S. A. S.
Registered Charity No: 1115016
Success After Stroke
Summer Newsletter 2015
A Note from the Chairman
Our latest fundraising event, held for the
second year, was our sponsored run and
walk, held in the grounds at Auberies by
kind permission of Nigel Burke.
It was another success in that it gave our
members a chance to test their stamina
against distances set for them by our
therapists. These records were smashed,
much to their delight, so congratulations.
The run was open to all, I am very grateful
to all those who took part in helping to
raise funds, and to our marshals and
helpers as well as to Angie and Kate for
running such a successful cake stall. They
say when exercising “no pain no gain”, the
cakes were our pleasure and reward.
Our event organiser Louise St John Howe
produced another wonderful day, thank
you Louise.
Richard Furlonger
SEE MORE PHOTOS INSIDE!
THE LIZ GREENE TRIP
A trip to Norwich was arranged for
Wednesday 1st April to see Top Hat at the
Theatre Royal or visit the Norwich Museum.
The coach left Sudbury at 10.00 a.m. as the
theatre had been booked for the matinee
performance and we arrived in time to
have some lunch or take a quick trip to the
shops for those going to the theatre, or go
on to Norwich Castle to the museum.
Top Hat lived up to expectations bringing
the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age
and the tap-dancing magic of Fred Astaire
and Ginger Rogers to the stage in one of
the greatest dance musicals of all time.
SAS theatre-goers all agreed that they had
had a wonderful time and found it very
uplifting.
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Those who visited the Norwich Museum
thoroughly enjoyed their time too,
exploring the Castle’s history and enjoying
the fabulous collections of fine art,
archaeology and natural history as well as
the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum
collections.
All agreed that it had been a very
successful day out – thanks to the Liz
Greene Fund!
Admin
TEN PIN BOWLING
JIM SENIOR
Sadly this year we lost a valued member of
our Friday conversation group. Jim was an
absolute gentleman. He was initially
reserved but he grew in confidence and
found his voice. He had the most
contagious smile, which we miss.
Jim talked lovingly about his family. He told
us stories from his time in the Navy at the
age of 14, his National Service at 18 and
amusing tales from his childhood ....getting
caught scrumping and icicles on his nose
in bed as a youngster.
Jim was a lovely member of our group and
he and his stories will be remembered
fondly.
- The Friday Conversation Group
On Friday 17th April, several members of
SAS attended Jim’s funeral at Seven Hills
Crematorium, Ipswich.
On Tuesday 7th April, thirty
members and carers went tenpin
bowling. Everyone had a great
time with some very high scores
and quite a few people getting
strikes.
Our thoughts go out to his devoted wife
Beryl and the family.
Well done everyone! – and
hopefully we will see you all in
August (date to be organised).
The A.G.M. was held on Tuesday 21st April at the
Stevenson Centre and was very well attended.
Diane Bayly
Member
Richard, our Chairman, was sure that everyone was
aware that Miranda Cox, one of our managers, was
leaving us on the 15th May to work with her
husband and our other manager, Marian Bagnall,
will be leaving at the end of the summer term.
Richard reassured everyone that we have an
excellent replacement to take over their places –
Sarahjane Lewis who will be joining us on 5th May.
Richard thanked Marian and Miranda for all the
hard work and dedication that they have given to
SAS.
This was unanimously agreed.
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Richard thanked all those connected with SAS for
their continuous help and dedication.
Brian Waghorn, our Treasurer, will also be retiring
from SAS and resigning as a Trustee at the end of
the meeting. Richard thanked Brian for all he had
done for SAS and introduced his successor, Loudon
Greenlees, to the meeting.
Following the meeting, a delicious buffet lunch was
provided, thanks to Diane and Debbie Buckenham
and her team.
Admin
BYE, BYE MIRANDA – thank you
AND GOOD LUCK!
Do we sufficiently sing the
praises of SAS?
Some of us have had years of
enjoying independence but some
He‘yearlings’
day that had look
of us
still
remember the dark days.
We all need good carers – our
‘heroes’, but SAS gives what
only we know – ‘the energy of
inspiration’ to overcome the
‘can’t do’ in our thoughts.
Perhaps in our discussion
periods we could say more than
how ‘we fall over when putting
on our pyjamas’ but how each of
us overcomes difficulties and
it goes without saying that we
still laugh and praise as
usual.
Hopefully this will extend our
conversation to other friends
and extol the virtues of SAS.
Our
Chairman,
Richard,
saying
farewell to Miranda on behalf of
all her friends at SAS.
Martin Nichols
Member
PLEASE SUPPORT! PLEASE SUPPORT! PLEASE SUPPORT!
ROYAL PARKS FOUNDATION
HALF MARATHON – 11th OCTOBER 2015
..... and it wouldn’t be the same
without one of Diane’s special
cakes!
Here is a list of the runners for the Half Marathon
on 11th October. They are running for SAS so if
anyone wants to sponsor them, please go onto the
Virgin Money Giving site and /their name which
should give their sponsorship page. Alternatively
look under Success After Stroke. Otherwise you
could email them:
Paul Farmer:
fmr@gbhs.co.uk
Scott Cook:
scott@alchemyrecruitment.com
Tom Lindsay: tlindsay@hogarthdavieslloyd.com
Joanne Hawkes: jo.hawkes@hotmail.com
Nick Bourne:
nick@artfulconsulting.com
PLEASE SUPPORT! PLEASE SUPPORT! PLEASE SUPPORT!
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Commemorating Caroline Macmillan
SAS Trip to
Our trip to the RHS Garden at Hyde Hall on
Tuesday 9th June was quite an eventful one. We all
met at the lorry park to get on the bus. Viv was
talking to me and my sister and didn’t realise the
driver was waiting for her to sit down before we
moved off!
The day which had looked quite promising had
now clouded over and there was a very chilly wind.
The gardens were on a slight hill. Some people had
brought coats whereas others like me and my
sister didn’t, thinking the day was going to
improve. Henrietta took pity on me and loaned me
her lovely warm coat.
First stop for some of us was the cafe at the
bottom of the gardens in the shop and plant centre
where we had a bowl of hot soup and a coffee to
warm us up. Some of the others there didn’t seem
in too much of a hurry to get back out in the cold
again.
There was a mobility vehicle to take you up the
long pathway to the gardens. Audrey and I
decided to take a slow walk up. As we took a
different pathway we were not sure where we
were on the map but we came up to the Queen
Mother’s Garden. We then made our way to the
Robinson Garden. The flowers were nearly all out
and what a lovely display they made. The gold
border with all its different yellows cheered you up
as it made you think of warm sunshine (which we
didn’t have!).
The Upper Pond area was very lovely, the pond
water so clear. We at last saw some of our group –
up to then we hadn’t seen any of them. We then
made our way to the Shrub Rose Border and as we
walked through taking in all the beautiful colours
and scents, we saw two goldfinches with all their
lovely colours. They nearly outdid the roses. We
made our way to the Lower Pond where we met
Rita and her husband.
We then made our way to my favourite place, the
Rose Rope Walk and the Modern Rose Garden.
You wouldn’t guess I love roses! Their beautiful
colours and scents are like nothing else. Some still
hadn’t flowered but when they do, it will be
stunning.
The Herbaceous Border was divided into small
gardens, one was all purple plants, one all pink and
red, yellow and gold gardens and then a mixture of
colours. This made me wish I had some of them in
my garden. They were delightful to see.
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The Hilltop Garden was one of the bigger ones and
the flowers in them were amazing. Their colours
were so lovely and bright. There were yellow and
blue ones towering towards the sky. I don’t think I
have seen such tall flowers.
By this time Audrey and I decided we needed a hot
drink and visited the restaurant. Inside we were
surprised to see so many of our group there. I
think they were getting out of the cold the same as
we were. After we came out it was time to make
our way down again to catch the bus. On the way
we caught up with Viv and Henrietta, Marian and
Val. Viv had come well prepared for the trip – she
had her scarf and woolly hat on and layers of
clothes!
Our last stop was back at the shop and plant centre
to see if there was anything we wanted to buy.
They had a lovely plant centre there – some which
made their way home on the bus with us! At last it
was time to get on the bus to come home. The
time had gone so quickly. We didn’t see all the
gardens but the ones we did see were amazing.
A coffee morning was recently held at the home of
Maggie Pownall, volunteer, to raise funds for SAS.
Sylvia Bunt gave a delightful talk on her work and
apprenticeship at the House of Norman Hartnell,
Court Dressmaker, which enthralled the audience of
over thirty ladies.
Sylvia worked there from 1950, during the time the
Coronation Gown was completed for the Queen and
gave a fascinating insight into her work. She has
amassed an interesting display of scraps of fabrics,
newspaper cuttings and many interesting titbits of
news of that era. One of the audience was heard to
say she would have stayed all morning listening to
Sylvia!
I think we all had a lovely day but were tired and a
bit cold.
On the way home we were given a magazine to
look at and in it were the gardens of Caroline who
has sadly left us and in whose memory we owe the
trip to. Knowing her love for her garden and
flowers made it a very special day out in her
memory and we would all like to say a very big
THANK YOU for the lovely trip.
Linda Jackson
Member
Thank you, Sylvia and for the perfect excuse to
raise £1,090 for SAS!
Maggie Pownall
Volunteer
WELL DONE AND THANK YOU FRoM
ALL AT SAS!
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SAS OUTING TO LITTLE BADDOW FOR
A CANAL CRUISE ON 3rd JULY
It was a beautiful sunny morning as we met
and boarded the coach at Sudbury and
proceeded on our way to Little Baddow,
picking up members and friends in Halstead en
route.
We arrived mid morning at the Paper Mill Lock
and had time for a coffee at The Old Stable
Tea Room before boarding Victoria the barge
awaiting us to board at noon. The cakes on
display looked most appetizing, as did our
ploughman’s lunches, which we saw taken to
the boat as we sat under parasols, enjoying
the sun and riverside location.
Our members in wheelchairs were gently
guided and helped onto the barge by a team of
strong men, with their carers.
Then all
members, carers and volunteers boarded and
were safely seated before the barge glided
smoothly into the lock.
We then proceeded to gently cruise along the
Chelmer and into the Blackwater. It was
delightful and very relaxing, with pretty
scenery.
We arrived back at Paper Mill Lock having
enjoyed a very pleasant time together in lovely
surroundings and sunshine.
Clinton, the coach driver brought us safely
back to Halstead and Sudbury.
Thank you SAS, Sarahjane and all our dear
volunteers.
Sylvia Bunt
Carer
RDA - SHELLEY
The barge staff were polite and helpful; the
young man who waited on us was patient also.
Our volunteers helped serve the plates of most
generous ploughman’s lunches. These proved
quite challenging to eat on laps! I doubt if I
was alone in thinking it was good to have china
plates, as paper plates would have been a
greater disaster! More substantial serviettes
would have been appreciated!
Sheila Frampton and I have had a
wonderful term carriage driving at the RDA
in Shelley.
We pootle round the countryside in
convoy, up and down the country lanes,
across the fields and sometimes stopping
at the Pub for lunch (though sadly no
alcohol)!
We have both improved our skills
immeasurably this year and have visited
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Blandings Farm in Cambridgeshire, which
has a large arena for us to practice a little
dressage, YES Dressage!! Then on round
the various obstacle courses, which are
quite challenging, a bite to eat and a drink
and then back home.
We continue back on 8th September and
can't wait to get back behind our horses
and take off again and are both eternally
grateful to the driving team at the RDA for
the help and guidance throughout the
year.
Viv Hatfield
Member
Last year we both passed our Stage 1
assessments and last week we finished off
the Summer term with Stage 2 which again
we both passed with flying colours and
were asked if we wanted to do Stage 3
the following week! Needless to say we
declined until next year.
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A VERY GOOD DAY WAS HAD BY ALL!
BYE, BYE MARIAN – thank you
AND GOOD LUCK!
..... and ONCE AGAIN, it wouldn’t
be the same without one of Diane’s
special cakes!
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S.A.S.
(Success after Stroke)
Success-after-Stroke is an active and motivated
self help support group where the members are
helped by dedicated volunteers and therapists in
their efforts for rehabilitation, independence and
confidence.
The Stevenson Centre
Great Cornard
Sarahjane Lewis:
07434 931 962
By Post:
Success After Stroke
PO Box 105
Ipswich
IP7 9BJ
E-mail:
info@successafterstroke.org.uk
Web:
www.successafterstroke.org.uk
On Monday mornings there is sailing at the
Woolverstone Project.
On Tuesday mornings the group meets at the
Stevenson Centre for:
 Socialising
 Physiotherapy
 Speech & language therapy
 Reading and discussion groups
 Basic nail care & massage therapy
On Wednesday mornings:
 Art, drawing and painting – beginners
welcome
On Thursday mornings:
 Swimming and exercise
 Riding at The Shelley Centre for
Therapeutic Riding (RDA)
On Thursday afternoons:
 Pottery
On Friday mornings:
 Physiotherapy
 Speech and language therapy
 Reading and discussion groups
 Nordic Walking
 Basic nail care & massage therapy – first
Friday of each month.
ACTIVITIES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
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