Blind Life In Durham
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BLIND is a Registered Charity
No: 1124381
Limited by guarantee company
No: 6567582
Patron: Mr. D V Inglesby F.R.C.S.
(Consultant Opthalmic Surgeon)
Live entertainment was provided by local singer 'Chyrelle Addams' singing songs from the 60' to present day at Redworth Hall Hotel on Friday 21st May supporting our charity.
Councillor Brian Myers kindly opened the evening for us. The entertainment from 'Chyrelle' then commenced. The event was well received and well attended and the entertainment was excellent.
B.L.IN.D would like to thank 'Chyrelle Addams' for her superb performance and Councillor Myers for opening the charity evening.
The event raised the sum of £848 for Blind Life in Durham.
With support from Barclays we doubled the funds raised under the pound for pound scheme.
We used 2 minibuses for our Wednesday excursion. Our drivers gave us detailed commentary about the natural history of the land and lakes as well as the history of places we passed on the way to Hawkshead where Wordsworth had gone to school. After we had visited this pretty village we travelled up narrow winding roads to Tarn Hows for a picnic lunch. The weather was warm and the scenery stunning. We wound back down to finish at Coniston where the slate mining had changed the character of the hills that rose steeply behind the town.
On Thursday our drivers took us to Lake Windermere for a boat trip from Bowness to Lakeside from where we took the steam train to Haverthwaite Station. During this time the rain cleared and we were able to stretch our legs before eating our packed lunches on board the minibuses. We then returned by steam train and then on a smaller boat back to Bowness. The warming sun made the lake and its shore misty and mysterious. There was interesting commentary about the lakeside buildings and land.
Friday dawned warm and sunny and our outing took us to Borrowdale to the stone circle at Castlerigg, high above on a windy hill with peaks all around. There was a useful tactile map featuring the stone circle and the surrounding peaks. We then descended to Keswick and ate a picnic lunch in the lakeside park, a hungry duck watching our every move and birdsong was all around. We then went shopping in the historic town of Keswick before being taken back by our driver to the hotel.
Our drivers Bob and Cherie were wonderful and well organised, they brought the Lakes to life with their varied and interesting commentary. We had generous portions at every meal: for breakfast plenty of choice; for lunch on outing days a packed lunch of sandwiches, crisps, apple and a bottle of water; and for the 3 course dinner a delicious and creative menu. After dinner we had quizzes and bingo and on one evening a singer with a sophisticated keyboard. So social were our evenings that we could stay and chat in the bar until 11pm (or later). Some of us used the hotel swimming pool and found it just right in size and temperature.
Some impressions from members:
"Everything is so wonderful"
"I want to come back. Everyone's so friendly"
"Can we come for a week next time?"
"There was such a good atmosphere"
"It was therapeutic, my confidence increased so much"
"The food was great with a good menu choice"
We organise regular audio assisted film screenings at the Gala cinema in Durham.
Please ring 01388 763501 for news on the latest films.
We meet fortnightly at St Catherine's Centre, Crook. Phone above number for details
Are you disabled or an appointed representative of a disabled person?
Got something to say about the Police, Courts, Probation, Crown Prosecution Service, Prisons and Youth Engagement/Offending Services?
Want to make a difference?
Join our Independent Advisory Group.
Representatives from statutory agencies, voluntary agencies and a range of individuals already meet to try to make improvements to the Police, Courts, Probation, Crown Prosecution Service, Prisons and Youth Engagement/Offending Services.
We need additional independent disabled people to join this process.
Support and training will be made available.
This group is being set up after a period of consultation with disabled people from County Durham and Darlington and will meet approximately every two months.
Applications from people with visual impairments are particularly welcome as they are currently under represented on the group.
Expenses, including travelling, will be paid.
Interested but not sure? - get in touch for more information or an application pack.
Contact:
PC Chris Watkins or Sgt Chris Thompson
HQ Diversity Unit
Durham Constabulary
Aykley Heads
Durham
DH1 5TT
Tel: 0191 375 2969/2997
Fax: 0191 375 2170
Mobile/Text: 07785396705
e-mail:
chris.watkins@durham.pnn.police.uk
christopher.thompson@durham.pnn.police.uk
Visit www.nationaliag.org
Invetec is a locally based company offering home computer support, including repairs, networks and computer parts. This service is available to Blind Life members at beneficial rates after three months membership. Mobile number and email address available on request.
