Post on 31-Jan-2022
Winter 2015
Deerhurst News
Inside this issue:
Manager update Our happy band of
volunteers Shambling along
Carer support group
Manager update…
In our first edition of the Deerhurst News we ‘talked’ about a range of on-
going activities at Deerhurst (i.e. Boccia, Physio Fitness, Keep Fit,
Summer Fete, Art Group, Hoy, Craft, Bingo, and African Drums). In this
edition we include some other leisure activities.
Our roving reporter (Alan Bruton from Honeysuckle Suite) has written
short cameos on the lives of a couple of Deerhurst’s carers and
residents (including Alan himself). He intends to undertake more such
cameos in forthcoming months, including our activity staff, others
including house keepers, and those who work in the kitchen and
laundry, as well as carers and residents in Butterfly Trail.
Inside you can also read about the iPals’ project, the Memory Walk,
Alive!’s Tim Lloyd-Yeates, theatre outings, the visit by Colston’s School
Choir, our Deerhurst Volunteer group, In the next edition we hope to
cover the Carers’ Support Group, falls prevention physios sessions and
many more of our lively activities!
Deerhurst’s recreational programme is crammed. We can’t cover all
activities in a couple of editions. So apologies if we have not yet covered
your activity interest. If you’d like yours to be included in the next edition,
please let me know.
We hope you had a very joyful Christmas: and a very happy new year to
everyone.
Lesley Hobbs, Care Home Manager
Deerhurst’s enthusiastic and hard-
working troop of volunteers – led by
Mike Evans – is at the heart of much to
do with the residents’ social world.
Volunteers’ regular meetings (with staff
representatives in attendance) allow
them to discuss, plan and manage a
whole range of social and other events
to help enhance residents’ lives.
The volunteers raise unbelievable
amounts of money during the year
through happenings such as Fetes and
Fayres. Thousands of pounds are
raised, annually, to help promote
residents’ wellbeing through pastimes
of all kinds (e.g. excursions, dancing,
singing, musical events). Funds help
subsidise weekly minibus outings to
local garden centres, shopping
centres, museums and, in the summer,
to more distant locations including
Chew Valley and Weston-Super-Mare.
They provide Xmas presents for
residents, as well. Elsewhere,
volunteers send birthday (and
Christmas) cards to residents, and
provide regular trolley visits to enable
residents to purchase items such as
toiletries. And, at this time of the year,
they are very active in helping with the
Christmas Carol Service and other
associated tasks.
Many thanks to our volunteers, many
of whom have been with us for several
years. Our gratitude, too, to the many
folk (in the wider community as well as
those connected to Deerhurst) who
support us in so many ways additional
to our fundraising.
OUR HAPPY BAND OF VOLUNTEERS
By Mike Evans: Volunteers’ leader
Shambling along as usual
By Tony Charlton
Towards the end side of the summer
months Deerhurst Shamblers (i.e.
volunteers, relatives and staff) stepped
down from the minibus at Arnos Vale
for the beginning of their walk, across
the river bridge leading to Spark Evans
Park in St Philip's Marsh. The day was
perfect for walking: a sunny day with a
zephyr breeze. Immediately after
crossing the bridge we sighted early
signs of the new development planned
to include accommodation,
restaurants, piazzas and small industry
units. The walk continued along the
riverside path, beyond the Paintworks
(to the south of the river) in the
direction of Temple Quay. On route –
also across the river - we saw the tidal
slipways which were the dwindling
remains of Brown’s Boatyard that once
maintained barges, until the 1960s.
Onwards, as always, we walked
beyond the Dogs’ Home on Albert
Road.
Towards the end of this section of the
riverside walk we came across the site
for the new Bristol Arena (a 12,000-
capacity indoor arena, due to open in
2018). The building works meant we
had to leave the riverside walk and
take to the side streets to reach Glass
Wharf at Temple Quay.
It was here that we lunched on the
sundeck at the Yurt Lush. Lunch over;
we continued our walk along the
riverside, across Queens Square and
on to Narrow Quay. There, at the
harbour side, we caught the river ferry
back to Temple Meads, where the
minibus awaited. A pleasant walk, a
tasty lunch, numerous interesting
discussions and reflections alongside
congenial company: what more could
the Shamblers want?
Who went to go see Mary Poppins?
By Jan and Malcolm De Gay
Three packed minibus loads of
residents, volunteers and relatives did:
on November
19th 2015.
And what a
wonderful time
they had.
Married
couple, Jan and Malcolm wrote what a
welcome experience it was for Malcolm
(Honeysuckle) to have a night out at
the theatre with his wife. She writes;
The staff at the Hippodrome were very
helpful and the show was excellent,
colourful costumes, familiar songs
(which Malcolm is still singing now),
wonderful acting, superb scenery: and
good company.
The biggest treat was the evening out
together, with safe hands to help us in
and out of the minibus, and into the
Hippodrome. Our thanks to Deerhurst
staff: as always they carried out their
multi tasks with great care and
compassion. And upon our return, the
night staff were awaiting us so
residents could be taken back to their
rooms.
As Malcolm’s wife, I give my sincere
thanks to Deerhurst for giving the
opportunity for us both – and others –
to have a night out.
Colston’s School Choir.
By Alan Bruton
Michael, the
school music
teacher,
introduced the
choir
comprising
both girls and boys (of secondary
school age). They were warmly
greeted by all.
They commenced by singing “Hark the
Herald. Angels Sing”. This was
followed by George playing “O Holy
Night” on the trumpet, with Maggie (on
guitar) accompanying him. Following
this, Matilda (on trumpet) and Maggie
(on guitar) presented a duet of their
own arrangement of “Have yourself a
Merry Christmas”. “Jingle Bell Rock”
followed with George playing the key
board. Their next rendition was “Santa
Baby” (an Eartha Kitt number: surely
everyone remembers her?) sung by
two of the choir members. Then, Jan
de Gay (wife of Malcolm a resident at
Deerhurst) led the choir singing “Once
in Royal David’s City”. After her solo
performance with the first verse, the
choir joined in. The next piece was.an
American carol sung “a cappella’
fashion” (group or solo singing without
instruments). After this - in the style of
Dave Brubeck – “'Comfort and Joy”
was played. The singing of “We Wish
You a Merry Christmas” brought the
show to an end, to rapturous applause
from all.
Sad to say farewell: to Tim Lloyd-Yeates
Deerhurst representatives joined others at the Create Centre on November 11th for a memorial gathering to celebrate the life and works of Tim Lloyd-Yeates.
Tim was the founder and Executive Director of Bristol charity, Alive! His charity invested much of its inventive energy into helping to improve the quality of life for older people in care. He was a good friend to Deerhurst. Although he himself visited us only once, his organisation has helped enrich the lives of many of our residents through regular entertainments in Bluebell Rise lounge (e.g. quizzes, singing, and activity sessions and, more recently, the iPals experience)
Remarkably, in the last year Alive! visited over 350 care settings involving 7,000 older people . The commemorative gathering gave opportunities for people to voice their admiration of Tim’s work. Understandably, there was sadness that such a priceless life ended at the age of 47. Yet his work lives on. Deerhurst is thankful that Tim’s work enriched – and continues to enrich – the lives of so many in Deerhurst.
Bridging an Intergenerational
Divide: By linking primary
school pupils and Deerhurst
residents
Around six years ago Deerhurst
undertook a research project intended
to enrich the lives of our residents. The
research involved Year 11/12 students,
from a local secondary school,
spending time with our residents, over
a period of several weeks. The project
was very successful and was later
published in the Journal of Dementia
Care, and other journals.
In September this year, with the help of
Alive! (See piece in this edition on Tim
Lloyd-Yeates) we started another
project. On this occasion, pupils from
St Stephens Primary School linked up
with some of our residents using
IPads. Pupils not only communicate
with residents on their IPads, but also
met up for joint sessions in our home.
On these occasions, for example,
pupils helped residents to use IPads to
explore their life histories (e.g. where
they lived, what their hobbies had
been, and where they worked).
Our recent meet-up (December 8th)
was a time for a party where residents
and pupils jointly shared ideas and
work as well as cake, crisps and
drinks.
The project – which runs for one year -
is the first of its kind in care homes.
Josephine Smith and Fred Owen (from
Bluebell Rise) think it’s a marvellous
idea and Fred says “they’re (i.e. the
pupils) so bright. I can’t believe it”.
Ernie (from Butterfly Trail) thinks” It’s
wonderful”, whilst Edith aged 96yrs
(from Honeysuckle Suite) is so proud
of her new skills.
Thank you to Alive! for introducing the
project and a very special thanks to St
Stephens School.
Spotlight on Deerhurst folk you
probably meet, but know little
about
By Alan Bruton
Alan Bruton (Deerhurst’s only roving
reporter) was born at Portishead in
1929; the oldest of three children. He
attended the local council school
before German
activities in the area
meant he was
evacuated to
Cheltenham and
then to Fishguard.
After finishing
secondary school (at
14) he applied to join the Merchant
Navy (after forging his father’s
signature). He joined his first ship at
Swansea. Later he was transferred to
Avonmouth nearer to his mother’s
home in Shirehampton. He was
promoted to 2nd chef and baker.
Having passed his chef’s exam he
became chef on a passenger ship, He
met wife Maureen: when on leave; love
at first sight he says. They were
married in 1952 and have 3 daughters.
He gave up the sea and became a
trainee aircraft fitter, then then an
electrician’s mate in the docks, and
finally worked as an ‘owner driver’ with
Ready Mix Concrete. Now, he was set
up in business and never looked back,
After 30 yrs. working for Ready Mix
Concrete he retired and spent 15yrs
living in Spain (he speaks Spanish);
with no regrets.
Whilst on a trip to the UK Maureen had
a stroke and they never returned to
Spain. He got a flat in Soundwell and
looked after Maureen. Eventually,
though, Maureen came to Deerhurst
where she was well looked after before
she passed away, later, diabetes
meant that he lost both legs. Thus, he
moved to Deerhurst, and says this is a
great place to be.
Fred Owen (on Bluebell Rise) was
born in 1929 in Merthyr Tydfil where
his education began at Abermorlais
School. He left
school and became
an Engine Cleaner
for GWR (Great
Western
Railway).Inevitably,
national service saw
him in the Tank
Regiment where he was sent to
Germany and took part in the Berlin
Airlift. On his return to Civy Street he
resumed his career with GWR,
eventually becoming a train driver. He
met his future wife (Ciss) at the Coop
Hall in Pruett Street: a place where
they danced regularly after they were
married. They were married in 1950.
Today, there are two lovely daughters
(whom you may have seen on their
visits to be with Fred). Both Fred and
his wife loved dancing and later they
would teach dancing. They have ‘taken
to the floor’ at the Tower Ballroom
Blackpool. Fred’s other love was
motorcycling which eventually led to
him having a serious accident followed
by a long stay in hospital. Much later in
life he became a resident at Deerhurst
where he is very popular (so he tells
me).
Edith Long (on Honeysuckle) was
born in 1919 in Easton. She went to
Easton Council School, leaving when
she was 14. Edith was now in the
world of work taking a job at Willways
Laundry (established as long ago as
1727). After a
while a job at Avon
Tin Printers
(Plummer’s Hill, St
George) beckoned
her. Her interest in
sport was mainly
as a spectator.
She did not have
much time for boys until she met her
husband to be. She and Maurice were
married in 1939 and have two children
both known to residents as they
help with day-to-day activities at
Deerhurst. Edith has been at
Deerhurst since 2013 and is
very happy here.
Mila Hugo (to give her full
name) - a senior carer in
Honeysuckle - was born in the
Philippines, on the island called
Santa Rosa Viga. In 1985 she
went to university studying
midwifery. She eventually obtained
qualifications to become a
registered midwife. After a while she
took up nursing. Her upbringing was
very strict and boy friends were strictly
vetted. However, she then met
Rueben. The marriage between herself
and Rueben took place in 1987. They
have four sons of whom she is very
proud. They came to the U.K in 2004.
Rueben also works at Deerhurst as a
nurse. One of their sons, Ramil, is a
carer in a nearby nursing home. She
likes it here very much, but in later life
would like to return home to the
Philippines. Since starting here in 2005
she has been chosen Carer of the
Year.
Anita Hurley (Honeysuckle Carer) was
born in Bristol in 1962. From primary
school she attended Lockleaze
Secondary School. Leaving school she
worked in Ashley Down as a
seamstress making waterproof
trousers, then going on to another firm
where she worked making
underwear for women. After
this she became a home-
maker to bring up a family.
When the two children went to
school she returned to
Courtalds, Staple Hill, where -
after 13 yrs. - she was
eventually made surplus to
requirements (Courtalds’ loss
was Deerhurst’s gain). After a
short stay elsewhere in the retail trade
she came to Deerhurst to work
alongside Mila. Anita and Mila make a
formidable and extremely caring pair.
Ernest Beardswood - best known as
Ernie - was born in Preston in August
1929. He was the older of two
brothers. His early
schooling took place
at the Catholic school
in Preston. After this
he went on to
technical college to
study electrical
engineering, and with
the successful completion of his
studies he took his first job as an
electrical engineer with the local
generating authority. Later, he applied
successfully for a job in Southampton,
and there he remained until he retired
as manager. He moved to Hanham,
Bristol in 1952 but commuted weekly to
Southampton (leaving Jean back in
Hanham). He is married to Jean who
said she knew Ernie when he wore
short pants. They have a son and
daughter. Ernie was a keen
motorcyclist and raced in the Isle of
Man, as well as other tracks in the UK.
He was also a keen dancer (some say
he was like Fred Astaire!) His other
interest was water-skiing. He built his
own speedboat to go along with his
water-skiing .National Service was
spent in the RAF. He came to
Deerhurst in 2013 and is very happy
here.
January Morning Afternoon
4/1/16 Massage session Church Service
5/1/16 hoy & craft
6/1/16 Boccia 10:30 Bingo fun & laughter
7/1/16 Physio Fitness singing
8/1/16 keeping fit
11/1/16 Pamper sessions art class 3pm
Guitar & vocals
12/1/16 Ball fitness 10:30 Ipad workshop
13/1/15 Boccia 10:30 Spangles 2:30
14/1/16 Andy Physio Music 4health
15/1/16 outdoor walks keep fit
17/1/16 salvation army service
18/1/16 Pamper session Art Club
19/1/16 mini adventure hoy & craft
20/1/16 Boccia Falls group
21/1/16 physio fitness shopping
22/1/16 various keep fit
25/1/16 Massage session Art Club
26/1/16 ball fitness Hoy & craft
27/1/16 Boccia Bingo & fun falls group
28/1/16 Physio fitness Saxophonist
29/1/16 Various Keep fit
Deerhurst January Diary
Activities