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