The Mag
A letter to The Queen
Spring Competition
2 Recipes
Artwork
Mary’s Dancing
Spring 2016
A magazine for and by people who use MacIntyre’s services
Who is who on The Mag Group
Mary Hughes
Anthony Tull
Vicky Rogers
Sharron Pratt
Donald Delmohamed
Sui-Ling Tang
Emma Killick
Welcome to The Spring issue of The Mag
We hope you love reading The Mag. In this issue we
have got a new ‘Spring Competition’ for you to enter
on page 35.
Details of our new Facebook page is on page 20
Our new cover is by Paula Blake who won our Winter
Competition
Happy Reading
The Editor: Vicky
2
Contents
Pages 4 - 5
Celebrations
Pages 6 – 9
Holidays and Day Trips
Pages 10 - 14
Hobbies and Interests
Pages 15 -23
What’s Happening Around
MacIntyre
Pages 24
Sport and Leisure
Pages 25 - 26
Entertainment
Page 27 - 32
Food and Drink
Pages 33
Art and Craft
Pages 34
Winter Competition Winners
Pages 35
Spring Competition
3
Celebrations
A letter to HRH The Queen
by Lesley Wareing in Warrington
I recently wrote a letter to The Queen to celebrate her 90th
birthday. I also sent her a tapestry that I embroidered specially
for her.
Here is the letter below I wrote along with my tapestry I made
for The Queen.
A note from The Editor see Lesley’s tapestry
go to our art section on page 33
4
Celebrations
My 70th Birthday Party
At The Barbourne Ex-Serviceman’s Club
by Pat Burke in Worcester
As it was my 70th birthday this year, and it’s a bit of a milestone
birthday I decided to have a birthday party at my local ExServiceman’s club in Worcester. With the help of my Keyworker and
the other staff at Whiteladies, I put together a list of friends and
family members that I wanted to invite, and then posted off the
invitations to everyone.
It was great to see my family on the night, as some of them live far
away, and I don’t get to see them very often. I sat with my family,
with my friends dotted on other tables around the room.
A disc jockey that my Keyworker Liz had sorted played some of my
favourite music during the evening, and I really had a good time
dancing to it.
A friend of one of my staff at Whiteladies had put together a
special 70th birthday cake for me, and this was given to me during
the evening. I very much enjoyed both cutting into it, and eating it.
I gave a small speech during the evening thanking everyone for
coming and bring such lovely presents. I really enjoyed my 70th
birthday, and I’m already looking forward to turning 71.
My Cake
Me and My Family
5
Dancing
Holidays and Day Trips
My Monthly Visit to see my sister
by Keith Lomax in Warrington
My sister Marj lives in Leasowe on The Wirral . Every month I visit
her on the train.
This is me waiting at Warrington Central for the train.
Me arriving at Lime Street Station, Liverpool
From Lime Street I need to catch the underground train to Leasowe.
6
Holidays and Day Trips
My Monthly Visit to see my sister
(Continued)
On this trip we met up with Marj and my nephew, John at Birkenhead
to go round the shops and I brought a CD. While we where there we
had a nice cup of tea at the cafe before catching the bus to
Leasowe.
Normally Marj cooks us all a roast dinner, but as it was nearly Easter our
friend Trevor treated us to a pub meal.
After that we went back to my sisters house to relax and chat.
Marj waiting at the bus stop with me to say ‘Good bye’ and see you
again soon’.
7
Holidays and Day Trips
My Holiday to Southport
by Paula Blake in Chester
I went on holiday and I stayed in a hotel for one night.
I went to the beauty salon for my nails to be painted. They looked
nice and red.
I went shopping and brought a new dress and I like going to the
pub my favourite drink is a Pepsi.
I liked going out for something to eat. I liked pasta the best. I
went bowling and to the cinema.
I was tired after all that. So I had a lovely massage which was nice
and relaxing.
‘I want to go on holiday again soon.’
I
My holiday
Me at the pub
Me having pasta
Me bowling
8
Holidays and Day Trips
My Holiday Wish
by Dominic Findlay in Bromsgrove
My Mum and MacIntyre supports me and I have an electric
wheelchair.
I asked my mum about going on holiday as it’s my 30th soon.
So after much researching mum found a holiday in Alcaucin
in Spain which is an accessible holiday.
They cater for all with accessible pool, bus, bedrooms and
building. That you stay in. Their prices are very reasonable.
I am travelling by Monarch Airways and they will use a
raised platform to get me into my seat. My wheelchair is
very important to my independence and I am very excited
that I have front row seat with mummy and lots of leg room.
A Picture of the plane I’ll be flying on
A note from The Editor to Dominic
The Mag would like to read all about your
holiday when you return from it.
9
Hobbies and Interests
Collecting Dates
by Alan Phillips in Redditch
My hobby is collecting dates and I love to collect dates like
birthdays and anniversaries and I like to write the dates down
either on my laptop or in my notebook.
Whenever I meet someone new I like to ask them to tell me all the
dates of birth of their family members! I also like to visit local
graveyards to collect dates from the headstones.
My hobby is really important to me and this year I was very keen
to celebrate my ‘Hobby Day’ by throwing a party for all my friends.
My Hobby Day is 21st March the day I first began collecting
dates, which was in 1979. This year I will have been collecting
dates for 37 years.
Me playing bingo with my
friends at the party
Me with my
notebook
10
Me with all the
party food
Hobbies and Interests
My Dancing
By Mary Hughes in Milton Keynes
Me, Mark Ahrens and Rachel Sliver whet dancing every Monday
night at Milton Keynes Dance Centre.
I got a certificate and a trophy for completing my one star
Freestyle Award. I was so happy I did it.
I enjoyed it because I like to dance and I had to do a solo dance all
by myself. It was so much fun and one day I would love to do some
more dancing.
This is me with my award and certificate
A note from The Editor : Well done Mary
for getting your One
11
Hobbies and Interests
My Audi Adventure
By Andrew Smith in Milton Keynes
I have collected models since I was four years old and my
favourite car is the Audi. So my staff Alison Venus thought it
would be great if she could arrange a trip to a local garage and
maybe let me have a drive in my favourite model, the A7. So
Alison supported me to write a letter to the local Audi garage in
Northfield in Milton Keynes.
A few days after sending the letter I received a reply with a
brochure and inviting me in for a visit and a test drive. So we
arranged a date of the 11th November 2015.
I had a fabulous time looking round the showroom, sitting in
cars, talking to the staff who worked for Audi. The Audi staff
were so lovely and we had a coffee and then I had a drive in an
Audi A7. I was unable to drive the car on the road so one of the
drivers at the showroom took me.
When we pulled back up to work in this very posh car everyone
came out to see us which made my day even more special.
Chatting to Alison later I told her ‘I felt like Alan Sugar’.
To top it off a lady from the showroom sent me a model of my
favourite car just in time for my birthday.
Thank you Alison for organising this day for me!
Below are some photos from the day I had with my Favourite
car.
12
Hobbies and Interests
My look around at St John’s Church
By Oliver Meacham in Redditch
One of my favourite hobbies is visiting Churches. I like to walk
around the grounds and look inside the Churches.
Last week I went on the bus with my support worker Loraine to a
small town called Bromsgrove which is only a few miles from
Redditch.
We went to have a look at St John’s Church which is near to
Bromsgrove town centre.
Inside there were some tombs which I really enjoyed having a
close look at. Whilst we were in the Church the vicar came and
had a chat with us: I told him I like Churches.
Loraine made a note of the names on the tombs and we went home
to look them up on my i-pad. I had a great day out right in the
next town to where I live.
Below are a few photos of my visit
13
Hobbies and Interests
My Dog Volunteering Job
by Jonny English Williams in Flitwick
Hi it’s Jonathan, I live in Flitwick and here is a little about me.
I am a volunteer and I do lots of different charity work, Such as
Family United, Chums and Aras. There are too many to name.
I have done volunteering for a long time. You could say I love it. As
well as the outdoors and nature I love animals. I love my family;
they are a big part of my life. I also absolutely love drama and
performing.
I am currently volunteering for Aras dog rescue in Kempston. As
you go in there’s a sign for about 28 dogs with one side showing
different breeds of dogs that are looking for a new home.
I feel sorry for the dogs as they’re in small cages. When I go
there I am happy to help but I also feel sad for them. I have to
put on a brave face.
I really like all of the dogs and I find myself getting attached to
them really quickly. I get to choose when I go in so the hours are
quite flexible, which I find helps so I don’t do too much and make
myself poorly.
I get the choice to clean out the cages and change their bedding,
give them their food or take them for a walk.
As I love walking outdoors and getting fresh air I choose to walk
the dogs. It can get very muddy so I make sure I am prepared
and take some wiellies as it can get really messy.
14
What’s Happening Around MacIntyre
Learning Disability England Vision and Mission
Conference by Sui-Ling Tang in Milton Keynes
On 13th October 2015 I went to a Conference called Learning
Disability England Vision and Mission with Sarah Burslem.
There was lady called Anne Tidbury who spoke about the Housing
Support Alliance.
The Conference was about people with a learning disability, their
families and staff getting involved with a new organisation called
‘Learning Disability England’.
Learning Disability England is going to get people to speak up. We
went into groups to talk about what people were concerned about
for example, transport which we don’t have enough support for.
We put all those things on paper in order of priority. Each group
had to read it in front of everybody in the conference room.
From what you can read below this is what the vision and mission
going to be.
Their vision is to see a world where people with a learning
disability and their families are respected with a valued life full
with equal lives..
Their mission is to bring together the power of people with
learning disabilities, their families and organisations to campaign
on the things that matter to us to create change.
They wanted to make sure that people with learning disabilities
and their families are heard; in the media, in politics and in our
communities.
15
What’s Happening Around MacIntyre
Learning Disability England Vision and Mission
Conference (continued)
To be led by people with learning disabilities in partnership with
their families, supporters and allies then to provide advice and
support to members who are other people with learning
disabilities and their families and supporters.
Then on the 25th February Annie Tidbury from (H and SA)
Housing and Support and Gary from ‘People First England’ came
to meet people from MacIntyre to tell us all about it.
I introduced Annie Tidbury and Gary from People First England
to the group. We all went round the circle to introduce ourselves
to them. Lots of people asked lots of questions. Annie and Gary
wrote them down on pink paper then we all had three votes to
vote for what is most important to us.
Then we talked about what worries us and what could work
better. We found this a hard question. We all had a big
discussion together about what we thought.
It was a good session meeting new people and hearing what they
had to say.
In the afternoon we split up into three groups to talk about how
MacIntyre supports us.
Then each group presented what we talk about in our groups to
the other groups.
We were then given the chance to sign up to join a group which
would be making a new MacIntyre policy about relationships and
how we can make sure that people are supported by MacIntyre
have their views heard both within and outside of MacIntyre.
16
What’s Happening Around MacIntyre
Learning Disability England Vision and Mission
Conference (continued)
It was a lovely day.
These are a few photos of us together and a few other photos
during our sessions.
17
What’s Happening Around MacIntyre
Holidaying
in Star
Majorca
Joanne and
Katherine
Performance
(continued)
Here
a few photos
of my
holiday
Joanne Bowering
andare
Katherine
Marfleet
from
Milton Keynes
took part at The London Gala Ball in March which was in aid of
MacIntyre.
Joanne and Katherine were both dancing together with Andrew
Cuerden who has been in programs like Strictly Come Dancing.
Katherine and Joanne had to train hard with their dance
partners for a number of weeks in order to get their routines
right on the night.
This is what Katherine said about taking part. ‘The dancing was in
aid of MacIntyre and it took part at The Porchester Hall in
London. Jenny Edwards and Claire Kennedy who work at our
office in Milton Keynes asked me if we would like to take part in
the gala and we both said yes.’
Katherine went on to tell me about her dress she wore for the
dancing. ‘It was lovely and colourful, it was purple and sparkly.’
She also said ‘I had to practice for a lot of weeks.’
I finally asked her how much she enjoyed taking part and she
said ‘liked it this much’.
This is what Jo had to say about taking part in the gala. ‘Jenny also
asked me if I would like to take part in the gala which was nice’.
Jo went on to say ‘I liked it loads and had a nice purple ball gown to
wear for the gala and I had four different practice days before it
took place on 12th March. I was happy as my family came to watch
me dance’.
18
What’s Happening Around MacIntyre
Joanne and
Katherine
Star Performance
Holidaying
in Majorca
(continued)
(continued)
Here
are a of
few
photosand
of Katherine
my holidayat The Gala
Here are a few
photos
Joanne
Practicing
The Gala
A note from The Editor: To see more about
Joanne and Katherine’s performance please
Log onto
http://www.macintyrecharity.org/macintyrewent-strictly/
19
What’s Happening Around MacIntyre
The Mag on Facebook
The Mag now has it’s own Facebook page where you can log on to
find lots of groovy updates and get to find out what exciting
things The Mag does at our meetings.
We also put our competition on our page along with the winners
and you’ll be excited to know we also post links to each issue of
The Mag. So now there’s no reason to miss an issue.
You can message us on Facebook if you have any ideas for an
article for The Mag or if you have any art or recipes and we’ll
answer your messages.
So please drop us a line as The Mag is always wanting to hear
from staff and the people we support around MacIntyre.
A note from The Editor: This is how you
can find us on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/the
magpage/
20
What’s Happening Around MacIntyre
Protection Eggsercise
By Fletchers Mews in Milton Keynes
We held a competition to design a container, made only out of
drinking straws and masking tape, to protect an egg from a
drop of at least 2.5 metres (8 feet) onto a hard surface.
The completed designs were very different. 'The Cube' based
on a centre cradle arrangement, 'Sputnik' owing something to
space vehicle technology.
The containers both survived the 2.5 metre drop and were
then subjected to flights of increasing height and distance.
The egg in Team B's 'The Cube' finally cracked, but Team A's
'Sputnik' remained intact!
David Hunt said "It was a good exercise in teamwork and easy
to do because of the materials. It prompted a lot of discussion
about different methods of construction. Everyone helped in
some way. The destruction testing was a lot of fun and gave a
lot of pleasure and kudos to the winners"
These are a few photos of us together and a few other
photos during our sessions
21
What’s Happening Around MacIntyre
Holidaying
Majorca
Arnie andinFriends
(continued)
Here are
fewExpressive
photos of Arts
my holiday
"Arnie and Friends"
by aThe
Group formally
known as The Panto Group who are based at MacIntyre Lifelong
Learning in Milton Keynes. This group includes staff and people
we support within MacIntyre.
The group had a grant from The MK Community Foundation for
the group to put on the pantomime which was performed at The
Woughton Leisure Centre Theatre here in Milton Keynes.
Here is a list of things the cast said about taking part.
Zoe: ‘I loved going into the washing machine’.
Sarah Moore: ‘I liked my evil laugh’.
Steve: ‘I like wearing my dress and flashing my bloomers’.
Julia: ‘I really liked my costumes’.
Sarah Morish: ‘I liked everything, the costumes and the
facepaints’.
Simon: ‘It was a long day and I was really tired at the end’.
Ben: ‘I liked saying my catchphrase Hello, Hello, Hello’.
Katherine: ‘I enjoyed following the script’.
Tanya: ‘I like dancing’.
Andrew: ‘I got to tell my joke and made everyone laugh’.
Michelle ‘I got to wear a beautiful dress’.
22
What’s Happening Around MacIntyre
Holidaying
Majorca
Arnie andinFriends
(continued)
(continued)
Here are a few photos of my holiday
Below are a few reviews about the panto from our MacIntyre Charity
Facebook page.
Anita: ‘It was fantastic. Loved every minute of it. Well done to all the stars.
You were all brilliant’.
Sandra: ‘Well done guys looks like so much fun’.
Wendy: ‘The actors were brilliant and I know they created the whole show
from scratch and came up with the characters and the script.
Here are a few photos of the panto
The Performance
The Cast
23
Sport and Leisure
Kung Fu
By Sam Pinnock in Worcester
I am a member of the Lau Gar Kung Fu club in Redditch
(a mainstream Marshall Arts club). My instructors name is Alan
Neeld.
I go every week and over time I have become an important
member of the club. The training can be tiring.
We start the class with press-ups and sit-ups followed by
stretching exercises. My instructor says he can see a marked
improvement in my strength over the months.
Each week we break into groups and practice the technical
elements of Kung Fu. At first I did struggle with this but with
patience and perseverance on both my part and the other
students I have progressed and recently reached the standard
required to take my first grade, white sash.
My instructor says “The training I will do moving forward will
get harder and harder and I will have to apply myself to
succeed. He has no doubt that I will do my best and my staff
assured him they will do their best for me also.
The improvement in my strength, coordination and hopefully my
confidence will continue to grow as long as I continue to train:
My instructor looks forward to teaching me and for me being
part of the club for many years to come”.
A few photos of me practicing
24
Entertainment
Shrek the Musical
by Natalie Williams in Warrington
I went to see Shrek the Musical at The Lowry in Manchester. I
went with my Personal Assistant called Debbie.
When we arrived in Manchester we went to a restaurant and I
had a lovely Chinese meal.
When we got to the show we got a drink and a programme and
then went to find our seats which were right at the front and
they were fabulous.
The show was amazing, it was so funny especially The Donkey.
My favourite part was when Shrek and Fiona sang a song
together. The music was fantastic that I had to get up and
dance.
After I had seen Shrek Debbie and I went shopping and I
bought a new bag. Then we went to a coffee shop and I had a
diet cola and slice of chocolate fudge cake.
25
Entertainment
Dream a Little Christmas Dream – A book review
by Victoria Rogers in Milton Keynes
The book is about Sarah who has been having dreams again but
what are her dreams telling her this time? Could it be there is
going to be a few changes heading her way?
The ending has a surprising twist. Sarah’s dreams were giving
her little clues that she couldn’t understand.
The author delivers a beautiful romantic story that you’ll want
to read over and over again.
Read to find out what the unexpected twist is at the end. It is
a festive, beautiful and romantic book, which is a good read.
And what is Sarah’s answer going to be, well you’ll have to read
it to find out. The author delivers another sparkling, beautiful,
romantic story which is festive.
I would like to give the book by Giovanna Fletcher 5 out of 5
Stars.
26
Food and Drink
Roasted Tomato and Sweet Pepper Soup
By Sharon Pratt in Stony Strafford
Soup Ingredients
12oz ripe tomatoes
1 large onion
3 Yellow Sweet Peppers
A few drizzles of olive oil
27
Food and Drink
Roasted Tomato and Sweet Pepper Soup
(Continued)
Soup Ingredients (Continued)
2 pints of boiling water to add to stock
2 tubs of vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste
A small handful of Basil
28
Food and Drink
Roasted Tomato and Sweet Pepper Soup
(Continued)
What to do
1. With a large knife cut the tomatoes, peppers and onion
into 4 quarters then sprinkle with olive oil and put in the
oven on a medium heat for 10 minutes until the skin looks
charred.
2. When the vegetables are done remove from the oven.
Leave to cool and peel them to remove the skin.
3. Boil water in kettle and add the vegetable stock and give
it a good stir. Put the vegetable and the stock into a
blender and wizz until it is all mixed together. Then season
to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Pour mixture from the blender into a saucepan, add some
torn basil leaves and heat.
5. Pour into bowls and if you like, add a couple of drops of
olive oil too.
Serves 4 People
A couple of photos of me making the soup
29
Food and Drink
Mrs Brown’s Trifle
By Arthur Brown in Warrington
I wanted to make my mum’s trifle last year for tea on Christmas
Day as my mum died three years ago. The trifle brought back
lovely memories.
I would like to share mum’s trifle recipe with all the readers of
‘The Mag’.
Trifle Ingredients
1 large Swiss Roll
1 Packet of Jelly
150mls of Readymade Custard
150mls of Double Cream
Some Jelly Sweets for Decoration
30
Food and Drink
Mrs Brown’s Trifle
(Continued)
What to do
1. Cut up the Swiss roll into thin slices and place them
around the bottom of a trifle bowl.
2. Make your jelly in a jug as instructed on the packet and
leave it to cool until room temperature and pour over
the Swiss Roll slices and then put it in the fridge until it
has set.
3. Pour the custard over the set jelly and put back in the
fridge.
4. Whip your double cream to make it thick then pour it
over the custard and pop it back in the fridge to cool.
5. When cool sprinkle on some fruit jelly sweets.
Serves 4 People
A few photos of me making mum’s trifle
Me putting in the Swiss Roll
Me pouring the jelly
Mrs Browns Trifle finished by Mrs Browns Boy
31

Food and Drink
My Love of Soup Making at Work
By Sharon Pratt in Stony Stratford
When I am at work at MacIntyre Gift and Coffee Shop in
Stony Stratford I really enjoy making homemade soup.
One of my favourite types of soup is Roasted Sweet Pepper and
tomato soup, which is easy to make.
I use a visual recipe card to help me when I am following recipes
at home, I can now make my own soup for my dinner by following
the recipe card like the one below.
A note from The Editor: If you would like
to know how to make Sharon’s soup recipe
go to pages 27 – 29 in our Food and Drink
section.
32
Art and Craft
Artwork
Mother’s Day Artwork by The Warrington Learning Centre.
The artwork was done for their mothers or their staff.
By Ian Okane
By David Ishaque
By Warren Gaffney
By Robert Ford
By Martin Kelly
Other Artwork
Tapestry
by Lesley Wareing
in Warrington
Mermaids by John Honour
in Milton Keynes
33
Competition
Winter 2016 Competition
Winner and Runner-up
My Garden at Woodcroft by
Paula Blake in Chester
Paula with her prizes
With The Bishop of Ebbsfleet
by James Beckwith - Smith in
Milton Keynes
James with his prize with
Debbie (Head of Service)
A note from The Editor : Well done to
Paula, Her winning entry is also on our
front cover.
34
Competition
Spring Competition
To win just put a circle around
the letter you think
is the right answer and send it into The Mag at our dress which is
on the back cover. The first two drawn out of the hat will win a fab
prize.
What animal would you normally see at Springtime?
A: A Giraffe
B: A Hippo
C: A Chick
Please include your name and contact details on the
back of your entry.
35
www.macintyrecharity.org
The Mag
MacIntyre
602 South Seventh
Street
Milton Keynes
MK9 2JA