|
| |
| |
THE MESSENGER |
|
 |
The Musketeers Newsletter
February 2008
Part of the Multiple Sclerosis Society North Staffs Branch.
Charity Reg.207495 |
|
|
|
Fund Spending Report
Our activities for the next three months will be as
follows:-
April 16th. We are still looking to organise an event for this
month so you will be notified as soon as it is ready, by email where
possible. Any queries, ring me on 01782 523028.
May 21st. Social evening and buffet at the
George and Dragon, Meaford. Meet at 7.30 for 8.00pm. Any enquiries please
ring Christine on 01782 284123.
June 18th. We are going to do a bit of clay
pigeon shooting again. Once more at Kingsley Moor Shooting Ground. This year
it will finish with either a buffet or a BBQ – still to be decided. Any
questions, give me a ring on 01782 523028.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on
one or more these events.
Geoff Hick |
Message from our Chairman
We had a few laughs at our November meeting when each person brought two or
three photos of themselves when young, which was quite a number of years ago
for some of us. There was approx 30 photos and the best score was 5 right.
You could say we had changed somewhat.
December we had our Christmas meal at the Stone House,
which was enjoyed by all.
January saw us bowling at London Road Bowling club,
some played, and some chatted but all had a good evening.
If you are a carer why don’t you come and join us
at one of our meetings, you would be very welcome.
Joan Hick
(Chairman) |
|
Millions of carers near
exhaustion
Up to four million people aged over 50 look after an older
relative or partner but just 12% receive any carers' benefits, a survey has
shown. Around 39% of carers are also still trying to work the same hours
they were before they became responsible for looking after someone else. The
finding suggested many older people with caring responsibilities were
severely overworked, underpaid and on the brink of exhaustion. Nine out of
10 people admitted that the lack of time they had to themselves as a result
of their caring responsibilities was having a major impact on their lives.
Two fifths of carers said they were able to turn to friends or other
relatives for help when they needed a break, but around one in 10 admitted
they never got a rest from their responsibilities.
At the same time nearly a quarter of those questioned had to combine the
role of looking after a relative over 60 with a younger person, usually a
child or grandchild. Around 83% of carers said they had expected to receive
some financial help from the Government, but just 12% said they were
actually receiving carers' benefits, while 84% of people admitted they did
not know what benefits were available. Eight out of 10 people also said they
would use support services if they were available, with better day care
provision and some additional income the two main factors carers said would
ease the pressure on them. It is estimates that carers lose out on an
average of £11,000 a year because of their caring responsibilities. These
results are not only shocking, they're heartbreaking. Carers not only
provide essential support for their loved ones, they also give a valuable
service that saves the taxpayer billions every year. It's vital they get the
support they deserve.
|
|
Quiz (Answers on next page.)
1 Which actor played Jocko in the T.V.comedy Brush Strokes?
2 In which English County is Princess Ann’s home
Gatcombe Park.
3 What type of fruit is a Beauty of Bath?
4 Which football team plays their home games at Home
Park.
5 Which actor played the character Atticus Finch in the
1962 film To Kill A Mockingbird?
6 Which King Henry of England succeeded to the Throne
in 1154
7 Which group hits included Just Cant Get Enough in
1981.
8 Which car manufacturer makes a model called the Alto.
9 Which authors work included the novel Persuasion
featuring Captain Wentworth.
10 Which spirit is distilled from the Agave plant?
|
Just for a laugh
It was mealtime during a flight on a British
Airways plane: 'Would you like dinner?'
the flight attendant asked the man seated in the front row. 'What are my
choices?' the man asked.
‘Yes or no,' she replied
A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys
at a branch of Sainsbury's store but she couldn't find one big enough for
her family.
She asked a passing assistant, 'Do these turkeys get any bigger?'
The assistant replied, 'I'm afraid not, they're dead
A lorry driver was driving along on a country
road. A sign came up that read 'Low Bridge
Ahead.'
Before he realised it, the bridge was directly ahead and he got stuck under
it.
Cars are backed up for miles.
Finally, a police car comes up.
The policeman got out of his car and walked to the lorry's cab and said
to the driver, 'Got stuck, eh?'
The lorry driver said, 'No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of
petrol!'
The policeman got out of his car and the boy
racer he stopped for speeding, rolled down his window. 'I've been waiting
for you all day,' the bobby said. The kid replied, 'Yes, well I got here as
fast as I could.' When the policeman finally stopped laughing, he sent the
kid on his way without
a ticket.
|
|
Maths Test
Starting with the number, 9
square it,
Now divide by three,
Reverse the digits,
Divide by 9,
Double it,
Reverse the digits,
Double it,
Remove the middle digit,
Square it.
Answer below |
Crackers Jokes
What does an angry kangaroo do?
Get hopping mad.
What do you call a man with a paper bag on his head
Russell.
What do you get if you cross a fish and two elephants?
Swimming trunks
|
|
Green Fingers
What to do in The Garden this time of year
Mulch borders with an 8cm
(3in) layer of bark mulch to prevent weeds from colonising. Cover large
areas of bare soil with plastic, landscape fabric or an old roll of carpet
to prevent weeds from germinating in spring. Removing annual weeds in the
border by hand pulling or hoeing. Lever up perennial weeds from the border
with a hand fork or special weeding tool. Ensure every piece of root is
removed. Scrape weeds or moss from between gaps in paving with an old knife.
Use a daisy grubber to remove shallow rooted, rosette forming weeds from the
lawn. Paint stubborn rosette forming lawn weeds with a herbicide gel. Tackle
coarse grasses growing in the lawn by slashing through the crown with a
knife before mowing. Before mowing lawns containing weeds with long runners,
rake the stems to the surface. Regular mowing will eventually weaken and
kill the weed. Lawns that are smothered with weeds and moss are best treated
with a weed and feed product. Pull weeds from pots and fill gaps with new
compost.
|
Carer’s Commandments
1. Thou shalt not try to be all things to all people
2
Thou shalt not be perfect, or even try
3
Thou shalt leave things undone that ought to be done
4
Thou shalt not spread thyself too thin
5
Thou shalt learn to say no
6
Thou shalt schedule time for thyself and thy supportive network
7
Thou shalt switch off and do nothing regularly
8
Thou shalt be boring, inelegant, untidy and unattractive at times
9
Thou shalt not feel guilty
10
Thou shalt not be thine own worst enemy
|
|
All Our Yesterdays
We had a very enjoyable evening in
November, when we all brought a picture of ourselves when younger. When we
arrived they were placed on display. Out of all the photos it was very
difficult to guess who was who.
It was followed by a very enjoyable buffet.
A fun evening was had by all.
|
|
And Finally
The following website contains lots of helpful information and advice
for carers
The Government’s directory of information for carers
www.carers.gov.uk
|
Answers to Quiz
1 Karl Howman
2 Gloucestershire
3 Apple
4 Plymouth Argyle
5 Gregory Peck
6 Henry II
7 Depeche Mode
8 Suzuki
9 Jane Austen
10 Tequila
Answer to Maths Test is 144
|
|
