by her lovely smile. We also remember with great affection Connie Waters who died on 4th February. Connie was a helper and always made wonderful Sausage Rolls, Pies, Cakes and Jams for our sale days, her husband Gordon who died a while ago was a driver for us. Both of these dear and lovely people are greatly missed. Finally our condolences go to Mary Bordass our Treasurer whose husband Tim died on 23rd February. Tim was a wonderful Friend to the Day Centre, visiting us for a short time most weeks. Chatting to all the Guests and we always knew when Tim was around by the laughter ringing round the Hall.

    Now on a brighter note we are always looking for new Guests to join us, so if you want a day out once a week on a Friday, do give us a try. We supply transport, tea/coffee and biscuits, a two course lunch and lots of fun for a small amount each week.

    Now I must thank my wonderful Helpers, Drivers and Committee Members for all the support they give to me and the Day Centre.

    Please contact me or come along on a Friday to meet us all. Don’t leave it too long, come and join us.

    See you all at the next Sale – Your support would be appreciated.

    Pam Hall, Organiser
    01980 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
  • It was a varied and enjoyable year

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

    Pam Hall – Organiser
    Telephone No. 01980 611681


    HELP WANTED

    Could you spare a few hours on a Friday once a month?

    To continue giving our guests at the Day Centre a sociable day out on Friday of each week – we are in need of:

  • more volunteers to help out in the Hall, and
  • we are also in need of more Drivers

    Do you think you could do either of these very worthwhile jobs for just a few hours each month, if so we would love to hear from you.

    I’m sorry there is no salary but only the feeling of being able to help someone who perhaps is only able to go out this once during the week.

    Please give this some thought and if you can help please contact me.

    Pam Hall – Organiser
    Telephone No. 01980 611681


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