Blind Life In Durham

Our weekend break to Windermere Manor Hotel - 18th - 21st April 2009

Twelve people attended our 3 day break to Windermere Manor, we arrived at the hotel around 1.30p.m and our lunch was ready when we arrived. After lunch we had a talk from Terry the activities co-ordinator he came up with suggestions for our two days out on their bus.

On the Sunday he arranged to take us to Keswick, we travelled along the banks of Lake Windermere to Ambleside first, then past Thirlmere the lake that supplies Manchester with drinking water, on to Keswick.

We had an hour to have a coffee or have a look around the shops. Then with the weather being so beautiful the driver drove us to the bottom of Derwentwater and stopped a little way up the hillside and pulled off the road so we could have a picnic. The view was stunning, it was so warm, some of us put hats on to protect ourselves from the sun. The weather was unbelievable for this time of the year, not a breeze in the air.

Terry the driver gave us excellent commentary about the area throughout the day. We left the hotel at 10.00a.m and arrived back around 3.30p.m. He took us on a tour around a number of Lakes including Brotherswater, then up the Kirkstone pass and on to Ullswater and then back to the hotel at Winderemere.

Everyone enjoyed the day out and thanked Terry for his excursion and for having a good sense of humour, throughout the day.

After our three course evening meal we relaxed by socialising some of us had a drink and enjoying a game of bingo.

On the Monday Terry arranged for our group to go to Holker Hall for the day which is not far from Grange over Sands. We arrived there about 10.45 we had a coffee outside the café with it being another beautiful day and he had arranged for a guide to take us around the Hall. Holker Hall is the home of Lord & Lady Cavendish.

The Hall can trace its foundations back to the early 16th Century. It also has a motor museum with a Campbell Bluebird Exhibition and large gardens. After an informative guided tour around the Hall we had another picnic in the picnic area.

Then we had a look around the motor museum and strolled around the gardens, we came across the Neptune cascade. This is a spectacular cascade as it climbs through rhododendrons, some were out in flower, they were bright cerise pink in colour. At its head the water cascade is crowned by a marble statue of Neptune, created in the 17th century by Italian craftsmen. The water flows over an inlaid zig-zag slate pattern.

We arrived back at to the hotel at about 4.15 after having a very memorable day out.

After another delicious evening meal the hotel had booked a singer for our entertainment. He was very good and members said it had been a fantastic break, with a lovely atmosphere. One person said he gave the weekend 10 out of 10. Another said it was the best hotel they had stayed in. And she was impressed at the way our group all looked out for one another.

On Tuesday morning after a hearty breakfast we set off for home and arrived back around 1.30-2.00p.m

Everyone said they had thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and would love to go back next year.

A contribution from Tracy Kaya

I originally came from Aberdeen, I have had a sight problem all my life called Coates Disease. This is a rare eye disorder, causing full or partial blindness, characterized by abnormal development of blood vessels behind the retina.

I left Aberdeen when I was 18 and I moved to Hull and lived there for 22 years. I was married in Hull and I have two daughters and I have a grandson called Mensah he is twelve and lives in London. I worked in various jobs in Hull, but I mostly worked in the fish house, I had to leave my job in 1980 as my eyesight deteriorated.

This is when I was registered blind. After being registered I found work at the Institute for the Blind in Hull and I worked there as a knitting machine operator for 8 years, I also learnt Braille grade 1 & 2 at this time. I then had to retire in 1988 on medical grounds.

After I retired I went as a student to the Royal National College for the Blind at Hereford for 3 years and I did computer studies until 1992.Then I moved back to Scotland to Wishaw and I did a year at Motherwell College.

I then moved to County Durham to live, I now live at Bishop Auckland. I attend a day centre twice a week in Crook called Cheshire homes, which I enjoy attending.

With the help and advice of Blind Life I now have a computer in my own home and I am attending computer lessons through Bishop Auckland College at the outreach centre at the Royal Corner at Crook. I have recently passed a City & Guilds accredited course using a programme called Jaws.

I have Guide screenreader software installed on my computer at home and I am about to try a programme called Thunder, which I have been told is very good.

Being a member of Blind Life I a do not feel as isolated and I know if I have a problem with the computer I have someone I can contact for help.

I would like to say thank you to Blind Life for your help and support.

A contribution from Elizabeth

Elizabeth Newton
Achievements & Experiences

Since 2004 ,when I was nominated to be secretary for blind, which then meant Blind Light In Durham, I soon found out this role required a lot of skill and work, which at the time we were setting up the charity, so it needed great detail and documentation to build the foundations.

It took some time and effort to learn minute taken and organisation of which I have never done or thought I could do. I learnt to work as a team and be a part of what we as a committee have created and built up over the last 3 years. I now have loads of confidence to represent myself and Blind Life In Durham at exhibits, conferences where ever this role will take me.

I have also done a lot of fundraising by organising raffle prizes and doing 2 tombola stalls. I have also got a qualification in basic IT skills, door stop crime, and representation and experience in guiding visual impaired people. I recommend volunteering to anybody who is thinking of doing this because it gives you so much personal achievement and experience.

Secretary Elizabeth Newton.

A contribution from Jack

Hello Jack here,

After an accident at work about 13 years ago, I lost my sight completely.

I joined Blind Life just over a year ago and I would like to tell you how it has helped me. By going to the Abbey Day social meetings I have made many new friends and met some really nice people. As we all have some sort of sight problem we are on common ground. I enjoy our monthly meetings where we usually have a speaker, talking on a variety of topics.

I have also greatly enjoyed trips out that we have had together. This year we have been to Sunderland Glass Works and the Winter Gardens, Windermere Manor Hotel and Leeds Resource Centre for the Blind .We all have a good time and a good laugh.

I do not feel as isolated now, as I did in the past.

I am doing a computer course at present and B.L.IN.D has helped me with my computer for which I am very grateful, as I need all the help I can get. It has been a long time since I went to school.

I am looking forward to our Christmas meal at the Royal Oak, Cornsay Colliery and the Christmas Social at the Abbey Day Centre, PITY ME, Durham.

So if you are reading or listening to this, make that move and contact B.L.IN.D or come along to a social meeting at the Abbey Day Centre, and I am sure just like me, you will make new friends and will be made most welcome.