August

 2009

PHOENIXNEWS

ISSUE 21

WHAT A STRANGE MONTH

July and August turned out to be a strange months as the weather forecaster predicted high temperatures of 30c + and the government sent out leaflets on how to keep cool in the hot weather. The shops brought in extra fans and air conditioning units but by the time July arrived it was more like late autumn weather and a re-think was needed. The portable pergola became so wet the metal support bars started to bend and one morning the staff found it the other side of the garden. So yes typical English weather.

The old saying applied this month of when the cats away the mice will play was evident this month as the manager took a 2 week fact finding tour looking for new therapies and working procedures and while away everyone enjoyed Chinese and Indian meals not to talk about the kebab's, plus the DVD's sessions went down well when everyone enjoined films from Transformers to my Fair Lady and I am Legend. The mystery drives did turn out to be mystery as a few roads become impassable due to weather conditions but everyone concerned enjoyed themselves.

The brighter weather returned towards the end of the month and this is when everyone started to enjoy themselves after the unusual start to the month, Tony, Dena and Beth enjoyed walks through Dawlish looking at the black swans as well as playing on the sand, most of the others enjoyed themselves sitting on the promenade with an ice cream watching the grockles and sea gulls. Edwina as usual did her own thing but enjoyed every minute of it.

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

John celebrated his birthday during Julywith his favourite chocolate buttons and grapes while listening to a choir from Wales. The birthday cake went down well as it was double chocolate.

NOT ANOTHER YEAR

Years come and go and as normal Edwina celebrated her birthday very quietly, yet very busy as she had lots to do. Before she even had blown the candles out she was up and out, when asked to pose for a picture she said" use last years" and on the subject of her age her reply was " your as old as you fell" with that she walked up to Jade held her arm and said " I feel 21 great"

YES IT'S MY BIRTHDAY

Meanwhile Beth loves her birthday and this year was no different, first it was a trip to jacks patch then some shopping all this before even opening the cards and presents. As soon as she returned the wrapping paper went everywhere and then the rest of the day was spent admiring her gifts apart from time spent with her choc chip birthday cake.

WHAT ALL FOR ME

The look on Kathy's face was a treat when her birthday cake was laid out in front of her. She then enjoyed several choruses of Happy Birthday.

VISITOR

We have visitors to the home now and again some stay for 5 minutes some stay longer, during the month Dr Marcus Ho from Auckland University New Zealand came for a 2 week stay he was completing papers and research, he had visited us before several years ago and he renewed old friendships with several people. Stuart remembered him and Joyce thought he was the milkman.

ARROWS AGAIN

Every year the Dawlish carnival week is held and over the last few years the aerobatic team of the RAF called the Red Arrows thrill the watching crowds with there acrobatics and displays. Ashdown is very lucky as it is on the flight path for several of their flying routines so by relaxing in the garden looking in to the sky's we have a great view. The highlight this year was the red arrows flying in formation accompanying a Vulcan bomber, unfortunately there flight path meant we did not see them until they were on top of us and it was to late for a picture.

MORE VISITORS

At the end of August we were visited by Graham and Sue Cherry, they have been regular visitors over the past several years, every time they visit they spend several hours talking to the residents and staff, when they informed the home that they were visiting the found out about the 20th anniversary during mid September and they donated 6 white and 6 red bottles of wine with labels depicting Ashdown celebrating their 20 years . Even though they had made a donation they could not get away without buying those raffle ticket

SEPTEMBER'S BIRTHDAY'S

7th Idelia  (Staff)

APOLOGIES

The editor with like to apologies for the late publication of the news letter, there was an industrial dispute between the head of sales and the head of advertising so when the head of the graphic design department also join in the delivery department refused to work and went on a work to rule, thankfully the dispute has be resolved.

CATHEDRAL

On a recent trip to Exeter Cathedral Dena was in enthralled at the splendours of the ornate carvings and architecture that the building holds. The highlight of the trip was meeting everyone ones friend unless you are on a diet and that is Ronald McDonald yet this one was a Ronnie.

CONGRATULATIONS

We would also like to offer our congratulations to the following for completing and passing distance learning courses

Jackie passed Equality and Diversity,

FUND RAISING

Here at the home have been fund raising for Epilepsy Research UK over the past few months, in past fund raising we have been very successful yet this time it shows that we are in the middle of a credit crunch, the single donations are down, the raffle prize donations are down. People are giving less but that is life.

PLEASE HELP US BEAT OUR RECORD

JUST GIVE US A DONATION

We are in the final throws of the fund raising and we have one last raffle underway, all the prizes have been donated by kind people and the raffle will be drawn on the 14th September at 12 noon  on the stroke of the 20th anniversary, early indications show we will be short of braking our record amount but the staff and management are still hopeful.

If you have not help in this venture yet then there is still time and Epilepsy Research UK can do with all the help and funds that are available so if you have not done your bit yet then there is still time. Help yes to help the research in to Epilepsy. You might not have it but research shows we all know someone who is epileptic.

FORTH COMING EVENTS

Outings and more outings are on the agenda

Do you fancy relaxing in the sun in Spain then look no further      www.relaxingmijas.co.uk

 Bookings taken for late 2009 and 2010

If this newsletter has been posted to you and you do have internet access then by dropping a line to manager@ashdowncarehome.co.uk we will add you to the e-mail mailing list.

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