Local News

John Clarke 1946 – 2011

        
John and Sue at the Christmas Meeting 12-12-2010            John in his Footballing days

It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of John Clarke. John, along with his wife Sue, was a dedicated and committed member of the association and Northants Branch.
John joined the association many years ago and held the position of Treasurer in the branch in the early days. A real gentleman, John was always supportive in attending open meetings, joining in fundraising events, in fact anything he was asked to do he would approach with enthusiasm and good humour. As many of you may know, John was a Northampton Town football player and played in the unforgettable game when the Cobblers played Manchester United in 1970, the Cobblers lost 8-2 but John always remembered the occasion playing against the great George Best. John was a season ticket holder and life long fan . Members of the branch attended the service for John on January 14th. We send our thoughts and condolences to Sue and her family in their sad loss, John will be sadly missed by all of us in the branch and all who knew him.

Kate Inchley. Branch Contact and Vice Chairperson.

Tribute from Kevin White. Branch Chairperson.

I have been a supporter of the Cobblers for a number of years and was aware of John’s exploits on the pitch. It was very pleasing to see that he was involved locally with MND. And the roles he had covered over the years. We will all miss him at our local meetings.

Tribute from Derrick Peasland. Committee Member.

John was very much a link to the past for me, He worked for the same company as my wife back in 1993. At this time John’s father was living with MND, when my wife began to show symptoms. And to make it an even smaller world (as the saying goes) on the day that Barbara’s diagnosis was confirmed I rang the MND Helpline in the evening and found John at the other end. Barbara had finished work some time previously so it was very much a surprise to John that she had MND but he was very supportive and helpful.

Freedom To Sail

Reproduced from an article by Anna Brosnan, Deputy Features Editor, published in the Northampton Chronicle & Echo June 12th 2009
With Permission



FROM the bank at Pitsford Reservoir, I could see a gathering of little boats bobbing up and down across the water’s surface.
It was not immediately obvious that one of the sailors was blind, or that others had conditions ranging from learning difficulties to motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis.
But, at Northampton’s Sailability in Brixworth, managers work to make sure there are no barriers to enjoying a day mucking about on the water.
Run entirely by volunteers, Northampton Sailability trains disabled people – as well as their able-bodied crew mates – to sail.
Alan Henson, the principal of Northampton Sailability’s Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training centre, said: “We were the first disabled training centre in the UK.
“You don’t have to be registered disabled, but for anyone who needs assistance to get in and out of a boat this is the place to come. We also do a lot of work with people with learning difficulties.
“We even do activities on the sea. We go to the Mediterranean most years; we do one-off activities; we take trips to the Broads; we give people the chance to sail different boats in different waters.
“The idea is that people come to us to sail and we give them the help they need.
We help so they can participate in the maximum amount they are able to do.
For some with severe difficulties, it may be limited to going out for a ride.”
Northampton’s Sailability group was set up 12 years ago by Brian Thake, as part of a national charity promoting sailing for people with disabilities.
Since then, some members have sailed to great success in both the friendly races at Pitsford and other more competitive events. Member Roy Child became Access Dinghy Champion in 2007, scooping a national medal.
Operating from the Northampton Sailing Club at Pitsford Reservoir near Brixworth, Sailability uses a range of boats – some of which have been specially designed – as well as hoists to help people in and out of vessels, to open up the experience of sailing to as many people as possible.
The latest addition to the fleet is Harry Cockburn, a £15,000 Drascombe longboat named after a former Sailability member and bought with the help of funds from the Rotary Club of Northampton.
Money to keep the organisation going comes from multiple sources, including the members, charity events and donations from Rotary Clubs.
The fact so many people with different ability levels can enjoy sailing is perhaps testament to how far boating technology has come.
Northampton Sailability chairman Chris Weston and instructor Phil Kenny talked me through some of the boats used by Sailability.
One commonly used is the two-person access dinghy.
Chris explained: “Usually, a person has to be able to move from one side to the other to balance a boat. But in these dinghies it is just like sitting in a deck chair. If you have no use of your hands, someone will take you out for your sail, but if you have use of your hands you use it yourself.” The dinghy is worked by a joystick, which moves the rudder, whereas on mainstream boats a sailor would need to perch on the side to operate it.
Some boats are geared up with electronic controls, so a sailor can operate it simply with his or her chin. One mini yacht at Pitsford is equipped with “sip and puff” technology. This sailing method hit the headlines recently, with Hilary Lister from Kent attempting to become the first quadriplegic yachtswoman to sail solo around Britain.
Although she is only able to move her head, eyes and mouth, she can operate the sails and tiller of her boat by sucking or blowing on straw-like tubes. Phil said: “With ‘sip and puff,’ if you have no movement but you can alter your breathing, you can control a boat.”
Chris added: “Our hope is to enable people with all types of disabilities to get sailing. “
To find out about sailing times, or to volunteer time to the club, see www.northamptonsailability.org.uk.

Peter Davies





■ Peter Davies being helped out of the boat (left) and with John Oakley
CE pictures 050609-DE4-04 & 050609-DE4-01

DESPITE its limitations, living with motor neurone disease has not meant an end to sailing for 68-year-old Northamptonshire man Peter Davies.
He may be unable to communicate verbally, or get into the boat without a hoist, but Peter enjoys regular excursions on to Pitsford Reservoir in a two-man access dinghy with his friend and fellow sailor John Oakley.
MND is a progressive neuro-degenerative disease, which causes weakness and wasting in the muscles and an increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, as well as difficulties in speech and swallowing.
Peter usually uses a computer to communicate with his friends and family but, while sailing, the simple device of a children’s Etch-a-sketch type machine is employed, to enable him to write messages to John.
Wife Priscilla, of Kettering, said Peter thoroughly enjoyed his trips out as a member of Sailability.
She said: “He loves to come over and this is something he can do.
“If he was at home, he would just be on his computer. This way, he is out in the air and he really enjoys being on the water.
“He wouldn’t be able to do this otherwise, as he needs to have hoists. He can’t weight bear and can’t stand.”

Sadly Peter passed away on the 26th of August 2009.

Cards for Good Causes

Cards for Good Causes is an organisation that springs into action over the Christmas period to sell cards for charities. It looks for organisations such as shops, churches, halls, etc who will allow the use of space to set up displays and sell Christmas goods. Mainly cards but also Calenders, Gift Wrapping Paper, Tags, and so on. In Northampton for several years now Yorks Travel at Welsh House on the Market Square have permitted the use of their premises for this purpose. A basis of this set-up is that if your Charities Cards are sold you provide volunteers to help staff the shop. The outlets are open from mid October to mid December and a volunteer is asked to work eight three hour sessions during this period.

Locally Margaret Batchelor, Jackie and David Atkins and myself have supplied our services for a number of years but the local organiser, Grace Press, would appreciate further help. If interested have a word with Margaret or Jackie. It can be interesting as you get talking to a variety of customers and very often people known to you visit. The cash register we use is good for a laugh, reminiscent of “Open all Hours” and not to have coffee left in front when opened. This year 79p from the £1 was returned to the Charities involved.

Derrick Peasland

For Pete’s Sake

See article “Freedom to Sail” in local news

Peter Davies was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December 2007, he died in August 2009. During the latter part of his illness he was confined to a wheelchair which necessitated the use of a specially adapted vehicle.

Due to the fact that Peter was registered disabled after his 65th birthday, he was precluded from the Motability Scheme. He was very fortunate in that friends offered him the use of their vehicle which was not in everyday use; this proved to be his lifeline and enabled him to partake in his great passion of sailing with Sailability at Pitsford Reservoir, Northampton, as well as to go out to numerous events with friends and family.

To try and help others who find themselves in a similar situation, his wife Priscilla and an old friend of Peter’s have taken on the challenge of walking the 192 mile Coast to Coast Walk starting on 18th June to raise funds for the benefit of people living with MND in the Northants Branch area, so that they are able to be as mobile as possible.

If you wish to help in anyway, or sponsor Priscilla for this event please contact either Priscilla via email at: priscilla.davies1@talktalk.net or Kate Inchley on (01933) 667616

Coast to Coast on Foot

This article supplied by Pete Spence tells the story of the walk as above.

Personally I knew very little of Motor Neurone Disease other than that the actor David Niven was a sufferer and it was not until I saw an old friend, Peter Davies that the full horrors were brought home to me.
After his death and whilst talking to Priscilla we discovered a shared interest in walking ( not at all like our earlier shared enthusiasm for rallying cars) both Peter and Priscilla and myself had wanted to walk Coast to Coast so without more ado Priscilla and I decided to go ahead and do it “for Pete’s sake”
Contact was made with the wonderful Packhorse Company - the founder used to live in Kingsthorpe, Northampton – and we sorted out a route, blithely setting a schedule of 14 miles for each of the first two days. Oh we were such innocents abroad!
However after training walks round Pitsford reservoir, two laps = fifteen miles, and numerous sundry excursions in the remoter parts of the county we felt ready and on the 19th June we were delivered to St Bees Head, Cumbria on the west coast of England. Two important tasks before we started, one - to scatter some of Peter`s ashes in the Irish Sea, and two, to pick up a pebble each, in true Wainwright tradition, to carry to Robin Hoods Bay. That done we set off.

Priscilla preparing for the Off Descent to Honister Pass
The top of Lining Crag Grisedale Beck

Day one was long and initially easy but the descent from Dent was appalling and we staggered into our B&B about 8hrs after we set off.
Day two was equally long and at first easy around the edge of the beautiful Ennerdale Water but after the Black Sail Hut (the smallest youth hostel in Britain) there was a terrible ascent up Loft Beck. Julia Bradbury described it as the worst ascent on the whole walk. Priscilla nearly gave up but like a brave soldier plodded onto our evening stop, another 8 hr trek! The next three days saw us in the heart of the Lake District with ascents to Grasmere and Patterdale which were stiff climbs but the final climb out of Patteredale via Kidsty Pike was dramatic and tiring. It was here I fell and left my blood in Angle Tarn, fortunately I damaged my blind eye otherwise it would have been the end for me. As it was, the descent from Kidsty Pike nearly finished both of us off and with relief we sought refreshment in the Mardale Inn at St Patricks Well – thoroughly recommended!
The next day we thought the worst was over, a gentle stroll to Shap and on to Orton about a further 12 miles. No such luck – Priscilla’s right boot sole decided to come completely adrift - no shoe mender in Shap, so with much improvisation with spare boot laces we managed to limp to our B & B at Orton. The boots were rendered completely useless and irreparable, so it was imperative we reached our next stop in Kirby Stephen as early as possible before the shops closed. This we managed with the aid of spare walking shoes, some new boots were bought and to celebrate, a sauna and massage, which was followed by a surprise dinner with friends from Overstone who had driven up to meet us.
So, fortified and relaxed, we set off next morning to climb Nine Standards Rigg, cross the natural watershed of England, and leave Cumbria to cross into Yorkshire. Not an easy day’s walking at all - this was only relieved by a fabulous cream tea at Ravenseat - highly recommended not only by ourselves but also by Julia Bradbury!! Just before reaching our overnight stop at Keld the heavens opened and our only rain in two weeks soaked us to the skin. A good drying room and a bowl of curried banana soup put the world to rights again.
Now we were in familiar territory as we walked the beautiful Swale valley, both of us had fond memories of Muker and Gunnerside which we passed by on our way to the next overnight stop at Reeth. As we arrived the England team were knocked out of the World Cup amid much drowning of sorrows by those watching the television at the local hostelry! It was obvious the staff at the Black Bull felt this defeat more than most if the fighting in the kitchen was anything to go by, pity the poor waiter who was wearing someone`s dinner and had to serve us with it on his shirt!
Another day and a very reasonable walk to Richmond, civilisation and a chance to buy blister plasters for Priscilla’s feet savaged by her new boots. Richmond was plaster-less and with three miles still to go and time short we accepted a lift to our overnight stop – disgraceful! Another massage and excellent dinner prepared us for the flat and shorter day’s walk to Danby Wiske and the Old School House B & B where lines were given for late attendance for dinner or breakfast. The proprietors were very amusing and kind and their special plasters solved Priscilla’s feet problems – albeit temporarily! Our next day`s walk to Ingleby Cross through the Vale of Mowbray was in the company of two friends who had driven up from Rushton, nr Kettering. We had a pleasant day in countryside, not unlike Northamptonshire, and this softened us up for the Cleveland Hills to follow.
The Lake District is spectacular, the Cleveland Hills less so but just as demanding, a series of ascents and descents - at one stage we climbed and descended four successive hills of 1000ft in a 12 mile walk. Hard work and the final ascent to the Wainstones saw Priscilla nearly blown over the edge! Were we glad to get to our overnight stop!

The view at Cringle End Nearly there
Signing In The Bar

ow we were on our last section over Urra Moor to the Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge , a super pub miles from anywhere but good ale and food. The final trek over the moors past Old Margery and Fat Betty (boundary marker stones - not ladies of the moors) past Great Fryup Dale (no bacon smelt!) to our penultimate stop at Grosmont. This left a gentle stroll of 15 miles to Robin Hoods Bay except no one told us of the 2 mile 1in3 hill climb up to Sleights moor. It was with great relief we saw Whitby Abbey and the North Sea beyond, and a few miles later we staggered down the steep hill to Robin Hoods Bay to a welcoming party consisting of relations and friends bedecked with Motor Neurone Disease balloons, and bottles of bubbly to celebrate our achievement. We dipped our feet in the North Sea, threw our pebbles out to sea and sprinkled some more of Peter’s ashes in the North Sea, he had finally done his Coast to Coast walk - albeit in the rucksack on Priscilla’s back. Job done it was the traditional signing of the Coast to Coast completed walk book in Wainwright’s bar at the Bay Hotel, food, then off to a long awaited rest at home.
What did we get out of the trip? A lot of memories, much humour, lots of interesting people and a wonderful walk through magnificent scenery.
Do it again? You bet we would!

Priscilla Davies and Pete Spence - 19th June to 4th July 2010

Gayton Dog Show

Saturday 11th September 2010

You may remember we were invited to Gayton Dog Show in September, the organiser Alison Huckle and committee had chosen Northants Branch as their charity this year. The weather looked very threatening and the forecast was even worse, Peter and I packed the car with gazebo, chairs, coats, display boards, our new fundraising T –shirts and anything we thought we might need and off we went. We were joined in Gayton by Lucy, a young student in her second year at University studying psychology, who is very keen to help us whenever she is home. We had chosen to promote our National Raffle, so ticket sales got under way, with not many people actually coming to the display, Lucy armed with tickets and a few freebies i.e. fridge magnets ,balloons etc, went round to the stall holders and got a very good response from them. A sort of computer operated dog was cycling round entertaining the children and advertising the fact that we were the charity for the event that day.
The weather in the end turned out glorious, with the sun shining all day but with a cool breeze blowing. The dog show ran from 12 midday when judging started until around 4pm, there were many other stalls there, selling books, bric-a-brac, cakes and pies, Diabetes U.K. running a tombola and Wellingborough Dog Welfare.
Of course there were dogs everywhere all sorts of shapes and sizes, the show was very well organised, and a great success. We sold £110 of raffle tickets and benefitted from the show with a cheque for £331,this was the proceeds from the entry fees for showing your dog and any profit made after all expenses were paid.
A total of £441 on the day for which we are extremely grateful, an acknowledgement was sent to Mrs Huckle. As a result of this event we have plans to organise a Dog Show locally with Wellingborough Dog Welfare to share expenses and profit made, in the summertime of 2011. More about that at a later date.

Coffee Morning October 2nd 2010

What its all about Peter – 1st Prize is Mine
We ran another very successful coffee morning at 7 Francis Dickins Close Wollaston, really not sure how many people came but it may have been around 70. The usual stalls had lots of interest, cakes went well raised £123, books disappeared before your eyes raising £149 50p , MND Christmas Cards were popular and the raffle raised £128, with coffee sales the morning raised £901. This could not be done without the help of many people and especially our church friends who help on the day, make cakes and buy them back.
Thank you very much to you all.

Kate Inchley

Tabletop Event St Davids Church Kingsthorpe Northampton

Saturday 9th October 2010

On this Saturday morning Jackie and David came along with Bric – a – Brac and Margaret and myself took along the Christmas Cards.

Our corner at St Davids Church Room

The attendance was lower than previous events we were told but we sold just over £100 of cards whilst Jackie and David managed £41.

And of course we managed a bit of Publicity

Derrick Peasland

Open Meeting Sunday 0ctober 10th 2010

Kate opening Meeting Eleanor and Richard’s Slide Show

We were fortunate to have Richard Hollis and Eleanor Chubb at our open meeting. Richard and Eleanor had raised over £5.000 for MND driving a Citroen 2CV across Africa. The month long trip was the Touareg Trail Challenge and took them 6.000 miles, crossing 5 African countries. The car was self built by Richard and Eleanor but it got them through many sticky situations at one point they had to drive along a used railway track through the Sahara desert. While camping in Mauritius they were protected by 50 armed soldiers as there had been previous attacks and some tourists had been killed, quite a scary thought. Richard spoke of how friendly the people were in the countries they visited and how inquisitive they were about the trip. If you want to know more about the trip visit www.snailafrica.com or you can for a donation to Northants Branch have you own D.V.D. of this amazing journey , please contact any of the committee should you wish to do so. We of course had our Christmas Cards on sale and raffle. Derrick gave a vote of thanks to Richard and Eleanor and we ended with the usual tea and cakes.



Railway Line doubling as Road Night Camp

Kate Inchley

Grangewood Park Residents Club October 2nd 2010

We were invited to attend the Murder Mystery evening put on by the Grangewood Park Residents Club East Hunsbury October 2nd 2010. The event is for 3 nights and different charities were invited each night to supply prizes and run the raffle for their benefit. Our night was Saturday, we were also treated to a very good supper.
The murder mystery was very good although we didn’t manage to work out who had done it. Peter had wrapped up the prizes so know one knew what they were winning (it was a mystery after all)We sold £161 raffle tickets and had a great evening.
We are going to Grangewood Park on Saturday November 20th for the Christmas Fair the time is 12 -4pm .We will be selling our Christmas Cards so if you haven’t already got yours do come along.

Kate Inchley

St Marks Church “Afternoon Break”

Wednesday Afternoon 20th October 2010

On the third Wednesday of the month during the afternoon St Marks Church has a Tea & Cake event for people to drop in and have a chat to neighbours and friends.

By the kind permission of the lady who organises this, Liz May one of our Church Wardens, I was allowed to take our Christmas Cards along and managed to sell £51 of them.

Derrick Peasland

Coffee in the Morning / Tea in the Afternoon

Saturday 6 November 2010
June Lewis writes:

Rolling back to a fortnight before, my decision was made to hold a fundraiser so that my friends and acquaintances had the opportunity to buy our wonderful Christmas cards. With a ‘Christmassy’ theme in mind, I thought mince pies and shortbread. The latter as you know is never a problem but 50 mince pies for me to make, no!! I approached my local Sainsbury’s for a donation of mince pies and they came up trumps, with both puff and short- crust pastry pies. My sincere gratitude goes to the store.

Many invitations went out and gradually I had replies. More requests were made, (not to everyone!) this time for home-made cakes for a cake stall. Raffle prizes galore were offered and accepted, so many, that some have been retained for the Christmas party. A donation of chocolates was also made for ‘guess the number of chocs in the jar’. From Wednesday – Friday I baked!

A band of volunteers came along on the day, which was bright and sunny. Forty nine people came in the morning and at times it was standing room only! Hot drinks were offered in the kitchen with either a mince pie or shortbread (thumbs-up, of course). Cards and cakes were on sale in the dining room, along with raffle tickets and guesses on the chocolates. People either settled in there for their coffee or in the sitting room. It was a great atmosphere with friends and colleagues who had not met in a while greeting each other with hugs. Thirty three people came in the afternoon. There was a draw for each of the sessions. Thirteen people signed post-cards to the Prime Minister as part of the Association’s call for the Government to produce a National Strategy for MND.

The whole day raised over £700, which was an amazing total. Thanks to everyone who attended and gave so generously. My thanks also to those who donated cakes and raffle prizes, including Cromwell Cottage, Graham Waughman, (our Christmas caterer) and Bee Chauhan, florist. Lastly and importantly, thanks to Kate, Pete, Jackie and Dave for their help on the day, also to Gill, Pam, Erlys, Jenny, Sandie, Pat and Anne. Without them the day could not have gone so well.

Grangewood Park Residents Club

Christmas Fair
Saturday November 20th 2010

     

Jackie busy selling                         Where are all the Customers                

We were invited to sell Christmas Cards. Peter shipped them over and helped set-up then left it to Jackie and David. More helpers came and went during the course of the event including Rob, Kevin, June, and myself. There was a choice of two homemade soups at lunchtime. The one I picked was very good. A number of cards were sold.

Derrick Peasland

Christmas Buffet Lunch Meeting

Sunday 12th December 2010,St Matthews Church Hall,Northampton

Christmas Buffet Lunch Meeting December 12th, food ordered, cakes and mince pies made, drinks served by our resident bar staff Kevin and Rob. Entertainment organised, we were ready to enjoy the Christmas Party. How great to see so many people, that we had to organise an extra table and it was warm in the hall, a great bonus. We were particularly pleased to welcome again to Northants Branch Her Worship the Mayor of Northampton, Councillor Mrs Marianne Taylor with her consort husband Mr Martin Taylor, and our Patron The Rev. Dr John Smith with his wife Ann. Following the excellent buffet lunch so well presented by Graham we were entertained by Shaun and Mark, who took us on a trip down memory lane singing songs from our younger days including Elvis and Tom Jones. Everyone joined in and almost raised the roof with Delilah.
We thank Shirley for suggesting we invite Shaun and Mark who worked very hard and even kept singing whilst we packed up.
It was all too soon time for tea and Christmas cake kindly made and donated by June, thank you very much June, and the raffle. There were over 30 prizes, raising a grand total of £194.00, our grateful thanks to Jackie and Dave for organising this again.
Committee members wish to thank everyone who helped in any way to make this such an enjoyable afternoon. We hope that you, the members enjoyed yourselves and a special welcome to our members who were with us for the first time. If any of you have ideas about entertainment for future years please let us know. We look forward to seeing you at Open meetings in 2011, if you are able to help with fundraising, have ideas for events or meetings please talk to any committee member. Many hands make light work.

Margaret Batchelor

Kingsley Park Methodist Church Hall

Saturday 29th January 2011

           


On Saturday January 29th, Kate, Margaret, Derek, Jackie and Dave took bric-a-brac to the table top sale at Kingsley Park Methodist Church. It was a busy morning and we raised £41.60. Many thanks to Walt Loweth for sponsoring the table. It was an enjoyable morning.

AGM Report

Northants Branch Sunday April 10th 2011

26 members attended our AGM.
The Rev Dr John Smith our Patron and his wife Ann were our guests for the afternoon, John was also our speaker.
Chairman Kevin White welcomed everyone and introduced our guests.
The business part of the meeting followed, with minutes of the 2010 AGM and matters arising.
Chairman’s Report. Kevin gave an enthusiastic and informative account of the years events.
Treasurer Report. Colin gave a very detailed account of our finances and how we had been able to meet all financial requests this past year and even with the state of the economic situation in the country we have a healthy bank balance.
All committee members were willing to stand again and were elected on block, we are fortunate that 2 of our members have been newly elected to the committee.

Mrs Priscilla Davies
Mrs Christine Hull

We are very grateful to these 2 ladies for their commitment and we welcome them.

     
                                 Dr John Smith (Centre) Speaking                                     Audience

Our guest speaker Dr John Smith then gave us a detailed update on research and where we are, as in the past year or so 3 genes have been isolated which is particularly relevant in the familial type of MND that affects 1-2 % of the MND population. Dr Smith then answered questions and chatted with people over tea.

A particularly special event then took place when Dr Smith presented some members with Long Service Awards.

5 year Awards
Jenny Glithero - Association Visitor
William Standerwick - Association Visitor
Walter Loweth - Member.

10 year Awards
June Lewis - Association Visitor.
Brian Lack - Committee member

15 year Award
Peter Inchley - Member As Jenny and Brian were not present at the meeting their awards were forwarded to them.

We had our usual very successful raffle and the afternoon ended with tea and cakes.

Kate Inchley

Fashion Show 1-6-11

House of Fraser, Northampton
IN 2001 June Lewis and the Northamptonshire Branch organised a fashion show to raise funds and awareness for the Association. Sadly, two months after the show, June lost her husband David to MND.

Some 10 years on she decided to organise another, not only to raise awareness and funds, but in memory of David and all those living with MND, past, present, and future. The fashion show was held in June at the House of Fraser in Northampton.

It was important for June, who became an Association visitor (AV) in 2004, to keep as much of the event this year the same as it was in 2001. This meant it was a very nostalgic event with four of the original models taking part, and the same music being used.

Organising the event was not all plain sailing, but it was driven by the determination that it had to happen in June 2011, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the event in 2001, 10 years after the death of David, and National Volunteers’ Week.

Guests were greeted by the Northamptonshire Branch Volunteers. They took their seats and as the show began there were a few celebrity model appearances including volunteers from the branch and a few Association staff, making their debut on the catwalk.

Anhors Away I think blue is my colour

In a short interlude, guests were offered a glass of wine and nibbles and had the opportunity to try the different activities taking place including mini makeovers and the chance to buy some of the clothes at a discounted price. A raffle was held and a film of June’s story, made by students from the local university, was played. Heidi Macleod, our Associate Director, also gave a very motivating talk about the work of the Association. The show finished at 9.30pm with a really enjoyable evening being had by all. The event raised just under £2,400 for the branch.



June “Thanks everyone”!

Flore Artists Support the Branch

Talented local artists, Phillipa Powell, Fiona Mead and glass maker Amanda Noble displayed their works at an Open Gallery at Flore on 10, 11 & 12 June 2011. Phillipa is a watercolourist with a variety of subjects. Fiona has a unique style, recycling plastic supermarket bags which she then mounts on boards and paints. The work she exhibited was of flowers. Amanda produces unusual glass ware – e.g. necklaces, decorative hangings, coloured glass stands which were displayed in the garden.

The three of them very kindly offered to ask for donations to the Branch for refreshments (tea/coffee, cake and thumbs-up shortbread!) they provided over the three days. June Lewis supplied an MND awareness board using posters from the ‘Patrick the Optimist’ campaign and postcards of some of the 19 portraits he has completed. The postcards included were of Patrick’s wife, Kathy, Dr Martin Turner, his latest of Dr Stephen Hawkings and a self-portrait. Phillipa reported that the display created a lot of interest given the subject of the exhibition. Just over £152 was raised over the three day period.

June Lewis, who attended the preview, was witness to the encouragement all three artists displayed to support the MND Association. She found the exhibition most interesting and enjoyed the Pimms and canapés! The Branch is grateful for the three artists’ support.

Walk to D’feet

Saturday 25th June 2011
Stanwick Lakes Northamptonshire

   
Getting ready for the “Off”  Assembling outside restaurant & Gift shop 
64 people took part in our annual Walk to D’feet this year at Stanwick Lakes Northants. It was great to see Trudi Willis, Taryn Moore, Marion and David Reichle from National Office joining us.
We encountered a blustery start, the weather was not good, it was cold with a very brisk wind and rain. We attempted to set up the gazebo with great difficulty because of the wind, in fact we had to move the pitch otherwise we would have all disappeared in the lake along with everything else.
With the weather settling, people began to arrive and register, ably organised by Derrick and Margaret.
There are many different walks around the lakes, our walkers did varying distances ranging from 1 to 6 miles, but all agreed, that wherever they walked the lakes and surroundings were beautiful. The weather had really brightened up, although still windy the sun came out and was quite warm. Some adventurous walkers who decided to walk the 6 miles unfortunately got soaked because of a sharp shower before they arrived back.

   
The children among us really had a great time as there is so much for them to do at Stanwick, with the assault course, adventure playground and adventure trail.
The staff at Stanwick are very welcoming and helpful, there is a very good café for refreshments lunches etc which many of us made use of once we had packed up. All walkers received a T –shirt, certificate, and lapel pin badge. If you didn’t manage to come this year we have been invited back for next year’s Walk to D’feet by the manager George O’Leary.
Our thanks go to George and his staff for all their help and support, and to all committee members and members who helped to make another successful event.

 
Getting under way And more getting under way

Kate Inchley, Vice Chairperson

August 2011 Open Meeting

Our August meeting took place at Wyevale Garden Centre instead of our usual venue .There were 25 members present. We had a lovely afternoon in very relaxed surroundings, chatting and enjoying a delicious cream tea.



The staff at Wyevale were friendly and very helpful, nothing was too much trouble for them, we may do this again sometime.

Kate Inchley Vice Chairperson

Waitrose Collection

Northants Branch have been fortunate enough to have been granted “ Community Matters ” boxes at Waitrose , one month in Rushden during December 2010, collecting £690, and one month in Kingsthorpe Northampton during May 2011, collecting £400. We are indebted to Waitrose and very grateful to all the local people who supported us during that time.

Sons Honoured For Care of Their Father


RUSHTON. CARERS Northamptonshire Carer Awards held at Rushton Hall.
Pictured are Young Carers of the Year Lewis & Lloyd Hilton with their father Peter.

TWO schoolboys from Northampton were among the winners of NHS awards for caring for their father, who has motor neurone disease.

Lewis and Lloyd Holton live with their dad, Peter, in Whiteland Road, Abington following their parents’ divorce.

Because of Mr Holton’s degenerative muscle-wasting disease, they are registered as his carers, helping him to live his day-to-day life.

However the pair, aged 14 and 13, who go to Northampton School for Boys, continue to do well in school and remain upbeat, leading to the Young Carers support group to nominate them for an accolade in the Jane Roebuck Carers Awards, which were held at Rushton Hall yesterday.

Trevor Frogatt, a Young Carers worker, said: “Both Lewis and Lloyd have had to witness the rapid deterioration in the health of their father due to motor neurone disease, alongside the breakdown of their parents’ marriage.

“Throughout this harrowing time, their school attendance and behaviour has been impeccable.

“They manage to offer bountiful enthusiasm and emotional strength to each other and Mr Holton, who feels very lucky to have such fantastic sons.”

Statistics in 2010 estimated that 17,500 young people in Northamptonshire, aged between five and 18, were acting as carers for a family member.

The large number includes anyone in that age group carrying out “caring tasks” either for a disabled or long-term ill parent or sibling.

Although many perform simple tasks on a daily basis, the official definition of a young carer is one whose life is constrained by the care they give.

Mr Froggat said: “They are instrumental in enabling their father to remain as independent at home as possible.”

Apart from the Young Carer of the Year, in 2012 the judging panel also recognised a Carer of the Year and Northamptonshire GPs who have been particularly supportive of carers.

n For the full stories of Lewis and Lloyd and the others recognised for their unsung round-the-clock care, read our special feature on the Jane Roebuck Carers Awards in tomorrow’s Chron.

Reproduced from an article in the Northampton Chronicle and Echo by Kind Permission of the Editor.

Christmas Tree Festival

St John the Baptist Church, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, 3rd December 2011
The MNDA Christmas Tree View of St John the Baptist Church

St John the Baptist Church in Kingsthorpe, Northampton held a Christmas Tree Festival in early December and invited branch members to provide a tree. This was an opportunity for us to raise awareness and Jackie, Dave, Derrick and Margaret decided we should accept. The tree demonstrated how MND affects people and we managed to use the Association colours of blue and orange, It was one of many trees but there was some positive feedback and leaflets disappeared. Thank you to Derrick for providing the tree and together with Maureen and her family the decorations.

Margaret Batchelor

Christmas Buffet Lunch

St Matthews Church Hall, Northampton, 11th December 2011

The Regular Bar Staff were on hand View of Hall

Our Christmas Lunch was very well attended with many new members joining us for the first time. The food was excellent once again provided for us by Graham.June’s well established Christmas cake was delicious. Our thanks to Graham and June. Jackie and Dave ran another marathon raffle with wonderful prizes raising an amazing £189. Thank you Jackie and Dave. Thanks also go to Shaun and Mark for their great entertainment and singing, some of us did have a go at Karaoke (not very well I might add). But we all had a good time.We thank the committee for providing the wine and other beverages and our regular bar tenders Kevin and Rob who stepped up to the plate once again. Last but by no means least our thanks and appreciation to all who came to make the afternoon a success.

A Chorus Line June’s Cake



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